I discovered the wonderful value for families at Broughton Hospitality boutique hotels during our stay at Mill Valley CA's The Acqua, and our experience was equally positive at The Morgan Hotel, a San Simeon hotel for families. The Morgan can be found just five minutes from Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal Rookery in San Simeon, and is only 45 minutes from the California wine country … [Read more...]
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
May 31, 2012 By
Families looking for things to do in Monterey, CA or en route along Highway 1 to Big Sur should definitely stop at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Located just a few miles outside Monterey on Highway 1, Point Lobos offers great hiking with kids in Monterey, with miles of hiking trails, scenic vistas, hisorical sites, and picnic grounds in some of the most beautiful acreage I've ever seen. We … [Read more...]
A stay at Monterey’s Portola Hotel and Spa
May 29, 2012 By
Stepping into the spacious lobby of Monterey CA's Portola Hotel and Spa, you just might think you've taken a wrong turn and stepped back outside instead. The wide, open space is canopied with lush, live trees giving way to bright skylights, and the front desk staff is equally sunny. Upon arrival, my kids (and the adults!) were offered warm chocolate chip cookies, and the kids were ushered into the … [Read more...]
The Acqua Hotel: kid-friendly boutique hotel in California’s Bay Area
May 24, 2012 By
I'm pleased to announce I've found a new (to me) hotel brand favorite for traveling families: Broughton Hospitality's boutique hotel collection, with properties across the west. On our recent California road trip with kids, we had the pleasure of spending a night outside San Francisco at Mill Valley's Acqua Hotel, which served our family's needs perfectly. What made the Acqua, and the … [Read more...]
The Solar Living Institute
May 14, 2012 By
The following pit stop is submitted by guest reviewer Barbara Zaragoza. Barbara blogs about off-beat adventures in California at California Notebook. Everyone wants to save the earth these days, but do we really know how to do it? The Solar Living Institute in Hopland, California gives visitors a wealth of eco-living tips. A tour of their rustic property is free and plaques everywhere describe … [Read more...]
3 things to do with kids in Paso Robles CA
April 30, 2012 By
The following pit stop was submitted by Bay Area blogger and mom Whitney Moss of 510Families. Located exactly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles, California is an excellent pit stop if you want to get out of the car and feel like you’ve arrived somewhere special. (Pro tip: locals pronounce the town name Paso Robuls, not Paso Roblase.) Here are three things to do with … [Read more...]
Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum
December 28, 2011 By
As Northern California natives and Oregon residents, we're well-versed in Oregon Trail pioneering history, and specifically, the Donner Party. We've taken the kids to Sutter's Fort State Park in Sacramento, CA, where they first learned about the ill-fated party, and when we found ourselves on Interstate 80 at the beautiful Donner Summit during our Thanksgiving break travels, we just had to make a … [Read more...]
Legoland California’s Star Wars miniland and water park
August 22, 2011 By
While we were in Southern California last week, I had the opportunity to stop by one of our favorite theme parks for the younger set: Legoland California. We love Legoland for their whimsical, primarily-colored theme, their young kid-friendly rides, and ample activities for the toddler and preschool set, but most exciting on this most recent visit was the showcasing of their new Star Wars … [Read more...]
San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina
August 19, 2011 By
The Marriott Marquis and Marina is located in the heart of San Diego, California's Gaslamp Quarter, situated directly on the bay. It does not include beach access, but the water is in easy reach via the harbor, where kids can watch the boats and parents will appreciate the family-friendly dining. A major convention hotel, families can count on plenty of business and conference traffic … [Read more...]
Disney done right: how to survive (and thrive!) in summer crowds
August 12, 2011 By
The first advice I offer any family asking how to get the most from their Disney theme park experience is to visit in the off-season. Of course, such a plan isn’t always realistic. If your only option is to visit Walt Disney World or the Disneyland Resort in the summer season, take heart! It is possible to best the crowds and the heat and have a fabulous time. During our three-day visit to … [Read more...]
