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From farmers markets to hiking trails, this valley is blessed not only with lots of fun, family-friendly things to do, we’re also fortunate to have a climate that allows us to enjoy them almost year-round. Use this list to plan your family time calendar and you’re almost guaranteed to never have a dull moment in 2010.
Animal Acres
Only $5 per person, kids under 3 free. Sundays — one-hour guided tours between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 5200 Escondido Canyon Road, Acton, (661) 269-5404.
This 26-acre farm animal sanctuary offers guests a chance to get up close and personal with pigs, cows, turkeys, goats, sheep, and more, plus hear about their amazing rescue stories. Animal Acres has a mission to protect all animals, not just domesticated varieties, and has a vegan-leaning program. A gift shop on the grounds is open before and after the tours with gifts and educational materials. Memberships also available. If you’d like to beat the crowds and enjoy a day at Animal Acres for free, volunteers are needed every day of the week — shifts start between 10-11 a.m. and participants should wear farm-cleaning clothes.
Castaic Lake Recreation Area
Parking is $11 per vehicle. Open daily from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. 32132 Castaic Lake Drive, Castaic. General Information: (661) 257-4050.
Open from sunrise to sunset. Bring a blanket and picnic food, then set everyone free to pursue their idea of a good time — long strolls on the lush grounds or hiking (there are more than 11,2000 acres of parkland and open space to explore), set up athletic games, or read a good book alongside a spectacular lake view.
Ed Davis Park at Towsley Canyon
Free. Open daily from dawn to dusk. 24255 The Old Road, Newhall. (661) 255-3606.
Named for former State Senator Ed Davis, who championed the preservation of Towsley Canyon, this park offers a peaceful setting and trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Look out for Towsley Creek and gorgeous rock formations in Towsley Gorge and plan a stop at the Sonia Thompson Nature Center, with exhibits about the cultural and natural history of the park.
Farmers Markets
Free. Sundays — 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, parking lot 8, Valencia. (805) 529-62661. Thursdays — 4-8 p.m. Downtown Newhall. 29222 Main St., Newhall.
A fantastic learning experience for kids and adults alike, Farmers markets offer a chance for shoppers to interact with the farmers who grew the crops and get some great recipes for produce you may have never cooked with before, as well as reduce the carbon footprint usually associated with food production. The bright colors and excitement will entertain even the youngest kids and many other artisan foods, such as hummus, honey, nuts, tamales, and more are usually available. Take your goodies home to create a fantastic meal for extra together-time points.
Gentle Barn
Entrance is $5 per person. Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 15825 Sierra Highway Canyon Country. (661) 252-2440 or www.gentlebarn.org.
Located on a six-acre ranch and home to more than 100 rescued farm animals, The Gentle Barn is a non-profit organization that teaches people “compassion to animals, each other, and the planet.” Guests can explore the grounds and groom horses, brush cows, hold chickens, play with goats and sheep, even “hypnotize an emu,” while learning about the animals who were rescued from abuse. Not surprisingly, they are staunchly vegan/vegetarian, in case curious little minds make the farm to table connection.
Heritage Junction
Free. Saturdays and Sundays — 1-4 p.m. (excluding holidays). 24107 Newhall Ave., Newhall. (661) 254-1275.
Lots of history here, from Mogul Steam Engine 1629 to the Mitchell Schoolhouse Adobe (the second oldest in Los Angeles County), as well as a garden planted and maintained by the Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society which features more than 300 varieties that were popular between 1850 and 1950. There are vegetable gardens, too, kept by local gardeners according to 19th century custom, while the walkway bricks were recycled from original foundations of park structures. Check out exhibits of artifacts from the pioneer oil and mining industries, railroads, gold discovery, and memorabilia from downtown Newhall’s heyday. Questions? A docent is on hand to answer them.
Mentryville
Free. Open daily — dawn to dusk. Pico Canyon Road, off I-5 at Lyons Ave., Newhall.
A rich slice of California’s history is unveiled amongst the 851-acre state park, at the north end of the Santa Clarita Woodlands. Shaded trails and lush landscaping are the highlights of the hiking, biking, and horse trails; the easy .7-mile trail from Mentryville leads to Johnson Park, a beautiful picnic spot once favored by oil men who worked in these very fields. Considered a ghost town, Mentryville still boasts a few of the outbuildings once used by men seeking their oil futures.
Placerita Canyon Nature Center
Free. Tuesday — Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall. (661) 259-7721 or www.placerita.org. Family Nature Walk: Every Saturday, 11 a.m.-noon. Animal Presentation: Every Saturday, 1-2 p.m.
Among the landmarks at this east-west running canyon with shaded oak groves and sycamore-lined seasonal streams is “Oak of the Golden Dream,” the site of California’s original gold discovery in 1842 and the Walker Cabin, built in 1920 by Frank Walker. More modern-day fun can be found at the live native animal exhibit inside the nature center, which also houses exhibits on Southern California’s natural history. The trails, which range from easy to advanced, are self-guided and perfect for hiking or walking. A shaded picnic area is available near the center, so bring a picnic lunch and make a day out of it.
Vista del Lago Visitor’s Center
Free. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Interstate 5 between the cities of Castaic and Gorman at Vista del Lago off-ramp, north and south. (661) 294-0219.
You’ve probably driven by this place a million times and never stopped. That’s a shame, because inside that dome-shaped building is a plethora of California water history that’s interesting for kids of all ages, including the grown-up kind, plus it boasts a gorgeous view of Pyramid Lake from the wraparound balcony.
This is the Department of Water Resources largest information center, stocked with friendly tour guides who will lead you through or hand you a headset to explore each area on your own.
Highlights include: weighing yourself in water and learning how much water is used by industries, agriculture and typical households, a video presentation with a massive topographical map of California and its water supplies versus the population, a huge mock pipeline, and much history throughout.
Good, clean, educational fun — plan on spending at least an hour or more, especially if you pack a lunch or snack to enjoy outside with the view.
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area
Free. Open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Birds of Prey presentation, first Sunday of each month. 11 a.m.-noon, weather permitting. Ranger Guided Hikes — second, third and fourth Sunday of each month except July, August, September, 11 a.m.-noon, weather permitting. 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce. (661) 268-0840
If the spectacular rock formations at this 932-acre park look eerily familiar, it’s probably because Vasquez Rocks has served as a popular location shoot for television, movies, and films for close to a century.
Named after notorious California bandit Tiburcio Vasquez, who used the landscape to elude capture, Vasquez Rocks’ prehistoric, jagged shapes and layers of desert colors are truly gorgeous.
Bring your camera for some serious photo ops, some water (it can get very hot here), and an adventurous spirit to wind through the easy to moderate trails leading throughout the park.
William S. Hart Park
Free. Wednesday - Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (last tour at 12:30 p.m.), Saturday - Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (last tour at 3:30 p.m.). 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall. (661) 254-4584 museum or (661) 259-0855 park.
Once a retirement home for silent-screen Western star William S. Hart, the Hart Museum is a Spanish colonial Revival style mansion set in surrounding park grounds operated by the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation.
The in-house museum contains impressive Western art, Hollywood memorabilia, and Native American artifacts — there’s also a furnished 1910 ranch house for guests to explore unattended.
A herd of bison occupy part of this 260-acre “Horseshoe Ranch” area, along with a live farm animal exhibit and easily navigated trails. Tours last approximately 45 minutes to an hour and handicap accommodations are available.
Libraries
Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library — free. Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, closed.
18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country. (661) 251-2720. Newhall Library — free. Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, closed. 22704 W. 9th Ave., Newhall. (661) 259-0750.
Valencia Library — free (Closed for refurbishment through Feb. 1). Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m.23743 W Valencia Blvd., Valencia. (661) 259-8942. All: www.colapublib.org
When I was a kid, I could spend hours in a library just looking at books.
Today, libraries are an incredible resource not just for books, but for many free cultural events held throughout the year, including cooking and musical demonstrations and story-telling times, as well as a free way to check out movies on DVD and books-on-tape, too.
Check each library’s Web site each month for upcoming events to plan ahead; some require registration.
Volunteering
Free. Various locations.
Talk about quality time — volunteering with your children allows you to teach them valuable lessons on the importance of giving back and being grateful for the blessings in their life.
Nonprofit organizations are always looking for help and many welcome children (ages vary) to join in.
Here are two:
Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, 24133 Railroad Ave., Newhall. (661) 255-9078.
Help the Children, 26450 Ruether Ave., Suite 208, Saugus. (661) 299-9273 or Wendi@helpthechildren.org.
Another way to help is to inquire with the nonprofit of your choice to see what its needs are and organize a “wish list” donation drive or fundraising effort such as a bake sale or garage sale. Then donate the proceeds. These are all fun events that can teach vital planning and follow-through skills to your children.
