Vacations Blog

Chabot Space & Science Center--Inside the Planetarium

OK just to come clean right up front, I’m sort of cheating on this one because I did not personally visit Chabot’s Space & Science Center, however my wife Lisa, a 3^rd grade teacher, recently took her class to this amazing East Bay attraction. I figure I can’t get much closer to being there than my wife, so this post has been written kind of sort of by osmosis.

Let me also say that The Chabot Space & Science Center is more than can be written about in a simple blog post. If you check out their website you’ll understand what I mean.  The better part of a day is definitely required to check out all that Chabot has to offer.

“We saw “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,” in the (Ask Jeeves) planetarium,” said Lisa. “It was a fantastic way to teach children about space and the planets; much better than a textbook.”

Projected across the entire planetarium; both the walls and the ceiling, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket is the story of two young boys, a refrigerator box and imagination. With their “guide,” Book, a backyard camp-out becomes a magical journey through our solar system as the two boys take a fantastic voyage to the sun and all nine planets, correction, eight planets, plus Pluto. Sorry Pluto, I didn’t make the call. Along the way, “Book” fills the boys (and us) in on tons of interesting facts about each planet and the wonders of space.

From my research, Sonic Vision appears to be another of the attractions that’s definitely worth your time.  “…a trip out of this world and into the minds of the universe’s most creative musical artists and digital animators, set to a soundtrack featuring today’s coolest music.” Featuring music by Radiohead, U2, Coldplay, and many others, Sonic Vision is “a mind-warping roller-coaster ride” which uses digital technology to create a cavalcade of colors and images on the Planetarium’s big dome.

Is it just me or does that sounds like a whole lot of awesome?

Between the planetarium and the Tein Megadome Theater, there are nearly twenty shows available for your viewing pleasure, including Dinosaurs Alive, Forces of Nature, Mysteries of Egypt, Living Sea and The Human Body, just to name a few.

What else do you want to do? Take a simulated Moon-walk? Crawl through a Black Hole? Check out the stars through a giant telescope?  You can do all that and more at Chabot’s Space & Science Center

The Observatory offers star gazing (weather permitting) with all general admission tickets (and free star gazing on Friday & Saturday during fall/winter from 7:30 - 10:30 pm; again weather permitting).  Chabot boasts two telescopes, “Nellie,” (named for the grandmother of a generous benefactor) a 36-inch Cassegrain reflector telescope, and “Rachel,” a slightly smaller 20-inch scope. Housed in Chabot’s rolling roof observatory, Nellie offers 360 degree views of the celestial sky.

Located at 10000 Skyline Blvd in Oakland, Chabot’s Space & Science Center is open the following days and hours:

• Wednesday & Thursday: 10 am - 5 pm
• Friday & Saturday: 10 am - 10 pm
• Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
• Closed Monday & Tuesday

The Celestial Café offers sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, various breakfast items and plenty of beverage offerings, so plan some time for lunch when you visit.

Cost of admission to Chabot is $14.95 for adults and $10.95 for children ages 3-12. Children under two are free.

Photo Coutesy of tomeppy.

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Vasquez Rocks on the San Andreas Fault

Vasquez Rocks Park is less than an hour north of Los Angeles, but it feels like it is a world away.  The 745-acre park is located in the Aqua Dulce area which is roughly midway between the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys, respectively.

You may recognize the rock formation from every movie ever made (well, most of them).  It is has also been featured in many television shows.  Among the more notable movies/shows are:

• Star Trek (2009)
• Cars (2006)
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
• Joe Dirt (2001)
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
• Planet of the Apes (2001)
• Bubble Boy (2001)
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
• The Flintstones (1994)
• Army of Darkness (1993)
• Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
• Short Circuit (1986)
• Blazing Saddles (1974)
• Werewolf of London (1935)
• Dracula (1931)
• Saving Grace
• The Twilight Zone (the original series)
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
• Mission: Impossible
• 24
• Airwolf
• Bonanza
• Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Mr. Show with Bob and David
• MacGyver
• Charmed
• Friends
• Fear Factor
• Lassie
• The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
• The Bionic Woman
• Numb3rs

List and links via Wikipedia

But that’s not all!  In addition to being the home of the Gorn it’s also the site of prehistoric peoples, specifically the Shoshonean and Tataviam.  It was also the hideout of the infamous (more than famous) bandit Tiburcio Vasquez, hence the name.

The park is located on the San Andreas fault line and offers a full day of activities including (from the website) “campfire nature talks, equestrian programs, a junior ranger program, seasonal special events, hiking and horseback riding.  Picnic areas are provided.”

It also boasts a very alert ranger staff and a rapid emergency response time as I can attest from our last visit. Don’t worry, it wasn’t me.

Vasquez Rocks Park is located just off Interstate-5 at 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd. in Agua Dulce, CA 91350.  The phone number is (661) 268-0840.

Wear proper footwear and bring lots of water!

L.A.F.D. to the rescue

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From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Here is my Thursday Thirteen list, a suggestion of things to do with tweens in L.A. I thought up most of it at the mall last week, as I was waiting outside a store for my two tween girls to emerge with their purchases. It’s amazing what you can get accomplished in seven hours.

1. Hot Topic - This could really cover items 1 – 13 on this list, since as far as my two girls are concerned there isn’t any need to venture anywhere else. Give them a backpack full of snacks and a fully-charged cell phone and they could probably stay in there for weeks spending my hard earned cash on Juno t-shirts and black glitter nail polish.

2. Art Museums – We’ve been taking our kids to art museums since they were babies, but it’s gotten particularly entertaining lately to hear their expert commentary. It’s always amusing to hear things like, “OMG – naked!” when standing before a majestic sculpture by Rodin, or “I TOTALLY want that for my new bunk bed comforter” while contemplating a canvas by Jackson Pollack.

3. Soup Kitchen –I’ve never actually visited a soup kitchen with my tweens, but it’s something all the PC parenting guides say you should do in order to teach your kids to be grateful for what they have. In all honesty, I’m not sure how my two girls would fare – I’d really be embarrassed if they sat down at a table, waited for a menu and then asked the homeless guy sitting next to them if he recommends the buffalo wings or the grilled cheese.

4. The movies – Any movie will do. Just sitting in a nice cool theater chowing down on hot buttered popcorn and Junior Mints is enough to keep them happy. The 9 – 12 year old set aren’t very discerning moviegoers; In fact, it may be the only time you’ll hear “Garfield: The Movie” and “awesome” in the same sentence.

5. Target – Maybe this is only applicable to tween girls, but mine love the aisles filled with cheap loot, cds and video games. Also, lots of eco t-shirts that say things like ‘Tree Hugger’ which is apparently all the rage now. You might just get them to listen to your Hendrix albums after all.

6. Yogurt shop – Yogurt is the new black. Menchies is our favorite, but Pinkberry or any other one will do. But try and take them to Baskin-Robbins and be prepared for much eye-rolling as they’re forced to mingle with the four-year-olds enjoying a scoop of Shrek Swirl with their grandpas.

7. Starbucks – This is the new version of sneaking a sip of your mom’s wine when you were seven. Tweens like the idea of sipping a grown-up coffee drink (I order decaf for mine) and it’s great for coffee addicts like me who can get their daily fix guilt-free. You know, it’s for the children.

8. Bowling Alley – They may last for one game of bowling, but what they really want to do is head to the arcade for some DDR (Dance Dance Revolution for you total squares.) Bring a bat or rolled-up newspaper if you have girls, though – the last time I was there a small crowd of teen boys gathered to watch my daughters and their friends bouncing around to the music until I shooed them away.

9. California Pizza Kitchen –According to the highly scientific poll I conducted with my girls and their friends while driving back from the mall in my van last week, this is the sanctioned eatery to dine with your parents. Added bonus – it’s the only place they don’t feel embarrassed about ordering from the kids menu since “the macaroni and cheese, like, rules.”

10. The Library – Believe it or not, tweens are rediscovering the library, mainly for the treasure trove of manga books they have there. At $9.99 each, it gets expensive to keep buying them at Barnes & Noble. However, do not even suggest they try out any of the library-sponsored teen events such as cupcake making or scrapbooking - you may as well tell them to invite their crowd over for a rousing game of rummy.

11. The beach – The beach is ideal for tweens and their unpredictable moods. They can indulge both their sloth-ly instincts by laying on their towels all day, or burn off energy by hitting the waves for some boogie-boarding. Also, the close proximity of a snack bar serving pizza and every variety of greasy, deep fried food will make them think they’ve died and gone to heaven

12. The park – My girls are just starting to notice boys, and members of the opposite sex are in abundance here, especially during soccer season. Bring along that bat that you took to the bowling alley

13. At home, with their parents – They’re not going to want to be seen with their dad and me for long, so we’re savoring all these days just hanging out together. So what if they roll their eyes when I suggest the fifth game of CandyLand?

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From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Just because our country’s in a recession doesn’t mean you can’t afford to go on that Girls’ Getaway you’ve been planning. You’ll just have to make some, uh, adjustments. For example, maybe you used to splurge on a four-day cruise on a private yacht where you’d sip Cristal out of a Manolo, but now you might just have to settle for a four-minute putt on the Balboa Island Ferry to pick up a Coke.

Here are some other ideas for you to stretch those pennies:

Before: Napa Valley Wine Train Tour, where an elegant rail car takes you through the scenic majestic wine region while enjoying gourmet meals and expensive vintages.

Now: Los Angeles wine tour, where you and your gal pals pile into your van and enjoy a five-hour tour of all the BevMo’s within a forty-mile radius. Crash at a local hotel, where you’ve only paid for two guests and then snuck-in your other three friends. Proceed to ‘sample’ all the varietals you’ve purchased straight out of the bottle. Splurge and split that $10 can of Pringles from the minibar.

…………………

Before: “Sex And The City” weekend in New York City. Make like Carrie and her friends and take the city by storm: Designer boutiques during the day, fine dining and dancing at night. Stay at the posh Carlyle Hotel, featured in the movie.

Now: “Knocked Up” weekend in L.A. Drive by the Wilshire Boulevard offices of E! Entertainment, which is where Katherine Heigl’s character worked. Then head to the dive-y Del’s Saloon in Santa Monica to enjoy a couple of brewskies and to see where scenes from the movie were filmed. Then head on over to your brother’s friend’s house to play video games and pass the bong around, just like Seth Rogan and his pals did in the movie! Remember to bring along a condom so life doesn’t end up imitating art.

…………………

Before: A spa getaway at La Quinta where you and your BFFs would enjoy pampering massages, spa cuisine and luxurious rooms.

Now: Head to the beach, where you and your posse can frolic in the healing waters of the Pacific. (Be on the lookout for signs of raw-sewage spills.) Take a barefoot walk in the sand for an instant pedicure! Save on meals by packing your own sandwiches and share a twelve-pack of water from Trader Joes.

…………………

Before: Three-day shopping extravaganza to Fashion Island in Newport Beach. At night, rest your Bloomingdales-weary body at a nearby swanky hotel.

Now: Split the gas three ways for a trip out to the Outlets in Cabazon. Go ahead and have lunch in the food court, but remember to bring along the other half of that six-pack from Trader Joes so you don’t have to part with $2 for water. Sorry, you can’t afford a hotel, but if one of your girlfriends agrees to host a sleepover you can stay up all night admiring each other’s new purses.

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If you have been feeling the urge to get out with your girlfriends and leave the husband/boyfriend/cat at home…then I have a great suggestion for you!

Never has there been a better “ladies’ night” excuse than the release of Sex and the City–The Movie. Women across the world are giddy with delight that it is finally here–four years after the last episode aired!

If you live in the Bay Area, then I have the perfect location for this most exciting girls getaway. Gather your gaggle of gals and buy tickets to see the movie in San Francisco at Sundance Kabuki Theater on Fillmore. This is an excellent movie theater in a beautiful building. But, more importantly, there is one theater with balcony seating next to a full service bar. So, you can sit back in their large comfy seats and drink a Cosmo while you watch Carrie and the girls in New York City.

I went this week and it was a blast! Go out to dinner first and dress up….channel your inner Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, or Miranda fashion sense. Get to the movie early though! On a Tuesday night the line at the bar was out the door, filled with enthusiastic women–no men to be seen.

I won’t spoil the movie for anyone–but, it is definitely worth seeing. So, organize your group of friends and go see it in style!

Thanks to Shereen for the great pic!

Who was your favorite character on SATC?

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