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9/12/13 - By Toby B

So how's the whole back-to-school thing working out for you? Are you totally in the zone, got your rhythm for morning up-and-at-'ems down pat? Neither missing a beat nor heading out the door a moment late? Seriously? Not one moment? Like, who are you and what have you done with the Mommy we knew and loved? Could you at least admit to being a millisecond behind schedule so the rest of us don't feel bad? Please? Fine. Be that way. Bravo for you. (Slow. Clap.) As for the rest of us, maybe we need a little help. Like our Fall Guide. Points us in the right direction for all things autumnal, like apple picking, pumpkin patches, and fun in the sun. (This is Southern California, after all. Fall looks a lot like summer!)

If the calendar totally got away from you, and you suddenly realize, hey, I never got High Holy Day tickets, and even if I did, whoops, no sitter, we can help you there too. What if we told you that you could attend services ... without even leaving your house! (Yeah, that's the kind of magic we do around here.)

The clock is ticking on our Swagapalooza Giveaways, but you still have a chance to snag some awesome back-to-school swag. Act fast for your shot at a Target gift card, KRE-O CityVille Invasion building sets, or a boy's or girl's Schwinn bike.

Keep reading for some of our favorite picks for the weekend…

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Lobster Festival - San Pedro
Aye, Matey! It's a weekend full of music, lobster, and pirates at the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival.

Mexican Independence Day - Downtown
At El Pueblo Historical Monument, Mexican Independence Day is celebrated with live music, dancing, and entertainment, as well as carnival rides and much more.

The Little Mermaid (G) - Hollywood
Everyone’s favorite mermaid journeys from under the sea to the kingdom of Hollywood, for a 3-D run at the El Capitan.

Cool at the Zoo - Griffith Park
The cool fun at the zoo this weekend includes a Shake it Up -themed dance party on Saturday, and Princess Sofia and Jake and the Neverland Pirates meet-and-greets on Sunday.

Architects of Air: Exxopolis - Downtown
Missed it last weekend? Head over to Grand Park to walk through this giant inflatable sculpture for a sensory experience of color, light, and sound.

Festival of Children - Costa Mesa
The performances this weekend at South Coast Plaza include Newport Dance Company, The All-American Boys Chorus, Rythmo Mariachi Kids, and master magician/juggler David Cousins.

Ticket to the Twenties  - City of Industry
It’s the bee’s knees and the cat’s pajamas! The Homestead Museum sends families back to the Roaring 20s in this annual festival.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14

Southern California Children's Museum's Touch-a-Truck - Arcadia
Touch it - you know you wanna! Kids can climb on dozens of vehicles, plus enjoy the beach ball dump and Cozy Coupe carwash.

Lowes Build and Grow - Multiple Locations
Want more trucks? This month’s free project is a classic fire truck.

Saturday Morning Concerts at Books and Cookies - Santa Monica
Todd McHatton and Marvy Monstone's Mysterious Fun Time Dream Band perform for the kids at Books and Cookies.

GRAMMY Museum Family Program: Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - Downtown
The intimate Clive Davis Theatre at the GRAMMY Museum welcomes Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band for a hip-shaking, head-bopping, all-out-dance-party performance.

Public Star Party - Griffith Park
When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true. Look through the telescopes at the Griffith Observatory to find a few billion of the wish-granters.

FIGat7th Kids Club - Downtown
The kids club has a back-to-school theme this week: kids can create their own school book and make it unique by adding a chalk board cover.

The Blue Submarine: Lifestyles of the Slimy & Squishy - San Marino
Kids can get up-close and personal with live tide pool animals and specimens at the Crowell Public Library.

Walk into the Chumash World - Pacific Palisades
Families can discover how local Chumash Indians have used indigenous natural resources for thousands of years to create a sustainable way of life on an easy one-mile walk.

Movies in the Park - Downtown
Could someone lend E.T. a cell?  He’s at a free outdoor screening in Grand Park, and he wants to phone home.

Electric Dusk Drive-In - Downtown
Drive-ins are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get. Like maybe Forrest Gump at the City Market of LA.

Gone with the Wind - Santa Monica
Can’t make it to the Aero to see the Civil War played out in epic Technicolor? Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a … hoot.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15

Tiny Tot Olympics - Malibu
This one’s for the little ones! Future Olympians are put through their paces at this fun and free event in Malibu Bluffs Park.

Free Family Festival - Pasadena
Pacific Asia Museum presents a free Family Festival that celebrates the art & culture of Korea, with performances by T4 Korean B-Boy Dance Team, Victory Tae Kwon Do, K-Pop Star Dance Team, Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy, and Haemil Music Group.

Strut Your Mutt - Van Nuys
Walk with your pup in Woodley Park and help raise funds for homeless animals.

 Western Heritage Family Day at the Autry -Griffith Park
The Autry celebrates the generations of Latin Americans who have influenced and enriched the American West.

Peter Alsop - Topanga
The headliner at this Sunday’s Peter Alsop's Kids Koncerts at Theatricum Botanicum is none other than the founder himself, Peter Alsop!

Latino Heritage Festival at MOLAA Long Beach
Families can explore Latin American culture through art workshops, live performances, face painting, vendors, food, and gallery tours.

Thomas & Friends Makes Tracks At The Grove - The Grove
Thomas the Tank Engine comes to the Grove in support of his new movie. Kids can enjoy storytime, photo ops, and a chance to win tickets to a same-day movie screening.

Zimmer Sunday Family Programs - Mid-Wilshire
The Zimmer Children's Museum celebrates Chuseok, the Korean Harvest Moon Festival.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have marvelous time!