Elwell Lakes Lodge review, CA

March 1, 2010 By

Hands’ down, Elwell Lakes Lodge and the surrounding Sierra Nevada region of Northern California is one of our favorite places on earth. As such, I’m afraid I’ll have a hard time being impartial in this review! Having grown up in the area and visited numerous times from childhood to adulthood, I cannot recommend it highly enough for an adventurous family vacation well off the beaten path.

Elwell Lakes Lodge review:

One of many family cabins at Elwell lakes Lodge.

The lodge, nestled high in the Sierras 25 minutes from the small resort town of Graeagle, CA, is located over an hour northwest of Reno, NV, and almost two hours north of Tahoe, and is comprised of approximately a dozen rustic guest cabins, seveal tent cabins, a recreation hall well-stocked with books and games, and a main lodge. Cabins are comfortable with furniture, linens for the beds, kitchens, and bathrooms. Most, if not all, have a front porch and a BBQ.

Best of all is Elwell Lakes Lodge’s location. Situated just past Lakes Basin Campground, it is literally a gateway to the numerous lakes that comprise the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. Directly from your front door is a well-maintained network of hiking trails leading to some of the most beautiful scenery in the Northwest. The fishing, swimming, and exploring can’t be beat. If you so desire, you could easily stay a week and not get back into your car once.

Nate and Cal, playing along the shore of Long Lake.

If you do choose to take a drive, our picks are to the wonderful mining town of Johnsville and Plumas Eureka State Park where your kids can see a stamp mill still standing, or (in the opposite direction) to Dowieville and the excellent swimming along the Yuba River. Nearby Salmon Lake and Sand Pond offer great swimming and fishing as well, and excellent golf is awaiting in Graeagle.

Most days, we prefer to make pancakes for breakfast, explore the lodge, and hike or swim (kids love the stockpile of Legos in the main lodge and the creek running alongside the furthest ring of cabins). They spent one memorable (to them) afternoon catching frogs. Be sure to bring a book or two, and plan to sit awhile on the main lodge deck overlooking the mountains.

Date last visited: Last weekly stay, July 2004. Last visit, July 2009.

Distance off the interstate: Approximately 35 minutes from Hwy 89.

Rates: Rates vary by cabin, ranging from under $600 to over $1000 weekly. (These rates include housekeeping and use of all lodge facilities and row boats on Long Lake). If you’re looking for a place with nightly rates, Gold Lake Lodge has similar style cabins, is nearby, and has a restaurant on-site. We’ve stayed there as well, and love both lodges.

Food Services: At the time of this posting, Elwell Lakes Lodge does not provide meals. The owners do host a fun pot-luck dinner once weekly in the large dining building, and every cabin comes equipped with a kitchen and stocked with pots, pans, dishware, and silverware. Otherwise, our dining recommendations are The Sardine Lake Lodge, just a few miles further up Gold Lake Highway, or for kid-friendly pizza and pasta, Gumba’s in Blairsden.

Website: http://www.elwelllakeslodge.com/

Nate looks for minnows in the shallow water of Sand Pond on a summer evening.

Contact Information: Phone: 530-836-2347 Mailing address: P.O. Box 68 Blairsden, CA 96103

Directions: From the town of Graeagle, turn onto Gold Lake Highway. After driving seven miles, turn right into the Lakes Basin Campground. Follow the signs to Elwell Lodge (stay left).

 

Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory

February 23, 2010 By

Mrs. Grossman's Stickers (photo courtesy of Delicious Baby)

3810 Cypress Dr.
Petaluma, CA

If you look back with longing to your sticker-trading days, you won’t want to pass up a stop at Mrs. Grossman’ Sticker Factory in Petaluma, CA. Free one-hour tours run multiple times per day, and include a video, a guided tour of the sticker factory, a fun sticker craft, a visit to their sticker museum, where you can see every sticker Mrs. Grossman’s has ever made, and a $3 off coupon for your purchase of $20 at the Company Store.

You’ll get to view thousands of stickers going through every stage of printing, high-speed packaging as well as machines sorting and wrapping. (Strollers permitted everywhere except the factory floor.) In a recent article at Delicious Baby, Debbie admits the stop was probably more for her than her kids, but that soon changed: “Once I finally got the kids inside the company’s sticker store…they were floored. They’ve never seen so many stickers together in one place. Every design needed to be inspected and evaluated. At the cash register we noticed “mystery packs” which included $10 worth of stickers in a box for $2, and these turned out to be a huge hit when they were opened.” Read the full review!

Date last visited: February 2010

Distance off the interstate: 8 minutes

Hours and Admission Prices: Hours vary (Monday through Friday). Closed weekends. Check hours here: http://www.mrsgrossmans.com/7-1_location.cfm

Website: http://www.mrsgrossmans.com/

Directions: Traveling North on Highway 101: Take the Sonoma/Napa East 116 Exit. Turn left at traffic light on Lakeville Hwy. Follow approx. 1 mile. Turn right at the light on South McDowell Blvd. Follow approx. 1/2 mile.

Traveling West on Interstate 80: Take the Marine World Pkwy/Hwy 37 exit. Stay on Hwy 37. You will pass Marine World on left, and continue on Hwy 37. Cross over bridge and you will be on a two-lane road with a barrier between the lanes. You will come to the Sears Point Intersection; continue through to the next intersection, which will be Lakeville Hwy. Turn right on Lakeville Hwy. Follow approx. 9 miles. Turn left on Pineview Way. At the first stop sign, turn right on Cypress Drive. Continue on Cypress Drive until you come to the first stop sign, then turn left onto South McDowell Blvd. Take an immediate left into the first driveway.


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Del Mar Motel on the Beach

February 18, 2010 By

View of the motel from our spot on the beach (2005)

1702 Coast Bvld.
Del Mar, CA

The San Diego area is a family vacation wonderland (Legoland and SeaWorld, anyone?) and Del Mar Motel on the Beach is a wonderful option for your accommotions, often overlooked in travel magazines and guidebooks. There are countless luxury hotels scattered throughout Del Mar, and in comparision, Del Mar Motel on the Beach is a no-frills operation (although it’s hardly in the typical ‘motel’ category), but it’s perfect for families who want a low-key place where kids are welcome and sand on the carpet is no big deal. With only 44 rooms, Del Mar on the Beach has a cozy, old-time beach resort feel, and with its communal walkways and patios, it felt homey to us. Our boys loved the beach right outside our door, and even though our youngest was a baby at the time, our room was large enough to easily accommodate a port-a-crib.

Date last visited: June 2005 (recently researched to fact check all info).

Distance off the interstate: 5 minutes.

Amenities: Location, location, location. Did I mention it’s right on the beach? It’s also within easy walking distance of local restaurants and a nice playground (about a quarter of mile away) overlooking the ocean. On site is a nice sundeck with chairs, BBQ area, outdoor shower to get all that sand off little (and big) feet, and boogie boards and sand toys available. In room, you have refrigerators and coffee makers as well as air conditioning and cable TV.

Rates: Rates get steeper during the summer months, but remain quite reasonable in the off-season. Consider a late September/early October visit! Winter rates for a room with two double beds: $159/night. Summer rate: $279/night (at time of this review) They do offer mid-week deals and special packages that are worth checking out!

Food Services: None at the motel, but all of the cuisine of Del Mar is at your fingertips. For families, there are seveal great cafes right up the street (especially for a late breakfast before hitting the beach), and if you get away for a night for grown-ups only, our pick is Jake’s, fun, fine dining right on the sand.

Website: www.delmarmotelonthebeach.com

Directions: From I-5 South, take the Via de la Valle Exit toward Del Mar. Turn right on Via de la Valle, then left on Camino Del Mar. Turn right on Coast Blvd. From I-5 North, take the Del Mar Heights Road Exit. Turn left on Del Mar Heights Rd, then right on Camino del Mar. Turn left on 15th Street, then right on Coast Blvd.

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Moab, Utah and Arches National Park

February 16, 2010 By

Since not all great places to stop with kids are along the major interstates, Pitstops for Kids! has added a new series called Off the Beaten Path.

First up, beautiful Moab, Utah and its surrounding areas. We had the pleasure of visiting Moab while touring national parks of the southwest, and quickly realized we could have happily spent many more than the one night we’d reserved in the town. Located 45 minutes from I-70 in Utah along US Highway 191 (2 hours from Grand Juncton, Colorado), Moab is one part champion of the arts, one part gateway to adventure and three parts sun-baked natural beauty.

Moab, Utah and Arches National Park:

Double Arch in Arches National Park…great for climbing and hiking!

Why it’s worth the drive: Moab is home to both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, which showcase some of the most stunning geological formations we’ve ever seen! Arches in particular is breathtaking, and offers many easy hikes and vista points for kids to explore. We started at the overlook for Delicate Arch (an easier hike with great views), then drive the short distance to Double Arch. You’ll see the visitor’s center directly after entering the park, but do that last when the temperatures rise. (General Tip: whatever your activity, get up and go early; later in the day, temperatures can be unbearable in summer.)

The town of Moab has much to offer in and of itself. If your kids will tolerate such activities, there’s ample shopping (for everything from boutique clothing to high end outdoors equipment to fine art). If you’re up for some adventure, rent bicycles and explore the area on the many trails or book a dune buggy or Jeep expedition to see more of the desert. Read more about our impressions of Moab.

Chuck-wagon style dinner at the Bar M

Date last visited: July 2009

Distance off the interstate: 45 minutes.

Hours and Admission Prices: The National Parks charge $10 per vehicle. Hours vary by season. Check the official websites for more information. There are many hotel and motel options. We stayed in the Days Inn Moab (426 N. Main), which was in walking distance to restaurants and shops and had a nice pool and free wi-fi.

Food Services: Moab is known for both its fine and casual dining. Our favorite spot was a small cafe called the Wake and Bake (57 S. Main), where you can get homemade crepes with a multitude of fillings and eat out on their sun-touched patio. We also ate one dinner at the Bar M Chuck Wagon, a fun wild-west themed dinner show located a few miles out of town. The BBQ offerings and entertainment were family-friendly (and the pre-show ‘shoot out’ was great), but very young kids might get bored (ours did). If you go, be sure to get reservations!

Website: http://www.moab-utah.com/

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Alameda Historical Museum

February 13, 2010 By

Photo courtesy of Alameda Historical Museum.

2324 Alameda Avenue
Alameda, CA

Sometimes, you need to find kid-friendly pit stops in the center of urban areas, too! Whether your destination is the San Francisco Bay Area or you’re just passing through, The Alameda Historical Museum is a fun place to stop near the Oakland International Airport if your family is learning about Victorian history. Kids can learn about the past by touring living history displays of every-day life¦right down to turn-of-the-century kitchens and living rooms. Once a month (4th Saturday), the entire Meyer’s House and Garden, erected in 1897, is open to the public.
The Alameda Historical Museum is just one of many locations listed and reviewed at MomMaps, an archive of kid-friendly spots on the go. You can find many of Pitstops for Kids’ reviews listed on the site or while browsing MomMaps’ app for iPhone. (Download it free at iTunes!) So far, MomMaps covers the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City Area, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Boise, and Hawaii.

Distance off the interstate: Ten minutes from I-880, twenty from I-80.

Hours and Admission Prices: Open Wednesday-Sunday 1:30 pm-4:00 pm, (Saturday 11 am-4 pm)

Food Services: None. Many restaurants are within a few city blocks!

Website: http://alamedamuseum.org

Phone for Meyer’s House: (510) 747.7529

Directions: From San Francisco: Go over the Bay Bridge and take 880 South to 23rd Avenue exit. Cross the Park Street bridge. Take Park Street and turn right on Alameda Avenue.

From the Oakland Airport: Turn left on Doolittle Drive and go straight for approximately 5 miles. Go over the Bay Farm Island Bridge onto the island of Alameda. Doolittle Drive turns into Otis Drive. Proceed to Park Street and turn right. Turn left on Alameda Avenue.
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Mt. Shasta Treehouse Inn

February 8, 2010 By

111 Morgan Way
Mt. Shasta, CA

Treehouse Inn\’s large indoor pool.

My family and I have stayed at The Best Western Treehouse Inn in Mt. Shasta, CA several times, and while most chain motels are not worth a review, this one is an exception! If you’re traveling I-5 and need a place to stay the night, skip Redding (to the south) and Medford (to the north) if you can, and stay in Mt. Shasta. Not only is it a beautiful area in all seasons (if you can swing an extra day to ski or sled at Mt. Shasta Ski Park in winter or hike around the mountain in summer, you won’t be sorry!), but the motel is prettily themed in a log-cabin, wilderness décor, boasts a large indoor pool and hot tub, and serves a full (think eggs, pancakes, potatoes, danishes, fruit, yogurt and more) free breakfast.

Breakfast by the fireside.

Date last visited: February 2010

Distance off the interstate: Less than one minute.

Room Rates: Room rates at The Treehouse Inn are steeper than that of a typical Best Western (between $130-$150 per night), but you definitely get your money’s worth. The rooms are spacious with vaulted ceilings, mini-fridges, microwaves, and free wi-fi, and the pool is excellent. The breakfast is much more than your run-of-the-mill continental, too. Suites are available.

Food Services: There’s a restaurant on-site, but for dinner, we recommend the original Black Bear Diner, located just across the street. Say Cheese Pizza is located another block up West Lake Street, and offers lots of games for the kids and an excellent salad bar (pizza is a bit overpriced, however, in our opinion). (Find reviews of Say Cheese on Yelp.)

Website: http://www.bestwesterncalifornia.com/hotels/best-western-the-tree-house-motor-inn/

Directions: From Interstate 5, take the Central Mount Shasta Exit 738. Turn onto West Lake Street, then turn right onto Morgan Way.

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McKinley Park

February 3, 2010 By

Photo courtesy of Tripping with Kids

Photo courtesy of Tripping with Kids


601 Alhambra Boulevard
Sacramento, CA

Some of you may know this already, but the concept for Pitstops for Kids was born after a frustrating afternoon trying to find a nice park while driving through Sacramento, CA. So you can imagine my excitement when I came across this wonderful review at Tripping with Kids! McKinley Park was named Best Playground of 2009 in the Sacramento News and Review, and it’s easy to see why. There’s gardens, tennis and basketball courts, a local pool, and even a library, but as reviewer Lora says, the most important thing is the playground. This one doesn’t disappoint.

“Created by a community collaborative, this playground is castle-like with enough long raised walkways, bridges, and ladders to entertain any school-aged kid who has been house-bound by cold weather. It is made mostly of wood, which blends in with the park quite nicely. The amount of thought and detail behind it is obvious. For example, since much of the structure includes play areas above ground, one space below it is used for a small tire swing. A play area for smaller tots is attached and yet in a separate area.” For Lora’s full article, visit her at Tripping with Kids!

Date last visited: January 2010

Distance off the interstate: 1 minute off I-80 Business, ten minutes from I-80.

Hours and Admission Prices: Open sunrise to sunset. Free admission.

Website: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/

Directions: From I-80 (Business), merge onto the Capitol City Freeway. Take the E St. exit, then merge onto 29th St. Turn left at E St, then right at Alhambra Blvd.

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Julian Price Memorial Park

January 31, 2010 By
Canoeing and kayaking await at Price Lake

Canoeing and kayaking await at Price Lake

Milepost 297 Blue Ridge Parkway
Blowing Rock, NC

Julian Price Memorial Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the Blue Ridge area, at the base of Grandfather Mountain. If you’re traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, you’ll definitely want to stop! Boosting 3900 acres of picnic spots, campgrounds, hiking trails and nature walks, the park has long been a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Says reviewer Angela: “Kids love playing in the stream that meanders through the picnic area. The park also offers hiking along 7 trails, fishing, canoeing, camping, guided walks and evening campfire programs. The 300-seat amphitheater is used for lectures and talks during the summer months.”

To read in more detail about the various hiking trails Julian Price has to offer (as well as other great spots to stop and hike in the Charlotte, NC area), see her full review at Trekaroo.

Date last visited: July 2009

Distance off the interstate: Directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway (1 hr. 45 min. from I-85 near Charlotte and 1 hr. from I-40 near Brookford)

Hours and Admission Prices: Open to the public 24 hours a day. Free admission. (Camping has a nominal fee.)

Bathrooms: Clean and well lit.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm

Phone: Park Campground Kiosk: (828) 963-5911

Directions: Located at Mile Marker 297 of the Blue Ridge Parkway

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Fort Sherman Playground

January 28, 2010 By
Well shaded and lake-side: Fort Sherman is the perfect playground!

Well shaded and lake-side: Fort Sherman is the perfect playground!

416 Mullan Road
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Fort Sherman Playground is the perfect place to stop along mountainous I-90 during a summer vacation. A beautiful city in any season, Coeur d’Alene is a is a summer recreation mecca with ample hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, and golf. Fort Sherman Playground at City Park offers a sprawling, 14,000 square foot wooden ‘fort’ play space on 17 acres near the lake’s edge. Sit in the shade while your kids play on the structure, then take a quick dip in the lake.

If you have more time, the Downtown Waterfront area offers a number of other options such as parasail rides high above the water, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboats and canoes for rent. The main office for rentals is located along the world’s longest floating boardwalk, located at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Date last visited: June 2009

Distance off the interstate: Five minutes.

Hours and Admission Prices: Free.

Bathrooms: Nice public bathrooms are located by the play structure.

Food Services: Many restaurants line the lake-front area. A good bet for a sweet snack is The Bakery by the Lake. Kids love all the homemade muffins and scones.

Website: http://parks.cdaid.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=56

Directions: From I-90 take NW Boulevard South all the way downtown. Turn right on Mullan Road for parking.

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Spokane’s Riverfront Park with kids

January 25, 2010 By
Riverfront Park during one of many summer festivals!

Riverfront Park during one of many summer festivals!

507 N. Howard St
Spokane, WA

If you find yourself driving I-90 from Seattle or Idaho’s ski and outdoor country, Spokane’s Riverfront Park is a beautifully appointed greenbelt worthy of a stop. Much more than a simple pit stop, the park spans both sides of the Spokane River and includes a pavilion originally built for the 1974 Expo, amusement rides, an ice skating rink, a Sky Ride gondola, an old fashioned carrousel, a giant red wagon slide, and plenty of grassy slopes, mature trees, and ducks to feed.

Riverfront Park with kids:

Try to grab the 'golden ring' on the carrousel!

Try to grab the ‘golden ring’ on the carrousel!

If the weather isn’t cooperating, try the IMAX theater (schedule listed under ‘Hours and Admission Prices below) or Mobius Kids Children’s Museum, located on the lower level within River Park Square, downtown Spokane’s premiere shopping center.

Date last visited: June 2009

Distance off the interstate: Two minutes off I-90.

Hours and Admission Prices: For the hours and admission prices of the various attractions (which change seasonally), click here. Be sure to ask about all admission options: during the summer months especially, day passes and punch cards can offer the best discounts for families.

Bathrooms: The nicest bathrooms are located within River Park Square on the lower level (through the entrance adjacent to the park). Others are located within the pavilion near the Ice Palace (winter) and carnival rides (summer).

Food Services: Food vendors and concessions abound in the summer months; year round, great options for families can be found in River Park Square. My family’s favorite? The Sawtooth Grill (located on the lower level), where TinkerToys and board games line the a shelf awaiting antsy children.

Website: http://www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com

Phone: 1-800-336-PARK

Directions: From I-90, take exit 281 to merge onto S Division St/US-2 E/US-395 N. Turn left at W Spokane Falls Blvd.

NOTE: Vehicles are not permitted in the park. Parking is available in several lots on the north end. The easiest place to park, however, is in the parking garage at River Park Square. Follow the signs from Spokane Falls Blvd!
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