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My husband and I live in Mission Viejo. Our older son, his wife and two children (ages 5 and nearly 4) live in Newhall. We love spending time together, but it’s quite a trek on the 5 Freeway. Last year, we went to the aquarium in Long Beach, which was great fun. Another day, we enjoyed a day of hiking and a picnic at Placerita Canyon Nature Center near my son’s home. We would love some suggestions about other places to visit which would maybe be a little more centrally located and fun for the whole family. Thanks
— Cathy McCoy

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Here’s what we suggest:

Cathy, I understand your pain. Driving 80 miles can feel like an odyssey, especially in SoCal. Thankfully, there are loads of fun places where your family can meet in the middle (or close to it). I’ve rounded up some solid options. By the way, the driving times mentioned here are a rough estimate for a weekend day without traffic, but as you probably know, your actual time may vary.

Since you all enjoyed the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, how about switching it up and spending the day with a different set of animals at the Montebello Barnyard Zoo for your next outing? That would be about a 40- to 50-minute drive for both of you. Open since 1968, the zoo is home to horses, goats, sheep and donkeys that you can pet (and feed them for an extra $3). If you’re feeling adventurous, you can ride a pony or take a leisurely trip on a John Deere tractor train. “It’s a great place for young ones to learn that animals outside the home need and deserve the same kind of care that we show our pets,” Etan Rosenbloom writes in a Times guide to things to do with kids around L.A. General admission is $11, and you can sometimes find deals on Groupon as well. Afterward, head to Blvd Mrkt, a food hall in Downtown Montebello that sells a variety of food so everyone can get what they want.

Another great option is the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, which might be about an hour drive for both of you. I learned about this spot from my dear late colleague, Jeanette Marantos, who was a gardening expert in her own right. The garden, which has more than 2,500 species of plants and five miles of trails, also features a kids area, which features “a nursery rhyme theme with a large dollhouse, a charming bridge and plants matched to the stories,” Marantos writes. My editor Michelle Woo also loves this garden. “You can take a leisurely walk along the accessible loop trail or get really into the nooks and crannies of the place, discovering trees with giant roots that kids love to climb on and koi fish swimming in a shaded pond,” she says, adding that she’s excited for Thomas Dambo’s trolls exhibit that opens in March. If you get hungry, you can stop by Dottie’s at the Koi Pond, which sells food, beer, wine and specialty cocktails on Saturdays and Sundays. Carry-in food is permitted if pre-prepared.

If you’re interested in space travel, then you should definitely visit the Columbia Memorial Space Center, which is the ultimate cosmic playground. Located in Downey (known as “home of the Apollo”) — about a 40-minute drive for you and a 50-minute drive for your son’s family — the recently renovated museum features a play area, robotics lab and interactive exhibits on space exploration including a shuttle landing simulator. Admission is $5 for adults and kids, $3 for seniors ages 65 and up and free for children ages 3 and under.

Speaking of aviation, another spot that is worth checking out is the Proud Bird in El Segundo, about a 45- to 50-minute drive for both of you. Here, you can enjoy delicious bites as you watch planes take off from Los Angeles International Airport, which is just a couple of miles away. Woo calls it “the perfect spot for a multi-generation gathering.” “Our extended family once celebrated Christmas there when everyone was too tired to cook,” she adds. “You can order solid barbecue from Bludso’s, have a drink by a bonfire pit and let the kids play on the playground as planes fly by.” She also suggests the Point in El Segundo. It’s an open-air shopping and dining center that has a large lawn where the kids can play and the grownups can grab a drink from Lil’ Simmzy’s.

I hope these recommendations are useful as you plan your next family outing (and that they also save you some gas money). Whatever you end up doing together, I’m sure that your family, especially the little ones, will just be grateful to spend quality time with you. Have fun!

The site is an ancient ring fort perched on a hilltop in County Donegal, offering panoramic views and steeped in Irish legends dating back centuries

The Inishowen peninsula isn’t merely the location of Ireland’s most northerly point, but also hosts one of the country’s most captivating monuments, perched atop a hill in Donegal.

The Grianán of Aileach attracts numerous visitors to Ireland, shrouded in mystery as the 6th or 7th century ring fort is steeped in folklore and legend.

Standing majestically on an 800-foot hilltop, the monument historically served as the Royal residence of the Northern Uí Néill, a dynasty descended from a legendary Irish monarch.

Constructed from robust, thick dry-stone walls, it provides breathtaking panoramic views. While much of the structure underwent restoration in 1870, it’s believed to have been initially built during the 6th-7th century, with the earthworks themselves tracing back to 1700 BC.

Legends

Research indicates the fort may have been originally built before AD 800 by an ancient Irish king, Áed Oirdnide, king of Cenél nÉogain. He governed what would have been a modest kingdom situated within the Inishowen peninsula.

From this imposing hilltop, he would have commanded views across his own lands whilst simultaneously surveying the new Donegal territories now under his control. Essentially, the structure functioned as a political declaration and a means to assert additional authority.

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Another tale traces the fort’s origins back to the era of the Tuatha de Danann, a mythical race said to possess supernatural powers, also referred to as the Fae Folk. The Dagda, one of the revered and divine chieftains of the Tuatha, shares a particular link with this ancient location.

Legend has it that following the death of his son Aodh, the Dagda built a stone fortress to serve as both burial place and memorial. The Metrical Dindshenchas, an ancient Irish manuscript, is thought to explain the site’s name, lending credence to this tale.

The Setting

From the fort, there are sweeping views across both Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly, and locals claim that on particularly clear days, you can glimpse up to five of Ulster’s nine counties.

One impressed guest said: “This ring fort was the most impressive one I’ve ever seen. The views from here highlight why it would have been constructed in this location. They are beautiful. The structure is in very good condition. I stood in the middle and just turned around to appreciate this site.”

Whilst the panoramas from the modest peak are stunning, perched at 250 metres above sea level, there’s virtually nothing surrounding it apart from unspoilt countryside. The only nearby facility is the visitors’ car park, making for a straightforward stroll to the main attraction.

Another visitor said: “This is a beautiful landmark and well worth a visit. Thankfully, the monument is now open, and we were able to go early in the evening. They also have a wishing well that our kids were able to throw money into. Well worth a visit.”

Local attractions

If you fancy a pit stop during or after your journey, the liveliest spot in the vicinity is Londonderry. Located just a 15-minute drive from The Grianán of Aileach, it boasts numerous restaurants, pubs and cafes where you can grab some food.

Alternatively, if you’re enjoying the countryside and prefer somewhere more off the beaten track for refreshments, venture towards Newtown Cunningham. Here you’ll discover several eateries, including Scarpello and Co, Coyles Bar and Restaurant and Kate’s Kitchen.

Should you wish to continue your adventure, just an eight-minute drive from the monument will take you to Inch Wildfowl Reserve along the coast. This stunning location features a magnificent 8 km wilderness walk and hosts an impressive array of wildfowl and geese.