If you yearn to offer your kids the freedom to build stuff, go exploring and get thoroughly filthy (all without messing up your own home!) Shangri-La awaits at the Huntington Beach Adventure Playground. Modeled after the no-holds-barred, free-form adventure playgrounds of Europe, the Huntington Beach outpost is one of only two such places in Southern California and is now open for the summer. So hop in the car and bring a change of clothes (and shoes), a sense of fun and get ready to get dirty!

photo: Charlie G. via Yelp

Creation Station
This place looks nothing like a typical playground, and that’s exactly what makes it so beautiful. In place of jungle gyms, you’ll find hand-built tree forts, and in place of a rinky-dink water feature, you’ll find a giant makeshift waterslide and an entire lake that kids can paddle across atop wooden rafts. Perhaps the most innovative feature is the access kids are given to tools — and yes, that includes real hammers, nails, and even saws, just like grown-ups use. Children may check out a hammer and nails and grab some scrap wood to go add their own finishing touches to the existing tree forts, an enticing proposition for Bob the Builder fans and their HGTV addict parents.

photo: Erin Harris

There are also rock climbing walls and a tire zip line, for those that want to get airborne.  And while there is staff on hand to oversee the tool use and make sure kids don’t get hurt, it’s a great place for parents who don’t think kids need constant helicoptering and supervision. They’re really free to explore here. The biggest rule is no running, so remind the kids of that before you set them loose.

photo: Erin Harris

Wet and Wonderful
You don’t have to be a budding contractor to have a blast at the Adventure Playground, but you do have to love getting wet and muddy (and what kid doesn’t?). There’s a delightfully low-tech water slide that essentially consists of a tarp laid into a ditch in a hill, watered down by a playground attendant holding a hose. The ride culminates in a giant muddy puddle: pure hog heaven.

photo: Erin Harris

The rafting lake has a similarly timeless feel, bringing to mind the stories of Mark Twain. Kids line up to slosh through the shallow water to the nearest wooden raft, grab a paddle, and then push themselves across the water, inevitably bumping into each other along the way. (Note: Closed-toe sneakers are absolutely mandatory for everyone at all times at the Adventure Playground, even in the water, so make sure to bring older pairs that you don’t mind getting soaked and muddy. Keens don’t count! Bring a towel and change of clothes while you’re at it. There are changing rooms available for post play clean up.)

photo: Erin Harris

Where, When & How Much?
The Adventure Playground is located within Huntington Beach Central Park and will be open for the summer from Jun. 18-Aug. 17; Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The playground is closed on Sun. and July 4.

It’s best suited to kids 5-12, but kids as young as 3-4 will have a blast; they’ll just require more of your eyes and hands-on supervision. The cost of admission is $3 per child (cash or check), and adults are free. Advance reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.

To find the playground, follow Talbert Ave. to the Central Library, and then park in the lot on the east side of the library buildings. Follow the pathway heading northeast away from the parking lot and look for the large hand-painted sign that says “Adventure Playground,” which will point you toward the entrance.

photo: Charlie G. via Yelp

That hand-painted sign in your harbinger that this is a no-frills adventure. Porta-potties are available, as are picnic tables for lunches (along with juices and snacks for sale), but there are no traditional restaurants (or even bathrooms).  You can use the bathrooms at the library also, but you will want to do that as soon as you get there or after you’re cleaned up and ready for the car ride home so you don’t trek in your mud! (And note that the library doesn’t open until 1 p.m. on Mon., so the porta-potties are your only option.)

You may also wish to bring blankets or chairs for grownups who need play breaks, as well as a bag for those muddy clothes and towels to dry off (there are cold showers and changing areas) before changing into your clean clothes.

Adventure Playground
7111 Talbert Ave.
Huntington Beach
714-842-7442
Online: huntingtonbeachca.gov/residents/parks_facilities/parks/huntington_central_park/Adventure_Playground.cfm

Where do you take the kids where they can explore and get down and dirty?  We’d love to hear your adventures in building and making muddy messes!

—Erin Harris

Portland is already home to the Trail Blazers and Timbers. And, up until recently there was no baseball in sight. That all changed when the Portland Pickles made their debut in Lents Park this past June. That’s right–America’s Pastime is back in Portland and you’re invited! Read on for our guide to a day at the ballpark for the Pickles’ inaugural season and why you shouldn’t wait to snag a ticket.

photo: courtesy of Portland Pickles

About The Pickles
Baseball fans have been hoping for a return to the city since the Portland Beavers left what was then Civic Stadium. A few years ago, the Hillsboro Hops started playing (go Hops!), but there were no opportunities to catch a ballgame in Portland proper, until now. The Portland Pickles are part of the Great West League, which gives college baseball players a chance to develop over the summer while providing entertainment for communities.

Walker Stadium
Home games are played at Walker Stadium in Lents Park, south of Holgate on 92nd. Early birds might get lucky with a spot in the limited parked onsite, but you might catch your breath every time a foul ball goes into the (tree-lined, thankfully) lot. There’s more parking in the surrounding neighborhoods, though be aware that I-205 cuts just to the east. Or, take the MAX green line to the Holgate Station, and don’t worry about parking.

 

Tickets & Seating
Everyone three & up needs a ticket. You’ll only find an “adult” option online. Field Box tickets are $12, Pavilion tickets are $8 and Grass Berm tickets are $6 each. The field boxes and pavilion are behind home plate for the best view of the action; the field box bleachers are closest, and pavilion are in the bleachers behind. The grass berm is just it sounds like—a grassy hill along the third base line in the outfield. Sunday games start at 5:05 p.m., and other games start at 7:05 p.m. And, for those who haven’t been to the park in awhile: a baseball game is usually around three hours long.

For the best view of home plate, grab a seat in the bleachers. To relax and enjoy a laid back evening at the ballpark, or if your kids are little enough that you’d be worried about bleacher seating, try the berm. For hot summer afternoons, be aware that the park isn’t shaded. By 6 p.m. in mid-June, about half of the berm was shaded. By 7 p.m., most of the berm was shaded, but the bleachers stayed in the sun.

Know before you go: you’ll be using port-a-potties for your facilities so bring along hand sanitizer and extra wipes.

What can I bring?
Blankets, chairs and shade umbrellas are all good to go. Feel free to make yourselves comfortable on the grass berm. Common courtesy prevailed on our visit, with chairs on the top and bottom of the berm, and blankets on the slope. No outside food is allowed, or outside alcohol, but water bottles are fine.

The Food
There might not be peanuts or Cracker Jack for sale, but there’s other typical ballpark food for sale: hot dogs, burgers, pizza and soft pretzels, to start. This being the Pickles, you can also buy a honking pickle on a stick, or a deep-fried pickle if you dare. On nights when “kids eat free,” you’ll get a ticket that’s good for a free hot dog. Mom and dad will find a surprising number of microbrews to choose from, but you’ll have to check out several tents for the different selections.

Family Fun
On our visit, players were happy to give high-fives to little fans along the fence, and some stayed for autographs after the game. Mascot Dillon Pickle will happily take a picture with you if he’s not busy getting up to  shenanigans on the field between innings. And don’t miss the kids fun zone near first base, with a bouncy castle the night we visited. Bouncing and a baseball game for $6? That’s a bargain.

Schedule 
Click here for the full schedule. We suggest getting your ticket now as the last game is coming up on August 11.

Online: portlandpicklesbaseball.com

Have you been see the Pickles yet? Let us know in the comments!

—Kelley Gardiner

In the midst of all the summer concert hullabaloo, there’s one music series you might miss, and later kick yourself for forgetting, especially because it’s completely free! Kicking off its 76th season, the Stern Grove Festival is returning to the stage for another summer full of free shows. Starting June 16th (that’s Father’s Day weekend) and running through mid August, Sunday afternoons in the Grove will be bustling with crowds of picnickers on the terraced lawns of this beautiful outdoor venue. As you walk through the park, you’ll find toddlers stretched out on blankets with their parents, friends pouring wine into paper cups, and food everywhere you look. Read on to find out all the details about how to make the most of this free summer series in the park.

Getting There
Parking is limited around Stern Grove, but if you’re going to find a spot, you might want to consider parking along one of the nearby avenues (20th Ave, 21st Ave, Wawona, etc.)

If possible, try taking public transportation to the Grove. Both the 23-Monterey and 28-19th Avenue stop right at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard at the park entrance. The M Ocean View or the K Ingleside both stop at St. Francis Circle. From there, walk west one block to 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard.

If you’re biking in, there’s a bike valet at the entrance to the Grove (19th Ave & Sloat Blvd). From there, it’s a beautiful walk down into the canyon surrounded by trees. The valet opens at 10:00 am and remains open until one hour after the end of the concert. No bikes are allowed on the festival grounds.

What to Bring
Blankets or lawn chairs are a necessity. Chances are you’ll be sitting on the terraced lawn, West Meadow, or hillside and you’ll be thankful you brought something along to sit on. Picnic tables are awarded to families by raffle and benches are reserved for seniors and the disabled and one guest. This leaves the grass, where you can stake an 8×10 claim, or the hillside.

Pack the sweaters. It’s summer, but after all, this is San Francisco. While the weather could be comfortable in the Grove, it definitely can get chilly towards the later afternoon.

Get there early
People show up as early as 10:00 am to stake out a spot for the 2:00 pm concert, so early birds definitely have the advantage here. As a reward for showing up beforehand, families have access to special activities just for kids from 12:00 pm -1:00 pm on the KidStage, with everything from art-making,  to Instrumental Petting Zoos to keep the little ones entertained.

The concerts begin at 2:00 pm and last until around 4:30 pm, with world-class acts bringing on the world music, classical, jazz beats, and more. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and introduce the kids to the arts – one of the reasons the festival was founded 76 years ago!

The Lineup
The Stern Grove Music Festival traditionally brings in some pretty big names, which makes the fact that the shows are free all the sweeter! Check out some of the performing acts for the 2013 season:

June 16 – The Big Picnic Starring Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs
July 7 – San Francisco Symphony
July 14 – Kronos Quartet
July 28 – The San Francisco Ballet
August 4 – Shuggie Otis, The Relatives
August 11 – Pink Martini, La Santa Cecilia
August 18 – The San Francisco Opera

Check out the complete lineup here.

Insider Tips:
– A large part of the oncoming crowd finds refuge up on the dirt hillside, so if you’re late (or even if you’re early) be prepared to walk up the slippery slope. (And back down again for a potty break.) You may not be able to see the performers close up on the stage from here, but you’ll be able to hear them beautifully. There’s also more access to shade in this area. If you prefer to remain lower to the ground, there’s also the less crowded West Meadow, but you won’t be able to see the main stage from here.

– Bathroom are located at the Trocadero Clubhouse, on the southeast end of esplanade, and west meadow entrance.

– You can bring your own picnic lunch to the concert, as well as beer and wine. No alcohol is sold at the event, but food is available on site at the Grove Café.

What concert are you most excited about seeing this summer?

–Renee Rutledge

all photos courtesy of the Stern Grove Festival facebook page