Being Savvy: Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers and kids in San Diego, CA

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Making Wishes in San Diego

March 17, 2009

 

Pack up those random pennies from your piggy bank, a change of clothes  for junior and a small picnic. This is your "wish-making" guide to the best water fountains in San Diego in which to make a wish. There are plenty of watering holes around town but not many of them allow copper pennies to mold in their tank. These spots are our favorites.

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Introducing the water conservation garden...for those unfamiliar

November 19, 2008

A girlfriend of mine, who is a preschool teacher, asked me if I have taken my girl to The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College . The what? "Take her," she declared. Her class of preschoolers went there on a field trip, the kids LOVED it. Housed on 5 acres at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, this non-profit and eco-friendly garden is fascinating...and free. The purpose of the  Read more...

Hahahahahahahaha!

November 18, 2008

Reading a funny book is a blast, especially when our kiddos are old enough to get the humor. What cracks me up is when my girl starts laughing at something that I didn't even notice or find funny. Laughing is contagious and takes the edge off. When you and your kiddo are in need of some good laugh therapy, check out these ha-ha's: Bread and Honey -bear paints a portrait of his mommy and  Read more...

Thank you, bedtime story creator

November 17, 2008

Whoever told parents to read stories to their kids before they go to bed at night should be thanked. Think of all the kids across our country who snuggle up next to a loved one to read a bed time story each night. It's a cherished routine and some books are just perfect for those nighttime stories. A fun book for San Diego kids on their way to bed is Good Night San Diego . This  Read more...

Follow the yellow book road

November 13, 2008

Have you followed Parkway Drive in La Mesa to The Yellow Book Road ? You should, it's San Diego's largest children's bookstore. Toys, music, teaching supplies and obviously books adorn the walls and shelves of this fantastic bookstore. Other than having a top notch supply of children's books, The Yellow Book Road also has a story time every Saturday at 10 am. If you are a book lover and your  Read more...

Homemade Books About San Diego

November 06, 2008

When I saw this topic on our Savvy Source calendar I got all giddy. I LOVE making books at home...really, really love it. The creativity involved fills me up and my girl, well she gets a treasured and personalized book. Here are some ideas for homemade books about your babes adventures in San Diego. ABCs of San Diego -create an ABC book with pictures of your babe out and about  Read more...

A Wonder-full Vintage Bookstore

November 05, 2008

Remember as a child having your most favorite picture book, story or chapter book? You know, the kind of book you could read over and over and over again or, at best, get lost in for awhile. Fond memories swim in my brain of those books and then those fond memories are interrupted as some of my favorites are now labeled "vintage". Am I really of an age where books of my childhood are  Read more...

Creepy Tomes

October 24, 2008

Halloween can be creepy, too creepy for some youngsters. Then there are those fascinated by it all. Some are fascinated by the creepiness only in books-on Halloween Night forget about it. That would be my daughter. Here are some creepy tomes that will peak the curiosity in all levels of creepiness tolerance. Adam Rex has done a brilliant job rhyming about Frankenstein and other B  Read more...

The Haunted Dollhouse

October 23, 2008

Placing furniture in rooms and reinacting family life with dolls certainly grows imagination. Watching my girl play with her dollhouse brings back fond memories of my childhood so playing dollhouse with her is like returning to being five. We were playing with her dollhouse the other day when she said, "Mama, let's make my dollhouse a Halloween house." In other words, let's decorate  Read more...

Spooky, Spooky San Diego Favorites

October 21, 2008

Let's be real; being a kid is San Diego is very, very cool. With so many places to visit and experience life (wild and tame), it's always exciting when some of your favorite jaunts add a new, and spooky, twist. Something you've not yet seen or been a part of. Something that makes a place unknown and exciting once again. San Diego has done it, my friends. Check out what the awesome  Read more...

A Very Orange and *Green* Halloween

October 20, 2008

We all (I am hopeful when I say all) want to protect our planet and I love Americans, I do, but we sure are a bunch of consumers. I mean, seriously, think of all that we, kids included, will consume from Halloween alone: candy, candy, candy and costumes. Yikes. Of course there are ways to be green-and orange-this Halloween. Use this time as an opportunity to teach your kiddos about NOT  Read more...

Inspiration for Imagination in San Diego

October 14, 2008

Inspiration for the very active imagination of a preschooler is all over San Diego. In fact, it was challenging to just pick five but, I did. I thought about the places my girl and I have gone recently where she entered her world of imagination while I watched in awe the unclouded mind of a child. Check these places out: Desert Garden -this garden in Balboa Park is filled  Read more...

Day Trip, Anyone?

October 13, 2008

I was introduced to Bate's Nut Farm three years ago by a girlfriend who lives in Escondido. She raved about visiting this farm in October with its pumpkins and cornstalks. Honestly, I was thinking this place was your typical pumpkin patch-you know, the one with pumpkins all bunched together with cut cornstalks near haystacks...on an empty lot. Just imagine the exact opposite of that.  Read more...

Gross Me Out

October 08, 2008

Today at Free Museum Tuesdays , the Fleet Science Center opened it's doors to a boatload of people without charging them an ounce of admission. We braved the crowds just to check out the new Animal Grossology Exhibit. Upstairs you will find Animal Grossology . Kids were everywhere and they were of all ages. Older kiddos were grossed out reading facts, preschoolers were mesmerized  Read more...

October, A Month that feeds the imagination

October 01, 2008

We have officially entered October, my favorite month. I love the fall, even if we aren?t seeing too many signs of it yet, and Halloween with a child to me is well, super creativeespecially because my girl loves to make believe. What a better month to encourage imagination than the one with a holiday involving costumes, witches, ghosts and goblins. Here at Savvy Source I did a bit of  Read more...

Hullabaloo at The W

September 26, 2008

If you haven't been to the W Hotel downtown for Mommy Hour , you need to go. And, you need to go this Wednesday, October 1 st . If you have never heard about Mommy Hour, check this out. Believe me; you will want to experience Mommy Hour at least once in your kids-under-six mommy years. The big draw this month at Mommy Hour, other than the delicious mojitos and free child care  Read more...

Not Your Ordinary Playdate

September 25, 2008

Are you in the mood to expose your kiddo to some eclectic music that yes, you too will enjoy? Want to get a dance party going for your babe and some of their playmates so you can listen to good music with other parents while checking out the awesome dance moves of preschoolers? Call up your best mommy and daddy friends and organize a playdate at the Adams Avenue Street Fair. This  Read more...

Relocating to San Diego: Tricks of the Trade

September 24, 2008

I have met lots of new families who have relocated to San Diego (especially with our military presence here) and one thing we always end up talking about is things to do and places to go with kids. You begin to share tricks of the trade which become invaluable in your quest to get to know this city. Here are some of the tricks I often suggest: Zoo Membership -if you live close to the  Read more...

Come An' Get It: Free Stuff in October!

September 22, 2008

There are some places here in our good ol' San Diego that are offering up some free stuff in October. Can you believe that October is literally right around the corner Back to the free stuff. We all love a freebie and here are some great opportunities to save a few bucks and have a good time. Hornblower Cruises is offering one hour bay cruises free to children 12 and under. Here's  Read more...

Bowling for Lunch

September 18, 2008

In the East Village of downtown lies the East Village Tavern and Bowl adorned with a skull and crossbones and glowing lanes. Don't let any of that turn you off when you are with your kids. In fact, let that fuel the games on mentality in you and your kiddos during the week. On game nights, game days and weekends this place is hoppin' with crowds out for a good time. But, if you head to  Read more...

Kids Care Fest

September 15, 2008

This coming up Saturday, September 20 th , the 7 th annual Kids Care Fest is happening at Briarcrest Park, in La Mesa, from 9am-2pm. This is an opportunity to teach your kiddos the importance of taking care of their cute little bodies. There will be a variety of health care screenings such as vision, hearing, dental and chiropractic. This is all FREE. Very cool. Educational health  Read more...

Art Walk on the Bay: Kidswalk, Kids Give

September 10, 2008

For the past few years, we have been regulars at Art Walk in Little Italy. Progressively through the years this art festival has become better and better. More art, more performers, more icy cold drinks, and more stuff for the kiddos. For these reasons, we are very excited for the return of Art Walk on the Bay (put on by the same folks as Little Italy's Art Walk) this weekend, September 13  Read more...

Big Kids, Little Trains

September 04, 2008

Another museum my girl and I hit up on Free Admission Tuesdays at Balboa was the San Diego Model Railroad Museum . This museum is incredible with its to scale models of San Diego landscapes and the little engines that could chug through them. Kids flock to this museum to watch these miniature trains and play with them too. Besides our typical ogling of trains passing by on tiny tracks,  Read more...

Starry, Starry San Diego Night

August 27, 2008

The wonder of stars up above our world so highthey are sparkly diamonds filling little astronomers with a sense of something far larger than themselves. Here in San Diego, let's share this wonder with our preschoolers. The Sky Tonight -there is one show remaining this year at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's Planetarium. September 3 rd 's show focuses on the constellations of the  Read more...

Cooling Off in San Diego

August 26, 2008

I'm not sure how many of you out there are feeling that muggy and humid heat we've been having lately but it's enough to make me want to jump right in the bay to cool off. Since that isn't the best idea, here are some better ways to cool off and enjoy the heat. Sit in the Splash Zone at the Shamu Show -this will seriously cool you down. We sat in the splash zone thinking, Aw, we won't  Read more...

Your First San Diego Catch

August 22, 2008

Fishing is a right of passage for kids. I remember my first fishing trip with my dad. Catching trout then bringing them back to the cabin to watch him filet and cook them up for dinnerit was a fascinating science experiment and lesson in our connection to nature. If you're looking for that special first time fishing memory, look no further. National Hunting and Fishing Day is September 27  Read more...

History Lesson: Stagelines to California

August 21, 2008

Yearning for a bit of yesteryear? Celebrate the 150 th anniversary of Butterfield Overland Mail Stage at Stagecoach Days in Old Town and you'll be thanking these men who made our mail service what it is today. Kiddos will be mesmerized by coaches that delivered letters a long time ago. Heck, you'll be mesmerized by the fact that these men were committed to 25 days of travelin a stagecoach.  Read more...

Best Places to See the Fishies in San Diego

August 19, 2008

We all know the wonders of watching fish of all types splashing around at Sea World and Birch Aquarium. Those places speak for themselves. But, here are some lesser known hot spots to watch the fishies: Pet Kingdom -this pet store in Point Loma is filled with creatures to look at. They have lots of fish tanks at eye level for little ones. Checking out which fish live with their own kind  Read more...

An Education in Sun Protection from the Sunwise Animals

August 13, 2008

I wish I knew about the damaging effects of the sun on our skin while I was a teenager lathered in baby oil sunbathing. Yikes. Fortunately, for our kiddos there is research, research and more research on sun protection. You have got to check out this imaginative approach to teach your babes about sun safety and, it's through our treasured San Diego Zoo. Sunwise Stampede is a website  Read more...

Coast up the Coast on the Coaster

August 11, 2008

We had our first experience on Coaster this weekend and I must say, Where have I been This cheap and convenient form of public transportation was easy breezy with a three year old in tow. We are going to use this more often to hit up San Diego's coastal cities . Kiddos under 5 ride for free and me, well I paid $11.00 round trip from downtown to Solana Beach. We hit the races for the  Read more...

Movie Night at Petco Park

August 06, 2008

Now here's an opportunity to take your preschooler out to the ballpark to do something other than watch a ballgame. They can watch a movie! This Saturday, August 9 th , Petco Park will be hosting Movies at the Park . Spread out a blanket on Picnic Hill to get cozy and comfy for the 7pm showing of Madagascar. If you get there early, run around the Little Padres baseball diamond, play a  Read more...

A "Down by the Shore" Book Recommendation

August 04, 2008

Since we'll be heading to the shore this month, I figured I would recommend a book to enhance those beachy experiences. Connecting real life to literature is something I truly believe in (it's the educator in me) and this book has endless possibilities. Wave , by Suzy Lee, is a wordless picture book with a little girl, a wave and some seagulls. I love that it is wordless because  Read more...

Water and Sand, Sand and Water

August 01, 2008

Can you believe it is August already Weren't we all just escaping to places real and imagined here at Savvy Source? Now it's time to unpack those bags (real or imagined) and spend some time Down by the Shore. So to start us off on this seaside journey, here are some of our favorite things water and sand. I know, I know, some of you are thinking favorite thing about sand-are you crazy? If  Read more...

Family Days at the SDNHM

July 24, 2008

The San Diego Natural History Museum is showcasing a new exhibit entitled Water H20=Life . I personally look forward to taking my daughter to experience this exhibit as education is power and with the state of our water supply locally and globally, she should know what's up. To celebrate the phenomena we call water, the museum will host Water: H20=Life Family Days this Saturday, July 26  Read more...

A Mommy Movie Escape

July 23, 2008

There are two things that stick out vividly when I think of the immediate changes of becoming a new parent. One. Taking a shower whenever I wanted became a thing of the past. Two. Going to see a movie whenever I wanted ceased to exist. Of course there are other vivid memories but you get the gist? Ultra Star Cinemas helps out with number two. Every Wednesday or Thursday morning  Read more...

An Escape for the Senses in Little Italy

July 18, 2008

Saturday mornings in Little Italy are easy on the senses. Store owners sweep their patios, neighbors sip coffee while walking their dogs, and the aroma of homemade pastries seep out of bakeries. Mornings in Little Italy are a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of lifeand it just got better. The Little Italy Mercato is a breath of fresh, Saturday morning air. This open air  Read more...

Viejas Fire Expo-Celebrating Firefighters

July 16, 2008

[photo credit: stock.xchng] This Saturday, July 19 th , is the Viejas Fire Expo/Firefighter Combat Challenge at Qualcomm Stadiuman event that will entertain the whole family. Moms will be swooning (fires aren't the only thing hot about firefighters), Dads will be feeling manly, and kids, well they will be in awe of these heroes. At 11am, opening ceremonies take place followed by  Read more...

An Education in Sand

July 11, 2008

This weekend in Imperial Beach, the US Open Sand Castle Competition is the main event. In honor of our love of the beach, and the sand that comes along with it, here are some fun and educational activities to enjoy while at the beachfrom our very own Savvy Source team. Finding Buried Treasure -before leaving home, gather a bunch of dollar aisle toys. Send the kiddos down to the shore  Read more...

Three Days In and Around San Diego: Day 3

July 10, 2008

The Jewel of San Diego La Jolla, meaning the jewel in Spanish, lives up to its sparkly name. This spectacular coastal community has a day's worth-a weeks worth-of activities for every age group. I've highlighted a kid-friendly day in the life of La Jolla including options because honestly, it's hard to decide. This town is magnificent. Hungry for breakfast? Grab a table on the  Read more...

Best Parts About Coming Home to San Diego

July 08, 2008

Leaving home for vacation is a monumental escape and the return, oh the return, how deflating. BUT, not when you live in San Diego with a preschooler. Coming home to San Diego is a vacation. Here is why: San Diego Weather -oh my, if this doesn't make you love coming home to San Diego, move somewhere else. Year round, we experience an average daily temperature of 70.5'. Year. Round.  Read more...

Three Days In and Around San Diego: Day 1

July 08, 2008

A Day in the Life of Del Mar A stellar morning in Del Mar begins with breakfast at Pacifica Breeze Caf in the Del Mar Plaza. This place is chill. Sit outside on the easy, breezy patio with views of the Pacific and eat in style. The Breeze Oatmeal is my personal fave. Best of all, this is a family friendly joint so it's OK to cry over spilled milk. No one will mind, they are all too  Read more...

The Old World Storytellers

July 04, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] The Coronado Public Library is hosting an old world style, marionette performance of Thumbelina on its lawn, Saturday, July 5 th at 1 pm. An old world style performance? How cool. Many babes might think of Pinocchio singing, I've got no strings to hold me down when they think of marionettes. Or many babes might think, What's a marionette What I find so  Read more...

US Open Sand Castle Competition

July 03, 2008

It's that time of year again. That time of year in Imperial Beach that is so intriguing 350,000 people are expected to show up. Holy crowds. It's time for the US Open Sand Castle Competition and it's happening July 12-13 th . If you haven't been to this event, you've most likely seen it on TV or even the National Geographic Channel. It's a big deal, literally. This event of great  Read more...

Essential Summer Music in San Diego

July 01, 2008

When I think of summer music I always think of Danny and Sandy singing Summer Nights while frolicking on the beach. Next, I think about those carefree music festivals I went to in college in the great outdoors. Since I'm not about to expose my 3 year old to any of those carefree festivals, I've found some Danny and Sandy appropriate venues. Summer Pops at the Embarcadero -nestled on  Read more...

Big Bay of Fireworks

June 30, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] I remember when my husband and I first moved to downtown San Diego. We'd be chillin' at home and BANG! We would look out our window and there were fireworks. Huh? It's a Tuesday night in November. A day later the same thing happened. What? Many unexpected BANG!s later, we realized San Diego is the city of fireworks for every occasion. So it came of no surprise  Read more...

La Jolla's Very Own Dr. Seuss

June 27, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] Oh Dr. Seuss , an artist and writer who created a quirky world that young readers fall deeply in to with whimsical rhymes and one of a kind characters. Take pride in knowing he wrote about them in La Jolla while sitting in an abandoned observation tower he made a home. On a shoulder of Mt. Soledad, Theodor Geisel took in the views that stirred his artistic  Read more...

Summer & Reading Go Hand in Hand

June 26, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] I don't know about all of you but summertime and reading go hand in hand, it's like sunscreen and swimming pools. Sure, my summer reading has changed from novel after novel to maybe getting through one in three months but hey, reading is reading. Encouraging the love of reading in kids during these not so structured months takes place at the Coronado Public  Read more...

5 Great Ways to Introduce San Diego History in Old Town

June 24, 2008

[photo credit: wikimedia] History is the story of time and preschoolers love stories. In 1769, the Spanish arrived to build their first, permanent settlement in the birthplace of California, now called Old Town . Father Serra established the first of twenty one missions resurrected in our state at this very location. Talk about history. Old Town is filled with stories to tell.  Read more...

Surf's Up...for Man's Best Friend

June 23, 2008

OK, if there is one event that you have got to take your child to this summer, let this be it. The 3 rd Annual Loews Coronado Bay Surf Dog Competition is taking place this Saturday, June 28 th in Imperial Beach. Surfing canines, are you kidding me? We personally have never been to this competition but, mark my word, we will be there. San Diego-what a place to raise a preschooler. I still  Read more...

Happy Mommy Hour

June 20, 2008

Mommy Hour at The W Hotel's bar, The Beach , is baaaack! WOO HOO! Can you say, Swanky Quite honestly, I had not felt swanky since '94 yet, the moment I stepped foot at The Beach, I was swanky again. This rooftop bar is a mommy vacation. Sandy floors, wild grasses flowing with the breeze, cabanas with crispy, white lounge chairsit's as if you are being fancy in the Hamptons with your  Read more...

Portraits Speak Volumes

June 12, 2008

Looking at portraits hanging on the walls of a museum is pretty fascinating. Just who are these people anyway? Put an almost three year old in front of these same portraits and she'll tell you exactly who they are. The Timken Museum in Balboa Park is a great place to check out portraits. First off, it's free ALL of the time. Secondly, it's small. There are a few galleries to walk through  Read more...

Balboa Park, Shyla-Style

June 09, 2008

You gotta love San Diego weather . One day you have June gloom, wind and rain then the next you are rewarded with clear blue skies and that infamous San Diego sun. My girl and I crave Balboa Park on days like these. So instead of creating one of my agenda filled park visits, we did Balboa Shyla-style. Balboa Park Shyla-style was much more than I anticipated. Of course we visited her  Read more...

It's All About Shyla

June 06, 2008

Yesterday afternoon, here in sunny ol' San Diego, it rained. It was four in the afternoon, not my prime time, and I still had a few hours to burn with my girl stuck in the house. Well, 'stuck in the house is dramatic but I wasn't about to hop in the car and go anywhere in the rain. San Diegans don't drive well in the rain; we are used to water at the beach, not on our roads. I  Read more...

Getting to Know San Diego: Martin Luther King Promenade

June 05, 2008

My girl knows the Martin Luther King Promenade in the Marina because in the later afternoon, when Mama feels like a caged lion, we run wild and free here. Racing up the promenade we reach the Breaking the Chains sculpture. This is where hide and seek begins. Mind you, my girl is only hiding within and around this sculpture and could do so for hours. After the hours are up (OK, maybe  Read more...

Mozart, Moby or Miles: A Guide to the San Diego Preschool/Toddler Music Scene

May 30, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] Kids and music-we've all read the stories, heard the songs, hoped that our child's musical exposure would grow their brain. Heck, my girl's favorite song is Hot Child in the City. Coincidence? I think not. The preschool/toddler music scene is hot, just like their dance moves. You know the 7 th Day Buskers are performing at The Hillcrest Farmer's Market when  Read more...

99 Things You Must Do with Your Child in San Diego Before They Grow Up

May 29, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] Growing up is overrated but if you gotta do it, then do it right. Have a Must Do to add? Please do. Swim Lessons -your child was swimming in amniotic fluid, now they should be swimming in San Diego. This city revolves around water, safety first. Music Together -Gina in Point Loma is the best teacher. Loves what she does, nurtures musical  Read more...

Room to Run In San Diego

May 28, 2008

[photo credit: stockx.chng] On those days when your child wakes up filled with energy and you wake up needing an extra cuppa joe, put on those running shoes, pack some snacks, and head to Balboa Park . First stop, and my girl's personal favorite energy burn, the infamous Balboa Park fountain . My girl finds a starting point, I count to three, blast my version of an air horn and off  Read more...

Top 5 Things to Do When the Fog Clears and the Sun Shines in San Diego

May 20, 2008

[photo credit: stock.xchng] San Diegans are spoiled with sun, that is until May Gray and June Gloom show up. Gloomy, gloomy, gloomy, boo-hoo-hoo. On those mornings when the doom of the gloom lifts, run for the outdoors! Create your own baseball game at The Park at the Park in Petco Park while the Padres are away. The kids baseball diamond is perfect for that-be sure to bring your  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in san diego

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites

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Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

The Voice of Being Savvy san diego:
Terese Farmen, Jenny Ciampa

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