“You guys don’t get out much, do you…”
As this is an Actual sentence spoken to me, this Summer I wanted to actively see more of the places near me. While more often than not I don’t go more than 20 minutes away when I do I head to San Diego, so this year I decided to head North. Lo and behold, there are a lot of other cool things to do if I dare to venture a little farther from home.
So if you want to adventure around Southern California, these are the things worth your time.
Laguna Beach: Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
I have been wanting to go watch the Pageant of the Masters for years now and it was really fun getting to go with my roomie this year. We stayed out in Laguna so we wouldn’t have to drive back home after the Pageant. Which I really recommend. The Festival includes hundreds of artists showcasing their work (which you can also buy). From a kids showcase to wooden clocks and paintings galore. There was so much to look at.
The Festival
This included a section for you to make your own art. Pottery you can paint and have glazed and some free stamp painting and keychains. We made some stamps (I did a Koi Fish one) and a keychain.
The Pageant
After a few hours of looking around and taking a break for dinner, the Pageant starts at 8. Definitely take the suggestions of bringing binoculars and a blanket. Don’t be me and choose not to bring one, only to get cold before going in and spending money on one they have there to buy. The binoculars ensure there is no bad seat. We sat the last seats in the middle next to the booth and had no problem seeing. The binoculars just let you take an extra detailed peek.
Every year there is a different theme; this year’s being “À La Mode: The Art of Fashion” revisiting some of history’s greatest fashions as told by living art. Meaning they take works of art (paintings, movies, sculptures) and recreate them using real people, costumes and backdrops. They did a fantastic job and it was really fun to watch. My favorite moment was when they showed exactly how they get everything put together to make it look like the art piece.
It runs through August 30th if you want to jump in and go the last few weeks, or just add to your list for next summer.
Yorba Linda: Nixon Library
I’d never been but once the Roomie comes we go exploring. The most interesting thing about this past president’s library is it is built on the property where he was actually born!
The home in which he was born is still there on the property, and you can walk through it.
This was my favorite thing to see because they have all original to the time furniture. Including some that were in this house when he lived there. If you are a history nerd or just love to learn this is a great place to visit. We were there about 2 hours before it closed and that wasn’t even enough time to read everything.
We got to check out his Oval Office and Marine One. Of course stopping for some photos. I would definitely go again to spend more time seeing everything I missed.
San Bernardino: The Original McDonald’s location
Not labeled the First McDonald’s because this “museum” is the location of the McDonald’s brother’s first restaurant. It isn’t a museum in the normal sense but if you want a walk down memory lane of the memorabilia of the McDonald’s franchise, this is the place to be.
I had zero expectation for what this would be, but I enjoyed it so much. It was fun to see the changes from year to year in packaging and toys. Especially seeing toys you know you wanted from the Happy Meals. Outside even includes the original golden arches. Best of all, it’s free to visit!
Buena Park: Pirates Adventure Dinner
Ahoooooy Mateys! Come on down to dinner with a show! The Pirate’s Dinner Adventure located in Buena Park. (There is also a location in Orlando, Florida) You will be assigned to a color where you will get your own pirate to root for and be served a 3 course meal while being immersed in the story or duels and forbidden love and lots of laughs along the way.
You can pay to upgrade your courses but the base meal is a soup or salad, chicken with veggies and mashed potatoes, followed by a German Chocolate Cake dessert. Since I am gluten free I got to have a slushy for dessert, yum.
Coming in September they will have a Vampire Pirate themed show!
I hope this list gave you some ideas of new things to do in SoCal, let me know if you visit any!
Of course, while you are having a grand time in Southern California you will need to fuel up. So make sure you are Subscribed to the blog to be notified about places to visit to Eat Your Way through SoCal!
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Check out: Welcome to Downton for more things to do in SoCal
Fun memories!