Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History

October 29, 2012 By

A perfect half-day pit stop off I-90 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Great Plains Zoo is manageably sized, but more importantly, carefully managed to be a high quality zoo experience in the heart of the midwest. Plus, Great Plains Zoo has a Kidscore of 66. (Learn more about Kidscore.)

Great Plains zoo

Great Plains Zoo is so open and accessible, it feels like a park that just so happens to house an impressive collection of animals, and its elevated viewing spaces and interactive exhibits allow even the youngest kids see the animal residents in an up-close and personal way. While walking from exhibit to exhibit, we interacted with geese and ducks, and found many shaded places to take a break, play on a kid-friendly sculpture, or just sit in the grass.

The zoo is in the midst of a multi-year improvement plan, during which it’s bringing in rare animal ‘families’, such as the Rare Rhinos of Africa and tiger cubs in the Asian Cat Exhibit. In the newly restored children’s zoo (now the Hy-Vee Face to Face Farm), kids can pet and feed farm animals and even ride a camel.

rhino sanctuary great plains zoo

I wished I had been at the Great Plains Zoo in time to see the opening of their Monkeys, Magic, and More, slated to open in 2013. Construction is now underway, along with construction of a new zoo entrance and seasonal flamingo interaction.

Included in zoo admission (and not to be overlooked) is the Delbridge Museum of Natural History. I suggest viewing this indoor section of the zoo first, as its 150 mounts, including 36 endangered or ‘vanishing’ species, educates kids on animal conservation. All the mounts in the display are acquired from late Sioux Falls’ resident Henry Blockhouse, who hunted the animals legally in the 1940s-60s and used to house part of his collection in his downtown hardware store. The museum does a good job of providing interactive signage and interpretive displays to keep kids engaged before they continue outside to see the live animals.

Great Plains Zoo

Date last visited:

August 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Just minutes off I-90 or I-29.

Admission prices:

The Great Plains Zoo is very affordable at $7.50 for adults and $4.50 for kids 3-12 (under 3 is free!).

Hours of operation:

April-September 9 am to 6 pm. October-March 10 am to 4 pm.

Food services:

The zoo does offer a full cafe in the heart of the property, as well as a snack station in the children’s zoo area. Outside food seems to be allowed, based on my observations, though the website does not list a ruling specifically.

Directions:

The zoo is located at 805 S. Kiwanis Avenue, Sioux Falls.

Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

October 17, 2012 By

From the outside, the Ramkota Hotel, a Best Western Plus property, looks like just about any other large-scale interstate-adjacent motor inn. Once inside, visitors immediately know there’s more to it: the Ramkota delivers big on the extras travelers with kids need, such as a full-scale restaurant (and bar, just saying) and large year-round indoor water park facility and seasonal outdoor pool.

ramkota hotel

Let’s get right to the good part: Ramkota’s water park sits in the center of the hotel’s ‘H’ shaped wings in a large indoor space that–amazingly–does not smell strongly or chlorine. You get a large free-form pool with a zero-depth entry, small water slide, and fun lilly-pad crossing, a hot tub, and a deeper pool with a water basketball hoop and much larger tube slide. Best of all, families can reserve a room (on either the first or second floor) that opens right out on the the water park. Parents can easily sit and watch older kids from near their doorway, and it’s a very short walk back to the room for families with younger children. The facility is not on a grand scale by any means, but is a huge jump up from your average indoor pool. If you’re planning to stop along I-90 in or near Sioux Falls with kids in any season, the Ramkota’s water features make it the obvious choice (and in the dead of winter, it’s especially a no-brainer).

Ramkota Hotel water park

Ramkota pool rooms

Note: There is no lifeguard on duty at the pool. Please be sure to supervise your children.

Other amenities: You can’t sleep in the pool, but Ramkota’s standard rooms are spacious, comfortable, and clean, which is all you need when road tripping with kids. Each guest room does feature a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave, making it easy to make and keep food fresh. Suites are available as well, with full kitchenettes in either one or two bedroom layouts. Extended stay rooms are also on-property.

The Ramkota has a business center and a very helpful front desk staff, as well as complimentary wifi so you can get some work done if needed (or set the kids up with Netflix on your computer while waiting to swim in the mornings). There’s also an adequate, yet small, exercise facility adjacent to the indoor water park. The Ramkota lacks a free breakfast, but does have a kid-friendly restaurant. (If you read Pit Stops for Kids’ hotel reviews regularly, you know that a road trip-friendly hotel without a free breakfast is often a deal-breaker for me, but in this case, the indoor water park trumps all.)

If you plan to stay a day or two in the area, there are several family-friendly attractions within minutes of the hotel, including a nice selection of free things to do in Sioux Falls. If you need to get back on the road, you’d better wait until at least check-out time to let your kids fully enjoy the pools!

Date last visited:

August 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off I-90.

Room rates:

Rates for a standard room at the time of my visit started at . This is a Best Western Plus, so consider becoming a member of Best Western Rewards, and also ask for AAA discounts. Roll-away beds are available (and the rooms are spacious enough that you won’t be tripping on it if you ask for one). The Ramkota also has a nice kids’ club to make return visits more fun.

Directions:

The Ramkota is located at 3200 West Maple Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Parking is free, and an airport shuttle service is available.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced the Ramkota on a hosted stay. While the Ramkota’s hospitality is appreciated, it came with no expectations of a positive review.

A stay at Brasada Ranch: a Central Oregon family golf resort

September 6, 2012 By

If your image of Oregon consists of only evergreens and rainy days, it’s time to visit Central Oregon’s high desert. One of our favorite regions for Oregon family vacations, Central Oregon offers beautiful mountains, lakes, and rivers for whitewater rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, golf, and every snow sport you can think up. It’s also home to a number of family resorts, including Bend Oregon’s Brasada Ranch, a Preferred hotel and spa.

Brasada Ranch preferred hotelBrasada Ranch is a year-round destination resort on 1,800 scenic acres, much of it wilderness. We visited in late summer, in time to experience the first crisp mornings and cool evenings. Our days were packed with activities, but families could just as easily do nothing but lounge on their sun-kissed deck, swim, and dine in one of Brasada’s two family-friendly restaurants.

It’s hard to describe the beauty of Brasada until you’ve seen it with your own eyes. The lodge and recreation buildings fold gracefully into their natural surroundings; everywhere you look, you’re greeted with restful earth tones and understated architecture that showcase the surrounding buttes and peaks and never-ending sky. Lodge rooms are available, but families will want to book one of Brasada’s Sage Canyon Cabins tucked along the Brasada Canyons golf greens and between sage-covered hills. Our cabin was a two bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom unit, and included a full gourmet kitchen, living room, dining space, and deck with hot tub. We had more than enough room to spread out (and larger cabins are available for bigger family groups). We were able to make our own meals, sit around our fireplace at night, and come and go as we pleased (covered parking makes winter visits easy, too).

Recreation at Brasada Ranch:

Brasada Ranch has, hands down, the best included recreation options of any Central Oregon resort we’ve reviewed. Their Athletic Center includes exercise equipment and classes, but also three pools (with additional wading pools and hot tubs), an excellent kids’ space called The Hideout with ping-pong, XBox Kinnect, Wii games, a rotating climbing wall, air hockey, and a toddler space, plus an outdoor playground, basketball court, beach volleyball court, and tennis courts. (Balls and rackets are available at the Athletic Center front desk for at charge.) Families could spend all day here and never encounter extra fees (unless you charge drinks or lunch to your account from the on-site grill).

Brasada outdoor pool

In addition to the above pool, Brasada’s second pool is calmer (yet still kid-friendly). Also on-site at the Athletic Center is a full indoor pool (with bay windows that rise to keep the heat down in summer) and wading pool with water squirters and splash area. A plunge waterfall cools kids down, and a full waterslide is great for younger kids.

Brasada pools

Brasada pool

Additional resort activities:

If you can tear your kids away from the Athletic Center, families have many other options during a Brasada Ranch stay. Miles of hiking and mountain biking trails are accessible right from the resort, and Brasada’s two ponds are stocked with fish. During our visit, we took a horseback trail ride with Wrangler Chris at the Brasada Equestrian Center. Our kids had trail ridden before, so they knew what they were talking about when they declared their high desert ride their ‘favorite part of our Brasada vacation’. What made it special? The attention to each rider (groups are kept small), the beautiful scenery, and the fact that they were allowed to trot their horses along the trail.

Brasada trail rides

Off ranch, Brasada’s recreation center can arrange for fly fishing excursions, helicopter tours, whitewater rafting, or bird watching, and can direct families to the best off-site hiking trails. In winter, families can snowshoe or cross country ski, or take Brasada’s van service to Mt. Bachelor for downhill ski and snowboarding. Brasada excursions, horseback riding, and golf (below) come at an additional (significant) charge; if you’re working within a budget, as most families are, we recommend picking your favorite 1-2 to experience as a family, and spending the remainder of your time busy enjoying the many included recreation options.

Brasada fly fishing

Brasada Canyons Golf:

If Brasada’s crown is the natural beauty of the high desert, then its crown jewel is Brasada Canyons. I don’t even golf, but still considered my accompaniment of my husband and kids on the course as one of the most enjoyable parts of my Brasada stay. While Brasada Canyons is certainly challenging, it’s family friendly: just explain that you’ll be golfing with young children or beginners (as the case may be) and the pro shop will be happy to help you book an appropriate tee time and show you the five levels of tee boxes to choose from. We opted to golf only nine holes with our two beginners, and found it easy to manage with golf carts well-stocked with ice water, bathrooms on-course, and friendly staff.

Brasada Canyons golf

Brasada Canyons golf

Brasada dining:

It’s relaxing to eat in your cabin, but families can’t leave Brasada without experiencing at least one high desert sunset on the Ranch House or Range deck. The Ranch House features more casual fare: think burgers, wraps, and salads, while Range showcases Oregonian farm-to-fork cuisine that’s truly exquisite. Expect a leisurely dining experience of at least a few hours at Range if you order several courses; while waiting, let the kids play on the lawn or gather around the communal fire pit if eating outdoors. At either restaurant, don’t leave without trying the homemade s’mores.

Brasada Range Restaurant

Brasada Spa:

The Spa Brasada is located adjacent to the Athletic Center building, making it easy for moms (or dads) to step away for a treatment. I don’t often spend time in spas during family vacations, opting for group activities instead, but if you have the time, a visit to this spa is well worth it. I loved the infusion of the natural surroundings brought indoors: the spa’s signature oils and scents are lavender and sage. If you book a treatment, plan to come early or stay late to take advantage of the relaxation room and private pool and hot tub.

Date last visited:

August 2012

Distance from the nearest interstate:

15 minutes off Highway 97.

Room and cabin rates:

Two-bedroom cabins such as the one we enjoyed range from approximately $299-399 depending on season and date. Lodge rooms can be had for less, but either way, book early: Brasada fills up fast in the prime months. Brasada Ranch packages are always offered, and are worth checking!

Directions:

Brasada Ranch is located at 16986 Brasada Ranch Road, Powell Butte, Oregon. It’s only 15 minutes from Bend, Oregon off Highway 97.

As I disclose whenever applicable, my family and I experienced Brasada Ranch as guests of the resort, allowing us to review it for our readers. This hospitality came with no expectation of a positive review.

Bend on Dwellable

A stay at the Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, CA with SPG Kids’ Pass

August 2, 2012 By

The desert oasis of the Westin Mission Hills is located adjacent to Palm Springs, CA in Rancho Mirage, CA. While it may seem slightly on the crazy side to visit this part of the California desert in summer, we had a wonderful stay here, even in July. Our plan of action: tackle Palm Springs family attractions in the morning, then spend every afternoon near the pools! The Westin Mission Hills is a Starwood Preferred Hotel, which means families can earn SPG points here and kids can take part in the Starwood Kids’ Pass program during their stay.

Westin Mission Hills

SPG Kids’ Pass:

The Starwood Kids’ Pass eases parent vacation stress by putting the kids on an all-inclusive dining plan for the duration of their stay. Kids 6-12 are eligible (kids under age 6 usually eat free anyway), and for one daily price (which varies by property), they are entitled to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks and drinks throughout the day. At the Westin Mission Hills, we found the program to run smoothly for the most part, with hotel employees understanding how it works. The only confusion came at poolside, where we’ were told Kids’ Pass requests of smoothies or sodas needed to be accompanied by a food purchase (not so). It was straightened out easily. At the Westin Mission Hills, the Kids’ Pass price is $29/day. After some calculations, I concluded this is a good value for families planning to eat three meals per day on property.

Family-friendly activities on the Westin Mission Hills property:

The Westin Mission Hills hosts a handful of outdoor pools, including a few adult-only and their Las Brisas Family Pool, located adjacent to the main dining and lobby spaces. This pool features a waterside (kids need to be 48″), two hot tubs, and a free-form pool with volleyball net, plenty of floaties, and organized poolside games. Food service is available from the snack bar and bar, and if families are overheating, they can dip into the Oasis Den, a sports-TV media room broadcasting the latest games as well as foosball and pool.

Las Brisas pool

While you’re enjoying the Kids’ Pass at Westin Mission Hills, also consider entering kids ages 4-12 in the Westin Discovery Room. This kids’ club is open in three-hour segments throughout the day (usually a morning and evening session), but parents can pay less for one hour sessions as well. The club utilizes an interior space filled with games, arts and crafts, and computer games, and occasionally ventures outdoors as the warm weather permits. Toby (age 7) and Homer (age 4) enjoyed an hour in the club while we packed up and sat poolside sans kids, and weren’t ready to leave when we returned to pick them up!

Westin Mission Hills

Golf and tennis at Westin Mission Hills:

The Westin Mission Hills is a golf resort, though you certainly don’t need to golf to enjoy the property. If you do golf on the Gary Player Signature Course, you’ll want to make an early morning tee time during the summer months (it can be uncomfortably warm by noon even as early as March in the Palms Springs area). Tennis lessons and court time are also available, and a full-scale fitness center is located near the lobby.

westin mission hills

Date last visited:

July 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off I-10.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, rates for our 1 bedroom suite started at a reasonable $159 (depending on season). Suites include kitchenettes to allow for in-room dining. Villas are also available, as are standard hotel rooms. When making reservations, bear in mind that buildings spread out from the main lobby, dining, and pool areas: you’ll want to snag rooms in Buildings 1-5 to walk to the main pool (more distant buildings are connected to the main hub by free shuttle).

Dining:

The Bella Vista restaurant is open for all meals. We ate a wonderful (but pricey) dinner and breakfast here (the breakfast buffet is included for kids in the Kids’ Pass). The staff is very family-friendly, and it’s lovely to eat out on the warm patio with views of the mountains and golf course. Should you want something more casual, the Season’s Grill and Fireside Lounge are open for lunch and dinner, and the poolside snack bar has some nice (and healthy) dishes to see you through the day.

Directions:

The Westin Mission Hills is located at 71333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA. It’s only a few miles from Palm Springs on I-10, or two hours from Southern CA beach cities.

Rancho Mirage on Dwellable

Downhill mountain biking with Northstar Bike Academy

July 25, 2012 By

In the process of soaking up all the summer ski resort activities on offer at Northstar California this July, the whole family took part in the Northstar Bike Academy Bike 101 package. Bike 101 includes a full day lift ticket, half-day bike and protective equipment rental, and Bike 101 lesson, and is perfect for families new to the sport of downhill mountain biking.

Families sign up for Bike 101 at Plaza Bikes in the Northstar Village (reserving ahead of time is recommended). We arrived at Plaza Bikes at 9:30 am the day of our adventure, and were outfitted with full protective gear before meeting with our Bike 101 instructor Luke Sheppard.

Bike 101

Note: there isn’t a set minimum age for Bike 101, but size does matter. Toby, age 7, was able to participate, but just barely…meaning that he barely fit onto the smallest available bike, and he was too small for the protective chest plate and full-face helmet. He was outfitted appropriately to participate, but kids must be able to maneuver their bike, listen to instructions, etc.

We rode Northstar’s Big Springs Gondola up to the Bike Academy, where we picked up our bikes and got started. First up was an orientation on our bikes: these aren’t your average dirt bikes you’re used to! Less than 10 minutes later, we were on our way. Luke took us up to the top of the Zephyr lift, which the boys loved: straight to the cool stuff! The trails are marked as easy (green circle), intermediate (blue square), and expert (black diamond) just like during ski season, so we were able to cruise along easy runs for our lesson period. The terrain was challenging, but Luke stopped us often to give technical advice, point out different elements in the terrain, and watch us handle our bikes (again, just like a ski lesson). The session was part instruction, but part mountain tour: had we not joined Luke for Bike 101, we would have never found lots of fun elements and trails that were perfect for our ability level. (Though the trails are marked, it’s possible to start out on one thinking it looks easy, only to become quickly overwhelmed.) Did we fall? Yes, a few times (Toby more than the rest, given his smaller size). The protective gear did its job, however, and mostly we had dusty clothes and dirty faces to show for it by the end of the day. While we were riding the chair or resting off to the side of the single tracks, we loved watching the expert riders bump their way down the mountain; just be sure to yield to them! By the end of our 2 hour lesson, we had ridden all the way back down to the village, where we were given the option of upgrading our package to a full day rental. I like that this option is offered at this point in the day: families don’t need to decide whether they’ll want to ride all day until after the Ride 101 lesson. In our family, Toby decided he was done by lunch, but Nate (13), Calvin (11), and Charlie and I wanted to continue. After a quick lunch at Big Springs Day Lodge, we were off again, armed with our helmets and Luke’s advice on new trails to try. (Tip: you’ll want to pick up a trail map and refer to it!)

bike 101

We had a blast exploring the bike trails all afternoon, and didn’t call it a day until almost chair closing time. Of particular fun for the boys was the small elements on the ‘bike terrain park’ (our words…I think mountain bikers call it a jump park) and the intermediate single track runs (of which there are many). Is it tough? Yes! Downhill mountain biking is much harder than it looks. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that if you can ride a bike, you can downhill mountain bike. New mountain bikers definitely need Bike 101. For return visits, or if you’re already experienced, the Bike Academy also offers ‘Bumps and Bends’ for the intermediate to expert rider.

bike 101

If you have young kids not ready for mountain biking: consider buying a hiking lift ticket for the adults in your group (just $10, kids are free) and try one of the hiking-specific trails at the top of the lifts. Young kids will enjoy watching the expert riders along the single tracks while they hike.

Rates:

The Bike 101 package is $80 on weekdays and $139 on weekends. This is actually a very good deal, as half-day bike rentals alone are as much as $112. If you already own your own bike, Bike 101 is an even better deal at just $15.

Hours of operation:

Read up on Northstar summer lift and park hours. Generally, the Bike Academy Bike 101 package and other lesson offerings are available while the lifts operate: June 29-August 19.

Directions:

To reach Northstar-at-Tahoe, take I-80 to Highway 267 to Northstar Drive. Drive up to the village, then find Plaza Bikes in the center of the village by the skating rink.

As I disclose whenever applicable, Northstar hosted our Bike 101 experience, as well as bike rentals for the remainder of the day, for the purpose of review. While we appreciate this opportunity to inform our readers, it came with no expectation of a positive review.

Northstar on Dwellable

A family lodge stay: The Lodge at Suttle Lake, Sisters Oregon

July 23, 2012 By

A mountain lake lodge that’s equally appealing to adults and kids isn’t easy to find…unless you’re in Oregon. (It must be something about my home state’s laid-back, outdoorsy atmosphere.) The Lodge at Suttle Lake, located just outside of Sisters, Oregon, is one of them. Easily accessed from Highway 20 (30 minutes from Bend, Oregon on Highway 97 or two hours from Salem, Oregon on I-5), the Lodge at Suttle Lake is a breeze to get to, but still isolated in the Deschutes National Forest on Suttle Lake.

mountain lake lodge

First built in the 1920s, and experiencing several set-backs (mostly of the wildfire variety) since, the newest version of the lodge and adjacent cabins were built in 2005, giving the entire property a very new look. The main lodge is beautiful (fans of woodwork will especially appreciate the ornately carved front entrance) and offers a great room lobby with towering fireplace, large outdoor deck, bar and seating area, and sunny gazebo overlooking the lake. The guest cabins are nearby, and all have easy lake access.

front door, Suttle Lake

We stayed in a lofted lodge room, which sleeps 4-5 and boasts a fireplace and upper sleeping loft. Cabins on the property sleep 4-8 people, and all but the historic cabins have every possible amenity families could ask for. The cabins are designated as waterfront or creekside, but all are steps from the lakeshore.

suttle lake lodge

Guests of the lodge rooms and standard cabins enjoy an evening wine and cheese reception (perfect for unwinding by the lake before dinner…kids can play on the large expanse of lawn), and a full marina is available for non-motorized boat rentals of all sorts. (Motorized boats are allowed on some parts of Suttle Lake.) There’s a nice beach area in front of the lodge for families to swim, and a 3.5 mile trail loops around the circumfrence of the lake, making for a nice (but not challenging) hike.

marina, mountain lodge

Within driving distance of Suttle Lake is Camp Sherman (only a few miles away on Highway 20) where more hikes await, and the quaint resort town of Sisters, where families can rent bikes at Blazin’ Saddles and mountain bike on the Peterson Ridge Trail system. The lodge is open year-round, making it a great choice for snowshoeing and skiing in the winter.

Lodge at Suttle Lake

Distance from the interstate:

The lodge is located right off Highway 20. In fact, this is its only drawback: you do hear street noise.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, lofted lodge rooms like the one we stayed in start at $199/night. Standard rooms are the same price. Cabins are approximately $269 (pricing varies between cabin and season).

Dining options:

The lodge has a nice restaurant, The Boathouse, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Families can eat out on the dock overlooking the lake, and the full bar serves fun specialty drinks. There is a kid menu, but the dinner menu is fairly pricy for family dining. I recommend renting a cabin so that you can prepare your own meals, and plan to eat only a few special meals at the Boathouse.

Directions:

From Bend, depart Highway 97 for Highway 20 at Sisters, then follow it to 13300 Highway 20. From Salem, follow Highway 20 from I-5. It’s easy to find!

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed at the Lodge of Suttle Lake as guests of the lodge, as part of a freelance travel assignment. While we appreciate the chance to experience Suttle Lake, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Sisters on Dwellable

Hearst Castle State Park

July 12, 2012 By

Families traveling on a California Highway 1 road trip will want to stop at Hearst Castle State Park, especially if their car-load comprises of school-aged kids, tween, and teens. Visible (and impressive!) even from the highway, Hearst Castle is a half-day stop right outside San Simeon, CA. From the visitor’s center located near the coastline, guests can choose from several tour options before taking a bus up the winding hillside to the estate (approximately 15 minutes). The rangers suggest families start with the Grand Rooms Tour, which takes you through just that…the main rooms of the main house.

hearst castle

This tour takes 45 minutes from the time you depart the bus, and kept everyone from the seven-year-old to the adults entertained. (Children younger than five might be bored, but the tour is still do-able, because of its short length.) Our guide did a good job of giving us details on how William Randolph Hearst entertained his guests in these visually opulant rooms, and the kids enjoyed eying all the fancy tapastries, silver, and oranate decor. I enjoyed learning which of the articifacts had actually been procured from Europe and Asia, and which had been made on-site (both equally amazing). We learned how long it took to build the estate (over 15 years!) and quite a bit about the remarkable architect, Julia Morgan. After the tour, families are set loose to explore the rest of the grounds (outside) at their leisure. We took another hour or so to explore (you definitely want to check out the Neptune Pool and views from the guest houses!). I was also anxious to see the indoor pool, and thought I had lost my opportunity until we were funneled into it en route to the departure buses (so don’t worry, you won’t miss it).

neptune pool hearst castle

The Hearst Castle staff recommends getting to the visitor’s center 20 minutes before your tour time to catch the bus, and we recommend getting there an hour before that, in order to view the 45 minute IMAX-style movie prior to seeing the estate. It’s very well done, and gives kids a much better sense of who the Hearsts were before they see the rest. (I was in need of the refresher myself.) For our 1 pm tour, we arrived at 11:30, and had just enough time to see the movie and line up for the bus before 1 pm.

Note: You can’t bring food or drinks with you to the estate grounds (only bottled water), so leave the picnic in the car, and be sure to give everyone snacks beforehand. It does get hot on the hill, so bring water!

hearst castle bus

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off Highway 1.

Admission price:

The Grand Rooms Tour is $25 a ticket for adults and $12 for children (under five are free). Most of the additional tours are the same price, with the exception of the Evening Tour, which is pricier. The ticket price includes the bus ride, movie, and exhibits at the visitor center. Parking is free. Purchase Hearst Castle tickets ahead of time during busy seasons!

Hours of operation:

The visitor center is open whenever tours are offered. (Most days, tours begin at 9 am.) See tour schedule for exact times.

Food services:

The visitor’s center offers a museum cafe next to the gift shop, but it was such nice weather, we opted to picnic at one of the tables dotting the parking area. (This was more appealing than it sounds…the parking lot overlooks the ocean.)

Directions:

Signage from Highway 1 in San Simeon takes visitors right to the park, or click for detailed directions to Hearst Castle.

How to spend a day in Golden Gate Park with kids

July 9, 2012 By

Families looking for things to do in San Francisco will want to devote at least one day to exploring and enjoying Golden Gate Park. In fair weather or foul (San Francisco gets a few of those, you know), Golden Gate Park offers indoor and outdoor fun for families in a unique San Francisco environment. How to spend a day in Golden Gate Park with kids? Read on for our itemized Golden Gate Park itinerary for families (with rainy weather alternatives and age-by-age guides). All attractions are located on the east side of the park, and all are easily accessed by MUNI bus:

Japanese tea garden

1. Start your day at a museum.

First off, be sure to grab or download a Golden Gate Park map. If you have school-aged or preschool kids, head straight to the California Academy of Sciences, where you’ll experience a planetarium, life sciences museum, and aquarium all in one. Located directly across from the Music Concourse (right through the park entrance at the Felton and Park Presidio MUNI stop), the academy could fill a whole morning for school-aged kids (and at least a few hours for toddler and preschoolers). If the weather is nice, be sure to visit the top floor’s Living Roof. Note: if you’re driving to the park for the day, use the underground parking garage right next to the academy, and plan to park there all day.

living roof

If you have tweens or teens (or kids interested in fine art) you might opt for the DeYoung Museum instead. It’s located directly across the street from the California Academy of Sciences, so it’s entirely possible for families to split up. If you decide to take all ages of kids, there is an art studio located in the De Young where an artist-in-residence provides hands-on activities, but that will be offered in the afternoons, so be sure to check the schedule. The museum’s permanent exhibits include all manner of fine art, sculpture, photography, fashion, and texture.

Best of all, both the academy and the museum are included on the San Francisco CityPASS and can be selected on the Go San Francisco Card.

2. Eat lunch on the Music Concourse or at local food trucks.

If it’s raining, families may opt to eat at one of the museum cafes (both have one), but if the sun is shining, it’s far nicer to eat on the concourse. (We were lucky enough to settle down with our picnic right as a school band was beginning an outdoor concert.) A number of food trucks (we saw Indian food and hot dogs on our visit) park on the end of the concourse next to the Japanese Tea Garden.

children's playground golden gate park

3. Spend the afternoon at the Children’s Playground or Conservatory of Flowers.

If you have young children (really, anyone 12 or under), head east to the first children’s playground to be build in the U.S. (according to locals), which you can access via foot from the Music Concourse area. The playground, located on your park map at Koret Playground, features lots of nice climbing equipment, a huge ‘spider web’ net, and the original concrete slides build into the hillside. (These look a tad dangerous by today’s safety standards, but we didn’t see any injuries. Kids slide down on pieces of cardboard…of which there’s plenty laying around for this purpose.) Next to the play area is the historic carousel, which is a real deal at $1 for kids and $2 for adults (adults can also help kids on and take photos without paying for a ticket).

carousel at children's playground

If it’s raining, walk just past John F Kennedy Drive to the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers instead, which is much more fun for kids than it sounds. Not only will you be warm and dry, but the huge arborium is beautiful winter or summer, and features temporary exhibits such as ‘Plant-o-sorus’, which teaches kids all about prehistoric plants from the dino days. Hours are 10 am to 4:30 pm, closed Mondays, and tickets are economical: most families can visit for under $20.

Bonus: read about additional botanical gardensadditional botanical gardens to visit across the US.

slides at children's playground

4. If you still have time, visit the San Francisco Botantical Garden or Stow Lake.

Walking west past the baseball diamonds, families will reach the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Similarly priced to the concervatory, the gardens are open longer hours as they’re out-of-doors, and provide more paths for kids to stretch their legs. If more gardens aren’t your thing, continue west to Stow Lake, where you’ll find picnic grounds, a boat house, and plenty of ducks to feed. In nice weather, families can rent pedal boats ($14-19/hour at the time of our visit), or can otherwise walk along the shore or rent a surrey bike.

Head back to your car, or if you didn’t drive your own vehicle, catch a ride back to your San Francisco hotel from MUNI along John F. Kennedy Drive or near the De Young (at Park Presidio and Felton)!

Exploratorium Museum of Science

July 5, 2012 By

A short MUNI bus ride from just about all points in the city, the Exploratorium is a wonderful activity for kids in San Francisco. Located conveniently at Pier 15, the Exploratorium is a hands-on science mecca for preschoolers through teens.

Exploratorium san francisco

We love how this cavernous building is set up to encourage kids (and their parents) to really let loose: explore its exhibits in any order, for any length of time. It’s set up in sections by field of science (life science on the second floor loft, magnetics and engineering next to it, cognitive science and ‘thinking and feeling’ at the back, etc) but each exhibit stands alone. More than simply hands-on, almost all the exhibits challenge families to work with a partner or in teams, conducting experiments or field testing (aka challenging) their hypothesis.We especially loved the ‘sound and hearing’ section, where we took a auditory journey with a blind man through a BART station.

We spent three hours in the Exploratorium, which I thought would be enough, but I had to drag everyone out (including my husband) in order to keep our evening plans. Younger kids may need less time (the scope of the museum may feel daunting to some), but if you have school-aged kids, plan to be here a long while! The museum is very well contained (really just one huge room), so we felt comfortable letting the older kids roam at will.

Tip: One of the museum’s most popular exhibits, the Tactile Dome is experienced by scheduled appointment (and separate ticket) only. To grab a time slot (set throughout the day), plan to be at the museum in the morning, or order tickets online in advance (the ticket price is slightly more than regular admission, but includes admission to the rest of the museum as well). We visited in the afternoon, and by the time we arrived at 1 pm, the earliest Tactile Dome time available was 6:30…too late for our schedule.

Of note: In case you own an older guide book, the Exploratorium is now located at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero. While this location is certainly be more convenient for tourists visiting the Fisherman’s Wharf area, I encourage visitors to still take the time to see the lovely Presidio area of San Francisco.

palace of fine arts

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Located (currently) in the Presidio, just moments from the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway 101.

Admission prices:

Adults are $15, youth (13-17) are $12, and children (4-12) are $10. As with most San Francisco attractions, the best deal for visiting the Exploratorium is to use a CityPASS or Go San Francisco Card card. Free admission the first Wednesday of each month!

Hours of operation:

10 am to 5 pm Tuesday-Sunday (closed most Mondays)

Dining options:

A large, open cafe with snacks, drinks, and light meals is located on the main floor and is lit by nice skylights and provides seating where parents can see most of the action. Otherwise, picnics can be taken outside on the Palace of Fine Arts grounds or nearby duck pond.

Directions:

The Exploratorium is located at 3601 Lyon Street in the Presidio. It will soon move to Pier 15. For now, from Park Presidio, follow the signs for the Highway 101 Detour. Then turn right on Geary Boulevard, left on Van Ness Boulevard, left on Lombard Street, and right on Lyon Street.

California Academy of Sciences

July 2, 2012 By

The California Academy of Sciences is by far one of the best things to do with kids in San Francisco. Ideal for school-aged kids but also entertaining for preschoolers and toddlers, the California Academy of Sciences is a trifecta of scientific fun, featuring a planetarium, aquarium, and life science museum all under one (living) roof, which is an exhibit of its own.

california academy of sciences

Families will want to devote at least a half-day at the academy: we stayed a full morning, and still never got to the planetarium (next visit!). Be sure to get a schedule of the day’s events when you enter. On the day of our visit, we were able to catch the African penguin feeding and the tropical fish feeding. Both activities included a talk from a marine biologist and lasted about 15 minutes. The docents at the door of the academy are very helpful in alerting families of the daily activities; we were glad to have them!

california academy of sciences

The academy is set up with two large domes (you’ll spot these from outside). One houses the planetarium, and the other houses the rain forest canopy, a tour along elevated walkways past plants, trees, and many animals (including lots of butterflies and birds). The rain forest canopy will end at the top, where guests can take an elevator down to the ground and basement floor aquarium. (I suppose you could do the various sections of the academy in any order you like, but it flows very well to see the rain forest followed by the aquarium, both in a logistical sense and an educational sense…the exhibits build upon one another.) I think the ‘flooded rain forest floor’ section of the aquarium was my seven-year-old’s favorite spot: he lingered at the rain forest snake section, where he could experience the (simulated) sensation of having his arm constricted by an anaconda.

living roof

Tip: it’s warm in the rain forest dome; you’ll want to shed sweaters or coats, so be sure to wear layers!

After experiencing the rain forest dome, we took the elevator to the top floor of the academy, which is actually the roof. We looked out over the ‘living roof’ exhibit, where acres of rooftop has been seeded and serves as an natural habitat to many animals and birds. It’s lovely on a nice day!

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Located in Golden Gate Park, an easy drive past the bridge from Highway 101.

Admission prices:

General admission the the California Academy of Sciences is not cheap at $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for youth ages 12-17, and $19.95 for children 4-11. A much more economical option is to purchase your tickets through a San Francisco CityPASS or Go San Francisco Card.

Hours of operation:

Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 5 pm. Sunday 11 am to 5 pm

Dining options:

There is a cafe on-site, with both indoor and outdoor seating (with play areas in the outdoor space). Instead of trying either option, however, we had brought a picnic lunch, which we enjoyed in the Music Concourse directly outside (while listenening to a free middle school outdoor concert!). On warm-weather days, this is the way to go. (Food trucks also assemble between the Music Concourse and the nearby Japanese Tea Garden.)

Directions:

The academy is located at 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. It’s easily accessible via MUNI bus lines. If you drive, street parking is available, or better yet, try the parking garage near the De Young museum.

Note: California Academy os Sciences has a Kidscore of 92. Learn more about Kidscore.