Indoor Adventures

Bright blue skies, beautiful beaches and a year-round outdoor lifestyle: These are the things that draw us to Newport Beach and its surrounding coastal communities. However, sometimes we have to change our routine up a bit, as our seemingly endless sunshine gives way to other weather patterns. Fortunately, there’s still a lot of fun to be had in this part of O.C., from arts and entertainment to indoor adventure.

Learn to cook
Sur la Table offers cooking classes throughout the year, but cold, rainy days are the best excuse to warm up in the kitchen. This month, try your hand at their chefs’ Spanish favorites as well as a variety of seafood dishes that are sure to please any palate. Focusing on techniques opposed to recipes, the instructors at Sur la Table’s 2 ½ hour courses encourage hands-on, interactive cooking in groups of four students. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your appetite — your test is in the taste of what you prepared! Visit surlatable.com for more details.

Get crafty
Mind your own beeswax! The crafty team at Cargo Creative invites you to try your hand at eco-friendly candle making with beeswax, dried herbs and fragrant flowers. A ticket price of $35 buys you all workshop supplies as well as coffee and Sidecar Doughnuts. If you want to think outside the jar, bring your own container (teacups and shells are some fun alternatives). Participants will also receive 20 percent off in-store purchases during the Feb.11 event. Noon to 1p.m. Visit Cargo-creative.com for more fun workshops in Newport Beach.

Orange County Museum of Art

Art + culture
Our local theaters, art galleries and museums (Port Theater, and Orange County Museum of Art among others) are a great experience for any day, but particularly rainy ones when no one is anxious to rush through an exhibition and hit the surf! Take your time perusing diverse rotating art collections.

Let the good times roll
“Let the good times roll.” That’s the motto at Tavern + Bowl, a family-friendly bowling alley by day and 21-and-older hangout after 9 p.m. You’ll have to venture across the border to Costa Mesa or Irvine to get your bowl on, but what better way to kill a rainy day than to roll a few with friends or the kids? A ticket buys you two hours at one of 10 “state of the art” bowling lanes, while the tavern/sports lounge offers 40 brews on tap, delicious bites and several large-screen TVs for sports watching.

“Color Me Mine”
Go here to decorate already-crafted ceramics, or learn the art of painting at Timree Paint Studio. The Newport Beach studio offers private painting lessons as well as classes for adults and kids. Owner Timree Gold holds a special step-by-step workshop for ages 6-12, encouraging creativity and individual style. And if you find yourself having to move a kid’s birthday party from the playground to indoors, it’s also a great place to host a painting party. Visit timree.com for details and class schedules.

A lifetime skill
Angel Thread Sewing School
 offers sewing classes for ages 7 and older. “Sewing is a life skill that enhances patience and creativity, while instilling a sense of accomplishment,” says owner Lisa Mayer. Students learn how to sew by both hand and machine, and will produce practical items during class. Adults can make items like clothing and quilts, while kids can make their own blankets, computer bags and even Halloween costumes. Visit ocsewingclass.com for additional information about adult and kids classes.