3 Things to do for a chill weekend

Local businesses and parks create lively gathering places for families and teens
Byline photo of Natalie Vo
By Natalie Vo, News and Features Online Editor
Nov 14, 2025
3 Things to do for a chill weekend
ChatGPT | Generative AI
Balboa Park
Balboa Park

Feel the hot sun and the cool breeze as you stroll around Balboa Park, admiring the glistening lake, and if you’re lucky, you see cherry blossoms. It is the perfect place if you want to enjoy a nice, relaxing picnic. Sellers are nearby, offering food, drinks, ice cream and some sell toys for the kids at the playground. Many ducks swim around the lake all day, as visitors roam around the lake in a swan paddle boat—typically, $11-$12 per person per hour. Balboa Park is free for anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors, walk around, or admire the beautiful view. 

 

Address: 6300 Balboa Blvd, Lake Balboa, CA 91406

For more information, visit the event website:

LAKE BALBOA / ANTHONY C. BEILENSON PARK City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks

(Wikimedia Commons | Chris Yarzab )
Quickly Boba
Quickly Boba

One of the popular areas where students from Van Nuys High go to buy refreshing drinks or savory meals is Quickly Boba—commonly known for its bubble tea and specialty drinks, especially the milk teas and fruit tea slushies. Prices are around $6, and combos or larger items can range to $10. You can also add toppings to your drink, like tapioca, pearls, jellies and more. Hours last between 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. but on school days, after school, it is packed, so make sure you get there before everyone else.

 

Address: 14851 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91411

For more information, visit the event website:

https://www.quicklytogo.com/

(Wikimedia Commons | Missvain )
Cali Claw Arcade
Cali Claw Arcade

Step inside Cali Claw, where you can win many prizes and make memories with your friends or peers. There’s a wide variety of claw machines, including prizes such as plushies and toys. The arcade operates on a pay-per-play system, costing four to 12 credits per game. Cali Claw Arcade also offers special promotions and happy hours where prices are reduced. So if you’re looking for a place to challenge yourself and walk away with a prize, Cali Claw Arcade is the spot.

 

Address: 8401 Van Nuys Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402

For more information, visit the event website:

https://caliclawarcade.com/ 

(Wikimedia Commons | Imani Williams )
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about the contributor
Natalie Vo
Natalie Vo, News and Features Online Editor
Natalie Vo, a sophomore, is on the staff of The Mirror, the award-winning student newspaper and website at Van Nuys High School in Los Angeles. This is her first year of journalism, and she has many hobbies, including dancing, writing and listening to music. Her most recent favorite artists are Kendrick Lamar, The Marías, J. Cole and Laufey. Her playlist is quite eclectic. Her interests include games. Back in the day, in her prime, she was quite remarkable at first-person shooter games. It was like a passion to her. She loved it mainly not to win but to have fun and continue getting better. Even though she plays a lot of games, she is still able to focus on school. Speaking of school, her dream college is UC San Diego or just any decent college she can be accepted to. She wants to major in nursing or psychology so that she can make a good amount of money to continue the other things she loves doing for fun. Vo has a shopping addiction, spending money left and right. As time passes, she wants to volunteer when she turns 16, which would be near the end of this year. Volunteering at an animal shelter has been one of her goals. She wants to make sure animals are being taken care of and are safe. She looks forward to being included to help out in the student newspaper, and she wants others to know that you can still do the things you love as long as you work hard and continue pushing.
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