Immediately up the fun quotient – and eliminate the “Are we there yet?” chorus – by leaving your car behind for this day trip. Hop on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from San Juan Capistrano to downtown San Diego’s Santa Fe Station (the last stop). Trains leave approximately every hour and the scenic coastline trip takes only 90 minutes. Check amtrak.com for current rates, schedules and tickets.

1. Arrive at the Santa Fe Amtrak Station (1050 Kettner Blvd.) ready for fun and adventure. Consider a quick walk through the light-filled galleries of the Museum of Contemporary Art expansion – located right in the station. www.mcasd.org

2. Getting around. The best ways to get around? Your feet (or a stroller for little ones), bicycle pedi-cabs (which are plentiful in the area) and bike rentals (available at Wheel Fun, 1355 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, www.wheelfunrentals.com. The quad-bikes are fun and accommodate the whole family (helmets are available). Enjoy miles of wide sidewalk bike paths while parents do the work (a good way to burn off those churros!) and kids can get off their feet and relax.

3. Lunchtime! Try the famous fish and chips at Anthony’s Fish Grotto (1360 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, www.gofishanthonys.com).

4. Treats & Fun! Visit Seaport Village (849 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, www.seaportvillage.com) for a carousel ride, ice cream and treats, shopping, restaurants and, on most weekends, live music. Along the boardwalk, street vendors draw caricatures (a great way to remember your trip), tell fortunes, paint faces and twist balloon creations.

5. Take a History Lesson. Visit the U.S.S. Midway Museum (910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, www.midway.org) for a tour of the famous American aircraft carrier. Also, nearby in the marina, The Star of India historic ship built in 1863 (part of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, www.sdmaritime.com).

6. Want to see more, but get off your feet? Try the Old Town Trolley Tour (stopping at popular sights Balboa Park and Old Town) or the Seal Tour (an amphibious tour bus that tours both land and water) – both located at Seaport Village. (Current schedules and rates for both tours available at www.oldtowntrolley.com/san-diego

Sound like too much fun for just one day? Consider, one of many hotels in the area, including the Marriott San Diego Marina adjacent to Seaport Village and the Westin Horton Plaza adjacent to Horton Plaza (which includes shops, restaurants, and a movie theater), or the Gaslamp Quarter.

Not ready for San Diego? Need a day trip closer to home? Take baby steps! Try the train from Irvine to San Juan Capistrano, have lunch at Ruby’s Diner, visit Zoomars (formerly the Jones Family Mini Farm), the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano - or have a tea party at Los Rios Tea House.

Spring Has Sprung at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad!
Come visit the beautiful display of flowers which cover the rolling hills of Carlsbad at The Flower Fields of Carlsbad. Located just off the 5 Freeway at the Palomar Airport Exit (near Legoland), the Flower Fields are open seven days a week beginning March 1.

Ticket prices are $9 for adults and $5 for children. Wagon rides also are available for an additional fee. The latest Flower Field information can be found at www.theflowerfields.com, including a photo of current planting conditions, group tour information and special events (including Kids Day on March 29th).

If you visit during the month of April, be sure to enter The Flower Fields photo contest with your favorite photo of your trip. Don’t miss out on this unique display of nature at its best…The Flower Fields are only in bloom until May 11th!