Hot Fun in the Summer Time
Campus Times
May 21, 1999
photo illustration by Isela Peña
Plans on how to spend the summer vacation are a hot topic during this
time of year. Southern California offers many forms of entertainment including
a vast array of theme parks. Prices to these playgrounds range from $20-$40
per person. A less expensive alternative can be one of the 75 different
sun-drenched white sand beaches on the Los Angeles and Orange County coastlines.
Many offer activities such as swimming, surfing, snorkeling, fishing, boating
and jet-skiing.
With summer looming largely in the minds of students, it is time to
turn the attention toward hot spots for summer.
The University of La Verne's Associated Students Federation (ASF) Forum
is sponsoring three exciting possibilities for this summer.
Tickets to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain
are now available in the University Book Shoppe for $25, $13 and $15, respectively.
These tickets will be available in the book store until they sell out,
so the possibilities are good that the tickets will be available during
the summer months. The tickets are also good until the end of the year,
so it is a good idea to purchase tickets in advance.
Southern California also offers numerous other opportunities for summer
fun. In addition to the above theme parks, Southern California is home to
Universal Studios, Hollywood. Tickets are about $40 for admission to the
park. The big draw this summer for Universal Studios should be their newest
attraction, Terminator 2: 3D, a combination of live-action and on-screen
experience. They currently have a deal going where one can purchase a $72.95
ticket and get into either Sea World in San Diego or to Universal for 14
consecutive days.
The Los Angeles and San Diego zoos are always an option, as well as
the San Diego Wild Animal park, located off of the 15 freeway. The Los Angeles
Zoo is only $8.25 for adults and $3.25 for children two to 11, children
under two are free. The San Diego Zoo is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. and prices for adults are $16 and $7 for children three to 11, children
two and under are free. They also offer a deluxe pass that can get you into
both the zoo and the wild animal park. This would make a great day of family
fun.
Local malls, including Montclair Plaza, Ontario Mills, the West Covina
Fashion Plaza and Puente Hills, all offer an enjoyable shopping experience,
as well as air conditioning during those hot summer days.
Speaking of the sun, nothing beats a day at the beach. Not only is it
a lot less expensive than an amusement park, there are plenty of opportunities
to eat, shop and relax at the beaches that line the Southern California
coast, including Huntington, Newport and Balboa beaches as well as the Santa
Monica beach and pier. Sunbathers beware though: these beaches charge for
parking.
San Diego beaches are not too far away either, offering many well known
shops and restaurants. People can enjoy either the beach or the bay in Pacific
Beach, or they can head to Coronado, where for a small fee, they can enjoy
a more quiet setting on a private beach.
Catalina Island is also just a short boat ride away. Ferries set sail
at 6:15 a.m. and depart every hour and a half form several harbors, with
the last departure leaving at 5:45 p.m. It takes approximately two hours
to get to Catalina, but once there, one can enjoy a variety of activities
ranging from scuba diving, snorkel, bicycling, hiking, all day shopping,
eating and camping opportunities galore.
For those who want to enjoy the water and do not mind spending a little
money, there are a few water parks where fun is easily found.
Right down the street from ULV is Raging Waters in San Dimas, where
tickets are $22.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is located right next to the Magic Mountain
theme park. Admission to the two is separate, although there are sometimes
two-for-one deals offered at the ticket booths.
Wherever one decides to spend their time in the sun remember that it
is important to drink a ton of water to stay hydrated in the summer sun,
and do not forget to wear some sunscreen.
