Chino Hills State Park, Chino HIlls, CA

1.Where are you going? No where in Particular

2.Where did you stop? Chino Hills State Park, Off of the 71 freeway and Soquel Canyon

3.How long do I need to spend here?1-6 hours, depending on how many miles you want to put in,

4. What you need to take?

            _x_Sunblock     _x_bug spray  __Money    __ a picnic lunch      _x_ snacks                     __camera         __Jacket          _x_Hair Tie/hats           __ Bathing suit     __Bag

__ Towels/blanket      __an appetite  __open mind   __ Patience      __ tent

            _x_ Hiking shoes          __sandals        __ Baby Powder   __souvenir money      _x_good music              __ walking stick         

5.When should I go here?

__Summer       _x_Winter         _x_Spring          _x_Autumn       __ANYTIME __Don’t go

6.Who should come with me?

__Kids                        _x_Adventurous Adults           _x_Teens          __Drunks        _x_Dogs            __Boring Friends        __Artsy Friends            _x_Nature-minded        _x_Hikers         __Anyone up for a good time             __Everyone                 __Romantic partner    _x_Outdoorsy  __Indoorsy            __out-of-shape people                       __Tourists

7.What is there to do here?

_x_Explore        __Relax           __be amazed               __ be amused              __exercise        __History lesson                    _Cultural exposure            __family time

_x_One with nature      _x_Recreation               __Drink and Eat          __Party

            _x_Seclusion/escape     __People watch          __Old-timey town      __Antiquing

__Shop            __Walk around            __Tours          __Fairs/concerts       _x_Bike riding               __Farmers Markets    __Star gaze      __Get gas and leave            __Nothing good

8.What is this place?  

Chino Hills State Park is a wildlife area that show cases the Chaparral plants and animals in Southern California. There are beautiful rolling hills, winding trails (some maintained, some for horses and bikes), and creeks during the wet months. This park spans from the 91 north to Soquel Canyon and West from the 71 Freeway to Orange County. There are many different trails and different types of trails; definitely something for everyone. There are some camp sites but at this time, the State Park system is fixing up this park and the sites are closed for the summer. This is a wonderful park becuase it is local and after walking for one quarter mile, you find yourself away from the hectic world behind you. Cell transmission is lost and all you are left with is your music, the pat of your shoes on the path, and your jovial canine running partner. 

9. What was so fun about this place? 

The trails....miles and miles of trails. There are trails for bikes, hiking, and horses. Dirt bikes are not allowed, this is not an off road recreation site. I take my dog regularly during the wet months because i love running in the cold. We often see squirrels, coyotes, rabbits, frogs, birds, other hikers. I have a My Side of the Mountain moment every time I am am here. I love this place. 

 10. What makes this place unique?

This is park offers a wonderful opportunity to see what the real California Chaparral habitat. There are three entrances into the park and each section offers something completely different. What makes it unique is that there are miles and miles of trails for everyone. Mountain bikers will be in heaven.

11. What should I do while I am here?

Enjoy being outside and explore.

12.This would make a good stop on the way to…
It is the destination. Combine this stop with the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. While you are out and about, stop at Roscoes Famous Deli at 14700 Pipeline Ave 91709. They have wonderful sandwiches and big beers (You know? Just what you are hankering for after huffing it around hills all morning). 

Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park-- Chino,CA

This place is so cool. Totally geared toward nature lovers. Imagine a place that FEELS secluded and natural but is right down the street. This is that place.

The Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park is at the Inland Empire Utility off El Prado Rd and Kimball at 6075 Kimball Avenue Chino, CA 91708. It is easily 20 minutes from ONT off the 71 freeway, just south of the Chino Prison (Yup, it's here). You can find a link to the CCWEP here --> http://chinocreekwetlandsandeducationalpark.blogspot.com

OK first things first. I have driven past here many many times and never bothered to stop. From the street, it looks like a small path for slow pokes or school trips. Finally, i had the dog with me and i figured we would check it out together. WAY MORE THAN A SMALL PATH. On the north side of the park is a Pipe Garden. There are placards that talk about water conservation and the natural areas in the Inland Empire. Nerd stuff (Being a super nerd on the inside, I was interested). The middle and south sides of the park create and arboretum. It is a large area with native plants and meandering walking paths. There were alcoves, bridges, lakes, ducks, more placards and everything conducive to creating a relaxing experience. I felt instantly at peace.

Let me tell you about one place in particular that really resonated with me. Follow the path south and east. It will take you to a crystal clear pond filled with water grasses, lazy fish, and friendly blue-billed ducks. The south corner of the pond has a bridge situated on it. It is covered and has the most perfect breeze flow through and around it.  Sitting on the bridge, i was wrapped up in heaven. The birds were singing their melodies to the ducks. The ducks were lazily paddling along in the water. Bobbing for fish that seemed naturally subservient to the inevitable. The grass in the water was still and calm and you could see every blade, every leave, every living soul amidst it. Transported to a mellow, comforting corner of my own little world, all the stress and depression of real life melted away.  This was heaven.

But i digress...

This would be a wonderful place to take a small group of active adults, college kids, science groups. This is great for all ages and all fitness abilities.
Go ANY time of year. I went on a stormy summer day.
Take your dog or not.
Go to relax!!! or to work out.

Need to know:
Spend an hour or two
Parking is free
Entry is free

Need to BRING:
Use mosquito repellent
Use sun screen

Julian, CA

Julian,ca is in the mountain just East of San Diego. Julian is a former mining town that now capitalizes in it's rich history and Apple orchards. The end of summer brings about Apple Days (or something along those lines) where you can go out for the end of season apple picking and apple pie galore!

The weather is beautiful here all year. Bring your family and your dogs. Kids love seeing the horse drawn carriages go up and down the main 1/2 mile drag, gold panning or wandering through the toy shop or candy store. Adults live the olde timey feel. The shops are eclectic mountain shops selling stones, clothing, jewelry, art, books, and food. Stop at the visitor center for local info on mine tours, rafting outings, apple picking, numerous camp grounds and local Indian traditions.

Two must stops: Julian Pie Company and the book store at the north side of town. The pie company has amazing desserts, cookies and pies. The book store reminds one's sole why books should be in print. The smell and texture of the printed word overcomes you. I remember the first book i bought here. You will too! And if you want your kids to find a love of books too, share this experience with them too.

This is a no expense destination. You don't have to pay for parking and you never feel obligated to buy anything. Bring a sack lunch and you are good.

Now, there are three main ways to get here from the inland empire, google it and take a different route to and from. All of the drives are beautiful and offer different views. Going through temecula on the 79 will take you through rolling pastures and along the Pacific Crest Trail. Through Rainbow, CA and Pala, you see mountain ruggedness and mysterious trails. Most impressive, are the orange groves. Stop at a stand and grab fresh fruit in your way up too. The other direct route is by taking the 15 to the 8 to the 79n. Coming in through this route, you see open forest and drive hair pin turns and switch backs but the vistas a beautiful. One will also pass lake cuiyamaca (i know hat spelling in wayyyyy off). You can stop here and paddle boat, fish or camp.

Necessities: sack lunch, sun screen, sun glasses, $ for gold panning or apple picking.

Tom's Farm--corona,CA

Tom's farm is a great place to take the kids and old folks alike. Dogs are welcome in the grounds but not in stores. There is a fruit and candy store, a cheese and wine store, an antique and furniture store, and two restaurants. During the summer they have carnival games and year round they have train rides, pond, and magic shows.

We usually spend an hour here, so keep it as a stop on a longer trip to San Diego or Julian, CA.

We always stop here in road trips for: a loaf of fresh baked French bread, a block of cheese and two coke bottles. Under ten bucks and we now have the best road snacks.  One can expect to spend between 5 and 50 bucks here per stop. The fruit stand offers many local fresh fruit options, so if you live in the area , make this your weekly or by weekly stop for fruits and veggies and support your local traditions.

For a "no expense" trip, bring a sleeve of saltines and sit by the pond and feed ducks. There is a sign that asks you to NOT do this but no one cares and no one abides by it. The kids can run around and look at the different games around the train track. Take a stroll through the furniture store and let the kids play on the sofas. If you aren't here to load up on snacks and supplies, you will really see eveythig here is to see in 20 minutes.

Best time to go would be Saturdays through our the year, bikes come on Saturdays and they are a good bunch. Sometimes the random car show will appear. Summer nights are always alive here too. Want quiet time? Winter mornings with a tall hit chocolate by the pond is heavenly.

Necessities: $ for good or games, 

Instagram is now up

To help document some of the road-trips, good and bad, i now have an Instagram feed. Please check it out while i (FINALY) start working on my trip reviews.  I have been working on a format that works for reviewing these and  other places that can give a fair description and can give one a better understanding of who would enjoy these places.

Anyways, Instagram is at #onetankroadtrip more to come and reviews will begone very soon

Plan It Time

I wanted to make one last Preparation post before i start making my reviews for day trips (which i promise will be today).  I made a Plan It callendar of sorts for family trips. It was simple and quick. I think a plan-a-gram like this will help give you the inspiration to go on trips alone or with friends or family. Sometimes saying it isn't enough. If you write it down, it will have a better chance of happening.

So my planner looks like this

Summer Family Activity Plans

Activity              when          rating           comments

sequoias	april 4 2012	5/5	BREATH TAKING!!! Must go back to spend the night. try the fishing spots too.
Paso Robles	may 1 2012	3/5	didn't live up to the hype but it was beautiful and peaceful. just not many activities.
Forest Falls	August 20 2012	3/5	Neat waterfalls, clean streams, next to houses, too many people during summer. try when school goes back.

So you see, it is simple and quick to make a list like this. I will post a blank one below so you might be able to cut and paste. But, plan a trip: once a week, once every other weekend, once a month. Make it happen! These are moments you and your family or friends will cherish.

One side note: In the coming months, a sister blog to my So Cal road trips will begin. It is going to be hosted by my best friend and travel companion. I will post links to the blog when it starts and may even cowrite some of the activities (as she does for mine). Subscribe to my blog so you don't miss out.

Now the blank Planagram.

Summer Family Activity Plans

Activity           when      rating           comments