Months ago, I signed up for my first of many 5K races this year and was completely psyched – I even compiled the perfect playlist for running. However, upon waking up this morning, I was greeted by steady rain, constant winds, and a dreary forecast: Of course, the easiest alternative plan to take for such a catastrophe would be to spend the first Saturday of the month indoors, in fleece pajamas, sipping hot chocolate while binge-watching House of Cards on Netflix. However, if you’re desperate to get out of the house today, there’s a variety of activities you can look into that won’t involve having to be outdoors to bear the cold weather and has your brain constantly engaged, leaving no room to be depressed over the climate. Here are a couple of suggestions on what to do on a rainy Saturday in California, for your consideration:

1. Jump!

To cater to the kid within, take a trip to Presidio, San Francisco and visit House of Air. It is an indoor park that features jump structures comprised of more than 40 trampolines, including a few on the sides for maximum fun. You can freestyle, play trampoline dodge ball, and take classes! There’s even a Bounce House for kids ages 3 to 6. Fun, huh? Normally, weekend tickets sell out fast and House of Air recommends that you reserve slots ahead of time, but I took the liberty of checking today’s schedule, and it looks like there’s a lot of slots available! Go to the website and buy your tickets ASAP.

2. Tour!

The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose that used to belong to Sarah Winchester, widow of William Wurt Winchester, a gun magnate. Construction of the mansion took 38 years (from 1884 until Winchester’s death in 1922), mostly due to the widow’s belief that her family and wealth were constantly haunted by the ghosts of those who died because of the Winchester rifles and that building the house for their spirits would appease them. You can choose between touring just the mansion or the entire grand estate, both of which include a look into 110 of the 160 rooms in the house, windows built into floors, staircases and doors that lead to nowhere, and upside down posts! You can even learn a little bit more about the history of the place through a special behind-the-scenes tour. Day-of tickets must be purchased at the counter, but you can call ahead to ask about availability.

3. Climb!

If you’re the athletic and outdoorsy type and really looking forward to getting a workout in this weekend, you can check out MesaRimClimbing & FitnessCenter in San Diego, a place that boasts to be the largest and tallest climbing gyms in the west coast. With over 200 routes, 150 boulder problems, and 450 lead bolts, any mountain climbing aficionado would love the scaling the walls of Mesa Rim. The facilities include a center for yoga classes, a ping pong table, board games, and a library. Their rates include an all-in-one day pass that give you access to climbing, yoga, and fitness

4. Fly!

Who says you have to be outdoors to skydive? iFly Hollywood gives you an idea of what it’s like to jump out of an airplane 2,500 feet high, only you’re indoors and safe within the confines of a booth with a strong blower. It’s a lot more fun than it looks and requires less courage to actually do if you’ve been dreaming of one day giving skydiving a try and are always finding excuses to bail. You can book your flight today. Other locations in California include one in San Francisco and one in Perris Valley.

California Donuts "For over 25 years, California Donuts #21 Inc. has been proud of serving only the greatest of donuts… All of our donuts are traditionally hand cut to perfection, made with the finest ingredients. With our focus on quality, we assure that with eat bite… you will enjoy the sweetness & fluffiness of the one and only 'California Donuts'." Soruce: cadonuts.com Source: Yelp Located at 3540 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90020 Koreatown, Wilshire Center Sidecar Donuts and Coffee "Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee is a specialty doughnut and coffee shop that infuses an exciting, soulful energy into the art of doughnut making, while using only the finest ingredients possible. From the moment you bite into one of Sidecar’s delectable treats, you will surely agree that these are no ordinary doughnuts!" Source: www.sidecardoughnuts.com Source: Yelp Located at 270 E 17th St Ste 18 Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Donut Bar "Donut Bar is a completely different kind of donut company. While focusing on the real ingredients, flavors, textures and design of artisan donuts, Donut Bar promotes and celebrates an artisan baking culture that first appeared in Europe and America in the 1940s which has recently been revived by small groups of like minded out of the box thinkers in America." Source: donutbarsandiego.com Source: Yelp Located at 631 B St San Diego, CA 92101 b/t B St & 7th Ave in Downtown What are you favorite donut places in California? Do you like them plain and simple, or filled and covered with goodies? Let us know in the comments!

 

Ever wanted to live in the 20's and experience the rush of going underground to party? You might be interested in San Diego speakeasies.

  Gas Lamp Speakeasy Located on 708 4th Ave in San Diego, and open every  night after 8:00 pm, this speakeasy boasts nightly entertainment of Jazz and Blues and carries a 1920's old time vibe. Providing food from Henneseys next door and hand crafted cocktails, this bar is sure to impress you. The website states that the house rules are; No Religion, No Politics, If you want to approach a lady, you should do so with a drink, Booths are for communal seating, and if you want a fancy cocktail, it's going to take a minute so be patient. When it comes to San Diego speakeasies, this one is a classic.

Source: yelp.com Prohibition If you are looking for a genuine speakeasy vibe, look no further than Prohibition. With a decoy store front doubling as a Law Office, you can enter through the secret door at 548 5th Ave in San Diego on a first come first serve basis Thursday through Saturday after 7:00 pm. Starting at 9:30 is the live entertainment, and in suit with other 1920's themed bars there are a few strictly enforced house rules: no cell phones at the bar, no parties larger than six, drink with an open mind, no unsolicited advances on female patrons, and the dress code strictly enforced (collared shirts for men, no athletic shoes, no sandals, no shorts, and no ball caps). As for San Diego speakeasies, this one will make you feel classy!

Source: sandiegoblog.com   Noble Experiment  Another speakeasy with a secret entrance, this one is probably the hardest to notice or find. Hidden behind a wall of faux beer barrels in the back of The Neighborhood restaurant at 777 G St in San Diego. With even the most secretive of sites, you click on a key to place a reservation and must use one to get in on the night of in order to experience the entertainment and customized drinks made my "mixologists". Word is, the Dealer's Choice is the regular favorite. If you are looking for the most secretive of San Diego speakeasies, come here for a good time.

Source: yelp.com 

San Diego Dreamin’

Experience San Diego and you will get to know California in a nutshell, as San Diego is the birthplace of the state. What’s fabulous about San Diego? America’s most amazing Zoo, USS Midway Museum where you can sit in the cockpit of a plane and talk to the veteran volunteers, beautiful beaches & romantic sunsets over the Pacific Ocean, mouthwatering seafood and Mexican cuisine and much more... See a list of the things you shouldn't miss when you go to San Diego.  

Point Loma: where you can get the best panoramic view of San Diego

…and watch a marvelous sunset over Pacific. You should take at least three hours for Point Loma, to enjoy the view of San Diego Bay, scout the small caves and enjoy the cool sea life – snails, crabs, fish, octopi mind their daily activities in tide pools. On your way to Point Loma, don’t forget about Cabrillo monument (honoring Cabrillo, discoverer of San Diego bay).  

USS Midway Museum: where you can fly like a pilot

… in a flight simulator, of course. After this cool, great experience you will get an idea about what pilots really do. You need at least four hours to enjoy this visit, as we know the real jets and airplanes you will walk into are quite impressive. After hearing real stories told by guides and volunteer veterans and seeing interesting exhibits and aircrafts from different years you’ll understand why Midway visit is a must.  

San Diego Zoo: because it is a Zoo like no other

Have you ever imagined that you can go o a safari in the middle of civilization? Well, at San Diego Zoo you can do it! You can meet and get a better understanding of giant pandas, koalas, cheetahs and other rare animals during a safari. Or you can opt for a classical visit at the Zoo, enjoy magic shows (like the Whale show) and discover a world-class botanical garden.  

Oscar’s Mexican Seafood: and you'll understand the full meaning of “scrumptious”

Whether you’re hungry or not, once you are there you’ll be craving for fresh seafood tacos, spicy shrimp tacos or the amazing octopus salad. When you are in La Jolla neighborhood, make sure you stop at 703 Turquoise St. and try a divine taco.  

Take a sunset cruise to seize the spirit of San Diego

San Diego’s strikingly beautiful skyline is best discovered while you sip a cocktail and listen to exquisite music. We recommend you to take an entertaining cruise, where dancing & dining add to breathtaking views of the city, taking close-up pictures of dolphins and sea-lions and, if you are brave enough, maybe even steering the boat!  

Useful tips:

- GoSanDiego Card gives you free admission to attractions, activities and tours and discounts to some restaurants. You can save up to 40% with this card.   - Don’t you just love those pictures with people standing on the edge of a “suspended” rock that looks like it will break? If you go to Potato Chip Rock and take a photo from the right angle you’ll have the memory of a lifetime. Looking like a chip (thus the name), the rock creates a spectacular optical illusion if photographed from a certain angle: you’ll be on top of the world, on a thin, suspended piece of rock that could break at any time.     Photo courtesy: swapnild, Jaganath Achari, Jan Wachtmeester