Outside of the Box Summer Fun: Nine Unique Summer Experiences that you Won’t Forget!

Summer is about building memories. You could take yet another trip to the local library or beach—or you could do something different. Let your imagination run wild as you enjoy these unique experiences you’ll still be talking about by the time summer is over.

Skate, Surf, and BMX!

Over 70,000 people will be in Huntington Beach to watch some of the best action sports athletes in BMX, skateboarding, and surfing at this year’s Vans US Open of Surfing.

The US Open in Huntington Beach is one of the world’s top surfing events. On top of the surfing competitions, the nine-day festival also hosts skateboarding and BMX competitions, public skate and BMX sessions, on-site surfboard shaping and demos, live music, fashion shows, vendor exhibitions where you can score free swag, movie premieres, and much more.  The Vans US Open runs from July 27 through August 4, 2019, on the southside of the Huntington Beach Pier.

Revisit the middle ages

Step into the 11^th century at Medieval Times, a stunning dinner theater that brings guests back to an earlier time. Skilled riders and beautiful houses will take the stage for the ultimate jousting tournament between six skilled knights. Each section of the crowd will cheer on their warrior while feasting on a four-course meal including tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, garlic bread, the dessert of the Castle, and plenty more. There’s not much more you can ask for with dinner and a show. The performances are captivating, arena spacious and visually exciting, and animals well trained. 

Get a taste of farm life

Enjoy a guided wagon tour around the 30 acres of Tanaka Farms and get the opportunity to sample fruits and vegetables straight from the farm. After the tour, guests are invited to visit the chickens, play in the maze and play area, and explore. If you want to take home some fresh and delicious treats, check out this list of places to pick berries throughout the area.

Try your hand at archery

Whether you read the hunger games and want to be the next Katniss Everdeen or your children were mesmerized with Merida’s bowman ship in Brave, there are a few places for you to try out the sport in Orange County. Many of them offer free first-time classes, like the Rancho Park Archers and Pasadena Roving Archers. This is a great activity to learn as a family.

Take a swashbuckling pirate adventure

Enjoy an entertaining show filled with theatrics, action, acrobatics, and humor for kids and adults at Pirates Dinner Adventure. You’ll feel like your in on the adventure, with plenty of crowd interaction and close-up encounters. This dinner accompanying the show consists of an appetizer, main course, dessert, and drink.

Drift into a dreamworld

Climb aboard the Great Park Balloon at Orange County Great Park for an unparalleled experience. From 400 feet above, you’ll have a 360° view for nearly 40 miles out. This balloon is one of the largest tethered helium balloons and the first in the United States. Daydream, talk with another passenger, or simply enjoy the views on this fantastic ride.

Rocket into outer space

View the beauty of the universe and discover it’s wonder at the Tessmann Planetarium at Santa Ana College. The Planetarium presents various shows and programs throughout the year. This summer, they’re offering two special programs: “A Summer Tour of the Solar System” and “America in Space: Celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Moon Landing.”

Enter the amazing world of reptiles

The Reptile Zoo is sure to please lizard lovers and amphibian admirers alike. Home to a fascinating collection of over 100 exotic species, the variety of animals you’ll see in this place is unlike anything else in the Orange County area. Walk through the zoo or get involved in one of the hands-on-presentations, where you can interact with a 4ft Black and White Tegu, a Rose Tarantula, and a Pixie Frog, among other animals. In a separate experience, guests are even invited to feed the turtles and tortoises.

Blast to the past

Ever wished you could travel back in time and pick up some fresh dinosaur eggs? Well, now you can! The Time Travel Mart runs by the motto “Whenever you are, we’re already there,” and they sure don’t lie. The store is stocked with items from every era: medical leeches in a jar, Robot Milk, donuts from 1985, and many other timeless treasures.  The best part is, this quirky store is actually a non-profit organization working to help kids ages 6 to 18 improve their creative writing skills. Some of these budding authors even have work on display or for sale in the store. If you’re looking for a fun shopping experience, this is the place to be. Every purchase goes towards helping more kids develop their writing abilities.