This place deserves more than 5 stars. I thought this was going to be an interactive video game…read moretype of thing but it was way more than that. I will 100% be back again and I will be telling all my friends about this. A truly unique experience. You really feel the true race car experience and I think you need to wear workout clothes cause I felt the sweat from trying to concentrate and control the car. The cost is so worth the 1 or 2 hour time slot. I'm sold and will be looking into a membership cause I'm addicted.

First time trying sim racing and I'm glad I chose the 2-hour Nordschleife experience - absolutely…read moreworth the $82! Even though I didn't use the full session (it's more physically demanding than expected - seriously, LOL), the experience was fantastic from start to finish. Shoutout to Jason on staff - super professional and welcoming. He guided me through check-in, helped set everything up, and even offered a bottle of water before giving me some helpful tips on handling the cars. Small touches like that really elevated the visit. For those curious, here's the YouTube link to my run - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzysPtCC5gE. I clocked in around 8 minutes from the pit, which I think is pretty decent for a first-timer!

Spent way too long trying different options to get the cyber Monday deal to work. Frustrating…read more Emailed them 3 days ago about and no response. God forbid you buy and have issues. No cs.

I was a DIRTY DIRTY girl today! I also learned what a Dirty Sanchez is (thanks to the large team…read morename in front of our group), then I proceeded to strip down to my birthday suit in the parking lot and get my ass rinsed out - so all in all today was quite an interesting day to say the least. Spring Break at the Lake was crazy! My first and I think I went about it as well as a virgin mud runner could, being the prissy beeotch that I am on occasion - I was a bit scared to totally trash my legs crawling on my knees over the rocks so I did my best to not come out bruised and bleeding - I wore shorts and the scrapes are very minimal but I can see how you can really get severely wrecked on the course and obstacles if you are going balls to the wall out there. I wore a bikini under my shorts and tank and my vibrams which proved to be a pretty solid choice. The mud pits were insane fun but nerve wrecking to me at the same time - having never experienced a mud run I am SO lucky Rich J. was there to hold my hand through almost every single pit - with drop offs in the pits, I was terrified each time we were in one (I guess I didn't want to encounter any injury that would prevent me from my real running and workouts) but at the same time it was an unforgettable fun experience. The polar plunge was crazy freezing - this way out did any ice bath I've ever taken in life - holy shit!!!!! I can't wait to see the pictures as there was no way in hell I was able to get any - I'm pretty sure the Go Pro cams hold up well out here but we didn't have ours with us today and everything else was checked in with bag check (which was well organized) - thank god! We had been there since 9A since the group packets I had paid to be mailed to us never arrived and we had to deal with same day pick up. Timed Teams in the 10A wave seemed to take forever to start - we were 10-30 which didn't start until after 11A. I'm not sure if the goal was to start in waves each minute of the hour but it didn't go off that smoothly and everyone was pushed back a bunch. The finisher medals are pretty sweet! Parking was $10 cash Customer service ended up proving to be completely useless and downright rude in the end when I reached out to them Tuesday before the race to ask why we had never received the shipment I paid to be mailed to our group. Not cool! I wouldn't necessarily recommend this exact mud run due to some of the organizational issues but I'm pretty certain I'd be up for another mud run in the future.

The Sim racing is phenomenal and great experience. The workers were super friendly and…read moreknowledgeable. They provide support with all driving styles and racing maps. The place is a bit small but amazing for small gatherings. I highly recommend this place for all race driving.

This was an amazing experience! Having spent time in real track vehicles with dog boxes and that…read morehard, aggressive shifting, I can say this simulator truly captures the same adrenaline-pumping feel. It's about as close to 1:1 with the real thing as you can get--aside from not having A/C, of course. The staff here are super friendly, and the facility itself is top-notch. Whether you're serious about training to become a professional or just looking for a fun outing, this beats a traditional arcade racer by miles. Highly recommend checking this place out!

I did it :D my first half marathon, and I couldn't have picked a more magical way to do it than…read moreRunDisney's Halloween weekend at Disneyland Most of my training happened on the treadmill, which honestly taught me a lot about consistency and mental endurance. I followed the official RunDisney training program from their website and trusted the process--even when life was busy and motivation was low. Race morning was early (very early), but the energy, costumes, music, and Disney magic made every mile worth it. Running through Disneyland in the dark, then heading outside the parks with rolling hills, the heat that I did not prepare for was challenging--but unforgettable. These are the things that really helped me: 1. Enlist a buddy to do it with you. I somehow managed to persuade my oldest son to come with his mama. My son who is in his prime, who at the time just came back from officer training school (boot camp). He was jumping, singing, running circles around me during the race, yelling out motivational pep talks. It was kinda annoying and motivating at the same time. 2. Use the free pacers There are multiple pacing groups, and sticking with one helps you stay calm, consistent, and confident. It really helped to see a whole group pushing through. Being next them reminded me about Dory..."Just keep swimming... Just keep running!" 3. Arrive early + move up in your corral We arrived around 4:15 AM, which gave us time to settle in and get closer to the front of the corral--huge stress reducer. 4. Stay close to the start line if possible We stayed at a hotel near the start, walked over, and later met my hubby near the mall. Less logistics = less stress. 5. Go to the Expo on Day 1 Exclusive merch sells out fast (RIP glow-in-the-dark shoes). The expo is free, fun, and has lots of freebies. Pro tip: go again on the last day for sales. 6. Practice in your costume This is non-negotiable. What feels cute for 10 minutes may not feel cute at mile 9. I practiced in my Ursula costume a handful of times. I saw people ditching parts of their costumes. 7. Hydration is covered Water and electrolytes are provided on course. I didn't need to carry water, but some people prefer to--do what works for you. 8, Know the course You start inside Disneyland, then head outside the parks where the hills show up. Save your energy for those miles. 9. Pictures Make sure your number is visible. Photos come free with it. There a a good number of photo opp in the parks. Unfortunately we couldn't stop since we were the last coral. So we did "passing" video shots. You should practice doing this. 10. Volunteers The volunteers outside of Disney were awesome! Seeing the signs, hearing the encouragement, and grabbing the sweets helped a ton. Soak it in and it will keep you motivated I discovered that I hate running long distance. At the same time I also realized I like doing it at Disney and after the race I told my son lets do the Dopey Challenge next. Where you run the 5k, 10 k and half marathon all in the same weekend. Of course my sweet son replied, "sure thing mom as long as your paying." This race reminded me that you don't have to be perfect--you just have to..... "just keep running, just keep running, running....running". If you're thinking about doing a RunDisney race, especially your first half marathon, do it. Train smart, trust the plan, and soak in every magical mile.

Just when we were in the swing of having them back, they're gone again. With the upcoming…read moreconstruction, it was announced there were not going to be anymore races for the foreseeable future here on the West Coast. This was the last race on Feb1 as the 5k and 10k took place the prior days. From what I gather from others, this can take many years to come back. I believe this was a new half marathon course at least new to me since the Star Wars Half days. This course was very refreshing, the stretch of it on Anaheim Blvd, running past the Packing District and the Ducks ice rink. The good thing about the "out and back" parts is seeing if you can spot the "balloon ladies" if it's a concern or maybe friends who run at a different pace or checking out their fits. I appreciated the DJ's and bands out there. They brought the energy! Everything was just so cute with the "It's a Small World Theme" but maybe I'm biased because I happen to love the color purple as in the bib, medal, and long sleeve tech t-shirt. It delighted me to see several runners dressed in this theme because I'm not creative enough to assemble my own costumes. PhotoPass photo opportunities were inside the park and some at the reunion area. These digital photos are included in registration and show up in the app same day. I must say the finish line replica photo op in the reunion area was a time consumer in the hot sun. Powerade was the electrolytes on course. I was wondering how they were able to get the taste and concentration consistent to realize they were being poured from the plastic bottles. Not too much to sample or any freebies at the expo if you compare that with other major race expos. The post-run snacks are not much nor memorable unless you count that nacho-like cheese from the box. IYKYK Yes, you pay a pretty penny just to participate but only you put a value on this experience. I would say if you're a Disney fan and have the means, to just do it one time for the experience but that dream has run out luck on this coast for now.

First off... Thanks Shanon Y for inviting and having me to be your partner and letting me…read moreexperience this Color Run for the first time! Parking was crazy...Jammed pack from exiting the freeway and entering the parking lot. Funny thing is that there's no handicap parking even if you have the handicap sign. Despite the parking, I'd always wanted to experience a 5k run, however, I never thought my first would be almost everyone 'walking' when it's suppose to be 'The Color RUN'. There were blue, yellow, pink, purple and orange station (let's hope I did not forget a color) but as we went through each, some were 'running' out of color to throw because they were running low so had to use the time to 'refill'. So much for being covered with all the colors. Good thing was that there was a water station. The volunteers handed us the water as we pass by. The ONLY good thing about the run was the after party. We were pretty hyped up for that instead. Covered in lots of color. Barrels of colors were being switched so all the people can throw it everywhere. The after party was poppin! NOTE: You will def. get DIRTY. If you are planning to bring your phone, best to keep it in a Ziploc bag. AND bring extra clothes and baby wipes to clean yourself up before you enter your or someone's car. Trust me, you will thank me. Will have to see if I'll experience it again. It WAS a bit disappointing with the non running and running out of color at some stations.

Review for The Color Run SoCal 2013 held on Saturday May 11, 2013…read more BREAKDOWN: Wait long to get into parking, long walk into event, start line is always letting people go in waves, walk, walk, walk, get splashed with powder, walk, walk, smell manure, walk, get splashed with yellow powder, take pictures with your camera phones, walk, water station!! walk, get splashed with orange powder, walk, walk, walk, get splashed with pink powder, walk, you can see the finish line! Walk, wog, jog, wog some more, finish line!!! yaaay. Now what? OH! There's a DJ playing some fun tunes, they throw out colored powder packets, then everyone throws them into the air. Get freebies, go to the merchandise store, take pictures, more pictures, high five your friends, get a free air blow to get some of the dust off, and begin the trek back to you car. By the way, please take notice of a clear landmark. By the time you begin to go back to your car, cars are gone and there are lines of cars leaving and things don't look the same. The most important thing you must know about this event held at The Great Orange Park: GET THERE EARLY!!!!!!!! I cannot stress that enough! I exited the freeway around 7:15 and it took me about an hour to get into the parking lot, then another 20-30 minutes to get into the event to get to the start line. Granted, The Color Run (which I will know abbreviate as TCR) has groups go in waves, so it's ok if you're late, but if you're meeting up with friends (like I was) it's not too cool to make them wait so long for you. Plus it's frustrating to be sitting in your car trying to get in. In the meantime, make a party of it in your car. Play some upbeat music, take selfies, and just hurry up and wait. Now, as for the event itself, don't expect it to be some hardcore, awesome race. This isn't the L.A. Marathon or a 10K. It's a flippin 5K and the whole point is to have some fun with friends and get doused with colored powder. There's music going on, give-aways (I'm still upset I didn't get my free Victoria's Secret color run drawstring sack :( but I'm sure someone has to be selling one on Ebay!), TCR store, etc. Portapotty's weren't too disgusting, or maybe I just got lucky. As for the location itself, it's next to a manure plant. Yes. Manure. So during certain portions of the 5K, you got a lovely whiff of processed cow dung. Kinda gross. Also the park itself looks like an abandoned air field. The view was not scenic at all. I felt at times like I was on a march versus a fun event. It's out in the open and there isn't much to look at except each other or others running by. Thankfully I was with a large fun group and we kept it interesting. A 5K isn't too bad, but if you know you're not a fit person or the most walking you do is from your couch to the bathroom, then be prepared. You might get tired. But it's doable. I saw a woman with lymphatic condition (he legs were extremely huge) and she did it! I saw people in wheelchairs too. Lots of people went the extra mile and dressed up, wore tutus, rocked a few wigs, some wore coordinated outfits and accessories. I saw people of all ages, both genders, groups, couples, families with kids and some with babies (why?? I don't know.) I had fun. I definitely recommend going with friends. You don't have to run it, as with most 5 Ks. Running is optional. The majority walked TCR. When we saw people running, I asked "Where are they running to??" I registered early and made a team, so we all got in on the fun for $30 ! Not too shabby. I was able to pick up my entire team's packets two days before the race. Each packet came with a color run t-shirt, a bib, safety pins, a wristband, color run tattoo, directions, a colored powder packet. I would definitely do TCR again! I had a great time and so did all my friends. Next time I'll leave at 5:30 though HAHA. TIPS FOR ANY COLOR RUN: - bring your shades even if it looks cloudy - bring sunblock even if it looks cloudy - bring a slim fanny pack or drawstring sack for your stuff or leave your things at their check-in locker area - bring a large towel to sit on because the color WILL get on your cars interior (unless you really could care less!) - bring some sandals to slip on for the drive home - bring some all purpose wipes or baby wipes to clean up - bring a snack for the drive home or the long wait to get out of the parking lot

This event is super luxurious! Where else are you going to try out 90+ wines, drink $50+ Wisky,…read morefollowed by seafood tastings such as scallops, foie gras, and melt in your mouth beef dishes with live jazz playing in the background and have the opportunity to become a home version of the Top Chef? Wait there's more. The all inclusive ticket also lets you mingle with Star Chefs such as Hubert Keller, Rick Bayless, and Rick Noonen. You also get your very own Riedel wine glass for the tastings. Joseph Phelps, Pipillon, St. Supery? These aren't second labels and also if you scour carefully, there were some boutique wineries present that had stunning wines! Of course there were tons of food, love Anqi's crab dish, Driftwoods Porchetta, B candy's rainbow bright mini cake, braised beef cheeks from chef JoJo from the Honda Center, Buttercake from Mastros, Clubster roll from SlapFish....tons of rediculous good stuff! You get to lounge on oversized sofas overlooking the swirly building that of the Civic Center. There were also beer/vodka/tequila/non alcoholic drinks available. Super fun event, would HIGHLY recommend taking people who enjoy food and wine pairings to the next level.

When I first started attending tastings I remembered the Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival…read moresetting the bar of how all food festivals should be - refined and elegant, but casual and relaxed, all while highlighting the dishes as the stars of the show. I remembered each bite bringing together a myriad of bright fresh ingredients with complex flavors. This festival has since become a household name and this year's increase in guest attendees reflects it's popularity. I had the opportunity to attend the event again this year and the culinary lineup for 2017 was equally spectacular. During Sunday's tasting my plus one and I enjoyed the finer things in life and indulged in so many delicious tastes. Many of Southern California's most esteemed fined dinning establishments were present including Pelican Grill and Bar, Red O-Restaurant, and Alexander's Steakhouse just to name a few and there was an abundance of seafood and steak options. If you love wine there's not better place to sample so many different varieties, though I fancied the Kentucky Straight from Duke Bourbon. There was also a cooking demonstration by Top Chef contestants Chef Amar Santana and Katsuji Tanabe and viewers had an opportunity to sample their version of arroz con pollo. It was hilarious to see those two banter back and forth. If you love seafood and steak, this event harmoniously brings two of my favorite proteins together with class and style. While many vendors offered them prepared in a variety of manners - marinated with secret ingredients, roasted, fried, my favorite dish was the Baja cocktail served in a tin-can from A&O Kitchen and Bar. It was simple, but the large chunks of charred squid and shrimp paired with the creaminess of the avocado on a crunchy tortilla chip just made it a perfect afternoon bite. It reminded me how good squid tastes and how infrequent I eat it. Overall, this was a wonderful event and I look forward to attending again next year. Cheers!

It's a fun 5k run/walk held on Thanksgiving Day. The entire 5k is hosted on the campus of Irvine…read moreValley College. You have an option to pick up your packet the day before the race at Road Runner Sports in Laguna Hills. You can pay for a parking permit online. You can also pick up these items on the day of the race. They have a chip timing option, so the timing starts when you cross the start line, and you must cross under the arch and over the timing mats, so if you're further back in the pack do not have to worry about losing any time. They give our free pumpkin pie to all the participants. And they also have a vendor booth area with food, drink and athletic items for sale. They have water along the route, and participants get a bib, t-shirt and a medal.

My family and I decided we wanted to celebrate Mother's Day by playing mini-golf at Boomers. When…read morewe arrived we were greeted and helped by Carlos, Clarissa and the entire team. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and I have to say the customer service was absolutely amazing. We ordered a round of mini golf for three players, because our fourth was free (4 y.o. and under get to play for free. Rad!). Carlos went out of his way to make sure we were included into a special that they were running for the holiday, and even gave us a card for the arcade. We got to have fun as a family, laugh, and make memories today that will last a lifetime. Thank you so much to the team at Boomers of Irvine for making this Mother's Day one to remember.

Boomers is a classic amusement park located in Irvine. It has attractions like go karts, laser tag,…read morearcade games, mini golf, bumper boats, and batting cages. There's also a full bar and amusement park food like pizza. We played 18 holes of mini golf at night which was fun. You can pay for things individually or you can buy a bundle or unlimited pass. It's a casual spot that's family friendly but also good for dates and group outings. It's a fun activity for a couple hours.

My friend Ingrid urged me to sign up for a half marathon in Irvine since Lexus Lace Up - Orange…read moreCounty was offering up discounted registration. I signed up early and started training. It had been a while since I had run a half marathon and I wanted to see if I could still do it. I had foot surgery on both feet, my most recent being back in January, so it was my first half since my surgeries. Registration was definitely cheaper than a RunDisney race and the prospect of running in Irvine seemed to be an incentive as well. Packet pickup was in Mike Ward Community Park, where the start and finish lines were. I went the day before the race after work. The pickup was really simple and it wasn't busy at all. Just present your ID and let them know your name. They issue you your race bib and shirt. You can opt to pick up the day of the race but that can be extra depending on when you registered. If you live close by, just pick up the day before. The weather was perfect for running with the marine layer providing some cool humidity. The sun actually came through the clouds around mile 12 so I was fairly happy with the weather. The post-race freebies included a free beer, food from a food truck, and a Lexus Lace Up water bottle. There were plenty of port-a-potties for the runners to use at Mike Ward or along the course. The course was fairly boring if you ask me. It utilized the many bike trails around Irvine and doubled back on itself a few times. I'm fine with courses that take me on a loop, I just hate having to make a U-turn and doubling back. There were a few areas where there were spectators cheering but it was far and few in between. This is where other more popular races shine. There were plenty of water stations, which was great for those of us who didn't bring hydration gear. The entire course was paved which was also a plus. I had a good race and I was happy with my time (2:34:39). It wasn't a PR but it wasn't my worst time either. The finisher medal is pretty cool with the orange slice representing OC. I may consider running it again depending on the medal for next year.

Half #2, 2015…read more Something went wrong here... To begin with, awarding runners with last year's medal and not having enough medals for the 5K runners anyway was a joke. All said and done, $70.64 to run the 2015 Half Marathon, only to be handed last year's 2014 medal was a garage sale, bait-n-switch, slap in the face. What's worse is that I've emailed the promoter, and I've heard nothing back. Even the Facebook page for the Southern California Half Marathon & 5K reflects participant concerns. At the time of this writing, there has yet to be an apology, nor any response. Makes one wonder, doesn't it? Over 1300 runners registered for the Half, and I would be willing to bet that none of them understood that the medals were to be last year's overstock. When I emailed the promoter, I simply asked for their address so that I may return the 2014 medal; they could then easily send me my 2015 medal, the one I paid for and earned. Yet, nothing. The run itself, however, is not bad. It's flat, riverbed-coursed. It's also local (for me, anyway) so it's an easy drive. The course is outlined well enough: there were no problems with regard to direction. In fact, running along the riverbeds made for some great and memorable shots. I could have done without so many youngsters running alongside me. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud that they are out there; but they tend to criss-cross, stop suddenly, walk in groups... But they're kids. I guess they can't be faulted for that. So if you are thinking to PR, get to the front and stay there; otherwise, cut your losses, and call it a day. The expo afterwards is great, lots and lots of vendors. Again, the kids, they tend to hoard the goodies. I watched as they loaded tray after tray of cookies, bananas, and--to my complete dismay--all of the Muscle Milk. There were many runners behind me who were seriously going to be left out. Nevertheless, cut your losses. Armloads of chocolate chip cookies probably wasn't what you were running for anyway. Another ding has to be retrieving the "goodie bags" and T-shirts--the same ones the volunteers wore--which were handed out after the race. It was a nightmare! Lines upon lines of people. There just didn't seem to be much organization. So for my second Half this year, the Southern California Half will not be one I'll consider again...unless I receive my 2015 medal. It's a lot of money to spend for such aggravation. It's money well-spent elsewhere.

Not that great... First of all, the course is whatever to me. It is flat which is good but it's…read morevery boring. It's also very narrow, and because they don't start the crowd in waves it's very congested for the first half of the race. The whole time I was thinking "why didn't they start us in waves?" I mean, a huge chunk of the race is on the riverbed trail which is so narrow. Why would you start everyone at once??? It was pretty annoying trying to get around people and vice versa. The water stops... there was only powerade at the first few stops. Later on around mile ten I went over to the station to get some, and I heard one of the volunteers say that they ran out of powerade while another volunteer responded "shhh don't let them hear you say that." Okay... great. It should also be noted that there's no gels provided at this race, so bring your own if you need some. I wouldn't call this organized either. After I crossed the finish line I didn't know where to go next. I was being funneled into this line (I guess?) and then realized it was for the medal. So congested. Speaking of the medal... it's for 2014. Yes, they messed up the date. On their FB page they only just recently stated that they overlooked the year. The "24th annual" is correct, but for some reason everyone overlooked the year?! I don't get it... I was driving out of the parking lot when my boyfriend said "why didn't you get a goodie bag?" I had absolutely no idea that there were goodie bags at all until he pointed out the people walking around with them in their hands. Again, this is where the lack of organization can be seen. There was no direction or help, signs, anything.... I'm definitely not returning next year. I didn't enjoy the course or the organization and overall the race was just "whatever" to me. I don't see it to be worth the $70 at all, and I would suggest just holding out for Surf City if you're considering this one. There's not much to look at and you'll feel lost. There's a lot of kids who run this race which is great, but I sort of felt like I was an outsider. haha. It's all student running groups, so be prepared to be surrounded by kids for a few hours if you decide to risk wasting your money with this race.