Vacations Blog

Lake Balboa, of the Encino Balboas

You’ve traveled to a famous city with your children.  You’ve hit the amusement park, the museums, the beach, the snow, the slopes, whatever that city is famous for.  You’ve driven, shopped, eaten, and listened to the whining, and done some yourself.  You’re tapped – physically and financially…but you still have a day or two of vacation to kill.

I humbly suggest going to the park.

Every city has parks.  Some are decent and well-run and some are downright scary.  A little research ahead of time will help you find some diamonds in the rough, however.  Talk to the locals, do a keyword search on the internet, and don’t forget the city or county’s parks and recreation department.  Many municipalities have very well-developed websites that catalogue and offer contact information for their network of parks and facilities, so you can find a park close to where you are staying or one that is accessible by mass transit.

Los Angeles is home to a great number of parks, Griffith Park being its most famous.  But don’t let that big brother make you think he’s the only show in town:  there are so many local parks that are well-maintained and safe and offer the exact same thing:  a place for your children to run around and tire themselves out so you can get some rest.  In the San Fernando Valley, one of the most popular is Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park.

The fancy upgraded park at Lake Balboa

Lake Balboa is a man-made home for ducks and geese and all manner of local water fowl.  Surrounding the lake is a network of paved paths for walking, running, biking, and scootering.  Two play areas host universal playground equipment that was just installed this year.  Several pavilions dot the grounds for parties and barbeques.  Families congregate, children play, dogs frolic, horses trot.

Universally accessible playground equipment

Separate areas for big and little kids

It's educational, too!

Inexpensive treats and activities are available – ice cream trucks are ever-present on weekends.  On the far side of the lake there is a dock where pedal boats can be rented:  $9 per 30 minutes for a family of four (kids must be 3 feet tall) and payment is cash only with picture ID.

Pedal boats for rent

Just across the parking lot from the dock, a company rents out quadracycles – cycling vehicles that look like this:

Quadracycle, courtesy of SurreyCompany.com

True, you can probably go to a park at home.  But when you are in a new city, the kids need something familiar to ground them, and what is more second-nature to a child than running free at a park?  Plus, you get a better feeling for the nature of a city when you’re doing something as simple as playing.

Playing!

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Along with the myth that everyone in L.A. has had plastic surgery, one of the big misconceptions about Los Angeles is that everyone has a swimming pool in their backyard. This isn’t true, of course – some of us can’t afford them because we’ve spent all our money on nose jobs and liposuctioning our butts.

So what do the unfortunate among us do when we need to beat the heat and cool off? Here are some ways you can take the plunge, or at least feel like you did.

Water Parks – We have two here, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and Raging Waters. I have to admit I’ve never been to either, or to any other water park for that matter. It may or may not have something to do with an aversion to being immersed in water that is home to the body fluids of five-hundred strangers. But my tween daughters have been bugging me to take them, and I may just break down and, uh, take the plunge. I guess that’s what antibiotics are for.

Aquarium Of The Pacific in Long Beach – Okay, there’s not actually anywhere you can jump in and take a swim here, but there’s something so refreshing about watching the seals and sea lions glide through the huge tanks. Also, you can put your hands in the water in their outdoor Ray Touch Pool – at least your wrists will get a chance to cool off.

A Friend’s Pool – Besides a nice pair of Manolo heels, the absolute must-have accessory in Los Angeles is definitely a friend with a pool. I suggest seeking out these people with the determination one might reserve for finding a good mate or more importantly, a good plastic surgeon. Once you find them, nurture these friendships and you’ll be rewarded with numerous invitations to “come and swim.” Make sure you show up with a nice bottle of wine now and then, or at least a jug of chlorine.

The Beach – This is a no-brainer, and if I hadn’t already mentioned it ad nauseam in previous posts, I would extol the virtues of our wonderful beaches once again. Let’s just say you can’t have a bad time lying on the sand, frolicking in the waves and soaking up the sun.

Lake Balboa – Sure, it’s man-made and is usually totally overcrowded with families desperate for the sight of a body of water. But it’ll do in a pinch, especially if you don’t have the two hours it would take you to get to Big Bear Lake or Lake Arrowhead. I don’t think swimming is allowed in the lake, but you can take a ride on a paddleboat or kayak. Word of advice: Don’t ignore the signs that say ‘Don’t Feed The Ducks’ since even one measly crust of bread will have an entire gaggle swarming you and may result in you having to throw away not one, but three perfectly good Subway sandwiches in order to get them off your back. Not that it’s ever happened to anyone I know.