• Pueblo De Oro Development Corporation 17th Floor Robinsons Summit Center 6783 Ayala Avenue Makati City 1226 Philippines

  • Pueblo De Oro Development Corporation
    17th Floor Robinsons Summit Center 6783 Ayala Avenue Makati City 1226 Philippines

  • +63 (2) 8790-2200
Pueblo De Oro Logo

Best Family Getaways in San Fernando, Pampanga

| by Apple Barretto

Best Family Getaways in San Fernando, Pampanga

 

Family downtime is important. It does not only strengthen the ties with each member of the family, but also increases the appreciation for each one. Engaging in various physical activities and giving way to new experiences are ways to bond. Exploring common interests together helps the children discover their passion early in life.

The City of San Fernando has the complete package. It has the right spots for thrill seekers, curious wanderers, and casual diners. It also has places of worship that offer relaxation and serenity. Whether you are in a Pampanga house and lot or just passing through, here are some destinations in San Fernando where you can enjoy quality time as a family.

 

Soak in the sun at Villa Alfredo’s

 

Villa Alfredo

Source: TripAdvisor

Fun meets paradise in the family-friendly setting of Villa Alfredo’s.

Villa Alfredo’s is a garden resort in Barangay Baliti. It has themed swimming pools, slides, outdoor activity areas and an aviary. The young ones are sure to get excited over the Pirate’s Cove and Water Fort. They’ll be giddy over the pool slides in the area. The resort’s main attraction is the four-story water slides. Each level has a slide, and the top floors have the highest twisty slides. The resort also has an expansive wave pool.

Besides the water activities, Villa Alfredo’s also offers wall climbing. There are also wooden benches and swings for people who just want to sit back and relax, as well as a few animals and different species of birds for viewing. The refreshing ambiance of Villa Alfredo’s is a perfect escape from the noise and pollution of the city.

Day and overnight tours are both less than P300 per person. The resort has villas of various sizes so you can reserve one that’s just right for your family. You can visit Villa Alfredo’s by taking North Luzon Expressway and headiSource: TripAdvisorng towards the exit at San Francisco Toll Gate (Exit 66). Take Jose Abad Santos Avenue and turn right going to Angeles. Head for Barangay Baliti and upon reaching Coca-Cola plant turn right. The signages will lead you to the quiet resort.

 

Feel the rush at Sky Ranch

Sky Ranch
Source: Out of Town Blog

No one is ever too old for park rides.

Take the family to Sky Ranch Pampanga for a day filled with excitement. Sky Ranch opened its second amusement park beside SM City San Fernando. There are plenty of rides, gazebos and entertainment booths to visit. The rides are accessible to kids and adults.

The children will enjoy the Double Decker Carousel, Wonder FlightBumper Boat, and Planetarium. If that’s not enough, they have the Safari Splash and Express Train. Adults will recall their youth through the Loop Roller CoasterSpace Shuttle, and Super Vikings. For the thrill-seeking adult, the Bungee Jump will surely give you that sought-after adrenaline rush!

Other than the rides, the park also has booths and kiosks where you can win prizes. There are goodies and stuffed animals you can get for the little ones. There are also food stalls in the area in case anyone needs to munch up some energy.

Of course, the best ride in Sky Ranch is the Pampanga Eye. Pampanga Eye is the tallest Ferris wheel in the country. The family shouldn’t miss the opportunity to view the stretch of the province. It stands at 65 meters and is 50 meters wide. Each gondola is air-conditioned and can fit four people. Make the Ferris wheel your last stop to get a stunning bird’s eye view of the land while waiting for the sun to set.

A budget of P500 per person is enough for selected rides in the park.

 

Revisit history at the City’s Heritage Sites

Santos Hizon
Source: Wikipedia

Downtown San Fernando is rich with history. Well-preserved houses from the Spanish era stands in the streets of V. Tiomco and Consuji Streets. These houses are now Heritage Sites.

The sites are best traveled on foot. Encourage the family to go on a walking trip in the nostalgic streets of the city center. There are also calezas that can give you a tour of the area. Start the journey from the old Pampanga Hotel. It may be withered by time, but the charm of the hustling place is still there.

Continue the trail to V. Tiomco Street where you can find the Henson-Hizon House. The house was built for the gobernadorcillo of San Fernando and his wife during the Spanish colonial period. Beside the house is a monument of Nicolasa Dayrit-Panlilio.

The remaining heritage homes are in Consuji Street. The proud Lazatin House is at the corner of the street. Next to it stands the house of Consuji, owned by the gobernadorcillo of the city in 1892. Don Antonio Consuji later became the president municipal from 1898 to 1899. Other houses that played a significant role in the history of San Fernando are TabacaleraHizon-OcampoSantos-HizonHizon-SingianCuyugan-Baron and Dizon Houses.

The architecture and backstory of each house are unique. A trip to the sites will inspire and help each one in the family appreciate the culture of the province. Still, nothing beats the experience of living the moment. Taking a side trip to the San Fernando Train Station will make you feel like a tourist in your own country. The station was inaugurated in 1892. It is now a National Historical Commission marker as it is the last stop of the Bataan Death March.

 

Refresh your faith at the Cathedral

 

Cathedral

Source: Pinoy Byahero

After the jump in history, take Baluyot Bridge to reach the next destination. You can find the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando in Sta. Rosario, the only cathedral in Pampanga.

Augustinians built the cathedral in 1755. It was rededicated to Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in 1880. The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando became a Diocese in 1948. It is the only church with a real wooden cross and the image of Blessed Virgin Mary. Bring the family to enjoy the solemnity of the service.

Architect Fernando Ocampo, a native of San Fernando, designed the cathedral. He was also the man behind the reconstruction of Manila Cathedral. You can marvel at the details and wood furnishes of the place of worship.

Pampanga is undoubtedly a wholesome place for the family to enjoy. As long as the weather is fine, everyone can have fun at Villa Alfredo’s swimming pools and slides. The spectacles and the bird’s eye view from the Eye becomes a meaningful experience. Downtown’s heritage sites bridge the gap between the past and the present. Last but not the least, an hour at the Cathedral brings grace to the family. Make the family’s quality time something to remember. The best getaways are the ones that are full of exciting and learning experiences.

Share this Blog