Visit Balboa Island in California

California travel expert Veronica Hill visits Balboa Island California — home to the famous Balboa Bar and Balboa Fun Zone. The Balboa Fun Zone coastal amusement park, located in Newport Beach, is one of Southern California's oldest, dating back to 1936.

Visit the Big Bear in California I've come to Big Bear for a weekend get away and I hear there are tons of steps to do. Are you ready? Let’s go check it out. Located about 98 miles from Los Angeles in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear is known for its great winter skiing but come here during the summer and the lake is all yours. We’re staying at the Northwood Resort, a Big Bear hotel that’s right in the village. The family suite is spacious and comfortable. In fact, it’s like having our own private cabin. You can't visit the mountains without getting in touch with nature and I know just the place to go. Big Bear Discovery Center offers a variety of hikes and activities throughout the year and today we’re going gold panning. The river near Holcomb Valley has now dried out though there are still several claims but panning in this place is the next best thing and it’s great fun for the kids. So you just kind of seep the sand like that. Male: Watch the sand out and gold will be heavier will stay in the pan. So you’re having gold out there now. And you keep all that out and then you can wash them out there. There will be no more coal underneath there. Veronica Hills: Very cool. Every summer weekend the center offers a variety of family activities. They even have a mountain style petting zoo. At the mountain mining continent you can make your own jewelry or try a bit of hatchet throwing. I couldn’t resist getting up close to this beautiful wolf owned by mountain man Tom Skalka. Veronica Hills: Is this a real wolf? Tom Skalka: Well, he isn’t a fake one. He’s just got a little bit of husky in it. Veronica Hills: And what type of wolf. Tom Skalka: Timber. This mother’s wolf is McKinley Galley Alaskan Timber wolf. His father’s wolf is McKengie Valley Canadian Timber wolf. Veronica Hills: Ah, okay. Great and what’s his name. Tom Skalka: Anubis. Veronica Hills: Anubis Tom Skalka: Anubis was the Egyptian god. It had the body of a man and the head of a jackal. Veronica Hills: Wow, neat. After enjoying the outdoor programs, I head inside to check out the natural history exhibits and learn more about the center from Direct Dennis Thomas. Dennis Thomas: Now, we have canoeing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We have kayaking every Saturday and Sunday and these are all paid programs that you can come in. You don’t have to know how to canoe or kayak and we actually take you out into Grout Bay with one of our naturalist and we go ahead and we get together out there. We show you beaver dams and the fish and the fowl and a lot about the history. It’s an hour and a half program. It is incredible. If you enjoy hiking, you can access the famous Pacific Crest Trail here as well. Not only are there plenty of water sports and nature activities to keep us busy but I also hear there is a pirate ship that sails around the lake. Used in the 1981 movie, Time Bandit, this Spanish galleon replica offers daily tours around the lake complete with its own authentic pirates. When it comes time to eat, you won’t find the shortage of Big Bear restaurants. Sweet Basil Bistro offers wonderful homemade salads and paninis while Captains Anchorage and Evergreen International boasts some of the best fine dining on the mountain. Ready for more adventure, we head to Alpine slide, a family fun center with some of the bobsled in Southern California. You can also play around the miniature golf, zipped down the water slide or take a spin in the go-cart. It’s day two of our Big Bear vacation and I’m starting it out with style while dad watches the kids I'm getting a spa treatment at Elevations Day Spa. Open since 2000, this full service spa is the local’s choice for body treatments, facials and massages. Today, I'm trying the custom one-hour facial with esthetician doctor and after a pampering experience we’re off to the scenic sky chair at Snow Summit. The sights both up and down the lift are just incredible. At the top, 8200 feet above sea level you can enjoy a by deck view house, Big Bear’s highest barbecue grill but I'm here for the view. We’re ending our visit at North Shore Marina where you can rent all types of water craft. I'm here for a sunset ride on the wave runner which is the perfect way to end our weekend. I had a great time in Big Bear Lake and I know you will too. Thanks for watching.