It’s August and it’s hot. Well, that’s no surprise. But if the scorching days are keeping your family housebound, be reminded that there are plenty of cooling activities available in the Santa Clarita Valley, and within an easy drive nearby.

Water parks, lakes, creeks and public pools await you, both wet and indoor games are available at Mountasia, and you can ice skate. Hey, why not spend an afternoon at the local library? And, if you’re seeking a sea breeze, Ventura is just up the road.

Indoor Cool

L.A. Kings Valley Ice Center
8750 Van Nuys Blvd.
Panorama City, CA 91402
(818) 893-1784
www.lakingsvalleyicecenter.com
With hockey leagues, skating schools, private lessons, figure skating and even curling, the L.A. Kings Valley Ice Center is “a place for friends and family,” with public skating sessions as well as birthday party and other event hosting. General admission is $8, age 12 and under is $7 and seniors $6. Skate rentals are $3.

Ice Station Valencia
27745 North Smyth Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 775-8686
www.icestation.net
Among many other skating-related activities, Ice Station Valencia offers public skating on weekdays, weekends and even evening skates. General admission is $11, age 10 and under $9, seniors $8. Skate rentals are $5.

Mountasia Family Fun Center
21516 Golden Triangle Road
Saugus, CA 91350
(661) 253-4386
www.mountasiafuncenter.com
They say the fun never stops at Mountasia and a lot of it is indoors, where it is cool on a summer afternoon. You could also cool off at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour.

Public Library
www.santaclaritalibrary.com
A visit to the library can be a cool, quiet and enlightening experience. Check out the website for information.

Outdoor Cool

Santa Clarita Aquatics Center
20850 Centre Pointe Parkway
Saugus, CA 91350
(661) 250-3766 (Aquatics Office) or (661) 250-3700
For information about the Aquatics Center see the online Seasons brochure (pdf format) at http://www.santa-clarita.com/index.aspx?page=857 and click on “Aquatics.”

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
32132 Castaic Lake Drive
Castaic, CA 91384
(661) 257-4050
www.castaiclake.com
Vehicle entry fees are $11 per day. R/Vs are $14 and busses $30. Swim beach hours for the summer are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
26101 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 255-4257
www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharborLA
Tickets are $37.99 for adults and $29.99 for children under 48 inches tall. Buy your tickets online and everyone pays the kids price of $29.99.

Bouquet Canyon Creek
Just a few miles up Bouquet Canyon Road, and below the dam of Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, you can find a strip of cool relief beside the road. Tucked back in under the shading trees, little Bouquet Canyon Creek cools things off literally and spiritually. Maybe make it a day of public service and collect trash along the way to help keep things inviting. That’s really cool.

Ventura
www.ventura-usa.com
Less than an hour away, and located near the ocean, Ventura usually offers much cooler summer temperatures than those found in the SCV. And while you can certainly visit the beach, there are numerous other cool-temperature activities you can enjoy, especially at Ventura Harbor Village www.venturaharborvillage.com .