Spring is in the air, and that means only one thing. Spring Break! It's the highlight of the programming year for certain music-themed cable networks. It's a welcome respite from the regular routine for students everywhere. And, It comes right at the time of year when nothing sounds better than a week at the beach.

Some of us make it a tradition to fly away to a sunny, coastal locale when Easter week rolls around. But when you're lucky enough to live within driving distance of some spectacular stretches of sand, there's no need to feel bad if you haven't booked a vacay. Simply choose what kind of beach experience you'd like and point your car down the freeway. Find a room with a view and spend a night or two, or hoof it back to the comfort of your own home. Either way, you'll settle back into the regular routine with a bit of salt air in your lungs and some sand in your shoes, which should carry you through until school is out for summer.

Get Wild: Head north to Santa Barbara for a day of fun in the sun. The drive is beautiful, but if you don't feel like hitting the freeways, Santa Barbara is easy to get to by train. It's about a two-hour trip from Burbank to Carpinteria, where you can grab lunch by the water and hang out at some beautiful, family-friendly beaches. Santa Barbara is just a short jaunt away, and you can take the train in. You'll find loads of great beaches for strolling, but visit the charming Santa Barbara Zoo if you really want to walk on the wild side. You can enjoy the zoo's new Australian Walkabout experience and meet some of our furry friends from down under, including kangaroos and emus. Ride the zoo train, or simply take in the beautifully landscaped gardens and ocean views at what has been called "the world's most beautiful zoo."

Poopdecks and Penguins: If you're looking for a seaside experience that takes you from the upper decks to deep down below the sea, head no further than Long Beach. Start your day with a trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific, where you can take in schools of tropical fish, watch playful penguins and pay a visit to Betty the sea otter. Next, seep yourself into maritime history with a visit to the Battleship Iowa at the Pacific Battleship Center. This nearly 80-year old battleship has hosted three presidents and numerous foreign dignitaries. It is a sight to see, with its 16' gun turrets.

And last but not least, plan a totally amazing dinner by booking a Gondola Getaways pizza cruise. You'll munch on pizza, salad, and garlic bread while onboard your own private gondola, floating through the canals of the Naples neighborhood. Now that's the way to have a pizza party!

Surf's up: Get the quintessential Southern California beach experience in Surf City, USA, Huntington Beach. If you're looking to sit on the sand, soak up the sun, and catch some waves, this 3.5 mile stretch of pristine beach is where to plant your umbrella. Beach snack shacks along the wide bike path serve summer classics like Wahoo's fish tacos and soft-serve ice cream. You can rent bikes or sign up for a surfing lesson. Be sure to swing by the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, housed in a cool art deco building just off Main Street, to peek at a rotating collection of surfing memorabilia and local history. Before the day is over, grab a fire ring; they're free, on a first-come-first-serve basis. Because there's nothing like ending a classic California beach day with a sunset bonfire.

Toes in the sand, waves on the horizon…now that's the way to do spring break!

Julie Ward

Butterfly Season is Here!

Kidspace's annual celebration of butterflies is here now through May 31! Celebrate and learn the life cycles of butterflies. You can buy a habitat and adopt a caterpillar for the butterfly release a few weeks later. It's truly a wonderful celebration of natural life. Don't miss it! Learn more and get tickets here. 

Take & Make: Earth Day Flower Seed Bomb

Your whole family can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in celebrating Earth Day in April by making flower seed bombs. Craft kits can be reserved starting April 4 and picked up from the Santa Catalina Branch Library. The activity runs through April 30 or while supplies last.

Out of the Pantry: Cooking Class for Teens

April is National Soft Pretzel Month, and your teen can cook up some salty goodness with the Hastings Branch Librarians on April 4, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM. Supplies are available from the Hastings Branch Library. Kit registration is required. Ingredients, the recipe, video instructions, and kit registration are available online.

Virtual Reality @PPL

Your Teens (ages 13+) and adults can take VR for a spin at the Hastings Branch Library on March 29, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM. The Oculus Quest setup provides the full VR experience. No reservations are required. First come, first served with a 30-minute session limit depending on demand. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver either online beforehand or on-site.

Take & Make: Acrylic Nature Painting

The Hastings Branch librarians invite your kids (ages 8+) to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with a mini painting. The art kit is part of the Way to Well-Being project and can be reserved starting April 1. Registrants can pick up kits at the Hastings Branch Library. See the event listing for more details. 

Take & Make: Celtic Design Bookmark

Your whole family can match their creativity with some supplies from the Santa Catalina Branch Library to make a Celtic design bookmark. Reserve your project kit starting March 14 through March 28 or while supplies last. Your kits can be picked up from the Santa Catalina Branch Library.

Take & Make: DIY Mason Bee House

Your family can make a mason bee house. Reserve your project kit starting March 12 through March 28 or until supplies last. Kits can be picked up from the Hill Avenue Branch Library.

Take & Make: Enchanted Fairy Door

Your whole family can let their imagination run wild with some supplies from the Linda Vista Branch Library and things you find around your home or neighborhood. Reserve your project kit starting March 14 through March 28 or while supplies last. Your kits can be picked up from the Linda Vista Branch Library.

Take & Make: Holi Tree Kit

Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a celebration of love and inclusion that welcomes the arrival of spring and the harvests that follow. Your family can pick up a craft kit to make a Holi Tree from any Pasadena Library location. Registration for kits opens on March 1 at 9:00 AM. This is a month-long project, but kit supplies are limited.

Garden Storytime

Join the Altadena librarians for a family storytime at Arlington Gardens. Your little ones (ages 0-5) can hear stories, sing songs, and have fun with the mobile librarians on March 26, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM.

Social Justice Teen Book Club

Teens (grades 8-12) can head to the Teen Space at the Altadena Main Library on April 5, from 6:00 PM till 7:00 PM, for the book club's monthly meeting. Safe for exploring gender, race, religion, power, privilege, and justice, the book club uses new and classic literature to ground its discussions. The library will provide limited free copies of the selected book.

Art & Chill: Prints & Paint

Your teen is invited to join the Altadena librarians in learning new artistic techniques. They will explore and practice with new methods and materials on April 9, from 2:00 PM till 3:30 PM in the Community Room. No previous experience is necessary. Registration required.

These events are regularly scheduled, and many do not require registrations. That said, please check with the event host in case of holidays, weather, COVID, or other reasons to cancel or reschedule.
 

Afternoon Games

The whole family is invited to the Villa Parke Community Center Branch Library to play games, from board games to giant dominos. The fun happens on Tuesdays, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM.

Infant & Toddler Storytime

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregiver can join the Pasadena librarians weekly at 10:30 AM for 20 minutes of reading, rhyming, and singing fun! 

Lamanda Park Branch - Tuesdays

Allendale Branch - Wednesdays

Santa Catalina Branch - Thursdays

STEAM Storytime

Your kids (ages 0-5) and their caregivers can join the La Pintoresca Branch librarians in an outdoor exploration of the wonders of the world through singing, dancing, crafts, and, of course, books. It happens on Thursdays from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM.

Outdoor Baby & Toddler Storytime - Altadena Public Library

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregivers can join the Altadena librarians on the front lawn of the Main Library on Mondays, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM for some fun with books, songs, rhymes, development, and bonding. Space is limited, and attendees must follow COVID health protocols. See the event listing for more details. This event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather conditions.

Preschool Storytime - Pasadena Public Libraries

Your kids (ages 3-5) can join the Pasadena librarians weekly for a selection of stories, songs, crafts, or a short movie. Activities vary by branch.

Villa Parke Community Center Branch - Tuesdays, 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM

San Rafael Branch - Wednesdays, 11:00 AM till 11:30 AM

Lamanda Park Branch - Thursdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Hill Avenue Branch - Saturdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Outdoor Preschool Storytime - Altadena Public Library

Children (ages 3-5) can join the Altadena librarians weekly (weather permitting) on the front lawn of the Main Library on Thursdays, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM for fun with books, rhymes, and songs. Space is limited so arrive early to get a spot. This event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather conditions. Attendees must follow COVID health protocols. See the event listing for more details.

Toddler Playtime

Kids ages 2-5 can come to play, color, listen to music and make new friends at the Villa Parke Community Center Branch on Fridays, from 10:30 AM till 12:00 PM.

ASL Storytime

Kids ages 3-5 can join the San Rafael Branch librarians for a fun storytime featuring some American Sign Language signs to learn on select Thursdays from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM.

March 3 and 17

April 7 and 21

Storytime in the Park - Monrovia Public Library

Your kids (ages 0-5) can join the Monrovia librarians in Library Park for some active and engaging stores and songs on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM till 10:45 AM through February 23. The book fun is followed up with a sensory activity or craft project. Everyone is welcome. See the event listing for more details.

Family Films

Villa Parke Community Center Branch hosts a family movie for you on Thursdays, from 3:30 PM till 5:30 PM. Please contact the branch at 626-744-6510 for the movie title. And this is a BYOS (bring your own snacks) event.

Video Game Club

Your Teen (age 14-19) can stop into the Hastings Branch Library Meeting Room on Thursdays, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM, for some gaming fun on the Nintendo Switch. They can make new friends and learn fair play every week. No registration is required. Must play well with others.

Crafting with Tish & Tosh

Join the Pasadena Library online for some all-ages crafting fun. You'll learn new crafts all year round. The crafting fun happens on every-other Monday on Instagram Live from 3:00 PM till 3:30 PM.

Book Talk

The Monrovia Library staff encourages a love of stories among young readers by providing engaging summaries of some of their favorite books on the library's YouTube channel. Great for kids five and younger, the series covers both picture and chapter books.

Picture books: March 5 and April 2

Chapter books: March 19 and April 16

Storytime in the Park - Monrovia Public Library

You and your little ones (ages 0-5) can join the Monrovia librarians every Saturday at 10:00 AM as they lead you through a story, a little music, some movement, and all-around fun. Everything is geared to get your kids dancing, singing, and learning. During COVID protocols, it all happens outdoors in Library Park, near the playground and Rotary Bandshell.

Storytime in Motion

Your preschoolers can experience books in a whole new, energetic way with the Altadena librarians on Tuesday mornings, from 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM in Charles White Park. Storytime in Motion is held outdoors, weather permitting. Attendees will be encouraged to move, jump, and dance along to the stories. Space is limited, and following COVID health protocols is required.