Californian Arts & Entertainment Calendar for March 17-23, 2011
CALENDAR
Press releases for arts and entertainment events and programs
should be typed, double-spaced, with basic information about the
event, performance dates and times, location, ticket prices and a
public telephone number. Send notices two to three weeks before the
event to Preview, 28765 Single Oak Drive, Suite 100, Temecula CA
92590 or via e-mail to calpreview@californian.com. Or fax items to
951-694-1215.
LOCAL CONCERTS
Weekly at The Merc —- Jazz at The Merc (7:30 pm Thursdays,
$15), Live at The Merc (8 pm Fridays, $15), Country at The Merc
(7 and 9 pm Saturdays, $15) and Classics at The Merc (3 pm
Sundays, $11 adults and $5 students); The Merc, Old Town Temecula
Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; 951-308-6377,
temeculatheater.org.
The Fenians —- Contemporary Irish band; 8 pm March 17;
Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga
Parkway, Temecula; $15-$25; 877-711-2946 or
pechanga.com/entertainment.
Old Town Temecula Bluegrass Festival —- Two stages of live
entertainment March 18-20; performers linclude: The Grascals, Byron
Berline, Bluegrass Etc, Hunt Family Bluegrass, Sligo Rags,
Silverado, Next Generation, The Girlz, Fine Line, Bluegrass
Brethren, Windy Ridge, Highway 128, Old Haywire, Older than Dirt;
Old Town Temecula, Front Street, Temecula;
temeculacalifornia.org.
The Grascals —- The Grascals are among the most beloved and
acclaimed bands on today’s bluegrass scene, having won SPBGMA’s
Bluegrass Band of the Year award in 2010, the International
Bluegrass Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year award in
2005 and earning its Entertainer of the Year honor in both 2006 and
2007; 7:30 pm March 18; Old Town Temecula Community Theater,
42051 Main St., Temecula; $20; 866-653-8696,
temeculatheater.org.
Byron Berline, Bluegrass Etc., Silverado —- 7 pm March 19;
Old Town Temecula Community Theatre, 42051 Main St., Temecula;
temeculatheater.org.
Bowzers Ultimate Doo-Wop Party —- Starring Gene Chandler
(Duke of Earl), the Fleetwoods (Come Softly To Me, Mr. Blue),
the Crystals (Da Doo Ron Ron, Hes A Rebel, And Then He Kissed
Me), Paul amp; Paula (Hey, Paula), Cleve Duncan, orginal lead
singer of the Penguins (Earth Angel, Memories of El Monte),
Kathy Young (A Thousand Stars, Happy Birthday Blues) and Bowzer
from Sha-Na-Na; 8 pm March 19; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort
amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $40-$60;
877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
Gregg Young amp; the Second Street Band —- Part of the
Temecula Presents Friday Night Groove Series; 8 pm April 1; Old
Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20;
866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.
April in Paris —- Pack your bags for Paris as the California
Chamber Orchestra explores the music of Gounod, Ravel, DIndy, and
Roussel. Part of the Temecula Presents Classical Music Series; 7:30
pm April 2; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St.,
Temecula; $2.50-$30; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.
OnStage Musicals Jazz Festival —- Guest performers Yve Evans,
Steve Madio, Pat Rizzo, Andy Fraga and The Staff Big Band. The
inaugural festival-style, straight-ahead jazz concert will feature
celebrated names in Jazz playing arrangements from the Great
American Songbook in various sized ensembles. Part of the Temecula
Presents Big Band/Cabaret Series; 2 pm April 3; Old Town Temecula
Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $25; 866-653-8696,
temeculatheater.org.
Tony Bennett —- 8 pm April 9; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga
Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $86-$121;
877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
KFROG Cares —- With Sara Evans; 7 pm April 11; Pechanga
Showroom, Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway,
Temecula; $15-$25; 877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival —- Kings of Leon, the
Black Keys, Interpol, the Chemical Brothers, Caifanes, Robyn,
Sasha, Lauryn Hill, Brandon Flowers, Crystal Castles, Magnetic Man,
Erick Morillo, Cee Lo Green, Cut Copy, Cold War Kids, Sleigh Bells,
Boys Noize and others: April 15; Arcade Fire, Animal Collective,
Mumford amp; Sons, Bright Eyes, Empire of the Sun, Big Audio
Dynamite, Steve Angello, the Kills, the London Suede, Broken Social
Scene, One Day as a Lion, Erykah Badu, Paul van Dyk, Fedde Le Grand
and others: April 16; Kanye West, the Strokes, Duran Duran, the
National, PJ Harvey, Death From Above, Nas amp; Damian Marley,
Ratatat, Wiz Khalifa, Jimmy Eat World, Axwell, Sven Vath, Bloody
Beetroots, Death Crew 77, Chromeo, Duck Sauce, Neon Trees, the
Presets, Leftfield and others; April 17; Empire Polo Field, 81-800
Avenue 51, Indio; sold out; coachella.com.
Julio Iglesias —- 8 pm April 22; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga
Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $60-$85;
877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
OJays with Brenton Wood —- 8 pm April 29; Pechanga
Showroom, Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway,
Temecula; $45-$65; 877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
Stagecoach Country Music Festival —- Kenny Chesney, Rascal
Flatts and Carrie Underwood will headline and also feature Loretta
Lynn, Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs, Secret Sisters, Easton Corbin,
Steel Magnolia, Leon Russell, Darius Rucker, Wanda Jackson, Truth
amp; Salvage Co., Josh Turner and Jack Ingram; April 30-May 1;
Empire Polo Grounds, Indio; $99 weekend pass (children 10 and under
are free; stagecoachfestival.com.
Lets Be Frank: Music in the Style of Sinatra —- Troy Clarke
and Brian Nova will be out front with The All Star Big Band living
the music of Old Blue Eyes. They will perform at least a dozen of
Franks greatest hits including For Once In My Life, The Lady Is
A Tramp, My Way, I Get A Kick Out Of You and Luck Be A Lady
Tonight. Part of the Temecula Presents Big Band/Cabaret Series; 2
pm May 1; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St.,
Temecula; $25-$37; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.
Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers —- Part of the Temecula
Presents Friday Night Groove Series; 8 pm May 6; Old Town
Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20;
866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.
B-52s —- 8 pm May 6; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort
amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $50-$75;
877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
The Moody Blues —- 8 pm May 20-21; Pechanga Showroom,
Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula;
$60-$90; 877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
LOCAL COMEDY
The Comedy Club at Pechanga —- 8 pm shows
Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 and 10 pm shows Fridays-Saturdays;
Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula;
$22; 877-711-2946, pechanga.com/comedyclub.
Larry the Cable Guy —- 7 pm and 9:30 pm March 26; Pechanga
Theater, Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway,
Temecula; $65-$95; 877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
Lisa Lampanelli —- 8 pm June 3; Pechanga Theater, Pechanga
Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $35-$60;
877-711-2946 or pechanga.com/entertainment.
LOCAL THEATER
The Suffragette Hamlet —- The Bards greatest tragedy —-
with reversed gendered roles. Hamlet is considered by many to be
the greatest piece in the Western literature canon, but that
doesnt mean that it needs to always be performed in the same way
every time; 8 pm March 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 and 2 pm March 13,
20 and 27; Esplanade Arts Center, 2181 West Esplanade Ave., San
Jacinto; $15 general, $12 students, seniors and military;
951-600-7273 Ext. 100, inlandstage.org.
Jesus Christ Superstar —- Presented by Temecula Valley
Players. Considered the worlds first rock opera, this fabulous
musical depicts the final days in the life of Christ. Music and
lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice; 7:30 pm April 7-9,
14-16 and 21-23 and 2 pm April 10, 17, 23-24; Old Town Temecula
Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $20-$28; 866-653-8696,
temeculatheater.org.
Sylvia —- Presented by Temecula Valley Players. Audition
dates, 7 pm April 11-12 at the Old Town Temecula Community
Theater; June 16-26; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051
Main St., Temecula; TBD; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.
Ramona —- The 88th season of the nations longest running
continuous outdoor play, centered around the story of Ramona and
Allesandro; April 16-17 and 30, May 1 and 7; Ramona Bowl
Amphitheater, 27400 Ramona Bowl Road, Hemet; $19-$49; 800-645-4465
Ext. 103, ramonabowl.com.
ODC/Dance —- ODC/Dance is known worldwide for its athleticism,
passion and intellect. ODCs three resident choreographers, Brenda
Way, KT Nelson, and Kimi Okada, have created a dynamic movement
vocabulary over the last four decades that has significantly
influenced a generation of dancers and choreographers. Founded in
1971 by Artistic Director Brenda Way who trained under the
legendary George Balanchine, ODC was one of the first American
companies to return, after a decade of pedestrian exploration, to
virtuosic technique and narrative content in avant-garde dance, and
to commit major resources to interdisciplinary collaboration and
musical commissions for the repertory; 8 pm April 29-30; Old Town
Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $15-$25;
866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.
To Kill a Mockingbird —- Performed by the Ramona Hillside
Players. Written by Christopher Sergel and directed by Carol
Damgen; gates at noon, performances begin at 3 pm May 6-8, 12-15
and 20-22; 27402 Ramona Bowl Road, Hemet; 951-658-5300,
ramonahillsideplayers.org.
LOCAL GALLERIES
The Coffee Store —- hours 6 am to 2 pm Monday through
Friday, 7 am to 1 pm Saturday and Sunday; 40575 California Oaks
Road, Murrieta; 951-301-3808.
Division 9 Gallery North —- 3485 University Ave., Riverside;
951-682-5990.
Division 9 Gallery South —- 3850 Lemon St., Riverside;
951-682-5990.
Gallery at The Merc —- see temeculatheater.org for gallery
hours; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St.,
Temecula; free; (866) 653-8696.
Hemet Valley Art Association Gallery —- 10 am to 4 pm
Mondays-Saturdays. Classes and workshops daily; 2115 E. Florida
Avenue, Suite D, Hemet; 951-652-4592.
Landis Art Center Gallery —- at Riverside Community College,
4800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside; 10 am to 3 pm Mondays through
Fridays; 951-222-8494.
Medium —- 3643 University Ave., Suite #3, Riverside.
Mt. San Jacinto College Fine Art Gallery —- gallery 10 am to
4 pm Mondays through Thursdays, 1-4 pm Saturdays; 1499 N. State
St., San Jacinto; 951-487-3585.
The Old Town Gallery —- Sponsors a monthly artist reception
for local Temecula Valley artists; gallery 11 am to 5 pm
Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 am to 6 pm Saturdays, 1-5 pm Sundays;
42031 Main Street, Ste. C, Temecula; 951-699-3181.
The Peoples Gallery —- gallery 6-10 pm Thursdays (or by
appointment); 3643 University Ave., Riverside; 951-715-4641.
ProjectRamGallery —– 3532 University Ave., Riverside;
951-684-7111.
Riverside Community Arts Association —- gallery 11 am to 2
pm Wednesdays through Saturdays, or by appointment; 3870 Lemon
St., Riverside; 951-682-6737.
Sweeney Art Gallery —- gallery 11 am-4 pm Wednesdays
through Fridays, noon-4 pm Saturdays and Sundays; 3800 Main St.,
Riverside; 909-787-3755.
Temecula Valley Art League Gallery —- New gallery recently
opened; noon-6 pm Mondays-Wednesdays, noon-7 pm
Thursdays-Saturdays; 41785 Nicole Lane, Ste. B, Temecula;
951-303-8100.
LOCAL MUSEUMS
Fender Museum of Music and the Arts —- Around every corner,
walls of Fender amplifiers await your eyes, and literally dozens of
guitars. Technology that started a music revolution is close enough
to touch. Items from Merle Haggard, Dick Dale, Kurt Cobain, the
Fender Custom Shop and photos from the Kids Rock Free music
education program. Featured at the museum is the JOHNNY CASH: An
American Icon Exhibit, an exceptional, one-of-a-kind exhibit,
featuring original instruments, stage clothing, awards, and
memorabilia owned worn and used by the legendary entertainer from
the collection of longtime Cash friend Bill Miller. The wall of
friends features concert pictures from many of the great shows the
museum has hosted, including Steve Miller, Merle Haggard, Joe
Walsh, Etta James, the Turtles, John Waite, Paul Rodgers, Dick Dale
and many others. Steve Miller (Steve Miller Band) is featured in a
tribute exhibit. Paul Rodgers is another legendary music icon
represented in the museum. The singer songwriter,
multi-instrumentalist of Free, Bad Company, The Firm, and Queen +
Paul Rodgers fame is featured in rare photos, clothing and
handwritten lyrics; 11 am to 4 pm Wednesdays through Saturdays;
365 N. Main Street, Corona; $10 for adults, $8 for students and
seniors and children age 12 and younger are free; 951-735-2440,
fendermuseum.com.
Fingerprints Youth Museum —- A non-profit organization
dedicated to providing a safe, educational and fun environment
through 10,000 sq. feet of hands-on interactive exhibits; museum
hours, 11 am to 8 pm Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm
Saturdays (closed Sundays and Mondays); 123 S. Carmalita Ave.,
Hemet; $5, general admission; $4, seniors; children under 2 are
free; 951-765-1223 or fingerprintsmuseum.com.
Heritage House Riverside —- Queen Anne Victorian-style house
museum furnished to reflect the Victorian period for Riversides
upper-middle class residents; noon to 3 pm Fridays, noon to 3:30
pm Saturdays and Sundays; 8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside; free;
951-826-5273.
Imagination Workshop, Temecula Childrens Museum —- Professor
Phineas T. Pennypickle, PhD is a scientist, time traveler, and
inventor of wacky and wonderful contraptions that amaze, delight
and educate children and adults alike. Pennypickles experiments
and mechanical inventions fill every room of his 7,500 square foot
workshop, which has become a storehouse for tinkering and
theoretical thinking; 10 am to 5 pm Tuesdays-Thursdays and
Saturdays, 10 am to 7:30 pm Fridays, 12:30-5 pm Sundays;
42081 Main St., Temecula; $4.50, general, free for children age 3
and younger; 951-308-6370, pennypickles.org.
Jensen-Alvarado Historic Ranch and Museum —- An 1880s living
history interpretive program and museum; 10 am to 4 pm
Saturdays (available for group tours Mondays through Saturdays,
reservations required); 4307 Briggs Street, Riverside;
951-369-6055.
Lake Elsinore Historical Society —- The society was founded to
collect, protect, display, and further the preservation of items
and documents of historical value and significance to the Lake
Elsinore Valley; 11 am to 3 pm Wednesdays and Saturdays and 1
pm to 4 pm on Sundays; The Museum and Research Library, 183
North Main St., Lake Elsinore; free; 951-579-4852,
lakeelsinorehistoricalsociety.org
March Field Air Museum —- Serves as home to over 70 historic
aircraft and many inside displays relating to the history of March
Field, now known as March Air Reserve Base. The main building was
erected in 1993. Its style reflects the traditional hangars of
earlier aviation days. The distinctive checkerboard roof can be
readily seen from the Interstate 215 freeway. Visitors can watch
modern military aircraft as they land and take off daily. Inside
the museum the visitor will find thousands of artifacts on display
covering the years from 1918 to the present. Also displayed in the
hangar are some rare and unusual aircraft, including a P-59
fighter, the first operational jet adopted by the US Air Force
over 50 years ago. The building also contains a theater in which
visitors may view films about the history of March Field and US
military aviation, the General Curtis E. LeMay Library, a
well-stocked Museum Store and a G-force Flight Simulator; 9 am to
4 pm Tuesdays-Sundays (closed Monday); 22550 Van Buren Blvd,
Riverside; $10, for ages 12 and up; $5, ages 5-11; free, children 4
and under; 951-902-5949, marchfield.org.
Mission Inn Museum —- Promotes the cultural heritage of the
Mission Inn. Visitors are led on guided tours that highlight the
inns architecture, stained glass, furniture, art, textiles and
other cultural resources. Permanent exhibits feature the history of
the inn and its founders, and the museum offers changing exhibits
and educational programs; 9:30 am to 4 pm daily; 3696 Main St.,
Riverside; $12; 951-788-9556, missioninnmuseum.com.
Orange Empire Railway Museum —- Railroad museum features more
than 150 historic train cars, locomotives and streetcars, plus
railway equipment. Trolley and train rides are available; 9:30 am
to 4:30 pm weekdays and 9:30 am to 5 pm on weekends; 2201 South
A Street, Perris; access to the Museum grounds is free (except
during certain special events); all-day pass to ride the trains
costs $12 for adults, $8 for children 5-11, free for kids under 5;
family pass (for members of one family) is available for $40;
951-657-2605, oerm.org.
Patterson House Museum —- The oldest private residence still
standing in Winchester; 28030 Patterson Ave., Winchester;
951-926-4039.
Ramona Bowl Museum —- The Ramona Bowl Museum has been operated
since 1953 by the Ramona Pageant Association, which has produced
the annual Ramona Pageant since 1923. The museum gives the history
of the local Native Americans, the Pageant and the Ramona story; 10
am to 3 pm Wednesdays through Sundays; 27400 Ramona Bowl Road,
Hemet; free; 909-658-3111.
Riverside Art Museum —- Exhibiting a wide range of work with
an emphasis on American, Californian and prominent Inland Empire
artists. RAM offers a diverse range of exemplary art exhibitions,
educational programs, and community outreach events; 10 am to 4
pm Mondays-Saturdays; 3425 Seventh St., Riverside; $5, general
admission; $2, students with ID and seniors (65+); free, children
under age 12, free for members; 951-684-7111,
riversideartmuseum.org.
Riverside Metropolitan Museum —- The Riverside Metropolitan
Museum is a center for learning and a community museum that
collects, exhibits, and interprets cultural and natural history. In
a rapidly changing community, the museum provides an understanding
and appreciation of our regions legacy; museum hours, 9 am to 5
pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 9 am to 9 pm Thursdays;
10 am to 5 pm Saturdays and 11 am to 5 pm Sundays; 3580
Mission Inn Ave., Riverside; 951-826-5273,
riversideca.gov/museum.
San Bernardino County Museum —- Aa regional museum with
exhibits and collections in cultural and natural history. Special
exhibits, the Exploration Station live animal discovery center,
extensive research collections, and public programs for adults,
families, students, and children are all part of the museum
experience; 9 am to 5 pm Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday
Mondays; 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands; $8, general; $9, seniors
and military; $5, students; $4, children 5 to 12; 909-307-2669,
www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/museum.
San Jacinto Museum —- The San Jacinto Museum features exhibits
on the natural and human history of San Jacinto and surrounding
areas. Local Indians relics, artifacts from pioneer families, and
material on the community, its businesses and institutions are
featured. Special exhibits highlight the record-breaking 1937
Soviet transpolar flight which landed in San Jacinto, and the
development of downtown.The museum also maintains a large
collection of historic photographs and memorabilia, which is
available to researchers. Group tours are available by appointment;
11 am to 4 pm Friday through Sunday; 695 Ash St., San Jacinto;
free; 951-654-4952.
Temecula Valley History Museum —- Exhibits represent life in
the Temecula Valley through time and different cultures that
influenced the development of the area. Displays contain
handcrafted artifacts, cultural items, ranching and farming
equipment, documents, photographs, and more. Exhibits depict key
stories, including the Luiseno Indians, Mission San Luis Rey
period, establishment of the ranchos, and transportation influences
including the stagecoach and railroads. The museum also offers a
playful interactive discovery area for children. Hands-on learning
experiences take place in a street scene setting with a General
Store, a Dress Shop, a Photographers Studio and a Ride-a-Pony
station; museum hours 10 am to 5 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays,
1 to 4 pm Sundays (closed Mondays); 28314 Mercedes St., Temecula;
$2 donation suggested; 951-694-6450.
UC Riverside Museum of Photography —- The museums
explorations of photographic media through exhibition, collection,
publication, and the web examine the history of photography and
showcase current practice in photography and related media. To
serve an audience that is multicultural, young and old, general and
specialized, the museum presents programs that recognize the
variety and complexity of cultural experience and explore the
relationship between traditional expression and contemporary
practice. The museum is vitally concerned with the intersection of
photography, new imaging media, and society; museum hours, noon-5
pm Tuesdays-Saturdays; 3824 Main St., Riverside; $1, general;
free for students and seniors; 951-784-3686.
Western Science Center —- Permanent exhibitions at the Western
Center highlight the discoveries at the Diamond Valley Lake site
that range in age from 230,000 years ago to the present. Permanent
exhibits include: the Life on Earth Timeline, overhead time rings
guide you through the geologic time periods. Begin with the
Pre-Cambrian and travel to the Holocene, the time period in which
our mammoths and mastodons lived. The distance you walk from ring
to ring is directly proportional to the amount of time that passed
from one geologic period to the next; The Big Dam Hole,
interactives teach about the people and animals that inhabited the
Diamond Valley Lake site over time; Movies in the Theater, two
short films are shown regularly in the circular, immersion theater
with its 270-degree screen; Snapshots in Time, mammoths and
mastodons that used to live in the Diamond Valley Lake area. See
the real fossils of a 10-foot-tall mastodon, a 12-foot mammoth, and
a giant ground sloth nearly 7-foot-tall; and Discovery Lab, follow
the trail of these animals from their discovery in the field to
curation and research in the museum. There are workshops and
lectures on a weekly basis as well as Science Saturdays and
visiting exhibitions throughout the year; museum hours, 10 am to
5 pm Tuesdays-Sundays; $8, adults (13 and over); $6.50, seniors
(62+); $6, youth (5 to 12); $6.50, students (13-22 with current
ID); 2345 Searl Pkwy., Hemet; free, youth age 4 and younger and
military with current ID; 951-791-0033 or
westerncentermuseum.org.
Yai Heki Regional Indian Museum —- Provides a comprehensive
interpretation of Native American history, the cultures of the
various native tribes throughout the southern California desert
region and provides an educational experience into the cultures of
the Indigenous peoples of the southern California deserts; 10 am
to 2 pm Fridays and 10 am to 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays ;
1781 Lake Perris Drive, Perris; free ($8 car fee to enter the
park); 951-940-5656.
THEME PARKS
Castle Park —- Opened in 1973, the medieval-style theme park
includes more than 30 rides including roller coasters, a log chute,
carnival rides, an arcade, miniature golf and magic shows; arcade
opens at 11 am daily; rides open at noon; 3500 Polk St.,
Riverside; unlimited ride pass: $21.99, taller than 48 inches;
$14.99, under 48 inches; annual passes, $50-$55 (miniature golf has
separate fee, $6.99-$7.99); $6 parking; 951-785-3000 or
castlepark.com.
Discovery Science Center —- Exhibits include a Sesame Street
Presents the Body, Planetary Research Station, Robots amp;
Us, and Smokey Bear amp; Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home; museum
features more than 100 hands-on science, math and technology
exhibits, including Dino Quest, earthquake shake shack,
climbing wall, musical floor, and 4-D theater featuring Masters of
the Night: The True Story of Bats; 10 am to 5 pm daily;
Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana; $12.95,
general; $9.95, children (3-17); free, children 2 and under; movies
are $3; Dino Quest is $5; $3, parking; 714-542-2823 or
discoverycube.org.
Disneyland Park —- Opened in July 1955, Walt Disney theme park
has 60 attractions, including roller coasters, trains, boats,
trolleys, carriage and black-light rides, monorail, walk-throughs,
live shows, hands-on exhibits, walkabout encounters and dining
experiences; parades daily and Remember … Dreams Come True
fireworks and special effects show nightly; open daily; hours vary;
Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; $72, general (ages 10-59);
$62, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $87-$97, one-day park-hopper
passes; $131-$151, two-day park-hopper passes; $169-$439, annual
passes; $17, parking ($20, RVs); 714-781-4565 or
disneyland.com.
Disneys California Adventure —- Opened in 2001, this 55-acre
Disney theme park highlights the history, culture, beauty and
industries of California; themed lands include Golden State
(agriculture, aviation, wilderness), Paradise Pier (seaside
amusement park) and Hollywood Pictures Backlot (filmmaking, TV and
stage shows); the park has more than 25 themed attractions, shows
and rides and the World of Color water show; the park is in the
midst of a multiyear expansion and enhancement that will include
the introduction of many new attractions, rides and shows through
2012; hours vary, check Web site for daily schedule; Harbor
Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; $72, general (ages 10-59); $62,
children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $87-$97, one-day park-hopper
passes; $131-$151, two-day park-hopper passes; $169-$439, annual
passes; $17, parking ($20, RVs); 714-781-4565 or
disneyland.com.
Knotts Berry Farm —- Knotts is a 160-acre amusement park
featuring 165 rides, including an authentic Old West Ghost Town;
roller coasters; Camp Snoopys childrens area; themed restaurants;
all-new Everybody Loves Snoopy live ice-skating show and other
family entertainment; thrill rides that include the Silver Bullet,
featuring corkscrews, spirals and cobra rolls, Ghostrider, a
Western-themed suspended roller coaster that features a 109-foot
drop, and RipTide thrill ride, which sends riders in a floorless,
spinning gondola soaring 59 feet into 360-degree vertical arcs;
opens daily at 10 am; closing time varies; 8039 Beach Blvd.,
Buena Park; $56.99, adults; $24.99, seniors (62+) and children 3 to
11; free, children 2 and under; $59.99, season passes; $12,
parking; 714-220-5200 or knotts.com.
Legoland California —- Now open, Hero Factory, where
children can build their own hero and villain characters from Lego
blocks; Journey to the Lost Temple mini-musical plays
Fridays-Sundays through April 15, then daily April 16-23 and June
4-Sept. 5; the 128-acre Lego toy-themed amusement park, best suited
for ages 2 to 12, offers Lego-building areas; new A Clutch Powers
4-D Adventure film is playing in rotation with Bob the Builder,
Lego Racers 4-D and Spell Breaker 4-D films; the park has
interactive play areas, water rides and attractions;
mini-roller-coasters and car-and boat-driving courses; live stage
shows; walk-through attractions; Miniland USA (miniature cities of
the world built from Lego bricks); dinosaur, Egypt, water, castle
and other themed lands, miniature golf and a water park; hours
vary; 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; $67, general; $57, children
(3-12) and seniors; free, 2 and under; $12, parking; 760-918-5346
or california.legoland.com.
San Diego Zoo —- The 100-acre zoo houses more than 4,000
animals of 800 species and 6,500 plant species; zoo features
include the 7.5-acre Elephant Odyssey exhibit, and walk-through
gorilla, polar bear, tiger and rain forest habitats; live shows;
childrens petting areas; Chinese giant panda exhibit; newly
remodeled polar bear exhibit; orangutan and siamang ape enclosure;
Monkey Trails and Forest Tales is a 3-acre, walk-through
multilevel habitat enclosure for African and Asian monkeys; hours,
9 am to 5 pm daily during the fall and winter months; Balboa
Park, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego; one-day pass includes Skyfari
aerial tram and guided bus tour: $37, adults; $27, children (3-11);
free parking; 619-234-3153 or sandiegozoo.org.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park —- Opened in 1972, the 1,800-acre
wildlife preserve operated by the San Diego Zoo (formerly known as
the Wild Animal Park) allows visitors to see more than 3,500
animals of 429 species in their naturalistic habitats; open, a new
zipline aerial tour that flies riders over the rhino and giraffe
enclosures at speeds up to 47 mph; price is $70; park tours
available on the Journey Into Africa 25-minute tram ride with
four new animal habitats, including the Somali wild ass and wattled
crane; plus hands-on encounters, walk-through exhibits, live animal
shows, childrens petting areas; Balloon Safari, a tethered balloon
that glides over the parks Serengeti plain for 15-minute rides,
priced at $20; a 50-foot African-themed carousel with 61
animal-themed ride-on creatures is open; Lion Camp offers
visitors an up-close look at the African cats in their natural
habitat; Frequent Flyers bird show is performed several times
daily; motion simulator ride; 9 am to 5 pm daily through fall
and winter months; 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, San Pasqual
Valley; one-day pass includes unlimited Journey into Africa tram
and carousel rides: $37, adults; $33.30, seniors (60+); $27,
children (3-11); $9, parking ($14 for motorhomes); 760-747-8702 or
sandiegozoo.org.
Scandia Ontario —- This Scandinavian-style theme park offers
25 rides and attractions including the new Cliff Jumper and roller
coasters, race cars, carnival-style rides, miniature golf, an
arcade and batting cages; 1155 S. Wanamaker Ave., Ontario;
unlimited rides: $22.95, taller than 54 inches; $17.95, under 54
inches; golf, $6.95-$9.95; 909-390-3092 or scandiafun.com.
Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland —- Sea Life include a
36,000-square-foot aquarium filled with more than 200 aquatic
species including seahorses, stingrays and sharks in a
200,000-gallon aquarium; Sharks Revealed is an interactive
exhibit that introduces children to the mysterious world of sharks;
also features more than 70 models made from Lego bricks, including
an 11-foot submarine; a sea-themed cafe and interactive Lego
sandcastle-building area; also featured, Atlantis Adventure, a
22-minute film about the lost city of Atlantis, a daily underwater
dive show and daily shark-themed shows; hours, 9 am to 5 pm
daily; Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; $19, adults; $16, seniors 60 and
over; $12, children ages 3 to 12; $12, parking; 760-918-5346 or
sealifeus.com.
SeaWorld San Diego —- Spring Into Night, the parks spring
break extended hours program, runs April 2-23 and features
nighttime sea lion, killer whale and fireworks shows until 9 pm;
Opened in 1964, the 189-acre ocean-themed park features live shows
with killer whales, dolphins and sea lions; sea creature
encounters; Animal Connections close-up encounters; Skytower,
virtual motion, rapids and splashdown rides; shark, penguin,
dolphin and otter and other exhibits; stage shows and Sesame
Street-themed play area; interactive experiences available with
dolphins and beluga whales; hours vary; 500 SeaWorld Drive, San
Diego; $69.99, adults; $61.99, children (3-9); free, children 2 and
under; $12, parking; 800-257-4268 or seaworldsandiego.com.
Speed Zone Los Angeles —- This 10-acre auto racing-themed park
offers miniature auto race tracks built for 3/4-scale Grand Prix
cars and 18-foot, 300hp dragsters, as well as miniature golf,
mini-bowling and an arcade; hours vary; 17871 Castleton St., City
of Industry; prices by the hour, playcards start at $35;
626-913-9663 or speedzone.com.
Six Flags Magic Mountain —- The theme park has the worlds
largest collection of roller coasters —- 17; the $10 million
Terminator Salvation: The Ride; X2 is a spinning, multisensory
coaster; Tatsu is billed as the worlds tallest, fastest and
longest flying coaster; Scream floorless coaster travels at 65
mph with a 150-foot drop and 128-foot vertical loop; plus Thomas
Town toddler land, childrens play areas, water rides, live shows;
opens at 10:30 am daily; closing hours vary; 26101 Magic Mountain
Parkway, Valencia; $54.99, general; $29.99, children under 48
inches; free, 2 and under; $15, parking; 661-255-4111 or
sixflags.com.
Universal Studios Hollywood —- King Kong 360 3-D, created by
Peter Jackson and billed as the worlds largest and most immersive
3D experience, is open as part of the parks tram tour; the
415-acre movie-based theme park, built in 1964 on the grounds of
the Universal television studios, features roller coasters and
thrill rides, special effects-based live shows and a ride-through
behind-the-scenes Studios Tour; the parks studio backlot has
reopened with all new sets and attractions. Rides and attractions
include, Universals House of Horrors walk-through haunted house;
Revenge of the Mummy, The Ride, is one of the worlds fastest
indoor roller coasters, Shrek 4-D, Terminator 2 3-D, The
Simpsons Ride virtual reality ride; Waterworld water stunt show;
Jurassic Park–The Ride, Adventures of Curious George
childrens water play area; the Universal Experience, showcasing
original props and wardrobe from popular Universal movies;
Universal CityWalk entertainment, dining and shopping promenade
features The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club, park hours vary, but
generally 10 am to 6 pm weekdays and 9 am to 6 pm weekends;
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City; $69 for adults; $59 for
guests under 48 inches; free, children 2 and under. More
information at www.universalstudioshollywood.com.
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