Laguna Beach - Pitstops for Kids

Where to go for spring break: affordable spring break ideas for families

February 25, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

If you live in a cold climate like me, you’re probably ready for some fun in the sun. Or maybe you get plenty of blue sky, and want to experience snow one last time before summer. Either way, we have budget spring break ideas for you. Read on to learn where to go for spring break in the U.S….without breaking the bank.

Then, check out our often-overlooked spring break ideas, compiled with additional family travel experts!

For sun and sand:

Want a sun-kissed vacation, but can’t afford a trip to Hawaii or Mexico? Opt for the desert or Caribbean instead! Pack swim suits and sunscreen for the following family-friendly desert destinations:

1. Palm Springs, California: House rentals abound in the greater Palm Springs area, or resort stays include all the amenities you’d expect: multiple pools, golf courses, kids’ clubs, and fine dining. Just outside the city, hiking

and Jeep touring abounds. Where to stay? Our pick: Westin Mission Hills, where kids can take advantage of the SPG Kids Pass for free snacks and drinks and fun activities on-site.

2. Phoenix, Arizona: An easy flight from most airports along the west coast, Phoenix and nearby Scottsdale enjoy warm temperatures year-round and fun activities for kids like horseback riding and hiking. Lounge poolside all day, or hit the links while the kids enjoy their own children’s programming. Where to stay: try the JW

Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa to score big points with the kids as they hit the lazy river and Nickelodeon Activity Zone. In nearby Scottsdale, the Westin Kierland Resort is king.

3. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: this Caribbean destination was slow to gain popularity with families, but now the word is out. Punta Cana all-inclusive resorts tend to be cheaper than their other Caribbean counterparts, and the beaches are every bit as nice (and the water every bit as warm). Where to raise your beach umbrella: Dreams Punta Cana, where kids love the water play structure, and adults love the luxury of never having to worry about where the next meal is coming from.

4. Laguna Beach, California: Nearby Disneyland Resort may be packed with families during spring break, but the Pacific seaside town of Laguna Beach is much quieter. March is still considered a shoulder season for coastal towns, so you can snag a good room rate in most cases. Hit the beach if the weather permits, but if you visit during typical spring fog or clouds, opt to go whale watching instead.

Snow and mountains:

Need one more ski or snowboard fix before summer? The major ski resorts will be crowded (and demanding spring break rates) but smaller resorts will welcome your family with open arms. The following destinations are big enough to provide great ski schools and childcare, but small enough to be affordable.

1. Lake Tahoe, California: Think you can’t find affordable skiing in Tahoe? Think again! With so many resorts in a small area, competition is steep…which is a good thing for guests. A few extra miles from the lake, family-focused Sierra-at-Tahoe sits just past South Tahoe, an easy commute from San Francisco or Sacramento. Because Sierra-at-Tahoe does not offer on-site lodging, the crowds stay away, but you won’t suffer: cozy HomeAway vacation cabins are only a few miles away. The resort has one of the best layouts for families, with all runs ending in a common bowl for easy meet-ups.

2. Vermont: Vermont is home to both family-friendly champion Smuggler’s Notch and classy Stowe, plus offers plenty of outdoor fun in addition to skiing should the weather cooperate. We love Smuggs even during busy spring break, because this family resort is always offering great deals for parents. Stay, ski, and keep your kids in camp or lessons for one low price.

City escapes:

If you’re city touring, it doesn’t much matter what the weather is like, so head to less-than-ideal-in-spring urban areas to soak up culture instead of sun. Spring break is a great time to tour museums, aquariums, and historical sites when school field trips are at bay.

1. New York City: The Big Apple is exciting no matter what the season, and families can find great deals in March and April. Take in a Broadway show or spend your time in the best family-friendly museums. Not sure where to stay? Try Affinia 50, where families can enjoy some of the largest rooms in Manhattan, family gaming nights, and a relaxing guest lounge.

2. Chicago, Illinois: Check out Shedd Aquarium or the Lincoln Park Zoo, then bundle up and head to Millennium Park free of crowds. Take advantage of shoulder season discounts, and hit as many museums as you can. Stay at the Four Points by Sheraton where families get a big bang for their buck. It’s located right on the Magnificent Mile and includes all the amenities you’ll want after a busy day sightseeing.

3. San Francisco, California: Yes, it may still be brisk by the bay, but hotel room rates will be low, Alcatraz tours will be uncrowded, and you probably won’t have to wait for a cable car. Check out nearby Muir Woods in Marin County, beautiful in all seasons, and take a drive along Highway 1 to see the California coastline. Stay at Omni San Francisco to be located right on the cable car line and mere blocks from colorful Chinatown.

A stay at Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel with kids

August 9, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Parents might assume a Ritz Carlton hotel is too, well, ritzy for a family vacation. In fact, the family-friendly offerings at Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel make the acclaimed resort a smart choice for families looking for great vacation value.

Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel with kids:

The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel is located right on the Pacific Coast between the beach towns of Laguna Beach and Dana Point, CA. While a stay is expensive by any standards, your room rate stretches beyond luxury accommodations (which are often lost on kids): families will enjoy excellent service, a completely relaxed atmosphere, hassle-free access to a beautiful beach, and local expertise tapped from the team of concierges, bellhops, and front desk staff.

Kid-friendly offerings at Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel:

Families looking for an ideal beach day can take advantage of the Ritz Carlton’s Beach Butler Service, which not only brings your family straight to the beach via beach shuttle, but also keeps your hands free: ‘beach butlers’ will bring all your essentials to you (and always have towels and sunscreen on-hand).

The Dana Pool is tucked into a garden courtyard, with exposure to sunshine but not wind. Located adjacent is pool dining and beverage service, and ice water is always available. We loved that plenty of pool toys were available, and that kids were welcome in the hot tub. An additional pool exists on the Monarch side of the hotel, and tennis courts and basketball courts are also available for families, as well as a full-service fitness center for adults.

On site at the Laguna Niguel property is Eco Adventures, with opportunities for families to experience the local environment with sea hikes, snorkeling, surfing, and more. We attended the then-called Forests Under the Sea snorkeling program, which included a fun (and informative) naturalist talk followed by a full snorkeling trip to nearby Woods Cove in Laguna Beach.

Check it out on the Pit Stops for Kids YouTube channel:

We were able to learn more about the sea life we’d been spotting while snorkeling on our own, and learned what we could do to help sustain the beach and ocean life eco-system. Tip: Ambassadors of the Environment is available to non-resort guests as well, and is a great value for those looking for an informative half-day ocean excursion.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) in Orange County, CA.

Room rates:

Room rates vary by season and type, from $500-well over $1000. At the time of our visit, we stayed in an oceanview fireside room, located off the Dana Lawn. This location was great for kids: it featured an outdoor fireplace and small patio leading to plenty of lawn space for kids to play on (complete with a horseshoe pitch). Rooms include marble bathrooms, luxury bedding, and in the case of an oceanfront room, amazing views. Note: one thing our Ritz Carlton room lacked was complimentary coffee and tea service, standard in almost all luxury hotel rooms. (Secondary note: my kids are only frowning in the following photo because the sun is in their eyes. They didn’t care about the lack of coffee service…that was all me.)

Dining:

The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel offers several dining options for families, all featuring wonderful service and ambiance (but all costing families accordingly). We ate an incredible meal at Raya, where our server couldn’t have been more friendly to the two kids I had with me (ages 11 and 13). The food was delicious, but even more impressive was the sunset seen over the Pacific from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Raya is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and while dining here for every meal will not be budget-friendly, I do recommending budgeting for at least one special meal here.

For faster, easier-on-the-wallet fare, the Marketplace serves up a nice, quick breakfast. The poolside dining offers high-qaulity snack and lunch foods (including excellent nachos), but for stays of more than a day or so, I recommend buying some groceries and making use of the mini-fridge. The concierge can recommend many off-property restaurants as well. Tip: if you plan to eat most meals on-property, it may be worth the expense to book a ‘club level’ room. Club level guests enjoy five daily food services included in their room rate, including lunch foods, full breakfasts, and cocktails.

Directions:

From most points in Orange County or LA, guests will take I-5 to Crown Valley Parkway, then turn left (south) on the PCH. From Laguna Beach, the hotel is a straight shot down the PCH (about 15 minutes’ drive).

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, the Ambassadors of the Environment program, and Raya as guests of Ritz Carlton. While this hospitality is appreciated, it did not come with expectation of a positive review. (And I did pay for my own nachos.)

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The Montage Laguna Beach: beach luxury for families

August 2, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Laguna Beach is one of Pit Stops for Kids’ Best Beach Town picks, and one of our family’s favorite places to visit in California. Any family vacation to this sunny ocean-front artist colony will be well-spent, but if you want to take your Laguna Beach family trip over the top, stay at the Montage Laguna Beach.

A Preferred Hotel with the Preferred Family seal of approval, the Montage Laguna Beach combines luxury hotel accommodations with family-friendly beach relaxation. Situated right on the Pacific at Treasure Cove, the Montage is steps away from public Aliso Creek beach and within walking or free shuttle distance of downtown Laguna Beach. Families can enjoy the outdoor Mosaic Pool, extensive gardens, tennis and basketball courts, and fitness center.

Activities and Programs:

The Montage Paintbox program is designed for kids ages 2-12, and takes kids outdoors as well as indoors for supervised play and programming. Available by the day or by the hour, kids don’t need to be potty-trained for Paintbox Petite (2-5) and will be served meals. The older kids have the opportunity to learn about the local ecosystems through Paintbox during thematically inspired days.

The Montage Laguna Beach has a full spa with yoga classes, and the virtual concierge can arrange for day trips to Southern California attractions. If you’re like most guests, you won’t want to leave the property except to ride the free shuttle into Laguna Beach to check out the art studios, galleries, shopping, dining, and beach-vibe.

Aliso Creek beach:

Aliso Creek is steps from the Montage (guests enjoy an easy walkway with showers, foot baths, and towel stands) and offers a long stretch of sand to play on. At the far end, Aliso Creek has a concession stand and playground on the beach (as well as public parking), and Aliso Creek tide pools are among the best in Southern California. Note: Aliso Creek’s ocean floor drops off quickly, causing waves to break hard on the shore. Families with young kids who want to swim would do better to go into Laguna Beach and swim at Main Beach.

Room rates and amenities:

Rooms at Montage Laguna Beach range from standard hotel rooms to suites, bungalows, and villas, with rates starting at $495. (Yes, really.) Their Family Fun Package includes overnight accommodations, daily breakfast credit (value to $50), half day at Paintbox, and a children’s welcome amenity at check in. You won’t find a bargain at Montage properties, but you will find value. If it can fit into your vacation budget, I recommend the experience.

Dining:

Dining is available on-site, including room service. For family-friendly meals, I recommend dining earlier in the evening, or taking the shuttle downtown for a fun, casual meal at Ruby’s Diner or Johnny Rockets. Of course, Laguna Beach is filled with authentic California cuisine; you really can’t go wrong.

Directions:

The Montage Laguna Beach is located directly on Highway 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway) in Laguna Beach. From I-5, take the Laguna Beach exit.

Photo Credit: Mel(issa) and Alex E. Proimos.

5 Laguna Beach parks to visit while waiting for the fog to clear

February 11, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Laguna Beach California is a mecca for sun, surf, and sand. It’s casual while still offering luxurious hotels and fine dining, relaxed while still upscale. The only downside? Families can find themselves with time to kill during spring and summer Laguna Beach mornings, waiting for the fog to clear. Where to play while you wait? Our top five park picks for Laguna Beach:

Bluebird Park:

A hidden gem used by the locals, Bluebird Park is located on the hillside, where it’s almost always sunnier. From Hwy 1, take Cress Street up the hill (directions). Through the Bluebird gate, kids will find new play structures (big and little), bike and scooter paths, a three-story rocket ship with slides, more slides built right into the hillside, and fun concrete tunnels and bridges. The local Boys and Girls Club is located adjacent, and the kids often use the park space, but are always supervised. There are no food services, so bring a snack! Parking is on the street.

Main Beach:

Main Beach park is easy to located–you guessed it–right on Main Beach. You’ll see it as you stroll the boardwalk, down by Greeter’s Corner. The small play area features swings and a play structure, but there’s always sand play as well. In the mornings, keep your eyes peeled for dolphin pods swimming off the shore, especially in summer. The toy store across the street is a great place to pick up fun beach gear for later in the day. Parking is on the street (and metered). You may need to walk a few blocks.

Aliso Creek:

This public beach features the nicest beach-side playground in the area. Parking is ample (and overflow parking is available across the street. Located a short distance south of Laguna Beach, directly on the PCH, Aliso Creek is easy to spot with plenty of signage. You’ll see a large play structure next to Aliso Creek. Grab a spot early on the beach and play at the park until the weather clears. The Montage Laguna Beach is located at the other end of Aliso Creek beach, and families can walk through its grounds to see the beautiful gardens and views.

Laguna Terrace area park:

We don’t even know the name for this park! (If you do, please let us know in the comments!) It’s another great one for the younger set, and it’s located directly off the PCH across the street from the Montage Laguna Beach and next to a shopping center with Albertsons, Starbucks, and more. Take the street south of the Albertson’s entrance and go up the hill one block. Turn into the parking lot for the park (a primary school will be on your left). You’ll find lots of play structures with a rubber padded ground covering, swings, basketball courts, and fun hills to roll down. You can see the ocean from the park, so you’ll be ready to hit the beach when the fog clears.

Heisler Park:

These walking trails and open spaces above Main Beach are often overlooked, but are a great place for kids to burn off energy in the mornings, or in the evenings after dinner with an ice cream to watch the sunset. The paths are not terribly steep, and the views are magnificent. Look for whales migrating in the spring and fall! You’ll encounter lots of wedding parties and other people taking portraits here, so it can get crowded (though rarely in the mornings.

What parks do you love in Laguna Beach? Let us know! Photo credit.

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 20): Stops for Kids in Laguna Beach, CA

July 16, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Image via Wikipedia

On Day 20, we drove from Zion National Park to Laguna Beach, CA, a route pretty devoid of pit stops! We were very glad to arrive in such a kid-friendly mecca of attractions, restaurants, and beaches!

Having grown up in the area (and returning to visit relatives every year since), we are quite familiar with Laguna Beach and its surrounding areas, and we’re convinced it’s one of the best beach towns in America. Below are our favorite picks for families:

Best Public Beach:

Main Beach is lively and fun (and perfect for a post-breakfast or dinner stroll), but to escape the summer crowds, we recommend heading south to Aliso Creek Public Beach. Aliso Creek is on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) just outside of Laguna in South Laguna. (The Montage Resort borders it on the north-end, a wonderful hotel which caters to children more than you’d think; if it’s in your budget, this is a wonderful hotel option). At Aliso, you’ll find a parking lot (eliminating long walks to the beach while carting all your stuff), bathrooms and showers, a playground right on the beach, and over a mile of sand. (The creek that feeds into it is inviting to kids, but there’s no wading allowed.)

Best Park:

Again, Main Beach boasts a fun park along the boardwalk, but for pure kid fun, we prefer Bluebird Park on the Laguna hillside. From Hwy 1, take Cress Street up the hill (directions). At Bluebird, you’ll find extensive play structures (with new, space-age-esque designs) for the toddler set as well as older kids, fun slides built into rocky hillsides, a rocket, and scooter/bike paths. (Sometimes gets busy with the kids’ club located adjacent to the park.)

Nate enjoys some downtime in Laguna Beach!

Best Local Event:

If you’re in Laguna during the summer months, be sure to check out the Sawdust Festival! Located right on Laguna Canyon Road (Hwy 133), this art festival features the booths of local artists (from pottery to fine art to jewelry) and gives kids plenty to look at! Be sure to check out the glass blowing demonstration and stop by the kids’ art booth to let your children try their hand at the project of the day! (Admission: $7.75 for adults, $3.25 for kids 6-12, free for under age 6.)

Best kid-Friendly Restaurant:

Ruby’s Diner, located at 30622 Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) is fast, fun, and kid-centric. Designed like an old-time diner, kids will love the shakes and malts, burgers, and onion rings (as well as their own chef hats). On nice days, ask for outdoor seating: they’ll take you up to the roof!

Best Toy Store:

Main Beach Toys is a great place to stop while browsing art galleries and shops in Laguna (so kids can actually touch some stuff!). Be sure to stop here before hitting the beach, too: they carry lots of sand and water toys.

Date last visited: July, 2010.

Distance off the interstate: Laguna Beach is about 30 minutes from I-5.

Directions: From the 405 or I-5, take Hwy 73 exit to Beach Cities to Hwy 1 into Laguna.

Up Next: We take the kids (and nephew Homer) to Pretend City in Irvine, CA!

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