When most people picture spring break, they imagine time spent on a beach somewhere in Miami, but for broke and starving college kids, spring break consists of more days spent eating ramen noodles and saying, “I don’t know; what do you want to do?”
If you’re stuck at APU and want to beat the spring break blues, this article is for you. Whether you like the beach, lake, food or movie marathons, there is something for you to do over spring break.
Get a cultural experience:
Put on some lederhosen and head on over to Torrance’s Alpine Village, which is authentic German. Along the cobble streets you can visit many traditional stores, like a cuckoo clock shop, shoe store, and gift and toy shop where you can buy German garments and trinkets.
The Alpine Village is home to a restaurant and café where you can chow down on delicious wienerschnitzel, sausages and even German fried potatoes. Make sure to stop at the European market, with shelves stocked full of food from around the world, a bakery with fresh breads and treats and a deli where salted meats hang and wheels of cheese are nestled among parchment paper.
http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/
Be active or picnic:
Take a bike ride around the Santa Fe Dam or take a paddle boat out on the 70-acre lake. The Santa Fe Dam is located a city over from Azusa, in Irwindale, and is a hidden treasure. The dam boasts a lake, miles of walking and biking trails, fishing, a nature center and plenty of perfect picnic locations. Either pay $10 to park for the day or ride your bike from Azusa Canyon along the bike trail into Santa Fe Dam.
http://parks.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/Parks/Santa_Fe_Dam_Recreational_Area
Visit an island:
After the quick ride across the bay this big sign welcomes you to Balboa. Photo credit: Ashlee Polarek
Balboa Island is located off the Newport Peninsula and is home to quaint shops and charming streets. Start your day at Newport Beach, where you can catch some waves and rays, then make your way over to the Balboa Fun Zone. Here you will find a few museums, beautiful views on the ferris wheel and the ferry to Balboa Island.
The Fun Zone has great spots to eat lunch, and you will feel like you walked into a postcard. The ferry ride is $1 each way and carts you across the waves to delicious treats and quiet streets away from crazy tourists. The island is small enough to walk all the way around and enjoy a frozen banana or sweets from the candy shop.
Have a movie marathon:
Catch up on all those cult classics you haven’t seen or watch every Disney movie ever made. Either way, spring break is a great time to lay around all day and stuff your face with junk food. Make your movie marathon interesting by creating a theme like alien movies, adventure flicks, or sci-fi classics. Then make snacks and dress up to match your theme.
The Glendora Library is home to hundreds of movies that you can rent for free. Take photos, play games and eat. Most importantly, don’t feel guilty for spending a day with your face glued to a screen.
Get cooking:
If you’re stuck in your apartment, there’s something exciting to do for you, too! Try something new and find an interesting recipe that you want to attempt. Remove all hesitation and look for something you’ve never had, from another country or that might seem difficult to make.
Don’t forget dessert – make some extras and find someone else stranded at APU. Share and make a new friend. When you’re done, you’ll have a new recipe you can use to impress that special someone. Just don’t forget to Instagram your delicious dish.