This Weekend In Our Area

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Summer is winding down and that means we need to soak up as much of it as we can whether that be spending time outside or just taking part in activities that might go away as the weather cools off. We know just what you need for the last weeks of summer. This weekend has some exciting goings on! For more events in the area check out the calendar.

The Long Beach BBQ Festival (An hour away from Montecito at Dos Lagos)

From August 28-30 at the Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach you can get the best barbecue on the West Coast. There will be a multitude of concerts and musical acts for you to enjoy while you munch on your delicious dishes. On Friday from 5-11 you can get dance lessons from AJ Gibbs. His take on Zydeco (a form of folk dance) will have you grooving all night long. On Saturday from noon until 11 PM you can see the Texas House Party, Stone Soul and Men In Crisis. Western swing meets cowboy boogie, classic soul and motown and classic rock & blues will have you rocking well into the night. To see more of the musical lineup for the festival check here. This whole event is family friendly: Children 12 and under are admitted to the festival for free! Don’t forget to grab your free e-photo in our dress up booth!


American Idol Live! (20 minutes from Dos Lagos)

One of the most successful music competition shows in television history is coming to the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside on August 28. Attendees will get an up close and personal show with the top 5 competitors from Season 14. Each top 5 contestant will showcase their individual skills and talents all set to a live band! You won’t want to miss out on this experience.


Chris D’Elia Comedy Show (40 minutes from Dos Lagos)

Comedian Chris D’Elia will be performing his comedy show at the Brea Improv Comedy Show on Saturday the 29th. If you miss is first show at 7, you can catch him again at 9:30. D’Elia has been performing stand up comedy since he was 16 years old and has a unique style of comedy. “It's hard for me to write a joke where I don't end up on the ground for some reason,” D’Elia joked. Expect to see a different brand of comedy than you’re probably used to.

Mini Vacations That Won't Break the Bank

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Summer is coming to a close soon. For some of us that means the end of a long season of vacations and weekend trips and fun! But for the rest of us who didn’t have the chance to go anywhere it means opportunities lost. So for those who didn’t get out of Corona this summer you can still take a last minute day trip somewhere nearby without breaking the bank.

Crystal Cove State Park is a gorgeous expanse of land located off of the Pacific Coast Highway. The collection of beaches, trails and canyons is yours to explore and even camp out at. The waters offshore are considered an underwater park and are open for scuba diving. The beach is great for surfing, swimming and boogie boarding. For camping, they offer primitive campsites as well as sites for RV’s and trailers. To reserve your campsite head here. All of the trails are open not only for hiking and biking but for horseback riding as well. Crystal Cove State Park is located about an hour away from Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments.

Laguna Beach known for its pristine and sprawling beaches and amazing shopping and dining. The hidden coves and tidepools of the beach are beautiful to explore. Some of the beaches have volleyball and basketball courts open to anyone who wants them and you can usually find a game in progress to join in on. If you’ve brought your furry companion along with you for the trip, they are only allowed on city beaches before 9 AM and after 6 PM during summer months. But if your pup wants to romp around freely, there is a dog park available for them to play in sans leash. You can relax by signing up for a beach yoga class or talk to an expert who is available for beach tours and educating you on the tidepool ecosystem. You might catch a movie out on the beach or if you’re lucky attend a concert! There is so much to do at Laguna Beach that you won’t want to spend only one day here! Laguna Beach is located an hour away from Montecito at Dos Lagos.

Aquarium of the Pacific, located an hour and a half away from Dos Lagos Apartments in Long Beach, is so big that you’ll need a full day to get through the whole building! The two floors of the aquarium are filled with everything from jellyfish and but penguins and sea otters too. Admission packages are available with scouting trips to search for blue whales, a harbor tour of the on of the most active ports in the world and Los Angeles zoo admission! The aquarium is home to a theater showing 3D movies about some of the creatures who call the aquarium and the Pacific home. To learn more about the exciting exhibits and events at the Aquarium of the Pacific, check here.

While summer might be winding down, that doesn’t mean you don’t have time for a trip. You don’t have to spend a week away to have a relaxing time and you definitely don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars to have fun. These day trips are far enough away to feel like you’re taking a trip but close enough that it’s still inexpensive.

International Homeless Animals Day: Spreading Awareness

Image courtesy of Pixabay

This Saturday, August 15, is International Homeless Animals Day a day to educate and inform people about the overpopulation of animals and the spay and neuter solution. Animals are abandoned by their owners every single day or are left to shelters and rely on their kindness and goodwill. Today, International Homeless Animals Day has been celebrated with events across the entire United States, in 50 countries and on 6 continents.

At the Corona Animal Shelter you can help a homeless animal find their forever home. The adoption fee is only $15 if the dog or cat is already spayed or neutered. The cost of spaying or neutering an animal is anywhere from $40 to $90 depending on the size of the animal. The Corona Animal Shelter is dedicated to the care of animals and people in the community. To check out a list of the animals available for adoption right now head to the Adopt-a-Pet page. You’re only a quick 15 minute drive away from finding your new best friend at the Corona Animal Shelter.

Very soon however, the Corona Animal Shelter will be moving to Magnolia Avenue to a brand new animal shelter! The new shelter will be healthier and safer for the animals housed there. The new shelter will feature sanitary fiberglass panels to protect the dogs from infections. There will be isolation kennels far removed from the rest of the population of dogs in the event of an illness to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the dogs. The cats will be kept in comfortable condos and will have their own ventilation system to prevent respiratory illnesses like the one that swept through the shelter 4 years ago. This new shelter will be a great new temporary home to these animals while they wait to find their new families!

At Animal Friends of the Valleys, you can find a new furry friend in every pen. Right now, with every accepted application, cats are only $5 to adopt! Your new fluffy companion is there waiting for you! Every Saturday you can go to the Temecula Petco and see an adoption show to find a new friend to adopt. The shelter offers spaying/neutering and all the major shots and vaccinations needed to keep your new family member healthy and happy in their new lives with you.

International Homeless Animal Day is meant to raise awareness and spread knowledge about the overpopulation of animals. IHAD also teaches that the easiest solution to overpopulation is spaying and neutering your pets! So if you bring home a new pet with you from one of these shelters make sure to get it fixed to prevent adding to the overpopulation problems we’re already facing. We hope you find your new family member at one of the shelters!



Additional Sources
Press Enterprise.com
International Society for Animals Rights

Tom's Farms

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Tom’s Farms is a family owned operation located a quick 5 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments. What started as a humble produce stand in Lake Elsinore has now expanded to a sprawling spread of stores, restaurants and plenty of family entertainment. There is always something fun going on at Tom’s Farms for you to experience. And don’t forget to pick out some fresh produce to take home!

Every Saturday and Sunday you can catch a different musical act performing at Tom’s Farms from 1-4. This weekend you can see Sounds of Light perform live. The best part: it’s free! You can see some talented local acts rock out and serenade you while you munch on some delicious food. To see the calendar for the rest of the month check here.

Tom’s Farms is really a family place. There are so many family friendly activities that you won’t even know where to start! On Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2pm, you can see a magic show! Be wowed and amazed by the tricks and sleight of hand performed by these talented magicians. See one of those performances here. For smaller children you can take them to the construction scoops. Let them play in the dirt without getting dirty! The petting zoo, open from 11-5, is a great place for everyone of any age! Get up close and personal with goats, chickens, bunnies and other farm critters. The pony rides will make your child feel like a real cowboy or girl!

Test your aim at the shooting gallery. Each bullseye you make elicits a funny reaction from the characters in the gallery. If you’re interested in fossils and gemstones, you can head over to Tom’s Mining Company to excavate some beautiful stones and fossilized creatures and plant life.

If you’re the crafty type, the Big Craft Fair takes place every weekend from 10-6. Find those craft supplies you’ve been looking for or if you’re not a crafter, you can buy some already made projects to display in your home. You can just pretend that you made them yourself!

When you get to be hungry, there are so many options for you to choose from. For the best burgers around head to Tom’s Hamburgers! Big juicy burgers, fresh french fries, yummy soups, even breakfast! The choices are endless. Señor Tom’s serves up the best Mexican style food this side of the Rio Grande. Pick yourself up a delicious burrito or fajita before you leave.

When your sweet tooth starts calling you need to head to the sweet shop. You can find everything from taffies and fudges to brittes, gummies and gumballs. There is even an array of sugar free candies to browse. Grab yourself a jar of tasty jelly or jam! They go amazingly on toast!

There are so many things to do at Tom’s Farms. Even though it’s a short distance from us at Dos Lagos Apartments, it can turn into a day trip or a whole weekend trip if you’re up to it! To stay true to Tom’s original values, “the produce is still fresh, the people are still genuine, and visitors are always welcome. Tom wouldn't like it any other way.”


Sources consulted:
Tom’s Farms

Summer Concerts Headed Our Way

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Summer is a time for concerts. Whether it be from a seat in a stadium or from a picnic blanket on a lawn, concerts are an amazing experience. This summer in our area, there are so many opportunities to partake in a musical experience that you will never forget. No matter what genres of music you enjoy, there is a concert or musical act coming nearby that you’re sure to enjoy.

The Canadian rock band Rush will be hurrying into Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre Thursday to rock your socks off. The Toronto based band will play hits such as Working Man, 2112 and the quintessential Rush song, Tom Sawyer. You won’t want to miss this monumental show. Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre is only a 40 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments.

August rolls in bringing with it Darius Rucker! The South Carolina country star has hits like Homegrown Honey and Wagon Wheel while pulling out some old classics from his days in Hootie and the Blowfish like I Only Want to Be With You. The show takes place on August 1 at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre.

Vans Warped Tour will take over Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego next month on August 5. Warped Tour is an all day smorgasbord of musical acts that vary in genre. With bands like Asking Alexandria, blessthefall, Metro Station, The Voice contestant Juliet Simms and Riff Raff, there will be something for everyone! The drive, while long at a little over an hour, will be worth it when you experience the multitude of acts you’ll get to see packed into one day, with one ticket!

Kelly Clarkson and internet sensation Pentatonix will be hitting the Staples Center in Los Angeles on August 19! With hits like Heartbeat Song, Since You Been Gone and Catch My Breath, Ms. Clarkson will bring the house down! Newcomers Pentatonix bring their versions of some popular songs like Cheerleader and Rather Be while saving the best for last with a Michael Jackson medley of songs. The Staples Center is an hour’s drive from Montecito at Dos Lagos but well worth the trip to see Kelly Clarkson and Pentatonix take the stage.

This summer is overflowing with artists and musical acts heading nearby that you won’t want to miss for the world. With a little something for every person regardless of age and genre preference, there is no reason to stay home for the rest of the summer! These shows will be intense and sure to wow you.

Sources Consulted
Wikipedia
Setlist.fm
Vans Warped Tour
Kelly Clarkson.com

Summer in Corona

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Summer in Corona is as fun as you make it out to be. If you’re looking for a good time, good times will find you. There are plenty of fun and activities in Corona for you to take part in. From painting to concerts, it never ends. Find out how you could be spending the rest of your summer.


The days feel like they’re only getting hotter! When it’s time to cool off, the Citrus Park Splash Zone is here to help. The Splash Zone is great for when the sun just gets to be too much and best of all: it’s free! Make sure to wear proper attire to the Splash Zone and bring your water shoes! The Splash Zone is open until September 30 from 10-10 every day. Citrus Park is located only 8 minutes away from us at Montecito at Dos Lagos.


If you want to get inside and away from the heat for a while you can head to Creative Souls Lounge for some painting and wine! Sign up for a session and you can have a talented instructor walk you and some friends step by step through creating your very own masterpiece. In the Paint and Sip sessions you can bring your own bottle of wine to loosen you up before tackling your painting! They also offer classes for younger ones to get their creative juices flowing. Take a look at their scheduled classes and sign yourself and some friends up for a painting session. The short 15 minute drive to the studio will be worth it when you get to bring home your beautiful painting!


After long days in the sun, you can cap off the day with a fantastic concert in the City Hall South Lawn. There are two more left in the series and you don’t want to miss them. Coming up this week you can catch the Band Fresh, who will play you everything from top 40 to country to R&B. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and purchase your food there at the park and enjoy a free concert courtesy of City Hall. City Hall South Lawn is only a 13 minute drive away from Dos Lagos apartments.


There are plenty of things to keep you entertained this summer in Corona for little to no money! When you find yourself bored and with nothing to do, don’t fret! Corona is filled with fun for you to have all summer long.


What’s your favorite cheap activity to do in the summertime?

Sources Consulted
Discover Corona
See California

National Picnic Month in Corona

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

July is National Picnic Month and with this summer being so beautiful, there are plenty of opportunities to head out to one of our beautiful local parks for a gathering. Whether they be big or small, alcohol laden or not, picnics are the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the company of friends or just enjoy the solitude. All of the parks are within a 20 minute drive from Montecito at Dos Lagos apartments so you won’t need to go out of your way for a little relaxing picnic. So grab your checkered blanket and your wicker basket full of goodies and get yourself to one of Corona’s beautiful local parks.

Our gorgeous Citrus Park is 20 acres of beautiful land and activities to enjoy. The park is fully ADA accessible so everyone can enjoy it. The playground equipment will keep the kids occupied and entertained while you enjoy your picnic. Catch a softball game at the softball fields in the park. Then, if the sun is starting to beat down a little too hotly, take yourself over to the splash zone to cool off before heading back to the picnic blanket. Citrus Park is only a 20 minute drive from Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments.

Double the size of Citrus Park, Butterfield Park has a lot to offer! The 43 acres of land offer places for barbecues and covered pavilions for gatherings and parties. Butterfield Park also has a dog park for your four legged companions to play in. The playground equipment is fun for the kids and maybe even the adults if you can swing it! The soccer fields and softball fields are a great place to watch games and enjoy the day. Finish off the day with a scenic run on the jogging course. Butterfield Park is nearby with only a 20 minute drive separating you from the beautiful grounds.

Located in the heart of Corona near E. Grand Boulevard, City Park’s 20 acres are a perfect place to throw your picnic blanket down. Bicycle racks encourage visitors to ditch the 4 wheels and hop on their bikes to travel. The horseshoe courts are a great distraction during your picnic. With basketball courts, soccer fields and volleyball courts, there’s no excuse not to have fun at City Park. After your picnic, take it to the brink at the skate park but make sure you’re wearing a helmet! City Park is a short 13 minute drive away from Dos Lagos Apartments.

While it’s the smallest park, with only 13 acres, it still has plenty to do while on the grounds. Eagle Glen Park is a small treasure and with only a 4 minute drive, it’s the closest park to our apartment complex! The park boasts beautiful soccer and softball fields as well as tennis courts. Let the kids romp around on the playground equipment before retreating to the barbecue areas to cook up some delicious food.


Sources Cited
City of Corona
Discover Corona