Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in greater los angeles, CA

Four Places To Get a Taste of Farm Life

March 10, 2009

1.  Orange Grove at Cal State Northridge:  Driving east or west on Nordhoff Avenue between Lindley and Zelzah, look north and you will see the Orange Grove of CSUN.  The oranges are not harvested, but university inherited the trees when it took over the tract of land in 1956, according to the school's publication, The Daily Sundial.  As the old orange groves in the valley were decimated to make way for building development, CSUN's grove has remained a citrus oasis in our ever growing desert of stone and brick.  Now that the university has relocated its koi pond and installed a lighted pathway through the grove, this stand of orange trees is an even nicer pocket of green and a good place for children to run and explore.

2.  There is a house on the west side of Louise Ave. just north of Victory whose front yard is decorated with rusting antique farm equipment.  It is on a shady stretch of the street and would make an interesting stop on your way to or from somewhere else to marvel at the oddities in the front yard.

3.  Pierce College has agriculture and veterinary programs and every spring they open up the doors and gates for the community to come see what they are working on.  This year the event, called Pierce College Farm Walk, will be held on Sunday, April 19 from 9 to 5.  Local blogger Aprilbaby has pretty pictures of last year's event.

4.  Tapia Brothers farm in Encino has been there for so long that it's a multi-generational valley tradition.  Visit every season for a different specialty, including the upcoming Tomatomania on March 27.  Read more...

L.A. County Fair: Ferris wheels, pigs, Barbie, oh my! Ticket giveaway!

by Kim Tracy Prince

September 05, 2008

It's that time again, everybody. Time for the Los Angeles County Fair! I haven't been to The Fair since before I had children. Now that my kids are bit older, I can't wait to go. The opportunities for fun and learning seem endless. Petting zoos, exotic foods, carnival rides, environmental exhibits, competitions, and popular characters are only the beginning of what The Fair has to offer. The  Read more...