Pinot’s Palette: A Painting Studio with a Bar In-House

If you're overdue for a girls' night out, then Pinot's Palette is here to help. Not far from Stevenson ranch on Mcbean Parkway, the painting studio promises a unique night of fun complete with paintbrushes and booze. Unlike other BYOB art studios, Pinot's actually has a bar in-house, which means you don't have to stop to pick up a bottle on your way there. Just bring along some cash for wine, beer, or a booze-free drinks. (Sweeter sips like sangria and cider are on the bar menu, too.)

While you sip away, you'll also be creating a masterpiece. The expert instructors at Pinot's Palette host classes and private events during which they teach pupils how to recreate a striking scene or popular portrait. You don't need to have any previous artistic experience to be able to master the masterpiece—folks of all abilities will be able to keep up and have some fun along the way.

Pinot's Palette
25850 Mcbean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 260-0846
www.pinotspalette.com/valencia
www.yelp.com/biz/pinots-palette-valencia-valencia

Vista Valencia Golf Course: Swing by and Improve Your Game

Locals say that Vista Valencia in the Santa Clarita Valley is one of the best and most accommodating golf courses in the local area. It’s an especially good place for new players to learn the skills of the game, hone their technique, and work out the kinks in their short game. What's more, the friendly staff and relaxed dress code provve Vista Valencia to be a suitable spot for golfing newcomers to get a feel for the culture of golf courses.

But Vista Valencia is most definitely not just a facility for newbies. This golf club also offers an 18-hole executive course that will challenge more seasoned golfers. Yelp reviewers particularly praise both the view and the difficulty of hole 17, a par-three water shot with multiple sand traps. This club also offers private and group lessons for beginners and more advanced players, as well as a specially-fitted course for footgolf, a game that blends the skills and equipment of golf and soccer.

Vista Valencia Golf Course
24700 Trevino Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 253-1870
www.vistavalenciagc.com
www.yelp.com/biz/vista-valencia-golf-course-valencia

Dr. Richard H. Rioux Memorial Park: 17 Acres of Untamed Space

In his time in Stevenson Ranch, Dr. Richard H. Rioux made a great impact on its people. He was the director of the Los Angeles County Antelope Valley Rehabilitation Centers, and helped many people fighting drug and alcohol addiction. Given his service to the community, it's only fitting that Dr. Rioux serves as the namesake for Dr. Richard H. Rioux Memorial Park in Stevenson Ranch.

In the good doctor's honor, 17 acres were set aside in 1999 as a natural space where locals could escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The park consists mostly of sprawling grassy lawns and beautiful views, so head here for a picnic, a day of sunbathing, or just some time reading in the shade. With basketball courts, a covered playground, and sports fields, there are plenty of more active options if you're interested in those forms of recreation, too.

Dr. Richard H. Rioux Memorial Park
26233 W. Faulkner Drive
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 222-9536
parks.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/Parks/Dr_Richard_H_Rioux_Memorial_Park
www.yelp.com/biz/dr-richard-h-rioux-memorial-park-stevenson-ranch

Yogurteria: Help Yourself to Some Frozen Yogurt

Yogurteria in Stevenson Ranch is a self-serve frozen yogurt shop that, locals say, offers a decent range of flavors and topping options. Like other self-serve frozen yogurt places, Yogurteria sells its yogurt sundaes by weight. Yogurt flavors you can sample here include strawberry, dulce de leche, vanilla, Irish mint, chocolate, blueberry and peanut butter cup. Toppings include lychee, mango, Ghirardelli chocolates, kiwi and maraschino cherries.

This yogurt can get expensive fast if you get carried away with flavors or toppings. Yogurteria is open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Yogurteria
25914 The Old Road
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 255-5085
www.facebook.com/pages/Yogurteria
www.yelp.com/biz/yogurteria-stevenson-ranch

Valencia Meadows Park: The Perfect Park for Family Fun

Valencia Meadows is the perfect little park for locals looking to get out of the house and go for a stroll in the sunshine without the stress of fighting crowds at a larger park. What it lacks in size, Valencia Meadows Park more than makes up for in spirit, according to Yelp reviews.

Despite its small acreage, the park still has everything you need to enjoy the California weather. Its colorful playground beckons to children, enticing them to get outside and put down that tablet or smartphone. And with picnic tables nearby, your family can make an entire day of it—just pack lunch. Valencia Meadows also boasts a swimming pool for those particularly hot days, a baseball field, a basketball court, and bathrooms so that you don't have to run home for potty breaks.

Valencia Meadows Park
25671 Fedala Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 284-1465
www.santa-clarita.com/index.aspx?page=421
www.yelp.com/biz/valencia-meadows-park-valencia

Doughnuts Are Baked Fresh Daily at Stevenson Ranch Bakery

Tucked into a nondescript shopping center, Stevenson Ranch Bakery may just be the best doughnut shop in the Santa Clarita Valley, regulars say. This is the kind of family-owned place where the owners have worked behind the counter for years and take the time to learn the names of returning customers. It’s also the kind of place that donates its time and money to local charities and community groups.

Perhaps more importantly, Stevenson Ranch Bakery is the kind of spot where doughnuts are made in traditional varieties — glazed, iced, cinnamon sugar — and cost just $5 a dozen if you check in on Yelp. The bakery also serves savory breakfast sandwiches, including popular ham and cheese topped croissants and sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast bagels. Add a smoothie and you're good to go.

On Saturdays, be sure to try out one of the bakery's croissant-doughnut hybrids for a change of pace!

Stevenson Ranch Bakery
25814 Hemingway Avenue
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 799-7537
www.yelp.com/biz/stevenson-ranch-bakery-stevenson-ranch

Valencia Lanes: Lace Up Your Bowling Shoes at This Family-Friendly Facility

Whether you’re planning a party or simply looking for a fun family outing, bowling always promises a good time. Located in Newhall, Valencia Lanes offers everything that you love about traditional lanes, from the casual, laid-back atmosphere to the colorful neon lights and great music. It may not have all of the bells and whistles of more modern bowling alleys, but Valencia Lanes’s low prices and clean rental shop make it well worth a visit. What's more, the alley is home to a full arcade, pool tables, and dartboards, as well as a small restaurant complete with a full bar.

If you’re a more experienced bowler looking for a bit of friendly competition, Valencia Lanes hosts a few different bowling leagues for people of all ages.

Be sure to like Valencia Lanes on Facebook to keep tabs on special bowling promos and events!

Valencia Lanes
23700 Lyons Avenue
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 222-9080
www.valenciabowl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/valencia-lanes-newhall

Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt: Frozen Treats

If you’re looking for a sweet frozen treat, come to Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt. Located in the Stevenson Ranch Plaza, the Golden Spoon is special, right down to the actual golden spoons! Come on in and enjoy the classic ice cream shop atmosphere. Because so many people go out to dinner in the area, there are always a lot of people coming in for dessert! When you get to the counter, be prepared to make some decisions. There are so many flavors from chocolate and vanilla to additions like fruit, graham crackers and candies (try the popular “red velvet”). Unlike other fro-yo spots that charge by the ounce, at Golden Spoon there are three different sizes to suit anyone’s appetite. And all refills are just $2!

Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt
24921 Pico Canyon Road
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 753-9788
http://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-spoon-frozen-yogurt-stevenson-ranch

Pico Canyon: Hit the Great Outdoors

Located inside of Santa Clarita Woodlands Park, Pico Canyon is known for being the site of the first oil well in the western U.S. Now, bikers, hikers and horseback riders can go through the trails and enjoy the beautiful trees and vegetation and look at the Santa Susana Mountains. Keep going and you’ll hit Mentryville, the historic home of the founder of Chevron Oil. You can tour the home, one-room schoolhouse and barn. Find out what life was like during the oil boom of the 19th century! Volunteers are there on the first and third Sundays of the month for guided tours.

Pico Canyon
27201 Pico Canyon Road
Newhall, CA

Pico Canyon Park: Relax With the Family

As part of the Parks and Recreation department for the County of Los Angeles, Pico Canyon Park has 21 acres where you and your family can relax. Dedicated in 2008, Pico Canyon Park is a great place to go for a hike, where you can see the beauty of Pico Canyon and the Santa Clara Valley. Make sure that you check out “Old Glory,” a transplanted oak tree that is a popular spot with the locals. Bring the family for the day, and have a picnic! There’s lots of room to play games, eat and just enjoy the wonders of nature. Pico Canyon Park is open sunrise to sunset.

Pico Canyon Park
25600 Pico Canyon Road
Stevenson Ranch, CA  91381
(661) 222-9536