Spend the Afternoon in the Saddle at Silver Gate Farms

At Silver Gate Farms in Santa Clarita, horseback riders and aspiring horseback riders alike can log some time in the saddle. This safe, scenic farm offers horseback riding lessons to visitors of all ages and skill levels, and its grounds make a beautiful backdrop for your ride.

Take a group lesson in one of the outdoor arenas while surrounded by mountains on all sides, or perfect your skills in a private lesson with more one-on-one instruction. The fleet of horses at Silver Gate Farms are well cared for and very gentle, and the instructors all have years of experience to provide you with a great base for your riding instruction. There are lessons at various times throughout the week to accommodate anyone’s busy schedule, and you’ll feel confident that the secure, well-maintained grounds are safe for both you and the horse!

Silver Gate Farms
28840 Bouquet Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
(661) 297-0419​
www.silvergatefarms.com

Visit the Gibbon Conservation Center for a Fascinating Look at the World of Apes

For animal lovers in the Santa Clarita area, the Gibbon Conservation Center is a must-see attraction that makes a great family outing. This zoo-like facility studies gibbons, a member of an Asian ape species that are truly fascinating creatures. The biologists at the Gibbon Conservation Center study the gibbons and their mating patterns, diets, and other unique tendencies to help conserve the species and keep it from becoming endangered.

During your visit, you will not only get an up-close-and-personal look at the gibbons that inhabit the facility, you’ll also take a tour led by a biologist to learn all about the center’s conservation efforts. Wear comfortable walking shoes on your visit so that you can later enjoy wandering the grounds on the paved walking trails once the tour is through, and be sure to set aside at least two or three hours to really explore this fascinating facility.

Gibbon Conservation Center
19100 Esguerra Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
(661) 296-2737
www.gibboncenter.org

Explore the Natural Rock Formations at Vasquez Rocks

Vasquez Rocks is a county park that is on the National Register of Historic Places. This free, natural attraction is known for its hiking, walking, and horse trails. With a multitude of stunning rock formations, you can hike this place regularly and still find something new to admire each and every time.

The popular attraction of Vasquez Rocks is the iconic rock formation that many recognize from different television shows and films. Enjoy a picnic in the park and a visit to the Interpretive Center. The Visitor’s Center offers a map where one can map their hike or be adventurous and choose their own. Ultimately Vasquez Rocks is a fascinating piece of geology history, and if you enjoy peculiarities associated with nature, then this is the place to visit!

Vasquez Rocks
10700 W Escondido Canyon Road
Agua Dulce, CA 91350
(661) 268-0840
www.parks.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/Parks/Vasquez_Rocks_Natural_Area

Keyboard Galleria Music Center: Play Some Tunes

Fans of Keyboard Galleria Music Center say it’s a primo destination for music lessons, musical instruments, and recording gear. Keyboards, guitars, drums, pianos, brass, strings and woodwinds are all in their inventory. New and used instruments of all price ranges are sold at the store, so you’re assured of a variety items to suit your budget. Recording equipment includes computer hardware, software, monitors, recorders, and audio interfaces.

You can unleash your inner rock star at GigMasterz Rock Skool, and take your musicianship to the next level learning to read charts and music, using state of the art gear, and practing with other musicians. You even get to play in front of a live audience. Private lessons are also an option.

Keyboard Galleria is open Monday through Saturday.

Keyboard Galleria Music Center
21515 Soledad Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 259-5397
keyboardgalleria.com
Read the reviews on Yelp.

Top Out Climbing Gym: Santa Clarita Adventure Sports

Test your mental and physical mettle by getting up close and personal with a climbing wall at Top Out Climbing Gym. The 11,500 square foot gym has climbing options for a variety of skill levels and ages, from children to adults.

The bouldering portion of the facility features a 100 foot steep wall, a 20 foot top out wall, and a 15 foot freestanding boulder, offering a variety of terrain that’s challenging for all levels of climbing experience. Foam landing areas offer safety and protection from injuries. The climbing wall features an auto belay system, which means you can climb safely without a belaying partner. It’s a great place for a family outing, or for a solo climb.

Visit Top Out Climbing Gym's website to learn more!

Top Out Climbing Gym
26332 Ferry Court
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 288-1813
http://www.topoutclimbing.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/top-out-climbing-gym-santa-clarita

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jeffwilcox

Runner’s Lane: Running Gear in Santa Clarita

Jog on over to Runner’s Lane to outfit yourself with high quality running gear. It’s a favorite spot for runners of all stripes to get the perfect shoe for their particular running style.

The store’s owner and staff are all runners, so they they’re expert at ensuring you have the proper shoe and right fit. Their four-step process uses the Gaitview Video Stride Analysis to hook you up with the perfect fit that takes into account your own unique foot placement. Women’s and men’s apparel is also part of what they do, so you can always stay cool, dry or warm, depending on the weather. Running gear stocked at the store includes visibility vests, hats, arm warmers, timepieces, performance socks, packs, lights, reflective shoelaces, and sunglasses.

Runner's Lane is open every day in Santa Clarita, California.

Runner's Lane
22959 Soledad Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
(661) 260-3368
http://runnerslane.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/runners-lane-santa-clarita

Public Domain/Public Domain

Mountasia Family Fun Center: A Mountain Of Thrills and Entertainment

In 1995, a new face in the family entertainment business opened up in Santa Clarita to the deafening cheers of young children. Mountasia Family Fun Center boasts a gigantic array of activities for kids of all ages—from a massive enclosed Lazer Tag playfield to a huge go-kart track. If you’re looking for something slower, two themed 18-hole miniature golf courses are ready to challenge. Throw in batting cages, a climbing wall, and a video arcade and you’ve got the total package. Admission is free as each attraction requires a charge, and you can purchase unlimited-play passes to save money. A visit to Mountasia can get expensive with a lot of kids, so be forewarned. In 2001, a Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor was added to the premises, and if you have fond memories of this old-school chain, you’ll find all of your favorites still on the menu.

Mountasia Family Fun Center
21516 Golden Triangle Road
Santa Clarita, California 91350
(661) 253-4386
www.mountasiafuncenter.com

Local Theater and Entertainment: Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center

It took some time for the College of the Canyons to construct a performing arts venue that would do it justice, but once the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center was opened in 2004 it quickly became a venue for all kinds of live entertainment, from theatrical performances to music. The spectacular 886-seat theater offers great proscenium seating with amazing sightlines and excellent acoustics, and frequent visitors comment that there is literally not a bad seat in the house. A smaller “black box” theatre hosts more intimate and experimental works as well. The Center’s booking staff works hard to fill the calendar with a rich variety of presentations from the Chancellor’s Choice series, which sees national bands in a variety of genres rock the stage, to the Great Performances series, which presents musicians, acrobats, dancers, and more from around the world. The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center also hosts touring presentations of Broadway hits and much, much more. Click here to see what's on stage next!

Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 362-5304
www.canyons.edu/Offices/PIO/CanyonsPAC