Bay Area Archives - Jen is on a Journey

California’s Great America Halloween Haunt 2017

September 25, 2017 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

The gears are turning for the tenth anniversary of California’s Great America Halloween Haunt. Have you got your skeleton key ready for 10 Years of Fears?

In a throwback to their very first Haunt, Great America presents the Backwoods Maze. With an inspired set designed to throw you into the creepiest camping trip you can imagine, let’s check into our cabin in the woods. Let the full moon light your way….

Several other mazes are back again this season, including Zombie High, Toy Factory, CornStalkers, Madame Marie’s Massacre Manor, Roadkill Roadhouse, and one of my favorites, the Wax Museum Chamber of Horrors. With a mix of wax and flesh, we encounter the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Nosferatu, and a possessed Reagan with her exorcist priest, to name a few. Watch your back! You won’t be able to tell the wax figures from their stalking counterparts!

The Haunt’s other new maze of the year is Chaos House, and no better name could have been chosen. This madhouse is an experience in sensory overload, from its winding mirrored corridors and strobe lights that have you wondering whether that reflection belongs to yourself or your evil twin. Can you find your way out before your doppelganger gets you?

As you make your way around the park, you won’t be able to avoid the three Scare Zones. Will you die laughing in Jester Town? Or maybe the storybook characters in Feary Tales will spin you a story that will enchant you for a thousand years. Then again, you might be tempted to join the dead army that is summoning you to Underworld Alley.

If you’re in the mood for a show, then sit a spell in Ed Alonzo’s Psycho Circus of Magic & Mayhem. You might remember Ed Alonzo from his role on the classic teen sitcom Saved by the Bell. He was the madcap magician Max who ran the school canteen. Now he’s joined by five very lovely assistants who will mesmerize you with classic disappearing acts and bizarre magic. But don’t neglect the other shows, Nytewalkers, Blood Drums, and my new favorite, Sideshow. Combining today’s top music with zombies and acrobatic displays, this outdoor attraction will be a favorite with the whole family.

Do you still have your skeleton key? Use it to unlock secret adventures at Post Mortem, Aftershock, Witch’s Lair, A51, and Panic Room: Escape. In the Panic Room, your key won’t let you back out, so keep your thinking cap on if you want to get out alive!!!

The Great America Halloween Haunt is open weekends through October 29, 2017. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.cagreatamerica.com/play/haunt.

Kimberly is a writer for Jen is on a Journey. She is a returned Peace Corps volunteer, natural wellness proponent, synesthete, steering wheel drummer, seasoned book club member, weather wimp and bad tennis player. Her introspective travel writings have garnered the praise of several friends, two kids and a husband, a dog named Wolfie and a cat named Lavender. She was hatched and raised in Missourah, but has traveled the world and now hangs out in a beautiful little California valley, playing trivia, and belting out karaoke. Her latest endeavor is recipe-based blog that you can find at www.goaheadandbiteme.com.

Media passes were offered for this review, all opinions are 100% our own.

Visit Great Mall for a Fun Family Day Out #GreatMallShopcation

July 1, 2016 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

If you live anywhere near the bay area and you’re looking for a fun way to spend time with your friends or family that’s indoors, look no further than Great Mall in Milpitas, CA.

“Great Mall, the largest indoor outlet and value shopping destination in Northern California, provides the ultimate shopping experience with more than 200 outlet and value stores ranging from jewelry to women’s apparel to sporting goods. Great Mall is home to Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Coach Factory Store, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, H&M, Forever 21, Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet, Gap and Michael Kors.. Shoppers can dine at great restaurants including Dave & Buster’s, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant and Outback Steakhouse, or catch a movie at Century Theatres 20.”

My kids and I chose to spend a hot summer day there to beat the heat and have some fun family time together. Not a difficult feat at Great Mall! When we first arrived they wanted to explore the mall itself, which is essentially a large circle with entrances located all the way around. They were excited to check out stores such as Ghirardelli and Hot Topic, while I was happy to peruse the goods at Guess and Coach. Everyone found something to buy and bring home that was reasonably priced and well valued. When the workout of shopping began to take it’s toll, we took a break at Dave & Busters, located right inside the mall with access from the outside, as well. We enjoyed some drinks and appetizers from their menu’s generous selection, and then afterwards we played a few games. The game selection is huge, with a variety of different things you can do. Some are ride on and some are physical. We did a bit of both and had a blast competing, too.

We could have spent hours at D&B but we wanted to get back to the other opportunities awaiting us at Great Mall. The next stop, after more shopping of course, was Bounce-a-rama! This is the place to go if your kids need to move their little bodies, with a great deal of bounce houses and slides for them to climb on. There’s even a littles section for the tots who shouldn’t be with the big kids — genius! I saw a lot of happy kids there, including my own who were happy to jump and slide to their hearts content.

As the day wrapped up, we knew there was one more thing to be done. We had to take advantage of a fabulous movie theater being located right at the mall, so we walked over to the Century Theaters 20 and got our tickets to Finding Dory. We set our tired bodies down into the spacious leathery seats, nibbled our popcorn and laughed (and possibly cried) our way through a wonderful movie that really came to life on the big screen at this theater. A perfect ending to a perfect day!

Like I said — if you’re looking for a place to spend time with loved ones, or even if you just need to get out and get some great shopping done with lots of options, visit Great Mall for a fun family day out . Young or old, there is always something to do or somewhere delicious to eat (did I mention ColdStone Creamery?).

meredith Merrie is a writer for the Jen is on a Journey and you can also find her at her blog, Sleepless Mornings: Merrie is the mother of two beautiful children, newly married, a scrapbooker, a baker, and always fun to be around!

Media visit and gift cards were offered in exchange for honest review, all opinions my own.

5 Things to Consider Before Moving to Suburbia

May 31, 2016 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Considering a move from San Francisco to one of the Bay Area ‘burbs? If so, chances are you to-do list is growing by the minute. Between scouting communities to weighing the pros and cons of public versus private schools to, of course, finding THE house, a move to suburbia comes with a host of considerations big and small — and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.

Enter the Suburban Jungle: Suburban Jungle has a personal SUBURBS STRATEGIST who works with San Francisco area families looking to make the leap from urban to suburban, helping them navigate life outside of city limits. They’re pros at putting the pieces together, and experts on all things suburbia. So how do they recommend kicking off your search? With these five questions, which will help inform your search and drive you towards the perfect town for your family.

1. Ask yourself, “Is now the right time to leave San Francisco?”
While Suburban Jungle is focused on all things suburbia, they recognize not all families are ready to move from the city right now. Start by really assessing if now is the right time to go. The answer may be yes, it may no or it may be never — plenty of families stay in the city forever. While the ‘burbs are enticing, they’re not going anywhere! Also, believe it or not…there are indeed optimal times to make them move…the suburbs strategists can elaborate on ideal timing!

2. What town is right for my family?
No two suburbs are the same and it’s important you find a community that aligns with your family’s personality, needs and lifestyle. Jot down a few things you’d love to have in your new town — maybe it’s access to amazing parks and trails, a beachfront community or, even, something walkable or bikeable. Start your search with towns that align, then dig in and see if you can imagine yourselves there — hanging with your neighbors, sending your kids to the schools, heading to weekend hotspots, and everything in between. Remember, what you see is not always what you get…and don’t judge a town simply by the restaurants or the main street. You need to understand who lives there and why — -to see if it would be a good fit! The Suburban Jungle Strategy team works with each family to understand the true intangibles of each area.

3. How long is “too long” to commute?
Everyone wants a quick commute — but everyone also has a different view of what “quick” means. Decide what you’re comfortable with and how your lifestyle impacts your AM/PM routine. Does your spouse work? Will you need to be in the city late? Is 45 minutes too long? An hour? And remember, not everyone takes public transportation — plenty of suburbanites drive, carpool or bike! As a reminder, don’t just think about the length of the commute, but the quality as well! Is there traffic? Can you never get a parking spot? Is there never a seat available or is the bus/train always running late?

4. What will childcare look like?
Will both you and your spouse work post-move? Will someone work from home? Are you considering a nanny, au pair or daycare? Just like in the city, there are tons of childcare,scenarios but, often, towns lean one way or the other. Chances are you don’t want to be the only stay-at- home mom in a sea of nannies, or sending your kids to daycare when all the playdates are happening after school.

5. What kind of school “feels right?”
Everyone wants to send their kid to a “great” school. But, just like the commute, everyone has a different opinion of what that means. Think about the type of education you want for your kids. Public? Private? Charter? Language immersion? Big? Small? Something else? There are countless options and once you begin refining your priorities you’ll do doubt start narrowing your search. Remember, your definition of a good school might be different than someone else’s, so just make sure you create your inventory of what you want your education to look like!

These questions will help get your suburban search on track — but there’s a lot more to weigh beyond these core factors. Suburban Jungle contributed to this article and can help your family explore the Bay Area ‘burbs and, ultimately, find the right town that fits your lifestyle and unique needs. And best of all, their services are FREE. Start with their interactive online questionnaire to start your search with your Suburbs Strategist.

Hornblower Cruises: Belle of the Ball Holiday Dinner Cruise in San Francisco

January 12, 2016 by The Mom Jen 2 Comments

The holidays can be overwhelming when it comes to shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking, and cleaning, we often forget to enjoy the Christmas season and take some time to enjoy eachother. This past December my husband and I planned a staycation in San Francisco to get away from it all if only for 30 hours, focus on our marriage, and take in the bay area in a unique way! Along with a wonderful stay at the Hotel Griffon, we strolled over to the nearby Embarcadero and hopped aboard the San Francisco Belle at Pier 3 to enjoy a Holiday Dinner Cruise thanks to Hornblower Cruises. Starting out with only two vessels in 1980, Hornblower has sailed since for over 30 years in the bay area and now has 35 yachts serving 7 California ports, they offer spectacular scenery and diverse tour offerings making their cruises one of my favorite things to do in the city!Our immediate thought when we boarded and approached the registration table was that they know how to greet their guests. Glasses upon glasses of champagne were lined up for a welcoming toast. I soon forgot how chilly I was this winter evening with my first few sips. On our boarding pass was the level and the table number we were assigned and we zipped through the line very quickly. The next stop was a photo opportunity and that line was longer and at a standstill, we were eager to find our seats so we promised to come back. It was so neat to see people dressed to the nines, tuxedos and sequins in every direction, though it was not a requirement but suggested we did also see casual wear that seemed just as appropriate. We found our seats and our table had an assigned waitress who found us right away to offer a glass of premium brand wine or beer (on this cruise both were complimentary throughout the night, cocktails were for purchase).The boat was decorated so nicely lights, evergreens, and bursts of red poinsettias. I was eager to get my dance on, so when the DJ began spinning popular tunes, I had my husband hold our place in the buffet line as I warmed up on the dance floor. Groups of women, couples, business associates and even a few children made their way to the music and got the party started! The DJ had a perfect mix of high energy songs, group numbers for line dancing, and a few slow ones mixed in. It was time to enjoy dinner which included a feast of holiday favorites, salads, vegetables, pasta, meats, and potatoes. The pesto tortellini was so good as was the chicken with mushroom sauce. My husband chose the steak, but his meat was a bit too rare. We contacted our waitress who didn’t hesitate to take his plate and usher him back in the line for another selection, she said she didn’t want her guests to be disappointed, we appreciated her hospitality. Seconds were definitely encouraged while the dessert table had many creative cakes and pies to choose from.The wine flowed all night and after a few more dances, my husband wanted to bear the cold and wander outside the ship for all the evening views. Luckily I brought two extra layers and a scarf because although it was in the 50’s, the wind cut through you. It was worth it though, the views of the city skyline, the famous Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island were completely photo worthy! The wind died down at the end of the evening, but we needed a warm up, so more dancing it was. Coffee stations were brought out as well to end the evening and the DJ played all the way to disembarkation. We had an amazing 3+ hours cruising the gorgeous San Francisco Bay at night and look forward to planning our next trip. The combination of dinner, dancing, and spectacular views make it a perfect date night, girl’s weekend event, or holiday gift experience. Visit https://www.hornblower.com/home/sf for more information on booking, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day and other great cruises are available, happy sailing!

As a side note, my husband tends to need medication for motion sickness on boats, there was very minimal rockiness this particular evening and with his half dose Dramamine, he was just fine. I don’t get motion sick and honestly forgot at points in the night that we were on the water, it was smooth sailing!

Our experience was hosted, gratuities and opinions are 100% our own.

Avid4 Adventure: How to Get Your Kid to Love the Outdoors Again @avid4adventure

April 7, 2015 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Are your elementary and pre-teen kids addicted to smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles? Avid4 Adventure wants to help, bringing its authentic outdoor adventure camps to Palo Alto, Saratoga, Mill Valley & Oakland this summer.

Serving school age kids from pre-K to seventh grade, Avid4 Adventure campers climb, paddle, bike, hike and enjoy the thrill of pushing their limits in nature. Founder Dave Secunda calls it an empowering experience meant to inspire a lifetime of outdoor participation.

“Our highly skilled and educated staff, our unique adventure activities such as rock climbing, kayaking and mountain biking, and our focus on outdoor confidence building for young kids is what sets us apart,” says Secunda, also former president of the Outdoor Industry Association and recipient of the Jim Rennee Outdoor Industry Leadership Award.

Avid4 Adventure is American Camp Association accredited, boasts experienced staff who are all at least 21 years of age and certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, and camps that are designed to build upon one another. Campers take skills earned one year and then add to them the next, creating a virtuous cycle that teaches not only outdoor skills but also good communication and self-awareness.

Camp partners include outdoor industry leaders such as Black Diamond, Specialized Bikes, Clif Kid, Leave No Trace, and many more. Avid4 Adventure is also partnering with Outside Magazine for the Outside Kids Scholarship program, providing in-need kids more than $25,000 in financial assistance for attending outdoor adventure day and overnight camps. Day camps are in Mill Valley, Palo Alto, Saratoga, and Oakland. Overnight camps are nestled in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Learn more and sign up at www.avid4.com – call 800-977-9873 or email info@avid4.com

Partnered post provided to Jen is on a Journey.