SUMMERTIME in Scripps Ranch
Peruse this list of nearby summer activities to help keep the young ones occupied and the parents sane:
In the middle of summer, when the heat rises and the days are long, it’s not unusual for youngsters to become restless, to say the least. Your little angels could easily turn into barbarians – and they aren’t at your door – they are already inside.
Having options and knowing where to take the kids on one of those hot days that seem to drag on and on can be a real blessing, especially when the activity is close.
Activities for high school aged teens are a little more difficult to find, but there is a selection within a short drive in neighboring communities.
Some would scoff at the notion that a list of activities is necessary for battling the summertime blues. Such critics probably have never had children. Fighting the summertime doldrums is a very critical challenge and it’s best to have a few plans available to help prevent a full-scale rebellion in the home. It’s a real thing.
Here is a list of spur-of-the-moment activities to provide parents, grandparents, babysitters and even nannies with some ideas for the next few weeks of summer.
DIY activities
These take a little time and effort – and some are obviously traditional activities – but they might still save the day in a pinch: Outdoor treasure hunt; lemonade stand; build a pillow fort or tent city out of sheets and blankets indoors on a hot day; backyard movie night; backyard water slide using a large plastic sheet; run through the sprinklers; bicycle rodeo; plastic cup stacking; build a shoebox house for dolls or action figures; build a fort out of cardboard shipping boxes; backyard obstacle course; backyard camping; water balloon fight; backyard Olympic Games; mud pies in the backyard or sandbox; popcorn party and indoor movie marathon. Don’t forget the classic picnic at least once this summer.
This one involves other kids, but consider inviting your children’s friends over for a playdate at your ho or in a park. Sounds obvious, and possibly a recipe for a big headache – but why not add the extra dimension of inviting your grown-up friends and their kids over for a late afternoon “wine down?” Better yet, have them invite you to their home.
Trail walks
Just about every single neighborhood in Scripps Ranch hasa nearby trail, some as close as a few feet beyond the backyard fence. This activity is completely free and there is no end to the trails to explore in this community. Start the hikes in the mornings before the worst heat of the day – and bring plenty of water, of course.Trails around here range from easy and smooth to rough and mildly steep.After exploring your neighborhood trails, drive a few blocks away and try different ones on other days.The other benefit is that these hikes will help calm the children and get out their wiggles before they return home.
Ponds
Evan’s Pond, beside the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library at 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, is well-known. This tranquil setting includes a short dirt path around water. Enjoy spotting ducks and turtles.
Hendrix Pond is an often-overlooked part of Scripps Ranch, and is enjoyed mostly by those who reside nearby. It’s within what’s called Hendrix Park, but it’s a bit rough and a walk around the water can get hot in summer months. The vegetation can get dry, including the many trees. Still, it’s a pond and it showcases many aspects of nature in close proximity. Great for teaching children. Suggested parking is along Aviary Drive between Atrium Drive and Willow Creek Road, then walk in. The pond is in the southwest portion of the property.
Scripps Miramar Ranch Library
It’s a library, but it’s a pretty cool library and it has some great programs, especially for kids. The place is popular, but there is usually parking during weekdays in its lot at 10301 Scripps Lake Drive.
Children can still participate in the Summer Reading Program until Aug. 31. Sign up at sandiego.gov/SummerReading. Earn prizes after reading 10 books, or after 10 hours for teens.
The library hosts programs for kids and families at 3:30 p.m. on specific Thursdays:
Aug. 8 – Cowboy Ken and “The American Cowboy Wild West Show”
Aug. 15 — “Zovargo Animal Show”
Signing Storytime is a new program with American Sign Language in August on Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m.
Regular children’s events include:
StoryBox Theatre; Tuesday, Aug. 6, 3 p.m.
Artist Spotlight; Friday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.
Family Game Night; Tuesday, Aug. 20, 6 pm.
The Homework Center at the library is open to all students who want to work on their math and reading skills with the library’s Tutor Learning Coordinators. Available Mondays-Thursdays, 3-6 p.m. through Aug. 15.
Grace’s Book Nook is the used bookstore at the library with summer reading available at bargain prices. Beyond books for all ages, there are DVDs and CDs
The Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library collaborates with the Teen Council at the library. The Council plans fun programs including the Haunted Library, the Eggstravaganza and science fairs.
Visit srfol.org.
Scripps Ranch Recreation Center
Unlike most San Diego communities, the local recreation center is a hidden gem. Situated next to Scripps Ranch Community Park, the Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive, offers public sports fields, picnic areas, grass fields, programs for kids and an indoor gym. The public can check out basketballs at the office. Many programs available. Visit bit.ly/2YqxVbo.
Lake Miramar
Possibly the most popular recreation area in Scripps Ranch is Lake Miramar, 10710 Scripps Lake Drive. It features fishing, aquatic rentals, picnic areas and a 5-mile walking path around the reservoir. Parking is tight on weekends, but not bad weekdays. Concessions provided by Rocky Mountain Recreation center include rentals such as row boats, motor boats, pedal boats, kayaks, beach cruiser-style bicycles, as well as bait and tackle for fishing. Don’t forget to say hello to Louie the Goose, the lake’s popular, friendly water fowl mascot who has called Lake Miramar home for many years.
City parks
Scripps Ranch is not without its parks, and they come in all sizes. Here are just a few favorites:
Miramar Overlook Park, 11417 Scripps Ranch Blvd., is a perfect place for a quick stop. It features some playground equipment including a seesaw, and a couple of covered picnic areas. It overlooks part of Lake Miramar in the distance. Restrooms available.
Lakeview Neighborhood Park, 10794 Mira Lago Terrace, also provides views of Lake Miramar, but from a different angle. This place is somewhat hidden if you don’t live in the area, and a drive through the neighborhood is necessary. But it’s not a small park. It has covered picnic areas, a cement pathway, restrooms, playground structures and a workout course.
Cypress Canyon Park, Cypress Canyon Park Drive, is also a bit hidden if you don’t live nearby, but it’s an interesting park with plenty of shade. This park has softball fields, basketball courts, restrooms and a playground.
Hoyt Park features an open grass field, a playground but no restrooms. Street parking. Located in the middle of Scripps Ranch at 10711 Canyon Lake Drive; situated between Canyon Lake Drive, Aviary Drive and Scripps Ranch Boulevard.
Jerabek Park, 10150 Avenida Magnifica, is another big park located in a central Scripps Ranch neighborhood. It features baseball fields, a playground, restrooms and large grass fields.
Symphony in the Park
The Scripps Ranch Symphony in the Park organization provides a summer concert series at Hoyt Park each month on a Sunday. The events are free and family friendly. Picnics are welcome. The next concert features The Detroit Underground, 5:30 p.m. on, Aug. 11 at Hoyt Park.
Scripps Ranch’s Got Talent
The Scripps Ranch 50 Plus organization is holding Scripps Ranch’s Got Talent each month in hopes of establishing intergenerational connections with residents age 20 and under with those age 50 and older. Residents are invited to showcase their personal creations or collections. The next event will be 3-5 p.m. Aug. 10 in the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Community Room. Contact Rose Chou: 92131rose@gmail.com.
Swim & Racquet Club
The Scripps Ranch Swim and Racquet Club is an important part of this community, supplying fitness, recreational, social and preschool services for years. While most services and activities are limited to club members, other activities, such as swim lessons, are open to the public for a fee. Two club locations: 9875 Aviary Drive, phone (858) 271-6222; and 10216 Scripps Trail, phone (858) 271-4231. Visit srsrc.com.
EVENTS:
Taco Tuesdays will be held every Tuesday through Aug. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Aviary club location. Live music.
Family Happy Hour, 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the Trails club location. Live music.
Dad & Kids Campout Aug. 17-18 at the Aviary club location.
Rita’s reading program
Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard Scripps Ranch continues its reading program which leads to a frozen treat for participants this summer. To find out more, visit Rita’s at 10585 Scripps Poway Parkway in the Scripps Ranch Marketplace shopping center.
Teens
This is a tough one, but beyond long term activities such as local athletic facilities for training, music or dance classes, here are a few quick places to take teens in nearby communities.
Skate parks: Rancho Peñasquitos Skate Park, 10111 Carmel Mountain Road. Poway Skate Park, 13094 Civic Center Drive.
Bowling: Mira Mesa Lanes, 8210 Mira Mesa Blvd. Poway Fun Bowl, 12941 Poway Road.
Arcade: City Fun Center, 8990 Miramar Road. Laser tag, games, prizes and snack bar. See coupon in the July issue of Scripps Ranch News.
Ice skating: San Diego Ice Arena, 11048 Ice Skate Place, off Black Mountain Road. UTC ICE Sports Center, Westfield UTC, 4545 La Jolla Village Drive.
Movies: Regal Edwards Mira Mesa, 10733 Westview Parkway. AMC Dine-In Poway 10, 13475 Poway Road.
Other:
Get Air Trampoline Park, 12160 Community Road.
Pump It Up Poway, 2760 Danielson Court, Suite J.
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