Best Vacation Towns - Pitstops for Kids

What to do in Oceanside California with kids

June 6, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

We all know San Diego and Carlsbad are great for kids, but if you’re overlooking Oceanside, you’re missing the opportunity for a prime vacation that includes beachfront, a funky town, and easy access to the best of San Diego county. They say Oceanfront is ‘rising’ for a reason. Here’s what not to miss with kids or without:

Around town:

Surf lessons: Oceanside has a long surfing history (be sure to stop in at the small surf museum downtown). Whitlock Surf Experience has surf lessons for all abilities, or if you already know how to surf, you can hire a surf guide to show you local favorite spots! Tip: be sure to check out the small but thorough surf museum a few blocks inland, too.

Scooters: Ride Oside offers fat tire electric scooter bikes, the way to see Oceanside for parents and older kids and teens. You can rent them on your own or opt for a guided tour. They’re located just up from the beach at 306 N. Cleveland Street.

Helicopter rides: Waverider Helicopter Tours is a two-person operation out at the Oceanside airport, just three miles from the pier. Their prices are per ride, not per person, making them a really good value for up to three passengers at a time. We tried out their 10-minute scenic tour of the Pacific, but there are a range of options that work well for both families and date night. If you have more than three people, no worries: for the shorter flights, everyone just takes turns. For date night, they offer tours that stop in wine country or at sunset or night.

Pier and harbor fun:

Beach time: California has public beaches galore, and in Oceanside, the Strand stretches multiple blocks, with beach access. Children’s playgrounds dot this pedestrian and car promenade, and there are public lifeguard stands all throughout. Head out on the pier for a meal at Ruby’s, and rent beach gear, bikes, and surreys right below the pier area (where you’ll also find shave ice and other snacks).

Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding: boards and kayaks can be rented at the harbor (about one mile from the pier). You can either use them in the calm water right at the harbor or go outside the wall to enjoy some swells, too.

Where to stay: Springhill Suites Marriott

Located one block from the beach, this Marriott hotel is far from cookie-cutter. It features a fun, modern design with a 2nd floor outdoor deck space for lounging, a rooftop pool and hot tub, a nicely appointed fitness room, WiFi, and complimentary breakfast. The rooms are spacious with balconies and bathtubs, and while only valet parking is available, several city lots are within a block or two.

Note: there is construction currently in the works in front of the hotel (which will eventually result in another hotel going up on the beach), so right now, there is some construction noise. The Marriott is very nicely sound-proofed, however; once I closed my balcony door, I could hardly hear the construction, and of course, it’s absent at night. There are ear plugs and white noise machine in the rooms for you, however.

Read our guide to dining in Oceanside.

Where to eat in Oceanside California

June 3, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Forget fast food chains or cookie cutter restaurants. Oceanside is brimming with inventive cuisine from earnest, hardworking chefs and restaurant owners, all with a story to tell. You won’t go hungry, whether you’re in town with your family for some beach time or on a grown-up getaway or solo adventure. Here’s where to eat in Oceanside:

Breakfast:

Elena’s Cafe French Crepes: this hole in the wall on Pier View Way is run by a husband and wife team and serves delicious French-style crepes and local art.

Banana Dang: Smoothies and coffee like no other! Stop in for bananas in blended form in a dozen or more ways!

Petite Madeline: This celebrated local hot spot for breakfast and lunch is not to be missed!

Lunch with kids:

Ruby’s: Yes, it’s a chain, but the best Ruby’s Diners are on California’s piers. This one at the end of Oceanside Pier is fun for kids and has views for days.

Bagby Beer: Plenty of outdoor space for kids and pets to run around and play while adults enjoy the brews right on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Dinner for everyone:

Exhale: casual yet sleek and minimalist, this simple take on wood-fired cuisine takes tortillas, guac, empanadas, and Mexican corn to whole other levels.

Flying Pig: Off the main drag, Flying Pig is actually the food joint that started it all…in terms of a foodie revolution in Oceanside. Stop in to enjoy the eclectic decor and fun menus (spoiler: they repurpose old record covers) and stay for the authentic BBQ.

Master’s Kitchen and Cocktail: Located across the PCH from the newly revamped boutique hotel The Fin, Master’s repurposed a car dealership garage to create an inviting space with inventive salads and sliders, small plates and burgers. The cocktails steal the show, however. Try the Go West if you’re a bourbon fan.

Tip: Thursday is farmer’s market day in Oceanside, right on Pier View Way. It’s a traditional market from 9 am until 1 pm, but then in the evening from 5 pm until 9 pm, it becomes the ‘sunset market’, with street food galore (with an entire row of desserts alone). If you’re in town on Thursday, plan on the farmer’s market being your dinner choice! Stalls not to miss: Flamin Salmon plank-roasted salmon, Viva Paella, Thai rice burgers from Thai Burger, and Wicked Maine lobster.

Date night:

Orfila Wine Tasting Room: this hip and modern wine tasting room has a fantastic chef to pair the wines with tapas, flatbreads, and other shared plates. Start your date night here!

Dija Mara: This fresh take on cuisine from Indonesia is surprising, inventive, and fresh. Try the ceviche with coconut and radishes and the fried rice.

How did I know about all these places? Carla and Linda’s Walking Food Tours! A must for anyone who’s going to be eating their way through Oceanside, Linda and Carla are a wealth of knowledge on the Oceanside food scene. They know the restaurants and their stories, the chefs and the wait staff, and are beloved everywhere they go. Head to http://shoesandchews.com/ to book a your tour; no matter which one you do, you’ll be treated to four stops of sit-down shared plates.

You’ll meet the chefs and serving teams and enjoy the warm company of Linda and Carla. For the $59 tour fee, I sampled four restaurants I would not have likely discovered on my own, and learned about countless more. And I easily came home with to-go boxes to feed two people lunch the next day. The value is incredible. Alcohol and other drinks (aside from water) are not included, but can be purchased at each restaurant. I highly recommend getting the lay of the land with this tour on your first day in Oceanside. Young kids are half price, and as long as they’re old enough to behave in restaurants and are willing to try to be adventurous eaters, they’ll have a great time going from restaurant to restaurant.

Santa Barbara CA with kids

May 30, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Santa Barbara is a land of mission-style terra cotta architecture, sunshine, ocean views, and AVAs. And while it’s gotten plenty of attention as a grown-up getaway, it’s a prime destination for families with kids too. Here’s what not to miss (and what to sneak in should you and your partner get some adult-time):

Santa Barbara history:

Start with the Santa Barbara trolley tour (www.sbtrolley.com), which will give you and your kids a 90-minute overview of all there is to do in Santa Barbara. Grab the trolley at 1 Garden Street down by Stearns Wharf, at the visitor’s center (where you can buy tickets). You can hop-on, hop-off the trolley at any of the attractions, or just stay on for the entire tour, which will give you a good indication of what to return back to. Note that your trolley ticket gets you steep discounts at area attractions, too.

The trolley tour will take you to see the historic courthouse, the Santa Barbara Mission and the Maritime Museum, as well as give a glimpse into how the other half lives with a drive through posh Montecino. You’ll also have the Santa Barbara Museum of Art pointed out, and the Museum of Natural History.

Santa Barbara wharf and Stearns Pier:

Head to the waterfront for family fun. You’ll find Wheel Fun down here, enabling you to rent a surrey bike to cruise around as a crew, and the Museum of Natural History SeaLife, with touch tanks and educational exhibits depicting ocean life. Rent a kayak or SUP at Paddle Sports Center and tool around the harbor for an hour to see sea lions and seals. There are many places to eat here, including candy shops, ice cream shops, and seafood eateries with fresh catches.

Santa Barbara downtown and hillside:

Head inland a few miles over Highway 101 to enjoy the foothills of Santa Barbara as well as the downtown sector of State Street. Along historic State Street, you’ll find quaint one-of-a-kind shops and eateries, and just uphill, families can access the Old Santa Barbara Mission, the Museum of National History, and the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, which features miles of dirt trails showcasing native Californian plants and wilderness.

We suggest starting at the latter, which opens at 9 am daily, then heading to the mission for a docent-led tour. End at the museum of natural history if your kids have any steam left.

If you can slip away for some grown-up fun:

Head straight to the Funk Zone, which is just a few blocks from the wharf (let Grandma and Grandpa entertain the kids for awhile). In the Funk Zone, parents will find about six square blocks of wine tasting rooms and art galleries, plus a fun boutique or two and delicious dining. I suggest walking along Anacapa Street to hit up popular wine tasting rooms such as Kunin, funky winery rooms like Municipal Winemakers, and the OG of them all, Oreana Winery. Pali and Lafond wine tasting rooms are adjacent, as is Santa Barbara Winery’s tasting venue, which is also where they produce their white varietals.

Where to eat:

Dine without the kids at The Lark, Lucky Penny, or Tyger Tyger, all within easy walking distance or with the kids along the wharf or at Santa Barbara’s authentic Hawaiian shave ice booth, ParadICE. If you find yourself on State Street downtown during dinner, stop with the kids at hip yet accessible Benchmark, which can make the children darn fine homemade barbecue sauce as well as the adults a mean martini. Santa Barbara Public Market is also a winner with multiple dining venues to choose from. The good news is, more and more of these multi-purpose spaces are popping up, with eateries and bars included.

Where to stay:

I settled in nicely at the Best Western Plus Encina Inn, located within minutes of State Street and the mission with lots of extras that added value. The Live Oak Cafe is located directly across the street, offering room service, and you get an outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness area (limited) and free parking and WiFi. It can be worth upgrading to a poolside king suite to enjoy a fully-stocked kitchen and easy access to the pool area.

This Best Western Plus property could use a refresh…the room decor of my pool suite was in desperate need of an update…but all the perks you might want are there, with the exception of free breakfast. Luckily, affordable Daily Grind coffee is only a few blocks away.

Where do you stay in Santa Barbara? What are your favorite activities?

Disclosure: I was hosted by Visit Santa Barbara and Visit California, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain my own.

Sun Valley skiing with kids: How to plan a Sun Valley Idaho adventure

March 18, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

If you want to go to the source of American ski culture, Sun Valley, Idaho is the country’s original destination ski resort. Thanks to the resort’s iconic reputation coupled with ongoing new projects and improvements, you’ll step into a mountain experience that’s steeped in history while alive with newfound vigor. What’s new: Sun Valley’s Warm Springs day lodge has a whole new look, complete with expansive windows facing the mountain that set the perfect scene for aprés cocktail hour; the Sun Valley Inn has undergone an extensive remodel; and a brand new performance space, The Argyros, hosts annual events such as the Sun Valley Film Festival as well as arts performances throughout the year.

What’s tradition: two mountains ready for fresh turns in Idaho’s light powder, and a village with a distinctly European feel, a historic downtown (the town of Ketchum is a charming combination of wild west meets ski chic). Plus, you get Idaho’s famous blue skies for much of the winter season, and the long summer season filled with mountain biking, hiking, fishing and golf. Here’s what you need to know to get the lay of the land before your Sun Valley winter ski trip.

Overview of the mountains:

Sun Valley is spread out, but in the best possible way, allowing for a sense of tranquil instead of a bustling base area/village combo. It has two mountains, but in European-style, they’re not adjacent. Situated next to the town of Ketchum and a mile or so from the Sun Valley village, you’ll need to shuttle between the two mountains, the village, and the town, but you won’t mind, because the Sun Valley Ride shuttle system is free and efficient. Plus, most likely, you’ll spend your whole day at one mountain or the other. Here’s why:

Dollar Mountain is the beginning mountain, housing the snowsports school, the daycare, and a very innovative ‘Terrain that Teaches’ program, for which the snow is actually sculpted in such a way that helps you learn (and is totally fun, too). What you’ll see in the Terrain that Teaches areas are rollers, banks, and bumps designed to teach you how to turn, how to balance, and more. While smaller (Dollar has four lifts plus a magic carpet), Dollar is very manageable for families with young kids; the lodge is beautiful and quiet, there’s a full rental system in place, and terrain parks for those who want to challenge themselves. If all you need is Dollar, you’ll pay a lower lift ticket price, too. Guest services are extremely attentive at Dollar, assisting families with gear and providing wagons for toting skis and tired kids.

Bald Mountain, or Baldy, boosts the advanced terrain, and they do mean advanced. If you’re unsure of your ski or snowboard level, definitely start on Dollar, where the green and blue runs are plentiful. Over at Baldy, the greens truly are more like advanced blues, and the blues are often more like blacks. The grooming on Baldy is phenomenal, so you can usually count on groomed blues and greens, but the steep vertical still makes them very challenging. The widest, easiest greens and blues can be found on the Seattle Ridge side, where you can look across the way to the ‘bowls’, Baldy’s least groomed and arguably most challenging terrain.

The Roundhouse Restaurant

Tip: Join Sun Valley’s mountain guides for a guided 1.5-hour tour of Baldy, offered complimentarily. This tour is rich in Sun Valley history and also helps you get the lay of the land. Intermediate skiing and above needed.

But with over 2000 acres, everyone who is intermediate-level and above will find something perfect for their ski needs. There are two main base areas at Baldy: River Run and Warm Springs. Both are downright relaxing: since the main Sun Valley village atmosphere is found on the other side of Ketchum at Sun Valley, what you find at both River Run and Warm Springs is a single large day lodge and rental snowsports retail. It’s very manageable, which starts your ski day off right. On the Warm Springs side, you’ll find Greyhawk lift and Challenger lift, both of which service long, steep groomers with some tucked away mogul skiing throughout. River Run houses the Roundhouse Gondola and River Run chair, with more blues and a few greens, plus some shorter, steeper blacks. Head to Cold Springs (soon to be upgraded) and Mayday to access the bowls, and head to Seattle Ridge for more contained blues and greens.

Tip: The top of the mountain, at Lookout, is a central hub: you can ski down to either base area from the top. Dining on the mountain is plentiful, with the beautiful and historic Roundhouse Restaurant the sit-down option at mid-mountain (definitely at least peek inside) and Lookout Restaurant serving grab-and-go Mexican food. For all the other standard ski fare (with some gourmet twists) Warm Springs, Seattle Ridge, and River Run are all there to serve you.

Where to stay:

Families have several generalized options: lodge stays at Sun Valley Lodge or Sun Valley Inn, both located in the Sun Valley village (just a few minutes’ shuttle to Ketchum and the base areas), condo stays associated with these Sun Valley hotels, in-town hotel stays (the Ketchum Inn and the Limelight are popular options), and area house vacation rentals in Ketchum and Hailey.

We stayed at the Sun Valley Inn, which had it’s perks and its challenges. On the pro side, the inn is typically more affordable than the nearby lodge, with all the amenity access to the latter. Yes, this means you need to walk across the village to use the Sun Valley Lodge heated outdoor pool and hot tub, expanded fitness center, and spa, but access is there. At the inn, you get a smaller heated pool (almost hot tub temperature) and a smaller fitness center. Excellent dining options are available in both; at the inn, we loved the traditional fare at the Ram Restaurant and newly remodeled Ram bar, but I was disappointed to find a lack of a central lobby area in the inn. At the lodge, the lobby area is expansive, looking out over the year-round ice skating rink, and dining options include Gretchen’s and the Duchin Lounge. At both the inn and the lodge, be sure to linger in the public hallways to take in all the framed photos chronicling the visits of celebrities and who have visited and loved the resort.

Tip: From either the inn or the lodge, it’s very easy to access Ketchum (only about a mile away), the base ski areas for both mountains, and the airport via the complimentary shuttle system. I never waited longer than five minutes for a shuttle and never needed a car during my stay.

Where else to eat in Sun Valley and Ketchum:

We loved Konditorei in the village for breakfast and lunch. The Austrian feel was both cozy and delicious. In town, Warfields is the only area distillery and brew pub (although Sun Valley Brewery is located in Hailey) and currently makes their own gin and vodka, with whiskey coming soon. We loved the ambiance inside Warfields, but if you want something more distinctly local, the Casino is right down the street, with pool tables and pretty basic (but good) drinks and plenty of local flavor (21 and over). At the Limelight hotel, Ketchum’s newest lodging option, their large ‘living room’ serves as an informal dining option, with space for kids to spread out and play (a big plus for parents). The Covey is one of Ketchum’s newest restaurants and popular enough to warrant a line outside the door when it opens at 5:30 pm (no reservations taken). The atmosphere is cozy but modern, with an open kitchen concept and a wide selection of beer and wine. We loved the winter squash appetizer. Also popular are the Pioneer (for the steak and potatoes crowd) and Village Station (in Sun Valley village) for a classic pub fare option.

What else to do in winter:

The town of Ketchum is worth spending at least one afternoon perusing, and the Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center is the hub for winter snowsports activity aside from downhill skiing. (In the summer, this area transforms into a golf haven.) At the Nordic center, families can snowshoe, classic XC ski, or skate ski on the perfectly groomed 25-mile trail system, which includes dedicated snowshoe trails as well. Rental fees are reasonable at approximately $20-30 for half-day rentals (depending on the rental choice) and trail fees of only $28 for adults and $10 for youth. We spend a very happy morning at the Nordic center and highly recommend it as an alternative to downhill skiing. Or, spend the day here on your ‘ski rest’ day if you’ve purchased 2 out of 3 or 4 out of 6 day ski passes.

There’s also ice skating and bowling at the Sun Valley Lodge, adjacent to the village.

Tip: the Nordic center also has fat bike rentals. During our visit, they were not available, however. There’s also a full restaurant at the Nordic center, as well as a full bar.

For parents, a half day at the Spa at Sun Valley, located in the Sun Valley Lodge, is a win. While it’s relaxation rooms are not large, they do have steam rooms, dry saunas, and experience showers in both male and female relaxation areas, and spa guests can go back and forth between the second-floor relaxation area and the ground floor outdoor pool and hot tub. Spa treatments are in the full range, and there are beauty services available as well.

After spending a wintery getaway in Sun Valley, you may, like me, be tempted to return in summer. The ‘off’ season of summer is actually Sun Valley’s busier time period, with outdoor symphony performances, trail systems, golf, fishing and rafting. Consider a trip back!

Have you been to Sun Valley with kids in the winter? Disclosure: we experienced Sun Valley for the purpose of review. All opinions remain our own.

Mendocino Coast: Little River Inn review

January 31, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

The Mendocino coastal area offers stunning natural beauty, warm hospitality, quaint, unpretentious towns, and outdoor exploration galore! It’s a great region in which to base your California northern coastal road trip, and a stay at Little River Inn is a must!

Tip: We tacked a trip to the Mendocino coast onto our Grown-Up Getaway to Sonoma, and the two destinations paired beautifully, but kids love the Mendocino coast as well!

Little River Inn review:

This multi-generational family business lies right on the coast at Little River, just minutes from Mendocino. Families have their pick between seaside luxury accommodations, oceanview rooms, oceanview fireplace rooms, and Victorian gables. Our oceanview fireplace room was spacious, and boasted a wood-burning fireplace, which we really loved. We also loved the value: check for current pricing on the official website, but off-season deals abound at the Little River Inn. The large patio was semi-private and featured several chairs from which to view the ocean, which is directly across Highway 1. From our room, we could even spot seals on the beach at Little River.

Yes, other area hotels probably have sea views as well, but what sets Little River Inn apart is the spacious grounds with so much to do. There’s a golf course on-site, which dips into the woods behind the hotel, as well as a putting green and tennis courts. The small but welcoming spa sits next to the golf clubhouse and pro shop, and offers a full array of services, as well as beauty services. We loved that this option existed, especially during the winter months when the weather might keep you inside.

And if it does, no worries: our room had cozy arm chairs situated by the large windows overlooking the ocean, where we settled down with books. Ole’s Whale Watch Bar is a local favorite, it seems, with a friendly staff and a deep wine list. We loved their signature cocktails, too. Families could order off a bar menu in Ole’s for casual dining, or head into nearby Mendocino for a variety of diners and cafes. Since we were visiting Little River Inn without the kids, we opted to make a reservation in the inn’s dining room, where we enjoyed a stand-out meal. Try the award-winning crab cakes! Dessert was fantastic, too.

Outdoor exploration:

We recommend booking at least a two-night stay at Little River Inn (mostly because we didn’t want to leave when it was time to go!). In the immediate area, there’s lots to do outdoors if the weather is cooperating. The best beaches can be found at Van Damme State Beach (just about one minute away), or Caspar Beach, on the Point Cabrillo Drive off Highway 1.

We went hiking at Van Damme’s Pygmy Forest (ask at the park ranger station at the entrance to the park for directions, as its in a different location, and free to enter), and we wished we’d had time to explore The Fairy Trail inside the Botanical Gardens at Fort Bragg. Jug Handle State Preserve also has hiking, including an ecological science hike for older kids.

Order breakfasts directly to your room each morning to get an early start on your day, or visit the Little River Inn dining room. Their specialty is the Ole’s Swedish pancakes, but I also loved the eggs benedict. There’s a small market and gas station across the street as well. Pets are welcome at Little River Inn for a $25/night fee, and parking on-site is free, as is WiFi.

From Little River, head up the coast past Mendocino to explore Eureka and the redwoods, or cut back to Highway 101 and back toward the Sonoma area if your trip takes you that way!

Disclosure: We were guests of the Little River Inn for the purpose of review. All opinion remains our own.

Best Ski Towns: Big Bear California with kids

December 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

An easy drive from San Bernardino, California, Big Bear is a legit mountain destination for Southern California families, with pine forests, wildlife, and plenty of hiking and biking in summer and skiing in the winter months. We teamed up with Expedia to give you a breakdown of this prime Southern California getaway. A long weekend or day trip is perfect during the winter months for some snow play. Fortunately, if you choose the former, Big Bear offers plenty of hotel options to keep you rested and ready to make the most of it. Here’s what you need to know to explore Big Bear California with kids:

Skiing at Big Bear Mountain Resort:

Lift tickets at Big Bear Mountain Resort are still well under $100 for adults, which makes for a refreshing change from larger resorts dotting California. And that price is with 11 chairs and five carpets! Snow conditions are not quite as steady here as they are in higher elevations, so you do gamble a bit on snowpack, but Big Bear’s beginning terrain is hard to beat, making this mountain ideal for learning, given its easy distance from San Bernardino.

If you like terrain parks, especially for learners, Big Bear is an excellent location. Ditto if you want manageable groomers. Many people have ‘I learned to ski at Big Bear’ stories, and it’s easy to see why. For the best family skiing, stick with Snow Summit, the area with plenty of park features for kids (all lift accessible). There are also nice picnic areas here (it’s Southern California, after all, and the sun is often shining).

Sledding at Big Bear:

Yes, you can hunt down your own sledding hill, but why? Big Bear has three ready-made snow tubing areas: the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, just west of Big Bear Village; Big Bear Snow Play, which is located on the east end of Big Bear Blvd., and Grizzly Ridge in the Basecamp area at Snow Summit Ski Resort. At the latter, because you can easily tack it onto a ski day or have little ones tubing while older kids take ski lessons.

Or, head out after dark and try some glow-in-the-dark sledding! Snow Play offers glow tubing, where more than 1,500 multi-colored LED fluorescent lights lead the way up the Magic Carpet to the top of the hill, which is awash in color. Big Bear Snow Play is open daily for daytime snow tubing from 10 a.m.- 4 pm, with glow tubing every Friday, Saturday, and holiday nights from 5-9 pm. Bear in mind: tubing participants must be at least 36” tall.

At each snow tubing location, kids will be pampered: each snow tubing area has covered Magic Carpet with clear tunnels that transport riders with their tubes to the top of the slope, so you can escape the cold and any wet weather. There’s a snack bar with hot cocoa and bathrooms, too.

Winter at the Discovery Center:

A favorite for my family during the summer months, winter at the Discovery Center in Big Bear is a special season, too. Animal tracks are easier to spot in the snow, after all! The trails are often covered in powder, making them ideal for snowshoeing as a family (this sport is almost as easy as walking!) and The Big Bear Discovery Center still offers weekend programs, teaching kids how to recognize different wildlife prints in the snow.

Tip: We rented snowshoes at Goldsmiths Sports. Be sure to get poles, too! You can get trail maps at Goldsmiths too, or at the Discovery Center.

Where to stay: The Lodge at Big Bear Lake

The Lodge at Big Bear Lake is in a prime location right on the edge of downtown (within easy walking distance of shops and dining) and has family-friendly amenities galore, such as a heated pool and plenty of space for your winter gear. The rooms are spacious, though nothing to write home about, but where the Lodge truly shines: its excellent made-to-order breakfasts. There’s a fitness center, and the spa in the outdoor pool deck area feels great after a day on the slopes. Tip: if you don’t want a hotel experience, there are an abundance of home rentals in Big Bear, both associated with the ski resort and separate.

Tip: if you’re not a winter person, return to Big Bear in the summer!

Have you been to Big Bear in the winter? What do you recommend?

Summer in Big Bear with kids

July 26, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

The town of Big Bear Lake may be Southern California’s favorite snow destination in winter, but this small community has a lot going on in summer, too. An easy drive from San Bernardino, CA, Big Bear is at a respectable 6752 feet in elevation, making it a legit mountain destination for families, with pine forests, wildlife, and plenty of hiking and biking. Here’s what to do and where to stay in summer in Big Bear with kids.

Spend time on the lake with a local:

Big Bear may be a tourist town, but it’s also a thriving year-round community that draws unique individuals to the mountain lifestyle. You can often find these residents at local watering holes (read on for a list), but the best way to tap into this great resource if you have kids in tow is to get out on the lake with Captain John. Captain John’s marina is located on the ‘quiet’ side of the lake in Fawnskin, right on North Shore Drive. He offers paddle boarding and boat rentals, but also guided tours of the lake in his own Duffy boat, which I highly recommend. Yes, you can sail with John himself, who has lived in Big Bear for decades. John is a wealth of knowledge about the area, and gives a great overview of the lake’s history in a way that will entertain everyone. Boat tours are approximately $20 per person, which is a great deal for what you get. Bonus: after or before your boat trip, play a round of frisbee golf on-site, for free!

Play on Snow Summit:

During winter, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain (now under the umbrella of Mammoth Mountain) provide a great place to teach kids how to ski. In summer, Snow Summit is the place for hiking, mountain biking, and chair lift rides. Lift tickets are available for single trips (for hiking down or simply eating a meal at the on-mountain restaurant), or available per day, for lift-served mountain biking.

Snow Summit has a full-service bike rental shop with Trek bikes designed specifically for single track mountain biking trails, which also rents out helmets and pads. Once on the lift, there are several gravity-based single track trails to choose from. Coming down the face of the mountain, the trails are intermediate and advanced (blue and black), but a green to blue option is available along Skyline (turning left at the top). If you’re a beginning mountain biker, get a lesson and ask about the skill builder park, a smaller track set up near the base area for practicing on terrain and features. Freeride and downhill bike rentals start at $68 for three hours for kids and $93 for adults (all day rentals also available), and lift tickets are $44 and $27 (child).

As an intermediate mountain biker, I loved the blue trails, both for the challenge of the terrain and the wooded, mountain setting. We stayed cool in the forest, and experienced mostly downhill with only a few climbs (all the better for stretching out the run). It took us the better part of an hour to come all the way down (with frequent breaks). Some of Snow Summit’s trails are actually ‘adopted’ from the forest service, which means they’re open to anyone to bike up and down without a lift ticket. If you have your own bikes with you and want a workout, ask for directions to the bottom of the forest service trails.

Hiking:

Downhill and uphill hiking are, of course, available at Snow Summit, but many additional options are easily accessible from Big Bear. The Wonderland Trail nature trail is only 1.5 miles (loop) with 20 posted stops.Use it as a self-guided tour to learn about the botany, geology and wildlife of this area. If you’re looking for longer trails, check this resource. If you have young kids, the Discovery Center is a great pit stop, with a nature ‘classroom’ of its own where kids can learn about animal species and ecology, plus an indoor area staffed with knowledgable volunteers. Note: this center is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Big Bear Alpine Zoo:

I never recommend a zoo unless I’ve checked it out personally and feel it cares properly for its animals The Big Bear Alpine Zoo has a misleading name, because it’s actually a rescue center for animals who cannot live in the wild due to injury or other situations. The staff is caring and knowledgable, and the small zoo is filled with shaded, well-maintained enclosures with grizzly bears, black bears, dear, raccoons, bald eagles, mountain lions, wolves, foxes, and many other animals. Plan to spend about an hour here! Admission is $12 for adults and $9 for kids, and you can know it’s going to a good cause.

Where to stay:

You can’t do Big Bear Lake justice in just a day. Plan to spend a long weekend in Big Bear with kids at The Lodge at Big Bear Lake. This hotel offers pretty standard rooms and a decent outdoor pool, but wins in our book because of the excellent made-to-order included breakfast at the attached restaurant. It’s also located in the heart of town, so families can easily walk to restaurants and shops.

Where to eat:

Like many small mountain towns, Big Bear Lake has many options for families. Throughout the walkable downtown core, you’ll find plenty of candy and ice cream shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. The best, according to us:

The Pines: for fine dining on the lake (date night, maybe?) The Pines takes great pride in its menu and has multiple specials per night. Locals tell us you could return many times before ever ordering the same thing twice. The Pines frequently has live music as well. 350 Alden Rd, Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake Brewing Company: This brewery is located right downtown and has indoor and outdoor seating. We recommend Mom and Dad order a beer flight to share, and everyone will love the burgers and salads. If the kids get restless, you can show them the brewing room (open to walk into). 40827 Stone, Big Bear Lake

Moonridge Coffee Company: Moonridge Coffee is located near the zoo, and is a charming and cozy coffee shop run by owners originally from Sisters, Oregon. 42646 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake

Grown-up bars recommended by local Captain John:

I promised to list a few watering holes recommended by Big Bear local and boat captain John. When you go on a boat tour, ask him for his recommendations yourself, but these are a few ideas he gave me. Bonus: Captain John plays music at many of these venues on various nights of the week, sometimes with his local friend and musician Art Harriman.

Whisky Dave’s: 40740 Village Dr, Big Bear Lake

Captain’s Anchorage: 42148 Moonridge Way, Big Bear Lake

Murray’s Saloon: 672 Cottage Ln, Big Bear Lake

Directions:

Big Bear Lake is easily accessible from all points in Southern California. It’s one hour from San Bernardino on Highway 330 to Highway 18.

Pin for later!

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced Big Bear Lake as a guest of the destination, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Best ski towns: Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain

December 11, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready to plan Lake Placid skiing with kids? Whiteface Mountain boasts the biggest vertical drop east of the Rockies, it hosted the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, and it has an impressive (or intimidating, depending on your skiing ability) 38% expert runs. But what you might not expect is that Whiteface is also a great place for families with young kids just starting out on the slopes.

One of my favorite aspects of Whiteface’s Kids Kampus is how separate it is from the rest of the mountain. While it’s easy for parents to take a run over to check up on their little ones, it’s isolated enough that the lift and runs are occupied almost solely by kids enrolled in lessons. That means that the lift is less crowded, and that you don’t have to worry about someone speeding by your child as they’re just learning to traverse the hill. The runs themselves are all green circles, except for an intermediate glade run, but they’re long enough to challenge kids that have moved beyond a magic carpet. To give some perspective, our 5-year-old, who has been skiing for two and a half years, was happy on the same hill as our 3-year-old, who just started earlier this year.

Kids Kampus is also great for its one-stop shopping. Parents can arrive at the Kids Kampus and buy lift tickets for everyone, reserve lessons and day care, and drop the kids off for their activities. They have a separate parking lot, lodge with cafeteria, and rental shop. To get back to the main mountain, you can either take the Bunny Hutch lift and ski over, or take the shuttle that runs all day between the Kids Kampus lodge and the main lodge.

And kids aren’t the only ones that can learn some new skills at Whiteface. Adult lessons are available from the main lodge and can accommodate all abilities. If someone in your group has never skied before, Whiteface also offers a Parallel from the Start program that includes a lesson, lift ticket, and rental. They also have an adaptive ski program that offers lessons and rental adaptive equipment for kids and adults with disabilities. Basically, whatever your age or ability, there’s something new to learn at Whiteface.

As for the mountain, of course it’s great! Even on a busy day, the hill doesn’t seem crowded because there are so many parts of the mountain to explore. The Cloudsplitter Gondola is a great place to start, and from there you can move on to the Summit Quad and ski the same hill used for the downhill races in the 1980 Olympics. If you’re really lucky (which I wasn’t, unfortunately), you’ll catch Whiteface on a rare day when The Slides are open. These are a series of chutes accessed by the Summit Quad. Most of the year they’re closed due to insufficient snow or avalanche danger, and even when they’re open there are certain precautions that are required—ski buddies, a beacon, shovel and probe. But if the conditions are right, you could be in for the best runs in the east!

Website info:

Whiteface: http://www.whiteface.com/ (this website is also where you’ll find info on the other Olympic venues, including information on sliding or cross country skiing). Another great planning site is visitadirondacks.com.

Lift Ticket prices:

Prices are listed on the website, and range from $79 for a half day in the Bear’s Den Nursery, to $143 for a full day of Play-N-Ski (two sessions of lessons, with free play and lunch in the nursery). Adult lessons start at $46 for two hours, and the Parallel from the Start program (which includes lift ticket and rental) is $139/day.

Lodging:

Our pick is the Lake Placid Towne Plaza for lodging close to the slopes. Read my full review.

Directions:

From NYC: take the New York State Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 24 (Albany). Take I-87 north (Adirondack Northway) to Exit 30. Pick up Route 9 north and follow it for two miles to Route 73. Continue on Route 73 for 28 Miles to Lake Placid.

From Boston: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) to Albany. Pick up I-787 north to Cohoes. Connect with Route 7 west to I-87 north. Follow I-87 north (Adirondack Northway) to Exit 30. Pick up Route 9 north and follow it for two miles to Route 73. Continue on Route 73 for 28 Miles to Lake Placid.

As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I skied Whiteface as guests of the resort, for the purpose of reviewing their child and adult lesson packages. All opinions are our own.

Estes Park with kids: What to do in downtown Estes Park

September 27, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

While you’re in Estes Park with kids enjoying the mountains, be sure to carve out some time to explore the downtown area of this fabulous destination.

Fun City:

I would be remiss if I didn’t start with Estes Park’s ultimate kid-friendly attraction; it was the place my kids remembered best from our first trip, and the place they most wanted to return to. With burlap sack and 3-story twisty slides, miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, and more, this is a place you won’t want to miss. And trust me, you couldn’t miss it, even if you wanted to. It’s right next to the highway on the way to Bear Lake. Pricing is per attraction, and you load a swipe card in advance. Take advantage of the value cards—$57 worth of rides for $50, or $120 for $100.

Feeding the Family:

For low-fuss, fast-service food, try Bob & Tony’s Pizza (124 W. Elkhorn). The pizza is decent and the atmosphere is fabulous, with walls of signed bricks and an arcade with pool, air hockey, foosball and racing games at the back. You order and pick up at the counter, so it’s very low-fuss and family-friendly.

If you’re more in the mood for burgers, go for Penelope’s World Famous Burgers, which really are pretty scrumptious, though you’ll pay more for the quality. It’s a fun, old-fashioned place with small tables and a modern version of a jukebox. (229 W. Elkhorn)

Sugar Rush:

What downtown tourist area would be complete without a slew of sweet shops? The Danish Cone factory makes waffle cones on site; several others offer big, soft cookies and candy-making. There’s also a taffy shop, and don’t forget the old-fashioned candy store, which sells bulk candy by the piece or by the pound, including some you haven’t seen since you were a kid. (Candy cigarettes, anyone?)

Shopping:

Kitschy t-shirts, pens, mugs, wind chimes, blown glass, Disney figurines, bohemian clothes, toys—you name it, you can probably find it in downtown Estes. Naturally, this means Downtown Estes Park gets very busy in the summertime, with foot traffic on the sidewalks competing with the stream of cars headed to the Beaver Meadows entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. There’s lots of free parking, but prepared for slow traffic. Estes Park has a free shuttle; take advantage of it if you can. One thing I liked was the fact that the city has officers directing traffic at the major intersections in the downtown, and every cycle of the lights, they stop vehicle traffic so that pedestrians can cross—diagonally, even!

Free with kids:

Let’s be honest: with kids, ‘free’ is an important consideration.

Pikas in the Park: Keep the kids active and entertained trying to puzzle out the clues that help them complete this downtown scavenger hunt for bronze statues of the tiny mammal known as a pika.
The Riverwalk: Lining the back side of the main shopping drag, you’ll find this lovely pathway, with sculptures, fountains, and places to sit and watch the rushing mountain stream tumble past rounded rocks. You’ll also find a small play structure, too.
Performance Park: Just west of the downtown strip, this lovely amphitheater sits alongside Fall River. During the high season, there are free concerts on Thursday nights here. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
The Birch Ruins inhabit an outcropping above downtown, with gorgeous views of Lake Estes and both the major corridors into the national Park. The walking trail, accessed from the parking lot behind the police station, takes you through a small nature preserve and then up the hill to the ruins.

Doing ‘grownup stuff’ with kids in tow:

For the most part, even the adult attractions in Estes Park are refreshingly kid-friendly. To wit:

The Slab, a no-frills, good-food outdoor pub which offers lawn games, Bingo, and Jenga as well as live music and adult beverages.
Snowy Peaks Winery, just a stone’s throw from Fun City, which lets kids do juice tastings while their parents taste the more fermented variety. They also have a play room in one corner and a lounge area with tons of board games. If you get rained out, take the family, buy a glass of Colorado wine, and spend a couple of hours together.

What are your “must-do” items in Estes Park?

Outdoors and wellness in Gulf Shores Alabama

September 22, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

I love it when a destination surprises me. Before visiting Gulf Shores Alabama, I pictured pretty white sand beaches, a party scene of high rises and beach bars, and plenty of greasy fried seafood in paper-lined plastic baskets. And I’m told that up until about ten years ago, my impression would have been correct. The Gulf Shores and adjacent Orange Beach of today, however, offers so much more. Thanks to the preservation of natural land through state parks, wildlife refuges, and coastal preserves, the Alabama coast boasts plenty of undeveloped forests and coastline waiting to be explored by foot or bike, and a burgeoning culinary scene is elevating the dining opportunities. Whereas a decade ago, I would not have thought of Gulf Shores Alabama as a wellness or outdoors destination, I stand corrected today. Here’s what not to miss:

Paddle boarding:

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach lie on the Alabama coast, situated with the gulf on one side and the bay (and intercostal) on the other. This means families looking for an active vacation have a variety of water conditions to choose from. We paddle boarded on the bay, since it’s calmer and less crowded than the ocean, which is known for some currents. Rent a paddle board for the week, or for an hour…or even get a lesson or guided tour with Gulf Coast Paddle. Their ‘office’ is mobile (it’s their board trailer) and the owners are experts in waterspouts and water safety. They’ll bring a board to you to your condo or vacation rental for longer rentals, or meet you on the bay for some calm paddle boarding near the intercostal. Their primary location is at the dock built for their use at GT’s restaurant in Orange Beach.

kayaking: GoGo Kayks takes paddlers to Little Lagoon to kayak on the coastal waterways. www.gogokayaks.com

Hiking and biking:

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge both offer pedestrian and cycle-friendly trails in an undisturbed coastal barrier habitat. What does this mean? Birding! Sand dunes! Pristine, empty beaches! If you decide to rent bikes, Beach Bike Rentals is a good bet; get hybrid bikes if you plan to bike the dirt and sand roads of the refuge and trail, or road bikes if you want to ride along the flat paved roads along the beach (but note that while there are bike lanes, there are not dedicated bike trails along the main roads).

For hikers and bikers, there are several entry points for Bon Secour, but whichever parking lot you arrive to, you’ll find a posted map of the various hiking and biking trails. We took Pine Beach Trail past Little Lagoon to end up at a beautiful beach (bring a picnic and swimsuit!). It was only 2+ miles, but absolutely empty. On a busy weekend during peak season in the gulf, this is the way to escape other people. Get to Bon Secour by taking Highway 180 six miles and following the signs.

Yoga, running, and cross-fit on the beach:

Alabama’s sugar sand beaches stretch wide and flat along the gulf, which make them ideal for long-distance running, yoga (try a beach-side class with Glow Yoga), and any other exercise you may want to pursue. I recommend an early morning workout, to watch the sun rise and avoid the heat of the day. Later in the day, beach umbrellas and chairs will dot the white sand beaches, making it harder to get your workout in. Note that dogs are not allowed on the public beaches in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach (but are permitted in nearby Fort Morgan). While this is a bummer for dog owners, the upside is that Alabama’s water is rated as some of the cleanest in the U.S.

Wondering where to eat? We have healthy options here!

Where to stay: Turquoise Place

Run by Spectrum Resorts, Turquoise Place rises in four sleek, tubular towers to overlook the gulf. It sits directly on the beach, so you’re steps from the sand, but many Gulf Shore accommodations will put you near the water. Turquoise Place shines in its recreational and wellness amenities: families get multiple pools (indoor and outdoor), hot tubs, a lazy river and tennis courts sitting on the roof of the fourth floor, and well-equipped exercise rooms, with cardio and weight training equipment, steam rooms, and saunas.

Share a Turquoise Place condo with another family, or make it a multi-generational affair: their 3-5 bedroom condos are huge, and ideal for large family units. You get a full kitchen, which, after poking around, I noticed came with just about all the pots and pans and utensils you’d need (but not spices or pantry staples), plus a wine fridge and large ice machine. As an added bonus, during our stay at Turquoise Place, a complimentary continental breakfast was offered most mornings in the spacious lobby (this amenity was inconsistent, however, so ask when booking). Each condo as a huge balcony with an outdoor kitchen of a built-in BBQ, outdoor sink and counter space, and outdoor table that seats six, and a hot tub.

If your family would prefer more of a resort feel than a cond0-vacation house feel, consider Beach Club, another Spectrum Resorts property located near Fort Morgan. It’s also directly on the water, but in a more rural location with more dining options and outdoor recreation adjacent.

Disclosure: I experienced Gulf Shores and Orange Beach as a guest of the destination, but all opinion remains my own.