Lemon Grove, CA Indoor Activities

Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono, founding members of The Mother Hips, began playing together as an acoustical duo in a Chico State University dormitory. Twenty years and eight studio albums later, the pair continues to serve as the backbone of a four-piece rock band that Pitchfork has praised for its "70s rock and power pop" and that the New Yorker has applauded for "know[ing] how to sing it sweet and play it dirty." Last year, The Mother Hips celebrated two decades of soulful, Californian rock melodies with a four-CD set entitled Days of Sun & Grass. The collection hallmarks their tight songwriting and focused harmonies that, when performed live, carry enough confidence to playfully jam and stretch out into boisterous, sprawling sets.

Mira Mesa Lanes encourages players to test their underhand accuracy and on-key singing voice with ample alley space and an on-site karaoke bar. The alley hosts open-bowling hours throughout the week, along with league opportunities for men, women, male children, female children, and grandparents. After open sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings, Mira Mesa Lanes also enlivens its space with the music and flashing lights of Rock 'n' Bowl. And once the last frame finishes, the alley keeps the fun rolling with an arcade, café, and full-service bar.

A strong core improves posture and prevents injury—that’s the theory behind Pilates. At The Pilates Room, instructors put it into practice in more than 150 fitness classes a week at two studios. Students of all abilities strengthen their minds and muscles on the latest equipment, such as the Allegro Reformer, Pilates trapeze, and Exo Chair. To ensure personalized attention, classes are limited to a small number of students who are entirely covered with name tags.

At FunBelievable Play, British owners Lynne and Adriana introduce the San Diego area to “British-style” indoor play with playground equipment imported from the United Kingdom. Meeting all playground safety regulations, the 6,000-square-foot facility helps children use their imaginations while developing their physical and mental capabilities, and climbing structures and interactive games encourage social skills that come in handy when imaginary friends go off to college. A colorful three-level play structure hosts fun amenities such as tube slides, climbing walls, tiki-figure punching bags, and a ball shower, whereas the sports arena gives future athletes the chance to kick goals and shoot baskets. Wobbly walkers and toddlers enjoy more age-appropriate play in their own space, which scales down big-kid fun into an area littered with soft toys, a mini ball pit, and mini slides.

Parents can sip coffee in a lounge area and rest easy knowing their children are playing on equipment that's sanitized and inspected daily. The staffers are fully trained and have passed background checks, and many of them also are certified in first aid and CPR and boast an encyclopedic knowledge of cartoons.

The Science of…Aliens exhibit has crash-landed at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, offering thrilling glimpses into humanity's long-held belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life forms. The exhibit is split into four star-gazing sections, each offering different POVs on ETs. "Alien Fiction" celebrates sci-fi classics, with movie props and other items detailing our fascination with silver-screen space-dwellers and its connection to ancient mythology, while "Alien Science" covers alien-looking creatures living on planet Earth, such as deep-sea fish and Lady Gaga. Explore two fictional but scientifically credible alien planets—Aurelia and Blue Moon—in the "Alien Worlds" section of the exhibit, or pen a personal love note or jury summons to residents of neighboring galaxies with "Alien Communication."

Peruse and purchase original works from more than 100 emerging exhibitors, representing the best indie designers of men's, women's, and children's clothing, accessories, innovative art, eco-friendly house wares, and more. Pore over the abundant offerings with the thumping beats of live DJs and local bands, or haul in old or unwanted designer and vintage duds for recycling, swapping, or selling. A complimentary hair and makeup touch-up will be available in the Style Lounge; spontaneous fashion shows and style tips will abound; and (non-complimentary) drinks will flow throughout the venue to relax stimulated shoppers at the end of a long, enlightening day.