La Jolla Rec Center

It was a dreary morning and I decided to get the kids out early, before any chances of thunderstorms could come our way. We headed down to the La Jolla Rec Center off of Prospect and Draper. Just a few blocks from the ocean, neighbors to the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, The Bishops School, La Jolla Tennis Club and La Jolla Art Institute.

I usually head there on a weekday and find parking right outside of the fence. Not today! We parked a couple blocks away and walked up there. Even though it was barely 9am. They get an early start around there!!! For an, open to the public, rec center in La Jolla the place was buzzing. Every tennis court was filled, there were kids on all the playground structures and the basketball courts were full, and heard screams from inside the center.

This park is great because there are swing sets for every age group, a structure for older kids, toddlers and a smaller one for the younger babes. Play ship, play firetruck and playhouse! And if you want to keep your kids out of the sand, which is the soft ground for most of the play structures, you actually can let them play on one of the structures that just has soft padding for the ground. There are also novelties like tether ball and kids basketball hoop. Bonus for us moms with our hands full, apparently you can borrow balls from the center when they are open!

The kids loved every moment and everyone was friendly, not something you always encounter in La Jolla. And despite the dreary day, it was quite sunny and extra windy (what you get when you're so close to the ocean). There was a cute art walk set up on the grassy area outside the center - away from the fenced in playgrounds. No security worries because the fences keep the kids in and the bums out. Nice time had by all!

Let them eat cake!

For babies first birthday we celebrated at Kate Sessions, Thunder Road, Concert on the Green. The Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band played the last concert of the season. The kids rocked out, the adults hung out and we ate a fabulous cake.

If you're not familiar with Kate Sessions Park, it has one of the most beautiful views in San Diego. It is in North Pacific Beach on top Mount Soledad. Whereas the Cross at Mount Soledad overlooks LaJolla and everything North. Kate Sessions overlooks Mission Bay and south, down to the Ocean Beach Pier. During the Fourth of July you can watch 4+ sets of fireworks. Alcohol during the day is permitted ~ since the beaches are dry now, many parties have moved up here.

There is a large grassy hill as it is going up the mountain. When hubby was young, he and several friends would cram themselves into a large carnation barrel and make their way tumbling down the grassy hill. Dogs are also permitted, on leash. There is plenty of picnic areas and shade by large trees.

There are walking trails throughout a large canyon behind the regular park set-up. And there is a nice playground for the kids. Small structure for toddlers and bigger structure for the 3-5 year old set. Wood chipped ground complete with a set of swings.

There are always safety factors at any park. I somewhat worry that the playground is close to the busy Mount Soledad fairway, Lamont Street. And with the large canyons and long history of the park, sometimes I see some odd passersby that makes me wonder if people might be living in the canyon.

For our family, we will always have fond memories of this park. It was where hubby spent many fun childhood afternoons. Both Toddler & Baby had their 1st birthday's there. And it's only a few blocks from home.

Ski Beach

Roberto's Take-Out @ Ski Beach, Mission Bay

Yesterday was another hot one! Not to mention day 3 in a row of toddler's first swim lessons. All of us were tired, cranky and needed to get out of the house. Hubby picked up some take-out and we all had a picnic at Ski Beach.

I'd never been here to use the playground. There are a few prime parking spots next to the playground - no worry about hauling stuff - but they were all occupied when we arrived. Once we got set up on the sprawling grass around the playground, I noticed that all the kids that were on the playground had left. The bum that was trying to take cover, underneath the swing set must have scared them off. After a few minutes of not finding comfort there, he made his way to the bathroom and found a bench to sleep there. I know because I had to run after the toddler who had fun hearing the echo of his screams in the bathroom....kinda scary to think a potential predator might be in there.

Nevertheless, we had fun on the playground. It was a moderate sized playground structure with lots of climbing and things to do for toddler and older kids. I was impressed by how safe I felt about any possibly injuries. And there was a great little playground for baby. She made her way up and down the stairs and slides, the landing was enclosed and even if she had found a place to fall - it was only about 2' tall so I didn't have much to worry. There was also a separate area with swings for babies & older kids.

The positioning of this playground is almost at the edge to the bay. We had such a beautiful view of the water, all the boats that are out in dozens during the summer, and even the downtown skyline. There is no way we could have gone to a restaurant with a view like this, without paying a bundle and having cranky kids!

Ski Beach is such a large park, they have - large covered area with picnic benches for big parties, large grassy areas for games (there were several organized soccer games going on), boat launch area and lots of random picnic benches & bbq's. Not to mention, just about anywhere you set up you can take a dip in the bay - the park is pretty much a peninsula shape and surrounded by the water. It's also one of the great places to watch the Thunder Boat Races when they come to town!

We'll definitely be going back, but not without daddy!