California - Pitstops for Kids

Shasta Cascades: Mt. Shasta Ski Park review

February 22, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

In summer months, majestic Mt. Shasta is a climber’s paradise, but during the winter months, this volcanic peak in Northern California becomes decidedly more family friendly. Mt. Shasta Ski Park offers up 425 acres of downhill skiing and snowboarding, plus tubing and cross-country trails.

Mt. Shasta Ski Park review:

The ski park is located about a ten minute drive from the quirky town of Mount Shasta, off I-5. In town, families will find good eateries and lodging options, including our favorite: Mt. Shasta Treehouse Inn. The ski park itself is ideal for families with beginners and intermediate skiers, with runs for the experts, too. Here’s how to navigate the mountain:

Everyone will start in the same parking lot and buy tickets and other essentials at the one and only base lodge. From the lodge, skiers and riders have the option of heading uphill on the Marmot (best for solid beginners and intermediates) or Douglas (best for advanced and experts). There’s also the small learning carpet directly from the lodge. In total, there are three triple chairs and two carpets.

Note: If you need to rent gear, this option is available at the lodge. However, the line gets long on holiday weekends! Get there early to avoid the rental shop running out of your size. You can also rent in Redding.

We have expert skiers and riders, but our kids still really enjoy going up Marmot to try their skills at the terrain park off Silvertip. While there are some fairly large elements, most are at the beginner and intermediate level, which suits us just fine. From either lift, you can connect with Coyote Butte lift, which has primarily black diamond runs, a larger terrain park (when there’s enough snow), and one blue square (intermediate) that leads into one green circle (beginner).

Kids will find fun trails and jumps along Panther Creek, in the ‘lowlands’ before reaching the lodge, and nice tree skiing off the top of Coyote Butte. What we like best about Mt. Shasta: the entire mountain is very accessible once you have at least intermediate skiers and riders, and all trails and runs funnel down to the same base area. This makes it easier for older kids to feel some independence exploring the terrain without adults hovering.

Dining at Mt. Shasta:

For a small ski resort, Mt. Shasta has quite a few dining options, including three venues in the main lodge, a BBQ place at the top of Douglas Butte, and a full bar. And like any small ski resort worth its salt, Mt. Shasta welcomes families packing in their own lunches, as well. Lockers are available to rent, or you can do what we do: store lunch on available shelves. We’ve never had a problem.

Lift ticket pricing:

All day lift tickets on weekends are $54 for adults, $30 for kids 8-12, and $12 for kids seven and under (or adults over 70). This pricing is very welcome to parents used to paying big resort prices! Monday-Thursday pricing is even lower. Rentals are available at the lodge.

Directions:

Traveling north or south on Interstate 5 take Exit 736 unto Hwy 89. On Hwy 89 drive 4 miles east, on summit turn left into Ski Park Hwy and drive 4.5 miles to the resort. Mt. Shasta Ski Park is about one hour’s drive from Redding, CA.

Why you should get the Disney Dining Plan

November 25, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Most self-respecting Disney budget blogs will tell you the Disney Dining Plan is not a savings. If you plan to stay in a condo with a kitchen and cook meals in-house, pack peanut butter sandwiches for the parks, and eat at quick-service restaurants only, they’re right. But while the plan may not give you a lower bottom line while enjoying the parks, we believe it does add to your overall value, especially if you’re already staying on-site in a Disney resort. This is why you should get the Disney Dining Plan…even if it doesn’t save you money.

Let’s break the Disney Dining Plan down (henceforth to be known as the DDP):

To get it, you need to have purchased a Magic Your Way vacation package, which is the first strike against it in the eyes of a budget vacationer. Packages are often more expensive than booking your vacation a la carte. However, with Disney, this is not always the case. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, and booked your stay for at least 5-7 days, most likely a package is the best deal.

You can add one of several DDPs to your package. The cheapest is going to be the Quick-Service Dining Plan. Sounds good, right? Skip it. It only includes two meals per day, and doesn’t include any of the character dining or table service restaurants, which is where the value of the DDP comes into play (and remember, you’re staying on-site and don’t have a kitchen to cook that last meal).

The next option is the standard DDP. It includes 1 quick service and 1 table service meal per person, per day, plus 1 snack each. Table service meals can be redeemed at character dining. You can add signature dining, but it will ‘cost’ you two table service points. This is a nice option, but remember, you’ll still be on your own for one meal per day. We find this plan to be the sweet spot, and simply buy some breakfast items to eat in the room.

You can also upgrade to a deluxe (3 meals per person per day), premium, or platinum plan, which give you more in the signature dining area, but the costs outweigh the value, unless your prime reason for being in Disney is to dine.

Prices for any plan depend on the number of days and ages of people in your party. Calculate it all here.

Now that you know what the DDP includes, how do you use it to the top value?

Use the DDP to take park breaks. Leave the park, hop on the monorail, and enjoy a more relaxed meal in a Disney resort. This gives you a chance to see the inside of some of the deluxe resorts without staying there, and gives your family a breather from the theme parks. Our favorite picks: Ohana at Polynesian Resort and Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge (take the boat over!) For a quieter meal, opt for 1900 Park Fare when it’s not a character dining time period.
Use the DDP to enjoy affordable character meals. The first time I booked a character meal at Disney without the DDP, I almost fainted when I got the bill. Are you kidding me, Disney? But with the DDP, you feel like you’re getting a downright deal. Our favorite tip: book a character meal in your favorite park before park opening. Once you’ve eaten, you’ll enter the park ahead of the wave of crowds.
Use to DDP to curb kids from whining for snacks. Snacking is where I get really worn out at Disney. I just get so tired of watching the budget (disappear) and saying no. When we have the DDP, each kid (and grown up) gets one snack per day. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it goes a long way toward morale. Toss granola bars in your backpack for those other 2,000 times per day people want snacks.
Use DDP to truly experience all of the Disney magic. There’s something so wonderful about taking a tired, sweaty family and bypassing a long counter-service line in favor of sitting down in air-conditioned bliss. The first example that comes to mind: the day we were touring Epcot World Showcase, were practically at the end of our ability to walk/talk/be civil, and ducked into the sanctuary of Le Cellier for an elegant family meal. Everyone was in heaven. Ditto for stepping into Tusker House in Animal Kingdom or Ohana to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Use DDP to have an amazing meal out. If you have babysitting services, use your DDP to have a signature meal out with your significant other. If not, spurge on a dinner show (our favorite is Hoop Dee Doo Revue). It’s already built into your plan, and using this option truly feels like you’ve unlocked a new ‘level’ of Disney.

But wait, you’re not done!

Now that you’ve decided which plan is best, swallowed the cost of it, and know how to use it to enhance your trip, you need to make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). At Disney World, this is easier than ever, and at Disneyland Resort, it’s also cut-and-dried. Make ADRs six months in advance, and use this FAQ to get started.

Once you’re at Disney, each receipt you receive from a Disney Cast Member when buying meals will show your DDP balance. All participating restaurants are listed and have a DDP symbol (but don’t worry…it’s just about every restaurant).

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End of summer hurrah: Boat rental from Cruzin

September 7, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Happy Labor Day! We hope you’re having a fun, sun-filled, and relaxed day off, this unofficial last day of summer. We’re spending our Labor Day in boating on a local lake. Do we own a boat? Nope! But as it turns out, it’s easy to rent a boat for a day.

Families can rent fishing boats, ski boats, sailboats, speedboats, and even houseboats from Cruzin, a boat rental website for boat owners and vacation-goers. Think of Cruzin as a HomeAway or Airbnb for boats. We rented this vessel, a party boat holding 25 people.

Yes, we decided to host an end-of-summer, informal party on Northern California’s Lake Shasta for family and friends. And dogs…they’re welcome, too!

What exactly is a party boat?

As non-boaters, this was our first question. We were familiar with houseboats, of course, but not party boats. Basically, they’re very similar in style and structure, but instead of interior rooms, our party boat was all open air. We had two large decks (one lower and one upper), plus a head (toilet and shower) and BBQ and wet bar. Best of all, we had a slide!

How Cruzin works:

It was pretty easy to find a party boat that fit our needs on Cruzin. Starting on the website, we perused boat rentals by selecting the lake we wanted to cruise on (sorry, couldn’t resist) and the type of boat we were looking for. Once paired with a boat, Cruzin acted as a middle man of sorts with the partner company or owner (just like when you rent an apartment or home while on vacation). In our case, our partner company was through houseboats.com, located at Jones Valley Resort on the lake.

Once we booked on Cruzin, we were sent a confirmation from the partner company, which listed all FAQs and rules. Generally speaking, Cruzin boat rentals are single day use only, but some partner companies have their own additional rules that override this. For instance, our party boat rental needed to be returned by 8 am the next morning, which meant that should we have wanted to, we could have spent the night. I’m told this is rare, so be sure to ask if you have questions. We found responses to be quick from both Cruzin and the second-party partner.

We were given clear directions to the marina, and the crew at Jones Valley Resort were so friendly, it put us at ease even though we were new to boating. They helped us haul our gear, including coolers and groceries, to the boat and back off when it was time to leave, and their marina has lots of fun outdoor games to keep the kids occupied while we got settled, like ping-pong and basketball. With a brief orientation about the boat, it was less intimidating than we thought to captain it. Did I not mention this? Our very own Pit Stops for Kids’ Dad was at the helm of our party boat, which was tons of fun. We were able to cruise around the lake, play in the water, dock on several beaches, and pick up some additional friends at the marina when needed. Since the boat holds 25 people, all our kids could invite several buddies.

Boat rentals don’t end when summer ends, so keep this travel idea in mind next time you’re ready to spend some family time outside. For our crew, it was a fun detour from our usual camping trips!

As I disclose whenever applicable, our family tried out Cruzin at no expense, for the purpose of review. Without review opportunities, lowly writers like me would not be able to update readers on ways to explore the world with their families.

Del Mar Racetrack: Fun for the whole family

August 25, 2015 By Sharlene Earnshaw

The following guest post is written by family travel blogger Amber Mamian of www.GlobalMunchkins.com.

Gorgeous weather, a nostalgic past, the season’s top race horses, jockeys and trainers plus free kids activities. Yes please! I’m talking about where the “Turf meets the Surf” at the famous Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in sunny California. This past weekend I had the opportunity to check out the racetrack for myself during the Pacific Classic… my family was lucky enough to tag-along.

Honestly what was not to love? The grounds were immaculate, there was plenty of food, friendly staff and fun activities to keep the kids occupied all day long. Did I mention that kids receive free admission and there are free kids activities on family weekends. Amazing! It really turned out to be quite the day. Let’s take a closer look.The drive to Del Mar is pretty easy since it is situated right along the coast and parking was a breeze too. They even have a cute little tram that drives you to the entrance.

Once you’ve arrived there are plenty of options to keep you entertained. I am a foodie so I always check out the food situation first. I was not disappointed. There were plenty of great options for dining including nine seated restaurants quite a few that even offered track-side dining. For the fancier restaurants and the Turf Club you must make reservations and abide by the dress code. We left those options to be explored at another time when we were sans kids. Today was all about soaking up the family day fun! So, we headed to the concession stands where they have everything from fresh caesar salad and gyros to hamburgers, corn dogs and cheese on a stick.

After filling our bellies we had fun walking around checking out the gorgeous paintings of past champion horses in the halls. There were also artists with equine art on display and gorgeous hats for the ladies. My daughter who happens to be a horse lover could have stayed there for hours. The boys, on the other hand, had seen the inflatable jumpers across the track and they were ready to go play.

So, our next stop was the infield where the family area was located. I was a bit leery about what types of activities would be on the other side of the tunnel and if the free price tag could really be true.To my pleasant surprise there were a ton of fantastic activities and they were all free of charge. Just a few tip jars should you feel obliged.

My boys wasted no time running over to the giant inflatable slides and competing with each other on the obstacle course. I appreciated that the staff had separate inflatables for the babies. (Our youngest was able to jump with kids her own size in the bounce house.) My daughter made a beeline to the pony rides where the most gentle and well groomed ponies stood waiting for her.

Next up were airbrushed tattoos and caricatures. I mean seriously guys: all free! Crazy! The wonderful caricature artist actually holds the World Record for Caricatures. He said he drew 45,000 caricatures while working at Disney over a five-year period. No amateur artist here. Impressive!

We peeled the kids away from the activities once the racing started. We watched a few races on the infield where there are several picnic benches and grass areas along the fence. It is actually a great view. Alternatively, there was also a bar area with tables under the shade and a giant tv screen should you want to let the kids run free and hang out to watch the races there.

After watching a few races we decided we wanted to head over towards the crowds in the stands. The excitement as the horses galloped past and the crowd started cheering was contagious! And, we wanted in on it!The kids found a spot right on the fence directly in front of the finish line. We watched race after race in that spot because the kids loved calling out the winner. We put a little bit of money down so the kids could take in the whole experience. They chose their horses and winners received a snow cone! Okay, everyone received a snow cone but you get the point. We were having fun!

I would highly recommend the Del Mar Racetrack to my own friends and family. Not only is it a great destination for locals but I think the track is equally as great for families passing through the San Diego area on vacation. The track was affordable and it made for an entire afternoon of fun. Plus, the fact that Seabiscuit once took the win there by a nose back in 1939 is pretty cool too!

The Del Mar Racetrack is open mid July- early September. Races run five days a week Wednesday– Sunday with the first post at 2pm except on Fridays when it begins at 4pm. Click here for upcoming events or to purchase admission tickets.

Must Pack:

Camera
Bottled water (bottles at the track are $3+)
Sunscreen
Snacks
Picnic Blanket if you want to sit and watch the races from the family area
Comfy shoes (not heels like I wore)
Tip money

Directions:

Del Mar Del Mar is located just west of I-5 freeway at the Via de la Valle exit in Del Mar CA at
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Amber enjoyed tickets to the racetrack as guests of Del Mar for the purpose of review.

Weekend Guide to the CA Redwoods

June 15, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

We’re a family who loves spending our vacation days in the wilderness, and few places are as wild and beautiful as the Northern California and Southern Oregon Redwoods. However, we prefer hiking into isolated backcountry sites to campgrounds, and while the Redwoods feature some of the most stunning scenery I’ve seen, the trails are short in length, without ample backpacking options.

Because of this technicality, we passed over this region far too long. At the end of May, we decided to rethink the Redwoods, creating an itinerary for ourselves that included multiple short day hikes sandwiched by a fun cabin stay at the Crescent City/Redwoods KOA.The Redwood groves in this area pocket coastal forests between Eureka, California and Brookings, Oregon. If they had a ‘Redwood capital’, it would be Crescent City, California, which can be accessed either from the coast along Highway 101 (from north or south) or via the scenic Redwoods Highway (Hwy 199) from I-5 in Southern Oregon.

Either route will drop your family into increasingly beautiful scenery. Along less than 20 miles of coastline, the Rogue, Smith, and Chetco rivers all flow into the ocean, all of which feed Redwood groves with nutrient rich flood waters. The forests here are damp, with a ground cover of ferns and moss and nurse logs that invite kids to explore and parents to breathe deep and feel rejuvenated.

We started feeling the effects of the magical Redwoods as we drove down Highway 101 past Gold Beach and Brookings, watching the Pacific crash from the car windows. For our introductory hike in the Redwoods, we detoured to drive six miles inland up the Chetco river to Alfred Loeb State Park to try the Redwood Nature Trail. We hiked several looped miles, gaping at the tall trees, pointing out banana slugs and salamanders, and climbing over root systems, then piled back in the car to check out our digs for the next two days: a deluxe cabin at the Crescent City/Redwoods KOA.

As a family who prefers isolation to crowds, we’ve been unsure about KOAs in the past…until we started trying them in earnest a year ago. What we discovered: KOAs have changed since I was a kid. Each location is different, but most now offer a combination of resort amenities paired with natural offerings like pretty campsites and rustic lodging that can be perfect as a ‘base camp’ for an outdoor-focused trip.

The Crescent City/Redwoods KOA is situated on a grassy field and Redwood grove (yes, really!) just a few miles from the hikes we’d planned. The RV spots and check-in area are in the open field, but drive down the narrow dirt roads that weave among the Redwood grove, and you’ll find lovely tent camping sites and rustic cabins that are on par for beauty with the best state park campgrounds in the area.

We stayed in a deluxe cabin, which upgraded us from the standard amenities of the rustic cabins (electricity and heaters) to include a full bathroom with shower and a kitchenette (with microwave, sink, mini fridge and coffee maker). The main room included a queen bed, and a cozy annex housed a built-in bunk bed. We also had a TV (not necessary) and WIFI (very convenient for writing down thoughts for this review!). Our little patio included an outdoor fire pit and picnic table, plus covered porch.

Unlike the standard cabins, deluxe cabins are located in the RV loop, which made me long to be tucked away in the woods. However, the kids liked being steps away from the bike rentals and game room (with ping pong and fusbol), and we had a nice field to look out over. We spent our first night settling into our cabin and grilling dinner, then the subsequent day hiking additional Redwood trails, playing in the ocean, and walking along the Smith River. Every trailhead and beach was within 25 minutes of the KOA. Every time we returned to the campground, the kids scattered to play ping pong, explore the wooded loop, where they climbed on nurse logs and Redwood stumps, and visit the goats and chickens in the KOA petting zoo.

Redwoods Hikes:

Redwood Nature Trail: This trail is actually a trail network of multiple loops that wind upslope of the Chetco River. You see multiple redwoods and other pines, as well as a clear, cold creek. Be sure to pay attention to which turns you take in order to find your way back to the start, as it’s not as well marked as we would like. Directions: from Highway 101, turn east at Constitution Way to North Bank Chetco Road. Go 7.5 miles to Alfred Loeb State Park. The trailhead is half a mile past the entrance.
Simpson Reed Grove Trail: One of the most stunning trails through old growth redwoods, this trail is less than one mile and is easy to follow and well-marked. There’s an extra loop, the Peterson Memorial Grove, that extends the hike if desired. Also nearby is Stout Grove, an even shorter trail with breathtaking views. Directions: from Highway 199 (Redwood Highway), find the trailhead just before Jedediah Smith State Park, right off 199.

Boy Scout Tree Trail: One of the longer hikes in the area, the Boy Scout trail is 2.8 miles. It passes through the Valley of the Giants to conclude at the Boy Scout Tree and Fern Falls. If you have a full day to explore one trail, this is the one. Directions: From Highway 101 South, take Elk Valley Road to Howland Road to the trailhead. The drive is 25 minutes from the Crescent City/Redwoods KOA.

Nearby beaches:

Head just a few miles north from the KOA on Highway 101, and you’ll be in Oregon. Our favorite beaches include:

Harris Beach State Park: this beach is characterized by plenty of beach access and sandy space with large rock formations. There are picnic areas as well. Find it right off Highway 101 north of Brookings, Oregon.
Whaleshead Beach: Whaleshead is just a bit further north of Harris Beach, with parking on the east side of the highway and a pedestrian tunnel to the beach. Kids love the creek that runs into the ocean and lots of rock formations.

River Access worth exploring:

Head up Highway 199 just past Jedediah Smith State Park, and swim (in summer) in the Smith River. Families will find swimming holes directly off the road at pull-outs. The Chetco River also offers great wading and swimming at Alfred Loeb State Park east of Brookings. Look for the day use area at the campground.

No matter what you do in the Northern California and Southern Oregon Redwoods, plan to stay at least 2-3 days to get a feel for this region.

Win a KOA stay!

There are KOA campgrounds all over the US, and they all differ in personality, setting, and amenities, which makes each stay actually more interesting and adventurous. Read more stories of KOA stays. Want to have your own KOA adventure? Enter to win a stay at Trekaroo!

Disclosure: This post was written in partnership with KOA. All activities were planned by us, and all opinions are our own.

Northstar California: a guide to the mountain for kids, by kids

February 4, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

After multiple trips to Northstar California resort with my kids, I asked them what, in their opinion, kids shouldn’t miss on the slopes. Their top picks:

Cat’s Face, the 22-foot half-pipe: Built for Olympic medalist Shaun White (who recently selected Northstar as his home resort), this intimidating half-pipe (with vertical sides 22 feet tall) is used by Shawn for training purposes…but open to the public when he’s away (which is nearly all the time). The kids (and parents!) dared go down it…and had a blast once our hearts stopped dropping into our stomachs!

The Northstar Terrain Park off Vista chair: When snow depth allows, this huge terrain park splits into both medium and small sections, but the groomers and designers in charge of the various features are such masters (Northstar is known for this) that no matter how much (or little) snow the resort has to work with, there are a variety of options for everyone from beginners to experts.

Mom Tip: if you have young kids who are not terrain park experts, but still love to spend time tearing it up there, go in the morning. The park will be far less crowded, ensuring that your kids don’t get hurt by other riders and skiers (and also don’t get in the way of more serious athletes).

Lookout Link: This poma bar lift serves as a quick transfer to Lookout Mountain (which is great for glade skiing, by the way) and is located right below the new Zephyr Lodge. The novelty of a poma bar is fun for those who haven’t tried it (even beginners can do it) and a bit of nostalgia for those parents who grew up with them!

Sawtooth Ridge: For expert skiers and riders, this glade with gated opening to the far side of Backside is a great place to play. Check whether it’s open before embarking on this off-piste section! Additional off-piste terrain on Backside that’s open more often: from the top of the Backside Express, take a left along the ridge to find several gates with tree skiing.

The Stash: The Stash, located toward the bottom of the Zephyr Express lift, is an inspired wonderland of natural elements and features, such as logs to slide along, tunnels, and even a cabin skiers and boarders can ride off the roof of when snow levels are high enough! Consider The Stash an all-natural terrain park, with tree skiing added in! (Smaller ‘Adventure Parks’ are located throughout the mountain for younger skiers, too.)

Mom Tip: Since terrain can change drastically, even during the course of a single vacation, we love that the Northstar grooming team always lets guests know which runs have been groomed overnight. Just check for the orange symbol on trail signage!

The Woods route back to the Village: This (not so) secret route back to the Northstar Village is a great alternative to the super crowded Village Way. (In the late afternoons, that route can become downright congested.) Find the entrance to The Woods run at the end of the Cat’s Face super half-pipe.

Powder Bowl off East Ridge: From the top of the Comstock chair, cruise along the East Ridge to Powder Bowl. If you have advanced skiers and riders, take the black diamond Powder Bowl chute, and if you have intermediate abilities, take the Powder Bowl trail. Either option will drop you into a fun, open bowl with multiple tree glade trails, jumps, and bumps. Kids can make their own path, or stick to wider open intermediate terrain, and meet parents by the Rendezvous chair (all routes lead in this direction).

For moms and dads (and kids): Check out Tost, offered on the East Ridge off Comstock Express at 2 pm daily. This fun Northstar event includes complimentary champagne for adults and sparkling cider for kids. In sunny weather, sit on bean bag chairs or Adirondack chairs.

Tubing! Don’t forget about tubing! Located mid-mountain right above the Day Lodge (look for the Tubing Yurt), the tubing track at Northstar is faster than most (and these kids have tried many!). Tubing tickets are sold separately (buy them for $30/hour in the Village where you buy lift tickets…you won’t need more than one hour). It’s a great choice for non-skiers who still want to spend time on the mountain. Kids can go in a ‘train’ of two or more tubes (at the operators’ discretion), which makes it even more fun. We opted to tube during our day off skiing, and it made for an entertaining morning activity. Parents who don’t want to purchase tickets can easily watch hill-side.

How did the Pit Stops kids’ know where all this cool stuff was? They started their vacation with a private family lesson, during which their instructor, Jon, showed them all over the mountain. Not only did the kids get great instruction, but they got their own private tour guide while enjoying fast pass line access! Families can add up to six people to one private lesson, making it a very good value. And I hear (though I wasn’t allowed to see for myself) that there’s a secret kids-only lodge for lesson attendees, where the hot chocolate and marshmallows flow freely!

Want to see some of the action for yourself? Time for a Pit Stops for Kids’ Kid Cam!

The kids thank Northstar for allowing them to experience the mountain with both a private instructor, and later, with boring old Mom and Dad.

Hometown ski resort: Badger Pass Ski Area

January 9, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Ever wanted to downhill or nordic ski in Yosemite National Park? How about a morning of skiing followed by an afternoon of hiking on the valley floor? I spent a day at Badger Pass Ski Area, located in the center of Yosemite National Park, to see what it was like. What I found: wonderful ski culture, local enthusiasm, and lots of love for the outdoors. I guess that should come as no surprise!

Badger Pass boasts just 10 runs and four lifts (plus one rope tow). It features one lodge (two stories), a rental shop, and a nordic center. All the downhill runs funnel down to the same general base area by the lodge, and the entire feel is friendly, welcoming, and relaxed. This is hometown skiing at its best: just like at the tiny ski resort I grew up skiing in the Sierras, Badger Pass is all about the outdoor experience. Kids were skiing solo the day I visited, their parents content with the knowledge they really couldn’t get lost. Newbies were trying out the sport in first-timer lessons, and telemark skiers were almost as ample as downhill skiers.

The nordic center was bustling: with over 350 miles of cross-country trail in the park, most of which starts at Badger Pass, this is a hot sport! The nordic center staff will get you completely outfitted (downhill and snowboard rentals are available as well, in the adjacent downhill rental shop). Grab a trail map, and decide how far and fast you want to go.

Badger Pass offers one small terrain park, and the majority of the runs are intermediate, with a few black diamond runs. I was told tree skiing and backcountry skiing was abundant, given the correct snow conditions. In the lodge, visitors will find lots of lounge space, a nice big sun deck on both levels, and friendly food service where you can order standard ski fare: burgers, wraps, and a burrito bar. I recommend the homemade veggie burger and fries.

Lift ticket costs:

Downhill lift tickets are currently $48 for adults, $43 for youth, and $25 for kids (all day). XC ski rentals are available, as stated, as are Pulk sleds if you want to bring the younger kids along for the ride. Ski rental pricing.

Directions:

Badger Pass is easy to find from Highway 41 by the South Entrance to the park, or from the Valley Floor. From Wawona Road, take Glacier Point Road.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced Badger Pass Ski Area as a guest of the resort, for the purpose of review. I hope my firsthand knowledge helps you plan a better trip!

Omni La Costa Resort and Spa

January 5, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

A wellness resort that works for family travel? Yep, we’ve found one. Carlsbad California’s Omni La Costa is one part golf and tennis resort, one part spa retreat, yet somehow, 90% family-focused. Those familiar with the Omni brand will understand how we arrived at this conclusion, but for everyone else, let’s break it down.

The Omni La Costa is a sprawling resort located in the hills about three miles from the Pacific. (If you want to be closer to the beach, opt for the for the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront.) With beautifully landscaped gardens and walkways and waving palms rising above artfully situated hammocks, I felt as though I was in Santa Barbara or even in the tropics. Only the mission-style architecture shouts San Diego county. It has an award-winning spa and a full fitness center, including a yoga studio, plus tennis courts and a gold metal golf course. With extensive conference facilities, the La Costa certainly has a thriving business travel clientele…until school holidays and summer hits.

Because La Costa is an Omni, you can count on kid-friendly touches, even amid definite luxury. Like with all Omnis, kids get a welcome backpack upon reception, which will include activities to do (save these for restaurant waits), things to know about the area, and little treats. On site, the La Costa Splash Pool and Sandy Beach Family pool offer tons of kid-friendly water play features, including splash pads, zero-depth entry, and yes, a sandy beach. There are some serious waterslides for older kids (height requirements are in place), and hot tubs and cabanas to keep parents happy. If you have older kids, you can certainly escape to the adults only pool complex, which includes no fewer than four hot tubs and an outdoor pool, surrounded by fire pits, more cabanas, and a full bar.

Speaking of fire pits, they’re all over the property, along with those aforementioned hammocks. Plus kids have a full activity schedule to peruse, a game/arcade building, and Kidtopia, which offers kids’ club activities throughout the day.

What could be more kid-friendly:

My list of downsides are short, but it has to be mentioned that you’ll pay a premium for meals at La Costa (we’ll be bringing our own breakfast items to our room next time). In the La Costa Marketplace area, a coffee bar serves Starbucks coffee and lighter fare, but sit-down meals will set you back. Along this line of thought, the mini fridges in the standard rooms are for minibar items only, which is a bummer if you’re bringing snacks and milk with you. With three growing boys, we need to bring breakfast and snack supplies to keep everyone happy, and we always appreciate the use of a mini-fridge.

Rooms:

I stayed in both a standard room and a suite during my La Costa stay. Standard rooms are larger than most, likely due to the historic nature of the hotel (it’s been in existence, though not as an Omni, for many decades). Bathrooms are spacious as well, though my standard room only had a walk-in shower, not a tub. There’s room for a roll-away in standard rooms, and some do have balconies. Even my room without a balcony featured windows that open, letting in a nice breeze during the day.

Omni La Costa suites are very spacious, and their two-bedroom sleeps eight, with a pull-out couch in the living room area. There are two bathrooms, both with tubs and separate vanity areas. You’ll find the same issue with the mini-fridge, but there’s certainly room for a regularly-sized cooler in the rooms. For whatever reason, my kids always love bathrooms that have open windows into the bedroom area (which can be shuttered)…if yours have the same affection for this feature, they’ll be happy.

Room rates start as low as $199 in the off-season (come during late fall through early spring for the best deals).

Parking and getting around:

The La Costa is huge, which means you’ll want to ask for a room in the 100-200 block if you want to be close to the Marketplace and pools. The 800 block isn’t too far either. Rooms in the 900 block are far enough away from the main complex that the Omni offers complimentary golf cart rides to and from. Honestly, your kids will count this as another plus. You can self park or valet park your car, and parking costs upward of $40/day. Budget this into your room rate! Everywhere I went onsite, Omni staff was there to greet me, give me a smile, and ask if I needed help with anything; service is at a very high level here.

Dining:

The Blue Fire upscale dining experience at La Costa is not stuffy; families can sit outside on the patio and enjoy live music and those great fire pits. Bistro 65 is even more casual, and situated on the lower level, near poolside. As mentioned, both are higher priced, but families wanting to save some cash for other aspects of their trip can find lots of family-friendly dining all over Carlsbad. I’d start with these dining reviews from Trekaroo.

In the area:

No matter where you stay in Southern California, you’ll be utilizing your car and driving from attraction to attraction. Omni La Costa is a good home base, located in Carlsbad, which is between Disneyland to the north and San Diego to the south. You’re about 10 minutes from the beach, five minutes from Legoland, and 30 minutes from the many attractions in downtown San Diego.

Directions:

The Omni is located at 2100 Costa del Mar in Carlsbad.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced Omni La Costa as a guest, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Winter vacation home rental process made easy

January 2, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Ever rented a vacation home for a family holiday? Worried it might be a complicated process? Not sure how to go about it? Pit Stops for Kids can help! This post was originally published in 2010, when we rented our first winter vacation home in Lake Tahoe through HomeAway. In the years since, we’ve rented homes several times, including two more Tahoe homes (once through Northstar California, and once more through HomeAway). Most recently, we rented a beautiful West Tahoe home for Christmas week, which was big enough to house our whole extended family. In March, we’ll be renting from HomeAway again on the island of Kauai.

There are other great vacation rental sites (we also use VacationRoost), but because the bulk of our knowledge is in renting from HomeAway, we’ll focus on this company for the purpose of this post. There are many reasons why a vacation rental might be the right choice of accommodation for a winter stay, including space to spread out (and bring all that winter gear), washers and dryers, perhaps a hot tub, and the ability to cook in-house.

HomeAway makes it easy to find the right vacation rental for you and your family. Starting at their homepage, just click on ‘Find a Rental’. Enter where you’d like to go and when, and browse the available rentals. You can sort the selection by price, bedrooms, or even number of reviews. I like that the weekly and daily rental prices are listed right on the main page, so I can quickly get a feel for what homes in my desired location will cost. When you click on ‘details’, you get a map, tons of photos, and a list of amenities.

Once you’ve selected your desired rental, contact the owner. This, too, is easy: the rental owner’s contact information is listed right on the main page of each rental property description. I really like that with most rentals on HomeAway, customers work directly with the owners, the people who know the rental and surrounding area personally. Keep in mind that since all owners are different, the HomeAway process may feel different each time you rent. During our first Tahoe rental experience, after making contact, I got a confirmation from HomeAway immediately, telling me exactly what to expect. In my case, the owner of my first rental (this beautiful home in the Twin Bridges community of South Tahoe), emailed me a rental agreement within hours, along with a friendly greeting filled with such enthusiasm for her property, I wanted to pack up and go right then and there! During my second Tahoe rental experience, the owner preferred to call me and set up the rental agreement via phone. In this case, I worked with HomeAway less (though still had their support).

Pay your deposit (if applicable), sign your rental agreement, and count the days until your vacation, secure in the knowledge that HomeAway has your back. I was glad to see that even after I’d taken care of business with my property owner, the support for HomeAway continued. I was offered rental insurance, additional deals and incentives for future stays, and assurance that any additional help I needed was only a phone call away. Note: in most cases, a deposit will both hold your reservation and be applied to the total cost of your rental. In the case of our second rental experience, our owner preferred to keep the two separate. We paid our deposit, then paid our total cost for the rental, then got the deposit back in the form of a check. Be sure to ask owners which way they like to conduct business so you know what to expect.

Expect a warm welcome. Both times we rented a winter home through HomeAway, we hadn’t even arrived at our vacation rental yet, and I already knew the home fires would be burning brightly (so to speak). Both property owners went above and beyond, sending me a full inventory of items and supplies available to me in the home during my stay, just so I wouldn’t need to wonder whether to pack a snow shovel or a set of sheets. They also sent information on the local scene, grocery stores they recommend personally, and local service numbers should I need them.

Ask questions about the possibility of power outages, local snowplow schedules, and alternative heat sources: This is crucial when renting in winter! During our 2010 winter vacation rental experience, we enjoyed an epic snowstorm. The power went out several times, but our home had a back up generator, which we knew how to use. Our owner had included full instructions. In our second rental home this past Christmas, we had ample parking space away from snow plow routes, but during our first rental experience, we had to move cars on snow plow days. Ask for this information so it doesn’t blindside you! Find out whether you’ll need fire wood, and know where candles and matches are kept in the home just in case.

And if you’re not sure what you’re looking for? If you’re undecided as to the sort of vacation you want, or if you’d like HomeAway to keep an eye out for the perfect rental for you and your family, fill out their Ultimate Travel Picks form to be sent alerts and info on rental availability tailored to you.

Pit Stops for Kids partnered with HomeAway for some, but not all, vacation rental reviews. All opinions are our own.

Read more about vacation home rental in our Home (Away) for the Holidays series.

Skiing with a Tween at Sierra-at-Tahoe

December 29, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

This post was originally published as part of our Home (Away) for the Holidays series.

It’s easy to find kid-friendly skiing in Tahoe, but what about those hard to please tweens and teens? I spent an extra day at Sierra-at-Tahoe last week with Nate, during which we noted what worked for his age group (middle school) and ability level (advanced).

Sierra at Tahoe is not too big, and not too small…it’s just right! Because of its manageable size and centralized layout, it’s easy for older kids and teens to split off with friends or siblings and meet back up with parents. All runs end in a major lift, lodge, or restaurant, a design element that would give me the confidence to let him explore a bit without an adult.

It’s challenging. I love that Sierra intermixes beginning runs with intermediate and advanced; it allows all members of a family to ride the lift and spend the majority of their day together. But the best part of this feature is the way terrain parks, trails, and tree skiing branch off from easy and intermediate runs. I don’t know how it is in your family, but my older kids love these features, and it’s nice that they’re so accessible. Each terrain park at Sierra is clearly marked as containing Small, Medium, or Large elements, and each place we cut off a run to powder ski through trees fed easily into a trail or run below. Nate and I especially loved exploring the Huckleberry Gates section of the mountain, a truly challenging series of back-country chutes that felt like an entirely different experience every time! This area is not open all day, so be sure to check signage or ask lift operators for updates.

It knows how to feed your tween. Ski resort food is expensive, and tweens and teens can eat their weight of it after hitting the slopes all morning. I loved that Sierra at Tahoe offers affordable options. We ate at the 360 Degree Smokehouse BBQ at the Grandview Lodge, which was great for several reasons. First off, due to its location at the top of the mountain, it was easy to access and uncrowded. Secondly, the food was fantastic, and generously portioned (my two younger kids could have easily shared an entree). Better yet, if you’re feeding the entire family, their Family Meal Deal is truly a deal for $45. Families pick three types of BBQ meat entrees, then get four huge sides and four drinks. (We ate at the tasty Aspen Cafe in the Main Lodge during our first ski day, and paid over $50 to feed the same amount of people.) Best of all, this top of the mountain lodge offers complimentary boot warming while you eat. Just hand the attendants your boots on the way in, grab a pair of cozy slippers to wear in the restaurant, and trade them back in when you’re ready to head back outside. Great, right? Yeah, we could hardly believe it, either!

Grab a pair of slippers…they have your size!

It’s clear to us why we kept hearing the same thing from Sierra guests while riding up the chair lifts and hanging out in the lodges…that Sierra at Tahoe truly is a local favorite: it has just enough of everything–at a decent price–to keep everyone in your group happy, including those notoriously hard to please teens. What’s more, during our time enjoying their slopes, we never came across a Sierra employee who wasn’t cheerful, helpful, and willing to go out of his or her way to make sure we were having a good time. I can see why locals and traveling guests alike feel they’re getting a lot of value for their vacation dollar here. And best of all, when paired with one of the HomeAway vacation properties right at the base of the mountain, you can forget the commute: you’re only five minutes away from Sierra at Tahoe!

As stated previously, Sierra at Tahoe generously hosted us during this portion of our Tahoe Holiday. This compensation came with no expectation of a positive review. Read all our articles in our Home (Away) for the Holidays series!