Corona Pumpkin Patches

Colorful leaves, hot chocolate, cozy blankets: these are just a few of the things that most exemplify the fall season. But there’s one thing that you absolutely must do during fall. You have to go to a pumpkin patch! Picking out a pumpkin whether it be to carve, to set outside your house or to make pumpkin seeds from, is one of the most fun fall activities, especially if you have kids!

At the Pumpkin Factory, they do pumpkins best! Grown on the family farm, you and your family are welcome to explore the vast options and pick the best and orangest for your home. After you pick your perfect pumpkin, head on over to the rides and games for some fall fun. For the adventurous types, strap into a harness and hop on the bungee trampoline. Or climb into a giant orb and try walking on water. For those a little more timid or younger children, take a ride on the ATV train! This ride is good for the whole entire family! There are so many other rides at the Pumpkin Factory. To see the full list of rides available check here. The Pumpkin Factory is only a short 10 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos so you don’t have far to go to find your perfect pumpkin!

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

You can spend hours hunting through Tom’s Farms to find your favorite pumpkin. There are just so many! Tom’s Farms is a family business sprung up from a small produce stall on the side of the road. During the rest of the year, Tom’s Farms is a great place for fresh fruits and veggies, gourmet foods and sweets. During the fall season, it’s a pumpkin patch! Every weekend throughout October, you can guess the weight of a pumpkin. If you guess closest to the actual weight, you get to take the pumpkin home! If you stop by Tom’s Farms on October 24th or 31st you can participate in a pumpkin carving contest. The winners will receive a gift basket from the store. If you think you’re a creative carver and have a steady hand, make sure you enter the contest! Tom’s Farms is located 8 minutes away from our home at Dos Lagos.

Luckily for us both of these pumpkin patches opened last week so we have a full month to find the plumpest pumpkin! The most fun fall activity is getting to carve out a face in the pumpkin and displaying it proudly on your doorstep. Do you like carving pumpkins? What’s the best one you’ve ever carved? Share your pictures with us of your carvings!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Race for the Cure

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many are unaware of the steps that need to be taken in order to detect the disease in its early stages. That’s what this month is all about! Spreading information and in turn, awareness. Corona and the surrounding area is prepared to show its support and rally together to take the steps forward to bring the disease to an end!

The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the largest non-profit breast cancer foundation in the world today. Last year alone the foundation provided over 50,000 families affected by breast cancer with financial and social support. Susan G. Komen continues to grow every year by supporting research, spreading knowledge and providing grants to families affected by the disease.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

The biggest event for the Susan G. Komen foundation is the Race for the Cure which takes place all over the country during the month of October. This year the Inland Empire race takes place on October 18 and the foundation hopes to raise over $500,000 for breast cancer research!

On the day of the race, make sure to visit the interactive I AM THE CURE booth. While you’re there make a Curemitment. A Curemitment is “a commitment, a goal, a personal promise – to take one or more action steps that may reduce their breast cancer risk.” Or if you can’t make it to the race but you’d still like to make a Curemitment, you can do so online here! Check here to see how you can fulfill your commitment.

Costumes are optional but if you’re going to wear one, opt for a tutu! Wear a tutu on race day and take a picture of yourself wearing your tutu with a sign explaining why you think the funds raised are vital to the community! Make sure to share you photo on social media and tag it #DoYouTutu!

After your race, make sure you stick around for the Survivor Ceremony, recognizing the survivors of breast cancer in attendance as well as the awards ceremony. Once you finish your race, you’ll definitely be hungry so head over to the food court area to enjoy some delicious dishes from Carl’s Concessions, Juice It Up, Lil Miss Shortcakes, Papa Murphy’s and Kona Ice.

The race takes place on October 18th and the race village opens the doors at 6 AM. The 10K starts at 7 while the 5K doesn’t start until 8. There’s still plenty of time to register! Head here to register you or your team for the race. We hope to see you out there supporting such a great cause! This year’s race is located at the Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium, only 20 minutes away from our home at Montecito at Dos Lagos.

Get Back Into the Swing of Learning

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

The kids are all back in school and enlightening and enriching themselves with new knowledge. Some adults, after leaving school, stop the learning process. Just because we’re out of school doesn’t mean we should ever stop learning! There are always new things to learn and old skills to be improved upon. There are plenty of opportunities in the Corona area to learn new things. We’ve rounded up just a few to give you an idea of all of the potential just waiting for you to grab it!

If you’re trying to find a way to get into shape but just going to a regular old gym is unmotivating (we’re with you on that!) you might need a new method of fitness. That’s where Z Fit N Dance comes in. All week they have a number of different Zumba fitness classes to get you up and moving. Zumba is a mix of dance and aerobic movements that will get your heart pumping while still ensuring you’re having a great time while you’re doing it. Z Fit N Dance has classes all week at numerous times so check the schedule on Facebook to see what times are best for you.

If you’re the artsy type then this next location on our list are where you’ll want to be. The Ceramic Cupboard will take you from start to finish of a piece of ceramic. Or if you’re only interested in the painting, you can do just that. You can use the pottery wheel or just your hands to form your perfect project. Then, once you’ve fired the piece and it’s solid and dry, you can add your own personal touch to it with paint. The instructors at the Ceramic Cupboard will teach you all the different methods for doing each of these techniques and many different ways of completing the projects. They have lots of extras to help give your piece that little something extra like clockwork, music boxes and trivets. The Ceramic Cupboard lets you get creative with your project in any way you choose. They’re just here to guide you! Check here for a list of their classes and the availability of each class.

The best part about these locations is that they’re each located under 20 minutes away from our home at Montecito at Dos Lagos. When you’ve taken a few classes and completed a few ceramics projects, you can bring them back home and show them off in your apartment or even teach some others. An education is the gift that just keeps on giving! That’s why you should never stop in your quest to learn.

Happy Hour in Corona (And With a Corona)

Image courtesy of Pixabay

After a long, grueling day at work, sometimes it’s great to just get together with friends or coworkers and kick back. Forgetting those workplace troubles for a few hours is a great feeling and it’s not hard when there’s such a thing as happy hour! A lot of restaurants have happy hour deals available during the week with cheaper prices on drinks and meals to reel you in. Around Corona, there are plenty of places to hang out, relax and enjoy a drink or two with some work friends.

RA Sushi has some of the best sushi around. With inventive cocktails and lively music, this is the place to be after work for drinks. RA Sushi has happy hour every single day of the week so you’ll never have to worry about missing out on it. Monday through Saturday, Happy Hour is from 3-7 and from 10-closing time. On Sunday Happy Hour is from 8PM to closing time. While the drink specials vary from week to week, the sushi at RA Sushi is between $3.49 and $8.99! You can’t beat that! Order some delicious signature sushi rolls or maybe some more traditional ones and chow down! RA Sushi is within walking distance of Montecito at Dos Lagos; only 7 minutes away!

The Citrus City Grille boasts the happiest hours around. With happy hours every single day of the week you don’t ever have to miss out. From Sunday through Thursday Happy Hour is from 3PM to closing time and on Friday and Saturday Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 and 9 to 11. Citrus City Grille has both amazing drink deals as well as amazing food deals. With $6 well drinks, $5 draft beers and $7 martinis you can’t go wrong. To eat you can get some delicious appetizers like calamari and crispy flatbreads for $7. Their assortment of foods and the amazing prices will have you back multiple times a week! Citrus City Grille is located right in the Shops at Dos Lagos so you don’t have to go far for this happy hour!

Black Horse Tavern and Grill is a family owned business specializing in Hanger steaks and gourmet sandwiches and burgers. Black Horse also has happy hour specials every day of the week, Monday through Friday 3-7, 11-4 Saturday and all day Sunday! With their special Beer Flight you can get 4 Premium draft beers for $7.50 and $3.50 well drinks. Black Horse Tavern & Grill also offers a variety of small plates to follow those delicious drinks all for under $7. We recommend the Beer Battered Onion Petals! Don’t miss out on these fantastic happy hour deals on some spectacular food and drinks. The best part is that if you forget about it all week, you can still go Sunday, at any time! The Black Horse Tavern and Grill is only 10 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos.

The Shops at Dos Lagos

Image courtesy of Pixabay

One of the greatest perks of living at Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments is the proximity to so many things. Stores, restaurants and so many services are within arms reach of each other that it’s impossible not to find everything you need. The best of these shopping areas is one that shares a name with us: The Shops at Dos Lagos! The Shops have so many stores and restaurants that you won’t even have to leave.

For fashionistas, the Shops is overflowing with stylish fashion boutiques and shops for you to shop your heart out. At Anthropologie you can find a little bit of everything, from women’s clothing and accessories to interesting home decor. Itty Bitty’s Closet specializes in clothing, toys and gifts for boys and girls sizes 0-12. You can keep yourself and your little one comfy and cute in boutique styles without the boutique prices. For young teens there is an Icing for all of your jewelry needs as well as a Charlotte Russe with all the best fashion and shoes. The endless selection of stores will have your mind reeling!

A new favorite of the masses recently has been Trader Joe’s and we’re lucky to have one situated right in the Shops at Dos Lagos! Their unique selection of foods and beverages allows the shopper to indulge is some delicious things without breaking the bank. The information provided also allows the buyer to make informed decisions on their purchases. You can find something in Trader Joe’s for all your needs from vegetarian to Kosher to organic and all the choices have minimally processed ingredients.

With all of the shopping you’re going to tackle, of course, you’re going to get hungry! Good for you, because the Shops are equipped with the best of the best when it comes to dining. For those looking for something exotic there’s RA Sushi, Thai Lotus and Miguel’s California Mexican Cocina. If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, you can find TGIFridays and Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill. After your delicious dinner, you just HAVE to have dessert! There’s nothing more refreshing than Pinkberry! And if you want to take some dessert home with you, you can’t miss out on the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

With all of these exciting options and selections, you have everything all in one place! There are so many stores, restaurants and services available to everyone regardless of tastes or interests. The Shops at Dos Lagos is even within walking distance of Montecito at Dos Lagos which makes it so much sweeter! For more information on the Shops and to see a full registry of the businesses head here.

Celebrate Cheese Pizza Day the Right Way

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

There are all different kinds of pizzas: pepperoni, Hawaiian, white, veggie, the options are endless. But there’s only one original ‘za: the cheese pizza. If you’re a fan of the classic cheese pizza then this holiday is for you. This Saturday is Cheese Pizza Day. The only way to celebrate is with a big cheesey pie all to yourself (or you can share if you’re feelings generous).

Voted one of the Top 5 pizza makers in Southern California, Porky’s Pizza is definitely deserving of a mention on our list. Each of their pizzas are made with their original sauce! Porky’s offers delivery so if you’re having a party or just looking for a quick delicious meal, you can call them up and have it delivered! Their different varieties of pizzas are all so amazing it will be difficult not to take home every kind! From their Mediterranean to their Sweet n’ Spicy you’ll want to come back every day for more! Porky’s even offers party trays for when you have large parties of hungry people. Porky’s is only a 10 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos so you’ll have your pizza delivered in a flash.

Oggi’s has everything you need in one place. Not only do they serve delectable pizzas but they are also a brew house and sports bar. On top of that, you can have the entire menu delivered to your home if you don’t feel like leaving the house! Oggi’s has been crafting their award winning beers for 15 years now so you know they’re delicious. And what better to wash down some yummy pizza with than an ice cold beer? In addition to pizzas, they have delicious soups and salads, sandwiches and wraps, calzones, pasta and amazing desserts for the final course. Oggi’s Pizza is only an 8 minute drive away from Dos Lagos Apartments so you don’t have to go far to enjoy your pizza and beer.

The New York Pizza Department will arrest your tastebuds with delicious flavor! (Excuse our puns) All of NYPD’s pizzas are made with the freshest ingredients that are delivered to their locations daily. They want you to taste the difference even after the first bite and you most definitely will. While they don’t have a large variety of different pizzas, the ones that they do serve are on the menu for a reason! They are amazing! If pizzas aren’t your speed, they also serve calzones and strombolis, salads, pastas and heroes and their appetizers are to die for. You won’t be disappointed at NYPD. Be sure to check their website for coupons and specials! New York Pizza Department is only a 5 minute drive away from Montecito at Dos Lagos.

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.