California - Pitstops for Kids

Where to eat in Oceanside California

June 3, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

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

Breakfast:

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

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

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

Lunch with kids:

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

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

Dinner for everyone:

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

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

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

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

Date night:

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

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

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

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

Santa Barbara CA with kids

May 30, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

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

Santa Barbara history:

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

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

Santa Barbara wharf and Stearns Pier:

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

Santa Barbara downtown and hillside:

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

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

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

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

Where to eat:

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

Where to stay:

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

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

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

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

Yosemite lodging pick: Tenaya Lodge review

May 23, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

What a gem of a lodging option for Yosemite National Park! Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is located just outside the park boundaries at the South Entrance, within very easy distance from Mariposa Grove and Wawona (just a few miles). Because the lodge is situated outside park boundaries, it can offer more guest rooms and sits on a large property. What this means for families: it’s far easier to get a reservation at Tenaya Lodge than at Yosemite Valley Floor locations, and offers more on-site recreation than you’d think!

Property overview:

Tenaya Lodge is a large property, but very compact. It has been recently renovated, with a wide variety of room categories, all of which include mini fridges, coffee service, and wifi. My spa suite included a tub I could swim in, plus a nice balcony. Even better for most families, Tenaya offers cottage rooms that can be connected to accommodate bigger families and family reunions, and brand new in 2019, Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge, offering a “cabineering” experience.

Explorer cabins

The 50 stand-alone, two-bedroom Explorer Cabins are situated apart from the main lodge, giving families a sense of nature and serenity while still enjoying the perks of a full-service resort. You get a living room, kitchen, private deck, and sleeping for six. The ‘family’ units feature bunk beds (with a full on the bottom) and the others have a queen in one room, a king in the other. Family cabins also have bathtubs. The cabins also allow access to the Explorer Clubhouse, an 1,800-square-foot communal retreat with picturesque views. You can check in here, get grab-and-go breakfast, and enjoy evening wine and charcuterie receptions. Communal fire pit areas are sprinkled throughout the cabin clusters…a nice touch.

In the main lodge, all Tenaya rooms got a face lift several years ago. The main lobby is breathtaking and cozy at the same time, and families will feel the upscale ambiance but also appreciate how casual and kid-friendly the property is.

Lodge rooms

Recreation at Tenaya:

Tenaya has a full outdoor pool and hot tub complex open during the summer months, and a very large indoor pool and hot tub for the off-season. (This is in addition to the cottage-area indoor pool.) Kids will be happily surprised by a large arcade adjacent to the indoor pool, which features pool tables and other non-pay-to-play options, and parents will love the Ascent Spa. I enjoyed one of the best Swedish massages of my life here.

For all other on-site activities, your first stop should be the concierge office on the lobby level. Here, you can reserve mountain bikes (there are forest service roads and a paved bike path to explore), purchase archery sessions, and secure day passes to the kids’ ropes course. (More on all of this below.) You can also book a guided tour of Yosemite National Park, with half-day and full day options. You’ll be transported in a converted Sprinter van designed for an open-air experience (think van convertible!). In summer, reserve at least one night to enjoy the Old West Summerdale Barbecue, where kids can shoot arrows at the adjacent archery range while adults make new friends at an outdoor BBQ pit.

So yes, Tenaya offers archery (for everyone over age 5) on-site, as well as a multitude of hiking and biking trails. These trails can be accessed directly from the lobby. The adventure ropes course is for kids ages 5-12, which has a fee of $25 (half off for a second child) and grants you access all day long.

In the winter months, snowshoe rentals are available for use, sledding is ample, and the Tenaya Lodge ice skating rink (covered, no less) sits at the back of the property. We loved the huge fire pit adjacent.

An array of kids’ programming is available at Tenaya. While we prefer to stay together as a family during the day, I do recommend taking advantage of this service for a nice dinner out or a spa treatment. Kids’ programming varies by season, but rest assured: upon check-in, you’ll receive a full calendar of available activities and events. Most are included in your rate.

In addition to kids-only activities, Tenaya Lodge offers ice skating in winter, and archery, which my kids loved so much, they brought their new passion home with them. We bought bows (more ‘beginner’ than these from bowaddicted.com) and set up targets of our own.

Tenaya also has complimenary guided hikes led by naturalists. This is a program that runs concessionaire-wide throughout Yosemite National Park: lodge naturalists often supplement programs offered by park rangers. We had a great day hike led by a naturalist at Tenaya, ideal for kids of any age (parents come along, too). We even hunted for ants to sample…so glad we came up empty-handed! At night, we took a flashlight tour with guide and long-time Yosemite resident Mike, during which he kept us all entertained with stories of climbing, backpacking, and bear encounters. If your family is new to the outdoors or the California version of it, be sure to sign up for a nature tour.

Activities outside the property:

Tenaya is located right next to the Mariposa Grove (closed in winter) and the Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, which is rich with history!

Hiking and outdoor play at Wawona Visitor Center is only 10-15 minutes away by car, and Badger Pass Ski Area is about 40 minutes. While in the Wawona area, be on alert for ticks during the summer months.

Of course, you’ll want to spend at least a day or more in Yosemite, exploring the valley floor. By car, it takes about an hour to reach the valley floor (due to windy roads and traffic). The concierge center at Tenaya Lodge can assist you with all programs, tickets, and tours you might want in Yosemite (a real time saver). They can also arrange for permits, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Dining at Tenaya:

You’ll want to budget for some nice meals at Tenaya Lodge! In addition to room service, casual but upscale dining is available at Jackalope’s Bar and Grill for both lunch and dinner (the atmosphere here is very lively and warm). For a nice dinner out (with or without the kids), make a reservation at Embers. The interior of this small and intimate restaurant is plush and cozy, and the food is the best I’ve found in the region. You’ll want to linger over table-side caesar salad and leave time for dessert.

For more casual fare, opt for the poolide dining venue in summer, or the pizzeria located by the cottages, but be advised: this hot spot fires pizza in their own pizza oven and offers local IPA drafts. In short, you’ll find great fare at Tenaya, but you’ll need to budget for it.

Room rates:

Rates can start as low as $150 (estimate) depending on the season, and as stated, it’s not impossible to get last-minute reservations at Tenaya. In short, for the number of amenities and services on site, Tenaya Lodge is a great deal for families. Oh, and valet parking is always free.

Directions:

From Fresno, follow signs to Yosemite National Park, taking Highway 41. Tenaya Lodge is located just shy of the park boundary at the South Entrance.

As I disclose whenever applicable, my stay at Tenaya Lodge was complimentary, for the purpose of review. How better to get the scoop on best Yosemite lodging to recommend to families?

Where to stay in Sequoia: Wuksachi Lodge review

April 29, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

We love national park lodges! Our favorites offer incredible scenery, rustic ambiance, and a quiet, intimate feel, but also offer a few modern conveniences. Where to stay in Sequoia National Park? The winner for us is Wuksachi Lodge.

Located in the heart of Sequoia National Park at the Wuksachi Village, the lodge is the only lodging in the immediate area. In fact, you won’t even find a convenience store, gift shop, or visitors center adjacent. What this means: lower crowds year round. You’ll have what you need: the lodge offers a nice gift shop of its own, and families who bring snacks and groceries can use the mini-fridge in their room. The lodge offers a fantastic dining room for nicer meals, and hiking trails are abundant.

While at Wuksachi, you’re only a few minutes by car or shuttle to all the main Sequoia National Park attractions, including the Giant Forest, Giant Forest Museum, and Moro Rock. You’re only 25 minutes or so from Kings Canyon National Park. Certainly, Wuksachi can be a base camp for both parks.

Lodging:

Wuksachi’s main lodge houses The Peaks dining room and a cozy lobby, plus classrooms used by the national park service and ranger programs downstairs. In the winter season, this is where you’d come for nordic ski or snowshoe rentals as well. Guest rooms are located a very short walking distance away (everything is connected by foot paths) in additional buildings situated in the woods. Room categories include Standard, Deluxe, and Superior, sleeping four, five, and six respectively. My Superior room included sleeping for four in the main room, plus an alcove with sitting area and pull out sofa to sleep two more. With six in the room, it would have been cozy, but do-able. Bathrooms include tubs, and coffee service and mini-fridges are standard. Wifi is free throughout the resort.

Rates:

Rates vary widely by season, but start at $157 for a standard room in the off-season (at the time of publishing). We recommend a bed-and-breakfast package, because you won’t want to miss the lodge breakfast! Find reservation information for Wusachi Lodge (and many other Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite lodging options).

Dining:

The Peaks is a beautiful dining venue in the main lodge, overlooking fir and pine forest through wide windows. The Peaks’ head chef lived in Alaska for a decade: order salmon! Dinner is an upscale event (families wanting something very casual will need to eat at the nearby Lodgepole Village and visitor center in peak season). Breakfast includes menu items as well as a wonderful buffet breakfast. I recommend filling up on the buffet before heading out for the adventures of the day! Box lunches are also available to lodge guests.

Read a full review of what to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. If you’re looking for more casual lodging in the parks, we suggest John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon National Park.

Directions:

Access Wuksachi Lodge via the General’s Highway through Sequoia National Park, using the Highway 198 entrance. From the park entrance, the lodge is approximately 30 minutes by car (due to winding roads).

As I disclose whenever applicable, I stayed at Wuksachi Lodge as a guest of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions and tips are my own.

Guide to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks with kids

April 11, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

On a recent tour through several California National Parks, I heard the same thing over and over again from fellow guests and even park employees: “We love Yosemite, but we’ve actually never been to Kings Canyon.” Or, “We come to Yosemite annually, but haven’t experienced Sequoia, yet.” This tells me two things: Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular in the nation (no surprise there), and neighboring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will be vastly less congested nearly all year long. Are they worth visiting? Absolutely!

Park overview:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are two distinct national parks with one planning site. They have separate entrances, though the same entry fee will get you into both. They sit side-by-side along the General’s Highway off Highway 198 (accessed from Fresno, California) and sit at impressively high elevation: between 6,000 and 8,000 feet for the most part. We suggest at least two days in the parks in the off-season, and three in summer, with the majority of your time spent in Sequoia.

What to do:

Giant Forest:

Most of us come to Sequoia for the Giant Sequoia trees. And yes, they’re absolutely worth the trip. These towering giants reside in this region because of the ideal conditions: they cannot grow like this anywhere else in the world. Take the Big Trees Trail to walk amid these giants (you’ll find the hush of the forest soothing…unless you have restless kids with you!). The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the world. Bear in mind: the General Sherman is not the tallest tree in the world, but rather the biggest, measured in circumference around its trunk. The nearby Giant Forest Museum is worth a stop (in the off-season, it opens at 10 am).

Moro Rock:

Absolutely plan an hour or so at Moro Rock in the high season. This overlook includes a short but steep hike up the cliff-like rock, which will feel unsettling to anyone with fear of heights. I fall into that category, but had no problem with this short hike, because guard rails are set at key locations. There’s nothing to stop small children from wandering, however, so extreme attention is necessary. From the top of Moro Rock, the views are unparalleled. It’s possible to see the valley floor from one side of the viewing platform, and the peaks of the Sierras from the other. Point out the tops of the Giant Sequoias to kids: they look like bunches of broccoli from this height. Tip: after Moro Rock, continue a very short distance on the same road to drive through Tunnel Log and picnic in Crescent Meadow. Wolverton Snow Park is another nice resting stop in any season.

Crystal Cave:

I had no idea hundreds of caves lay under the surface of Sequoia National Park! The only cave available to tour is Crystal Cave, and it’s only accessible in summer. If you visit during the high season, this should be on your list.

Tip: Take a tour with Sequoia Sightseeing Tours with Paul Bischoff! Paul is a long-time resident of the area, and runs the best sightseeing tour I’ve taken from a private concessionaire in a national park. We spent a full morning with Paul, and learned more about the parks in a few hours than we ever could have guessed. Paul knows where the animals are, the best ways to avoid crowds, and can walk guests right to the most interesting trails and natural wonders.

Grant Grove of Giant Sequoias:

In Kings Canyon, the Grant Grove offers the General Grant Tree, plus a nice, easy hiking loop of additional Sequoias which includes some naturally downed trees. This is a great place for kids to see the root system of these giants, crawl through a fallen Sequoia log, and walk through a Sequoia tunnel! The Grant Grove Visitors Center is nearby as well, but we found it to be pretty limited.

Tip: While staying at Kings Canyon, catch the John Muir impersonation program by talented Frank Helling. Frank performs most Fridays at the Grant Grove evening campfire program during the summer months. I learned more about John Muir from Frank than I have before or since, and it was entertaining for all ages. Check at the Grant Grove Visitor Center to find out exactly when he’ll be performing during your summer visit.

Kings Canyon:

In summer, families can drive into the famed canyon, stopping for short hikes along the way. Kings Canyon is home to fabulous backcountry as well: if you plan to backpack in Kings Canyon or Sequoia, apply for a free backcountry permit. The good news: they’re far easier to get than Yosemite permits!

Tip: if you have the opportunity to listen to the storytelling of John Muir impersonator Frank Helling, make time to do this! Frank is absorbing and entertaining, and I learned more about John Muir in the 45 minutes I listened to him than I have before or since! Frank conducts his performances when available; as a park ranger or at the John Muir Lodge about opportunities to hear him speak.

Where to stay:

Kings Canyon offers the busiest ‘village’ of tent cabins, lodging, general stores, and visitors centers at Grant Grove Village. In the off-season, it’s quiet and we recommend the adjacent John Muir Lodge. However, in the height of summer, we’d opt for the less congested Wusachi Village of Sequoia National Park, where you’ll find Wusachi Lodge. This village center houses only the lodge and its restaurant (no adjacent camping and conveniences), which makes it somewhat quieter year-round. Read reviews of John Muir Lodge and Wusachi Lodge.

How to get here:

Access either park from Highway 198 from Fresno California. If you’re doing a loop of Sequoia and Kings Canyon as well as Yosemite National Park (called the Majestic Mountain Loop and highly recommended), you’ll need to depart Kings Canyon and return to the valley floor, then loop around to Yosemite via Highway 41. It’s not possible to drive over the Sierras, which is a good thing for all of us enjoying the parks!

Camping in Death Valley National Park: Furnace Creek Campground review

March 25, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

We love Death Valley National Park’s Furnace Creek Ranch, but as room rates for this family-friendly Death Valley lodging option rise (justifiably…it’s a great place to stay), we’ve been exploring camping in Death Valley. Here’s what we discovered about fantastic Furnace Creek Campground!

Families have their pick of several Death Valley campgrounds, including Stovepipe Wells campground, and all fill up fast in the primary season from February through May. Families with RVs or trailers may do fine at one of the more exposed first-come, first-served campgrounds, but for tent camping in Death Valley, Furnace Creek Campground is the clear choice.

Families can reserve a site at Furnace Creek Campground up to six months in advance, and I highly recommend doing so. The campground is comprised of both hook-up rv sites and tent-only sites, with the tent sites sectioned off in their own walk-in loop. (There are also a few drive-in tent-only sites, but they are directly adjacent to RV spots.)

The walk-in loop includes sites 115-150, and offers the full range of site quality: from fully-exposed and completely non-private to shaded and reasonably secluded. After spending four nights tent camping in Furnace Creek Campground, we recommend sites 133, 134, and 130 as prime location, with 121, 120, and 119 coming in a close second. These sites offer the most shade and comfort. It’s important to note that while these tent sites are labeled as ‘walk in’, the distance is only a matter of feet from the sites to the parking area. It’s also worth noting that sites are organized three deep: if you’re in 134, for instance, you’ll walk through the camp of 131 and 133 before arriving at your site. We disliked this structure, but it’s the nature of the beast: the desert terrain is wide and open. A walkway would be welcome, however.

In our site of 133, we had three alcoves shaded by mesquite trees for smaller tents, space for a large tent, and room to hang two hammocks. While we wished for more space from our neighbors, everyone camping during busy spring break in this section of the campground was respectful and fairly quiet, as patrons of tent-only sections of national park campgrounds tend to be.

Amenities you need to know about:

Every loop at Furnace Creek Campground has restroom facilities with flush toilets, sinks, and water stations for filling drinking water containers, doing dishes, and the like. There are no showers. Every site has a fire pit with grate, and firewood can be bought at the Furnace Creek Ranch store. Garbage bins are located at the end of the tent-only loop, as well as camp stove fuel recycling bins.

Want more camping info? Get Pit Stops for Kids’ camping gear list!

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is located adjacent to the campground, and offers an amphitheater, evening campfire programs, the Junior Ranger program, and a nice video overview of the park. This is definitely worth being your first stop.

Bonus! Using Furnace Creek Ranch facilities:

The campground is a five to ten minute walk from Furnace Creek Ranch, which houses motel-style rooms, a few restaurants, a general store, gas station, and a park-like setting with tennis courts, lawn games, a basketball sport court, and spring-fed swimming pool. Can campground guests use these facilities? Yes, but read on for details:

Obviously, the store and restaurants are open to all (more on that below), and while technically the tennis and other sport facilities are designated for ranch guests, there’s nothing to stop campground guests from enjoying them with their own sport equipment.

To use the Furnace Creek Ranch pool (which you definitely will want to do), campground guests need to buy day passes from the Registration building. Passes are on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s worth stopping in during the morning before heading out to hike or otherwise explore the park. Use the pass in the afternoon. The pool house also houses showers, so take advantage of that amenity as well.

Tip: Don’t forget about gear! Everyone in your family will need quality hiking socks, and you can get additional camping and hiking gear information in our travel gear section!

Dining:

Obviously, campers will be cooking most meals in camp, but a dinner or breakfast out at Furnace Creek Ranch can be a welcome treat. Expect higher prices at the 49er Cafe (and even higher at the buffet restaurant next door), but you’re paying for the convenience of skipping dish washing, right? Fare ranges from burgers to pasta and steak dishes, and breakfasts are typical: omelets, griddle favorites, etc. There is no kids’ menu at breakfast, so consider ordering for young children a la carte. Grab dessert from the store next door: they have a soft-serve station we enjoy. You can also grab perishables here, such as milk, ice, and cold drinks.

Distance from the interstate:

Furnace Creek Campground is on Highway 190, about 30 minutes from Beatty (Highway 95).

Rates:

Tent-only sites were $16/night at the time of our visit. (Room rates at Furnace Creek Ranch were approximately $225.)

Directions:

From Highway 95 at Beatty, follow signs to Death Valley National Park (along Highway 190).

Death Valley National Park with kids: top hikes for active kids

March 21, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

We love exploring Death Valley National Park with kids! And no, you won’t swelter in the heat if you follow our tips! After our fourth visit with kids (stay at either Furnace Creek Ranch or Furnace Creek Campground), we’ve narrowed down our list of favorite Death Valley hikes to our top three. These hikes–detailed below–are best for active, school-aged kids who love exploring, climbing, scrambling, and otherwise giving their parents heart attacks.

Tip: For younger kids, we recommend attempting the same hikes, but adjusting expectations of hike length.

Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point and Glower Gulch:

The hike up Golden Canyon to the lookout area at Zabriskie Point is 2.5 miles one-way, but multiple alternative routes exist to make it either shorter or longer. If you have two cars, the shortest route is to park one on each end and do the hike one-way. To extend the hike, travel the 2.5 to Zabriskie, then backtrack one mile to the Glower Gutch turn-off, which returns you to the parking area via a different canyon. The Glower Gutch section takes families along a dry wash and then into a very narrow canyon with plenty of scrambling down a dry waterfall. The last 1/2 mile is exposed as you hike along the Alluvial Fan of the mountainside back to the car. The trailhead starts on Hwy 190 just past Furnace Creek Inn.

What active kids love: the Golden Canyon section of the hike comprises of the first mile or so, and offers lots of exploring up side chutes of the canyon. Kids can scramble nearly to the top of the canyon along these routes. Further up, the trail skirts Manly Peak then offers alternative trails along the ridges of smaller fans (parents can see kids from the main trail). When it gets steep, it’s time to return to the main trail up to Zabriskie. At the beginning of the Glower Gutch section, kids should keep an eye out for a man-made stone wall. Around the back of it exists the entrance of a deep mine tunnel (barred now, to keep humans out and allow access for bats).

Mosaic Canyon:

Mosaic Canyon is one of the most beautiful canyons in the park, with challenging scrambling at the beginning before opening up to a deep wash. The first half of the hike is shaded in the canyon, but the second half is definitely exposed. The hike is just a few miles each way, but you’ll want to stop often to let kids explore.

What active kids love: Rock scrambling and climbing abounds in Mosaic Canyon. Numerous side trails take hikers to narrow ridges (careful!) and the beginning of the hike offers challenging climbing for those who seek it. (Otherwise, it’s fairly easy to manage on the main trail.) In the wash, the side trail to the right (as you go up) offers a thrilling walk along the edge of a fairly steep side canyon.

Titus Canyon and Falls Canyon:

Titus Canyon is often driven (26 miles or so from the one-way entrance), but can also be hiked from the ‘exit’ side. The trailhead is located en route to Scotty’s Castle and Ubehebe Crater (also great stops), and families can go as far or short a distance as desired. The steep canyon walls are fun to play on, though be aware that cars can drive past. (They are easy to hear coming, however.) For an alternative without cars, try Falls Canyon, accessible from the same trailhead. Backpackers enjoy this canyon, but it will largely be empty. Either is a one-way route for most families.

What active kids love: The rock climbing possibilities are more like scrambling here, with kids able to reach impressive heights without much effort. Just be sure young kids don’t get so high that they’re afraid to get down! Geodes can be found in this canyon as well.

Tip: For a non-hike that feels like a hike and looks like a hike (but doesn’t involve a set trail), take kids to Mesquite Sand Dunes near Indian Wells. The trek from the parking lot to the highest dune is 2 miles, but kids can pick their own path (and go up and roll down as many dunes as they’d like in the space between). Bring plenty of water and a hat for shade, as this ‘hike’ is 100% exposed.

For all Death Valley hikes:
Plan to hike early in the day, exiting most trails by lunchtime. Wear sun protective clothing and hats, and insist on everyone carrying water.

Bonus pit stop!

A trip to Rhyolite Ghost Town on the edge of the national park is well-worth a stop on the way in (near Beatty). Kids can explore ruins at-will for the most part, and there’s a short walk to a mine tunnel on the hill outside the ‘town’. Kids can also check out a jail cell and a brothel (whether you explain that last one is up to you!). There are no services here expect toilets, but it’s a nice place to picnic. Beware of rattlesnakes!

Tip: Wondering where to stay in Death Valley National Park? Read our reviews for Furnace Creek Ranch and Furnace Creek Campground.

Downtown dining in Palm Springs with kids

March 14, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Palm Springs may be a more appealing destination to adults than kids—after all, it’s known for golf, spas, wellness retreats, and shopping—but we found the downtown area to be surprisingly kid-friendly. We saw many other parents with kids in tow, and our own kids really enjoyed the city. Whether you spend your Palm Springs day at the tramway, Joshua Tree National Park, or the local water park, plan to spend some of your evenings downtown. Tip: consider booking a stay at a Palm Springs vacation rental for your own kitchen when not dining out. Below are our four favorite Palm Springs with kids dining options in Palm Springs:

Lulu California Bistro:

Take kids to LuLu California Bistro (located at 200 S. Palm Canyon Dr.) for the quintessential California dining experience. This bistro has trendy decor and California cuisine, plus outdoor patio seating so you can watch the comings and goings along bustling Palm Canyon Drive. Don’t let the swanky interior (and fairly steep prices) fool you: the wait staff here welcomes kids. You can get the standard burger or wrap, or get adventurous with fun cocktails for the adults, chopped and wedge salads, and seafood.

Kaiser Grille:

Directly across the street from Lulu, Kaiser Grille (located at 205 S. Palm Canyon Dr.) offers up what my kids voted as their favorite meal during our Spring Break trip through the California desert. Decidedly upscale like Lulu, Kaiser Grille also offers outdoor seating, and while our service was a bit behind the curve the night of our visit, the food more than made up for it. Adventurous eaters will love the truffle oil mac and cheese and fettucine dishes, and meat-lovers will enjoy the steak sandwich. The ambiance is just as fun as at Lulu, as is the people-watching along the street. Best of all, the kids’ menu is very reasonably priced.

Las Casuelas Terraza:

Ready for something more reasonably priced? Las Casuelas Terraza is also located on the main strip of downtown Palm Springs (222 S. Palm Canyon Dr.), and has just as lovely outdoor seating. However, plates at this standard Mexican restaurant are in the single digits, and yes, there’s definitely a kids’ menu. Margaritas are half the cost of a cocktail or glass of wine at Lulu or Kaiser, and the chips and salsa just keep on coming. This is definitely our pick if you’re looking for Palm Canyon Drive ambiance without the price tag.

Sherman’s Deli and Bakery:

For breakfast or a deli dinner, Sherman’s is a local favorite (and always busy) just off the main strip on 401 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The deli is kosher, but yes, you can still get bacon in your breakfast omelette. Sit outdoors in the morning or evening, or come just for dessert.

Where do you like to eat in Palm Springs? Leave your recommendations in the comments!

The above post was written in partnership with VacationRoost.

Palm Springs with kids: Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs

March 11, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready to head to Palm Springs with kids? The Renaissance Hotel Palm Springs is a great pick for a reasonably priced, stylish hotel pick right near the downtown Palm Springs action. What the Renaissance lacks in extra amenities offered elsewhere in the Palm Springs area, such as a kids’ club, tennis courts, or on-site golf, it makes up for in location. Only two blocks from downtown Palm Springs, the Renaissance is in easy walking distance of dining and shopping, plus only a few miles from kid-friendly attractions such as the tramway and Wet ’n Wild.

We loved using the Renaissance’s ‘Navigator’ (onsite concierge desk and newsletter) to find local-favorite kid-friendly dining in Palm Springs, but their spacious lobby, lounge, and outdoor patio seating was just as inviting. Our kids loved sitting by the outdoor fire pits in the evenings after a swim.

Pools:

The Renaissance’s large outdoor pool is heated and open until 10 pm; our kids enjoyed nighttime swims. There’s also a large hot tub and kiddie pool, plus plenty of poolside seating and lounge chairs. An exercise facility is also on-site.

Room amenities:

Our standard room with pool view and balcony offered all the amenities you’d expect: coffee service, mini fridge, hair dryer, and the like, and beds were very comfortable. Wifi is an extra charge in room, though free in the lobby. I was actually able to connect to lobby wifi from my room, so that may be worth a try. The lobby is a very pleasing area in which to sit and get some work done if needed, however.

Dining onsite:

The Renaissance offers Rocks, a spacious lounge, and Date, a restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Poolside service is also on offer all day long, as is room service. Rooms feature mini fridges, making it easy to eat light meals in rooms, too.

Rates:

Standard room rates can be found as low as $150, and self parking is $12 per day (as low as I’ve found in the area). Suites are also available.

Directions:

The Renaissance Hotel is located at 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, off I-10.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed at Renaissance Hotel as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. Without compensated stays, hotel reviews would not be possible on Pit Stops for Kids.

Mendocino Coast: Little River Inn review

January 31, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

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

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

Little River Inn review:

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

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

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

Outdoor exploration:

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

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

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

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

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