Great Websites For SoCal Activities and Events

Looking for fun and exciting ideas for your family - try these websites:

DayTrippen: http://www.daytrippen.com/

Loyal Guide: http://www.loyalguide.com/

Cypress Recreation: http://www.ci.cypress.ca.us/recreation/recreation_home.html

SoCal: http://www.socal.com/10/LIFESTYLE.html

Cypress Church: http://www.cypresschurch.net/#/ministries

OrangeCounty.Net Fun Zone: http://www.orangecounty.net/html/events_fall.html

Discovery Science Center: http://www.discoverycube.org/

Cypress Community Festival: http://www.cypressfestival.com/

Zvents: http://www.zvents.com/z/cypress-ca/search?latitude=33.8176&longitude=-118.039&search_query=&city_name=Cypress%2C+CA

There are lots more sites out there on the net but these should give you a great start!

Kayak At The Bay in Naples on August 7th

Bring your family and friends and join Cypress Recreation for an afternoon on the bay on Sunday, August 7 from 4-8pm! Whether you’re an avid kayaker or a beginner, you will enjoy a cruise through the beautiful Naples Canals in Long Beach.

Instruction will be given prior to the paddle and a relaxing BBQ dinner is included. Instruction, equipment and food are included in the $27 fee.

Call the Cypress Community Center for more information at 714-229-6780. Come spend a fun, summer afternoon with us on the bay, you don’t want to miss this great experience!

Download your personal copy of the Cypress Recreation and Community Services Summer Brochure: http://www.ci.cypress.ca.us/recreation/11_summer_brochure.pdf

Information provided by Cypress Recreation and Community Services, Jenni Worsham, Recreation Coordinator

Join the Fun at the Cypress Community Festival on July 23

Monday, July 11th, the Cypress City Council chamber was the site of an invasion by a small band of people wearing red Cypress Festival shirts worn by the members of the Cypress Community Festival Association. Leading this group of volunteers was 2011 Chair Heather Erickson, who warmly extended an invitation to attend the 31st Cypress Community Festival to be held on Saturday, July 23rd at Oak Knoll Park.

Everyone is invited to attend this city-wide celebration which starts with a 5K/10K run at 7:30 a.m. A delicious pancake breakfast hot off the grill will be served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. by the Cypress Kiwanis members for $5 per person.

At 9:00 a.m. the Festival officially begins with the National Anthem sung on the main stage by Jenna Welch. From then on, Festival guests will enjoy continuous entertainment throughout the day with four stages to choose from.

Audiences can line dance to songs performed by country music star Peter Brandon, along with country performers, Billy and the Bandits. Returning also to the Cypress Festival is popular Go Country FM Radio DJ Shawn Parr.

If you love hot stuff, be sure to get your Taster’s Choice Ballot kit after 12 noon to judge all the chili you want at the Chili Cook-off and Salsa Contest. And to douse that fire-tinkling sensation, you’ll find many food and beverage vendors to quench your thirst.

There are all sorts of arts and crafts to admire and buy from the many artisans offering their creations for sale. Kids and parents will have loads of fun at the children’s rides. Visitors will also find many booths to review in the Chamber Business Expo.

For car enthusiasts, there’s a car show displaying anything from muscle cars to vintage hot rods. Out in the out field, baseball fans will enjoy watching a friendly game. And this year the Cypress Police Canine Unit will be providing a canine demonstration.

Also appearing on the Cypress Festival Teen Stage from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 23rd, are seven teen bands from Music and Arts, a Cypress music store. The teen bands are: Blue Diamond, SJK, Rock 2 Live, Blind Eye, the Middle, Karate Kick Drive Thru, and the Kicks.

All of the Music & Arts teen bands will be playing pop rock tunes and Rock 2 Live will perform rock songs. These teens are all talented and will showcase their musical skills for everyone to enjoy.

There’s plenty to see and do at the 31st Cypress Community Festival on Saturday, July 23, at Oak Knoll Park. Come out and join the fun. More details on the Festival can be found at the Festival website: http://www.cypressfestival.com/

Cypress 5K and 10K Run/Walk Needs Volunteers

Looking for a rewarding and fun volunteer experience?  Check out the City of Cypress 5K and 10K Run/Walk on Saturday, July 23rd! The City of Cypress Recreation and Community Services is still seeking volunteers to help with the 30th Annual Cypress 5K and 10K Run/Walk in front of the Cypress Civic center, 5275 Orange Ave.

It is anticipated that 1,400 participants and volunteers will partake in this year's event. All races will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. on race day. 

City of Cypress Recreation and Community Services welcomes all individuals and groups who would like to be involved in these exciting events. Volunteers will receive an official Cypress 5K and 10K Run/Walk T-shirt, an amazing experience and are GREATLY appreciated!

Please visit http://www.cypressrec.com/ to download an interest form or call Cypress Recreation & Community Services at (714) 229-6780 to get involved in this great event!

Written by Cypress Recreation Staff Member Jenni Worsham (714) 229-6782

Cypress Community Festival Set For Saturday July 23rd

This year will be the 31st anniversary of the Cypress Community Festival and the date has been set for Saturday, July 23, 2011. The public is welcome and admission is free. This huge event is the annual birthday celebration held in the city of Cypress. Families, friends and neighbors commemorate the date of incorporation of Cypress by enjoying the Festival.

The Festival is produced by a local group of dedicated volunteers known as the Cypress Community Festival Association. This group of about 20 community residents meets on the third Wednesday of each month from January through September to plan and produce the celebration.

The Festival is held at Oak Knoll park located at 5700 Orange Avenue. Festival day begins at 7 a.m. with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. Then there is the annual 5K/10K run/walk which begins at 7:30 a.m. The Festival grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Craft vendors from all over the southland bring their wares to sell and display.

The event is the largest one-day Festival in Orange County and draws some 30,000 visitors each year. Families will discover activities for all ages. Look for exciting competitions, such as “Potato on a Spoon” race and a “Hula Hoop” contest in the games area.

The annual classic car show draws a large crowd. Last year there many participants in the hot and spicy chili cook-off and the salsa contest. In addition, the Cypress Chamber of Commerce conducts a business expo at the Festival.

Entertainment is provided throughout the day on four stages. The 2011 Festival will feature Country radio Personality Shawn Parr and many local bands and artists. There are food booths, ball games and children's rides. Businesses and individuals desiring booth space may email: vendors@cypressfestival.com

A police dog demonstration by the Cypress Police Canine Unit is held for the public. Local non-profit organizations have information booths to let the community know about their activities and Festival visitors are invited to cheer for their local youth softball teams.

The Festival is dependent on sponsorship support from local corporations and businesses. In 2010 major support was received from Yamaha, the Toyota Grand Prix, UnitedHealthcare, the Event News, GO Country 105 FM, the News Enterprise and the law offices of Aleshire & Wynder. Those desiring to sponsor the 2011 Festival may obtain information by email at sponsors@cypressfestival.com

Community residents make an important contribution by serving on the Festival planning committee and volunteering on the day of the event. Information about the Cypress Community Festival is available on the internet at http://www.cypressfestival.com/. The community is also invited to follow the Festival on Facebook and Twitter. Information is also available from Public Relations Chair Eve Wheeler. Email: info@cypressfestival.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone: (714) 828-8194.

Photo Caption: GO Country 105 FM Radio Personality and Country DJ Shawn Parr (show here with Billy & The Booner) will entertain at the 2011 Cypress Community Festival on July 23 at Oak Knoll Park in Cypress. Admission is free to the public.

Long Beach Summer Fun Days

Event: 2011 Summer Fun Days
Dates: June 20 - September 2
Times: Monday-Friday - Six Hours Each Day
Locations: Long Beach City Parks





Website: http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation/youth_n_teen_programs/fun_days.asp

Description: Monday through Friday, children ages 5-12 can visit their neighborhood park for scheduled drop-in activities including games, arts & crafts, special events and field trips. Call each park for specific schedule of activities. This is a drop-in program and there is no custodial child care provided. Each site is open for 6 hours of structured fun. 

Phone Numbers:
Bixby (562) 570-1601       Admiral Kidd (562) 570-1600
Coolidge (562) 570-1618       McBride (562) 570-1605
El Dorado West (562) 570-3225      Cherry (562) 570-1615
Heartwell (562) 570-1635      College Estates (562) 570-1617
Miracle on 4th (562) 570-1786      DeForest (562) 570-1620
Pan American (562) 570-1660      Drake (562) 570-1625
Ramona (562) 570-1655      Freeman (562) 570-8688
Scherer (562) 570-1674      Houghton (562) 570-1640
Somerset  (562) 570-1690      Miracle on 4th (562) 570-1786
Stearns Champions (562) 570-1685       Silverado (562) 570-1786
Veteran's  (562) 570-1705      Mac Arthur (562) 570-1655
Wardlow (562) 570-1705       North LB Community Center (562) 570-6950
Seaside (562) 570-8890      Chavez (562) 570-8890
      M.L. King, Jr. (562) 570-4405

There are also Free Supervised Recreation Enrichment Programs available:

*LB WRAP (Winners Reach Recreation Enrichment Programs)
    
**LB ROC (Recreation On Campus)

At the following locations:

Bethune Elementary      Burbank Elementary
Burbank Elementary      Burnett Elementary
Edison Elementary      Garfield Elementary
Garfield Elementary      Jefferson Elementary
Hudson K- 8 School      Lincoln Elementary
Lafayette Elementary      Starr King Elementary
Lee Elementary      Stevenson Elementary
Los Cerritos Elementary      
Starr King Elementary      

*WRAP programs require pre-registration, please call (562) 570-3561
 for additional information on any of these programs.

**ROC programs are drop-in programs, no registration required, please call (562) 570-3561
for additional information on any of these programs. 

Orange County Fair Starts July 15th

Event: Orange County fair

Dates: Friday, July 15th, 12:00 Noon to 11:59pm through August 14th

Location: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA

Cost: Adult (13-59): $11, Senior (60+): $8, Youth (6-12): $6, Parking per vehicle: $7, Preferred parking: $12

Phone: (714) 708-1500

Age Suitability: All Ages

Website: http://www.ocfair.com/2011/

Description: The fun begins July 15 – August 14 when the 2011 OC Fair brings 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals and music to the theme of "Let's Eat!" Don’t miss the Pacific Amphitheatre Concert Series, extreme sports in the Action Sports Arena and concerts in The Hangar. Special food-related programming includes a Celebrity Chef Series featuring Duff Goldman, Carla Hall, Michael Voltaggio and Rick Moonen in addition to cooking demos, food bargains, contests, and more. See the new Ice Museum and daily ice carving performances by “The Chainsaw Chicks” plus the always entertaining Pig Races and Peking Acrobats. Check out ocfair.com for special admission days, promotions and a complete schedule of attractions.

Family Activity Books You May Enjoy

We are please to bring your our Tweets & Blog about family friendly activites in the Southern California area.

If you would like to help support us please consider shipping Amazon.Com through our partner site. You get the same great Amazon.Com quality, selection and low prices you would receive if you went directly to Amazon.Com but we get a very small referral fee.

Here are a few book selections that may be of interest:

Fun and Educational Places to Go With Kids and Adults in Southern California
By Susan Peterson

This 9th edition is a comprehensive guide through Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Barbara County, and then some! Have fun using this book to entertain, enjoy, and explore with your child.

Click HERE for more info or to purchase this book: http://astore.amazon.com/beofthwesh-20/detail/098338320

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Fun on the Run!: 324 Instant Family Activities

By Cynthia L. Copeland

It's instant fun. Activities to do in minutes. Super-quick games to roll out at a moment's notice. Filling a need that every parent of young children has, 324 Anytime, Anywhere Activities! for Kids is a perfect antidote to those "booooring" car rides, endless waits in the doctor's office, restaurant fidgetiness, and assorted child-unfriendly chores. And you don't need to bring along any special props.

Click HERE for more info or to purchase this book: http://astore.amazon.com/beofthwesh-20/detail/0761134484

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Family Fun Nights: 140 Activities the Whole Family Will Enjoy

By Lisa Bany-Winters

Filled with imaginative activities to bring the family together and create lifelong memories, this resource for parents and grandparents is full of activity ideas that require little or no preparation and use materials that are easily found around the house. The 26 themed family events and 140 related activities go beyond game night and movie night by creating family traditions that kids will remember and look forward to repeating. Families laugh together on "Giggle Night" or "Opposite Night," explore during "Animal Night" and "Science Night," or scare themselves silly on "Spooky Night" and "Mystery Night." Everything needed to make the night complete is detailed, including skits, songs, crafts, games, and recipes.

Click HERE for more info or to purchase this book: http://astore.amazon.com/beofthwesh-20/detail/1556526083

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101 Hikes in Southern California

By Jerry Schad

Trek the diverse terrain of Southern California, from desert to beach to mountaintop, on an easy stroll or overnight adventure, with this ultimate guide to the 101 best hikes in the Southland. Covers the Santa Monica, San Gabriel, San Jacinto, and San Bernardino mountains, and the Mojave and Colorado deserts. This updated and revised edition of one of our best-selling guidebooks includes 10 new hikes, with a greater emphasis on hiking opportunities in the fast-growing Ventura County and Inland Empire regions, and updated information for hikes from the first edition. For each trip you'll find all new maps, photos, the highlights of the trail, and symbols to tell you the basics of the trip at a glance.

Click HERE for more info or to purchase this book: http://astore.amazon.com/beofthwesh-20/detail/0899973515

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Moon California Camping: The Complete Guide to More Than 1,400 Tent and RV Campgrounds (Moon Outdoors)

By Tom Stienstra

Tom Stienstra, the nation’s top-selling outdoors writer, invites you to spend the night under the stars with the latest edition of Moon California Camping. Extremely comprehensive and packed with useful information, Moon California Camping covers more than 1,400 camping options throughout the state, from sites nestled among towering redwoods to remote backcountry destinations in the High Sierra to sun-drenched, beach-side campgrounds. Detailed descriptions, directions, contact information, and Stienstra’s signature scenic rating are provided for each site. Stienstra also includes lists of the best campgrounds, such as Best for Hikes with Views and Best Family Destinations, as well as sixty pages of helpful camping tips. With Moon California Camping, seasoned outdoors enthusiasts and camping novices alike can experience the best of the great outdoors in the Golden State.

Click HERE for more info or to purchase this book: http://astore.amazon.com/beofthwesh-20/detail/1598807528

30th Annual Cypress 5K and 10K Run/Walk

Whether you’re a runner or walker, come check out this amazing race and get ready for some good ol’ fashioned summertime fun! Registration for the 30th Annual Cypress 5K & 10K Run/Walk is underway!

The City of Cypress Recreation and Community Services has again teamed up with the locally based Cancer Support Foundation. Participants can help cancer patients and their families right here in our community. Hundreds are helped every year through support groups, financial help, rides to treatment and many other vital services. To contribute, race participants can add $5 or $10 to their registration or call the Foundation at (562) 799-3131.

This All-American, small town certified race course includes electronic timing. Prize money will be given for the top three overall finishers in the 10K for both male and female, as well as age division awards. Post Race Awards will take place at the Race Finish Line. Immediately following the awards, just one block away, visit the Cypress Community Festival, which features 200 vendors, live entertainment, and a beer garden.

Over 1100 participants are expected to run in this fast & flat certified course, an additional 300 are expected to take part in the 5K Walk, taking place on the same course at the same time as the Run. The walk is a recreational, non-competitive, untimed event offered to include involvement of those who do not wish to run.

Registration is available through Active.com and can be accessed through the City of Cypress website at http://www.cypressrec.com/ In addition, registration forms can be downloaded on the website or can be picked up at the Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Ave. The cost for the 5K & 10K races are $25.00 from now until July 8th and $35.00 from July 9 through Race Day. The non-competitive 5K Walk is only $20 from now until race day. Race t-shirts are guaranteed for all pre-registered participants and runner goodie bags will be given to all.

The Race will be held Saturday, July 23, start time 7:30 a.m. at the Cypress Civic Center, 5275 Orange Ave.

Thank you to our amazing sponsors: Principal: Bandai Foundation, Media: JACK FM; Gold: American Rentals, Inc., Los Alamitos Race Course, Mitsubishi Motors, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA; Silver: Crystal Geyser, Healthcare Partners / Jeffrey Roth D.O., Hyatt Summerfield Suites Cypress/Anaheim.

For more information, please contact Cypress Recreation & Community Services at (714) 229-6780

Written by Cypress City Staff & posted from American Towns.

Cypress to Experience the Wild Kingdom on July 23

Things are about to get wild at the Cypress Community Festival. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom will be attending the 2011 Festival, which will be held at Oak Knoll Park in Cypress on Saturday, July 23.

Festival attendees will have a chance to see live animals, including a wallaby, kinkajou, alligator, red-tailed boa, armadillo and a porcupine. Visitors at the Mutual of Omaha booth can have their photo taken with the animals throughout the day from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

At 2:15 p.m. on Festival Day, attendees can head to the children’s stage, where representatives for Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom will give a presentation on protecting the natural world, incorporating the animals to help them deliver this message. The appearance is free and open to the public.

In support of its local offices, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom travels to several cities each year participating in family festivals, school appearances, grand openings and much more. This appearance is made possible by Mutual of Omaha representative Alan Dolch. For more information about Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, log on to http://www.wildkingdom.com/

Mutual of Omaha, founded in 1909, has a long-standing commitment to conservation. That legacy, which began in 1963 with Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, continues strong today. Complete information on the Cypress Community Festival is available at: http://www.cypressfestival.com/

Photo Caption: Visitors to the Cypress Community Festival will be able to enjoy live interaction with animals from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom at Oak Knoll Park on July 23rd.

Adapted from press release written by Sephera Staley, Communications Coordinator, Mutual of Omaha.

Fourth of July Events

"Some Southern California communities have scaled back or canceled their July 4 celebrations this year, but the skies over L.A. will still bloom with plenty of colorful explosions when dusk hits Sunday. Most of the shows in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and Riverside counties are free or inexpensive..." Jason Gelt, Los Angeles Times

Here are just a few listings from the web:

Los Alamitos 2011 Fireworks Spectacular Monday, July 4, 2011

Joint Forces Training Base

Gates open at 4:00pm

Free to attend
Adults must have photo ID to enter
Those without ID must be accompanied by a parent/guardian

2 Vehicle Entrances:

Lexington Dr. and Orangewood Ave.

PARKING:

To support the event, the cities of Los Alamitos and Cypress will be collecting a $5 per car parking charge (CASH ONLY).

Free parking with military I.D.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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Queen Mary BBQ, Brews and Red, White & Blues
The Queen Mary Independence Day celebration will be an old-fashioned BBQ with Carolina, Texas, Kansas City and St. Louis BBQ represented as well as corn-on-the-cob, baked beans, funnel cake and other non-barbecue favorites. There will be 2 stages of live music, strolling entertainers and a children's area, culminating in the spectacular 4th of July fireworks show. Special hotel rates are available.

When: July 3-4 11 am to 9 pm, Fireworks on the 4th at 9:00 pm (DJ on the back of the ship from 7 pm - 11 pm)

Where: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802

Cost: $24.95 Adult, $12.95 children 5-11, $21.95 military/seniors, tickets at the box office or online, check Goldstar.com for discount tickets.

Parking: $15
I
nfo: www.queenmary.com
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4th of July at Disneyland!“Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” will be featured July 1st through July 4th at Disneyland, plus there's an all new Independence Day pre-show for World of Color over at Disney California Adventure featuring video, water effects, lighting and fireworks!

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Have a Fabulous Fourth!!!

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