State Bliss Blog — Travel

Months ago, I signed up for my first of many 5K races this year and was completely psyched – I even compiled the perfect playlist for running. However, upon waking up this morning, I was greeted by steady rain, constant winds, and a dreary forecast: Of course, the easiest alternative plan to take for such a catastrophe would be to spend the first Saturday of the month indoors, in fleece pajamas, sipping hot chocolate while binge-watching House of Cards on Netflix. However, if you’re desperate to get out of the house today, there’s a variety of activities you can look into that won’t involve having to be outdoors to bear the cold weather and has your brain constantly engaged, leaving no room to be depressed over the climate. Here are a couple of suggestions on what to do on a rainy Saturday in California, for your consideration:

1. Jump!

To cater to the kid within, take a trip to Presidio, San Francisco and visit House of Air. It is an indoor park that features jump structures comprised of more than 40 trampolines, including a few on the sides for maximum fun. You can freestyle, play trampoline dodge ball, and take classes! There’s even a Bounce House for kids ages 3 to 6. Fun, huh? Normally, weekend tickets sell out fast and House of Air recommends that you reserve slots ahead of time, but I took the liberty of checking today’s schedule, and it looks like there’s a lot of slots available! Go to the website and buy your tickets ASAP.

2. Tour!

The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose that used to belong to Sarah Winchester, widow of William Wurt Winchester, a gun magnate. Construction of the mansion took 38 years (from 1884 until Winchester’s death in 1922), mostly due to the widow’s belief that her family and wealth were constantly haunted by the ghosts of those who died because of the Winchester rifles and that building the house for their spirits would appease them. You can choose between touring just the mansion or the entire grand estate, both of which include a look into 110 of the 160 rooms in the house, windows built into floors, staircases and doors that lead to nowhere, and upside down posts! You can even learn a little bit more about the history of the place through a special behind-the-scenes tour. Day-of tickets must be purchased at the counter, but you can call ahead to ask about availability.

3. Climb!

If you’re the athletic and outdoorsy type and really looking forward to getting a workout in this weekend, you can check out MesaRimClimbing & FitnessCenter in San Diego, a place that boasts to be the largest and tallest climbing gyms in the west coast. With over 200 routes, 150 boulder problems, and 450 lead bolts, any mountain climbing aficionado would love the scaling the walls of Mesa Rim. The facilities include a center for yoga classes, a ping pong table, board games, and a library. Their rates include an all-in-one day pass that give you access to climbing, yoga, and fitness

4. Fly!

Who says you have to be outdoors to skydive? iFly Hollywood gives you an idea of what it’s like to jump out of an airplane 2,500 feet high, only you’re indoors and safe within the confines of a booth with a strong blower. It’s a lot more fun than it looks and requires less courage to actually do if you’ve been dreaming of one day giving skydiving a try and are always finding excuses to bail. You can book your flight today. Other locations in California include one in San Francisco and one in Perris Valley.

Going to Disneyland is almost certainly every kid’s – and every adult’s, really (that’s where I went on my honeymoon) – dream come true. It is the happiest place on earth. You will never run out of things to do at the park: go on awesome rides more than once, watch shows, see your favorite Disney characters come to life. You can even go on a scavenger hunt, but instead of looking for whos its and whats its and thing-a-mabobs, your task is to find all the Hidden Mickeys in Disneyland. A Hidden Mickey is a design element cleverly added into various Disney properties, including movies and TV shows, merchandise, and yes, locations, rides, and other attractions in a Disney theme park. The most obvious and popular Hidden Mickey is composed of three circles combined, making it look like a shape that resembles someone needing no introduction: While it may seem easy to spot potential Hidden Mickeys everywhere there are circular objects, true Hidden Mickeys will always be proportionally correct: one big circle, two smaller circles exactly where Mickey’s ears should be. They are also rather obscure and camouflaged, making it more challenging to find them. Finally, Hidden Mickeys are always hidden within Disney-related things and places, so if you run into a live giraffe with a Mickey-shaped spot, no matter how incredible that is, it doesn’t count. On your next trip to Disneyland, do allot some time to go on a Hidden Mickey hunt with your companions (the more, the merrier!). They are everywhere in the park, but here are some places you can start your search:

Your car

Yes, the ‘Find all the Hidden Mickeys in Disneyland’ contest may start the moment you get into the car with your family and friends. When you look up Disneyland Drive on your smartphone for directions, switch on the satellite view. It’s between the Grand Californian and Paradise Pier Hotels: BAM. Your first (and the biggest) Hidden Mickey, and you haven’t even arrived at the park yet.

Parking lot

Check the concrete floors on the Daisy level in section 2A and you might find a Hidden and textured Mickey on the ground two spots away from the pillar. Also check every level for posters that have Disney characters dancing amidst confetti – some of those pieces are Mickey-shaped.

Posters, signs, posts, and statues

Once you arrive at the Entrance Plaza, there will be a number of benches around the plaza that obviously have Mickey-shaped arm rests as well as a compass on the floor in the center of the esplanade, so you might as well skip those. Try finding a Hidden Mickey masquerading as a Dalmatian spot at the Disneyland Kennel Club. Check all the ticket and information booth signs and posters you run into, for some of them may have the familiar symbol in them.   The iron tree guards encasing plants in the plaza have Mickey-shaped rivets, while window counters have Mickey-shaped brackets. Most sign posts, street lamps, and turnstiles have Mickey patterns in them, and some are completely noticeable and out in the open.

Décor, rides, and games

Paintings, bookcases, gift shop displays, wallpapers and the like will almost always include an homage to the beloved Disney character – observe how certain objects are arranged and see how they form the three-circle configuration whenever possible. Check doors and wall designs for decorative accents that form a Hidden Mickey. Screws that keep rides together will most definitely be in the shape of Mickey. Go over every door, window, machine, console, cubicle, and gondola you get into and you’re bound to uncover a myriad of Hidden Mickeys. For a more comprehensive Hidden Mickey expedition, consult this list*.   *compiled by FindingMickey.com

You’re in one of the most popular, most artistic, and most culturally diverse cities in the country for a week, and you have no idea what to do or where to go. While there are countless of places you can check out for sure, most of them will require having more than that secret $20 you have wedged in between your library card and gym membership card you never use. Let’s face it – when you’re on a week-long trip and on a tight budget, your options are quite limited… JUST KIDDING! Sure, the city by the bay may in fact be one of the most expensive places to be in, but you don’t have to look under a rock to find things to do in San Francisco on a weekday for cheap. In fact, you can even find stuff to do for free! If you happen to be in the bay area this week to bid adieu to February and say hey to a (hopefully more climate-bearable) March, you can do so by enjoying a couple of these events with your friends or on your own.

Monday, February 24, 2014

If you love musicals and singing, then you should definitely hit up the colorful and historic Castro district in San Francisco for Musical Mondays at The Edge, one of the more prominent LGBT community bars in the neighborhood. The venue’s partnership with SHN: Broadway in San Francisco means that cast members of shows playing in the city are bound to make surprise visits, which can turn any boring Monday night into a par-teh! No cover charge, cocktails are 2 for the price of 1. Show starts at 7pm.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

To satisfy your indie sensibilities, you might want to check out Punk Rock Fancy premiering this Tuesday at The NWBLK as part of The Noise Pop Festival. Featuring DJ sets by Bob Mould, Shepard Fairey, and Jello Biafra, this free event requires attendees to RSVP for guaranteed entrance. Only those 21 and over are allowed.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Are you a fan of comedy and improv? Then Don’t Watch This Show! Scheduled every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Stage Werx theater in the Mission district, this comedic clique promises an entirely original routine each and every time they come on. Get there early and pay only $1 to get in.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Admire the universe and its magnificence in class by checking out Dark Universe Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences. You can wander the halls, check out the planetarium, and listen to a special set by Bee Mask and the ICEE Hot DJs while frequenting the open bar. Only 21 and over are allowed, and ID is required upon entry. Tickets can be purchased online for $12. Be there at 6pm.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Vegetarian? Then join the Volxkuche Free Supper Club as they celebrate their one year anniversary this Friday. You can get as involved as you want – from cooking and serving scrumptious vegetarian meals to simply mingling with the crowd and making everybody welcome. You get a free dinner as well as entertainment. Show up at 2079 Turk Street in SF on 6:30pm with nothing but a good attitude. Source: FunCheapSF

Whether you have lived in California all of your life, or you have only seen portrayals on television, most people know how a California local is stereotyped. With relaxed demeanors and a chill personalities, California creates a culture all of it's own. We natives may say "like" enough to get made fun of and can sometimes seem a bit TOO relaxed, but we are honestly just always about enjoying life and having a good time. Watch Saturday Night Live's hilarious take on the local California bro...we especially think the part about starting a clothing line is entertaining ;)

So everybody knows that you can go both surfing and snowboarding all in one day in California. But did you know that you could also throw in Desert boarding? You definitely would need a few extra toys to get the job done, but check out how these guys did some shredding on the dunes of Glamis. Source: Network A Youtube Channel