We visited the New Girl lofts (aka The Binford Building) in the Art District in downtown LA.

Visit the New Girl Loft.

The surrounding neighborhood is filled with eclectic eateries, breweries, and art installations. Street parking is available and, as would be expected in a large city, harder to find. For my sitcom-obsessed family, it was a fun outing to visit the actual location for one of our favorite shows.

If you love New Girl as much as we do, check out these quotes for your Instagram. Taken from Jess, Nick, Schmidt, Winston, and Cece, these quotes make for hilarious captions.

Best New Girl Quotes for Instagram

“So, I’ve decided to give up on women and put all that energy into tomatoes.” -Nick

When you’re sharing your harvest or grocery store haul, channel your inner Nick who enthusiastically has sworn off women in place of a rooftop garden.

“I can afford the valet charge and the ‘add onions.’” -Nick

Humble bragging? Try this baller quote when you can afford BOTH the valet & the menu extras.

“If I were off my rocker, would I take a weekly selfie with my cat?” -Winston

Use this quote when captioning a photo with your furry friend.

“This coat has clean lines and pockets that don’t quit, and when I wear it, I feel hot to trot.” -Nick

Nick may have stolen a coat that arrived accidentally on his doorstep. But when you look that good, how can you return it? And who cares that it’s a women’s coat? Certainly not Nick!

“I’m not convinced I know how to read. I’ve just memorized a lot of words.” -Nick

Perfect for a school graduation photo, this line from the author of The Pepperwood Chronicles is especially funny.

“I just wanted to listen to Taylor Swift alone!” -Jess

Jess is the total cottage core queen. You don’t know to be wallowing after a breakup to use this self-care quote.

“I hope you like feminist rants, because that’s kind of my thing.” -Jess

Feminist rants are 100% my thing and good news: I’ve got three daughters who are perfecting their own. Sooo this quote has lots of future potential in our feed. Hope it does in yours, too!

“Can I get an alcohol?” -Nick

The best part of Nick ordering an alcohol is he’s a bartender and bar owner. But some days you just can’t gather the strength to figure out the order.

“I like getting older. I feel like I’m finally aging into my personality.” -Nick

Cozying up in a sweater and watching Murder, She Wrote reruns? This is the perfect quote for those of us who are older than our birth certificate may imply.

“I’m pretty sure I’m having a heart attack, and I haven’t arranged for anyone to clear my internet history. I wasn’t building a bomb, I was just curious.” -Nick

Seriously, our next of kin should automatically be assigned to clear that nonsense immediately. Use this caption any time you’re sharing a super energetic photo.

“Do I regret it? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably.” -Nick

Living on the edge? Like not grabbing a cart when heading into Target? Share this quote from Nick any time you share a maaaaybe questionable outing.

“I am not a successful adult. I don’t eat vegetables and/or take care of myself.” -Nick

Adulting is super overrated. This is a funny caption for a birthday photo for a New Girl birthday.

“The economy stinks, bees are dying, and movies are pretty much all sequels now.” -Schmidt

Exasperated Schmidt is the best Schmidt. If you’re channeling your inner annoyance or just happening to be seeing a sequel at the movies, this would be a perfect fit.

“Pine has no place in this loft. It’s the wood of poor people and outhouses.” -Schmidt

Showing off your home decor? This caption comes from the episode when Jess brings home a questionable cabinet that doesn’t get the seal of approval. Schmidt will totally approve of your choices.

“Saturday is a day for sleeping, and damn it, you will not take that away from me!” -Winston

This is the perfect caption for every photo of my teen. Cozy up with a caption taken from Winnie the Bish.

“Watch your front, because we’ve got your back!” -Cece

If you’re having a mess around with your best friends, let them know that you have their back.

“I’m the squirrel, and you’re my nut. Winter is coming, and I’m gonna store you in my cheek, girl.” –Schmidt

Sure, it’s a little hard to follow. But love is kind of like that. Post this caption with a picture of you and your love interest.

Need More Instagram Caption Inspiration?

Best Disney Princess Quotes for Instagram

Best Star Wars Quotes for Instagram

Best Pixar Quotes for Instagram

Whether you’re visiting the New Girl building or just showcasing your love for the show, these quotes are perfect for using as your Instagram captions. Do you have a favorite quote I missed? Share it in the comments!

When I think back to my family vacations as a kid, I have the happiest memories of our road trips. Now that I’m an adult, I find the preparation almost as fun as the actual trip. I love the research, the daydreaming about our destination, and the practical elements of a road trip.

That’s why I’m so excited to share this FREE Road Trip Planner with you!

The printable planning pages include:

• Road Trip Checklist
• Road Trip Meal Plan
• Road Trip Grocery Checklist

With these printable pages, you can prep for your road trip making sure you’ve got all of the shirts, shoes, and snacks ready to ensure the best trip ever.

GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE ROAD TRIP PLANNER

Use it to plan your food, packing, and fun for your next road trip. All you have to do is print out your planner and you’re ready to go.

To help facilitate the fun, I’ve got some additional tips to make your adventures their very best.

Best Road Trip Snacks

Any stretch of time in the car means my kids’ appetites go into overdrive. Use the Meal Plan to schedule restaurants along the way. You can use that with your Grocery Checklist also to grab the best road trip snacks.

My goals when selecting snacks for car rides: limited sugar, easy to clean up, easy to open. There’s nothing worse than sticky kids on a sugar high!

Some of my favorites:

• Popcorn
• Trail Mix
• Sunflower Seed (BBQ are popular here!)
• Crackers
• Chocolate Chip Cookies

Typically, I opt for refillable water bottles to wash it all down. And coffee, lots of coffee.

Best Road Trip Games

From the License Plate Game to the Alphabet Game, I spent my childhood road trips looking out the car window. There’s a reason these classic games have lasted the test of time.

If you’re looking for some additional games to keep the fun alive, try these!

I purchased the bingo game for my daughters, and was shocked how much fun they had playing it. Perhaps it was the possibility of a prize, but they loved it.

Best Road Trip Planning Hacks

Pick Your Must-Do’s As you are deciding on your destination, you’ll want to make a long list of possible things to do, eat, and see. Since I typically travel with my husband and three children, I ask each family member to pick their “Must Do.” Georgia wants to visit a book store in each destination. I typically select a road-side attraction.

You can find a bunch of inspiration on Pinterest or by searching your destination on Instagram.

Research the Route While my kids are great travelers, they do need to stop along the way. Research stops along the way, keeping your list longer than what you’ll actually need. Include restaurants, beautiful sights, and even stretches that may limit your resources so you can make sure to gas up in advance.

Add Surprises Whether it be a unique playlist or some special treats, add some fun to the trip with a surprise. For Harper’s birthday, we drove along the California coast. At every 30 minute mark, we gave her a gift. Some were snacks to enjoy on the road, others were birthday presents like cute clothes or treasures.

Snack Hacks for Road Trips Transform your empty coffee creamers into snack holders on the road. Dry snacks that don’t melt in hot cars are great for the road. I also recommend avoid overly sugary treats as built-up energy with nowhere to burn it off aren’t ideal.

Swap Personal Packing for Destination Packing My dear high school friend Michelle is the road trip master. When traveling cross country with her family, she shared the genius hack to pack suitcases by destination. When you arrive at your hotel, you’ll grab one suitcase with everyone’s belognings rather than trying to navigate one per traveler.

Got a favorite road trip tip? Feel free to share it in the comments!

With a plan in place for your road trip, you’ll be on your way to amazing adventures!

The holidays are here, and my shopping cart is full. Full of clothes, of books, of toys. Truth be told, my tweens want NOTHING for Christmas. Harper asked for cardstock. Seriously, office supplies?

It’s not like my kids are so spoiled that they want for nothing. But they do have everything they need. With the holidays here, it’s tempting to get STUFF just to have something under the tree.

I challenge you to skip the STUFF and include an experience this holiday season. Rather than a toy that will be discarded, give the gift of FUN.

iFLY Oceanside Review

My sister and I had the opportunity to test out indoor skydiving at iFLY Oceanside at a super fun blogger event. We told our kids we were practicing flying like Santa, and climbed aboard our sleigh (minivan) for a quick drive down the 5.

A quick trip from Orange County, iFLY Oceanside offers a totally unique thrill that’s perfect for the whole family!

When we arrived, we signed in for the fun and checked out the huge chamber that would have us sailing in no time. My sister noted that the skydiving chamber looked like the scene in Willy Wonka with the big fans. It totally does! But iFLY is BYOS, bring your own snozberries.

Before you take flight, an instructional video is presented so you’ll know the best position for flying and also learn some easy hand signals. Flying isn’t hard, but some simple adjustments may need to be made for maximum fun.

I have to admit, I was nervous. Not in the way I would be if I were jumping out of a plane for traditional skydiving. But more nervous that I would do something weird, fall on my face, and win the award for the worst flyer ever to visit.

After checking out the video and suiting up in jumpsuit and helmet, I felt more confident.

You guys, the second you get in the tunnel you’ll realize how simple it is to fly with iFLY! There’s a trained professional in the tunnel with you, offering corrections to increase your height or experience. And it is so much fun!

There’s no falling feeling, instead you’re being lifted by a cushion of air. It’s not physically demanding or strenuous, but those with medical concerns (like shoulder dislocations) should not fly. Flying is suitable for children as young as 3 years old.

Give the Gift of Flight this Holiday Season

iFLY Oceanside is an awesome gift idea for the whole family. Each flyer will get two chances to fly, plus the opportunity to take home in-flight photos and videos.

You can gift iFLY by ordering a gift voucher that includes gear rental, pre-flight training, individual flight instruction, flights, photos, and personalized certificate. Visit for more on the holiday gift options from iFLY Oceanside.

I’m sure my family isn’t alone. We don’t need more STUFF. Instead of holiday gifts to clutter your home, try an experience gift like iFLY Oceanside!

This post is sponsored by Smart & Final, the official grocery outlet of the LA Dodgers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s time for Dodger baseball! This week I was invited to my very first game at Dodger Stadium to watch the Dodgers take on the Angels as part of the Freeway Series. This crosstown rivalry set my heart into a tailspin. Thankfully, I was in good company that understood this Anaheim native was rooting for the home team and HER home team.

I brought my adorable niece, and we headed towards Dodger Stadium for what turned out to be a magical day at the ball park.

Keep reading to find out why!

5 Things I Bet You Didn’t Know About Dodger Stadium

1. Dodger Stadium’s architecture is modeled after Disneyland’s Tomorrowland.

Bless my Disney loving heart. Dodger Stadium’s architects modeled the stadium after their magical neighbor to the south. The Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland, opened in 1955 and Dodger Stadium wasn’t long behind.

Take note of the roofline zig zag, which looks very Autopia-esque. The now retro design is still magical, with hints at Dodger history preserved. Rows of original seats are still available. Plus, the main seating currently features the 1962 color scheming with 4 rows of symbolically painted seating.

• Field level seats are as yellow as the California sunshine.
• Loge seating is orange to represent the sandy beaches.
• Reserve seats are sea foam green to pay homage to the gorgeous landscape around the stadium.
• And Top Deck seats are blue for the ocean and skies. Thankfully those are sunny skies allowing for very few rain delays in Dodger history.

Did you know the original concept called for Dodger Stadium to be a drive-in? The idea was that guests would drive in, park behind the seats, and enjoy the film from the stadium seating. However, the idea was scraped out of safety concerns. The stadium is built into a hill, after all!

2.You can take a tour of the stadium before the game.

Perfect for any baseball fan or history buff, Dodger Stadium offers pre-game tours during the regular season. The 45-minute tour takes you throughout the stadium, providing a rich history of the team.

On the tour, you’ll tour Club Level Memorabilia Hall, Lexus Dugout Club, a luxury box, the trophy rooms, Dodger Interview Room, and get a chance to check out batting practice (batting practice not scheduled for 12:10 or 1:10 PM games).

I have to admit that seeing Jackie Robinson’s jersey is truly something special. Any baseball fan will get a kick out of hearing the well-informed tour guide detail the swings, strikes, and home runs of the team’s history.

That year the Dodgers switched their color to green in hopes it would break the streak? Ehh, didn’t do much so back to Dodger blue.

There are funny ancedotes like the Dodgers’ organist who got ejected from the game and the Papal visit that lead to a successful year for the team.

Check out unique Dodgers historical pieces like a signed home plate from the first game in the new stadium and the key to the stadium that reads Dodgers on one side and Angels on the reverse.

Tickets for the Pre-Game Stadium Ticket:

Purchase your Dodger Stadium tour tickets here. Tickets do sell out so I would recommend picking them up in advance.

3. Dodger Stadium will undergo $100-million renovation.

Recently announced, Dodger Stadium will undergo $100-million renovations during the offseason. This will ensure they’re ready for the 2020 All-Star Game!

The renovations will include more concessions, additional seating in the “home run seat” section, a kid area in center field, beer garden, and musical performance space. The stadium will also offer access around the entire stadium from each level.

The Dodgers own Hall of Fame of sorts, “The Legends of Dodger Baseball”, will have a new permanent home. A Sandy Koufax statue is in the works.

It is Hollywood’s stadium.

It wouldn’t be a Los Angeles team without a little Hollywood glamour, now would it?

Can you name any movies filmed at Dodger Stadium? Try these popular flicks:

• Sandlot
• Transformers
• For Love of the Game
• Moneyball
• Fast & the Furious

You can bring your own food into the stadium.

It’s not a baseball game without the snacks! But did you know you can bring your own food into Dodger Stadium? It’s the stadium’s best kept secret…until now!

To get ready for the game, I headed to my local Smart & Final, the official grocery partner of the LA Dodgers. I had my official Game Day Checklist filled with fan favorites.

Cracker Jacks, Popcorn, Peanuts, and Big League Chew gum — all baseball classics definitely made their way into my cart.

I also stocked up on some healthier grocery items like First Street Hummus & baby carrots. To-go salads with a fork included, pre-cut fruit, and bottled water also were some of my favorite purchases.

You can stock up on your own game day items at Smart & Final. Click below to download the checklist!

I carried all of my baseball game essentials in a Smart & Final insulated tote and was ready to go! The aisles of Smart & Final are packed with a wide variety of choices, from Dodger dogs to cotton candy, there are some considerations on what’s allowed at Dodger Stadium. Read the policy on bottles, cans, and outside beverages.

I love that I was able to save on food and snacks at Smart & Final! Short on time? Order online!

Seeing Dodger Stadium in person was so much fun! The vintage vibe, impressive history, and bring-your-own concessions from Smart & Final make it a stadium all baseball fans need to experience!

Do you have a favorite baseball stadium? Share it in the comments!

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My husband, the merriest gentleman this side of the North Pole, was researching new holiday traditions when he stumbled across the most Christmas-y towns in the US.  Realizing that one of the top contenders was just a few hours away, he booked a last-minute trip to Solvang.

The town was founded in 1911 by a group of Danish settlers looking to escape harsh winters.  Now a quaint community, it is filled with bakeries, restaurants, souvenir shops, and windmills.  Imagine stepping into a Hallmark Christmas movie set but with yummier treats!

We arrived early on a Saturday morning.  Since it was a last-minute trip, we found a hotel just outside of town.  The charming windmill delighted our children, as we settled into our room.   The promise of a dessert trail was too tempting to stay cooped up in a hotel room for long.  We drove into town to sample the pastries and grab a spot on the sidewalk for the Julefest parade.  The  community parade was filled with everything from dogs wearing their best bandanas, monks from the nearby mission, and real estate agents in their cool cars.  It was so cute and quaint!

After the parade, we explored the town.  One of our road stop traditions is to visit the local book store, so we happily picked up new books for each of the girls (perfect for the drive home on any road trip).  Since we hadn’t done a whole lot of research in advance (other than researching Danish pastries), we strolled through town looking for somewhere to eat.  We stumbled upon a pretty mediocre restaurant, but they had chicken nuggets so the kids were happy.

Neaby in Solvang Park, Santa had made an appearance for photos.  It was a great opportunity for the kids to run around and explore mini playhouses.  We decided to head back to the hotel to let our youngest rest and head back into town that evening.

There are nods to Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author of fairy tales and beloved stories like The Little Mermaid throughout town.

For dinner, we checked out the Solvang Brewery.  The town closes down very early, so there wasn’t much to do in ways of nightlife (even family-friendly nightlife).  In hindsight, we should have stayed through the afternoon and left town after dinner.

The whole day was so delightful with the cute parade and sweet treats.  But Sunday was even better!

Just outside of town is Ostrichland, USA, home to 50 ostriches and emus.  Admission was pretty inexpensive and bird food was just $1.  I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in my entire life.  The combination of their long dinosaur necks and my children’s fear of them had me giggling for an hour straight.  There are also tons of cute photo ops.

We headed back into Solvang afterwards to check out the parts of town we had missed.  With my eldest being in  4th grade, we took advantage of being so close to an important part of California state history and visited Mission Santa Ines.  The church was beautiful, and the grounds have stunning views of the lands once belonging to the Chumash.

We snapped some photos in the local landmark, an oversized shoe, outside the Solvang Shoe Store.

All of our vacations require finding a Christmas ornament to commemorate the fun, so we explored the many souvenir stores to find just the right one.  A pair of Danish shoes was just the thing! Jule Hus with holiday decorations all year round was one of our stops.

We also needed to try homemade ice cream (despite it being a chilly December morning).  We were so sad to head home and leave all of the sweetness of the season.

With sweets, holiday ornaments, and the merriest memories Solvang was an instant family tradition.  We plan to visit again in 2018, this time bringing extended family for even more fun.  We’ve been adding to our itinerary, swapped hotels for a location in town, and daydreaming about the pretzels.  If you’ve been to Solvang, we’d love any recommendations for family-friendly fun.

This post is not sponsored; I just adored the ostriches.  This post may contain affiliate links.  Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information.

My husband Matt loves Christmas.   So we spend all of December celebrating with activities ranging from caroling with the neighbors to visiting Santa at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.  For the holiday season 2017, Matt added a new tradition to our calendar when we visited Solvang, California.  It’s a charming tourist town that resembles a little Denmark.  Danish bakeries, lots of windmills, and all around adorableness.

As we driving towards Solvang, I yelped with delight as we drove past OstrichLand USA.  This is the magic I hadn’t anticipated as part of our vacation, but something I knew we needed to add to the itinerary.

OstrichLand USA

OstrichLand USA is located right outside Solvang in Buellton, California.  The central California landmark is home to over 50 large birds, both ostriches and emus.

When we arrived, we purchased bird food for $1 a bowl.  My kids being very good shoppers wanted to buy Costco-sized portions of ostrich food.  Now, I’ve learned from previous experiences that they will most likely chicken out so I figured we’d start with just a few bowls.

With admission for adults being only $5 and children 12 and under set at $2, I was willing to risk being the only one feeding them.  The kids could always observe and enjoy from afar.

An employee advised that emus are actually friendlier than ostriches and gave some basic feeding instructions.  The ostrich food comes in bowls adhered to metal dust pans.  To feed the birds, you hold the handle of pan.  All of the birds have been trained to eat out of the bowls, but as a general warning we were reminded that birds can bite.

Once outside in the feeding area, we wound around past the ostriches and found the emu enclosures.  The birds stroll along the plains of OstrichLand, but most were gathered along the gates waiting for their morning audience to deliver breakfast.  We had checked the website and knew they opened at 9 AM, and feedings happened throughout the day.  However, busier days may limit feedings to ensure the birds aren’t overfed.  So we planned on arriving early in the day.

As anticipated, my three girls were apprehensive at first.  Score another bowl of ostrich food for me.  I share these photos not because I love the baggy clothed, no make-up look on the internet.  But because IT WAS SO DARN FUNNY.  The birds have these dinosaur long necks that they stick through holes in the fencing.  And then they peck at the bowls with so much gusto that it sounds like stones hitting the road.  Oh my god, I’m still laughing about it.

After seeing me fall over with glee at feeding the birds, my older children warmed up to the idea followed by their younger sister.  We started by assisting them holding the bowls until they felt comfortable and then let them take over.  We ended up going back to buy additional bowls of bird food.  But still we’re are only up to $20 for a family of five.

There is a gift shop with unique ostrich-themed gifts.  I couldn’t see buying ostrich jerky for my husband or kids after so happily engaging with my feathered friends, but that’s the vegetarian in me.

Once our bowls were empty, the girls took turns taking pictures with the photo backdrop.  Thanks to a perfectly positioned potted plant and a timer on my cellphone, we even got a family photo.

Not that we need the family photo because this is a road trip stop I will never forget.

You can check out a peek of our time as OstrichLand USA.

OstrichLand USA is located at 610 E. Highway 246, Solvang, Ca 93463.  More info on OstrichLand can be found here.

What’s your favorite road trip destination?

Tbis post may contain affiliate links.  Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

The kids had a few days off from school for the Thanksgiving break, and I realized that I hadn’t planned anything.  I’m not one to sit around, so I knew we needed somewhere new.  We’d be going south to San Diego at the end of the week so I focused my attention north.  I stumbled upon the Ojai Rancho Inn and it was such a unique setting for our fun.

Thankful for adventures, for giggles, and sweet wood paneling.

A post shared by Melanie Walsh (@clementinecounty) on Nov 23, 2017 at 8:38am PST

The inn offers a variety of bohemian rooms with a cool vibe.

My kids love getting away from home as much as I do.  A change of scenery and a swimming pool is all they need for fun.  The Ojai Rancho Inn offered those plus unique ammenities like in-room record players.  Chief’s Peak is the on-site bar that I totally would love to check out next trip when my husband is able to join us.

But we were all about the cartoons on demand and hunting down sweets on this trip.

Ojai With Kids

Libbey Park

Despite its proximity to Orange County, it took us a little longer than anticipated to arrive in Ojai thanks to Thanksgiving week traffic.  As we approached town, Libbey Park seemed like a mirage.  Could that much fun be real? YES! This downtown park is a tremendous playground with multiple play structures, hills for rolling, and shaded seating.

Dining Options

In a small community, it’s easy to eat like a local.  We opted for pizza on our first night, but walk down Ojai Avenue for a variety of yummy eateries.  Try Bonnie Lu’s Country Cafe for hot cakes off the griddle and lots of coffee.

There are tons of kid-friendly wineries in town, also.

We strolled through town, and ended up at Ojai Ice Cream. It’s vacation.  Ice cream is required.

Bart’s Books

Check out the world’s largest independently owned outdoor bookstore.  My 10-year-old could have spent an entire day strolling along the shelves of books. We made ourselves at home, flipping through pages of old books.  It’s not the kind of place you walk in with an agenda, but more to experience finding a rare book.

Literature lines both the in and outside walls of the store. If you happen to visit after hours, drop the book’s fee in the lock box on the front door.

Hiking

With my youngest being only three-years-old, we had to eliminate horseback riding from the to-do’s.  I suggested an olive oil tour and was met with straight-up mockery from the kids.  But we love the great outdoors, so hiking won the debate of how we would take in Ojai’s scenery.

A quick trip to the nature center and we had recommendations to Rose Valley Falls, just 30 minutes outside of town.  Easy paths with a moderate amount of waterfalls this time of year.

Back in town, we found ourselves shopping and exploring.  There are tons of fine art but also quaint stores selling unique wares.

Looking for road trip fun? Try these games!


We had a glorious time exploring Ojai.  Sharing stories with my husband when we got home, the kids can’t wait to go back and show him around.  We’d love any recommendations for our next trip, so please share them in the comments.

On our adventure to the new show, we started with an opening act — the Panda Trek.  Always a favorite to see the black and white bears lumbering around and snacking on some bamboo.  My kids also adored walking through the Lost Forest & aviaries.  Seeing the birds swoop by was a fun way to get up close and personal.

After seeing some of our favorites from around the zoo, it was time to surprise my kids with something a little unexpected.  When I think of African animals, I picture lions or giraffes.  But Africa Rocks presents a side of the continent’s inhabitants we don’t often discuss.  The six new habitats are rolling out, starting with the Cape Fynbos, take visitors from savanna to seashore.

The Venues

Cape Fynbos 

Penguins and leopard sharks are home within gigantic granite boulders.  You’ll also see sandy beaches with calm water, perfect for our penguin friends.

Walking through the Africa Rocks exhibit allowed us to see penguins and their co-headliners the leopard sharks from lots of different angles.  Don’t worry.  The penguins and sharks don’t mind sharing the stage.  But the penguins are just the beginning of the fun!

New Africa Rocks exhibits are opening soon! Click here for more information!

Acacia Woodland 

Looking for a cool cat?  Leopards call the Acacia Woodland home.  The area features a canopy of acacia trees, perfect for the leopard to keep his eye on the world below.   Here you’ll find vervet monkeys and a walk-through aviary.

Madagascar Forest

Geographically isolated, the Madagascar Forest features both rain forest and spiny, dry forest.  In this area, you’ll find lemurs jumping, grooming, and getting ready to rock the “sifaka dance.”

Kopje

The savanna hosts boulder-strewn islands.  Here you’ll find rock stars living among the rocks, like meerkats, hyraxes, and klipspringer antelope.

West African Forest

Dwarf crocodiles keep it cool in the West African Forest with up to 80 inches of rainfall.  Like an after gig pool party, this exhibit has streams, waterfalls, and pools.

Ethiopian Highlands

Get your tickets for the Ethiopian Highlands, a rugged mountain habitat.  Here you’ll be treated to a live performance from Hamadryas baboons, geladas, and Nubian ibex.

We’re Big Fans of African Penguins

From down below we watched penguins speed through the water like little torpedos.  Then we were able to see them float atop the water & hide in the caves.  The black and white penguins share a lot of similarities to their cold-weather relatives, but they’re a unique species you just have to see yourself!

Travel Tip: Don’t miss the gorgeous waterfall at the back of the exhibit.  In addition to a fun photo op, you can walk behind the water.  On a warm Southern California day, the spray from the water is a welcome relief!

Want to check out more of the line-up of all the unexpected stars of Africa Rocks? Check out this groovy video from our friends at the San Diego Zoo.

Your ticket or season pass purchase assists the San Diego Zoo’s work towards protecting these endangered rock stars through breeding and sustainability.  Rock on with the unexpected stars of the San Diego Zoo in Africa Rocks.  It’s the hottest ticket this summer!

Growing up in Southern California, my husband and I both had fond memories of Palm Springs from our childhoods.  Matt spent a week each year in the sunshine and in the water park.  I, on the other hand, have just one very clear memory of staying in the same hotel that the Saved by the Bell wedding special.  He has serious Palm Spring cred, so it was shocking that I had experienced something in the desert that he hadn’t–the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway.

Check out our family’s high-flying adventure in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park on the world’s largest rotating tramcar.

I received complimentary tickets to facilitate this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As we neared the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, my kids kept their eyes on the sky awaiting the first glimpses on the tram.  Keep going; the tram is up a long drive.  After paying the $5 parking fee, we were directed to a parking lot.  From there, guests can walk or take a bus to get to the visitor station.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at tramway website or picked up on the day of your visit on a first come/first served basis.  Ticket prices are currently $25.95 for adults or $16.95 for children aged 3-12.  There are additional pricing options for seasonal or annual passes.

After purchasing tickets, we awaited our boarding time while gazing upon the gorgeous Mt. San Jacinto mountains on outdoor viewing areas.  There’s a Popp Park for junior explorers to roam and play.  Also available is a small cafe and also a lounge with alcoholic beverages available for purchase.

Once our boarding time had arrived, we headed to the loading area.  One highlight of the day for me was the tram ride itself.  From mountain base to mountain top takes approximately ten minutes.  As we ascended the mountain, the rotating tramcar provides gorgeous views of both the mountain and the city down below.  The spinning of the tram is mild; my children didn’t even notice the spinning.

However, the swaying of the car at a few points plus the height itself was intimidating for my older girls.  My preschooler loved it.  If you’re traveling with individuals who are afraid of heights, this might not be the best way to explore.

Once the tram ride is complete, there are so many opportunities to enjoy the mountains.

Hiking

Explore the 54 miles of hiking trails.  A variety of options is available for hikers of all skills level, including the San Jacinto Peak which allows guests to reach the second highest point in Southern California.

Camping

For a $5 camping permit, stay at one of the six primitive camp sites.  Flush toilets are available, but water is not.  I saw many hikers with large packs and daydreamed bout the days when my children are ready for this kind of camping.

Learning

In addition to the gorgeous views of nature outdoors, there is a visitor’s nature center.  My daughter loved seeing the animals of the hills up close.

Dining

Enjoy cuisine cloud-side as you dine atop the mountains at Peaks Restaurant.  The local flavors of the Coachella Valley are offered.  For reservations, call (760) 325-4537.

Planning to spend our day exploring the hiking trails, we descended a long concrete walkway into the forest.  This is where I completely geek out on the forest.  John Muir once said, “Going to the mountains is going home.”  This sentiment rings very true for me, and I love the opportunity to share this homecoming with my children.

We had planned to do much more hiking then we did, but once the kids saw snow we stayed put.  Snow in April?

The views of the mountains were spectacular, and the forest floor inspiring.  Also fun were the older tram cars on display.  The blue car is what I remembered from my own childhood.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is truly unique.  The combination of the tram ride with the ability to explore the glorious Mt. San Jacinto State Park is an experience not to be missed.

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This post is not sponsored. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Walt Disney was a huge train buff, and even built a 1/8th live-steam railroad at his home.  He dubbed this the “Carolwood Pacific Railroad.”  The railroad operated out of a red barn modeled after one in Marceline, MO, Walt’s hometown.  Once Disneyland opened in 1955, Walt’s love for trains was shared by not only his personal family and friends, but the numerous guests who visited the amusement park.

The red barn that gave shelter to Walt’s love for trains was also a meeting spot for Disney and his friends.  Due to the planning done within the barn, it has been given the name “The Birthplace of Imagineering.”

 
If you’ve toured Disneyland, you may have seen a model of the barn at in the lobby of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
 

When Walt’s home in Holmby Hills was sold, Diane Disney Miller, Walt’s daughter, saved the barn and had it moved.  It now resides within Griffith Park in Los Angeles, CA.  Guests to Walt’s Barn can enjoy model trains of various sizes, plus an array of Disney memorabilia.

Also on the property is the Retlaw1 Combine train car and Ollie’s Station.  The combine previously ran at Disneyland and has been restored by the Carolwood Foundation.  Ollie’s Station is a small, restored train station taken from Ollie Johnston’s home.

Planning Your Trip to Walt’s Barn

• Hours: The barn is open from 11:00 A.M – 3:00 P.M. the third Sunday of every month
• Admission: The museum is free to visit, donations are accepted
• Parking: Parking is also free
• Location: 5202 Zoo Drive
  Los Angeles, CA 90027

Taking Kids to Walt’s Barn

We brought our three daughters and were joined by my sister’s three boys.  The train memorabilia and Disney history were of interest to our children.  Although most of the displays inside the barn are not to be touched, there are some hands-on opportunities with the trains.  A train table and wooden trains were set up outside the barn for young children to begin their own love affair with trains.

The kids also got a kick out of watching the train enthusiasts demonstrate Walt Disney’s work benches.  Who knew watching cans being crunched was so cool!

To make it an even more fun outing, we walked next door to the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum. For $3 a person, we were able to take a 15-minute ride on a 7 1/2″ gauge model train. It was awesome! The train speed is much faster than I had anticipated, and took us under bridges and through tunnels.

All aboard! The birthplace of imagineering is open today and every third Sunday of the month from 11-3. Bonus points if you run into your Disney loving family unexpectedly.

A post shared by Melanie Walsh (@clementinecounty) on Jan 15, 2017 at 1:54pm PST

Between Walt’s Barn and the Live Steamers ride, were were able to spend a fun morning honoring Walt Disney’s train legacy.