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Orange County Halloween Ideas for 2020

Over the course of 2020, we’ve seen many challenges, and we’re here to let you know that Halloween doesn’t have to be one of them. While Trick or Treating may not be happening in your neighborhood, here are a few ways to celebrate this month.

Halloween Activity #1: Pumpkin Patch

Who doesn’t love a good pumpkin patch, especially those who have kids or grandkids? Many pumpkin patches nowadays offer more than just a walk through pumpkin fields to pick one to take home; it’s an experience with games, food, and more. 

Despite restrictions in place this year, there are a number of local pumpkin patches open, including the Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch. Guests have the option of two experiences this year, a Drive Thru Experience or a U Pick Experience.

The Drive Thru Experience is a leisurely drive around the 30-acre farm and will include a pumpkin, a barnyard educational exhibit with farm animals, a scarecrow contest, sunflowers, and more.

The U Pick Experience is a wagon ride led by our friendly tour guides and includes watching a pumpkin cannon launch, a barnyard educational exhibit, U-Pick veggies, picking your own pumpkin to take home and so much more.

Halloween Activity #2: Haunted Houses

You can’t go through Halloween season without visiting a haunted house. Sure, not everyone loves to pay to be scared or creeped out while walking through a maze of a house, but for those that do, here’s one you don’t want to pass up.

The Prism Haunted House has been a staple for years, and 2020 is no different. According to their website, this haunted house “dug deep to bring Orange County a completely new level of terror.” The house will feature the latest in projection mapping, movie-quality special effects, and live monsters to scare your socks off.

Along with the heightened fear factor, the Prism Haunted House staff is committed to keeping the community safe with its open-air and socially-distanced show. Masks are 100% required, and as the staff will say, “we don’t want you contaminating our mad scientist’s little…experiments.”

Halloween Activity #3: Halloween Haunts + Events

If you’re looking to up the ante this Halloween season, visiting a haunt, enjoying an eerie meal at a themed restaurant, or toning it down for the kiddos, new opportunities are popping up all over Orange County.

For those that love a good scare, we recommend the Urban Legends Haunt at the OC Fairgrounds. Guests will enjoy a theatrical, immersive experience from the safety of their own vehicle in this drive-thru Halloween event. Expect live performances, four interactive show zones, with an immersive light, sound, special effects experience where the monsters come to life.

Want something more intimate this time of year? Hit the beach at SeaLegs for an affair unlike any other. Enjoy an otherworldly candlelit dinner while listening to Halloween film scores and soundtracks performed live by Orchid Quartet. With reservation sizes ranging from 2-8 people, it’s up to you if you want a horrifically romantic experience or a haunting time with your friends.

And lastly, if you want to do something a little more family-friendly, Knott’s Berry Farm is open for it’s annual Taste of Fall-O-Ween. Guest can dive right into the spirit of Halloween by coming in costume and enjoying the Halloween decor, walking the kiddos through Camp Snoopy’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, and checking out the Into The Fog art show. 

Conclusion

While Halloween may look a little different this year, it doesn’t mean you have to sit at home and do nothing. Check out these great activities or search your local community for even more Halloween-themed events. As always, give us a call at (877) 600-7347 if you’re interested in switching your insurance. We’d love to save you some extra money this Halloween season!

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National Parks Close to Orange County to Visit

Looking for a nice weekend getaway? Here are a few national parks close to Orange County that we recommend visiting.

National Park #1: Sequoia National Park

Have you ever wanted to see some of the biggest trees in the world? They’re bigger than you can possibly imagine. They’re so big that tunnels have been built through them, allowing you to drive a car through. These trees are truly humbling.

Sequoia has a lot to offer. For one thing, you can start by just walking through the park and seeing the sights. Several lodges are available including Wuksachi Lodge, John Muir Lodge, Cedar Grove Lodge, and Grant Grove Cabins. You can also go camping if you are looking to get closer to nature.

Just make sure you plan your trip in advance. You’re more likely to enjoy yourself and get the most out of our time in the forest of giants. For more information, check out their website at https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm. 

National Park #2: Joshua Tree

What do you think of the Mojave desert? How about the Colorado desert? How would you like to visit a place that incorporates the beauty of both ecosystems at the same time?  

“What do you do in the desert?” Good question. There are actually a lot of things to do, just check out their website at https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm for a few ideas. Take a look at the hiking trails, or you can plan on climbing and bouldering. More of a cyclist? No problem – they have bike trails too. Or you can hop on the back of a horse and enjoy the landscape that way. 

Plan on having a few picnics in the park. They have eight picnic areas, so you will always have one close by and convenient. There aren’t exactly restaurants inside the park, but you have a lot of options in nearby towns. 

National Park Close to Orange County #3: Los Padres National Forest

Have you ever been over to Los Padres? This park is huge and has a lot to offer. Horseback riding, hiking, camping, kayaking, and backpacking are just a few things you can do in this diverse park. 

One of the most interesting things about Los Padres is its biodiversity. You have forests, the sea coastline, grasslands, semi-desert, and more ecosystems all within a relatively small area. 

Check out their website at https://lpfw.org/our-region/los-padres-national-forest/ to help you plan your trip.

These are just a few of our favorite spots, but we recommend doing a quick Google search to find other places nearby to visit. Do you have favorite local spots for a weekend getaway? We would love to hear about them! 

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Fun Summertime Activities to Enjoy

Looking for some fun summertime activities to enjoy with your friends or family? While keeping in mind we should still continue to practice social distancing due to COVID-19, here are a few of our favorite things to do this time of year.

Fun Summer Activity #1: Play with Water

While we generally have nice weather in Southern California year round, there’s something different about playing in the water in summertime. It looks different for everyone, but the key element linking the activities is the water that keeps us cool and refreshed in the summer heat.

Do you have a local beach that isn’t usually too crowded? Head over there to catch some rays, play in the sand and run into the water.

Is there a community pool that tends to be mostly empty every time you see it? Throw on your bathing suit and go for a swim. While many apartment and community pools are still closed, we see some starting to re-open!

Want to stay in the backyard? Hook up the sprinkler or slip-n-slide to your hose and have a blast with your family. 

This is always a great time for the whole family to enjoy!

Fun Summertime Activity #2: Have a Cookout with Family

Nothing like a summertime backyard barbecue with your neighbors, friends, or family! Now that certain restrictions are lifted, consider having a few people over for the ultimate summer cookout. Grab your favorite foods and play your favorite games, like cornhole. 

Fun Summer Things to Do #3: Head Up to the Mountains

Luckily, in Southern California, we are just a couple hours from several mountains! Take a weekend trip and enjoy a hike or swimming in a lake. Usually the mountain air is a bit cooler, giving you relief from the heat. 

While there are many mountain resorts you can stay in, camping is always a great time! If you’re feeling adventurous grab your camping supplies and stay in the great outdoors.

Fun Summertime Activity #4: Eat More Fresh Fruit

Let’s face it- fruit in the wintertime just isn’t as good. It’s usually coming from hundreds, if not thousands of miles away. That means it isn’t as fresh. But in the summer, we’re able to get the best fruit our local farmer’s markets have to offer.

#5: Make Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

You can’t go wrong with lemonade in the summertime! This is a fun activity for your kids to enjoy too.

#6: Have a Picnic in a Park

We have so many beautiful parks in and around Orange County. Pack a picnic basket with your favorite foods and go enjoy lunch in a new park! 

#7: Make Tie-Dye Clothing

Tie-dying clothing is a fun activity for all ages! We recommend doing this outside because it can get messy so summertime is the perfect time of year.

While we have experienced an extremely unconventional year, it’s okay to take time to enjoy your summer! What are some of your favorite summer activities? We would love to hear about them! 

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions!

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Reopening California – Phase 2

Wondering how California entering Phase 2 of reopening will affect you? Here are a few things to know and expect during this time. 

California Reopening = More Businesses Reopen

At a high level, the main thing to know is that more and more businesses are opening back up. There are three main types of businesses in the beginning part of Phase 2:

  • Manufacturers
  • Retailers
  • Warehouses

Why just these types of companies? Because 70% of the state’s economy relies on them! Think about it – manufacturers in California provide goods for the entire world, retailers sell those goods to the millions and millions of Californians and warehouses are needed to store the goods produced here. 

As time goes on, more types of businesses will open up. We’ll see office environments open back up. Restaurants will be able to have seated patrons again, not just takeout orders. Shopping malls will reopen. 

This is great news for millions and millions of Californians. Not only will they be able to go back to work and provide for their families again, but they’ll also get back to some kind of normalcy. 

However, things won’t be exactly as they were 3 months ago. 

California Phase 2: Changes to Expect

Even though all of these businesses are opening back up, you can still expect to see some new behaviors:

Social Distancing – Every business, from retailers to restaurants, are going to encourage social distancing. For example, retailers are enforcing this by marking spots on the ground so customers stand 6 feet apart at the checkout counter. Restaurants will either space out tables to be at least 6 feet apart, or only have a portion of the tables available for seating. 

Personal Protection – Employees will be required to wear protection. Masks will be the most common, followed by gloves. Some employers will go an extra step or two, such as having their employees wear safety glasses. 

Temperatures – Some employers are going to ask employees to have their temperature taken when they get to work. A fever is one of the most consistent symptoms of the coronavirus, so employers are trying to catch anyone infected before it spreads to other employees or customers. 

Sanitization – Grocery stores have been doing this for a while now, and the practices are going to spread to other businesses. Employees will be required to regularly wipe down surfaces with things like Lysol spray or disinfecting wipes. Everything from doorknobs to Keurig coffee machines will be on the to-do list.

Limited Store Capacity – This is another one some retailers have been doing for a while. They’ll track how many customers are in the store at a time, and stop allowing more customers once a limit is reached. 

California Reopening Phase 2: Do Your Part

As businesses start to reopen, do what you can to be a good citizen yourself. Some people are going to stores and restaurants without masks on. Even though some stores may allow it, that will be looked down upon for a while. Wear a mask to help prevent the spread of this virus. 

Try to be a patron to small businesses in your community. That doesn’t mean you should entirely ignore your favorite chain restaurant, but a meal or two at a mom-and-pop restaurant that’s been closed for 2 months will help your community more than going to a big chain. 

Starting to see the beginnings of California reopening is exciting but we will face many challenges. If one challenge you face is the need for better insurance, please reach out! We’d love to help. 

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How to Flatten the COVID-19 Curve

How do we “flatten the curve” of COVID-19? That is the most important thing any American can focus on right now. As this virus ravages the world, we need to work together to help the healthcare system fight it. 

First, let’s start with what it means to “flatten the curve.”

What Does it Mean to Flatten the Curve of COVID-19

When government and healthcare officials talk about “flattening the curve,” they are essentially saying we need to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Think about it like this- assume there are two scenarios.

  • Scenario 1 is where 10,000 people get the Coronavirus within 2 weeks
  • Scenario 2 is where 10,000 people get the Coronavirus over 2 months

In the first scenario, the healthcare system will be overwhelmed. They just don’t have enough beds in the hospitals to take care of all those people, plus people experiencing “usual” healthcare issues such as heart attacks, car accidents, etc. 

This leads to many people not getting the care they need and finding it more difficult to recover.

Scenario 2 doesn’t overwhelm the hospitals. People can be treated and sent home without running out of beds. Everyone is able to get the care they need, so more people are able to live. 

Scenario 2 is the one with a “flatter curve” because there wasn’t as large of a spike in cases, and is what health experts are trying to get our help with. 

How to Flatten the Curve

The number one thing we can do to flatten the curve is practice “social distancing.” This refers to intentionally staying home and avoiding interactions with people. The fewer people we interact with, the slower the virus spreads. Here are some actions you can take to flatten the curve even further:

1. Workout from home rather than going to public places such as a park. It is okay to go on walks around your neighborhood, but just be sure to practice social distancing and do not touch anything. If you have to touch something, (crosswalk light etc.) don’t touch your face until you can return home to wash your hands thoroughly.

2. Only go to the grocery store when it is absolutely necessary. While we may be accustomed to going to the store for just a few items, make sure to use most or all of your current groceries before venturing out. Limit your trips by making a list or meal plan before you go and getting all necessary ingredients. 

Note: As you know, it is difficult during this time to find everything we need at the grocery store. Keep a few alternatives in mind that you can get if you can’t find exactly what you were looking for.

As an alternative, there are many meal delivery services that deliver groceries right to your doorstep. While these options may be a little more expensive, it can be worth saving a trip right now.

3. If you are experiencing any symptoms, do not leave your home at all. It is best to quarantine yourself for at least 7-14 days and 72 hours past when your symptoms have subsided. 

4. Do not visit your friends at their homes. Many people are still visiting friends and family and think it is safe to do so because they are at home as well. Limit this as much as possible because this still facilitates the spread of germs.

5. Above all, stay home. This too will pass and we will eventually be able to get back to normal life. The more we stay home, the faster this will be over with. Together we can flatten the curve.

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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6 Fun Things to Do in Orange County this December

Looking for a few fun things to do in and around Orange County this December? Here are a few recommendations. 

111th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights

Join the OC community at one of the most beloved events of the holiday season – The 111th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights. Extravagantly decorated boats and yachts circle Newport Harbor nightly from December 18th through December 22nd at 6:30 p.m. Make sure to arrive early to find the best viewing spot and parking!

For more information click here.

Winter Fest OC 2019

Have you ever been to Winter Fest OC? It’s an annual tradition for thousands of people. From December 19th  through January 5th, 2020, Winter Fest attracts a huge crowd due to the great variety it offers. Music lovers can go to see tributes to popular artists including an 80’s cover band, Bruno Mars, Queen, and Fleetwood Mac. Young families can bring their kids to see their favorite heroes – Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, Peppa Pig and Thomas the Train. 

Highlights of this event include ice skating, tree lighting, fireworks, the world’s biggest rocking horse and Candy Cane Carnival rides. 

There are different activities every day so plan your visit ahead of time! Check out the website to learn more about the schedule and scope out the best day for you to go. 

Enjoy The Holiday Season at Disneyland

Disneyland is a magical place. Whether you’ve never been or you’re a regular, it’s a great place to go this time of year. The park is beautifully decorated for the holidays. Christmas trees, lights, wreaths and more are all over the park. You don’t even need to ride any rides – just take a stroll through the park at night and be in awe. 

Don’t miss out on the holiday magic! Click here for more information.

Sawdust Art Festival

This is the place to be if you love festivals, great food or shopping. Open every weekend until December 22nd, the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach features over 180 artists selling their wares. Here are just a few things you can find here:

  • Clothing
  • Sculptures
  • Paintings
  • Textiles
  • Ceramics
  • Jewelry
  • Blown glass

Already done with your holiday shopping? No problem. There are live shows, art classes, food vendors, a petting zoo, Santa and more. You can spend hours just exploring the festival. 

Click here for more information. 

Find a Local Tree Lighting

There are literally dozens of tree lightings in the area this time of year. Shopping centers, malls, city halls, and marinas are a few facilities that often do a big Christmas tree lighting. These usually happen on the weekends when crowds can be the biggest, so plan your Friday or Saturday night accordingly. 

Ring in the New Year in Style

Looking for big ways to celebrate the beginning of the new decade? Orange County has countless grand parties and ways to celebrate. From a New Year’s Eve Yacht Party in Newport Beach to a grand New Year’s Eve party at Hotel Irvine, you’ll be ready to ring in the New Year in style. Click here for more New Year’s Eve parties in Orange County. 

Looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate the New Year? Check out LA Zoo Lights 2019/20 at the Los Angeles Zoo!

Have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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How Umbrella Insurance Plans Save You More

What is Umbrella Insurance Anyway?

Imagine it’s pouring down rain. You are wearing your suede jacket and not happy about the unforeseen weather change. Thankfully you have your umbrella with you: reach in, grab it, and whew! Problem solved! Umbrella Insurance is just like that. You aren’t ruining your suede jacket, but you are protecting your hard-earned savings from life’s accidents. An umbrella liability policy covers much more than your auto and home policies, and can make a long-term difference in your financial health.

Why Do I Need It?

No one likes insurance until they need it; then, they are grateful to have it. The umbrella protects your financial assets from an event you didn’t see coming. Say you were involved in a car accident, and the court decided you were responsible for damages and bodily injuries to the other party. If they were to file a lawsuit against you and you didn’t have an umbrella policy, you would be legally responsible for the damages and that can deplete your savings in a hurry.

What Does It Cover?

It covers the extras that your basic coverage does not. In the case of the car accident, it will cover the extra expenses of the others involved beyond what your normal policy does. It can also cover you for legal fees, false arrest, libel and slander.

Okay, You Have My Attention: How Does It Work?

Let’s go back to the car accident. The court found you liable for the wreck, and there are people who are hurt and a car that is totalled. You are sued and need to pay for your legal defense. Umbrella policies pay once your basic liability limits have been reached.

So Assets Matter!

What are your financial assets? Your house certainly. Add your cars, your investment and retirement accounts, and don’t forget your checking and savings accounts. If someone decides to sue you for a lot of money and you don’t have the policies in place to take care of what the court says you owe, your assets can be liquidated to pay your debts. Imagine that one bad mistake, one traffic accident, can ruin you financially because you did not have an umbrella plan in place.

Got It. How Much Does It Cost?

Our team at Partners Direct Insurance have a mission of making sure we look at each client’s needs individually, in order to design a custom insurance package that works. We want to be sure that you have the coverage you need, without overpaying. Getting an umbrella policy for $1 million worth of coverage can be very affordable. Our team can help design a plan that works for you.

How Much Do I Need?

That depends. Think about a few things, and talk with our partners to get the best deal for you.

  • How risky are you? Do you skydive? Race sports cars?
  • How much are your assets worth? The more property, stocks, and retirement funds to protect, the higher the umbrella policy to consider.
  • What would it cost you to lose your future income? If it would be devastating, you need more coverage.

Can I Write It Off My Taxes?

Generally speaking, personal umbrella policies are not tax deductible. However, if you own a business, an umbrella policy can mean your premium is tax deductible. This is another reason why it is important to have our team counsel you on what works best for your individual needs.

Let’s Talk!

At Partners Direct Insurance, we partner with our clients to make sure they have the best umbrella policy for their particular needs. Call us and we can discuss what makes the most sense for you, to keep you covered!

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