Summertime at Dodger Stadium

July 22, 2017 by 102 Comments

There’s so much more to Dodger Stadium than baseball. On our latest trip, for the June 25 game against the Colorado Rockies which turned into the “longest nine-inning game in the history of Dodger Stadium,” we took some time to enjoy the sights, explore a little, and stay even after that 4-hour, 19-minute game to the let the kids run the bases. Did you know that’s a thing?

Dodger Stadium kids watching

Obviously, you go to Dodger Stadium to watch a baseball game. But kids can get bored, and games can last a long time. Luckily, there are things to see and do there that break up the activity of just sitting and watching the game.

Things To See

There are plenty of great photo opportunities in and around Dodger Stadium. Pictures of your kids and family near the giant Dodger hand or the LA symbol will become iconic images of their childhood.

 

Dodger Stadium giant hand

Dodger Stadium LA symbolThis silver logo is just inside the entrance to the club level seats.

Dodger Stadium Jackie Robinson

This sculpture, unveiled in April, is the first-ever sculpture in the Stadium and marks the 70th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. It’s located on the left field reserve level plaza area (Lot B).

Dodger Stadium social media center

The social media center is fun to watch – that dude in there has a busy job! If you post a photo to social media with the tag #mlbmemorybank, it will show up on the board, and may be shown on the giant DodgerVision screen in the stadium!

Dodger Stadium DodgerVision

That’s our crew! You can see our guests, Jeff and Kevin, and my son Brady front and center in his Dodgers cap. I was too busy trying to snap a pic to make sure I was in the shot!

Dodger Stadium bullpenYou can watch the reserve pitchers warming up in the bullpen during the game. We were so close we could hear how hard the ball smacks the glove at 90 mph!

Things To Eat and Drink

Beyond the obligatory Dodger Dog, the various snack bars throughout the stadium offer a variety of salads, nachos or ice cream in a Dodger helmet, meatball subs, Vietnamese noodles, and more! I decided to dessert my way through the day, starting with this churro ice cream sundae.

Dodger Stadium churro ice cream sundae

My son preferred a cherry flavored Icee, but my choice of drink on this sweltering day was the Ketel One Watermelonade.

Dodger Stadium Ketel One Watermelonade

A full list of what food is available where is on the Dodgers website under Concessions.

Things To Do

Like I said, it’s not just baseball games that happen at Dodger Stadium. They have fireworks, movie nights, kids running the bases, festivals before the games, and giveaways. At this game, they gave a cool Dodgers water bottle to every kid who came. They have themed games and special promotions for groups. This day was Girl Scout Day, and all the Girl Scouts – there were hundreds – who showed up led a parade around the field before the game. Psst: Hello Kitty night is coming up September 25.

Dodger Stadium hello kitty

My son and his friend got to run the bases that day. It was over pretty quickly, but there was a long line. The experience is open to kids 4-14 after select Sunday home games.

Dodger Stadium kids run bases

mom and kid at dodger stadiumHe was pretty happy with the day. So was I.

Check out the rest of the Dodgers’ 2017 home game schedule. Go for the baseball, come back with a day full of memories, and maybe even a bag to put them in.

Dodger Stadium boy on club level

My son and our friends and I attended the game as guests of the Dodgers. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Excursions, Fun Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Gear Review: Contigo Water Bottle To Keep Drinks Cold

April 24, 2015 by 85 Comments

Use the Flip Chill bottle when it’s extra hot outside to keep cold liquids cold longer.

little league baseball batter

My kids participate in sports leagues outside of school, and one of the must-haves that go with them to every practice or game is a reusable water bottle. We have at least 2 dozen of them in various states of cleanliness and in various locations at any given time: in my car, in their dad’s car, in their sports bag, in their other sports bag, or worst, left behind at the sports field or venue.

Sigh.

That’s better than getting a new plastic bottle of water every time we go somewhere though. And I hope that when we misplace or lose one, someone else finds it, washes it well, and makes use of it.

Now that summer is coming again and California is in a drought, leaving us all parched and dry and drinking more water than usual, those water bottles are even more important. My younger son plays baseball a few times a week, and when there are games, it’s usually blazing hot and the sun beats directly down on the dugout. That means that any water he brings, even if I put ice in the bottle, basically gets heated up while he’s on the field.

Contigo Flip Chill Water Bottle

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It’s a perfect time to test out a new bottle. Contigo’s new Flip Chill water bottle has Thermalock Vacuum Insulation – it’s a double wall of stainless steel between your beverage and the elements that is meant to keep the cold inside. I have been a fan of the Contigo water bottle for several years. This one has a flip-top spout that can be locked back down when not being used, keeping the sipping area hidden. That way the place where your child puts his mouth is less likely to be rolled in the dirt that accumulates in the dugout from the field.

We tested the bottle at baseball practices and games, and at school. Each time, I filled the bottle with cold water and ice and sent the boy on his way.

At school, it worked perfectly. The bottle comes into class with my son or he leaves it in his backpack, which is under shade most of the day. He reported that his water stayed cold until he finished it.

At the field, though, the sun was just too strong, and this particular bottle only comes in a 10 oz. size, which is perfect for younger kids. My 8-year-old plays hard, though, and while the bottle kept the water cold, that water was gone quickly. Refills from the baseball field’s water fountain were only mildly cold.

mom and boys hiking

The bottle is certainly an improvement on just a plain old single-walled one, and we do really like it. It’s good for car rides, school days, even short hikes. If it ever comes in a larger size, that will be the perfect one for my big sweaty boys.

Contigo AUTOSPOUT® Flip Chill Kids Water Bottle
$15.99

Filed Under: Products, Things Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Cronies Restaurant: It’s Not Just For Beer

April 17, 2015 by 117 Comments

It’s a family restaurant! Read to the end for the $50 gift card giveaway.

cronies review giveaway pinterest

A few weeks ago, my family went to Cronies for dinner – it was the night the restaurant was donating 20% back to the kids’ school if you presented a special flyer. My younger son had had a baseball game, and I walked up and down the bleachers handing out flyers, hopefully inspiring people to visit this family restaurant/sports “grill.”

When we got there, we saw at least a dozen other families from our school. Their kids had had baseball games and softball games, or they were just hungry and they wanted to support the school and have someone else make dinner. Win-win.

The truth is, Cronies looks like a sports bar from the outside. The word “Cronies” and the many neon beer signs will steer you to that impression. But what Cronies’ management wants you to know is that the restaurant is actually a family place, where you can gather, find something on the menu that will delight everyone, let the kids goof around and be kind of loud, and also, you can drink a beer. A very, very cold beer.

just some taps

Come on, Agoura Hills. Don’t we need that kind of place around here?

What used to be Angel Cafe, full of booths and Italian food, is now Cronies, anchoring the CVS/Vons plaza at Kanan Ave. and Thousand Oaks Blvd. There is plenty of parking, and a Goodwill book store nearby.

Cronies family restaurant and sports grillThe wings are delicious

Cronies is open from breakfast through late night, and you can always find a friendly face there. Manager Wayne Smith will greet you with a handshake and his bearded smile, and if you engage him in conversation he will point up to a photograph on the wall taken in the (I’m guessing) early 80’s: that’s me, he’ll say, the child in the owner’s arms.

Because Cronies goes way back. Its original location is in Ventura, and the owners branched out to Agoura because let’s face it. We needed them as much as they need us.

Since its opening several months ago, Cronies has supported neighborhood schools, the Great Race, and a family that lost its mother in a tragic car crash. The bartenders have served up countless drafts, they have hosted Superbowl parties and March Madness happy hours, and opened its doors for breakfast and lunch. Cronies wants us to become like them – cronies in the best definition of the word: lifelong friends.

Yeah, yeah, it’s great for blowing off steam after work or a baseball game. “But how’s the food, Kim?” you ask. And I’m glad you did.

The first time I went to Cronies it was for lunch. The place was nearly deserted. “Bingo!” I thought. “A great place for meeting a friend, or conducting business over a meal.” I’m thinking PTA meetings. (Amirite, ladies and gents?)

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The food didn’t disappoint. Beyond the basic bar food of burgers and fries – which are solid, dependable choices – Cronies has a great list of salads to choose from, my favorite being the “protein salad” which has tuna salad, sprouts, and nuts over a bed of greens. Our family also tried the chicken wings, both the hot wings and the barbecue sauce version. I could eat them all by myself if necessary. And my husband had a pulled pork sandwich which he generously shared – it was sweet and savory and delicious.

frozen beers

Cronies serves beer in giant ice cream bowls – I believe they are referred to as “schooners” but I can totally imagine eating an ice cream sundae out of one – and the beer is super ice cold. They don’t have a full bar and even though I like wine (hey it’s me you’re talking to here…) I prefer to drink something closer to beer so I usually choose a Mike’s hard lemonade or cranberry which they will serve over ice, mimicking a cocktail. Good enough!

The bottom line is: go to Cronies for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a relaxed atmosphere where you can watch the game, pawn your kids off on the quarter-hungry machines, and be kind of loud. It’s perfect for team parties, or lunch with your friends where you can hear each other talk, and then run into the grocery store to pick up a few things before getting back to work or picking up the kids. Happy hour is from 2-6 – that is a LONG happy hour, designed to “beat any crowd,” and there’s always a promo running, so check them out.

Cronies
5687 Kanan Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 889-0889

Giveaway: Cronies has offered a $50 gift card to a lucky Agoura Hills Mom reader. Just leave a comment here and tell me what your favorite Cronies drink or dish is, or what you’d like to try. One comment entry per person. Make sure your email address is entered (will not be published). For an extra entry, follow @agourahillsmom on Instagram and leave your handle in your comment. Winner will be drawn at random from all qualifying entries received by 11:59 PM, Friday April 24.

Filed Under: Local Businesses, Restaurants Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,