Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory

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

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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Alameda Historical Museum

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

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

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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Crescent City, CA

Hwy 101
Crescent City, CA

McCoy family beachcombing at Enderts on a foggy summer day.

The McCoy family beachcombs on a foggy summer day.

The entire beach town of Crescent City, CA makes for a breathtakingly beautiful pit stop any time of year! A great place to start is Enderts Beach in Redwoods National Park. Says reviewer Angie McCoy, “It’s a great flat beach with a picnic area, parking and bathrooms. You go just 2 miles south of Crescent City (Hwy 101) to Enderts Beach Road. Take this road for awhile and you’ll see signs to the beach/picnic area. There is also a trail/overlook on this road (a recommended hike).”

Next, head to Ocean World, a privately funded aquarium located just off Highway 101 by the Crescent City Harbor. Young kids will love the ‘touch and feel’ tide pools and everyone will want to pet sharks and see a sea lion show.

Ocean World packs quite a bite!

Ocean World packs quite a bite!

Fifteen miles outside of Crescent City on Highway 101 is Trees of Mystery (15500 Highway 101 North), a groomed interpretive trail through the redwoods complete with a Sky Trail gondola, museum, and restaurant.

Bonus pit stop! The playground in Crescent City is great – it’s very similar to Bear Creek but much bigger. We had a lot of fun there – it’s on the waterfront at the south part of town near the lighthouse.”

Date last visited: August 2009

Distance off the interstate: All along Hwy 101

Hours and Admission Prices: No fee for Enderts Beach. Admission to Ocean World is $9 for adults and $5.95 for kids (call 707-464-4900 for hours) and admission to Trees of Mystery is $14 for adults, $7 for kids (under age 3 is free). Call 1-800-638-3389 for current hours.

Food Services: Crescent City offers a few fast food chains as well as several local seafood spots.

The Cathedral at Trees of Mystery.

The Cathedral at Trees of Mystery.

Website: Not the official site, but this blog gives a beautiful overview of Enderts Beach.

Trees of Mystery: http://www.treesofmystery.net/tofm.htm

Ocean World: http://www.oceanworldonline.com/new/

Directions: To Enderts Beach: from Crescent City, take Highway 101 south for 2-3 miles, then turn right onto Enderts Beach Road. Follow the road all the way to the end, where there’s a small parking lot. Note that you’ll pass the vista point just before the parking lot.

 

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom tips

Thrill rides remain the biggest draw to Discovery Kingdom

Thrill rides remain the biggest draw to Discovery Kingdom

1001 Fairgrounds Dr.
Vallejo, CA

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom may seem more like a destination than a pitstop, but given its location off I-80 and near the I-5 corridor between LA and Sacramento, it serves as a great overnight break from long-distance driving. We stopped on our way home to Oregon from Laguna Beach this past summer, staying one night at the Courtyard by Marriott Napa Valley (which was very comfortable although predictably packed with families) directly across the street and playing for one day at Six Flags before continuing home.

In the interest of full disclosure, my family enjoyed the park using complimentary admission vouchers. We did, however, pay full price for all food and extras. This compensation came with no expectations or agreements for a positive review (as you will see).

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom tips:

We had not visited Six Flags for a number of years (I believe it was Marine World Africa USA last time we were there) and this trip, we found our enjoyment of this park varied greatly depending on our age and propensity toward high speed thrill rides. Perhaps it’s not fair to compare Six Flags to the likes of Sea World, Disney World, and Legoland, but we did¦and they must too, since their admission prices are compatible. The staff we came in contact with at Six Flags was generally apathetic and at times downright rude. We found the areas geared toward young children to be lacking; in short (no pun intended) there wasn’t enough for someone under 48 to ride. This was especially hard for our thrill seeking 36er and our almost tall enough 47-and-a-halfer. The family attractions, such as the animal shows, were nice to have on hand, but compared to the degree of professionalism at Sea World (from both the trainers and the animals), Six Flags fell flat.

That said, our ten-year-old loved the park. As in, absolutely LOVED everything about it. He couldn’t get enough of the roller coasters and thrill rides (and so those of us tall enough to accompany him did so over and over and over again).

We purchased the Flash Pass for three people in our group, which allowed us to squeeze more quality time out of our experience in the park. Simply put, the Flash Pass is a programmable beeper you can rent which will essentially hold your place’ in line, much like the buzzers handed out at casual restaurants to let you know when your table is ready. Basically, it calculates how long you would wait in any given line at any given time of day, then sets a timer for you. You don’t have to be physically present in the line until it beeps, and then you walk through a separate entrance (the exit) to get on the ride. It worked well (though not as well as Disney’s Fast Pass, which, of course, is free). My theme park philosophy is always to do what is necessary to make the most of your investment–in other words, saving time equals saving money. Therefore, even though we had to pay extra for this service, I’d recommend renting a beeper (for those members of your group tall enough to take advantage of most of the rides) if you visit on a busy day in summer.

In summary, we found Six Flags to be overpriced for what it offers. In the future, we’ll stay a night in San Francisco and explore the city for the better part of the day instead.

(I do, as always, welcome additional parent reviews of this pitstop. If you stopped at Six Flags recently and loved it, tell us why!)

Date last visited: early August 2009

Distance off the interstate: two minutes from I-80

Hours and Admission Prices: General Admission: $44.99
Child Under 48″: $29.99
2 & Under FREE
Everyone is admitted for the child’s price if tickets are paid for online.

Food Services: There are many counter service restaurants, all of course, priced in the theme park’ range. The souvenir drink bottles sold throughout the park (with free refills) is a good deal, even if you’re only drinking water. The lines for refills can get long, however.

Website: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/index.aspx

Directions: From San Francisco/Oakland: take Highway 80 eastbound. Take the Highway 37 exit, just five miles east of the Carquinez Bridge.

From San Jose/South Bay: take Highway 680 over the Benicia Bridge. Then Highway 780 through Benicia to Highway 80 and then east to the Highway 37 exit.

From Sacramento: take Highway 80 westbound. From Highway 80, take the Discovery Kingdom exit.
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McArthur Burney Falls State Park

The inviting pool at the base of the falls.

The inviting pool at the base of the falls.

24898 Hwy 89
Burney, CA

McArthur Burney Falls State Park is one of the nicest state parks I’ve run across in a long time. In northern California’s volcanic country near Lassen National Park, it sits directly on Highway 89 near Burney. After you enter the park, you’ll find a large, shaded picnic area to your right, with parking to the left. Follow the signs to the Burney Falls overlook for an amazing view. 129-feet high, Burney Falls is stunning (and dumps 100 million gallons of water a day!). The 0.3 mile walk to the base of the falls is well worth it; at the bottom, enjoy the soft spray or dip your toes in the freezing water. The basin is a beautiful blue. There’s a loop trail to try if time is permitting (1.3 miles), or just retrace your steps back to the top (0.6 round trip). We picnicked at a nearby table, but wished we’d had enough time for a swim in nearby Lake Britton.

Date last visited: July 2009

Distance off the interstate: Located directly on Highway 89, or six miles north of Highway 299.

Admission Prices: $6 per car for day use.

Bathrooms: Located across the street from the day use parking. They looked brand new.

Food Services: A nice general store with all the necessities, plus soft serve ice cream!

Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=455

Directions: Take Highway 89 near Burney. (From Redding, go north on Hwy 299 past Burney and follow signs.)

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Bassetts Station

Bassetts Station, CA

Bassetts Station, CA

100 Gold Lake Road
Sierra City, CA

Once a stagecoach stop, Bassetts Station is still a much-appreciated rest stop for travelers navigating US Hwy 49’s windy, tree-lined turns. Serving both campers, fishermen, and hikers in summer and snowmobilers in winter, Bassett’s sits conveniently at the junction between several prime locations for outdoor recreation, and provides all the conveniences of home: gas (both unleaded and diesel), a well-stocked store, a cafe, firewood, even sandwiches and ice cream. There’s a motel as well (although we stayed just a mile or so further down Gold Lake Road at Salmon Creek Campground, which we loved. If you need nothing else, stand on Bassett’s wooden porch and take in the breathtaking view of the Sierra Buttes and surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

If you have time (or are headed further down 49 anyway), make another stop in the town of Downieville. From the Sierra County Visitor’s Guide: “Visit the historic gallows outside of the courthouse, the see Sierra County’s collection of gold nuggets in the lobby. Walk through the historic county seat, wander the shops on Main Street, laze at “The Forks” of the North Yuba and Downie rivers, and grab a copy of California’s oldest weekly newspaper.”

Also worth visiting, the Downieville Museum is open through the summer months and on many weekends through the spring and fall. Learn all about the gold rush which once made this tiny community a boom town. Located in a stone building on Main Street.

Date last visited: July 2009

Distance off the interstate: Bassett’s is directly at the junction of 49 and Gold Lake Road. Downieville is another approximate 20 miles.

Bathrooms: Yes.

Food Services: Grab a burger at Bassett’s and eat it outside in the alpine air.

Website: None.

Directions: From Sacramento: Take I-80 E to Exit 188A toward Truckee. Turn left at Donner Pass Rd. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto CA-89/State Route 89. Continue to follow CA-89, then turn left at CA-49/CA-89/W Main St. Continue to follow CA-49. Destination will be on the right.

From Reno, Nevada: Take the ramp onto I-80 W, entering California. Take exit 188 for CA-267/CA-89 toward Lake Tahoe, then turn right at CA-89/State Route 89 (signs for Truckee/CA-89/Loyalton). At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on CA-89/State Route 89. Continue to follow CA-89 to CA-49.
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Jelly Belly Factory Tour

Fairfield factory main floor, photo courtesy of www.jellybelly.com

Fairfield factory main floor, photo courtesy of www.jellybelly.com

1 Jelly Belly Lane
Fairfield, CA

What I seem to remember most about Jelly Belly’s California factory is the absolutely horrendous tantrum my then-three-year-old (now seven-year-old) decided to throw somewhere between the sorting floor and the tasting room. And yet, despite the fact that mortal embarrassment is my first connotation with this attraction, it still makes my list of reviews. It’s that great.

And it’s free! Tours of the factory go from 9 am to 4 pm every day (every 15 minutes) and are 45 minutes long (about 10 minutes TOO long for my three-year-old…but maybe not yours). Guides take you past viewing areas of all aspects of the factory (beware primary color overload!). You end up in a gift shop (surprise!) but do get free samples.

Tip: look for the section with the ‘Belly Flops’ (misshapen but perfectly edible discount beans).

Try to avoid on holidays. It will be crowded, causing wait times for the tours, and some of the machinery won’t be running.

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