So Much To Do Around the Altamont Pass This Summer

I've been anxiously awaiting my next opportunity to post because there's so much exciting stuff comping up in our area.  While I'm loving the rain, summer is right around the corner. I can tell because the Summer Activity Guides for the Cities of Livermore and Tracy have come out, and I'm so excited about what they hold.

Livermore has a ton of classes and camps for kids.  We've been thinking about picking one that my step-daughter and my niece, who lives in Livermore, can attend together.  They will be so excited when they hear about it.  So far, I'm loving the GLEE Summer Camp and the Nature Camps.  I wish I could go!  Fortunately, the brochure contains many activities available for adults, as well.

You can find the Livermore Activity Guides here.

I'm especially excited about the Tracy Activity Guide, found here.  They say that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but how can you not get excited when you see this?

I love old cars, and especially trucks, so I'm really excited about the Then & Now Car Show happening on July 21st in Downtown Tracy. 

But inside, there's much more, too.

I've seen signs around the mall about this, but the brochure also mentions that they're going to have a Farmers' Market at West Valley Mall in Tracy.  This will be so much more convenient for us in Mountain House and I'll probably end up going more often, since I'm in that area most weekends, anyway.  It runs on Sundays, May 6th until October 27th, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  The guide also lists many other Farmers' Markets in San Joaquin County, including the original Tracy Farmers' Market, on Saturdays May 5th through October 27th, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

There will also be some other fun community events downtown.  There will be Downtown Block Parties: "Enjoy music, wine, beer, dancing & a bite to eat!" And each Party has a different theme:

May 4th will be a Cinco de Mayo Celebration
June 8th is Blues & Brews
June 22 will be Old Time Rock & Roll, 50's & 60's Night & Taste of Tracy
August 3rd is Boots & Buckles Country Night
August 24th is Classic Rock Night

There will also be outdoor movies on the Downtown Plaza at 6th & Central, starting at sunset on July 13th, July 27th, and August 10th.

I think they've had these events in previous years, but I feel like they haven't been so well advertised as they are this year, right in the very front pages of the brochure.

There's also Girls Night Out on May 11th, and Tracy's Best Yard Sale on June 16th. 

Even further in, there's a wealth of Summer Camps for kids.  I think Egal Lakes Day Camps sound like something our kid would love.  From the brochure: "Each week includes: team sports, games, swimming, crafts, water activities, nature walks, fitness and more."  There are many more camps available, as well as activities for adults.

My family is yet to decide which activities we'll participate in this summer, but we're pretty sure it will be a great time.

Activities through the City of Tracy

We're almost done with my step-daughter's basketball class, Just 4 Hoops, through the City of Tracy.  She is having a great time learning skills in a non-competitive environment.  For us, this was a good alternative for a kid who says she wants to join a team, but would probably be over it in about 2 weeks, once she found out how much work and dedication it really takes.  So, this was our test run, so that she could learn and practice the game, before making that commitment.

And I have to say, I'm really impressed.  The coach, just a young guy, really knows what he's doing, and is so good with the kids.  I am so glad that we signed her up for the class.  And she's really looking forward to her Just 4 Kicks soccer class, starting in a few weeks. 

Just 4 Hoops and Just 4 Kicks have classes for a wide range of ages, and I really recommend it for kids who are interested in sports, but need a little help with their skills.  And the City of Tracy Activity Guide really has something for everyone, and generally, at reasonable prices, especially compared with a private institution.  (Note: Mountain House residents don't qualify for the Tracy resident prices.)

Check out the Winter/Spring Activity Guide here.