Riverside County Family Fun Guide

By: The Californian | Wednesday, July 18, 2007 12:18 PM PDT ∞

It's summertime. So, inevitably, kids throughout Southwest County are in search of things to keep them busy. Well here's the answer: A guide for activities for families and kids. If you're into the great outdoors, you might want to consider hitching a ride to the beach on a bus or venturing out to the trails to take a hike. If you're all about keeping cool this summer, you might want to check out local pools in the area or programs offered at local libraries. Want organized activities, there are numerous parks programs and other venues such as paintball parks to keep you busy. Looking for something to do at night? Several communities are offering free concerts or movies in local parks. There's something to do for everyone this summer.

Tired of the heat and ready to hit the beach? The good news is, you don't necessarily have to convince your parents to drive you there.

Whether you're wanting to hit the waves or stroll the pier in Oceanside, your destiny can now be in your own hands, thanks to the daily Beach Bus service offered by Riverside Transit Authority.

Beachgoers have several time options for their trips south and their return trips. The roundtrip fare is $3.75 and the bus offers free satellite television and wireless Internet access.

There are two pick-up points in Southwest County: the Walmart along Murrieta Hot Springs Road and the parking lot near the move theater at The Promenade mall in Temecula.

During the week, there are three buses each way. The first one leaves Murrieta at 8:50 a.m. and the last of the three return buses leaves Oceanside at 3:20 p.m. On weekends, there's a fourth bus, giving beachgoers until 5:05 p.m. before they have to head home.

Beach gear, including boogie boards, is allowed, though it must fit within the passenger's seating space. Surfboards must be less than 6 feet, enclosed in a bag and placed in front of the passenger.

For a full schedule of pickup and drop-off times, visit www.riversidetransit.com.

Movies without the sticky floors and all kinds of room to stretch out. Concerts in the comfort of your own lawn chair.

This summer, families can watch movies together under the light of the moon and stroll through the park while a wide variety of bands entertain. Temecula and Murrieta are both sponsoring a series of movies and concerts, and it's still possible to catch two family movies in Menifee.

Temecula's Moonlight Movies in the Park series are held Fridays through August at various parks in the city. Activities, including games for the kids, start at 6:30 p.m. with G- or PG-rated movies beginning at dusk.

The city's Summer Sunsets Concert Series brings music and fun from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each Thursday at the Temecula Amphitheater at the Community Recreation Center on Rancho Vista Road.

For more information about the movies and concerts, go to www.cityoftemecula.org or call (951) 694-6480.

In Murrieta, concerts are offered from 6 to 8 p.m. every other Saturday night from July 28 through Aug. 25, followed by Saturday night movies from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 and 22. All events are held at Town Square Park, which is bordered by Kalmia, Jefferson, Adams and Juniper.

For more information, go to www.murrieta.org or call (951) 304-7275.

La Ladera Park in Menifee also offers outdoor movies starting at dusk on July 27 and Aug. 24.

For more information, go to www.rivcoeda.org or call (951) 696-0100.

Mulligan Family Fun Centers

Southwest Riverside County may not have a major theme park, but for family fun right around the corner, try Mulligan Family Fun Center in Murrieta.

The park offers go karts, a rock wall, the Kiddie Korral, Blaster Boats, lazer tag, batting cages and a miniature golf course on the outside. The inside of the building is stuffed with video games and skeeball, as well as sports-themed games like air hockey and basketball shoots.

Hungry? Mulligan offers a food menu and refreshments as well.

Planning a birthday party or group event? Mulligan can accomodate most of your birthday or groups requests and offers several different packages.

The park has even begun to offer special nights during the summer months to keep kids busy. On July 27, a Teen Lock-In will take place and features special rates on game-playing as well as live music performances.

Mulligan is at 24950 Madison Ave., Murrieta and is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Call (951) 696-9696 or visit www.mulliganmurrieta.com.

Visit a library

Just because it's summertime doesn't mean you have to leave the books behind.

Libraries throughout Southwest County are putting on the "Get a Clue at Your Library" program, with a goal of drawing students into their buildings and showing them all the library has to offer.

Designed for children from the age of 3 to teenagers, the program encourages them all to find out more about their local library and to continue to read throughout the summer. The youths are rewarded for reading books, with weekly prizes that range from bookmarks to stickers to pencils to books. Some library branches are also hosting special events as part of the program.

The libraries in Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Sun City, Wildomar, Canyon Lake are all participating in the program. For more information on specific performances that may be planned as part of the program, call your local library.

Live local music

The best way to keep those rock 'n' roll punks off the streets is to get them a hang out of their own, right?

Just kidding, emo kids, stop glaring at me.

Fortunately for local music fans, there are at least three venues in the immediate area that cater to local, regional and national touring bands on a weekly basis.

Just up Winchester Road in Murrieta is Cuppy's Coffee & More ( 39209 Winchester Road, Ste. 103) which is booked by Full Value Entertainment and typically puts on two shows per week on Fridays and Saturdays. Every show at Cuppy's is open to all ages and tickets are generally in the $5-$10 range. Full Value also books monthly or bi-monthly shows at the Temecula Community Recreation Center (30875 Ranch Vista Road) that feature performances by three to four bands. For tickets, call (951) 491-9053 and for listings on upcoming shows, visit www.fullvalueentertainment.com.

The newest ---- and recently most controversial ---- venue in town is the Vault (41607 Enterprise Cir. North) in Temecula. They were shut down by the city a couple of months back for code violations, but the community rallied around the local rock joint and they opened up for business a few days later. The venue is booked by Ivan Promotions and typically presents three shows per week featuring local and regional bands. For tickets, call (951) 491-9488 and for listings on upcoming shows, visit www.myspace.com/ivanpromotions.

Park programs under way

If the kids have way too much energy to be hanging out around the house, some free activities at Southwest County parks could be the answer.

There are two free programs that are visiting parks in the Temecula, Menifee and Wildomar areas where kids can make some crafts, play some games and visit with other children their own age: Summer Months Activities and Recreation in Temecula, aka S.M.A.R.T., and Mobile Activities Recreation Services, aka M.A.R.S. Both programs offer supervised recreation for area youths.

The Temecula program is geared for children 5 through 14 and will be held each weekday through Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at six parks in the city: Crowne Hill Park, Harveston Community Park, Margarita Community Park, Pala Community Park, Patricia H. Birdsall Sports Park, Temeku Hills Park.

The M.A.R.S. program is offered in Menifee and Wildomar. It's geared toward children ages 5 through 14 and is offered on Tuesdays at Windsong Park in Wildomar and Monday through Thursday in Menifee at parks around the community.

For more information on S.M.A.R.T., call 694-6469. For more information on the M.A.R.S. program, including which park the program is at each day, call 696-0100 or visit www.rivcoeda.org.

Skate parks

How can you keep our community facilities from being destroyed? Encourage local skateboarders to stop skating down staircases, handrails and other decorative items at our schools, businesses and parks and point them in the direction of the three skate parks in the area.

The Temecula Skate Park at Ronald Reagan Sports Park (42569 Margarita Road) offers a competition 60-foot diameter bowl with ramp entry, 10-foot wide apron that connects the upper bowl with a street plaza skate area, which has a pyramid, fun box, curbs, ramps, stairs and a 20 foot hand rail.

The park is staffed and open to the public for various sessions per day, seven days a week. All participants must have a signed waiver form prior to park entry and appropriate skating gear, call (951) 695-1409.

Lake Elsinore's McVicker Park (29355 Grand Ave.) offers 17,000-square-feet of concrete jungle, and best of all, the park is lighted so skating can take place as late as 9 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The park is open until 6 p.m. all other days. Because the park is supervised, there is a $15 yearly membership fee and free sessions are offered weekly. Call (951) 674-9000 or visit www.allianceskateparks.com.

The skate park at California Oaks Sports Park in Murrieta (California Oaks Road) is all concrete with a quarter pipe and wall, fun box, rails, stairs, boxes. The park is unsupervised and free to use, but skaters must wear a helmet or risk receiving a ticket. Call (951) 304-2489.

Go for a swim

What better way to cool off on a scorching summer day than a dip in the pool.

What's that? You don't have a pool? No problem. There are plenty of places to swim locally available to the public.

In Temecula, head to either the Community Recreation Center at 30875 Rancho Vista Road where it costs only $1 for Temecula residents or $5 for those living outside the city, or go to the pool at Chaparral High, 27215 Nicolas Road, with no charge for residents and $5 for non-Temecula folks.

For information about times and the types of swimming available, go to www.cityoftemecula.org.

Murrieta residents can make a splash in the pool at California Oaks Sports Park for a nominal $2 for adults and $1 for children. Non-residents can hop in for a mere $3. Monthly, family and season passes are available. The park is at 40600 California Oaks Road.

For more information, including times and available types of swimming, go to www.murrieta.org or call (951) 304-7275.

Lake Elsinore has a community pool available at Lakeside High School, 32593 Riverside Drive. Recreational swimming is available for $2 a person.

For information about times, call (951) 245-0442.

Get into a windtunnel

Ever wanted to float in the air without having to actually jump from a perfectly good airplane?

That's possible with a trip to Perris Valley Skydiving where a step into a wind tunnel chamber gives you the thrill at a safe few feet off the ground.

Once inside, after a short training class, you are literally floating on a column of air, simulating the effects of a skydive. Friends and family can watch through the glass, snapping photos or gathering video of the experience. Maybe this will be your chance to make it big on YouTube.

There is even a Kid's Flight Club available that includes games, pizza and soda for all fliers. Kid's Flight Club meets from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. every Sunday with flight time from 3 to 4 p.m. There are limited slots available each week.

Perris Valley Skydive is at 2091 Goetz Road in Perris.

For more information on all the activities available and pricing, go to www.skydiveperris.com and click on the indoor skydiving link. You can also call (800) SKYDIVE.

Temecula Valley Museum

Learn a little more about the history of your community by taking a step back in time to experience the rich history of the Temecula Valley from its discovery to today. The museum has something to offer everyone, whether you are a history buff, a researcher, or a curious child. Enjoy the museum on your own or as part of a docent-guided tour.

Exhibits represent life in the Temecula Valley through time and different cultures that influenced the development of the area. Displays contain handcrafted artifacts, cultural items, ranching and farming equipment, documents, photographs, and more, Exhibits depict key stories, including the Luiseno Indians, Mission San Luis Rey period, establishment of the ranchos, and transportation influences including the stagecoach and railroads.

The museum also offers a playful interactive discovery area for children, complete with hands-on learning experiences in a street-scene setting with a General Store, a dress shop, a photographer's studio and a ride-a-pony station.

Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is at 28314 Mercedes Street in Temecula and a donation fee of $2 is suggested. Call (951) 694-6450.

Go hiking

Has someone in your family recently told you that you should go take a hike? Well maybe that's not such a bad idea.

Whether kids are looking for some sustained physical activity or parents are just looking to get them out of the house for a while, there are plenty of places to hike in Southwest County. Younger children will need to be chaperoned by parents, but even Mom and Dad need to burn off some energy sometimes.

The city of Murrieta has a flier that lists the distance and location of trails throughout the community. To view the flier, visit http://tinyurl.com/2dmc54, or pick one up at City Hall.

Just outside the city, there's plenty of hiking to be had at the Santa Rosa Plateau, where you have a good chance of seeing some wildlife at the same time. To get to the plateau's visitors center, exit Clinton Keith Road and head west for about 4 1/2 miles. It will be on your left. Reserve officials request that you leave a $2 donation in the box at the entrance.

If you want to combine that hike with some fishing or boating, Diamond Valley Lake might be the answer. For a map of the trails there, visit http://tinyurl.com/249bze.

No matter where you hike, remember to wear sturdy shoes, take along water for everyone and don't forget to put on sunblock.

Tom's Farms

What was once a fruit stand and a rustic burger joint has grown into a cluster of restaurants, shops and other amusements, and those that visit Tom's Farms today have compared it to the Knott's Berry Farm of a generation ago.

Tom's, on the southern outskirts of Corona, has been a destination for bikers and Sunday drivers since the 1970s, but with all the additions at Tom's, a younger, family-friendly crowd is flocking there too. A spin on the merry-go-round is $1, and a ride on the miniature train costs $2, there's face painting, carnivals and there's even a free magic show performed several times per week.

For the older folks, there's a wine and cheese shoppe, market and candy shop, duck pond, country furniture store and a craft fair on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you're going to go, make sure to eat lunch at either Tom's Olde Fashioned Burgers, Senor Tom's or the Patio Plaza.

Tom's Farms is at 23900 Temescal Canyon Road, Corona. Call (951) 277-4422 or visit www.tomsfarms.com.

Volunteer in your community

Got too much free time on your hands this summer? Well consider putting it to good use by spending some time helping out organizations that need some extra hands.

There are plenty of nonprofit groups that are looking for help. And teens may even be able to use the time toward the community service hours they need to put in before they graduate. And the experience would even look good on a college application. So consider it a win-win!

If you're interesting in finding about volunteer opportunities, log on to www.volunteermatch.org. And parents ---- this site works for you, as well, because it also lists options for adults.

A quick search of the site earlier this week revealed that Rabbit Rescue Inc. is looking for teens to volunteer one hour a week at the Petco in Lake Elsinore giving the bunnies some exercise time. There were also opportunities available with Hospice of the Valleys and Birth Choice of Temecula.

Or, there's the more standard opportunities of helping out at your local library or at Animals Friends of the Valleys in Lake Elsinore. The Red Cross even has volunteer opportunities available at times.

Whatever you're interests are, there's likely an opportunity for you to help out ---- so put that extra time to good use.

The Imagination Workshop, Temecula's Children's Museum

Almost hidden inside the Old Town Temecula Community Theater complex, the Imagination Workshop, Temecula's Children's Museum offers a myriad of activities for youngsters of all ages.

The public is invited to visit the workshop of the enigmatic Professor Phineas T. Pennypickle, Ph.D., scientist, time traveler and inventor and explore the Professor's latest inventions, secret passageways, puzzles, machines, and whimsical gadgets and gizmos found in the award-winning facility.

There is always something going on at the workshop and special programs and events are always listed on the professor's official Web site, www.pennypickles.org. While you're there, make sure to visit the gift shop which offers scientifically oriented toys and learning materials.

Want to go all out? Schedule your birthday party at the workshop with one of four different party packages available.

The Imagination Workshop, Temecula's Children's Museum is at 42081 Main St., in Old Town Temecula. Call (951) 308-6370.

Take a class

Just because classes are out doesn't mean that there aren't opportunities to learn or improve yourself.

The cities of Temecula and Murrieta both offer tons of classes throughout the year ---- albeit for a fee. Valley-wide Recreation and Park District, which serves French Valley, Menifee and Winchester, also has numerous offerings. Whether you're interested in skateboard design or crafts, learning your way around the kitchen or ballroom dancing, horseback riding or golf, there's something for everyone.

Find out what's offered in your area by visiting the following Web sites:

- Temecula: http://tinyurl.com/38mro6

- Murrieta: http://tinyurl.com/27alf3

- French Valley: http://tinyurl.com/326zja

- Menifee: http://tinyurl.com/2wao7f

- Winchester: http://tinyurl.com/3ajov3

Lake Elsinore Storm

If you haven't yet been out to a game at The Diamond stadium in Lake Elsinore, you're missing out on one of the truly unique experiences the area has to offer.

The month of July means the season is half over and the Lake Elsinore Storm, a member of the California League (South) and Class A advanced farm team for the San Diego Padres, and the hard-hitting squad sits in second place in their division.

The Diamond opened in 1994 and seats 7,866 fans and has an old-time baseball park type feel. Tickets are more than affordable, priced between $7-$10 and fans can even bring a blanket and camp out along the hill that runs along the right field foul line. In addition to the standard snack bars, the Diamond Club, located down the left field foul line, offers a full entree menu and bar.

The Diamond is at 500 Diamond Drive in Lake Elsinore. For information, call (951) 245-4487 or visit www.stormbaseball.com.

Try paintball

Are you good at shooter video games? How about taking that skill outside and getting some exercise at the same time.

Try paintball. Paintball is arguably one of the fastest-growing recreational games and is something anyone can do ---- even if you've never played a video game in your life. You can play it alone or go with friends or family and compete as a team or against each other.

The idea is to not get hit by another paintballer. When the splat of a paintball marks you, you're out.

One of the largest, most active places to play locally is called Jungle Island, located near Interstate 15 and Lake Street, north of Lake Elsinore, at 14881 Temescal Canyon Road.

Jungle Island has 14 playing fields including the new Castle Island where you battle among the ruins of a medieval fortress. There are also fields with cities, volcanoes, caverns, trench mazes, even one set up like the Amazon complete with running stream and movie set bridges.

For more information about what Jungle Island offers or prices and hours of operation, go to www.jungle-island.com or call (800) 5-JUNGLE.

Oh, and happy hunting.

Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA

There's something kind of old school about going to the Boys & Girls Club or the YMCA. Chances are you used to go when you were a kid, so why not let your children experience the fun too?

The Southwest Family YMCA is in the process of building a 28,000-square-foot facility at Margarita Community Park in Temecula. Conceptual drawings show the highlights of the building are a 7,200-square-foot gym; a 3,355-square-foot wellness center and a 25-yard indoor pool. It will also contain office space and locker rooms.

Currently, the Southwest Family YMCA offers piecemeal programming for Temecula, Murrieta and surrounding areas, including providing youth activities in the form of youth basketball and flag football, they offer childcare, youth camps, swim lessons and more.

To sign up for one of the programs, visit the Southwest Family YMCA offices at 26111 Ynez Road, Ste. B26 in Temecula or call (951) 677-9622.

There are three main clubhouses for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County that serve thousands of kids on a daily basis.

The Old Town Temecula Clubhouse (28790 Pujol St., Temecula) offers a full array of programs including an all-purpose activity room, a game room with pool, foosball and air hockey, a computer lab, an art room, and a library. Adjacent to the club is Rotary Park, an outdoor basketball court and is the future site of the clubís gym. Call (951) 699-1526.

The newest is the Pechanga Great Oak Clubhouse (31465 Via Cordoba) in the Temecula Red Hawk area. The club measures 5,500 square feet and includes a teen center, art room, activity room, technology center (computer lab) and a recreation center. Call (951) 695-0181.

The Murrieta Clubhouse (40550 California Oaks Road) is within the California Oaks Sports Park and serves more than 600 youths. The facility includes an all-purpose activity room, a game room with pool and foosball and a computer lab. With immediate access to the California Oaks Sports Park, the Murrieta location serves as the primary venue for the club's sport programs. Call (951) 698-3838.

Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology

Who knew giant mastadons onced roamed the Diamond and Domenigoni valleys?

The Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology can tell you all about the fascinating array of history and Ice-Age beasts that were unearthed at Diamond Valley Lake. Check out Max, the largest mastodon found in the Western United States, as well as Xena, a Columbian Mammoth, or walk on tempered glass which houses Little Stevie, a large mastodon re-buried beneath the museum floor to re-create the actual dig site. Visit the collection of dire wolves, saber-toothed cat and other fossils, local family history or the Native American artifacts on display.

The exhibits at the museum include: a 156-long exterior open-air loggia with life on earth overhead timeline markers leads the visitor from the parking grove to the museum lobby entrance; The Big Dam Hole invites visitors to travel back in time to learn of the people and animals that inhabited this location over time; Historic Archaeology, a house vignette which represents a typical house structure in Southern California built in the 1880s; Pre-Historic Archaeology that emphasizes the Cahuilla who created artifacts, the use of tools and development of technology; the multi-purpose theater features the short films, "Echoes of the Past" and a discovery and recovery documentary providing the visitor an eyewitness view of the excavation at Diamond Valley Lake; the Snap Shots in Time Gallery is filled with recreated animal silhouettes, artifact cases, videos, a re-created dig site, the Discovery Lab offers several hands-on mechanical and computer based interactivities to help the visitor explore and understand the scientific principles and procedures; and the Big Picture is a series of mobiles and graphic panels present questions and theories provoking thought on current research topics.

The museum is at 2345 Searl Parkway in Hemet and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is $8 for adults (age 13 and older), $6.50 for seniors and students (ages 13-22 with current school I.D.), $6 for youths (ages 5-12) and free for children age 4 and younger and active military (with I.D.).

Call (951) 791-0033 or visit www.westerncentermuseum.org.

For those who want to get outside and enjoy nature, why not take the kids fishing?

In Southwest County a great fishing spot is never more than a few minutes away. In fact, Diamond Valley Lake, just north of Temecula, has become a mecca for anglers from throughout Southern California.

Known for some of the best largemouth bass fishing in the region, catfish, smallmouth bass, bluegill and stripped bass all bite during the summer months. The lake is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and charges a $7 entry fee and a $3 per person fishing fee.

Diamond Valleysí sister lake, Lake Skinner is located a few miles east of Temecula and offers the same variety of species. State fishing permits are required for anglers 16 and older at both lakes. A $5 vehicle fee and $4 per person fishing fee is required. Boat rentals are also available at both locations.

For information and directions to both lakes, visit www.dvlake.com or call the marina office at (800) 590-LAKE.

The area also boasts the largest natural freshwater body in Southern California: Lake Elsinore. While boat fishing is available from daylight to dusk, shore fishing is allowed 24 hours per day. Many head out after dark to take advantage of the nighttime catfish bite. A state fishing license is required. For information on fishing or boat rentals, call (951) 674-3124.

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