Welcome! I'm a mom of four, navigating homeschool family life in beautiful Folsom, California, and sharing our favorite local spots, events, and family adventures to help other families discover the endless fun our community has to offer. I am the Event & Digital Marketing Specialist for Gold Mountain California News Media (Auburn Journal, The Loomis News, Placer Herald - Rocklin, Lincoln News Messenger, Press Tribune - Roseville & Granite Bay, Folsom Telegraph) and also teach at Wild Roots Learning Center in Folsom. Please email me if you are interested in working together and reaching more families in our community.
Newport Fun Tours: Where the Ocean Becomes Our Classroom
Sometimes the best homeschool field trips happen when you least expect them – like when you find yourself captaining an 18-foot electric boat through Newport Harbor with your crew of young explorers, all of them suddenly very interested in marine navigation and tidal patterns!
The Perfect Family Adventure
Newport Fun Tours and Rentals proved to be exactly what our family needed: an adventure that lets kids learn through experience rather than textbooks. Their 8 Passenger Electric Boat became our floating classroom for the day, and honestly, I can't think of a better way to teach geography, marine biology, and responsible decision-making all at once.
Smooth Sailing from the Start
From the moment we walked through their doors at 2901 West Coast Hwy #160, Newport Beach, CA 92663, we were impressed with their professionalism. Both staff members behind the counter greeted us immediately and had all our information ready in their computer system – no fumbling around or waiting. Everything ran like clockwork, which any parent knows is pure gold when you're wrangling excited kids.
The boats were spotless and well-maintained, which gave this mama peace of mind before handing over the helm to my husband (sorry Jordan, you'll have to wait until you're 21 to captain this ship!).
Natural Learning in Action
What I love about experiences like this is how seamlessly they blend fun with education:
Navigation Skills: Reading the provided route maps became a real-world geometry lesson as the kids tracked our path around Newport Peninsula.
Marine Biology: Every seal, pelican, and fish we spotted turned into impromptu nature studies. The kids were asking questions I never would have thought to pose in a traditional classroom setting.
Responsibility and Safety: Nothing teaches water safety quite like being on the water. The kids learned to respect the environment while having the freedom to explore it.
Environmental Awareness: Seeing the harbor ecosystem up close gave our family a deeper appreciation for marine conservation – lessons that stick when experienced firsthand.
Practical Family Details
No Boating License Required: Perfect for families like ours who want the adventure without the bureaucracy. You just need to be 21+ to rent (adults must supervise younger captains).
Bring Your Own Provisions: Pack that family picnic! They welcome outside food and drinks, which is budget-friendly and lets you accommodate everyone's preferences.
Pet-Friendly: Four-legged family members are welcome for a small fee.
Flexible Timing: While reservations aren't required, booking ahead guarantees your preferred time slot – especially important when traveling with kids who operate on their own unique schedules.
Two Hours of Pure Magic
The two-hour rental was absolutely perfect timing. Long enough for everyone to get comfortable on the water and really explore, but short enough that even our youngest crew member stayed engaged the entire time. We had time for a peaceful cruise through the harbor, some wildlife spotting, and plenty of those spontaneous learning moments that make travel with kids so rewarding.
The Real Education
This wasn't just a boat ride – it was a masterclass in experiential learning. The kids practiced reading maps, learned about tides and currents, observed marine life in their natural habitat, and gained confidence in a new environment. Meanwhile, parents got to witness that magical moment when curiosity takes over and learning becomes completely natural.
Newport Harbor's calm waters provided the perfect setting for our family's floating adventure, and Newport Fun Tours made it accessible and stress-free for families like ours who believe the best classroom is wherever curiosity leads.
Budget-Friendly Tip
Local Grocery Stores: If you're planning to bring your own food, check out Pavilions at 3825 E Coast Hwy, Corona del Mar, CA 92625 or Gelson's Markets at 3848 Campus Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660 for quality provisions before your maritime adventure.
Check these out.. (coming soon)
