El Toro makes for a beautiful run!…read more Tour Del Toro, organized by the Boys & Girls Club Program in Lake Forest, welcomes cyclists, runners, and walkers alike to participate in either a 25-mile/50-mile ride or a 5k/10k Run, each race just as colorfully scenic as the others. Touring through the heart of South Orange County, each course winds not only through the neighboring hills and canyons, but in and around the Lake Forest Sports Park & Recreation Center as well. Including 57 acres devoted for active use and 30 acres for passive use and open space, the Sports Park, standing as the Tour's start and finish. really is amazing--heavily populated and fully appreciated by its residents. I'd won a free 5K run from Road Runner Sports' Adventure Run, and although I really enjoyed the 5K, I would definitely opt for an extra 3 miles and run the 10K next year instead. The 10K's course, which at first ran through the Sports Park, also headed toward the hills, just a bit north. On such a beautifully sunny day as this, extending my run into the green would have made for an even better trek. But, again, this run entirely supports the Boys & Girls Club in Lake Forest; I'm always on board for something like that. It's always fun to step outside and get some exercise, and when doing so helps kids, applause is in order. Great job, Tour Del Toro! See you next year!

A great event with something for everyone. This year I wasn't in the best shape, so I opted for the…read more5k walk/run. A nice course around the sports park, finishing with a fun expo that included a bicycle safety rodeo for the kids, and an indi race car (which my son thought was pretty cool!). The year prior I did the 25 mile bike ride, which was a nice, challenging ride. From what I was told the 50 mile course was fun this year, and the more difficult 50 mile course was exceptional for those advanced riders looking for a real test of fitness and stamina. I wish I could have done the 10k this year, heard the trail into the hills was a welcomed change-up from most courses in the OC area, which are typically dominated by concrete and pavement. I will say it's definitely a newer event, so the only downside is that they are building up participant numbers. If you are looking for an event with huge crowds, this isn't for you. But if you're looking for a day outside for the whole family and all fitness levels, then Tour del Toro is an event I would definitely come out for. And I'm always down to support the Boys and Girls Club.

It's the Open. If you have a good strategy, you can really…read moreenjoy this event. Here is what I do: 1. Get there early, no later than 9:30 a.m. 2. Park across from Tacos Los Cholos (lunch place) 3. Make your way down to the water, visit as many booths and you can. Get some freebies. 4. Park it at the waters edge. Watch the action. We were lucky this year to see the guy who won surf in a heat. It was amazing. 5. After an hour or so, go by the shopping tent. So much great merch, you will be amazed. 6. Head up to Tacos Los Cholos and have the most amazing ribeye tacos ever!!! Best tacos in Orange County. 7. Head home before the crowds.

Now that my husband is afraid of flying, we finally hang around home sweet home. While the rest of…read morethe country has flood, tornado, sink holes, Huntington Beach has balmy weather, we're in paradise! The iconic biggest event of the year is the US Open of Surfing which concluded yesterday w the winner who is from Encinitas, California. Jake Marshall has surfed since he was 7 and after becoming champion we can expect him to be in the Olympic Games someday. I have been going to the us open forever n I have been disappointed LEXUS as a sponsor has not generated as much excitement as past sponsors, the best one was with HURLEY of course bc they are in the surfboard business, surf wear and surf culture. They gave out a lot of freebies like caps, water n pens, Lexus almost had nothing. These days the only food you see are unsightly huge food trucks. We ate at Lorea inside the Pasea hotel, it was expensive n the food was mediocre. I always think it's hilarious seeing HB cops riding horses, they looked so cool, the cops on motorcycles had AK47 strapped on the bike! The crowd has been tame n really behaving, years ago it was rowdy w public drinking n brawling from mostly kids fr the inland empire. That said this yearly event is 5 stars bc if you love watching surfing , this is it! We are the one and only SURF CITY USA.

Not the easiest of courses…read more For the 5k, you run at an incline for almost the first 1.6 miles, before turning around, and slowly descending back to original elevation at the starting point. There is a water station at the turnaround point for the 5k. The race is only gun timed - not chip - so it's more of a fun run for a good cause (focusing on increasing awareness about organ donation.) The 2014 10k started at 8:15 and the 5k at 8:45... meaning, it's a little warmer out by that point! Be prepared to sweat! Great community event, and a worthwhile cause.

Running a 5k or 10k with an energized band of laced-up Santas doesn't happen often. In fact, it's…read morequite a sight to see: a rolling blanket of Christmas red coursing along the California coastline, sun shining brightly, runners' wispy, white beards waving in the salt air while the December morning surf crashes upon sandy beaches. It's a lot of fun! And what's even more fun is that all of those Santa suits you see running around are part of your registration. You may choose a Christmas t-shirt, or, if you'd rather, full Santa get-ups--beards, caps, pants, and jackets--are available instead. Here, everyone's getting into the holiday spirit! And to top it off, after your run, the finishers medals are also themed and unique: gift wrapped presents with dangling name tags identifying the race itself and the year you've run.

My review is for the marathon:…read more What a great, small race. There were probably 200 people combined in the marathon and half marathon. The course started on the Santa Ana River Trail just outside of Riverdale Park in Anaheim and went along the trail almost until the 22 fwy. The runners turned around and came back along the same path where the half marathoners finished inside Riverdale Park and the marathoners continued along the trail until just past Yorba Linda Regional Park and then turned around to head toward the finish at Riverdale Park. There were plenty of signs directing runners where to park (at a lot adjacent to Kaiser hospital) which is great when you're not familiar with the area and it's still in the dark of early morning. There was an ample amount of porta potties at the start as well as public park restrooms (those had a longer line). They had a Don Francisco truck handing out free, hot coffee (it was chilly on race morning) and I saw some other snacks out there too at some of the sponsor tables. A girl from a local yoga studio led a 10 minute warm up stretch before we were lined up on the trail and the Star Spangled Banner was sung. The race started just a couple minutes after 7am. There were water stations at almost every mile and mile markers throughout the course. Max Muscle Enduromax was offered as the electrolyte drink at different intervals and they were handing out Clif Shots at several stations as well. There was another station handing out pretzel and orange slices as well. All of the volunteers were extremely friendly and many of them cheered when they saw an approaching runner or walker. There were lots of cyclists on the path and recreational users but there was plenty of room for everyone. The Santa Ana River Trail is really scenic with lots of foliage, Canadian Geese, birds, Egrets and mallard ducks in the water. There really wasn't any shade so a summer run along the trail would be very hot. At around mile 20 there was a great musician greeting runners. The run was really beautiful and serene but if you're someone who needs lots of spectators and likes to run in a big pack, this isn't the race for you. At around mile 22, I was all alone. I didn't see another runner behind or in front of me for atleast a mile so I enjoyed the zen of the run. I was greeted at the finish line with a couple dozen spectators cheering and was draped with a space blanket and had a medal hung around my neck by some of the friendliest volunteers with the nicest smiles. The announcer read each finisher's name and hometown as they approached the finish which always pumps me up. There was an ample amount of post race food: water, bananas, Clif Bars, homemade cookies (yum!), Martinelli's apple juice and passionfruit apple juice, and bagels. They had a local massage business giving free massages (I really wanted one but I felt guilty asking someone to rub my sweat drenched, smelly back and legs). Max Muscle was handing out samples and Yorba Linda water district gave away plastic water bottles. They were updating the results about every 15 minutes. I was 1st place female 35-40 so I earned an extra medal (sweet!) and I earned a new PR! It was a glorious day! The marathon finisher's medal was HUGE and it's soooo nice. It might be my favorite medal I've earned so far. The tech shirt was a very nice white, long sleeve with Canadian geese on the front. I'd gladly come back and run this race again next year. The race was very well organized and volunteers were wonderful! Finish time: 4:23:51

2nd year for this event. Well organized, very helpful staff and a lot of fun. This years event at…read moreapproximately 500 runners well up from last year and seems to be growing very quickly. My time was 43:12 I didn't win, but I wasn't last. So get up off the sofa and let's go, pass on the left! :-)

So all my years going to Disneyland, this was the first time trying out the canoe. It's pretty…read moresimple. You get a paddle and row through the rivers of America. Very calm and relaxing. Occasionally you'll be riding along with the ducks. The hosts are pretty funny. Reminds me of the Jungle Cruise captains. Not exactly Dad jokes but still Dad humor. Definitely a relaxing ride worth a try!

Take a trip back in time, just around the riverbend and get some upper body exercise on a trip that…read moreusually just works the legs! The comedy and camaraderie along the Rivers of America is wonderful as you see the sights of the river up close and personal like you cannot enjoy the sights any other way at Disneyland along the waterway. It's a favorite of our family and we try to ride each trip we take. Come join us and enjoy the trip!

A comfortably easy run through and around Downtown Anaheim, starting and ending upon West Center…read moreStreet Promenade, is a great way to start a your morning. If you're local, it's an easy drive to get to the event, and as far as parking goes--and if you've been to Downtown Anaheim before, you know--there's a parking structure right there waiting for you. So there's no worries. The event's expo and packet pick-up is brimming with vendors and live music, the atmosphere's relaxed, and everyone's having fun. Of course, there are shirts available for all registrants, and, my motivation, a nice-looking medal awaiting you as you cross that finish line. Strollers, dogs, and even walkers are all encouraged to come out and get some sunshine!

I'm an Downtown Anaheim local since 1985 and Downtown Anaheim and she has been good to me and a bad…read moregirl too. Since I first moved here by chance in 85' I felt a kinship in Anaheim with the town I grew up in in Colorado. A very Hispanic laden community, with old roots and and a good community. A long history and a hardworking people. I've seen my Downtown Anaheim in some bad days and some great shining days too. And today she is shining more and more for all to see. She was born of Germanic roots in 1857 and the the farmers quickly found the groundwater and soil suitable for the grapes they grew and later the oranges that made OC famous came into playand Anaheim was central. The proud Mexican influence in Anaheim has always been present. From the early settlers and migrants providing labor to its now diverse community that features a great many Hispanic businesses and restaurants throughout Anaheim and neighboring communities. Hispanics now make up 53% of Anaheim's 330,000 population. If you cant find some good south of the border food here you are severely retarded. Mi Barrio is el Centro Anaheim. Change of faces for downtown Anaheim: In the 70's they started demolishing most of the original downtown (shame - shame) Anaheim. But a few old places survived and are being reclaimed. The old Sunkist station train depot a block away from me is now a day care center. The down town district on Center street once the mightiest business district in OC had become a drug infested, slum by the mid 80's. It was bars and pay by the hour motels then. But that has long been torn down and replaced with condos, houses, apartments, a community center and a senior center. The Packard building is now home to Umami Burgers and the Anaheim Brewery. The Sunkist Building where I used to get my Ice cheap for 25+ years will soon be the venue for new restaurants and shops. The New Downtown: So after like 20ish years or so the new downtown Anaheim Promenade as well as being the home to Sprint, Wells Farge SCI, Disney Travel, Anaheim Ice, and the city's civic offices. Is now the new "Vegan Triangle" with the Gypsy Den, 118 Degrees, and Healthy Junk as well as a small farmers market on Thursdays. But that's not all the promenade has to offer. A select bunch of new businesses from clothes to men's grooming to jewelery now line the street. Additionally it's the host to carnivals, art exhibitions, antique/craft fairs, holiday activities, and even a great beer fest. Disney Dominance: Shortly after its emergence in 1955 Disney has had a strong economic and political dominance in Anaheim. The world famous Disneyland provides 23,000 jobs to locals and helps generate a gazillion dollars for Anaheim while not paying a red cent of local taxes themselves. Just think of the cash flow $100 a ticket + $150 per guest spending x 17 million guests a year x 7.75% tax = at least $500 a year! or maybe more LOL. We're getting hosed while D-land makes a killing. Whats in store for Down Town Anaheim: Roscoe's Chicken & waffles is coming as is the Earl of Sandwich but closer to d-land. And the Sunkist building will soon be finished and occupied. A beer garden? So I guess I'll have to stay here a little while longer and see what else she has to offer.

Amazing time at this year's Oogie Boogie Bash Disney Halloween Event at Disney California…read moreAdventure. As always Trick or Treating on the Treat Trails with all the villains and their awesome lines and show makes it more fun and memorable. While our bags are getting filled with different types of treats. This is our tradition for over a decade now. It used to be called Mickey & Friends Halloween Event and would take place at Disneyland. The last several years the Halloween Event was renamed to Oogie Boogie Bash and moved to Disney California Adventure. We love it when there's no wait time on rides and can go on different rides multiple times. We enjoyed the Frightfully Fun Parade twice. We had 3 bags full of chocolates and candies. We can't wait for what's brewing at next year's Halloween event. We are so looking forward to Oogie Boogie Bash every year.

Oogie Boogie bash is a Disney California Adventure Halloween special event. Its closed to regular…read morepark visitors at a certain time so its less crowded. There are many trick or treat lines where you can get a lot of candy and chocolate. And some of the trick r treat lines include a villain from Disney and Marvel movies and tv shows. There are also Oogie Boogie Bash special food items, treats and merch. The regular rides and restaurants are open as well. Compared to previous Oogie Boogie nights it seems the lines for getting candy are getting longer. Still, love how its not crazy crowded like normal park hours. Fun experience and the different villains are awesome. We had a great time! Thank you!