While the Yosemite Firefall phenomenon—when Yosemite National Park’s Horsetail Fall reflects the colors of the setting sun, creating the glorious illusion of fire pouring down El Capitan—is never guaranteed, it attracts thousands of visitors every year. While I usually prefer to enjoy nature without crowds, part of what makes this event special is sharing the moment with other people. If you also want to enjoy this natural lightshow, read on for my tips on how to make the most of this year’s Yosemite Firefall opportunity.

What causes the Yosemite firefall?

For a few weeks every year, the winter sun hits the water cascading from the east side of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California, creating the striking effect of lava pouring down the dark cliff. There is no hike or climb required—all you need is to be in the right spot, at the right time. 

Two important conditions must be met: the water must be flowing, and the skies must be clear. Last year, Yosemite’s falls benefited from multiple snowstorms in January paired with an unusually warm February, creating plenty of snowmelt to power the falls. You can check out the Yosemite webcams to get an idea of how much water is flowing this year. Sunshine is also key. My first attempt to see a firefall ten years ago was frustrated by stubbornly overcast skies, so I was delighted to get a second chance last year.

Today’s Firefall is entirely natural, but the name comes from a popular former tourist attraction at Yosemite National Park. For almost 100 years, visitors assembled at Camp Curry after dark on summer nights and watched as burning embers were tipped over the cliff in a cascade of flame. 

In the 1960s, the tradition was dropped over wildfire concerns and a desire to emphasize the natural wonders of Yosemite over artificial spectacle. Just five years after the old Firefall ended, photographer Galen Rowell noticed the beautiful trick of light on Horsetail Fall and published the image that launched a new tradition.

What are the dates for Yosemite firefall in 2026?

The firefall occurs mid-to-late February, from around February 15 to February 26. The weekend of 14-15 February, Presidents Day on 16 February, and the weekend of 21-22 February will likely be crowded with hopeful spectators. Because the firefall depends on sunny weather, it’s best to plan for a few days in the park to maximize your chances of clear skies. 

Do I need reservations to see the Yosemite firefall in 2026?

After guests damaged sensitive riverside areas in 2022, Yosemite National Park introduced a reservation system to limit crowds during February weekends. Although there will be restrictions in place to protect the park, no reservations to Yosemite National Park are required to visit in 2026.

You will need a pass to enter the park, which you can buy at the gates.

Where do I go to see the firefall?

Despite the crowds, I was easily able to find a nice spot to wait until the 15 minutes before sunset when the magic happens. We drove to the nearest parking lot, near Yosemite Falls, then walked along Northside Drive until we found a good spot in an area next to the road (it’s clear from all the photographers where to go.) If you can’t find a space for your car, park in Yosemite Village and take the free shuttle bus to Yosemite Falls (stop seven or stop eight). 

This area, easy of the El Capitan picnic area, is known as the north view. It’s great because there is plenty of space for everyone—no need to get there mega early to nab a good viewing spot. We arrived at around 3.30 p.m on a pretty busy day, and there were still people arriving after us.

The other (and more popular viewpoint) is at Cathedral Beach, called the south view. We had lunch there earlier in the day and noted the many photographers already set up for sunset. It is a really scenic spot at a bend in the Merced River, but I recommend setting up early if you are keen to secure a good view here due to the crowds. 

Wherever you decide to go, you will have to park up and walk, as the road is closed to vehicles parking and stopping between the Yosemite Falls and El Capitan parking lots to give pedestrians more space. From the parking lot at Yosemite Falls, it’s about 1.5 miles to the nearest viewing spot.

You could try to find other, less crowded spots in Yosemite to enjoy the view, but you don’t want to miss the moment searching for that perfect place.

What should I pack to see the firefall?

You don’t need a camera to enjoy the experience, but if you do bring one, I would recommend setting it up on a tripod. As the light fades, you will need to switch to a longer exposure time and holding it by hand risks a blurry shot. Otherwise, I would suggest camping chairs, water, plenty of snacks, and warm clothing. If you have kids with you, maybe something for them to do while you wait.

Don’t forget you are going to be walking back to your car in the dark, so bring a light like a headlamp, or one of these beanies with a built-in light (these are so perfect for kids).

Where should I stay in Yosemite National Park?

Within the park, your options are Yosemite Valley Lodge, the Ahwahnee Hotel, or camping. I love camping, but it’s way too cold for me in February. If you don’t want to stay within Yosemite National Park, there are many options just outside the gates (note it’s a 40-minute drive from the entrances to Yosemite Valley).

I booked Tenaya Lodge for its family-friendly credentials, and recommend this hotel if you don’t mind the drive into the valley. Located just outside Yosemite’s south entrance on Highway 41, guests get access to an indoor pool, game room, lobby with fireplace, s’mores for toasting, an ice rink in the winter months, and yoga classes—all included in the room fee. This was a real selling point for my kids, who didn’t want to spend the entire break hiking and taking pictures of waterfalls.

I have also stayed in the cute gateway town of Mariposa on past visits. The Best Western in Mariposa is a great budget option for a Yosemite trip.

If you want to stay in a cabin, there is a small community within the park at Wawona. I booked this Yosemite home on a trip with another family, and there was plenty of space for everyone, plus we saved some money by cooking for ourselves.

Firefall at Yosemite is a beautiful sight, but there is so much more to Yosemite National Park. I have another article focused on some of the easier, family-friendly trails you can take in the Valley, so check out Yosemite with a Toddler for ideas on what to do with the rest of your trip.

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Pinnacles National Park is both ancient and brand new: formed 23 million years ago by an erupting volcano, the 26,000-acre site is one of the newest national parks in the United States. With its stunning caves, spiky towers, cool canyons, and family-friendly camping, you’ll find plenty of top things to do with kids at Pinnacles National Park.

What to know about Pinnacles National Park

Eastern Entrance: 5000 East Entrance Road

Paicines, CA 95043

This is the main entrance, where you will find most of the trails, the visitor center, and the campground

Entry cost: $30 for a seven-day pass for a vehicle and its passengers, valid for both entrances

This park is cashless so bring your credit card!

Pinnacles National Park facts

• Pinnacles National Park has two entrances—and there is no road through the park connecting the two.
• The park is key to saving the endangered California Condor.
• Pinnacles National Park was elevated into park status in 2013, but had been a National Monument since 1908.
• Due to its proximity to the famous San Andreas Fault, the park is moving northward at a rate of 0.59 inches a year.
• The park was formed by an erupting volcano 23 million years ago, and seismic activity has continued to shape the park to this day, creating the unique rock formations.

When to visit Pinnacles National Park

I have visited Pinnacles National Park in all seasons, and it is beautiful throughout the year. However, due to its inland location, it does get hot in the summer. Although my family survived a weekend camping with temperatures that never dipped below 100 degrees from 9 am until sunset (the outdoor pool available to campers helped a lot), I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.

The weather during the spring and fall is most comfortable. If you can visit during the peak wildflower season between March and May, you’ll be treated to a kaleidoscope of color splashed across the landscape.

What to do in Pinnacles National Park with kids

If you’re based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pinnacles National Park is a short 2.5-hour drive from San Francisco, perfect for a day trip or a weekend of camping. It’s important to mention there are two entrances: the west and the east.

The east entrance is closest to the Bay Area, while the west is closest to Monterey, gateway to the stunning stretch of coast known as Big Sur. There are no roads connecting the two, so you cannot drive through the park. You can access all of these trails from both entrances by foot, but if you are driving into the campground you must go through the east entrance.

Best trails for toddlers in Pinnacles National Park

The best trails for toddlers in Pinnacles National Park are also the best for everyone! These are my top recommendations. There aren’t a ton of paved trails in Pinnacles National Park, so I would recommend a toddler carrier for when the going gets tough. 

Bear Gulch Cave Trail

This short trail is so fun and is easily one of the best things to do with kids at Pinnacles National Park! Park at the Moses Springs parking area (a tiny car park, that usually fills up before 9 am on a weekend) or at Bear Gulch. Take the Moses Spring Trail and follow the signs for the caves. It’s a short, and thanks to the oak trees, shady ascent. Stick to the path and pick your way through these talus caves, formed by ancient tumbled boulders. 

Bring a headlamp or use your phone light as some sections get pretty dark. I bring the kids’ LED light beanies whenever we visit.

Once you have explored the caves, head back out the same way you came in, or continue up the steep set of stairs carved into the rock. At the top is a peaceful reservoir. Take the Rim Trail, which then connects to the High Peaks Trail, to return to the Moses Spring parking area.

Bench Trail

If you’re looking for a flat trail with plenty of shade, the Bench Trail is perfect. Starting from the campground, the refreshing sound of the creek accompanies you along the path, while  Valley Oak trees provide a welcome canopy. After about a mile, you can switch to the Sycamore Trail for Bear Gulch, or continue to the Old Pinnacles trailhead.

Best trails for older kids and teens

If your kids can handle some (OK a lot) of uphill trudging, you can head into the heart of the park and get a close look at those otherworldly pinnacles. Bring plenty of water and if you are visiting during the summer months, plan to complete your hike by 10 am, as the temperatures can hit triple digits.

High Peaks Trail

This is one of those “it will be worth it for the view” hikes starting with a long, exposed climb.  After catching your breath, admire the namesake granite rock formations, wildflowers cascading over the hillsides, and if you’re lucky, rare condors gliding overhead. Start from the Bear Gulch parking area and walk 1.7 miles along the Condor Gulch trail to the High Peaks trail. Follow the High Peaks trail through meadows, up rock steps in the “steep and narrow section”, and eventually down into shady woodland. This was a long walk at over seven miles, but a lot of fun.

Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave

The Balconies is the bigger brother to Bear Gulch Caves. The 5.3-mile there-and-back hike to the talus formation tracks the Chalone Creek, and sometimes involves crossing. If there has been a lot of recent rain, the caves may not be accessible, so check with a ranger first. While you could get away without a flashlight in Bear Gulch Caves, the Balconies are dark and spooky, so be sure to pack headlamps and waterproof shoes.

The Balconies are also accessible from the west entrance, and the trail from this side is shorter at 2.3 miles.

Pinnacles National Park camping

One of my favorite things to do with kids at Pinnacles National Park is Spend the night at the beautiful campsite, which includes access to an outdoor swimming pool during the summer. It’s a lot easier to motivate kids to hike in the morning with a promise of pool time and ice cream in the afternoon. Myself too, If I’m honest.

Book a tent, RV site or tent cabin through Recreation.gov. In addition to the camp shop and pool, there is a bathroom block with showers. Leashed dogs are allowed in the campground and on paved routes through the park.

All sites feature a picnic table and fire pit, with firewood available for sale at the camp shop.

The tent cabins are a great alternative to tent camping. The cabins sleep four and include a deck. You’ll need to bring your own bedding (you can rent anything you need at Sports Basement).

Where to stay in Pinnacles National Park

The only place to stay inside the park is at the campsite. If you are traveling from the Bay Area to the east entrance, Hollister is the nearest city with hotels. Stay at Casa de Fruta Cabins, a roadside fruit stand so popular it’s now a destination in itself.

 The closest accommodation outside the park on the west side is at Inn at the Pinnacles or the Motel 8 in Soledad. You could also make this a day trip from Monterey, a beautiful coastal city located just over an hour away.

Getting around Pinnacles National Park

During busy times (public holidays, weekends in spring) the smaller parking lots by the trailheads fill early. There are usually spots available by the campground. This means that you may have a long walk just to get to the trailhead, so take this into account when you visit.

There used to be a shuttle bus that would take visitors to the trailheads but it wasn’t running the last time we came. The best way to ensure a spot is to camp in the park so you can hit the trail nice and early.

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Explore a canyon straight out of Jurassic Park, paddle in a crystal-clear river or hug the world’s tallest trees – Redwood National Park is an unforgettable experience. There are so many ways to enjoy these parks, even if your little adventurers can only manage a mile or two of hiking. Here’s your Redwood National Park itinerary to help you plan an epic family trip to the majestic Californian Redwoods.

Redwood National And State Parks Facts

• Redwood National and State Parks, to give its full name, is made up of Redwood National Park plus Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith and Prairie Creek State Parks.
• Hyperion, the world’s tallest tree, resides in the park but its location is a secret.
• Scenes for The Lost World: Jurassic Park were filmed in Prairie Creek State Park.
• Almost half (45%) of all old-growth redwood forest can be found here.
• The United Nations made this National Park a World Heritage Site in 1980.
• For more facts about redwoods – and a great story about the team who made the scientific breakthroughs – read The Wild Trees.

Where To Stay At Redwood National And State Parks

If you want to stay in the Parks themselves, your only option is camping or a cabin. Camping is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and National Park campgrounds are kept to a high standard – but they also get booked up quickly. I would recommend making a reservation six months ahead, when the spots open up for your dates. 

For a taste of traditional hospitality, stay in Eureka at Hydrangea Inn, which offers families comfortable two-bedroom apartments and includes a delicious breakfast.

There are also plenty of cottages to rent in the area, such as this three-bedroom home in nearby Orick, or wake up in the forest at this two-bed cabin.

At the northern end of the Parks, stay at the cozy Hiouchi Motel, located just off the 101 in Crescent City, a few minutes from the Hiouchi Visitor Center. 

What Will I Need To Take?

Bring good shoes, a baby or toddler carrier if your kids are little, water bottles and a picnic (no food sold in the park). I have a packing list if you are looking for recommendations on what to take.

Redwood National Park Itinerary: One Day

Plan to bring all your food with you: Redwood National and State Parks has no restaurants within the park boundaries. The visitor centers have restrooms and drinking water. This itinerary starts from Orick, at the south end of the parks. Flip the itinerary if you are approaching from the north!

Morning: Tidepools And Fern Canyon

Fern Canyon is a not-to-be-missed spot in Prairie Creek State Park, which featured in the Jurassic Park sequel. This requires driving on an unpaved road, so don’t attempt it with an RV.

To get there, take the 101 for 2.5 miles north of Orick to find Davison Road. This seven-mile, mostly unpaved, road meanders toward the Pacific Ocean, terminating at Gold Bluff’s Beach. 

At the beach, there are tidepools like mini aquariums, dolphins off shore and peregrines soaring above.

Find the Fern Canyon parking lot and head up the creek to discover a magical canyon lined with ferns. It’s easy to imagine a dinosaur crashing out of the jungle to liven up your stroll.

During the peak summer season, you will be sharing this popular walk with other hikers. However, steam crossings render the trail impractical during the winter. At the end of the canyon, take the steps back up to the car park.

Soak up the sunshine at the beach before turning back to the cool of the redwoods. Continue north on the 101 until you reach the Prairie Creek State Park visitor center.

Lunch: Picnic With Elks

After checking out the visitor center to pick up a Junior Ranger program, head to Elk Prairie Meadow where you will find picnic tables under the redwoods. The lush meadow hosts a herd of beautiful Roosevelt elk, which you can admire while enjoying your lunch.

Elk are California’s largest land mammal, weighing up to 1,100 pounds. They seem pretty docile but don’t get too close! During the mating season, from August to October, the peace is disrupted by bulls calling loud challenges to each other.

Afternoon: Kid-Friendly Forest Hike

Prairie Creek State Park has some great trails for kids.

For a quick walk, ideal for toddlers, head to Prairie Creek State Park for the Big Tree Wayside trailhead. This wheelchair and stroller accessible trail is designed to showcase one of the area’s tallest trees: the Big Tree.

It’s only 100 meters from the parking lot to the Big Tree so this won’t take too long.

Once you have admired the Big Tree from the viewing platform, check out some of the other short nearby trails such as the Circle Trail, which will take around 15 minutes.

Kids will also love the Revelation Trail, which starts just behind the Prairie Creek State Park Visitor Center. The short, quarter-mile loop, encourages visitors to stop and listen to the sounds of the forest, breath in the scent of the bay laurel and feel the soft bark of a redwood.

For a longer hike, take a 3.2 mile loop through this beautiful area. Starting at Prairie Creek State Park headquarters, hike the Prairie Creek Trail north until you see an intersection. Take the right turn, towards the sound of traffic, and cross the parkway to join the Cathedral Trees trail. Head south, passing by Big Tree, before ending back at the visitor center.

This trail features bridges, babbling brooks, ancient forest and “tunnel trees” that you can walk through. It’s also wheelchair and stroller friendly, suited to all ages and abilities.

Next, go for a scenic drive north along Newton B. Drury Parkway. This 10-mile winding road takes you into the heart of the old-growth groves and has plenty of opportunities to stop for a walk. Avenue of the Giants might be more famous but this is an absolute gem of a drive.

The road is open every day throughout the summer. Between October to May on the first Saturday of the month, cyclists rule the road when the stretch is closed off to cars.

Two Days in Redwood National And State Parks

If you have one day, the best family-friendly hikes and activities are all in Prairie Creek State Park. However, if you have more time, head further north to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

The Stout Memorial Grove Trail is a short, 300-meter stroll to a grove of some of the world’s tallest trees, soaring 300 feet into the sky. The majestic spot is a reward for getting there.

First, drive the narrow, unpaved Howland Hill. After parking at the trailhead, pick your way down to the Smith River, where you will find a footbridge open only in the summer season. Finally, follow the path into the forest where you will find the trees.

Take your time on this adventure. It’s unlikely you will get across the river without pausing to take a dip in the refreshing waters, or playing on the pebble beach.

For families with children aged 10 and up, ranger-led kayak tours are available on the Smith River in the summer. The tours last around three hours, go through Class I-II rapids and are guided by knowledgeable rangers who can point out wildlife.

Jedediah Smith State Park also hosts Native American dance demonstrations in July (although these have been on hold since 2019 due to COVID-19) showcasing the cultural traditions of the indigenous Tolowa. Check the Park’s event calendar if you are headed there in July.

How To Get To Redwood National And State Parks

Redwood National and State Parks are located in Humboldt and Del Norte counties in the far north of California, on the 101.

The closest airport is Eureka/Arcata (ACV), a regional airport serviced by United Airlines, American Airlines and Avelo. This gives you the option of flying from Denver CO, Phoenix AZ, San Francisco CA or Los Angeles CA, then renting a car for the 40-minute trip north up the 101. 

The best way to see the redwoods is as part of a road trip. It’s a six hour’s drive from San Francisco, CA, or similar from Portland, OR. There are plenty of great places to visit along the way, including Point Reyes, Mendocino and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Further north, Crater Lake National Park is a stunning spot in Oregon.

When To Visit Redwood National And State Parks

The best (although most crowded) time to visit is during the summer, where temperatures max out at around 80F. September is my favourite time of year to visit California’s northern coast, as the fog recedes slightly, making the trip marginally warmer. October is also beautiful but there is more chance of rain.

Unfortunately, fire season, which traditionally hits California in early October, extends throughout the summer. For the best chance of avoiding smoky skies, try May or June. 

Winter is beautiful but wet and will make many of the trails impassable. Temperatures fall to between 40-60F.

Are you planning a trip? Let me know in the comments!

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Celebrate the spooky season with these not-too-scary events taking place this October. Make the most of the dark evenings with a light show, find a fun daytime festival, or even watch a pumpkin plummet from the sky. Grab your kids, a costume, and have fun!

Goblin Jamboree: Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito 

Take a ferry over to Sausalito’s Bay Area Discovery Museum for Goblin Jamboree, a week of Halloween-themed fun activities for kids under 10. Kids will love running around the hay maze, painting skeletons, and playing in the cauldron kitchen.

Goblin Jamboree is Saturday, October 24 – October 26, closed Monday and Tuesday. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for the general public. Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito

Haunted Hangar: Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos

For a unique event, don’t miss the helicopter pumpkin drop on October 30 and 31 at Hiller Aviation Museum. The museum, which celebrates the history of aeronautics in the Bay Area, will be decorated for Halloween and kids can come in costume. 

Oct. 17, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. through Nov. 1, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Pumpkin drop only Oct.25 and 26 at 12 p.m.)

Tickets are $24 for adults and $16 for kids 5-17. Under three-year-olds are free with an adult. Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Rd, San Carlos

Halloween Hoopla: Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco

This fun street festival just for kids ten and under features a performance by Circus Bella and a costume parade. There are also crafts to make, a pumpkin patch, and palm reading – all for free! 

Halloween Hoopla, Nov. 1, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Children’s Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens, 799 Howard Street

Boo at the Zoo: Oakland Zoo, Oakland

Running on October 24 and 26, Oakland Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo is an animal-themed scavenger hunt with a goodie bag to win. Come in costume (not inflatable, they scare the animals!) to enter the costume contest. Advance tickets are required.

October 24-26 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland

Trick or Treat on the Row: Santana Row, San Jose

Pre-schoolers will love this free event featuring live music, face painting, trick or treating and spooky crafts at Santana Row. If your little one isn’t quite ready for night-time neighborhood trick or treating, this is the perfect morning alternative to celebrate Halloween.

Tuesday, October 28th, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 377 Santana Row, San Jose 

The Jack-O-Lantern Trail: Winchester Mystery House

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is a real deal haunted house, which you can tour if you are brave enough. The former home of Sarah Winchester, tragedy-stricken heir to the rifle fortune, is an architectural oddity and worth a visit in its own right. However, it’s likely too scary for little ones, so take them to the beautiful illuminated Victorian gardens instead on the Jack-O-Lantern trail during evenings in October.

Tickets vary depending on time and day. Open throughout October. Winchester Mystery House, 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose

For more fall fun, check out our list of amazing kid-friendly wineries to visit in California!

The post Kid-Approved San Francisco Bay Area Halloween Events 2025 appeared first on Tiny Trailblazers.

Big Sur is the rugged and ridiculously beautiful stretch of coastline between the towns of Carmel and San Simeon in central California. You can do it as part of a road trip between San Francisco and Los Angeles, but the region is a stunning destination in its own right.

It’s a great place for nature-loving families to unwind, slow down and enjoy the view.

Stop and stay awhile at Nepenthe, a restaurant that can legitimately lay claim to the best view in the world, hike to a waterfall and find out why so many authors and artists were drawn to this unique place.

Visit Hearst Castle

Located just outside the town of San Simeon, at the southern end of Big Sur, Hearst Castle is the unique home of media magnate William Randolph Hearst.

Inspired by the Old World architecture he visited on trips to Europe, Hearst collaborated with architect Julia Morgan to create a one-of-a-kind home halfway between San Francisco and LA. The First World War was a shopping opportunity for Hearst, and he snapped up many pieces from across Europe in the aftermath.

Kids are welcome as long as they can stay reasonably quiet during the guided tour. The hour-long Grand Rooms tour is the best option, as it packs in a lot of information without being overly long.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the website: as of May 2021, adult tickets cost $25 and children aged five to 12 cost $12. Under fives go free.

Hearst Castle is currently closed due to COVID-19 but plans to reopen soon.

Get up close with Elephant Seals

Head north for eight miles from San Simeon to Ragged Point, where you will find Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. The colony can be found here year-round but activity peaks in January, May and October. 

The Elephant Seal is an extraordinary creature: the males, with their large noses that resemble an elephant’s trunk, weigh as much as an SUV. They spend most of their time in the ocean, diving to depths of 5,000 feet searching for fish and squid, but haul themselves onto this beach to molt and mate.

It’s an opportunity to see these amazing wild creatures doing their thing, just off the roadside.  Check out Friends of the Elephant Seal’s website for more information and a live webcam.

Sunset cocktails at Nepenthe Restaurant

Driving down Highway 1 back to LA after a trip to San Francisco in 1944, Hollywood couple Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles spotted a little wooden cabin with amazing views and fell instantly in love. They found themselves a realtor that day and bought it on the spot.

Unfortunately, the two divorced before they ever made it back to enjoy their romantic hideaway, but fortunately for the rest of us they sold it to the couple who created Nepenthe.

For such a romantic spot – perched on a cliff top overlooking the ocean – Nepenthe is very family-friendly, with a children’s menu and welcoming staff. The atmosphere is laid-back, a place where tourists and locals gather to admire the sunset, sip a cocktail or two and enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired fare on the outdoor terrace.

If you can’t make dinner, Nepenthe is also open for lunch. 

Wildlife scavenger hunt

California Parks has an activity sheet you can download, print off and give to your kids to fill in as you drive or walk around the region.

Due to its remoteness, Big Sur has a lot of wildlife to spot. Look up for the California Condor, which is now flourishing after near extinction, a conservation success story.

If you look out to the ocean, you may spot California’s most adorable creature: sea otters. They like to hang out just off shore and are easy to see from the beach, bobbing about in the surf.

Further out on the horizon, you might spot migrating blue, gray and humpback whales and orca. From a roadside pull-off, you can also spot dolphins and sharks, which call the marine sanctuary home.

On land, you might encounter a wild turkey, deer, foxes, or even a bobcat. Black bears are also about, although you are less likely to encounter one.

Wildlife you need to be cautious about is poison oak and ticks. It’s best to wear long pants, preferably tucked into socks, when hiking to avoid encounters with either species.

In spring, the wildflowers put on an amazing show. With such a diverse number of habitats, including coastal, mountain and forest, you can see almost every type of flower California has to offer.

Take a dip in a natural pool

Big Sur River Gorge is a natural swimming hole located in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Popular in the summer months, this is an area of the river where you can jump into the crystal clear water from surrounding boulders and cool off.

Day trippers can access the gorge from Lot 3 by taking the River Gorge trail, a half-mile trek out to the gorge.

The trail starts out paved but then ends at an out-of-action bridge. At that point, you have to head off trail to scramble over some boulders to get down to the river. Once at the river, you can either walk in the water or find a path by the side to get down to the gorge.

It’s best to attempt this between May and September, as the river could be too high in the winter to be safe (and too cold). Campers at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park can also access the trail from the northeast end of the campsite, between sites 111 and 112.

Ice cream at an art gallery

COAST is an art gallery in a converted water tank, offering the road-weary soft serve ice cream on its rooftop terrace cafe. Drinks and small plates are also available, to be enjoyed either in the sunny Zen garden or on the roof, under shady umbrellas.

Open Thursday to Monday, 11am-4pm, the art gallery showcases the work of the local artists, who continue the tradition of creativity found along this stretch of coast.

Henry Miller Library

The wild and lonely Big Sur coast drew many of the writers who shaped American literature in the mid 20th century. Author Henry Miller was Big Sur’s most famous resident. He lived in the area from 1944 to 1962, and his writing inspired other artists of the time to visit the area.

Jack Kerouac, of On The Road fame, wrote his semi-autobiographical novel Big Sur in a cabin owned by fellow Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti back in 1961.

Hunter S. Thompson, the legendary gonzo journalist, was also intrigued by Big Sur and worked as a security guard at Slates Hot Springs (now Esalen Institute), where he started to write The Rum Diary. 

Although Thompson was fired after he got drunk and shot up his cabin (not the relaxing environment the resort owners were looking for), the article he wrote about the bohemian counterculture he found in Big Sur was his first published magazine piece.

To find out more about the artists of Big Sur – past and present – check out the beautiful Henry Miller Library, which is part-museum, part bookshop. Henry Miller Library also hosts some amazing bands in the summer: past performances have included the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Arcade Fire and Fleet Foxes.

Become a Junior Ranger

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has a Junior Rangers program, where kids can earn badges by learning about nature. If you don’t get the opportunity to attend a presentation, your children can fill in the activity sheet I linked to earlier and show a ranger, who will then give them a badge.

At the time of writing, California State Parks has cancelled all events due to COVID-19. However, keep an eye on the events page, as California is re-opening and activities may start up again soon.

Search for purple sand

The deposits of Manganese garnet found in the cliffs at Big Sur cause striking purple-hued sand to be scattered across the beaches in the area. You can spot purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach and we also saw the pretty plum shade at Andrew Molera State Park Beach.

Both beaches are fun to explore. There is driftwood, sea shells and interesting pebbles to investigate; plenty of sand to play tag or build sand castles, and rock formations to climb.

As the beaches can be tricky to access, they are less crowded, which is a bonus. You reach Pfeiffer Beach by a short trail through the woods from a car park, for which there is a $12 fee to use.

Finding the car park is the difficult part: the road from Highway 1 – Sycamore Canyon Road – is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it turn off between the ranger station and the post office. It is about one mile south of the entrance to Big Sur Pfeiffer State Park.

If you visit this beach in the late afternoon, stay to watch the sun set and you might catch the last rays shining through Keyhole Rock, a rock formation just offshore. 

Andrew Molera State Beach is better signposted, with the car park located just off Highway 1. However, the beach is about a mile from the car park, along a flat track, through fields and woods.

You have to cross a shallow stream and in the summer there is a little footbridge. However, you will have to take off your shoes to cross if you want to reach the ocean during the rest of the year! Water shoes (I like Keens, available on Amazon) are a good call if you are visiting in springtime.

Take a kid-friendly hike in Big Sur

With forests, mountains, rivers and beaches, Big Sur has plenty of trails, many of them easy to walk even with young children. Here are my favourites.

Big Sur Pfeiffer State Park

Parking is $10 for the day and you can get something to eat at Big Sur Lodge, the park’s cafe and gift shop.

Nature Trail 

Stroller friendly: Yes

Distance: 0.7 mile loop

Trail start: Lot 2

The Nature Trail is a good place to start. The short loop is on a boardwalk, with signs pointing out interesting features.

River Path

Stroller friendly: Yes

Distance: 0.6 mile loop

Trail start: Lot 2

On the other side of the car park, you will find a paved path taking you over a footbridge and along the river. It’s another nice easy loop, on which you can also take dogs.

Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls Trail

Stroller friendly: No

Distance: Two miles, there and back

Trail start: Opposite Big Sur Lodge

Start the trail in the Redwoods before climbing up a hill. In spring, this is a great hike for wildflowers and the landscape is bursting with color. At the fork, turn left to continue up for a view across the valley, or go right to descend back into the forest. 

As of April 2021, the right turn – Pfeiffer Falls Trail – was closed due to fire damage. If it is open, you will find a stunning, 60ft tall waterfall at the end.

Big Sur River Gorge

Stroller friendly: Partially

Distance: 0.5 mile there and back paved section: two miles to swimming hole

Trail start: Lot 3

As described earlier in this post, the trail is paved up to a point. After that, head into the trees to scramble over rocks, roots and boulders until you get to the swimming hole. Great place to cool off in the summer – don’t attempt this one in the winter, when the water is too high and strong.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 

Named after a pioneer woman, this park is famous for McWay Falls, probably the most photographed Big Sur feature after Bixby Bridge. 

Waterfall Overlook Trail

Stroller friendly: Yes

Distance: 0.5 mile, there and back

Trail start: Parking lot

The short trail to the falls is easy, taking you through a tunnel under the highway and back out to the beautiful view. The trail continues beyond the scenic stop but is currently closed. You can park in the small car park for a $10 fee, or find a spot on the road.

Partington Cove Trail

Stroller friendly: No

Distance: one mile, there and back

Trail start: Highway 1 turnout, about two miles north of park entrance

A gravel road (for hikers only) leads down from a green gate off the highway. It’s about a mile down to the ocean from here. At the fork, keep going downhill to the north, to find a small rocky beach. On the way back, take the other route to go through a tunnel carved out of the mountain to find a scenic overlook.

Andrew Molera State Park

This state park has a lovely beach to visit. Parking is $10 in the large lot but there is often parking available on the road too.

Creamery Meadow Trail

Stroller friendly: No

Distance: two miles, there and back

Trail start: Parking lot

From the parking lot, head towards the ranch to pick up this easy trail to the ocean. During the summer months (mid-June to end of October) there is a footbridge in place to cross the Big Sur river. For the rest of the time, you will need to take off your socks and shoes to cross. Small children may need to be carried.

The rest of the walk is straightforward, bringing you through a sunny meadow, through the trees and out to the beach.

Big Sur kid-friendly hotels

Big Sur Lodge

Stay right in Big Sur Pfeiffer State Park at Big Sur Lodge. The accommodation is simple cabins, fairly basic but in a beautiful location, away from the road and in the forest.

Family rooms can sleep up to four, with one bedroom plus a living area with another bed. Don’t expect any WiFi but there is a pool and restaurant on site. During the summer season, a room for four costs between $300-$400 a night at the weekend.

Big Sur River Inn

This motel is a great choice for families. The on-site restaurant serves good-quality food on a deck with a view of the river, which runs through the property. Big Sur River Inn offers free WiFi in the rooms and an outdoor swimming pool.

Like Big Sur Lodge, family rooms have a separate living area to the bedroom, so parents can sleep separately to their kids. Rooms cost around $450 per night.

Fernwood Resort

There are plenty of accommodation options at Fernwood. Stay in a cabin with a kitchen and separate living area, a motel room, or in a tent. Cabins start at $290 a night, so they are pretty good value for the area. During summer weekends, the bar and grill hosts live bands.

VRBO Cabin

Monterey County restricts the number of rentals available so there are only a handful of cabins along the coast available for short-term stays. This secluded cottage, with its own sauna and outdoor bathtub, sleeps five guests and costs from $225 a night, with a two-night minimum. It’s a great option for families who want some privacy, or who want to bring their pet.

Big Sur camping – or glamping 

Camping is a lot of fun: I love falling asleep to the sounds of nature, cozy in my sleeping bag. It’s nice for the kids to have lots of space to run around in and of course, toast marshmallows on the fire.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park campground is the biggest in the area. It has been recently renovated, with individual bathrooms and showers. Although the campground is large, there are enough facilities that we never needed to wait for a bathroom and they were all spotlessly clean.

It’s a popular place and gets booked up fast during the summer, so reserve your spot as soon as sites become available – six months in advance. 

Further down south is Kirk Creek Campground. This spot has amazing views overlooking the ocean and is five miles north of Sand Dollar Beach. It is quite basic, however: expect vault toilets and be sure to bring your own water.

If you are looking for a real off the beaten path camping adventure, try to nab a spot at the hike-in campsite in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The campsite, one mile south of McWay Falls, has just two spots for tents, so if you can book both you will have the entire place to yourself. 

If you don’t have the gear or prefer a little more comfort when you camp, Big Sur has several family-friendly glamping spots.

Fernwood Resort has Tent Cabins and Adventure Tents on site. The Tent Cabins are basic, with beds for four, a picnic table and a fire ring, but no extras. The Adventure Tents feature a queen bed, towels and an electric heater but with only room for two people.

Ventana, Big Sur’s luxury adult-only resort, offers Tent Cabins to families for the ultimate glamping experience. Currently, glamping guests cannot access the resort’s facilities but do get a real bed, towels, hot and cold running water and their own fire pit. Lanterns and Adirondack chairs are also provided.

Prices are from $240 a night. Pets are welcome.

Big Sur weather

Big Sur is beautiful in any season. During the winter months, between November and March, expect rain and cool temperatures. In the springtime, the region warms up but night times are still cold. Summer starts mid-June and continues into October.

The end of the summer is best for clear days and less of the fog but this is also fire season in California, so heed all warnings and be prepared for a sudden change of plans if wildfires sweep through.

For more adventures along the northern Californian coast, check out my guide to the best place to see the Redwoods, or visit kid-friendly wineries in the famous Napa Valley.

The post 10 Fun Things To Do With Kids In Big Sur appeared first on Tiny Trailblazers.

If you are looking for what to do in Santa Cruz, California, you will probably hear about the Boardwalk and the surfing, but it is the lesser known attractions that make this town so special. Don’t skip Santa Cruz just because it is winter – that’s when the Monarch butterflies return!

Dolphins and croissants

Santa Cruz has many excellent bakeries if you like to start the day with a croissant and a coffee. Check out Kellys French Bakery, which has nice courtyard seating, or The Buttery Cafe and Bakery, both long-time local favorites.

Make sure you grab a sandwich for a picnic later.

As a coastal town, Santa Cruz is often cool and foggy in the mornings, so this is the perfect time to check out Seymour Marine Discovery Center.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center is the ocean education center of the University of California, Santa Cruz. The center is small but packed full of interactive exhibits, including the opportunity to touch a shark. I really enjoyed taking my kids around this center and learning about the work marine scientists do in Monterey Bay.

A tour is included in the ticket. Not only do you get to see a shipwreck and a whale skeleton, you will also be introduced to the dolphins who live at the center.

Kelly’s French Bakery, 402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. Open every day 7am-7pm.

The Buttery Cafe and Bakery, 702 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz. Open every day 7am-7pm.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way in Santa Cruz. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Beaches and butterflies

Hopefully once you have left Seymour Discovery Center, the fog will have cleared and the sun is out. Time to hit the beach! Fortunately, you are just a minute away from one of Santa Cruz’s best beaches for families – Natural Bridges. Park on nearby West Cliff Drive or Delaware Avenue for free, or pay to use the car park if you are there on a busy day. 

This beach slopes down to the ocean, with shady trees plus a restroom at the top and beautiful rock formations at the bottom (which used to form a bridge, hence the name).

It’s the Pacific, so the water is always cold and rough, but fine for paddling. There is a creek where little kids can splash around too. 

In the summer, this is one of my favorite beaches, as it has fewer crowds than by the Boardwalk. If you are visiting mid-October to the end of December, you are in luck: this is when the Monarch butterflies make their winter stop on their epic migration down to Mexico.

Thousands of the beautiful orange insects gather in the forest above Natural Bridges and you can see them on the easily accessible boardwalk trail, just off the car park. Guided tours are offered on weekends throughout the season, at 11am and 2pm.

Santa Cruz Mystery Spot

Curious about those bumper stickers? The Santa Cruz Mystery Spot is a classic roadside tourist attraction located in the Redwoods just outside the town. Describing itself as a “gravitational anomaly” this is something you just have to experience for yourself.

Buy tickets in advance from the website, as tours are a must and often sell out by noon on the day. Children three and under are free – but due to a pretty steep hill this is generally best suited to slightly older kids (unless you are prepared to do plenty of carrying). The bumper sticker is included in the ticker price!

Santa Cruz Mystery Spot, 465 Mystery Spot Rd, Santa Cruz. Admission $8. Open 10am-4pm Monday-Friday and 9am-6pm Saturday and Sunday during the summer. 

At the Boardwalk

Once you have brushed off all the sand and left the beach, get back in the car and drive to Santa Cruz’s main hub: the Boardwalk. A classic seaside amusement park, the Boardwalk has more than 40 rides and is open daily during the summer. Rides are ticket-based or you can buy a wristband for the entire day. 

There are around ten rides suitable for young children (under 48 inches) with a chaperone (who rides free) and another five rides small children can ride on their own. Most of these cost $4 (as of 2019).

Bigger kids of course get a bigger selection and if you want to spend a few hours on the rides here, it makes sense to buy them wristbands instead of paying per ride. Games are also available and there are a few with guaranteed prizes.

The rides are all good fun! There are rollercoasters and spinners for the bigger kids and small, non-scary rides for the littles.

Food is about what you would expect at a fairground, with Dippin’ Dots and fried everything. Santa Cruz is not short of healthy eating options but I do love the garlic fries. They are a local delicacy.

Parking at the Boardwalk

Street parking is available everywhere and you can almost always find a spot, especially if you drive all the way along Beach Street and onto Third Street. Bring plenty of quarters if you don’t want to park at the all-day parking lots.

If you don’t have enough, you can also pay on credit card by calling the number on the meter or by downloading the parking app (carries a 35 cent charge). You don’t have to estimate your time with these options, you will just be charged for the time you stay.

Where to eat in Santa Cruz

West End Tap and Kitchen is a traditional pub offering local Californian cuisine and a superb variety of craft beers. There is outdoor seating in the courtyard and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe.

Gilda’s is another favorite spot with locals. Right on the wharf, this family business has been around since 1930. Gilda’s serves fresh fish, sandwiches, pasta with French bread and butter and has a kid’s menu.

West End Tap and Kitchen: 334D Ingalls Street, Santa Cruz
Kitchen open Sunday-Thursday 11.30am-9.30pm and Friday and Saturday 11.30am-10pm.

Gilda’s: 37 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz
Open 7.30am-8.30pm Monday-Friday and 7am-9pm Saturday and Sunday

Where to stay in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is full of cute, colorful bed-and-breakfasts and motels. Carousel Beach Inn is a great choice for families on a budget, offering comfortable rooms just steps from the Boardwalk.

There is parking and breakfast is included in the price. Double Queen rooms are available, or ask for interconnecting rooms if you are a larger group.

If you prefer a hotel with a pool, check out the relaxed but luxurious Dream Inn Santa Cruz. All rooms and suites have a private balcony or patio, with views over the Monterey Bay. The sun deck has a pool and a hot tub.

Around Santa Cruz

If you are staying in Santa Cruz, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Redwoods. Check out my post on the best ways to see the Redwoods in California.

The post Santa Cruz With Kids appeared first on Tiny Trailblazers.

September and October are my favorite times to visit California. Summer still lingers, the rains are not yet here but the sun has lost some of its fire and has settled for a more gentle warmth.

Fall is the perfect time to tour the wine regions of Northern California, as the grape vines change from green to gold and red, and the harvest begins.

Many vineyards here are welcoming to families with young children and some are hosting special events to celebrate another fruitful year.

These are some of my favorite vineyards to visit with small children in tow.

Belden Barns

Nate and Lauren, the owners of the beautiful working farm and vineyard Belden Barns, invite you to their annual Grape Stomp. Nate says: “We do this to celebrate harvest and give families a chance to get out into the vineyard to actually pick grapes and bring them in to stomp them – with bare feet.

“We also have a great nature scavenger hunt for kids that want to partake and a farm tour where folks can taste a variety of vegetable crops straight out of the field with insight from our farming partners.

“Kids can have a great day outside in a natural setting getting a better understanding of how food is grown.”

Nate and Lauren have two young children of their own and are passionate about educating the next generation in sustainable, healthy food.

The Stomp is on Saturday October 5 from 11am to 4pm. All ages can attend. Those 21 and older require a ticket.

5561 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Santa Rosa, 415-577-8552. Tastings by appointment. 

ACORN Winery

September and October are great times to visit ACORN, a small vineyard tucked away in the Russian River Valley, according to Betsy Nachbaur, who owns the farm with husband Bill.

“The grapes are ripe enough to taste good, and if at all possible my husband likes to take families for a vineyard walk, to taste grapes, see owl houses, and maybe a jackrabbit or two.” Betsy says.

“We are totally ‘kid friendly’, and more importantly, welcoming to families with children. First of all is our attitude: we attempt to convey a sense of welcome to all of our guests, not just wine tasters!

“For the youngest (and their parents) we have a changing table in our restroom. For older children’s’ indoor amusement, we have Lego, crayons (and paper), and for outside engagement, balls and cornhole. As our tasting room (a converted garage) opens to the outdoors, older more independent kids (with their parents ‘ok’) can freely explore the vineyard, try to catch lizards, and climb the hill.”

Tastings are by appointment only, one group at a time, so families needn’t worry about their children disturbing others, Betsy adds.

Reservations for tastings can be made on ACORN’s website. When you sign up you will be asked for credit card information, but not be charged. This is the time to add a note of your children’s ages.

12040 Old Redwood Highway Healdsburg, CA

For more information or to make an appointment, call 707 433 6440.

Landmark Vineyards

Nestled in the Sonoma Valley, Landmark has agricultural pedigree: it was founded in 1974 by a group including Damaris Deere Ford, the great-great granddaughter of John Deere. 

During the summer and until October 6th, Landmark offers a unique family activity: horse-drawn carriage tours through the estate, led by third-generation farmer, Pat Prather. The tour includes Sonoma wine history as well as winemaking techniques and viniculture practices.

Tours are available every Saturday between May 5th and October 6th between 12pm-3pm, no reservations required.

Landmark is holding its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday October 5, from noon until 3pm, including BBQ, fall released wines and live music. Tickets are available on the website at $60 each.

101 Adobe Canyon Road
Kenwood, CA 95452
Hours: 10am to 5pm, daily
707 833 0053

Preston Farm and Winery

Bring your lunch, Preston Farm and Winery is the perfect spot for a picnic. Or forget, and buy some fresh-baked bread, pickles and olive oil from the farm shop. Not only is everything in the shop made on site, all the ingredients are grown here too.

I can attest the organic and biodynamic wine here is excellent and after your tasting, you can take a walk through the beautiful gardens. Kids will enjoy visiting the farm animals and spotting the cats snoozing in the sunshine.

The owners, Lou and Susan, have embraced a traditional approach to viniculture, which has led them to replace herbicides and pesticides with weeding and diverse planting. They also use traditional ways to process the grapes – replacing some of the machines with muscle.

Admittedly I am no wine expert but I thought they were delightful. 

No appointment needed, open 11am-4.30pm.
9282 West Dry Creek Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707 433 3372

Francis Ford Coppola

While the above vineyards should give you a taste of the smaller estates that often exclusively sell their bottles to upscale restaurants, Francis Ford Coppola is a household name.

Bringing a touch of old-school Hollywood glamour to the mostly conservative region, families can browse the movie memorabilia gallery before enjoying lunch and a swim. 

More of a resort than a vineyard, this is a fun place to visit and is totally welcoming to kids. For the full experience, renting out a cabine makes sense as you will have somewhere private to change and take a break from the sun.

Make your reservations online ahead of your visit ($40 for adults, $20 for kids for just the pool pass or $210 for a cabine reservation for four on a weekend).

Bocce and board games are also available free of charge to guests.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery is hosting a Halloween family event on October 27th. Find more details or make a pool reservation on the website.

300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville, CA 95441
Book a wine tasting, tour or pool pass: 707 857 1471

Beringer

California’s oldest continually operating winery, Beringer is a slice of Napa history. Kids under six are allowed to tag along on a 30 minute cave tour for free with adults who buy a $30 ticket (tasting included). The caves were hand-chiseled out of the hillside by Chinese laborers in the 1870s to create a place to store and age the wine.

On Saturdays during the Summer, and through to October 26th, Beringer hosts live music events, a perfect way to spend an afternoon in wine country.

Turn up for an informal tasting or book a tour on this historic property here.

2000 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 94574
Winery Hours: 10.00am – 5.30pm 

Sterling Vineyards

Sterling, founded in 1964, has grown to several estates dotted around Napa Valley. However, their Calistoga estate has the most unique family-friendly tasting experience – an aerial tram to the top of a hill!

Courtney Baldwin, spokesperson for Sterling, says: “Our Signature Experience is a nice outing for the entire family. Enjoy sweeping views of the valley from a very unique vantage point – Napa Valley’s only aerial tram.

“There are plenty of stunning photo opportunities along the way as you embark on a self-guided tour, getting a sneak-peak into our winemaking facilities and beautiful vista points.”

Tickets are $35 a person and include a tasting. Under 21 tickets are $20 and three and under go free.

The experience is one hour and reservations can be made online. 

1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515
Winery hours: 10am – 4:30pm

Where to stay

Geyserville, a small town in Sonoma, is a great base to explore the region. The town is tiny but punches well above its weight in terms of restaurants – check out Diavola Pizzeria – and has a low-key, relaxed atmosphere.

The Geyserville Inn is a family-friendly hotel with attached restaurant Geyserville Grille serving some excellent breakfast and dinner, plus an outdoor swimming pool.

Looking for more California adventures? Check out my posts on the Redwoods and San Francisco!

The post Kid Friendly Wineries in Napa And Sonoma appeared first on Tiny Trailblazers.

The Lost Coast is the romantic – but apt – name for a stunningly beautiful stretch of coastline along Mendocino and Humboldt Counties in Northern California. Unlike in Big Sur, where Highway 1 boldly clings to the towering cliffs above a thundering ocean, engineers decided this road would take an easier inland route, essentially cutting off the entire Kings Range region from civilization.

And so it was lost to all but the most intrepid travelers, those who were prepared to walk the three-day, 25-mile trail across sand and through surf. It is now the longest stretch of undeveloped Pacific coastline south of Alaska and feels about as remote as you can get in California.

I like my beaches wild and windswept, so of course I wanted to go. But with young children, I didn’t think we could carry everything we needed on a hike plus two kids. 

Fortunately, there are a few roads that lead to the Lost Coast, making it possible to car camp. And unlike other Californian campgrounds, they are never crowded, even in the summer peak times.

If you are planning your first camping trip as a family, I have a post on what to pack and what to expect when camping with a baby, including a checklist.

Mattole River Campground

3750 Lighthouse Road, Petrolia

At the northern end of the Lost Coast Trail is Mattole River Campground, at the mouth of the Mattole River. All you will find at this campsite are spots for your tent and car, a picnic bench, a fire pit and vault toilets. There is no drinking water, no showers, no store.

Camping is not directly on the beach – the campsite is behind the sand dunes. Although I would have enjoyed waking to an ocean view, the dunes do protect the site from the wind.

I was really struck by how quiet it was. There was no traffic noise at all, the only sounds were the birds and the ocean.

As this is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed campground, picking up driftwood from the beach for your fire is permitted. The kids really enjoyed this job, taking time to select the best logs on our walks for our evening campfire.

Our children are aged three and five, so we kept it simple: taking short walks, flying a kite and searching for shells. However, if you have older kids you could take the three-mile hike out to the abandoned Punta Gorda Lighthouse.

I have a guide on camping gifts for kids, if you need some tips on what to take camping to keep toddlers and children entertained.

Dogs are welcome at this site and the beach is the perfect place to let them have a good run. We don’t have a pooch ourselves but this is a great post with tips on tent camping with dogs.

No reservations are available. We went during the week and had no problem finding a spot but it may fill up on a weekend. If it is full, you can camp on the beach. The camping fee is $8, payable to a lock box.

Now the downside to this site – the road in! The campsite is at the end of 50 miles of winding, narrow, potholed, and at times, unpaved roads. It took us two hours from Garberville, the point where we left the 101 to go to the coast.

I strongly suggest you do this drive during the day and consider if your kids’ stomachs can hack it. There are also no stops for gas or food so make sure you have EVERYTHING you need before embarking on your journey.

We do not have a 4×4 and made it in our SUV but if you have a sedan you could take the road from Ferndale rather than Garberville, as it is apparently far better maintained.

A.W Way County Park

Miner Lane, Petrolia

Need slightly more in the way of facilities? The campsite at A.W Way County Park, Petrolia, is nearby but has coin operated showers, bathrooms and drinking water. Camping is $25 a night at this grassy, tree-fringed site. It is first come, first served but there are 30 spots so you it is unlikely you will be turned away.

The site gets you access to the Mattole River, where you can swim or paddle in the cool, slow flowing water. If you are hoping to swim, this might be a better base camp than at the beach, as the Pacific is pretty rough (and cold) for young swimmers.

Again, we did pass a small store in Honeydew, a short drive away, but I wouldn’t rely on this for your supplies. Make sure you grab everything you might need for your Lost Coast adventure before taking the road to Petrolia.

If you wanted to stay longer than a couple of nights in this area, I would stay here rather than Mattole River Campground.

Waillaki Campground

Chemise Mountain Road, Shelter Cove

At the southern end of the Lost Coast trail, just 15 minutes outside of Shelter Cove, is another car-accessible BLM site: Wailaki Campground. As with Mattole, there are no bathrooms or showers, or even drinkable water, so bring your own or a way of treating the water from the creek.

There are 13 sites here, each with a picnic table and fire ring. No reservations are available and the fee is $8.

Wailaki Campground is in a shady location in the forest with a creek running through. Black Sand Beach is a short drive away.

We didn’t make it to this one, so I can’t give you a review! However, I found this blog post helpful so take a look if you want to stay here. With it being close to Shelter Cove, I would recommend arriving early in the day to make sure you get a spot.

To find Wailaki, take the 101 to Redway, go west 22 miles on Briceland/Shelter Cove Road, then south two miles on Chemise Mountain Road.

Usal Beach Camp

Usal Road, Mendocino

The most remote and primitive of the car camping sites on the Lost Coast is Usal, in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, Mendocino. We didn’t camp here because I was concerned about whether our car could make it – there is very little information available online about this place! 

However, I talked to a Park Ranger who camps here regularly and he reassured me it is passable during the summer months and he thought our SUV would be fine.

It’s actually only six miles from the highway on a gravel/dirt track. We certainly intend to try camping here and will report back when we do!

The Ranger I spoke to said this camp is right on the beach and absolutely stunning.

There are fire rings and pit toilets, but no potable water or anywhere to leave your trash – you will need to pack in and pack out.

There are no reservations available but with 25 campsites and the difficult road, I cannot imagine you would need one.

Bring more water and food than you need – if a fallen tree or fire blocks Usal Road, you will be stranded in the wilderness until it is cleared!

Usal Road is 13 miles north of Westport or 14.5 miles south of Legget on Highway 1. There is no fee.

A word on wildlife

The Lost Coast is undeveloped, which means there is plenty of wildlife to spot. Look out for Roosevelt elk, bears, sea lions, eagles and whales while you are here! Be aware that bears are hungry and very intelligent – they will find a way into your car unless your food is stored in an air-tight container. Never leave any food in your tent and make sure there are no scraps of food around your campsite.

The post Car Camping On The Lost Coast appeared first on Tiny Trailblazers.

California’s Redwood trees are world-famous for being the longest-living and tallest in the world. Unique to Northern California and southern Oregon’s coast, these ancient giants are a must-see for families visiting this region.

Fortunately, there are plenty of fun, family-friendly ways to enjoy the Redwoods, whether hiking in, riding over, driving under – or even taking a steam train.

Why visit the Redwoods?

Redwood forests are nature’s cathedrals. On entering, slow down and appreciate the silence, the cool air and the dimmed light. It is somewhere you can take a deep breath of clean air, relax and just be in the moment.

And if you think all this will be lost on your kids, there are always fallen trees to climb, hollowed trees to climb into and wildlife you won’t get anywhere else in the world: ever seen a bright yellow banana slug on a walk through the woods?

The Redwoods are easily accessible from San Francisco and the Bay Area. Or keep going and make them the focus of a road trip up the Northern California coast.

Check out this post from Road Tripping California for some California road trips inspiration.

Redwoods in Silicon Valley: Roaring Camp Railroads

The Santa Cruz Mountains did not have the shiny stuff but there was a still a kind of gold rush here. San Francisco needed lumber to build a city and the Coastal Redwoods were perfect – strong, insect and fire-proof – so they were felled in their thousands.

Roaring Camp was the railroad set up to transport the lumber down to Santa Cruz where it could be shipped out. Fortunately for us, Henry Cowell, who became rich from the trade, was persuaded by conservationists to buy and preserve the area before it was completely deforested. 

The steam train that used to haul lumber is now used to haul tourists. Take the train all the way to Santa Cruz or do the Redwood loop and chug lazily through the forest. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the history and ecology of this special area.

In the summer, Thomas the Tank comes to visit and at Christmas you can ride the holiday train. Check the website for special events throughout the year. 

After the train ride, take the stroller-friendly Redwood loop trail in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park where you will find several trees you can explore, inside and out! The best is the Fremont Tree, an enormous Redwood with a hollow so large the whole family can stand up inside.

Food is available at the onsite cafe and there is a small store selling snacks and souvenirs. 

How to get to Roaring Camp Railroads 

Roaring Camp Railroad is easily accessible by car from Highway 17, a two-lane mountain road that connects Santa Cruz with Silicon Valley. Take it easy on this road, it is notorious among locals for accidents when drivers take the sharp bends too fast. Stick to posted speed limits and stay alert!

Before leaving, check out nearby Ben Lomond, a charming mountain town. Grab a picnic at the market or stay for lunch at local gem, Italian restaurant Casa Nostra. 

Muir Woods: Old-growth forest near San Francisco

Named for naturalist John Muir, the Muir Woods National Monument is the closest Redwood forest to San Francisco, just across the Golden Gate Bridge. The main trail is a boardwalk, perfect for strollers. Families can walk the half-mile loop or the longer hour-long loop through the forest. Both trails start from the visitor center. For families with older kids (or back-carriers), the visitor center can point you in the direction of longer dirt trails.

Before heading off on a a trail, go to the Visitor Center and ask for an activity book if you have a six-year-old or older, so your children can be sworn in as a Junior Ranger. It’s a fun way to learn about the forest and there is a badge as a reward.

Muir Woods is special because there are some old-growth trees here: pre-gold rush, the Pacific coast was home to over two million acres of Redwood forest, which can live for up to 2,500 years. Once gold fever hit in the 1850s, almost all of it – 95%! – was cut down for lumber. Due to its inaccessibility, this area remained relatively unscathed. So unless you go into a basement of a San Franciscan Victorian, you need to go here to see trees older than 150 years old in the San Francisco area.

How to get to Muir Woods

You can either park at the Muir Woods car park with a ticket reserved in advance (you will be turned away if you don’t have one and don’t rely on ordering one on your phone at the car park, there is no cell coverage!) or park offsite and use a shuttle.

If you want to buy a parking ticket, make your reservation here and make sure you arrive during your reservation window. Once you park, you can stay until closing.

There are three park and ride sites, one in Mill Valley and two in Sausalito. If you are using public transport in San Francisco, it is very easy to take a ferry from the Ferry Building over to Sausalito.

San Francisco looks great from the water and you will see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge on the ride over. If you are feeling active, combine Muir Woods with cycling over the bridge!

If you are staying in the city, check out my post on things to do in San Francisco with kids.

Redwoods Empire

If you drive north out of San Francisco and keep going up the California coast, you will find yourself in the Redwood Empire, a mysterious land of fog and giant trees. The Redwood Empire is made up of several state and national parks along Highway 101, and this is where you will find the oldest and biggest trees.

It feels almost prehistoric up here and it’s easy to imagine you have slipped back in time as you drive by dripping ferns, shafts of sunlight piercing the dense canopy to illuminate the shifting fog. 

Trees of Mystery

Around Klamath, just across the border from Oregon, is the unique Trees of Mystery, a kind of Redwoods theme park. The admission fee gets you an interpretive trail with some good information about the trees and interesting sculptures, but the highlight is the gondola ride. After staring up at these trees, it’s good to get a different perspective and truly appreciate just how tall they are as you glide quietly above the forest. 

There are three trails, with the longest at one mile, so all easy to walk with young children. It’s a good place to learn about the trees and also Paul Bunyan, the legendary logger who stands 49 feet tall outside the entrance.

Avenue of the Giants

Humboldt Redwood State Park has the largest old-growth Redwoods forest in the world and you can see beautiful and unique trees here. Drive through via the Avenue of the Giants, a scenic 31-mile stretch of road parallel to the 101 freeway.

There are lots of good places to stop and admire the trees. Founders Grove is a great spot as you can check out the Dyerville Giant – an enormous fallen tree. Seeing a Redwood from this perspective really brings home just how big they are! 

The Eternal Treehouse is another good spot for kids. There is a cafe and gift shop, as well as the treehouse itself, which is a hollowed out tree with a door, and totally somewhere fairies could live.

If you want to sleep among the Redwoods there are 250 campsites in the park. We preferred to sleep indoors and stayed at the cozy (and affordable) Miranda Gardens Resort in Myers Flat.  

Drive-through trees

There are three drive-through trees in Northern California: Chandelier Tree in Mendocino County, Shrine Tree in Humboldt County and Klamath Tree in Del Norte. If you want to combine a visit to the Avenue of the Giants, Trees of Mystery and a drive-through tree, Shrine is the closest.

Drive through carefully – there is not a lot of room – and have someone walk in front to take your pictures. Be aware, larger cars may not fit. Our crossover SUV made it and so did our other group’s car, an Infiniti. As long as your car can fit into a compact space you should be fine. Entrance fee is around $8.

If you are based in San Francisco, Chandelier Tree is slightly closer at 3.5 hours driving time. All three trees are privately owned and charge an entrance fee.

Whatever your travel plans for Northern California, make sure you include a trip to the Redwoods in your itinerary – they are not to be missed!

The post California Redwoods With Kids appeared first on Tiny Trailblazers.

San Francisco has a reputation for not being the most child-centric city to live in, with more dogs than children. As a visitor, however, its small size, mild weather and fun attractions actually make San Francisco with kids the perfect place to spend a day.

Morning

Start the day right with a Morning Bun and a coffee at Tartine, 600 Guerrero Street, before it gets too crowded. By lunchtime on a weekend, there are lines around the block for this neighborhood favorite. Let the kids enjoy the playground at Dolores Park and take a few snaps of city from the top of the hill, before catching a tram to your next stop – one of San Francisco’s unique museums. The challenge is to choose one…

Museum of Ice Cream

Catch the J tram from Dolores Park to Powell Street and visit the Museum of Ice Cream on Grant Avenue at Union Square, which describes itself as an “immersive theatrical experience” and includes tastings. MOIC is $38 a ticket, with children under two free. EDIT The Museum of Ice Cream is currently closed but another exhibition is in town – check out the Immersive Vincent Van Gogh experience at SVN West San Francisco, 10 South Van Ness Avenue. Tickets start from $39.99 for adults.

Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory located in the Macy’s at Union Square is a fun experience, with great views of the area. Alternatively, cross Market Street for Super Duper Burgers, which are genuinely super duper.

Exploratorium

Get the J tram all the way to the Embarcadero, where you can either change to the F or walk to Pier 15. The Exploratorium (open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, adult ticket $29.95, child 4-12 $19.95 and children under 3 free) is a collection of interactive science and art exhibits. All 650 exhibits are hands-on and a lot of fun. For lunch, check out the Ferry Building, home to an enticing assortment of food stalls and restaurants.

California Academy of Sciences

Before leaving Dolores Park, pick up lunch at Tartine or Bi-Rite market next door as options at Golden Gate Park are slightly limited. Catch the J to Church and Duboce then the N west to 9th and Irving, where you walk into Golden Gate Park. With animals, a rainforest, an aquarium and a planetarium, California Academy of Sciences is a unique natural history museum located within San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Park. Open Monday-Saturday 8.30am to 5pm, $35.95 for adults, $30.95 for 12-17 year-olds, $25.95 for 4-11 and free for children under 3. Golden Gate Park also hosts a carousel, a great playground and a lake with boats for hire. If you didn’t pack a picnic earlier, there is a good hotdog stand by the Carousel.

Afternoon

Baker Beach

If you have any energy left, you could check out Baker Beach, where you will find sand, fog, crashing waves and a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. In San Francisco, the closer you get to the ocean, the colder and duller it gets, so you will need to layer up. From Union Square, take the 38R bus to Geary and 25th, then the 29. From the Ferry Building, take the number 1 bus. From Golden Gate Park, take 5R to Fulton and 25th, then the 29.

Cable Cars

San Francisco’s cable cars are also a fun way to spend an afternoon. You can get the California line from near Golden Gate Park or the Ferry Building, or the Powell Hyde line from Union Square. The Powell-Hyde line is a popular route as it meanders through some beautiful neighborhoods, including Lombard Street, famous for being the “crookedest street in San Francisco”. This line terminates in Fisherman’s Wharf, which is a bit of a tourist trap but is worth checking out for the sea lions, which hang out at Pier 39.

If you have older kids…

…then get a ferry to Alcatraz for a day out. Book online at least one month in advance and be on time, as you won’t get another chance if you miss your ferry! Alternatively, and if your family enjoys cycling, hire bikes from the Ferry Building and cycle around the Embarcadero, through the Presidio and over the Golden Gate Bridge. You will get to see some of San Francisco’s prettiest neighborhoods and experience the city’s famous bridge up close. On the other side, spend an afternoon in Sausalito, before heading back on the ferry to San Francisco. There are many great places to eat on the waterfront.

Getting around

Public transport in San Francisco consists of the Muni (trams, buses and cable cars) and the BART (underground train). You can buy a single ticket on board the Muni from the driver ($2.50, 4 and under free) but you must have the exact change. A day pass for the Muni costs $12 on the app MuniMobile, $15 on a Clipper card (including the $3 fee for the card) or $23 for a paper pass. These can be purchased at ticket kiosks, found at most of the major stops. If you are visiting for more than a day, check out CityPASS, a discount card you can buy that includes a 3-day Muni card plus entrance to two museums, an aquarium and a bay cruise.

Where to avoid

San Francisco is a fairly safe city but has some serious social issues including a large and visible homeless population, in part a victim of its own success as tech money pushes house prices beyond what many can afford. It’s often a shock to visitors unused to seeing such poverty amid such obvious wealth, and it seems worse in this city because many of those living on the streets do so right in the center, an area known as mid-market. So if you want to stay right in the center, in Union Square, you’re probably going to see SF’s unpretty side.

Public transport is the easiest way to get around but if you have a car, just DO NOT leave anything on display. Stick to parking garages, which are a little safer.

The neighborhood known as the Tenderloin is best avoided altogether, so don’t wander down Ellis or Eddy Streets from Union Square. Not to say this area is all bad but its certainly one of the sketchier areas here. Union Square itself is fine, home to some of the glitzier hotels, shops and restaurants. At Christmas time, this is where you will find the big tree and an ice rink.

Where to stay in San Francisco

Newly-refurbished Hotel Nikko is conveniently located on Mason Street, just off Union Square. This luxury hotel features an indoor pool, gym, parking and is pet-friendly.

If you want to stay somewhere with some old-world San Franciscan charm, stay at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. The bar on the top floor is famous for its views and Martini menu.

Prefer to stay like a local? VRBO has listings for apartments all over the city. The area around Mission Dolores is good for families, with Dolores Park, a ton of great restaurants and close to the downtown.

Some people also warn tourists away from the Mission neighborhood but personally this is one of my favorite places in the city, with an incredible array of restaurants, bars, cafes and interesting shops. If you stay on Valencia Street you will be fine.

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