SAMPLE DAY/WEEKEND TRIP FOR A FAMILY OF 5
Watching the Swallows Come Home to San Juan Capistrano
If you are wondering what you can do with your family on a Saturday, here is a suggested trip from Los Angeles to San Juan Capistrano. San Juan Capistrano is such a beautiful city that it is worthy of a visit any time of the year.
6 a.m.
Pack some snacks and drinks for later.
7 a.m. Breakfast
Go to Teddy's Diner on the corner of Bundy Blvd. and Pico Blvd. Order 2 chicken fried steak breakfast ($7.50 each) (includes 3 eggs, potatoes, and 2 slices of toast), 1 order of Westside Favorite ($6.00) (2 eggs, 2 hotcakes, 2 pieces of bacon or sausage, and 2 slices of toast), 1 order of country biscuits and gravy ($2.50) and 2 cups of coffee ($1.65). That is just enough food to feed our whole family consisting of a 6' 5" husband and 3 very hungry little boys. Total price: $26.80 + tax + tip.
Cost: $33.00
8 a.m. To Union/Metrolink Station
Park at Underground Gateway Center off of Ramirez St. (the cheapest underground parking closest to the Metrolink station. ($6 all day)
Cost: $6
Purchase an unlimited Metrolink weekend pass for $10 per person ($10 x 4 = $40). Regular price is $25 per person for a round trip ticket ($25 x 4 = $100). Children 5 and under rides free.
Cost: $40.00; Savings: $60.
8:50 a.m. to 10:08 a.m. Train Ride from Union/Metrolink Station to San Juan Capistrano
Card games with kids. Watch the scenery. Relax.
10:08 a.m. San Juan Capistrano
Watch the parade = free
Look out for the swallows = free
Teach kids about the history of Missions, San Juan Capistrano in particular and the Swallows, the recent environmental impact that caused the Swallows from not returning to the Mission, some discussion re biology - mammals, birds, and Swallows in particular.
Cost: Free
12:30 p.m. Lunch
- For the kids - splurge on street vendor food for the experience and fun of it ($20.00); for my husband and I, Groupon special of Mexican Food Carry Out from Taqueros - 2 Groupons, each good for $30 in food and drinks) for $36 ($18 per Groupon). Also, restaurant website has coupon for 1 free drink with any purchase. Buy $30 worth of food and drinks for lunch, and snacks that can last until the train ride home.
Cost: $38.00; Savings: $14.00 (Groupon savings and drink coupon)
1:30 p.m. Visit Zoomars
Visit Zoomars zoo (groupon special - petting zoo admission for 4 with 2 gem stone mining experience). Regular price $10 per adult and $8 per child, so our family would have been $44 (2 adults and 3 children). Groupon price is $20 + $8 for one extra child.
Cost $28; Savings: $16
5:00 p.m. Zoomars closed
Walk over to the park so kids can run around and get steam out. = Free
While kids are playing, another parent go back to Taqueros to redeem 2nd Groupon for food to feed the boys on the train ride home.
Cost: Free
6:03 p.m. - to 7:50 p.m.
Eat dinner purchased from Taqueros Mexican Restaurant which we purchased just before getting on the train. ($18 Groupon for $30 worth of food and drinks), and snacks and drinks we brought from home. Afterwards, wash them up on the train. Play cards and read books.
Cost: $18.00; Savings of $12.00 (Groupon savings and drink coupon)
7:50 p.m. - to 8:30 p.m.
Arrive at Union/Metrolink Station. Walk to car. Drive Home.
TOTAL COST: $163; Cost per person = $32.60
SAVINGS: $141
Our experiences: (1) Train experience, (2) Hands-on learning experiences for the kids, (2) eating all 3 meals out, (3) parade, (4) petting zoo, and (5) gem stone mining experience.
The money spent on meals was $89. By eating at home or packing our own food for lunch and/or dinner we could have saved up to $89. Then, we could have done this all day trip for just $74.
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