Lake Sammamish State Park
Oxnard Uncovered: Southern California’s Secret Beach Haven
by Candice Merril
There are so few beach cities in SoCal that are not overrun, over-parked or over-used. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a secret place where the beaches are beautiful and the people are few? Oh yeah and you can be there in a couple of hours. I just spent a relaxing weekend in a place just like that. Oxnard. You heard me right, that town along the 101 known for its strawberries and fresh produce also has some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches.
A wide expanse of golden sand dotted with palm trees and punctuated with rolling sand dunes make up Mandalay Beach. Long paths wind through the dunes and make the beach very walkable. It’s along Mandalay Beach that the all-suite Zachari Dunes is located, our port of call for a glorious weekend of sun, sand and relaxation.
Looking for a laid-back escape by the ocean? Zachari Dunes, offers 250 roomy suites—most with stunning ocean views—so you can soak up the scenery from the comfort of your own space. The resort has recently had a total renovation, giving everything a fresh, inviting feel. It features a sparkling pool, relaxing hot tub, private cabanas, and a cozy fire pit—perfect for unwinding at any time of day. Plus, there are plenty of tasty food and drink options to keep
you satisfied throughout your stay.
Our room, on the ground floor, featured a sitting area, coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator with a bathroom in one room and a king size bed and bathroom in the other. A sliding glass door opened to our own patio with a full-on beach view and table and chairs for enjoying that view, possibly with a glass of wine in hand and a cheese tray on the table (you betcha!). Add to that a book and some of your favorite tunes and as far as I’m concerned, you’ve got Nirvana.
Since check-in is pretty late in the afternoon (4:00 p.m.) we decided to get our bearings and enjoy dinner at the on-site restaurant, Ox and Ocean. Newly appointed Chef Sebastain Matheja crafts refined dishes that showcase the region’s abundant local ingredients, and perfectly complements the laid-back yet upscale atmosphere. We sat on the patio with a view of the ocean. The patio was dotted with heaters and firepits for the beach’s chilly nights.
The next day we toyed with renting bikes but to tell the truth we haven’t been on a bike in years. I really didn’t want to test the “it’s like riding a bike” theory. We did check out the on-property bike rental, Wheel Fun Rentals and they had everything you’d need for a fun bike ride.
We chose to take a stroll along the beach walk to ‘olołkoy Beach Park. It was a glorious day with the sun shining and a cool breeze. The walk was an easy one from the hotel and we thoroughly enjoyed it. What a wonderful resource for walkers, riders and skaters.
Read the full article at Pasadenanow.com >>
Beat the Heat in the Twin Cities
by Megan Cornell
From serene beaches to splashy waterparks, these Twin Cities spots are cool picks for hot summer days
Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach
Where: 3200 E. Bde Maka Ska Parkway, Minneapolis
There are a variety of beaches across the Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis, but Bde Maka Skas 32nd Street Beach is known for its scenic skyline views and its wide stretch of sand is perfect for beach volleyball or tanning. There’s no shortage of water-related activities either—visitors can rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard at the nearby Wheel Fun Rentals.
Bunker Beach Water Park
Where: 701 County Parkway, Coon Rapid
Just outside the Twin Cities in Coon Rapids, Bunker Beach Water Park offers fun for everyone. The park includes a wave pool, lazy river, lagoon, adventure pool, rock-climbing wall, and an aquatic obstacle course. With concessions and shaded cabanas, it’s the ideal destination for both thrill-seekers and those looking to relax.
Cedar Lake Point Beach
Where: 2101 Cedar Lake Parkway, Minneapolis
Surrounded by green foliage, Cedar Lake Point Beach is shady, scenic, and great for beating the heat. Visitors can canoe, fish, swim, or stroll through the woods on nearby trails. Tucked in the trees, this beach is a quiet place to escape without leaving the Twin Cities.
Read the full article on minnesotamonthly.com >>
Karaoke on a Surrey at David Dinkins
Happy Retirement, Barb – You’ve Left a Lasting Wake!
Tickets for Kids Partners with Wheel Fun Rentals Minnesota
Wheel Fun Rentals Minnesota is a proud partner with Tickets for Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides free access to fun, enriching experiences for youth who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Through this partnership, kids and families from underserved communities across Minnesota have enjoyed free access to outdoor adventures like pedal boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and specialty bikes at eight different Wheel Fun Rentals locations.
Making a Splash – One Ride at a Time
Since the partnership began in 2020, thousands of children and their families have had the chance to explore Minnesota’s beautiful lakes and parks—often for the very first time.
“The youth had a blast! It was fun for them to get out and try something new. The paddle boards and the swan boats were a hit!”
“Thank you so much for the free tickets for the swan boats at Lake Nokomis! My mentee and I had a great time. The weather was perfect and it was a new event for us to try. We got to experience the way a boat steers with a rudder. We will definitely do this again in the future. Thanks again!!”
These firsthand stories show just how meaningful access to outdoor recreation can be—helping kids build confidence, connect with mentors, and create joyful memories in nature.
Why It Matters
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Equity in Recreation: This partnership removes financial barriers, allowing all children to enjoy healthy outdoor activities.
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Real-World Learning: Whether it’s learning to paddle or discovering how rudders work, these experiences offer hands-on education in a fun, engaging setting.
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Mental & Physical Wellness: Time outside supports emotional health, encourages movement, and strengthens family and mentor relationships.
Get Involved
Nonprofit organizations that serve youth in need can apply for free tickets at ticketsforkids.org/tickets. With the support of community partners like Wheel Fun Rentals, Tickets for Kids is bringing smiles, adventure, and a love of the outdoors to the next generation.
To learn more about our Minnesota locations, visit wheelfunrentalsmn.com.
Floating on a Lagoon in Glowing Swan Boats Is The Dreamiest Way to Spend a Night This Summer in Wisconsin
by Trent Jonas
A float on one of these glowing swan boats is a dreamy way to spend a summer night in Wisconsin. Make it part of a Milwaukee weekend adventure.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is home to several truly lovely parks. The crown jewel of them all, I think, is Veterans Park. It’s a sprawling county park on the Milwaukee waterfront that spans nearly a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline between Juneau Park and McKinley Park, creating a contiguous public green space along the water. McKinley Park is known, of course, for its beautiful beach and marina, but Veterans Park has something that no other Milwaukee Park can offer: swan boats. These charming watercraft are fun to pedal around in at any time of day, but they take on a romantic, almost ethereal, quality when the sun begins to set. For my money, floating on the Veterans Park lagoon in a glowing swan boat is just about the dreamiest way to spend a summer evening in Wisconsin.
Look for these whimsical vessels in the lagoon at the north end of the park. A concessionaire, Wheel Fun Rentals, manages the swan boats and rents them out in half-hour increments.
Taking a spin on a swan boat is an excellent way to get out on the water—much tamer than neighboring Lake Michigan, which is visible from the lagoon—and while away an afternoon. Fresh air, lovely views, a fairytale conveyance: What could be better?
As charming as this all is, the real enchantment happens when the sun starts to dip behind the Milwaukee skyline. This is when the swans, which are lined with strands of LED lights, are illuminated. Swan riders become mere shadows, floating on glowing waterfowl beneath star-dotted skies, gliding over reflections of city lights on the dark lagoon, and breathing in the cool night air.
Illuminated swan boat rides are available from sunset to 9:30 p.m. daily during the summer, and on certain weekends in May and September. Check the Wheel Fun Rentals website for exact dates and rental pricing.
Read the full article at onlyinyourstate.com >>
