Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Vacation National Park Trips

Glacier National Park

This is my 200th post, y'all! Who knew our little park hunt would turn into an ongoing blog?

One of the things we love to do as a family is visit National Parks. We did a huge one this past summer (2019) to Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier National Park. We have also visited Zion, Bryce and the North Rim Grand Canyon (2015), Yosemite (2016) and Sequoia/Kings Canyon (every year).

There two things worth mentioning. When you have a 4th grade child, you can print out a free national parks pass to exchange at a park for the actual pass (good September through August, but it is the honor system). Do print it out ahead of time. It is worth the $80 pass price currently. For you Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, there is a special patch you can earn, logging about 10 hours in parks. Any Jr Ranger booklets, talks and guided hikes counted for us.

During the school year, I plan to post about these trips as much as I documented and can remember. I hope it helps someone plan their next adventure!

National Parks (Est. Post Date)
Bryce Canyon
Glacier
Grand Canyon -- North Rim 
Grand Teton
Kings Canyon (April)
Sequoia (April)
Yellowstone
Yosemite (March)
Zion


Thursday, October 3, 2019

Fall Events 2019

Apple Picking at SLO Creek Farms
Fall brings its own fun in Santa Barbara. Although we can't really enjoy the leaves or crisp weather, there are some fun events!

All Month Long:
Lane Farms has a pumpkin patch with hay ride and corn maze open from the last weekend in September through Halloween. Hours are 9am-9pm (corn maze closes 1 hour before the patch closes and opens at 3pm weekdays).

Big Wave Dave's has kids games and plenty of pumpkins. It is open through Halloween.

The Fillmore Railway has a Pumpkin Liner every Saturday and Sunday in October 10:30-5.

San Luis Obispo's Avila Valley Farm has a fall festival too!

Apple Picking at SLO Creek Farms

Moorpark's Underwood Family Farms has a fall festival worth checking out. Starting the last weekend in September, they are open 9-6 and have a tractor ride, corn maze, pig races, an animal center and much more. $6 per person weekdays/$15 per person weekends.

Local Events:
Boo at the Zoo takes place October 18, 19 and 20 and is special hours from 4:30/5:30-7:30/8:30. There are characters and animals roaming the grounds, a hay bale maze, costume parades, themed train rides and of course trick or treating.

Earl Warrren hosts the Haunt and Harvest Festival on October 18-20, 4-11, 12-11, 12-10.

The Knox School is hosting a Spooktacular Hallow-STEAM evening Friday October 18 5:30-7:30.
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The YMCA has a fall festival from 4-7 on Friday October 25 with a haunted house, train ride, rock wall, pumpkin decorating candy and prizes.

Mesa Fall Trunk or Treat at Santa Barbara City College Friday October 25 5-7pm Trunk or Treat, games and costume contest

MOXI Member event with costumes, experiments and trick/treats throughout Saturday 10/26 8:30-10.

The Montecito Country Mart has a Halloween Festival Saturday October 26 from 10-4.

St Andrew's Preschool is having a festival Saturday October 26 from 11-2. There are games, pony rides, bouncy slides, face painting, a magician and more!

Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara has a fall festival Saturday October 26 11:30-2:30 with trunk or treat 12-1:30. There are also games, crafts, face painting and bounce houses.

There is a Thrills and Chills Dance event at the Sunken Gardens Saturday October 26 from 2-4.

Community Covenant Church of Goleta hosts a free fall festival Saturday October 26 from 4-6:30. There are jumphouses, hay rides, mazes and more!

Dia de Los Muertos craft event at Casa de la Guerra Sunday October 27 12-3.

Dia de los Muertos Family Day at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Sunday October 27 1-4 FREE

Spooky Train and Haunted Depot at the South Coast Railroad Museum on Sunday October 27 4-7pm. It is free with trick or treating, the decorated depot and train rides.
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HALLOWEEN

Trick or Treat at Calle Real Shopping Center Thursday October 31 from 3-6pm

Trick or Treat in Downtown Santa Barbara Thursday October 31 from 3-6pm

Trick or Treat at La Cumbre Plaza Thursday October 31 from 4-6pm

Trunk or Treat at Anthem Chapel in Goleta Thursday October 31 from 5-7.

Franklin Fall Festival at Franklin School (Hosted by Calvary Chapel SB) Thursday October 31 from 3-6
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Dia de los Muertos event at the Natural History Museum Thursday October 31 10-5 and Friday November 1 10-5. 

Restoration Church (Goleta Valley Church) is having Trunk or Treat on Thursday October 31 5-7pm with with games, prizes, trick or treating and more.

Dia de los Muertos event at Pershing Park Saturday November 2 11-4

**** These events happened in past years and I updated the dates, but am not sure if they are happening. I will update as I see more info and feel free to comment below. ****

** Trick or Treat On Milpas Ave Thursday October 31 from 2-5pm