Heather Farm is home to various amenities, including the Clarke Swim Center, an off-leash dog park, tennis and volleyball courts, ponds, bike paths and trails. It also features a connection to the Iron Horse Trail. The picnic area has seating 104 people and six barbecue areas, and may be rented for private events. For indoor events, the center may also be rented, and features seated dining space for 300 and theater-style seating for 450.
The Chamber of Commerce is the hub for everything business in Rohnert Park.
In early 2010, the Chamber released an economic plan for the city that seeks to attract new business and tourism to what they call a city "thoughtfully designed for families." Each neighborhood in Rohnert Park is centered around an elementary park and a school, and is connected by a network of bike lanes. The Chamber points out that many area businesses offer after-school tutoring and mentoring.
The Chamber has upwards of 245 community members. Membership costs are based on the amount of employees a business has. Dues vary from non-profit $200 to a business with more than 51 employees with annual dues of $1200.
Calico Ghost Town is the epitome of California's Old West days. Nestled in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino, this historic 19th century mining town once produced more than $20 million in silver ore in a 12-year period. However, Calico became a ghost town in the mid-1890s when silver lost its value. The miners and families packed up and moved away. Today, it is a refurbished State Historical Landmark with mostly non-functioning silver mines and a rich California history families and history buffs will love.
Must see and must do at Calico Ghost Town
Calico Ghost Town, which is part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks system, has something for everyone. However, whether you are planning a day-trip or a weekend camping adventure, you need to make sure you explore Maggie Mine, an authentic silver mine, and take a historical tour of the town on the Calico Odessa Railroad. One activity the kids love most is experience of panning for real gold, just like the miners did in the 1800s.
Best and worst time to go to Calico Ghost Town
Since it's Southern California, there really isn't a bad time to go weather-wise, but because this is in the desert, you may want to avoid going in the hottest summer months of July through September. However, make sure to check weather reports any other time you go as this part of the state does catch quite a bit of wind, especially at night. Weekdays are better to visit than weekends, especially holiday weekends when many travelers head up the I-15 to Las Vegas. Check out the town's website for a list of upcoming events when planning your trip.
Admission to Calico Ghost Town
Calico Ghost Town is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed on Christmas. A family of four can easily visit for less than $30, and children under 5 are free. Annual passes are available, and miscellaneous fees are imposed for bus tours, schools and dogs (excluding service animals). Nearby camping is available as is cabin rentals at nominal costs.
Wildlife at Calico Ghost Town
The Mojave Desert is home to a variety of wildlife including coyotes, rattlesnakes and desert tortoises. It's best to stay within your given parameters, especially when camping at night. This area has also been known to house mountain lions, bobcats and black-collared lizards. As for birds, you may catch a glimpse of a roadrunner, raven, barn owl or red-tailed hawk on your visit.
Insider tip for Calico Ghost Town
If you are planning a visit during the school year, call ahead to see how many school and youth groups will be touring on the day your attending. While the Ghost Town may not be crowded with tourists, there may be quite a few students taking in the sights.
Author's bio: Mary Beth Adomaitis is a freelance writer from Southern California. She loves to visit exciting and new places with her family. In the summer of 2014, she drove cross-country from California to Ohio (and back), visiting 14 states in two weeks.
Built in 1985, San Mateo City Hall houses the City Council chambers as well as the City Manager's office, the City Clerk's office and several other important administrative offices. San Mateo residents are welcome to drop in during normal business hours and file papers or gather needed information -- and they are encouraged to come to the council chambers on those evenings (generally the first and third Mondays of every month, beginning at 5 p.m.) where the people's business is discussed and decided.
The Awesome Playground features a 60-foot outdoor obstacle course and an indoor playground with a ball pit, a crooked house with a kitchen, a doll house, play structure, a baby/toddler corner, a dress up area and a race track. The Awesome Playground hosts open play times, as well as private parties. Visit the Awesome Playground Web site for facilities and booking information.
Like Los Amigos Park, this one is all about the sports, but it's also friendly to kids who just want to play around. Marine Park features light-equipped fields for baseball and soccer, courts for tennis, basketball and handball, and a huge playground to boot. This place is also more amenable to birthdays than most of the other 26 parks in Santa Monica. In addition to picnic tables and barbecues, there's also a pavilion specifically intended for birthday shindigs. For parents, Marine Park's biggest appeal could be its free parking lots, which features a whopping 64 spaces.
The 5,800 acres park has natural and developed areas and more than 40 miles of trails and camping at Kumeyaay Lake. Other points of interest include a Visitors and Interpretive Center and amphitheater. It is also the site of the Old Mission Dam, which was built to supply water for Mission San Diego de Alcala.
Just off the El Camino Real, Wellesley Crescent Apartments is a friendly and pleasant medium-sized apartment complex. All apartments overlook a lush interior courtyard featuring a heated pool. There is also reserved gated covered parking, on-site laundry facilities and professional on-site management. The complex is across the street from a park.
The La Jolla Cove Hotel is conveniently located just steps from the beach and downtown La Jolla. It also is only 12 miles from the San Diego airport.
Although this is a large hotel, guests should make reservations far in advance as the ideal location of this hotel results in quick bookings. Parking is available in the designated garage for $15 per day per vehicle. Guests can enjoy a complete continental breakfast from 7am to 10am with an oceanfront view. There is a pool and spa on site.
During certain times of year, guests can watch the migration of the majestic grey whale. Seals in their natural habitat can be observed year-round within a three minute walk from the entrance of the hotel.
