Now that it’s officially spring, the community events calendar is heating up (just like the weather … hopefully.) There is no shortage of things to do and see on the weekends, especially around the Harbour area.
This Saturday, April 12 is the annual Bolsa Chica Earth Day Festival. The event is held in the parking lot of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve’s visitor center on Warner Avenue near the Pacific Coast Highway intersection. Guided tours of the reserve are offered (as they are most weekends), along with lots of educational family fun. We attended last year and the kids had a great time going to all the different booths, learning facts about wildlife and the environment, getting stamps in their “passports,” which they could redeem for a ticket to jump in the bounce house. The highlight was flinging mudballs full of poppy seeds into the reserve. The Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and convenient parking is across the street.
On Sunday, April 13, the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club celebrates their Opening Day. Traditionally, an Opening Day ceremony marks the first day of the boating season after the winter thaw, which obviously doesn’t quite translate from the East Coast to California, but who are we to argue with tradition? Boats decorated for the event will parade through the waterways led by Harbor Patrol. Seagate Yacht Club will celebrate their Opening Day on April 26th with similar fanfare.
Twice a month the Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Surfrider chapter hosts a Beach Clean Up at various beaches in the area. The schedule, locations and more information can be found at www.hbsurfrider.org. You don’t have to preregister (unless you’re coming with a large group), just show up, check in at the Surfrider tent , help out as long as you can, and feel good about doing good.
Mark your calendar for the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee’s Attic Treasures Estate Sale. It will be held at the Huntington Harbour Mall in the rear parking lot from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. If you have something you’d like to donate prior to the sale, you can drop it off at the Philharmonic office in the mall, or inquire about arrangements to pick up. Proceeds benefit the non-profit group’s efforts to support children’s music programs.
Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the Peter’s Landing Farmers Market, featuring certified California-grown fruits and vegetables, gourmet specialty foods, handcrafted items, art, live music, fresh cooked fare, pony rides and a petting zoo.
Kayak and stand up paddleboard rentals for enjoying the calm Harbour water while also getting the benefits of exercise are available along Pacific Coast Highway. Sunset Water Sports and OEX Sunset Beach frequently offer specials on Groupon for discounted rentals. I’m sad to report Beach Rags on Bolsa Avenue at Bolsa Chica will be closing their warehouse store on April 27, so stop in on a Saturday or Sunday before then and get all your beachwear and gear at super-low prices (and dress like a pro even if it’s your first time on a SUP.)
If you’re still looking for something to do, feel free to stop by an open house and say hi to us dedicated realtors working on the weekends! There are some gorgeous houses on the market right now … and, let’s be honest (they all can’t be gems,) some ugly ones too where questionable décor, paint color, and remodeling choices were made, but those are fun to see if only for the “I can’t believe someone did that!” factor.
Lara Anderson is a resident of Huntington Harbour, former Mayor of Dana Point, and a Broker/Agent with Coldwell Banker Beachside Realtors. She can be reached at (949) 677-4099 or email: LA@LaraAnderson.com
