Most SoCal kids are immersed in distance learning––so add some fun to their virtual classes (or play-dates!) with Zoom backgrounds that will show off their city spirit. From mama and baby hippo at the San Diego Zoo to a gorgeous bayside sunset, these playful screenscapes are sure to brighten up your student’s online school day.
Your kids can take a screengrab of this absolutely gorgeous shot of San Diego's own USS Midway Museum––the largest aircraft carrier in the world that you can tour––to wow their classmates. Bonus: Did you know kids can score free admission to the USS Midway Museum now through Dec. 15th? Check out the details here.
'Kelp' yourself to this soothing background from The Birch Aquarium. The gorgeous colors and serene marine life make us want to dive right in! Find similar backgrounds here.
Stop classmates in their tracks with this magnificent shot of Balboa Park. And, if you're a Star Wars fan, you have to check out this galaxy of work. May the force, and the zoom background, be with you!
Stadium seats may be empty this year, but you can still root, root, root for the home team with this gorgeous shot of Petco Park. Just save the image to your computer and upload it as a "virtual background" to your chat. We're calling this a home run!
Strike a creative chord with one of these artsy and beautiful backgrounds from Lux Art Institute in North County. We know all the mini-Monets out there will love this one.
Want a super cool background that also spreads awareness for a very important San Diego cause? Try one of these Feeding San Diego branded zoom backgrounds. We can't think of a better way to show kindness and support a local movement than showing off one of these virtual backgrounds to the class.
Add some San Diego warmth to your online day with these picturesque backgrounds. These iconic shots from Torrey Pines and Windansea Beach bring a strong dose of joy to any zoom call.
Transform your room into a virtual reality by tapping into Visit San Diego's library of images. This one will have your little one wanting to take a stroll by the bay before dinner.
In this Zoom background, baby hippo Amahle is exploring her Lost Forest home with her attentive mother Funani. Animal lovers of all ages will go wild for these backgrounds from San Diego Zoo. Kids can choose from a wide array of creatures to grace their screen including giraffes, koalas, elephants, polar bears, rhinos and more.
A shot of Scripps Pier at sunset is quintessential San Diego. The glistening Pacific Ocean and golden skies will make any virtual class feel a little more manageable. UC San Diego has plenty of gorgeous images of our shining city to download here.
It can be hard to imagine that SpongeBob was ever anymore childlike than he already is, but now fans can get a look at what their favorite square, yellow sponge was like as a 10-year-old. Nickelodeon has just announced a new SpongeBob spin-offKamp Koral.
According to Variety, new SpongeBob series will follow the adventures of a young SpongeBob and a Patrick as they attend summer sleepaway camp “building underwater campfires, catching wild jellyfish, and swimming in Lake Yuckymuck at the craziest camp in the kelp forest.”
10-Year-Old Spongebob Will Star In CG Spinoff Series ‘Kamp Koral’: The new series raises questions about how the network will use the characters following the death of show creator Stephen Hillenburg. https://t.co/vRWh9z3fGx
— cartoonbrew.com – Animation News (@cartoonbrew) June 6, 2019
“SpongeBob has an incredible universe to expand upon and the greenlight for Kamp Koral is a testament to the strength and longevity of these characters known and loved by generations of fans around the world,” said Ramsey Naito, EVP of animation production and development atNickelodeon.
No word yet on when the new show will air, but it’s scheduled to start production at the studio this month.
The Monterey Bay has been a center of activity throughout the central coast’s history. Now home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, at the site of historical Hovden Cannery, the Aquarium welcomes close to two million visitors per year. You and your mini aquarists will be captivated by the natural exhibits, marine life and daily educational programs. Dip into our insider’s guide and be submerged in everything this ocean conservation facility has to offer.
Getting Started If it’s been a while since your last visit to the Aquarium or if it’s your first, be sure to grab a map from one of the friendly staff members at the entrance. There is a lot to see and do, get familiar with the feedings and program times and plan accordingly. Check out the map in advance or download their free app and get the most out of your visit.
(Tip: stop by the information desk at the front and get a security/lost child wrist band for your little ones. They will enjoy picking a cool design and you will rest assured that if you were to separate, security will reach you at the number you provide. Also, don’t forget to mention if you’re celebrating a special event: birthday, anniversary, etc.) Restrooms and Bookstore are nearby, if you want to stop by before getting started.
Ooh, Baby!
For the first time ever, anywhere, the animal care staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium has successfully cultured the beautiful and fragile spotted comb jelly. These fascinating, bioluminescent creatures are a rare treat to see in an aquarium, due to their extreme fragility that makes their keeping a challenge.The newly hatched jellies are now on exhibit in the Drifter’s Gallery in the Open Sea.
Do Not Miss
The 28 foot Kelp Forest, with up to 2,000 gallons of sea water pumped through it per minute, is one of the tallest aquarium exhibits in the world.Watching the swaying kelp will be relaxing to you and your little ones will enjoy playing I spy the leopard shark, California sheephead and various other species that live in this exhibit. Be sure to stop by the touch pools to pet a Bat Ray and catch a Wave Crash.
Up the stairs is the breathtaking Open Sea, the aquarium’s largest exhibit. The 90-foot window gives you a fish eye view of Green sea turtle, Pelagic stingray, schools of shiny Pacific sardine and other amazing marine life. The Ocean sunfish will be a big hit with it’s interesting half-fish body and vertical fins. Don’t pass up the Puffins! These seabirds are not only cute, they’re social and lots of fun to watch. Your little bird watchers will love seeing them come up to the window for some interaction. (Tip: While there explore the Soaring with Seabirds play area. The whole family will learn about the life of a seabird through educational play, including a flight simulator video and a life-size nesting area.)
Nearby you’ll find the many jellies on exhibit: Sea nettle, Moon jelly, Crystal jelly, to name a few. These graceful, translucent invertebrates are quite a sight. Stay together as this is a highly-visited area, with interactive displays and lots to see.
(Tip: If your little beachgoers are fans of collecting Sand dollars, head to the Monterey Bay Habitats and see some live ones. You’ll notice how fuzzy with cilia (tiny hairs) they are and your junior scientists can try to guess how old they are by counting the growth rings on the plates of the exoskeleton.)
Learn Something New
There are various feedings and programs throughout the day, check out the schedule for times and descriptions. The Penguin and Otter feeding are very popular, so arrive early to get a good viewing spot. Our favorite is the Kelp Forest feeding. You will enjoy the live presentation by the diver hand-feeding the shark, fish and other animals in this exhibit. You can also catch a 15-minute Auditorium Program, where you’ll take an in-depth look at the work and research the aquarium is doing. Or consider scheduling a tour, where you’ll go behind the scenes, explore special exhibits and even help feed some fish! There’s even a special Family Tour with hands-on activities, geared toward families with children under 8 years old.
Good to Know: All tours are for ages 6 years and up, except for the Family Tour.
What’s New?
Be sure to visit the Aquarium’s special exhibits, ¡Viva Baja! and Tentacles. ¡Viva Baja! features animals from the coastal and desert habitats of Baja California. Some of our favorites were the Bluespotted jawfish keeping busy digging and spitting out sand from its den with its mouth. The desert tortoise with its dense scales suitable for desert living and the swaying, grass-like Garden eels were also fun to spot. As you head out, be sure to create your own fish to add to the digital coral reef.
Tentacles is a hub of all things cephalopod. From art, sculptures to creating your own cephalopod selfie, you’ll be engaged with these fascinating creatures. Some of the highlights include Giant Pacific octopus, Flamboyant cuttlefish and Chambered nautilus.
(Tip: While there, stop by the Vanishing Wildlife exhibit, to get a better understanding of the impact our food consumption has on wildlife. The interactive, educational visuals will keep the kiddos engaged and you can grab yourself a Seafood Watch guide.)
photo: Nella DuBon-Koch
Keep an Eye Out
Ever wonder what it’s like to explore the deep sea? You can get an idea when you visit Mission to the Deep. A 360-degree video projection takes you deep into the oceans’ midnight zone. Learn about the incredible animals that inhabit those depths, the Aquariums’ Research Institute and get an interactive, close-up view of a robotic Remotely Operated Vehicle, key in gathering data from the seafloor.
Splash Zone
Here families can explore over 45 interactive exhibits in English and Spanish. Have fun in the Coral Play area, dive into the kelp forest touch pools, explore a rocky shore and meet the Penguins! Babies 0-3 months can safely learn and discover in the Coral Reef Kingdom, an area specifically for infants and toddlers up to 34 inches tall. (Tip: Make use of the stroller parking here and enjoy everything hands-on)
photo: Nella DuBon-Koch
Take a Break
Exploring can be tiring, thankfully the aquarium caters to families with children of all ages. You can find restrooms on every floor, with changing stations, nursing chairs and electrical outlets for your needs. Next to the Soaring with Seabirds play area, you’ll find a private nursing nook with comfortable club chairs, soothing video visuals, nursery books and spacious changing area, ideal for nursing moms with babies. You can also find various remote bench areas throughout the aquarium, perfect for a break from the crowds.
Family Activities
Visit the Family Activities page for downloadable activities to do before or after or to bring with you on your visit. Critter Go Fish, ABC Search and Make a Shark Headdress were lots of fun.
When to Visit
The Fall and Winter months are the Aquariums’ less-visited times. You’ll also find fewer visitors on weekdays and after 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the best days to visit during the peak summer months.
photo: Nella DuBon-Koch
What to Bring
The close proximity to the coast can make weather conditions variable—layers are your best bet, even in the summer. There are lockers for personal use on Hovden Way, just beyond the members’ entrance. There’s a lot of area to cover so wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle to fill at the various refill stations. Strollers are welcomed except in the aviary and mezzanine of the Otter exhibit. No food or drink may be consumed inside the Aquarium, however, there is plenty of outside seating where you can enjoy a packed picnic and take in the views.
The Cafe is the Aquariums’ self-serve eatery, offering casual foods including brick-oven pizza, made-to-order burgers and fresh salads. There’s plenty of seating with views of the Bay. The Restaurant is a full-service spot offering seasonal dishes such as Whole Roasted Trout, Sautéed Mussels, a full wine list, children’s menu and beautiful ocean views. The Coffee Bar is centrally located with an assortment of drinks, organic coffees and pastries.
Getting There
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located in Monterey at the west end of historic Cannery Row. Hop aboard the MST (Monterey-Salinas Transit) trolley for a fun and free ride to the Aquarium. The trolley stops in downtown Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row and the Aquarium. Parking is available in the Downtown East Garage at 340 Tyler Street in Monterey, for a flat rate of $7 a day. There’s a trolley pick-up point located across from the garage. Click here for more trolley and parking info.
Admission/Hours General admission: $49.95/Adult; $39.95/Students 13-17 or college ID; $39.95/Seniors; $29.95/Child 3-12; children 3 and under are free.
Members are always free and get to skip the lines! Membership is a great option for families as it typically pays for itself in two visits.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Summer hours: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. with extended Saturday hours for members
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
831-648-4800 Online: montereybayaquarium.org
What is your favorite exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium? Please share with us below!
–Nella DuBon-Koch
Photos: Monterey Bay Aquarium, except where noted.
Little tree-huggers, take note: Earth Day is on Wednesday April 22, and there are loads of LA activities that will educate while you celebrate. From river cleanups to festivals, a party with Fairy Mother Earth and super blooming hikes, here are our 15 favorite ways to hop on the reduce/reuse/recycle (eco-friendly electric) bus.
Not Your Last Resort
Spend the day enjoying just how gorgeous our earth is at this seaside resort with spectacular views. For kids there are storybook reading and workshops highlighting how to recycle and compost at the Educational Green Wall. There’s also a wildflower planting station and Earth Day hikes, and grownups can join in the Kelp Forest Kyak Cleanup. Venture down the cliffs to play in the tidepools, and then end your day with an outdoor dinner as the sun sets. Learn more about this event.
When: Saturday, April 22 at various times
Where: Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
photo: Terranea Resort
How will you honor our planet this year? We’d love to know; meet us in the comment section below!
In a city that’s inspired the likes of tech powerhouses like Amazon and Microsoft, it’s no wonder that so many creative and innovate mom-run businesses call Seattle home too. From indie record producers to soft drink revolutionaries, we’ve got the deets on all things cool from some of Seattle’s most amazing mompreneurs. Click through the gallery to meet these mamas and find out their mommy-knows-best secrets to parenting success.
Ami Karnosh
Yummy Mummy Cookie owner, Ami Karnosh loves making delish, nutrient-dense cookies that derive minerals and vitamins from nettles, chia seeds and even kelp, for moms and their families. And when she’s not busy baking, she’s hanging with her daughter, Sophia.
Where she’ll be on a sunny day: Karnosh and her family can be found cruising around the neighborhood or the Burke Gilman Trail on their bikes, or picnicking alongside the animals at the zoo, when the sun is shining. Recently though they’ve taken to climbing the outdoor wall at the Northshore YMCA. Super fun!
Her must-have mom product: Running a close second to her own Yummy Mummy Cookies, is the Hyland’s Kids’ Kit, a homeopathic kit that’s perfect for everything from little bumps to fevers. She loves giving both as gifts to new moms!
The best thing about being a Seattle mom: With so many things to do both indoors and out, adventures are all around. Karnosh also loves the many support groups and meet-up groups around the city, and takes full advantage of the many family-friendly restaurants and businesses where she can get through the daily checklist while the kids play.
photo: Kristen Bontadell
Do you know a Seattle mompreneur we should meet? Tell us about her in a comment below.
So you’re stuck in traffic, day-dreaming of a place to get away from it all. Perhaps a beautiful island. An unpopulated, unspoiled little island – where traffic noises are unheard of (literally) and peace and serenity reigns supreme. Then – honk! – the light changes and you remember you live in LA: where traffic is a fact of life and an island like that would take at least a day (and a few thousand dollars) to fly to. Right? Wrong.
Take a trip to Anacapa Island the smallest–and closest–of the Channel Islands, eleven miles off the coast of Ventura. Cruise across the sunny sea through a shroud of fog to emerge on your own Galapagos-like sanctuary. It’s a couple of hours, yet a whole world away. It’s great for a relaxing girlfriend or romantic getaway, but it’s also a perfect place to explore with kids.
Clapping Seals, Flapping Birds Step off the boat and be greeted by the lonely homing call of Anacapa’s lighthouse, happy barking seals and sea lions, and most notably, the occasional cries of hundreds of seagulls that would send Tippi Hedren running for cover. Fear not! These are not the angry birds of a Hitchcockian nightmare; predator-free Anacapa is the proud birthplace of nearly every seagull in California, along with many other endemic species of wildlife and plants. If you visit in spring you’ll ascend Anacapa’s towering lava cliffs to a breathtaking forest of Giant Coreopsis that blanket the island in brilliant yellow.
Get Packing and Get Packers No cries of “Are we there yet” on this trip – getting there is half the fun. Hop an Island Packers ferry in the morning and arrive at Anacapa in less than an hour. Along the way, get up close and personal with sea lions lounging on buoys. Snap pictures of the dolphins, like, surfing in the wake of the ferry, dude. If you’re lucky you might even spot a few whales making their annual 10,000 mile journey between Baja and the Arctic waters. (And you thought getting across town from Silverlake to the Westside was hard.) Boats leave daily from Ventura and Oxnard harbors. Check the schedule as time of departure changes with the day of week and season.
You’re On Island Time Now After you dock plan to spend about four hours on Anacapa, which has a two mile loop trail that even the tiniest tyke-hikers can manage with ease. Leave the stroller at home unless you fancy the idea of lugging it 157 steps up a steel rung ladder from the dock; Bjorn babies and Ergo-mamas will be much happier.
Once on top, volunteer rangers provide narrated tours of the island or you can strike out on your own to Inspiration Point, Cathedral Cove, and Pinniped Point for breathtaking views of kelp forests and cove dwelling sea creatures below. (Take care to stay on paths and away from the soft dirt cliff edges at all times.) Break for a leisurely lunch at the picnic tables, or at the small campground along the trail. Stop off at the visitor center and discover the rich history of the Chumash people, and the underwater world of this island lost in time.
Key Things to Know Before You Go
What to bring: Anything and everything you want to eat! There is no place to buy food or drinks (not even water) on Anacapa Island, so stock up. Make like a Boy Scout and “Be prepared”, or your kiddo just might make you “Be miserable”.
What to wear: One word: layers. The ferry ride gets chilly, especially as it makes it way through banks of fog that often surround Anacapa. Once on the island there are no trees or shade, so a floppy hat will be your best friend. Sunscreen is a necessity, too. Keep a sweatshirt handy for the fog that rolls on and off the island throughout the day.
When to go: Spring is gorgeous and not too hot, but summer and fall adventures are lovely on the islands as well. You can even come in the winter, as the parks are open year round, but to be frank, kids (and therefor YOU) won’t enjoy the boat ride here as much when the temp turns frigid.
Can you stay? Well, yes, you can. Camping is permitted (with a reservation and $15 fee), but as you have to tote every single thing you’ll need for your visit with you, it’s not a very kid-friendly camping experience.
Got big kids? We have to admit, while we love leisurely hikes with tots on this tiny refuge, if your family consists of more active tweeners and teens, they might prefer visiting Anacapa during a restoration day, held weekly throughout spring and summer. Volunteers help rid Anacapa of non-native ice plant and work in the island nursery. Ferry transportation is provided free of charge and students are always welcome.
Have you taken an island trip to Anacapa? Do you have any tips for visiting this family-friendly destination with kids? Let us know in the comments below.
–Jennifer Wolfe
Photos courtesy of Analise Dubner, Derek Lohuis via the National Park Service, and Infernal fox via Wikimedia Commons
