Alive in Wonderland

St. Regis Butterfly Release no longer open to the public

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(My daughter holding a Monarch butterfly. Photo my me.)

The Butterfly Release at the St. Regis Monarch Beach is no longer a free event open to the publi

A month back I wrote about this free event and this week I received several emails and comments from readers letting me know they had gone down to the St. Regis or called and were told it was for "Registered Guests Only." A call by me to the front desk confirmed that you now have to be staying at the hotel to attend The Butterfly Release Ritual (and storytime).

When I was contacted by a representative of the hotel at the beginning of June inviting me to come check it out, I was told it would run through the summer and that is was "FREE TO ALL."

After the post ran, the representative called me to say they were happy with the write-up and to let me know they had hundreds attending the event and we talked about possible ways to ease the traffic and maintaining the intimate nature of the event; maybe even adding a couple of butterfly releases durning the week to accommodate OC Moms. We joked about never underestimating the "power of the mom blogger," but I didn't hear back from them with a solution. This must be it.

I'm sorry to get you all excited about a fun FREE OC event, only to have it cancelled. But I'm shaking it off and will continue writing FREE OC posts to bring you unique things to do in Orange County with your family that won't blow your budget.

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FREE OC

Walk the Bolsa Chica Wetlands

ArtWalk at the Santiago Art District

Surf City Nights in Huntington Beach

Explore the Dana Point Tidepools

Free OC: The Dana Point tide pools

(Dana Point Harbor, photos by me. That's my family up there on the sea wall, my toes in the sand, and that heart is Emily's new signature.)

In my quest to bring you fun and original things to do in Orange County that won't cost you a cent, here is my latest suggestion: The Tide Pools in Dana Point. Have you done this with your kids yet? There are so many things to do; hike the sea wall, browse the gift shop, see the tall ship Pilgram, play on the beach, say "hi" to the sea lions that are always laying around the rocks, and explore the tide pools. 

Take your camera! Serious potential for your family's Christmas card photo being snapped while out there. The Ocean Institute is there too, but it will cost you; $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for kids 2 and over. Make sure to check the tides online before you head out there. If you are going in the morning, pack a lunch and find a place to eat on the beach, but I suggest going later to romp around when it's less crowded and then catch the sunset. 

The whole beach lights up a warm pink and they have benches to sit on and take it all in--you have to do this at least once. After the sun goes down, there you'll be with your family, in the dark parking lot of the Dana Point Harbor--starving. What to do next? There's a nice little '50s style Denny's on PCH on your way out of the harbor and they offer free kids meals Tuesdays and Saturdays nights. Just a suggestion.  

Have fun and remember--free can be just as much fun as expensive, but costs a lot less!!

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Other things to do in Orange County that won't cost ya'

The Bolsa Chica Wetlands

The Santiago Art District's Art Walk

Play with your kids outside way past when the street lights come on!