September is Daycation Time for Orange County Moms!

The hectic pace of summer activities with kids slows a bit in September, making this a perfect month for Orange County moms to enjoy a few daycation adventures of their own. It’s been great spending the summer with your children, and fun introducing them to new activities. But now that they are back in school, it is time to re-discover your own interests and pick up a few new ones as well. Sometimes it is good for moms to do something that is not totally kid-centered.

Orange County offers almost endless opportunities for moms to have a little ‘me time’ while the children are in school. Most of the suggestions offered here will allow you to have a full day of fun and recreation yet return home before the kids arrive. You’ll be re-charged and eager to hear all about their school day.

Whether you make daycations a regular part of your schedule, or just an occasional day out with friends, you are never far away from a few hours of interesting, invigorating activities.

Have fun outdoors
Visit Irvine Regional Park and take advantage of the horseback riding facility. Country Trails and Riding School – Costa Mesa offers tours and instruction in both Western and English riding. Then enjoy the great rides through spectacular Orange County landscape.

La Vida Laguna is a great place to enjoy water activities such as surfing, snorkeling and kayaking. Surfboard rental, including wetsuit, costs $40 for a half-day while snorkel gear costs $10 for a half-day. Other equipment is also available for rental. A two-hour surfing lesson in Laguna, including foam board, wetsuit and leash, costs $125. Enroll with a friend or two and save money. Kayak tours are offered daily through September 30. The two-hour tours begin at 10:00 a.m. and cost $69. The tours launch from Fisherman’s Cove, a calm protected area. Expect to see popular surf spots, hidden reefs, and sea lions at Seal Rock.

Also in Laguna Beach you might check out the Coast Wilderness Park for great hikes. At the end of a strenuous hike you can ease sore muscles with a massage at Thai Body Works. You’ll also find interesting restaurants nearby, many overlooking the ocean.

With so many parks and public beaches to chose from, the only problem you may have is deciding which one. Of course, you could skip the decision-making part and simply head to your own favorite beach to relax with a great book or great friends.

Take in a festival
The Arab American Festival runs September 24-26. Try authentic Middle Eastern Food while you enjoy the entertainment and shopping.

Learn something new
Visit Fullerton Arboretum and get inspired for new gardening projects. A walk through the park is not only a pleasant experience but also an education as you learn about the 4,000 plants in a variety of settings, from redwoods to desert to old-fashioned rose garden.

Then take your inspiration to The Potting Shed where you can purchase plants. There is a beautiful garden shop here, too. Sit by the fountain, enjoy the surroundings and let your own garden plans unfold. The Potting Shed is open Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Get to know a “new country” in Orange County
Visit Little Saigon. Begin your experience at the Buddhist temple, Chua Hue Quang. Then turn your attention to the individual shops and restaurants or head for the one-stop Asian Garden Mall. Pick up Southeast Asian produce, fresh tofu, fresh or frozen fish, and fresh-baked bread.

Take a daycation to the Old World, the one in Huntington Beach that is. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the German Restaurant. The Euro Market has a bakery and deli and is a great place to shop for authentic German food.

Shop and dine
You’ve earned a grown-up meal after a summer of kid-themed restaurant choices! Visit an old favorite or pick a new one. A relatively new destination that combines shopping, wine tasting and dining is Temecula Wine Country. This Riverside area has 600 antique dealers!

Visit a farmers market
With dozens of farmers markets around Orange County, finding one near your neighborhood should not be difficult. Many operate during weekdays, offering fresh, local food directly from the producers. These markets offer much more than a place to shop for produce. Quite a few feature live music and some are located close to the beach or in other interesting locations! No one needs to know your grocery-shopping trip was so very enjoyable!

Explore
Take a day cruise to Catalina Island. The trip takes about an hour and a half each way, giving you a few hours to shop for a special piece of artwork or jewelry. Pick up a few unique Catalina tiles for sale or simply enjoy window-shopping while you soak up the Mediterranean style and atmosphere. Schedules and prices for the boat trip are available at catalinaexpress.com.

Visit the Sunset Gondola Huntington beach to explore the canals of Sunset Beach and Huntington Harbor. Half-hour tours run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; longer tours are available as well.

When next summer arrives, you’ll know some new and fantastic places you can share with your kids. Think of these daycations as research if you must but whatever you do, enjoy some time for yourself.

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