Located  just off highway 85 near Camden Avenue, Nickel City is the place to go for super cheap (and even free) arcade and redemption games. For those not familiar with the term, “redemption games” are games of chance and skill that spit out tickets based upon you score. These tickets can then be redeemed for prizes. So you get the enjoyment of play plus a prize to take home. Whether a redemption games feel like a good deal or not depends on how the pay outs are structured. Games that give out ample tickets, and a redemption counter that has lots of attractive prizes for a low number of...

My 5 year old daughter wanted to go rock climbing but no gym would accept her because of her age, that is except for Sanctuary in Sand City. Super family friendly with absolutely no age limits. If your kid wants to climb then they’ll suit them up and teach them how. $20 gets you a belay lesson for you and gear and shoes for you child. Afterwords  stop by Sweet Alena’s for some delicious pastry (the spinach croissant is outstanding) or run some errands at the huge shopping centers near by. Awesome! Official Website: www.rockgym.com File Under: Indoor Rock Climbing Gym Monterey, Seaside...

Newark (the one in San Jose) is dead serious about providing affordable aquatic recreation to its citizens. This place is the Rolls Royce or indoor swim centers. The first thing you’ll notice are the lifelike brass sculptures of children playing. They decorate the outside of the building as well as the lobby. The second thing you’ll notice is the huge glass windows that give you your first glimpse of the swim center. It’s so beautiful you’ll nearly pee your pants (although you’ll probably save it for the pool). And as you wait to pay, your kids will be convulsing with...