Gather everyone around for one more cookout of the summer this Labor Day, and keep these tips in mind to ensure that it goes smoothly.
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1/30
Start with a Thorough Cleanup
If you don’t set aside time to clean and prep your grill, it can be easy to “forget,” and then your grill won’t be at its best for the barbecue (and may even ruin foods with smells, grease smoke, and other problems). In addition to cleaning your grill, take a walk around your yard and clean up any toys or junk that you’ve been meaning to get rid of — this helps avoid stress on party day. Plus, check out these 12 tips for planning the ultimate backyard barbecue.
2/30
Get Yourself a Grill Basket
A grill basket is the perfect tool for grilling more delicate foods, especially veggies, fruit and kebabs.
3/30
Use Nets, Canopies and Umbrellas for Shade
If you don’t have a table umbrella or built-in shade from canopies or a pergola, consider using light netting or simple white bed sheets for quick DIY shade (check out these Labor Day sales on all things DIY). You’d be surprised how much your guests will appreciate the shade. For a more ambitious project, consider a grill gazebo instead.
4/30
Choose a Signature Drink
To make your party stand out, pick out a special drink (cocktails or mocktails work well) and one unique food item that you are especially proud of. Play up these specialties in your party invitations and make sure you have enough ingredients for a steady supply. Keep food plans simple so you have time to enjoy the party along with your guests.
5/30
Choose Portable Foods
Holding onto a plate of food at an outdoor party can be awkward. If you set it down, you may forget where it is and bugs can get at it, or someone might think you’re finished with it and throw it away.
As the host, focus on foods that don’t need plates. You can skewer a variety of veggies, meats, appetizers, fruit and sweets. Or let guests make their own. Provide bowls or platters of bite-sized items along with plenty of skewers.
6/30
Grill Everything
With your grill out, why not use it as much as possible, like this grilling shelter? Grilling can improve a wide variety of dishes. Most breads and veggies can be lightly grilled, including lettuce and angel food cake.
7/30
Protect Your Food
While that smorgasbord of food may look great in a photo, it’s not great for the food to sit out all afternoon. Flies will get into the fruit, coleslaw will quickly wilt, and kids (with grubby hands) will find it tempting to grab and go. So it’s best to keep food under some kind of cover.
If you are doing a potluck, keep plastic wrap handy to wrap open bowls and platters. And for your food, make sure it’s covered with a lid or in a cooler until you’re ready to serve. You can also set up the food table just inside the house instead of outside. Remember, this food needs to endure hours of summer heat and bugs — it needs all the help it can get.
8/30
Multiple Food Stations
You don’t want people waiting in line for food or drinks, if possible. Set up several food tables if you have a lot of guests. Likewise, you may want to spread out ice chests and coolers filled with drinks so they aren’t all in the same location. Not sure if you have enough tables? Build a couple more for your deck or patio.
9/30
Lights and Torches
Besides traditional outdoor lighting, consider installing string lights around your patio or deck for the right touch of ambiance and visibility as night falls. Setting up a few torches is also a good idea — not necessarily for visibility, but to help drive away mosquitoes with smoke and citrus oil blends. Be sure to watch young children around the torches.
10/30
Plenty of Seating
Eventually, people will want to sit down. Have plenty of chairs and benches around and fill in with picnic blankets. If you are feeling ambitious, build your patio chairs.
11/30
Signs and Chalk
Make it easy for your guests to know what’s in coolers and where different food items and drinks are. Setting up signs or propping up a chalkboard allows you to give directions (where’s the bathroom?) and identify everything. Speaking of identification, you may also want to include a bowl of tags or clips for drink glasses or a marker for disposable glasses and cups.
Use chalk to write a welcoming greeting on the sidewalk and steps in front of your house. No sidewalk? Draw arrows on the path to your backyard to guide your guests. And leave the chalk out so kids (and adults) can doodle during the party.
12/30
Ban Bugs
Bugs can ruin a perfectly good outdoor party, forcing everyone indoors. If you don’t want to use a chemical spray bug repellent, try citronella candles or torches with citronella oil.
13/30
Clear Your Dishes
Even if you limit plates and silverware, you’ll still have dishes to take care of. To prevent chaos, set aside trays for bussing used non-disposable dishes. That way you (and your helpers) can take the dishes back to the kitchen in bunches throughout the party, making final cleanup easier.
14/30
Prep a Fire Pit
Ending your party with a cozy fire is fun, but you need to be ready. Prepare your fire pit for the big day by clearing out debris, stacking in firewood and making sure you have more wood on hand. If you don’t have a fire pit, there are lots of patio-friendly fire pit tables and similar designs that you can choose from. Or, believe it or not, you can build a fire table.
15/30
Don’t Forget Music and Games
Create one last summer playlist and use a Bluetooth-enabled speaker to broadcast the tunes for your party. Of course, music isn’t the only entertainment people will be looking for. Set up games like croquet, bocce, and cornhole on the healthiest parts of your lawn for the kids of all ages.
16/30
Use an Online Calculator for Food
Food is always one of the first considerations and thorniest problems for a big grill-out. Fortunately we live in an incredible digital age with online barbecue planners that allow you to see just how much food — and what kind of food — you need. The linked planner lets you calculate meals based on adults, children, number of vegetarians and favored meats. It’s a great way to get some basic numbers to work with.
17/30
Plan Menus Early and Make a List of Ingredients
Plan your full menu based on the information for the online planner. For every dish and cocktail, make a precise list of ingredients that you need purchase and double-check it before you shop. You don’t want to start the party and realize you forgot that one ingredient that you assumed was in the kitchen.
Many experienced grillers like to focus on a signature dish or drink to show off a little, but this is up to you. Also, whenever possible, try to take guests food allergies into account by providing alternatives, if necessary. For more backyard fun ideas, check out these seven outdoor games you can make with stuff you already have.
18/30
Plan for Outside Refrigeration
Not every grill setup can have an outdoor refrigerator (although it makes a great addition), but you do need some way to keep things cold. Whether it’s a mini-fridge you can plug in outside or a couple of coolers, be sure to have this figured out before grill-out day.
Always refrigerate meats separately from other foods and try to reserve a section or cooler for the drinks. Remember that it’s important to keep some foods cool, while drinks can always be stored inside until you want to bring them out. You need a good cooler for proper camping — check out the best camping supplies you don’t have.
19/30
Create a Menu for Guests
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but for larger grill-outs it’s useful to have a printed or written menu that shows what you will be serving, especially if you are proud of it. Paper printouts, chalkboard stands and whiteboards all work. Skip this step if it’s a potluck-style gathering. Love the look of chalk? Make chalk paint at home.
20/30
Organize Meat By Temperature
The easiest way to do this is to create three platters — rare, medium and well-done. Label them and serve your cooked meats on the appropriate platters. Keep an eye on them, and adjust for the general tastes of the crowd. This is a great way to please guests and save a lot of time asking or answering questions about which steak is well-done.
21/30
How ‘Bout Them Apples
After that trip to the apple orchard, grill up some apples with your dinner. Apples stand up well to the heat and can be a tasty addition to the main dish or dessert. Just slice cored apples in half, brush them with a little oil or melted butter and cook them over medium heat until they’re tender.
22/30
Try a Fall Grilling Marinade
Try fall flavors in your homemade fall grilling marinades. Maple, rosemary and bourbon are all flavors of the season. The Spruce offers this fall-inspired marinade featuring bourbon.
Ingredients:
• One cup bourbon;
• One cup brown sugar;
• One cup oil;
• One cup mustard;
• One cup Worcestershire sauce.
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients and mix until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Marinate meats for four to 12 hours before grilling.
23/30
Squash Skewers
Try fall grilling butternut squash. Peel it, remove the seeds and cut into one-inch pieces. Coat the pieces in some olive oil and place them on skewers. Cook them over medium high for five to seven minutes.
24/30
Grill Your Chili
Use a large cast iron pan or Dutch oven to cook your chili on the grill. Plus, Weber offers tips such as using a charcoal grill to cook a pot of chili in just over an hour. And using your grill will add a smoky richness you just can’t get inside.
25/30
Try Some Leeks
Instead of throwing your fall-harvest leeks into a soup, try this simple recipe and serve them up as a side dish. Clean and trim the leeks. Next, split them in half lengthwise and coat with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Finally, grill them about five minutes per side, or until they are tender.
Try grilling a pumpkin for your next fall dessert. Just clean off the outside of a sugar (pie) pumpkin and poke some holes in the shell to allow for ventilation. And place the pumpkin in a 8×8-in. glass dish and cook on a grill at 350-375 degrees for 45-60 minutes, or until tender.
When it’s cool enough to handle, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Finally, use the cooked pumpkin for pie, or toss with some cinnamon and sugar and eat with ice cream.
27/30
Grilled Salsa
Instead of making your regular go-to salsa recipe, try grilling your peppers, onions and tomatoes. For peppers and onions, cut and place on skewers. But for tomatoes, grill them whole over indirect heat until tender. Then chop and combine with the rest of your salsa ingredients.
28/30
Grill a Lasagna
You can grill lasagna or any other casserole. Just heat a grill to medium and place the prepared lasagna or casserole over indirect heat. Then cover and grill for 45 minutes to one hour.
29/30
Grill Wings For the Game
Wings don’t have to be fried. When making wings for a crowd, try grilling them. After marinating the wings, place them on medium, direct heat and grill for 25-30 minutes. Or you can also skip the marinade and toss them with sauce after grilling. Here’s how to fit everyone in front of the TV if you move things inside.
30/30
Make a Charred Vegetable Salad
Get the most out of the end-of-season produce and grill up vegetables for a chopped salad. Try peppers, Brussels sprouts, onions, eggplant and even romaine. Next, coat vegetables with a little oil, salt and pepper and grill over direct heat a couple of minutes on each side until tender. Then chop and toss together with your favorite dressing.
Originally Published: July 08, 2021
Here is a list of currently open Orange County Farmers Markets. They serve many different communities of the OC. Most are certified and sell the produce of our local farmers and vendors. They are a great way to support small business here in Southern California.
Due to possible seasonal, holiday or weather related changes to times & locations, we encourage you to click on the link of the market event holder to get the most updated information. ‘Rain or Shine’ markets may have low vendor attendance on wet days.
Please note – this is an informational page only. If you have any specific questions about any of the markets listed, please contact the management company of the farmer’s market you are interested in.
Sunday Farmers Markets
Garden Grove
Historic Main Street, Main St. & Garden Grove Blvd.
Sundays
10 AM – 2 PM More Information
Operated by Local Harvest Garden Grove Certified Farmers’ Market. Offering an abundance of farm fresh Certified California Grown Fruits and Vegetables, along with a variety of gourmet specialty foods. Arts, crafts and jewelry from local area vendors can also be found.
Irvine
The Great Park in Irvine, Marine Way off Sand Canyon
Sundays
10 AM – 2 PM (weather permitting) More Information
Every week, the Great Park Certified Farmers Market features fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, handcrafted artisan products, live music and entertainment, and a selection of gourmet food trucks. Take home fresh produce grown on the Great Park Farm and other local farms and enjoy live entertainment, including live music, car shows, and more.
Ladera Ranch
Founders Park, 28275 Avendale Clubhouse in Parking Lot
Sundays
9 AM – 1 PM More Information
Farmers, cottage producers, food trucks and craft vendors selling great food and products you can’t find at stores. The produce is grown locally using sustainable methods to reduce climate impact – much is organic. The small batch specialty producers make their products nearby using only the highest quality ingredients.
Laguna Niguel
27271 La Paz Rd, Laguna Niguel (Plaza de Paz Shopping Center)
Sundays
8 AM – NOON (rain or shine*) More Information
Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers’ Markets. California certified farmers’ markets are the real thing – places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
* According to the Orange County Farm Bureau, this is a rain or shine event. Even though this is a rain or shine event, please be advised many vendors may not attend markets on rainy days.
Just steps away from the famous Dory fish market and beachfront shops and restaurants, this market is a staple for locals and a reason to make Newport Beach a Sunday destination. Shoppers will find a selection of exotic fruits, seasonal vegetables, eggs, honey, nuts as well as specialty foods like small-batch breads, Mediterranean dips, vegan salsas, cold-press juices, teas, handmade jewelry and art.
San Clemente
200 block Avenida Del Mar Dr.
Sundays
9 AM – 1 PM (rain or shine) More Information
Affiliated with California Federation of Certified Farmers’ Markets. The certified farmers market concept is an effort to re-establish the traditional link between farmers and consumers in California. Put simply, certified farmers’ markets (CFM’s) are “the real thing,” places where genuine farmers sell their crops directly to the public. It is where the agrarian community relates to the urban community
Monday Farmers Markets
Currently there are no Monday markets in Orange County
Tuesday Farmers Markets
Huntington Beach
Surf City Nights is a Weekly Street Fair and Certified Farmers Market
Tuesdays
5PM – 9PM More Information
Orange County’s largest weekly street fair and certified farmers’ market.
Every Tuesday from 5 pm to 9 pm, 90 vendors presents unique handcrafted wares: furniture, jewelry, art, clothing, live music, street performers, community groups and kids’ activities.
Orange
Irvine Regional Park
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA
Tuesdays
9 AM – 1 PM (rain or shine*) More Information
Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers’ Markets. California certified farmers’ markets are the real thing – places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
* According to the Orange County Farm Bureau, this is a rain or shine event. Even though this is a rain or shine event, please be advised many vendors may not attend markets on rainy days.
Placentia
Placentia Town Center
130 E Yorba Linda Blvd.
Tuesdays
4 PM – 8 PM More Information
This Certified Farmers Market provides approximately 30 unique and exciting vendors to the Placentia Town Center. A free shuttle bus to and from the Placentia Certified Farmers Market is now available with five different locations for picking up and dropping off.
Santa Ana
Located in the corner parking lot on Bush and 3rd Street in Downtown Santa Ana.
Tuesdays – closed for the season, please check back
The DTSA (Downtown Santa Ana) Farmers’ Market is a community-oriented, chef-driven Farmers’ Market that strives to bring the highest quality produce at the best price possible.
Seal Beach
Seal Beach Village
13904 Seal Beach Blvd., Westminster Blvd & Seal Beach Blvd
Tuesdays
9 AM – 1 PM
Opened in 2010, this small Tuesday market is convenient for nearby Leisure World residents. Around 15 vendors that and include many familiar to other Orange County farmers markets.
Wednesday Farmers Markets
Fullerton
Fullerton Community Center, 340 West Commonwealth Ave.
Wednesdays
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM More Information
Believed to be the oldest farmers’ market in Orange County, this Wednesday market is renowned for the freshness of its produce and its wide variety of fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers – many of which cannot be found at local supermarkets. It is operated by the nonprofit Fullerton Certified Farmers Market Board
Irvine
Irvine Towers Certified Farmers’ Market
18400 Von Karman, Irvine, CA
At the Towers Main Courtyard
Wednesdays
10 AM – 2 PM More Information
Farmers’ Market Featuring a wide variety of Food Vendors. Great place to get a lunch. Year Round, open To The Public.
Irvine
Irvine Kaiser Permanente CFM
6640 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA
Wednesdays
9 AM – 1 PM More Information
Located in front of the Medical Office Building. Affiliated with California Federation of Certified Farmers’ Markets. The certified farmers market concept is an effort to re-establish the traditional link between farmers and consumers in California.
Tustin
Corner of El Camino Real and 3rd Street
Wednesdays
9 AM – 1 PM (rain or shine*) More Information
Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers’ Markets. California certified farmers’ markets are the real thing – places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
* According to the Orange County Farm Bureau, this is a rain or shine event. Even though this is a rain or shine event, please be advised many vendors may not attend markets on rainy days.
Thursday Farmers Markets
Anaheim
Downtown Anaheim Certified Farmers’ Market & Craft Fair
435 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
Thursdays
11 AM – 3 PM More Information
Local California certified Farmers, International Foods, craft fair and Homegrown Music series.
Brea
Brea Place, 135 S. State College Blvd, Brea
In the parking lot off of S. State College Blvd.
Thursdays
3 PM – 7 PM More Information
Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers’ Markets. California certified farmers’ markets are the real thing – places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
Costa Mesa
Orange County Fairgrounds
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
Thursdays
9 AM – 1 PM (rain or shine*) More Information
Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers’ Markets. California certified farmers’ markets are the real thing – places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
* According to the Orange County Farm Bureau, this is a rain or shine event. Even though this is a rain or shine event, please be advised many vendors may not attend markets on rainy days.
Friday Farmers Markets
Anaheim
Anaheim Kaiser Permanente CFM
3440 E. La Palma Ave. Anaheim, CA
Fridays
9 AM – 2 PM More Information
Located across from the parking structure. Affiliated with California Federation of Certified Farmers’ Markets. The certified farmers market concept is an effort to re-establish the traditional link between farmers and consumers in California.
Fountain Valley
Mile Square Park Certified Farmers Market
16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Fridays
9 AM – 1 PM (rain or shine*) More Information
The Mile Square Park Certified Farmers Market is located at Freedom Hall in Mile Square Park. Genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts, and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure that he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
* According to the Orange County Farm Bureau, this is a rain or shine event. Even though this is a rain or shine event, please be advised many vendors may not attend markets on rainy days.
Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills Mall Parking Lot
the 5 Freeway and El Toro Road
Fridays
9 AM – 1 PM (rain or shine*) More Information
Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers’ Markets. California certified farmers’ markets are the real thing – places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
* According to the Orange County Farm Bureau, this is a rain or shine event. Even though this is a rain or shine event, please be advised many vendors may not attend markets on rainy days.
La Palma
Kaiser Permanente Farmers’ Market
Kaiser Permanente La Palma Medical Offices
5 Centerpointe Drive, La Palma
(949) 364-1270
Every other Friday
10 AM – 2 PM More Information
You can find fresh, nutrient-dense produce at a nearby Kaiser Permanente farmers market. We have locations at many of our facilities, so pack a tote bag and pick up your peaches, peppers, and prescriptions in the same trip. Located in the parking area on the south side of the building.
San Juan Capistrano
Farmakis Farms
29932 Camino Capistrano
(949) 364-1270
Fridays
9 AM – 1 PM More Information
Family-owned Christmas tree farm and certified farmers’ market located in San Juan Capistrano. Come experience life on the farm every Friday from 9:00am – 1:00pm with our weekly certified farmers’ market. Features produce from many local farmers, breads, dips, sweets, jams, crafts, and many more locally made artisan products.
Saturday Farmers Markets
Buena Park
Corner of La Palma and Stanton Sears Parking Lot
Saturdays
9 AM – 2 PM More Information
You can find organic fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs, raw honey, dried fruits & nuts, specialty foods, kettle corn, and a variety of fresh foods made to order!
Corona Del Mar
3201 Pacific Coast Hwy
(Marguerite & Pacific Coast Hwy)
949- 361-0735
Saturdays
9 AM – 1 PM More Information
Limited parking on-street and in a small lot. Affiliated with California Federation of Certified Farmers’ Markets. Open since 1996, look for prepared foods, honey, fresh fish, and flowers—and lots of fruits and vegetables from premier growers often not seen at other markets.
Costa Mesa
SoCo Farmers’ Market
SoCo Collection
3315 Hyland Ave
Saturdays
9 AM – 2 PM More Information
Located in the SOCO Collection, our SOCO Farmers’ Market in Costa Mesa is the perfect place to spend a Saturday afternoon. Featuring local farm fresh fruits and vegetables, raw honey, fresh almonds, fresh eggs, meat, and poultry.
Cypress
4505 Katella Ave, Cypress, Ca – in the parking of Cottonwood Church.
Saturdays
9 AM – 2 PM More Information
The market features fresh fruits and vegetables, a variety of prepared foods including fantastic tamales and BBQ, as well as some artisanal vendors selling items such as fresh breads, hummus, honey and handmade soaps.
Dana Point
La Plaza Park at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway & Golden Lantern
949-573-5033
Saturdays
9 AM – 1 PM More Information
Selling produce, flowers, breads, fish, arts and crafts, pita, honey, nuts, hot sauces, humus, mixes, pickles, coffee, indian food, mushrooms, etc. In addition to local, organic produce and unique products from Dana Point businesses, arts & crafts vendors join in the fun every 2nd Saturday of the month.
Irvine
Mariners Church parking lot, On the corner of Bonita Canyon & Turtle Ridge
Saturdays
8 AM – Noon (rain or shine*) More Information
Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers’ Markets. California certified farmers’ markets are the real thing – places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
* According to the Orange County Farm Bureau, this is a rain or shine event. Even though this is a rain or shine event, please be advised many vendors may not attend markets on rainy days.
Laguna Beach
521 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach (across the street from the Lumberyard Shopping Center)
Saturdays
8 AM – NOON (rain or shine*) More Information
Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers’ Markets. California certified farmers’ markets are the real thing – places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure he/she actually grows the commodity being sold.
* According to the Orange County Farm Bureau, this is a rain or shine event. Even though this is a rain or shine event, please be advised many vendors may not attend markets on rainy days.
Orange
Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market
Located at 303 W. Palm Avenue
on the corner of Cypress & Palm in Old Towne Orange
Saturdays
9 AM – 1 PM (rain or shine) More Information
The Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market is a Saturday certified farmers market operated by the non-profit Orange Home Grown, Inc. The market features a large selection of fruits, vegetables, nuts, mushrooms, honey, free range eggs, grass-fed beef, poultry and milk, and seafood,, fresh bread & baked goods, preserves and more. Enjoy complimentary coffee and music while you shop.
Pull your calendars out and plan a picnic, get your lawn chairs ready, and get ready to head to your local park. Plus, guess what? Almost all the Orange County summer concerts are FREE!
Here are two sites that have compiled a list of all the summer concerts by respective Cities. They provide links to the actual event and/or City websites that provide complete info.
This theme acknowledges the deep connections of the Festival and Pageant to the early artists who settled in Laguna Beach. It will also feature other memorable stories of artists assisting one another through cooperation and fellowship in vastly different eras and circumstances around the world..
This one-of-a-kind theatrical event, featuring live narration and original music performed live by the Pageant’s orchestra, takes place in the beautiful Irvine Bowl on the grounds of Laguna’s Festival of Arts July 7-September 1, 2023, every evening starting at 8:30 p.m.
Pageant of the Masters is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach.
Two Shows for the Price of One!
Don’t forget your Pageant ticket gives you unlimited access to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show all summer long. Come early and listen to some great music, get a glass of wine, see and purchase some fabulous art.
Festival of Arts Raffle Information Is Online
All summer long, Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters guests have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win a brand new 2024 C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate (approximate retail value $$63,000)! On Saturday, August 26, 2023, the lucky winning ticket will be pulled. Tickets are sold for $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.
From festivals and fireworks to Independence Day parades, here are the best 4th of July events for your entire family.
** Due to possible last minute changes to times & locations to the events below, we encourage you to click on the link of the event holder (or contact the host city) to get the most updated information.
Live performance by 4×4 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Community Booths – Children’s Crafts – Face Painting – Balloon Twisters – Airbrush Tattoo Artists – Carnival Games Low-level fireworks show will start at approximately 9:00 p.m.
If you plan to come to the park early to save your space, please note that ONLY blankets and low-level chairs are allowed.
LOCATION:
Grand Park
6101 City Lights Dr
Aliso Viejo, California
Anaheim Hills
Canyon Hills Community Council’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration
July 4
7 am – 9:30 pm This event starts early with a 5K/10K run at 7 a.m. with a starting line at Santa Ana Canyon Road. The Yankee Doodle Dog Show and parade follows starting at 9 am at Canyon High School. From there, the party moves to Peralta Park, where you will enjoy countless food vendor and expo booths of local businesses and organizations and live musical performances. Don’t forget to grab a seat for your family and friends as the night culminates with a spectacular fireworks display at 9 pm honoring the red white and blue!LOCATION:
Canyon High School & Peralta Park in Anaheim Hills, California
Balboa Balboa Peninsula-Newport Bay July 4 Fireworks & Parade Cruises
July 4Newport Landing will have 3 cruises for the 4th Of July including the Firework Spectacular evening cruise.2 1/2 hour daytime cruise times – 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm & 4:00 pm to 6:30pm. These cruises travel along side the Old Glory Boat Parade through the world renowned Newport Bay. During your cruise you will also be taken out into the open ocean to see the pristine Newport Beach coastline.Night time fireworks cruise will run 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. You will spend the first hour or so cruising through the beautiful Newport Harbor amoung hundreds of other boats all celebrating the Spirit of America. After sunset you will have a front row seat to one of the largest 4th of July fireworks displays in Southern California.INFORMATION:
For additional information or to make reservations call
(949) 673-1489
Brea Annual Brea Country Fair
July 4, 2023
9am – 3pmCome celebrate our Nation’s independence at Brea’s Annual Country Fair full of patriotic festivities. The fair opens at 7:00 a.m. and continues until 3:00 p.m. There will be a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, kiddie parade, dog parade, classic car show, food, games, exhibits, and Market Place area featuring handmade gifts. Admission to the Country Fair and the Plunge is free. Swimming at the Plunge begins at 12 p.m.LOCATION:
City Hall Park
401 S. Brea Blvd.
Brea, CA 92821INFORMATION:
714-900-7771
Bring your own picnic, lawn chairs and blanket to help celebrate our nation’s independence! Live music by the Tijuana Dogs and Moxy Anne plus activities, Centennial Farm, bounce house, community booths and contests. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Glass containers and bottles are prohibited. No hard-sided coolers or outside alcohol permitted.”
Free entry. 9 pm fireworks show
LOCATION:
OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa
Free Parking
This patriotic celebration will feature food trucks, entertainment, vendors, live music from 80z All-Stars, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Festival seating, picnics, and lawn chairs are encouraged with food and refreshments available for purchase. Beer and water available for purchase. Motor homes, outside alcohol, dogs, BBQs, and fireworks are NOT permitted at this event. Your cooperation is appreciated!
Event Timeline
5:30 PM – Event area opens
6:00 PM – Mainstage Entertainment
7:00 PM – Live concert provided by 80z All-Stars
9:00 PM – Fireworks display
LOCATION:
Cypress College
9200 Valley View Street
Cypress CA, 90630
Dana Point Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza
July 4, 2023
9 pmThe BEST Southern California fireworks display is back again for 2023!More details comingLOCATION:
Dana Point HarborINFORMATION:
For additional information, call 949-248-2536
Enjoy a unique evening of fun on the water, complete with a live Fireworks demonstration sponsored by the city of Dana Point. Cruises offered are:
Display Cruise
Fireworks Display Cruise! Enjoy the show on the water while on the deck of our boat! Limited seating.
Dana Pride Dinner Cruise
Held on the 95′ flagship, the Dana Pride. Guests will enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience & a 4th of July to remember! Capacity is limited for social distancing. The menu is being fine-tuned as we speak. Cash bar available. This is an incredibly popular event and seats go fast so book early!
-Fullerton’s 2023 4th of July firework show has been cancelled.
Inside the event area, participants can find kids’ activities including face painting, bounce houses, a caricature artist, and a stilt walker. NOMINAL FEES MAY APPLY for activities (Approximately $2 to $5). Enjoy live music by James Intveld. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. and last for approximately 20 minutes.
All food is reasonably priced, and is being offered by local charity organizations as a fundraising activity. There is no alcoholic beverage service.
LOCATION:
Fullerton High School Softball Field
located on Lemon between Chapman and Berkeley
INFORMATION:
714-738-3167
Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade & Pier Festival June 30 – July 4, 2023Four days of fun with live entertainment, exhibitors, food vendors and family activities.Pier Plaza Festival runs July 1-4 from 9:00am – 10:00pm. There will be crafts & merchant vendor booths, food trucks, an all-new beer & wine garden, live entertainment & DJs, sponsor activations, prize giveaways, live radio broadcasts, amusements & carnival ridesLOCATION:
Check website for all activity locations
Let freedom ring and celebration begin! March on in for some star-spangled fun as we learn about our nation’s day of independence. From Making your own rocket to sensory tables, stories and more, your little firecracker is sure to love what we have in store.
LOCATION:
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
Celebrate Independence Day with an epic outdoor concert featuring Classical Mystery Tour performing music of The Beatles and a stunning fireworks display. Rock out to the timeless classics of the Fab Four, and then watch the sky light up! Sing, dance and enjoy an unforgettable night of music, memories, and magic.
With fireworks and free parking! Parking is included in the price of your ticket.
LOCATION:
FivePoint Amphitheatre
14800 Chinon
Irvine, CA
Hosted by the Irvine Police Association, this event is a Pyro Musical sky concert & Fireworks extravaganza! This year’s event will be featuring: Live music by the Derek Bordeaux Group, Professional Field Entertainers with Field Games and Activities, Bounce Houses, Raffle with Prizes & Gourmet Food Trucks (food available for purchase).
Blankets & Lawn chairs recommended for seating on the football field. Bleacher seats will be available.
LOCATION:
Irvine High School Stadium
4321 Walnut Ave.
Irvine CA, 92604
Ladera Ranch July 4 Celebrations
July 4, 2023
7 am – 9:30 pm A fun-filled day of activities including 5 and 10K Freedom Runs, Pancake Breakfast, Community Parade, Games, Activities, Food Truck and Concert (Undercover – Top 40).Fireworks display at dark.LOCATION:
Founders Park
28275 Avendale Blvd
Ladera Ranch CA 92694
Laguna Beach City of Laguna Beach Fireworks Display
July 4, 2023
City Fireworks Show Begins at 9:00 p.m. The City fireworks show will originate from Monument Point at Heisler Park and will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. on July 4. Reminder: parking meters and City parking lots are enforced on July 4. City Trolleys will operate under a modified schedule, the Coastal Route will run from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Canyon Route from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The normal trolley schedule will resume on Wednesday, July 5.After the fireworks show, expect heavy traffic as many visitors will be leaving the city via Laguna Canyon Road and Coast Highway.LOCATION:
Monument Point in Heisler Park
375 Cliff Drive
Laguna Beach
Laguna Hills City of Laguna Hills Fourth of July Celebration
July 4, 2023
4-9:30 pmThe City of Laguna Hills will have fireworks show on July 4th at 9:00pm.Come celebrate America’s birthday at the City of Laguna Hills’ annual Fourth of July Celebration! Bring your family and friends to enjoy carnival rides and games, live band, food trucks, along with a fabulous fireworks show to conclude the evening. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Bounce house and games are free. Carnival rides are $2.00 each. Seating is not provided, so don’t forget your blankets and chairs.Schedule:
4:00pm Event Begins
6:00pm Live Band: Family Style
9:00pm FireworksLOCATION:
Laguna Hills Community Center
25555 Alicia Parkway
Laguna Hills, CA 92653INFORMATION:
(949) 707-2680
Run in the Parks:
8 am 5K Run/Walk
9 am Kids Races
Pancake Breakfast 7:30 – 10:30 am, Hosted by the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the YMCA. $8 for breakfast
Concert 6-8pm Kick off your evening festivities with a live concert featuring Joey Rydel’s Elton John Experience at Crown Valley community Park! After the concert, walk to the Regional Park to watch the Fireworks Spectacular (3/4 mi. walk each way). Bring flashlights and something to sit on in grass/dirt.
FIREWORKS LOCATION: Starts at 9 pm
LN Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Rd (Over the lake)
Limited parking inside the LNRP (fees apply) and on La Paz Road
LOCATION:
Laguna Niguel Family YMCA & Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Laguna Niguel, CA
La Habra Annual 4th of July Spectacular
Tuesday, July 4th, 2023
4:00 – 9:30The City of La Habra will hold its 4th of July Celebration on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023. The event will include the fireworks show, flyover, live music by Electric Vinyl, kid’s activity booths, food vendors and retail vendors. Guest seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that no alcohol or glass containers are allowed in the park.Wristbands are now available for purchase at the La Habra Community Center, 101 W. La Habra Blvd., Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.LOCATION:
La Bonita Park
1440 W. Whittier BlvdINFORMATION:
562-383-4200
LOCATION:
Lake Forest Sports Park & Recreation Center
28000 Rancho Pkway
Lake Forest
La Palma Annual Run for Fun Event
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 A healthy way to kick off your Fourth of July festivities! The La Palma Fitness Run for Fun is more than just another run, it’s an opportunity to experience that small town / hometown sense of community; to share quality time with your family, neighbors, and friends; and to focus on health and wellness while participating in a quality running, walking, or strolling experience.Following the race, stop by Central Park for a pancake breakfast provided by the La Palma Kiwanis Club, and watch the award presentations at the Park Pavilion starting at 9:15 AM.LOCATION:
Central Park
La Palma, Ca
The Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department welcomes the community to the 35th annual Universal Waste Systems (UWS) 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in partnership with Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the traditional event set up to include a family fun area, static displays, live entertainment, food and commercial vendors and the best fireworks show display in the area!
Reservations are not required this year. Valid I.D. to enter.
LOCATION:
Joint Forces Training Base.
Enter through Lexington or Orangewood gates.
Join us for fun on the 4th of July! The Mission Viejo Activities Committee will hold the annual 4th of July Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular on Olympiad between Marguerite and Melinda. The fun begins at 12:00 noon with live entertainment on the Main Stage and youth bands performing on our Freedom Stage. There will be rides for the kiddies to enjoy. Food and Game Booths operated by local service groups will be available to delight your taste buds and bring fun and laughter to the little ones. There will also be over 30 booths with wonderful craft and gift ideas. Admission is FREE with tickets being sold for games and rides. For your convenience, a free shuttle will operate from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
LOCATION:
Shuttle stops are located at twelve stops clearly marked around Lake Mission Viejo. Please no pets, skateboards or roller blades , bicycles or barbecue grills are allowed.
Each year the Newport Beach Harbor becomes a festive delight as owners adorned their boats in red-white-&-blue decorations, balloons, streamers and waving flags that outline the skies as Sousa Marches and Anthems fill the air. Families and friends from near and far arrive at the bay front beaches and yacht clubs along the peninsula and the many islands, vying for the best spot to settle down and view the boat parade.
Newport Landing will have 3 cruises for the 4th Of July including the Firework Spectacular evening cruise.
2 1/2 hour daytime cruise times – 1:00pm to 3:30pm & 4:00pm to 6:30pm. These cruises travel along side the Old Glory Boat Parade through the world renowned Newport Bay. During your cruise you will also be taken out into the open ocean to see the pristine Newport Beach coastline.
Night time fireworks cruise will run 7:00pm to 9:30pm. You will spend the first hour or so cruising through the beautiful Newport Harbor amoung hundreds of other boats all celebrating the Spirit of America. After sunset you will have a front row seat to one of the largest 4th of July fireworks displays in Southern California.
INFORMATION:
For additional information or to make reservations call
(949) 673-1489
Bring out the red, white, and blue for the 4th of July, as we celebrate Independence Day on the Back Bay! This annual celebration will bring you an entire weekend full of games, activities, watersports, movies on the beach, food and drinks, and Southern California’s largest fireworks celebration, sponsored by the City of Newport Beach. Now more than ever, you deserve something to celebrate!
Parking is $100 pre-paid, reserved parking is available for purchase. This reserved parking will be in our Main Lot located off Back Bay Drive. This parking will sell out!
Join us for some fun in the sun as we celebrate Independence Day the Orange way: a day early and with a bang. The celebration begins at 4 p.m. with fun games, booths, and activities. Various food trucks supporting local non-profits will be on-site selling delicious food and drinks. The Patriotic Music Program, featuring the Orange Community Master Chorale, begins at 8 p.m. When the sun sets, enjoy a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the night sky.
LOCATION:
Grijalva Park
368 North Prospect Street
Orange, CA 92869
For 56 years, runners have kicked off 4th of July festivities with an annual parade where decorated antique cars, tractors, walking groups, community organizations, and of course, horses, will take to the street to celebrate the 4th of July. All the fun begins in front of Salem Lutheran Church.
LOCATION:
Parade starts at Salem Lutheran Church
6500 E. Santiago Canyon Road
Orange, CA.
San Clemente will be celebrating America’s Independence Day with fireworks again this year!
When visiting on July 4th, please be advised of the following details: he end of the pier will be closed to public access beginning at noon on Saturday, July 3rd for fireworks preparations. The entire pier (excluding The Fisherman’s Restaurant) will close on Sunday, July 4th at 7:30 a.m. and remain closed for the entire day. A flyover by the Condor Squadron, is sheduled to reach San Clemente by 5:55 pm
LOCATION:
San Clemente Municipal Pier
622 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, California 92672
Come celebrate Independence Day at the San Juan Capistrano Sports Park (25925 Camino Del Avion)! Gates open at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, with live music beginning at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy old-fashioned picnic games, food vendors, exhibitors, a beer and wine garden and, of course, spectacular fireworks to close out the festivities at 9:00 p.m.
A full-scale carnival complete with over 20 thrill rides for all ages will run from July 1 – July 4, including live music on Saturday, July 1 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Parking is free and the summer trolley has a convenient stop right at the Sports Park, with service hours extended to 10:00 p.m. throughout the festivities.
LOCATION:
The Sports Park
25925 Camino Del Avion
San Juan Capistrano
INFORMATION:
For additional details on ticket prices, wristbands and hours of operation please contact the Community Services Department at (949) 493-5911.
The 11th annual Fourth of July celebration will be taking place on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Centennial Regional Park. This free community event will include live music, kid’s activities, food trucks, and exhibitors and a spectacular 20-minute fireworks finale at 9 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early and bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnics. Dogs may attend but must remain on leashes. Alcohol is not allowed. Centennial Park is located at 3000 W Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana. On-site event parking is free.
LOCATION:
Centennial Park
3000 W. Edinger Ave
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Attendees will enjoy food vendors, family activities, live music, and spectacular fireworks! The fun starts on Tuesday, July 4 at 5 p.m. with live music featuring Kayln & The New Frontier and fireworks blasting off at 9 p.m.
The event can be enjoyed from Veterans Park or Yorba Linda Middle School.
LOCATION:
Veterans Park
4756 Valley View Avenue
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
INFORMATION:
714-961-7160
Southern California is home to some of the most diverse and famous shopping centers! We have everything from heavily discounted outlet malls to the glamour and glitz of luxury malls. Stroll through these sites to decide where you’d like your next shopping destination to be!
Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this Memorial Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.
Traditionally, Memorial Day Weekend is the start of the summer season, complete with days-long, large-scale festivals, and the Southland keeps coming back bigger and better. There are festivals and fairs galore in Topanga, La Cañada,Garden Grove, Corona, and Hermosa Beach. Summer 2023 is off to an epic start, and SoCal, our ship has sailed in. (To San Pedro for LA Fleet Week.)
And, of course, Memorial Day weekend closes with tributes to our fallen heroes. Ceremonies will be held at the Reagan Library and several Forest Lawn locations, along with observances in local cities. You can find them listed below.
This summer, Pretend City presents Camping in the City! Little ones get to experience the wilderness with opportunities to hike Pretend City trails, follow and trace footprints of the critters who live in the City, and even sit around a campfire listening to stories and learning how to make s’mores. READ MORE
Circus Vargas Express is a high-energy, animal-free extravaganza under the Big Top, with death-defying stuntmen, flying aerialists, exhilarating acrobats, and uproarious clowns under the Big Top. For their latest show, Circus Vargas channels the “City of Lights” in their new production, Bonjour Paris READ MORE
Cinespia offers an additional location for viewing classic films under the stars: Los Angeles State Historic Park. Films screening Memorial Day weekend are Mrs. Doubtfire and 10 Things I Hate About You.READ MORE
San Pedro – Friday – Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023
Free
Your ship’s come in—a whole bunch of ’em actually. Fleet Week returns to the Port of Los Angeles with pier-side ship tours, exhilarating aerial demonstrations and flyovers, live entertainment, live competitions, and family activities. READ MORE
La Cañada’s weekend-long Memorial Day festivities celebrate their 50 year anniversary. Activities throughout the weekend include a French toast breakfast, vintage car show, a summer picnic and “ukulele rendezvous”, a family dinner with music, and fireworks. Monday’s activities include a 5k/10k run, a Memorial Day service, a grand parade down Foothill Boulevard, and music in the park. READ MORE
Garden Grove – Friday – Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023
Free admission
Garden Grove marks Memorial Day weekend for the 63rd year with its Strawberry Festival, the second largest city festival in the West. This year, the festival’s theme is “Celebrating Kindness.” READ MORE
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Southern California Children’s Museum hosts its first-ever free community play day. At Day of Play, everyone is invited to engage with the power of play through arts-based activities, musical performances, and social services information from community service tabling partners. READ MORE
Take me out to the (minor league base)ball game! For young baseball lovers, minor league games are a wonderful opportunity to see future (and sometimes even current) major league players, for a fraction of the ticket price. On select nights, the Quakes will light up the sky with a fireworks display after the game. READ MORE
The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival returns for another season. With lots of audience-participation content, the Faire offers opportunities to learn about ye ol’ German 1450-1600 A.D. history. READ MORE
Pass GO and head to the 8th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street. MAINopoly is a fun, interactive tasting event that mirrors the classic board game, offering a culinary walking tour of Main Street’s restaurants, ice cream stores, coffee shops and other businesses. READ MORE
The Bureau of Sanitation Open House might not seem like everyone’s idea of a fun Saturday, but to kids who are intrigued by garbage trucks it’s a real hoot. And you might even go home with a fruit or shade tree. READ MORE
Scotsfest returns for Memorial Day weekend in 2023! Scotsfest is a Scottish festival of Celtic entertainment, food, and Highland games. The two-day event showcases the best of the Scottish and Celtic heritage with sounds of bagpipes and drums, the smells of authentic Scottish foods, and the sights of the traditional tartan kilts. READ MORE
Hermosa Beach’s semi-annual blowout combines hundreds of artisans and craftspeople with opportunities to swim, bike, fish, or just relax on the beach. READ MORE
Topanga hosts its annual Memorial Day celebration which consists of music, artisan booths, great food, and a wide range of games, such as pie eating contests, an animal imitation contest, sack races, and a diaper derby. READ MORE
The San Fernando Valley’s annual Greek Festival is held on Memorial Day Weekend at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The festival evokes the sights, sounds, and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. READ MORE
Get ready for a night of extreme family fun at the Irwindale Speedway. Arrive as early as 4pm to check out the vehicles and get autographs. The fun kicks off at 7pm with a jet car burndown, skid plate races, figure 8 races, and more—followed by a fireworks display! READ MORE
On Memorial Day weekend, Santa Anita Park Infield transforms into a giant carnival with fun for all ages, including thrilling rides, Inflatable jumpers, a range of carnival snacks, and carnival games. READ MORE
Simi Valley – Monday, May 29, 2023
Event is free, museum admission is not
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum commemorates Memorial Day, with an event honoring the fallen men and women who served in the United States Military. READ MORE
Forest Lawn welcomes community members to celebrate Memorial Day at six of its LA locations. The annual ceremony to honor fallen soldiers features music, moving speeches, and patriotism. READ MORE
Veterans are honored in a ceremony at the McCambridge Park War Memorial. A pre-ceremony concert begins at 10:15am. The event then begins at 11am, with a ceremony that includes a flyover. READ MORE
The City of Mission Viejo honors those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The ceremony includes guest speakers, a color guard, rifle salute, live vocals performances and taps. READ MORE
The City of South Pasadena observes Memorial Day with a service at the War Memorial Building. The color guard is presented by Boy Scout Troop 333. READ MORE
The Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade is back for its 31st year, celebrating the day with patriotic floats, equestrians, celebrities, antique cars, and marching bands making their way along Sherman Way, following a route from Owensmouth Ave. to Cozycroft. Among the featured participants, the146th Airlift Wing takes to the skies for a C-130J Flyover. READ MORE
Sure, you’re probably heading to Santa Barbara for its glorious sandy beaches, and all the good things that come with it. Surfing, sunbathing, that sort of thing. But once you’re done with the miles and miles of breathtaking coastline, there’s a whole lot more of Santa Barbara to be explored – and it’s a lot more than just sandy beaches.
Santa Barbara is actually home to a whole host of great restaurants, museums and attractions, and it’s pretty easy on the eye too – most of its historic landmarks are just begging to be photographed and stuck on an Instagram story. So whether you’re there for its annual film fest or its wine festival, you’ll never be stuck for things to do in this city. Read on for the best things to do in Santa Barbara right now.
Fun things to do in Santa Barbara
1. Old Mission Santa Barbara
The late 18th-century Old Mission Santa Barbara gave the city more than just its name. You can see its lush courtyard, tiled roof, and shaded arches reflected in buildings all over Santa Barbara. But the mission is a beautiful, historical destination on its own, with a solemn cemetery, chapel, and an exhibition about its construction and life within its walls.
The compact halls of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History lend themselves well to pint-sized patrons, from a kid-sized cavern to an outdoor playground. Adults can enjoy a stroll around the campus’ Mission Revival buildings spread along a wooded creek, while the small Sea Center at Stearns Wharf is an all-ages winner, with shark- and anemone-filled touch tanks and a research center with biologically-rich muck straight from the seafloor below.
Hike to Inspiration Point for the kind of breathtaking natural encounter that will clear your mind. There are two ways to get to Inspiration Point, a beautiful outlook overlooking Santa Barbara’s coastline and the Channel Islands in the distance. The shorter option starts at Tunnel Trail and will make for about a 3.5-mile roundtrip. It begins on an easy paved road for about a mile but then makes its way to a trail that is steep in parts. The other option is starting at Jesusita Trail, which is steep in some areas and stretches about 7 miles.
4. Santa Barbara Museum of Art
State Street’s Santa Barbara Museum of Art recently completed a massive six-year renovation and expansion project, bringing new gallery spaces and public areas to the museum. You’ll find a mix of rotating exhibitions and highlights of the permanent collection that are heavy on Impressionism and Southern California abstraction. Visit the museum store for jewelry, books, toys, and other custom items.
If you’re looking for fresh seafood, head to Stearns Wharf in the early morning hours to wait for the fishing boats to unload their catch. You can buy straight from the boats and take your fish home with you on ice—it’s cheaper, fresher, and way more fun. Although the pier (home to California’s oldest working wharf) offers wine tasting, a touch aquarium for kids, and lots of shopping and dining options, avoid it after mid-morning—it tends to become a bit of a tourist trap as the day goes on.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse is the one time you might want to spend a day in court. The Spanish-Moorish structure is striking from the inside, but step underneath its spacious archway, and you’ll find yourself inside one of the most beautiful government buildings in the country, period. Take the elevator or stairs to the top of the Seth Thomas Tower Clock for sweeping views of Santa Barbara—and make sure to stop by the historical, sublimely painted Mural Room on the second floor.
If you’re the type of person who finds peace in nature, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden should be on your itinerary. This garden, which focuses on native California plants, is unlike any other. Even the Redwood Section, where redwood trees were planted beginning in 1930, looks as though the trees are organically growing there. Throughout the mile-long walkway, there are plenty of spots for visitors to sit and reflect.
Polish opera singer and garden enthusiast Ganna Walska built up the beautiful tropical and subtropical gardens at Lotusland over four decades. Today, you can explore the multiculturally-themed gardens with two-hour guided tours that’ll take you through everything from a silvery-blue forest to a prehistoric-looking cycad garden.
A tangle of trails weaves through the beautiful grounds of the Santa Barbara Zoo. Equal parts open green space and lush animal habitats, the zoo is teeming with conservation information and close-up views of creatures like elephants, lions, leopards, and giraffes. Check at the front to see the daily feeding schedule for the long-necked mammals.
Short on time? Take a 90-minute narrated trolley tour of Santa Barbara’s main attractions. Santa Barbara Trolley Company offers daily tours that leave from the Visitor Center at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. This is a great way to see the Santa Barbara Courthouse, Santa Barbara Zoo, Museum of Natural History, Old Mission Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf, East Beach, the harbor, and more.
We all love hanging out with our friends, but planning a party can be stressful. So why not host a game night instead? We’ve got some great game night ideas along with some tips for hosting the perfect night!
One of the best things to do with a large (or even small) group of people is a good ole game night. Playing games with friends is one of the best ways to let loose, have fun, and really get to know the people you are with.
Wondering where you would even begin when it comes to hosting your own game night? Well, look no further because we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re in need of some great game night ideas or some great tips on how to host the perfect night, we have just what you need!
GAME NIGHT IDEAS
When it comes to hosting a game night, your end goal should always revolve around people having fun and getting to know each other better. There are tons of games out there that do this. Here are some of our top game ideas for game night!
THE BOWL GAME
One of our favorite games that we like to play frequently for our game nights is the Bowl Game. It’s seriously the best party game that you’ll ever play! If you are looking for a game that will have everybody laugh-crying, while learning random facts about your friends, then this is the game for you.
CRAZY KISS, MARRY, KILL
Have you ever heard of this game? While it can be played using names of people that you know, this version of Kiss, Marry, Kill is a little less personal and a little more fun! You can use the names of celebrities/sports stars or fictional characters for your choices, such as cartoon characters, tv show/movie characters, and book characters.
Example: Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Piglet. It’s really funny to hear the reasons WHY each person chooses who they will kiss, marry or kill. Someone may kiss Piglet because he’s so cute, marry Tigger because he’s always excited to do new things, and kill Pooh so that they can have the honey all to themselves, ha!
This game is super simple, since you need only pens and paper. You can either write up the list of options ahead of time or have everybody come up with their own options for everybody else to choose from. It’s a lot of fun to see which names each person chooses and why!
PRESS CONFERENCE
Looking for a more unique game to play at your game night? This one is a great choice! For this game, someone holds a “press conference” and answers questions from other guests. The catch? The person holding the press conference doesn’t know who they are pretending to be, but the “interviewers” do. During the press conference, they try to guess who they are based off of the questions that they’re answering. It’s such a fun game!
REACT AND ACT
If you need a good icebreaker to get your game night started off right, then you’ll love this one! In React and Act, guests take turns reacting to various situations, like winning the lottery or getting fired, while the rest of the group has to try and guess what situation is being acted out. It’s kind of like charades, but you can use words and noises, which makes it even more hilarious! Trust me, seeing someone running around like they’re being chased by a bear and screaming is definitely a sight to see.
THE NOT-SO-NEWLYWED GAME
Hosting a couples game night? This game is a simple question and answer game that really helps you get to know each couple and see how well each couple knows one another. The questions can be as simple as “where did you go on your first date?” to see if they remember the details. Or they can be a little bit more controversial, such as “who is the better cook?” It can get really funny to see who remembers all of the little details better and if they agree with each other on the more controversial questions!
SPOONS
If you’ve played this game, then you know exactly why it made our list. The game of Spoons has been around for a while. In case you haven’t had the opportunity to play it yet, here’s the rundown! You need a deck of cards (without the jokers), some spoons, and a group of 3-13 people.
Pile your spoons in the center of the table, using one less than the number of people you have playing. (So if you have 12 people playing, you have 11 spoons in the middle.) Each player gets 4 cards and the rest of the cards are in a pile on the table. The game begins with each player discarding and drawing a card, doing so until they get 4 of a kind.
Once the first person gets 4 of a kind, they can take a spoon from the pile. After that, everyone else can grab a spoon. The last player who doesn’t grab a spoon gets the first letter in the word “Spoons.” Once a player has gotten all of the letters, they’re out and a spoon is removed from the middle of the table. The game keeps going in this fashion until there is one player remaining. It’s a simple, yet fast-paced game that is definitely a fun game for everybody!
MURDER MYSTERY GAMES
Murder mystery games aren’t just for Halloween! You can definitely play these games year-round and have your guests asking for more. While there are a lot of great murder mystery games that you can buy, you can also find some free ones that are just as good! The Spruce has 12 free murder mystery games for you to choose from.
DROP A HINT
This simple game is a crowd favorite and requires little prep. All you need are some index cards with a word or phrase written on them (or use the cards from Reverse Charades). Divide everybody into two teams. For this game, one person guesses while their teammates work together to get the guesser to guess a particular word by dropping hints. The catch? The teammates can only say one word at a time! This can be really funny since they’re not allowed to talk between themselves to know which words the others are going to say.
MIRROR CHARADES
This is a fun twist on the classic game of Charades. Instead of one person going up and acting out the chosen word, there are two. Out of these two people, one of them draws the word and looks at it; making sure their partner doesn’t see it. Then, the player who drew the word stands behind the group of people who are guessing and begins to act out the word, while their partner stands in front of the group of people guessing and mirrors the actions their partner is doing.
Everyone guessing can only look at the person standing in front of them and try to figure out what word they are acting out. This makes it a little more difficult since the person standing in front of them has no clue which word they are acting out! This game can be quite tricky, but is tons of fun to play.
HOW TO HOST THE PERFECT GAME NIGHT
Alright, so now that you have a lot of game night ideas that you can play, we can move on to some tips for hosting the perfect game night!
CREATE YOUR GUEST LIST
As we mentioned before, game nights provide a great opportunity for people to have fun and get to know each other better. There are a few options when it comes to who you’re going to invite.
You can invite close friends/family you already spend a lot of time with. Even though you do tons of things together, you’ll still have the opportunity to learn something new about each other!
Invite a mix of close friends/family and acquaintances. Choosing to go with a guest list like this helps keep things familiar, but also widens your circle of people you know.
If you’ve recently moved to a place where you don’t have any close friends or family, then invite people that you’ve met and would like to get to know better!
Whoever you end up choosing to invite, just make sure that they genuinely want to play games. Nothing will kill your fun game night vibes faster than someone who doesn’t want to participate!
SEATING ACCOMMODATIONS
You always want to make sure everyone has a place to sit during game night. Before your guests arrive, make sure you have enough seating that also allows everyone to feel comfortable and included in the group. If you’re playing board games, make sure you have enough table space for everyone to easily pull up a chair. Or, if you’re playing more interactive games, move your furniture around so everyone can join in on the fun!
FOOD AND DRINKS
It’s hard to have fun when you’ve got the hangries. So, for true game night success, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got the food and drinks covered! Use the tips in THIS post to get some cheap party food ideas.
To help keep the costs down, ask your guests to bring their favorite drink, treat or food. Along with taking some things off of your to-do list, it’s also a great way for your guests to get to know each other a little better through the foods and drinks they are bringing.
HAVE FUN
Sometimes when you’re hosting, you completely forget to have fun. Really, isn’t that the entire reason you’re hosting a game night in the first place?! The more fun you have, the more fun your guests will have. So, let loose a little and don’t be afraid to step down from your hosting responsibilities and join in on the party!
So there you have it! Hosting a game night really is quite simple, especially if you follow these tips! Do you have any game night ideas that have worked for you in the past? Let us know in the comments!
Check out these posts while you’re here!
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If you’ve got leftover party food, use these creative ways to use them up rather than throwing them out!
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