Interstate - Pitstops for Kids

Three Highway 1 beach pit stops from Monterey to San Simeon, CA

June 28, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Some of the most beautiful coastline in the world exists on California’s Highway 1 between Monterey, CA and San Simeon, CA. Directly after Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Monterey (definitely stop there before beginning your day), the way is windy and slow, but never fear: the California Highway 1 road trip is made to be savored with frequent pit stops, so even young passengers can handle the hours of car time. After making the drive with our three school-aged kids (ages 7, 10, and 12), I’ve compiled our favorite three beach pit stops on Highway 1.

Pfeiffer Beach:

Shhh. This first beach, run by the national forest system, is a secret. Directly after the tiny town of Big Sur, CA, families have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Ok, Pfeiffer may not quite be a secret, but it’s certainly not well known…or well advertised from the road or online. Here’s how you find it: right after Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, you’ll see a yellow ‘No RVs’ road sign on the right-hand side, next to a row of mailboxes. Turn right here onto a narrow, one-lane road. Almost immediately, you’ll see a sign that reads, ‘Pfeiffer Beach, 2 miles’. Continue two miles (you may have to stop occassionally to allow opposite traffic through) to a national forest booth, where you’ll pay a $5 per car fee. Parking is adjacent.

Pfeiffer Beach is nestled between huge crags of cliffside past a lush grove of Cypress trees, and features several rock arches amid the crashing surf, a gentle stream through the sand into the water, and most interestingly, big patches of the world’s only (so they say) purple sand. The famed Pfeiffer Beach purple sand is made from erosion from the nearby cliffsides, and is quite cool to see. Also fun is the stream and climbing on the large rocks on the beach. Reserve at least an hour here!

Of important note: Very strong undertows exist at Pfieffer. The water is quite cold, so your kids probably won’t be tempted to swim, but even wading can be dangerous. It’s best to enjoy the beach but avoid swimming. If you’re still dubious, read the memorial displayed at the parking lot, and take heed to be safe!

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park:

Not to be confused with Pfieffer Beach, JPB State Park is located further south, at 47555 Highway 1. The state park offers a lovely cliffside trail from the parking lot through a tunnel under the highway to the site of Julia Pfeiffer Burn’s dear friend Helen Hooper Brown’s beachside home (which she later dedicated to Pfeiffer). From the terrace (all that remains of the home), families are rewarded with beautiful views of the beach below, including a waterfall to the sand. Though there’s no beach access here, a stop is definitely warranted. A side trail leads to a working water wheel, and kids enjoy going over the bridge to the Brown terrace. You probably won’t need more than 1/2 an hour here unless you also decide to picnic.

Elephant Seal Rookery:

After JPB State Park, the highway becomes even windier, but just when kids can’t stand it anymore, the way straightens out before San Simeon, CA. Right before the town proper is the Elephant Seal Rookery. Signs are well posted along Highway 1, but trust me, you couldn’t miss it if you tried: even from the car, kids can spot the hundreds upon hundreds of elephant seals on the sandy beach. There’s a large parking area and a path that spans the beach, but visitors cannot step onto the sand…this is the seals’ territory! Posted signs explain the rookery (seal nursery), and let visitors know what the seals are up to in various seasons. For instance, when we visited in May, the babies were juveniles, whereas March visitors would have seen newborns. While still at home, check out what’s happening via the elephant rookery live cam!

Note: there are no bathrooms at the rookery! Luckily, San Simeon is only a few miles away.

Have you found a great Highway 1 stop between Monterey and San Simeon? Please share in the comments!

San Francisco Pier 39 attractions for kids

June 21, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Families touring San Francisco could easily dedicate a full day to the busy, touristy region of Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. And while not to replace visiting other parts of the city, a day here is well spent. We definitely suggest beginning your day with a family tour of Alcatraz Island, but this still leaves you with an afternoon and evening to fill at the wharf. Here’s our picks for how to spend a day at Fisherman’s Wharf with kids:

Pier 39 and Aquarium of the Bay:

Pier 39 is bright, busy, and filled with fun (kids especially love the many street performers), and families could certainly wile away an afternoon browsing the shops and riding the carousel. If you have young children (whose attention span may not warrant to trip to a larger aquarium) and/or have San Francisco CityPASS booklets, make a stop at the Aquarium of the Bay. Not as large or professionally undertaken as the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park (if you plan to go there, skip this one), the Aquarium of the Bay is still a nicely done exhibit for kids. It can be toured in an hour, and features fun hands-on touching pools for young kids and a pretty darn cool shark tunnel. Housed primarily under the bay, museum staff ushers families into elevators for each section of the aquarium. This means you need to be sure to hit bathroom stops when you see them!

General admission is $16 for adults and $10 for kids 3-12, and is only worth the ticket price if you don’t have plans to visit any larger aquariums. Admission is included in CityPASS and Go San Francisco Card offering by far the best deal. (Warning: there is a gift shop at the end, and it’s full of enticing plush marine animals.) Afterward, stroll to the end of the pier to check out the seals and sea lions in their natural habitat.

The Embarcadero and National Maritime Park:

The Embarcadero runs many blocks from the Alcatraz cruise dock past Pier 39. On one side will be the new location of the Exploratorium, one of the best hands-on museums for kids in the country (it’s currently located in the Presidio). The Exploratorium is an CityPASS option, and will easily engage kids for hours. Kids will want to stop en route to watch the sourdough bread being made at San Francisco’s famed Boudin Factory, and shop for trinkets along the street. Further down, toward Ghiradelli Square, it’s fun to stop at the fish markets and see (and smell!) the fresh seafood offerings.

The San Francisco National Maritime Park makes for a great place to stop just as legs start to get tired, and kids can walk the pier to see the USS Pampanito submarine and other historic vessels.It’s located at Pier 45, and the visitor’s center is open 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. What’s nice is that families can opt to buy tour tickets for the Pampanito, or just view the vessels from the dock.

Ghiradelli Square:

Directly above the Maritime Park is Ghirdelli Square, where families can (must?) stop for ice cream at the famed chocolatier. (At the information booth in the square, ask for coupons if you plan to purchase sundaes.) We opted for sundaes for lunch (such a healthy choice…not!) but Ghiradelli makes for a great evening choice, too.

Between the Maritime Park and Ghiradelli Square, you’ll see the San Francisco Cable Car turnaround. This is a great place to hop on-board and take a ride, though you’ll likely wait in line. (Elsewhere in San Francisco, particularly along California Street), it’s easily to jump on and jump off cable cars.

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco

June 19, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

An absolute must-do attraction for families with school-aged kids in San Francisco, Alcatraz Island, run by the National Parks Service, is a half-day tour that will wisk families across the bay by boat to the most famed island in the Bay Area. Departing from Pier 33 on the Embarcadero, the tour is self-guided, which makes it flexible for families, and utterly fascinating, which makes it an unbeatable way to spend half a day in the city.

Our boys, all school-aged, agreed touring Alcatraz was the highlight of our three days in San Francisco with kids. What made it so great? First off, the boat ride over and back is fun, and on clear days, like we lucked out with, it’s beautiful. We got a great glimpse of both the city skyline and the bridge, and from the top deck of the boat, were able to watch Alcatraz approach.

At the dock, boat passengers are greeted by a park ranger, who gives a brief overview of the island’s history. (I knew Alcatraz was a military fort before it became a prison, but had no idea it had also been the site of an American Indian social movement in the ’60s.) From there, families walk up the ramp to the old fort, where they can watch a short video. (This is a great orientation to what you’ll see in the prison, and it’s only about 15 minutes long.)

The tour of the prison is an audio-tour, and it’s fantastic. (I found out later it’s actually award-winning.) It was easy for even our youngest child (seven years old) to follow along, and the narrative is peppered with first-hand accounts from innates and guards alike (and even some of the children of the guards, who lived on the island). We were engrossed, and loved how easy it was to walk through the grounds following the directions on the audio tour. (A few times, we had to steer our kids in the correct direction, but the tour can be ‘paused’, so it wasn’t a problem.) The tour takes about 45 minutes, and deposits you in the gift shop (surprise, surprise). This is a very nice gift shop however, and I promise you’ll be tempted by something.

There’s no food or drink up at the prison area, but snacks and drinks are allowed by the boat dock. (Bring your own.) Also nearby is a visitor’s center with bookstore, and an info station where kids can earn Junior Ranger badges.

Tip: Pick up Junior Ranger booklets right after getting off the boat, before your tour. The activities are throughout the island, so you’ll want to do them as you go. The info station is not always manned (usually by the same ranger leading talks) so ask in the bookstore if no one is present. They didn’t have the booklets there, but could point us in the direction of another ranger.

Boats return to the mainland about every 30 minutes, so after the tour, families can walk around the island at their leisure (various outdoor areas are open in various seasons), and return whenever they want. Allow for a full morning or full afternoon from start to finish. You’ll want to bring sweatshirts if the weather is chilly (which is almost always) and keep in mind that while regularly sized day packs are allowed, large suitcases and large coolers are not.

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Pier 33 is on the Embarcadero, a few minutes by car from I-80 or Highway 101. Parking in the area can be found in parking garages, or both MUNI and the cable cars stop nearby.

Admission prices:

Alcatraz tickets can be purchased ahead of time online through Alcatraz Cruises, the private ferry company that works in tandem with the National Park Service (recommended, as it does sell out). Tickets are $28 for adults and $17 for kids 5-11. Detailed pricing is here.

Alcatraz CityPASS option: By far the best deal for touring Alcatraz is to bundle it with a San Francisco CityPASS. CityPASS booklets grant admission to San Francisco attractions at an almost 50% discount, and have recently created an option to substitute their Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruise admission for an Alcatraz admission. To include Alcatraz in your San Francisco CityPASS, families MUST call Alcatraz Cruises and reserve their tour time, letting the operator know their intention of using CityPASS. Unlike the ‘regular’ CityPASS booklets, which can be purchased online, the pass including Alcatraz must be purchased at Alcatraz Cruises. Therefore, if you’ll want to make Alcatraz your first San Francisco stop (to pick up your CityPASS booklets when boarding the boat).

Hours of operation:

Tours run all day and into the evening, depending on season.

Directions:

Pier 33 is easy to find (and clearly marked) on the Embarcadero.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Alcatraz using provided CityPASS booklets, for the purpose of review. This compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

A stay at the Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco

June 11, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Families have hundreds of lodging options while visiting San Francisco with kids, but if they want to be in the heart of the Pier 39 action, the location of the Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf can’t be beat. Literally steps from the wharf, the Radisson is the only bay hotel with this prime location, with a back entrance opening on the Embarcadero. The surrounding area is busy and crowded and noisy at night (think San Francisco’s Times Square), but with so many attractions and dining options close at hand, the trade off may be worth it. From our adjoining rooms on the fourth floor, we didn’t hear much street noise.

The Radisson is an older hotel showing its wear, but they’re currently in the middle of a large-scale renovation. When we visited in May 2012, the guest rooms and lobby had been redone, with plans to improve upon the outdoor areas next. The standard rooms are not large (pretty standard for city hotels), but the new decor is very nice (especially the large wall murals of the Golden Gate). The bathrooms sport tubs as well as showers, a nice perk, and it was great to have a mini-fridge and closet space. Note: The Radisson beds have Sleep Number mattresses, worth mentioning as people tend to love them or hate them (for what it’s worth, we hate them).

Perhaps the nicest amenity of the Radisson is their outdoor pool and courtyard. Situated between the ‘U’ shape of the main building, the large ground floor courtyard features an outdoor fire pit, plenty of comfortable seating, and a nicely sized heated pool. Next to the pool is a small but adequate fitness room. Self parking is available (for a nightly fee of $37…pretty standard for the city) and wifi is complimentary in all guest rooms.

We didn’t mind the fact that the outside of the Radisson was still in need of its scheduled facelift. The location more than made up for this. Our only complaint was the difficult-to-navigate layout of the hotel. The parking garage is at the back of the hotel, and uses its own set of elevators, easily confused with the main bank of elevators that lead to the lobby. If you’re coming from your car, the walk through the hallways can be long, and there are so many entrances to the courtyard area (street access, lobby access, and parking garage access) that visitors can get turned around. We could see the pool and courtyard from our room window, so we allowed our 10 and 12-year-olds to go down solo. They took the wrong elevator and got lost for some time, so please accompany tweens (we should have anyway) and note that street access to the courtyard does exist…kids could easily end up there. We’d advise using only the lobby elevators when accessing the pool area.

Plenty of dining exists in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, including fast food and a Johnny Rockets directly connected to the courtyard. One door down is a nice IHOP. A few pizza places deliver to the rooms as well.

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Just a few miles away from either I-80 the or Highway 101.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, room rates were listed at just over $300 for a standard double bed room. What you’re paying for is the location, and if you plan to spend significant time exploring the Wharf, Embarcadero, and Ghiradelli area, it’s worth it for the prime spot.

Included amenities:

As mentioned above, wifi is complimentary. Parking is an extra fee, but some rooms do come with breakfast vouchers (for the adjacent IHOP) included.

Deal! Save up to 49% on San Francisco’s Muni and Cable Car rides plus admission to the 4 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Directions:

The Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf is located at 250 Beach Street, San Francisco. From I-80 or Highway 101, take the Embarcadero to the wharf.

As I disclose whenver applicable, we stayed at the Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf at a media rate, for the purpose of review. While we appreciate Radisson’s hospitality, this rate came at no expectation of a positive review.

A stay at the Morgan Hotel, San Simeon CA

June 5, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

I discovered the wonderful value for families at Broughton Hospitality boutique hotels during our stay at Mill Valley CA’s The Acqua, and our experience was equally positive at The Morgan Hotel, a San Simeon hotel for families.

The Morgan can be found just five minutes from Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal Rookery in San Simeon, and is only 45 minutes from the California wine country near Paso Robles, but the appeal for families is in its amenities, not its location (as there are plenty of motel choices in the area, some with better beach access). Like other Broughton hotels, the Morgan is the perfect hybrid between a economy motel and a boutique hotel: it looks pretty standard from the outside, but inside, it’s clear that this is no run-of-the-mill motel.

The lobby is very well decorated, with soft couches and an oversized checker board, and features a sunken dining area for the morning breakfast buffet (more on that later). The rooms are oversized (deluxe fireplace rooms are only marginally more per night) and nicely decorated, and free wifi is included throughout the hotel, including in guest rooms. Parking is free, as is the breakfast buffet, which was pretty standard (cereal, oatmeal, packaged pastries, and a variety of toast and bagels) but perfectly adequate. The real draw for kids is the lovely outdoor heated pool. It’s located in a walled courtyard behind the lobby, and best of all, it’s protected from the wind off the ocean. (If you want beach access, it’s only a few blocks away, behind the Best Western. We found fun tide pools there in addition to a nice, wide flat beach to play on.)

Our only complaint about the Morgan was that it’s showing its wear here and there: some of the bathroom fixtures were less than sparkling (due to age), and dust did accumulate behind dressers and the like. It takes a lot to bother me in this regard, so I was content, but pickier families might take issue. (Of course, for me, free wifi beats out almost anything!) There’s a decent Mexican restaurant located next door, but we drove three miles to Cambria, CA, where we had a nice pizza and burger dinner at J B J’s Round-Up Pizza.

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off Highway 1.

Room rates:

Standard rooms (double or king) were listed at $109 at the time of our visit, while deluxe rooms (large, with canopy beds and fireplaces) were listed at $119. We found either rate to be a very good value for the amenities offered. Add ons can be made at the time of reservation, like wine selections, cookies and milk delivered, or an in-room massage by certified massage artist.

Directions:

The Morgan is located at 9135 Hearst Drive. From Highway 1, turn onto Vista Del Mar to hotel.

As I disclose whenever applicable, the Morgan hosted our family at no cost, for the purpose of review. While we appreciate this hospitality as it allows us to bring relevant information to readers, it came with no expectation of a positive review.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

May 31, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Families looking for things to do in Monterey, CA or en route along Highway 1 to Big Sur should definitely stop at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Located just a few miles outside Monterey on Highway 1, Point Lobos offers great hiking with kids in Monterey, with miles of hiking trails, scenic vistas, hisorical sites, and picnic grounds in some of the most beautiful acreage I’ve ever seen. We started at Whaler’s Cove, where a posted sign instructed us to speak in quiet voices…the seals were using the nearby beach as a pup rookery. We could see the mother seals and babies from the parking lot. Nearby, families can view the historic Whaler’s Cabin, and a steep staircase takes you to the bluff overlooking the bay and the network of hiking trails.

The trails are easily navigated, though parents will want to remind kids to stay on the trail. There are steep areas, and during certain seasons, poison oak is in bloom. (We saw a lot when we visited in May.) We opted to take the 1.4 mile North Shore Trail, which connects with the Seal Point parking area and trailhead. Along the North Shore Trail are numerous overlooks where seals, otters, and even whales can be spotted, and at Seal Point, tide pools are visible in low tide. The nearby Cypress Grove Trail tours the oldest Monterey Cypress grove in the world, and is a great option for famlies not quite up for the longer hikes. Guided walks and nature talks are also scheduled throughout each week.

Note: Dogs are not permitted in the reserve, even if they stay in the vehicle.

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right on Highway 1.

Admission price:

Admission the the reserve is $10 per car. You’re buying a state park pass, so if you’re visiting any other state parks on your trip, it will be good for those, too!

Hours of operation:

8 am to 7 pm during Daylight Savings, and from 8 am until 1/2 hour after sunset in winter.

Food services:

None, but picnicking areas are throughout the park.

Directions:

From Monterey, head out Highway 1 three miles south. Look for the posted signs.

A stay at Monterey’s Portola Hotel and Spa

May 29, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Stepping into the spacious lobby of Monterey CA’s Portola Hotel and Spa, you just might think you’ve taken a wrong turn and stepped back outside instead. The wide, open space is canopied with lush, live trees giving way to bright skylights, and the front desk staff is equally sunny. Upon arrival, my kids (and the adults!) were offered warm chocolate chip cookies, and the kids were ushered into the Portola Pirate Program, a fun and inventive perk including a goodie bag of pirate treasure and an interactive scavenger hunt around the hotel grounds. The boys immediately departed to scour the lobby for their first clue (an impressive pirate ship model), while my husband and I left the car with the valet service and trailed after them.

The Pirate Program serves a duel purpose that parents can appreciate: it gets the kids moving after time in the car, introduces parents to the amenities of the resort (the treasure hunt includes stops at the hotel’s two restaurants and adjacent candy shop), and emphasizes the hotel’s policy of valuing kids and family. We really appreciated how welcome our boys were to literally have the run of the place.

After settling into our courtyard-view room (which was very nicely decorated, and included welcome, if not fairly standard) amenities like a mini-fridge, ample closet space, and spa robes as well as extra touches like slatted blinds and chic decor, we checked out the outdoor heated pool (adjacent to the spa, which sadly, I didn’t have opportunity to try out). We did enjoy taking a glass of wine to the hot tub while the kids splashed in the pool before dinner. We were tempted by the outdoor fire pit and fresh California cuisine at the hotel’s Peter B’s Brew Pub, but in the end, the kid-friendly offerings on Fisherman’s Wharf (only steps away) won out. Note: Jack’s, the hotel’s main restaurant, looked a bit too dark and stuffy for our taste, decorated more like an old-school nautical club, though the staff was friendly and kid-welcoming.

We ate in our room in the morning (easy with the mini-fridge and plenty of counter space), but plenty of coffee and cafe-style breakfast spots are in walking distance (including a coffee shop right at the hotel). Also on-site: a candy store, a great bike and outdoor equipment rental shop, Adventures by the Sea, and a fitness center. I loved how close Monterey’s Historic Walking Tour was (the historic custom house was right outside the resort), and how easily families could connect with the many bike and walking paths. We could easily walk to the Coast Guard Pier to see the seals, and all the way to Cannery Row, should we desire. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and Carmel’s 17 Mile Drive are only minutes away by car. All in all, the Portola is a great home base for visiting Monterey with kids.

Distance from the interstate:

Five minutes from Highway 1.

Room rates:

Rates at the time of our visit varied from $225 for a standard (courtyard view) double room to $309 for a harbor-view room. We experienced a courtyard view, which was still lovely…upgrading is not necessary for a peaceful, pretty view. The Portola offers valet parking for $20 a night or self parking for $17.

Included amenities:

The Portola’s nightly rate does not include a complimentary breakfast, but does include a heated outdoor pool and spa, fitness room, and kids’ Portola Pirate Program. Free wifi is available in the spacious (and comfortable) lobby area, and available in-room for an additional fee. Room service is also available.

Directions:

The Portola Hotel and Spa is located at 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA. From downtown Monterey, it’s an easy few blocks to the hotel (right outside the busy Cannery Row area and adjacent to the Historic Fisherman’s Wharf.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the Portola Hotel and Spa as guests of the hotel and Monterey County. Though their hositality is appreciated, as it allows us to review amenities for traveling families, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

The Acqua Hotel: kid-friendly boutique hotel in California’s Bay Area

May 24, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

I’m pleased to announce I’ve found a new (to me) hotel brand favorite for traveling families: Broughton Hospitality’s boutique hotel collection, with properties across the west. On our recent California road trip with kids, we had the pleasure of spending a night outside San Francisco at Mill Valley’s Acqua Hotel, which served our family’s needs perfectly.

What made the Acqua, and the other Broughton hotels we’ve experienced, so well suited? These boutique hotels fall right in-between the price point of a economic motel and a high-end luxury hotel, while including a host of hotel amenities families need. The Acqua, perfect for bay area travel, is priced only marginally higher than a standard motel, and yet offers large rooms, plenty of outdoor space to play, adjacent biking and walking paths, an ideal location to Sausalito and Muir Woods National Monument, a full breakfast, free parking, and wifi. The value for amenities cannot be beat.

We checked into the Acqua Hotel just in time for their complimentary wine and cheese reception hour (from 5 pm to 6 pm), which we enjoyed in the sunshine on the expanse of lawn overlooking the bay. The kids played touch football on the grass while we sipped a nice pinot noir, and we all snacked on grapes, cheese, and crackers…perfect to fend of hunger pre-dinner. We were minutes away from Mill Valley, where we ate a fun dinner at Joe’s Taco Lounge (recommended by the hotel staff), and once we returned to our room, we had enough space to stretch out for a family movie night. Our corner room (a junior suite) boasted a nice view with patio (though sizes vary), and slept five very comfortably, and the style was chic, fresh, and modern. The bathroom was very large with a huge tub and shower, and the hotel’s unique, airy layout makes you feel like you’re always outside.

The following morning, we ate our fill at the far-above-average complimentary hotel breakfast buffet, laid out in the Acqua’s second floor breakfast room with outdoor patio overlooking the back bay. “Finally, a hotel breakfast buffet with enough seating,” my husband noted, and he was right: there was more than enough room…no jockeying for a table in the morning rush. The buffet featured highly decent coffee and tea options, fresh sliced fruit, gourmet danishes (nothing out of the package here), cereals and oatmeal, and your standard breads and bagels (topped with artisan jams and jellies). We were very impressed (and trust me, we’ve seen our share of free hotel buffets).

For what you get, I can’t stress the Acqua’s value for families enough: it’s perfect for exploring the Bay Area, and close enough to the city (five miles or so from the Golden Gate Bridge) to make for a good home base for city excursions (though note: you’ll pay for tolls and parking in the city). The hotel does boast free bike borrowing (for use on the nearby bike paths), but at the time of our visit, they only had two adult-sized bikes. My single recommendation for the Acqua is to offer child-sized bikes as well, so a family could enjoy this amenity.

Distance from the interstate:

Right off Highway 101 (though we couldn’t hear street noise at night).

Room rates:

Our junior suite was listed at $169.00 a night, and deluxe king and double rooms are generally under $150 a night. Check with Acqua’s reservation system for exact rates, of course.

Included amenities:

In-room wifi, parking, breakfast, wine reception, all-day coffee and tea service, plenty of outdoor space for kids.

Directions:

The Acqua is located at 555 Redwood Highway. From the San Francisco Airport, take Hwy. 101 North/I-380 West ramp en route for I-280 North toward San Francisco. Continue on I-280 North, and stay to the left as it turns into 19th Ave. Exit. Follow 19th Ave. all the way to and over the Golden Gate Bridge (approximately 7 miles), then continue on the 101 North. Take the Seminary Dr. exit, and turn right at the first light at the bottom of the exit, which is Seminary Drive/ Redwood Highway.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the Acqua as guests of Broughton Hospitality. While we appreciate this opportunity to review the property for our readers, all opinions are our own, and I was under no obligation to write in a particular view point.
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Muir Woods National Monument

May 21, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Nestled in the lush hillside just minutes from Mill Valley, CA, Muir Woods National Monument is a must-do for families visiting San Francisco’s Bay Area. Only minutes outside of the city, it makes for a perfect pit stop en route to San Francisco or a nice day trip to escape city crowds.

Called a ‘tree lover’s monument’, Muir Woods is a very accessible park of walking trails and visitor information on California redwoods. Visually breathtaking, the paths take families through groves of redwoods, past creeks, and among ferns. Because multiple loops are available, families with kids of all ages and abilities can enjoy Muir Woods. On our visit, our seven-year-old was only up for the 1/2 hour loop, while my older boys wanted to go farther, so we easily split up with one adult on each trail, meeting up at the visitor’s center later. The longest route only took us approximately 45 minutes (the map calls it 1 hour), and takes visitors on a trail above the forest floor for a different perspective. Families who want even more hiking have many additional trails to choose from just outside Muir Woods proper.

Whatever route you take, it’s well worth the effort to make it as far as the Cathedral Grove, where the towering trees replicate the sanctity of a cathedral dome. (Quiet is requested as you walk through this area, and the effect is very peaceful, even with a gang of kids in tow.) The rangers stationed at the various information stations are very helpful and during our visit, engaged the kids with birding books and tree charts. There is a gift center with lots of tempting souvenirs, and a small cafe. Families can also picnic. Tip: This park gets crowded. On days when the parking lot is full, be prepared to walk some distance from street-side parking spaces, or take the shuttle, running from Mill Valley.

Distance from the Interstate:

Just off Highway 101.

Admission price:

The monument is only $7 per adult and free for kids under 15 (yes, 15!). A national park annual pass will also get you in.

Hours of operation:

Park hours vary by season, but generally, is open at 9 am and closes at sunset.

Food services:

A cafe is on-site, as well as picnic areas. Families can’t bring food (other than water) onto the Muir Woods trails, but food is permitted on the additional trails outside the park.

Directions:

Muir Woods is 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take Highway 101 to the Highway 1/Stinson Beach exit. Follow signs to Muir Woods. Warning: the road is very windy! RVs are not permitted. The shuttle, running during the busy summer season, is a great way to go, to avoid parking hassles. Pick up the shuttle from Mill Valley (operated by Marin Transit).

Note: Muir Woods has a Kidscore of 84. Learn more about Kidscore.

Children’s Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark

May 18, 2012 By Sharlene Earnshaw

The following pit stop is submitted by guest reviewer Jessie Voigts of WanderingEducators.

The Children’s Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens, in Dayton, Ohio is a treat! It’s a free metro park, dedicated to teaching kids about the different natural habitats of the Miami Valley, and encouraging discovery and play. The Children’s Discovery Gardens was founded in 2006, and is staffed by volunteers.

The Discovery Garden is split into different habitats, including woods, prairie, wetlands, a limestone cave featuring local fossils, a sensory garden, a wildlife garden, a skeeter’s garden, a musical garden, a sandbox, waterfalls and ponds, and for the next few years, an outdoor sculpture woven from willow branches, called A Wiggle in Its Walk.

There are a few small picnic benches for families, a large (and clean) family bathroom, and plenty of places to sit along the meandering path.

Date last visited:

April 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Just off I-75.

Hours of operation:

Spring and Fall (April/May and Sept/Oct): 10:00am-6:00pm
Summer (June/July/August): 10:00am – 8:00pm, water play area open (View Summer Activity Schedule.)
Winter (March/Nov/Dec):10:00am-4:00pm (Closed Jan and Feb.)
Closed for pathway maintenance Sep 4-7, 2012

Admission cost:

Free!

Dining options:

None on site; picnic areas available.

Directions:

Wegerzyn Gardens is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue , Dayton, Ohio.