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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From frolicking in the Sierra snow to celebrating the SoCal sun, take advantage of the time off and plan your Thanksgiving getaway in California. Go ice skating in Yosemite, dress up for Holiday Tea in San Francisco or see a zoo lit up with a million lights in Palm Springs.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday November 25, and California also recognizes the following day as a holiday. Happy Holidays!

Yosemite

After seeing record crowds this summer, Yosemite has dropped its reservation requirement and is back to business as usual. The national park has already seen some snow this year, and thanks to a huge storm in October, the famous waterfalls are roaring back to life.

Temperatures are between 32 and 57°F and will get cooler as the elevation increases. Some of the roads will be closed, including Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road.

Depending on the weather, higher elevation trails such as Tuolumne Meadows may also be closed. On the plus side, it’s a great time of year to explore Mariposa Grove to see sequoias in the snow, and there are fewer crowds than in the summer months.

The ice skating rink at Curry Village opens this year on November 12. This open-air ice rink under the towering Half Dome has been operating since 1928, and families can warm up afterward with a hot chocolate by a fire pit.

Camping grounds are still open during the winter at Upper Pines and Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley. Alternatively, cozy up at family-friendly Yosemite Valley Lodge, which is located in Yosemite Valley.

Another popular place to stay is Tenaya Lodge, which is just outside of Yosemite but offers lots of fun family activities, including an indoor pool. 

If you are going as a larger group, Wawona is inside the park and only 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley. We stayed at the Pine Arbor Retreat, which can accommodate up to ten people. It had a big dining table, plenty of seating and huge windows to view the incredible surrounding landscape. This would be a great option if you’re planning to cook your own Thanksgiving dinner.

Tahoe

The ski season starts in Tahoe around Thanksgiving, with Heavenly planning to open on November 19. The major resorts of Heavenly, Squaw (recently renamed to Palisades) Alpine and North Star all have snow-making machines. South Lake Tahoe has already seen some snow this year, a welcome relief after the wildfires that threatened the area this summer.

Temperatures are similar to Yosemite at this time of year, somewhere between 31 and 52°F on average. It’s a great time of year to hit the trails without the crowds, or rent bicycles and cycle around the lake.

You can also take a kayak out, as Waterman’s Landing at Carnelian Bay offers year-round rentals. Prefer not to paddle? Go for a cruise on the MS Dixie, which is pretty much the best way to experience the lake (especially the sunset cruise).

For a winter adventure, Truckee Ice Rink plans to open on November 20 this year.

I love to stay in Tahoe City, where there are plenty of cabins to rent on VRBO, and has a laid-back, small town feel. The Granlibakken or Sunnyside Lodge (the restaurant here is a local favourite) are my recommendations.

However, the big resorts in South Lake Tahoe and North Lake offer ski-lodge luxury if you like being closer to the action. Check out the Marriott Grand Residence in South Lake Tahoe, or the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe at Incline Village.

San Francisco

After a long lockdown, San Francisco is open again – but you will need a mask and show proof of vaccination for indoor activities. San Francisco is famously a foodie city, so it’s the perfect destination for a Thanksgiving feast. Temperatures are mild at this time of year, between 51 and 64°F.

This year, families have the choice of staying in or dining out. Presidio Social Club offers a turkey feast with all the trimmings, ready to eat, for pick-up on Thanksgiving. 

The Fairmont is hosting a Thanksgiving buffet at Laurel Court and from November 26, a special Holiday Tea. On November 27, the famous two-storey Victorian gingerbread house will be unveiled in the lobby, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Or head over to local’s favorite Tommy’s Joynt for a delicious turkey dinner, no reservations required.

On November 29, head over to Union Square at 6 p.m. for the annual tree lighting ceremony. You can also skate at the open-air ice rink, which is open again this year, from November 3.

For accommodation, recently-refurbished Hotel Nikko in Union Square has a pool, private parking and is centrally located. Or head to the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, which is full of San Franciscan charm and has Top of the Mark, a bar with the best views of the city.

If you prefer to stay like a local, VRBO has listings across the city. 

Santa Cruz

See California’s redwoods and spend time at the beach in Santa Cruz, the charming seaside city located one hour and thirty minutes south from San Francisco. November weather is between 44 and 65°F, which is good for hikes in the mountains.

Santa Cruz has some unique family adventures. Roaring Camp Railroads, an authentic steam train that takes passengers deep into the redwoods, is one of the oldest operating steam trains in the country. Take a trip to the summit of Bear Mountain, or a three-hour trip to the Santa Cruz boardwalk.

Another quirky Santa Cruz attraction is the Mystery Spot, where gravity doesn’t work quite as expected. Or take a hike out to Pogonip, where you can unexpectedly find a goldfish pond among the roots of a redwood on the Lime Kiln trail.

Stay at Dream Inn, an airy beachfront hotel with a pool, located right next to the boardwalk. 

Ventura

For a sunny seaside Thanksgiving, head to the central coastal city of Ventura. Get into the holiday spirit with some downtown shopping, play on the beach or spot humpback whales on a wildlife cruise – there is plenty to do here in November.

The weather is typically mild in November and although it may rain, temperatures are between 51 and 69°F, so warm enough to enjoy a bike ride or beach day.

If you’re looking for a relaxing Thanksgiving meal, the Four Points Sheraton in Ventura Harbor offers dinner at its restaurant. This is also a good-value accommodation option for Ventura, close to the Harbor Village.

Ventura is a good base to explore the central coast region. Santa Barbara is a 30-minute drive north, and the Santa Monica Pier is one hour 30 minutes along the coast to the south. Over Thanksgiving, the giant Ferris wheel will be lit up with an 80-foot turkey!

Aside from the Sheraton, the Ventura Beach Marriott is a good hotel for families. It is located near the pier, is within walking distance to the downtown and has incredible views. If you prefer to stay in an apartment, we stayed here and found it clean and kid-friendly.

Disneyland

What better way to celebrate the holidays than at the happiest place on earth? Disneyland dials up the magic during this time and the cooler weather is a bonus, if you ask me. Temperatures are typically between 52 and 74°F in November.

Of course, it’s going to be crowded, but the park is still limiting numbers due to the pandemic, so it won’t be as busy as usual this year. You will need to make reservations in advance, however, to make sure you don’t miss out.

The busiest days will be the days immediately after Thanksgiving, on the 26 and 27 November, so you might have a quieter experience on the day itself or earlier in the week.

Masks are required by everybody over the age of two indoors but it’s optional outdoors.

Before you buy tickets, check reservations are available on your preferred date here. 

You can get discounted Disneyland tickets from Undercover Tourist, but don’t delay – a price increase is coming soon.

I like the Howard Johnson Wyndham Anaheim for Disney stays. It’s cheap, cheerful, and most importantly, a ten-minute walk to the gates. 

Joshua Tree

Thanksgiving week is the perfect time to visit this iconic national park, when the temperatures fall to between 41 and 70°F. If you don’t mind cold-weather camping, stay in one of the park’s 500 sites, most of which can be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov.

During the day, scramble over rocks on the kid-friendly trails to Hidden Valley and Barker Dam. Explore early ranching history on a tour around Keys Ranch. Look out for wildlife, including big-horned sheep, desert spiny lizards and maybe a desert tortoise.

At night, cozy up under a blanket and enjoy the stars. Joshua Tree Park has some of the darkest skies in California, and in winter you will be able to see the constellations of Orion, Sirius, Gemini and Taurus. If you’re lucky, you will catch a shooting star or two as the Leonids meteor shower peaks from mid-November.

If you don’t want to camp, stay in nearby Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree or Palm Springs. For a whole Western vibe, check out Pioneertown Motel. About 25 minutes from the park’s entrance, this motel’s rustic exterior hides a chic interior. 

Or stay just four miles from the entrance at Twentynine Palms Fairfield Inn and Suites, which has an outdoor pool.

Palm Springs

The weather in Palm Springs in November is pretty perfect, between 52 and 79°F on average. If you’re craving some sunshine and pool time over Thanksgiving, Palm Springs doesn’t disappoint.

For a five-course Thanksgiving Feast, book a table at Grand Central. The bistro is offering a prix fixe menu, at $69 for adults and $35 for kids under the age of ten. Not a fan of turkey? Copley’s on Palm Canyon has a Thanksgiving menu that includes Scottish salmon and steak options along with the traditional roast.

See a million lights sparkle along to festive music at the Living Desert Zoo for Wildlights, the zoo’s annual holiday tradition. The light show starts on November 24 this year for the public and continues on the 26, 27 and into December.

As a treat, book a resort with its own waterpark. Omni Rancho Las Palmas has multiple water slides, pools, splash pads and, best of all, a lazy river. Or the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa, which has just opened a water park featuring dueling water slides, a lazy river, outdoor pool and splash pad.

San Diego

With its zoo, beaches and nearby Legoland, San Diego is perhaps the best family vacation destination in California. In November, the temperatures vary between 54 and 70°F, ideal for enjoying all the outdoor activities in this laid-back city.

The famous San Diego Zoo no longer requires reservations to visit, although masks are required for unvaccinated guests in indoor areas. It’s open on Thanksgiving and you can even have your dinner there, at Treetops restaurant.

On November 21, East County, San Diego, kicks off the holiday season with the 75th Annual Mother Goose Parade, featuring bands, floats, horses, and Santa.

Legoland is 30 minutes north of San Diego and the holiday season starts November 20. Check out the 30-foot Lego tree and life-size lego Santa!

For accommodation, the historic Hotel Del Coronado offers charm and luxury. It’s a Hilton property, so can be booked with points if you are a regular traveler. It’s set right on a beautiful beach and you can book your Thanksgiving dinner here too.

If you are traveling as a group, a rental home can accommodate everyone together. An oceanfront condo can cost as little as $300 a night.

Where are you headed this Thanksgiving? Are you seeking snow and cozy cabins or seeking the sunshine? Let me know in the comments!

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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!

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I really look forward to fall in California. It’s the time of year when the burning heat of summer dials down to a gentle simmer, the golden hills shine and the fog finally lifts from the coast. Take a night kayak tour on a sparkling ocean, welcome back the monarchs or hunt for spectacular foliage for a fabulous fall getaway!

Note: Unfortunately, October is also the peak of the wildfire season in California. Before planning a trip, check local conditions for air quality and avoid regions with fire completely, by using the links below:

Purple Air

CalFire Incident Map

Bioluminescence In Marin

If you are heading to San Francisco in October, take a side trip to Tomales Bay. This charming Marin County town is world-renowned for its oysters, which are harvested from the cool, clean waters of the bay.

In October, you can also catch a beautiful natural phenomenon on the water: bioluminescence. After sunset, Blue Water Kayaking will take you out on a three-hour kayak tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness the ocean glow bright blue under your paddle.

Blue Water Kayaking has a minimum age limit of 13 for public tours and ten for a private tour. All under 18-year-olds must be accompanied in a double kayak with an adult. For younger adventurers, the tour company suggests an overnight camping trip at the boat-in campground in Point Reyes. A shorter night-time excursion is included in the itinerary and children as young as five can paddle.

While you’re in the area, check out the lighthouse at Point Reyes and the cypress tree tunnel for a crisp fall morning hike. Stay at the fabulous Nick’s Cove in an over-water bungalow or the cozy Cottages at Point Reyes Seashore.

Return Of The Monarchs In Santa Cruz

Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz is a favorite rest stop for monarch butterflies journeying south on their epic west coast migration. Every year, between mid-October and December, the state park’s eucalyptus grove is packed with butterflies seeking a cozy spot to spend winter. 

By taking the boardwalk down into the canyon, you will find yourself surrounded by these entrancing creatures. The population peaks in late November but the colder it gets, the less likely they are to fly, so pick a sunny day if you want to see them in action.

Monarchs are probably the most-loved North American butterfly species, known for their spectacular orange color and migration, which is unique among butterflies. Western monarchs travel from Canada to southern California every year – a voyage so long, it takes several generations to complete.

Santa Cruz is a fun town to visit with kids, with beautiful beaches, the famous boardwalk, a real steam train to take you into the redwoods and an aquarium showcasing Californian marine life. If you are looking for somewhere to stay, Dream Inn Santa Cruz is centrally located and has a pool.

Sierra Fall Colors

The east coast may hog all the glory but you can see some pretty spectacular autumn color in California too. Although there is not much going on at the coast, you need only to seek out the higher elevations inland to find stunning landscapes of red, gold and green.

As an added bonus, many of these areas are cooler and less crowded after Labor Day, making fall an ideal season to visit the tourist hotspots of Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Napa Valley.

Higher elevations transform first, so try an eastern Sierras road trip down the 395 to Mammoth Lakes and Bishop mid-to-late September. Lake Tahoe’s aspens are beautiful in October, when the water is still just about swim-able. In Southern California, Angeles National Forest is a good place for an autumnal hike. 

Continuing into November, the grape vines in Napa Valley and Sonoma look stunning at this time of year. The cooler weather is also a good opportunity to take a dip in Calistoga’s hot springs.

For a real-time map of fall California foliage, visit California Fall Color, a website dedicated to tracking the changing foliage.

Whale Watching In Monterey Bay

In California, you can see whales all year round as the rich Pacific waters are favored by many different species. Fall is when the summer feeding season and winter migrating seasons overlap, so you have the opportunity to see humpback whales, blue whales and killer whales from a tour boat.

Dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and seals are also frequently spotted on whale watching cruises, rounding out these sea safaris.

September and October are good times to be on the water because the coastal fog that shrouds the coastline during the summer dissipates during fall, increasing visibility.

Several tour companies offer cruises of Monterey Bay, departing from Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz. Operators recommend booking a morning tour, when the wind is light and the ocean smoother.

If you are visiting Monterey, don’t miss the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium to learn more about the amazing wildlife found off-shore. Portola Hotel and Spa is located one minute from Fisherman’s Wharf and has private parking, so you can easily walk to all of Monterey’s attractions.

Star Gazing In Death Valley

Death Valley National Park has the highest recorded temperatures on earth – so best avoided during the summer months. However, the thermometer starts dropping in mid-October and reaches a pleasant 77°F average by November.

Aside from holding the temperature record, Death Valley boasts the lowest point in North America, beautiful sand dunes, interesting rock formations plus the remains of old mining operations to explore.

When the sun goes down, sit back and enjoy the night skies. The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) gives Death Valley National Park its highest rating for darkness, which means this is one of the best places in the world to view stars.

If you time your visit for December 13 and 14, you could catch the Geminids meteor shower, which is peaking on these dates this year.

There are several National Park walk-up campgrounds open from October 15 and one site where you can make an advance reservation, Furnace Creek. Panamint Springs RV Park is also inside the Park and has camping spots, plus motel rooms. 

What’s your favorite fall adventure? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Stunning Fall California Destinations For 2021 appeared first on Tiny Trailblazers.

Bodie, a Californian ghost town, might seem like an odd family day out but we were all excited as we rounded the last corner on the dirt road and entered the State Historic Park.

I felt as though we had swapped our family SUV for a DeLorean time machine, so little had changed since the inhabitants of the gold-mining town abandoned their homes and possessions over 50 years ago.

Although just five per cent of the buildings remain from this once-bustling town, what is left has been remarkably preserved in a state of “arrested decay”.

You get the distinct impression the owners might be back at any moment to reclaim their belongings – or, perhaps, as the temperature suddenly changes from searing heat to icy cold, they never really left.

If you are intrigued by California’s colorful gold-rush history, Bodie is a great family day out. Located just over two hour’s drive from South Lake Tahoe, you could do this as a day trip from Tahoe or as part of a Sierra road trip.

How much does it cost to go to Bodie?

The entrance fee is $8 per adult and $5 for children ages 4-17. Kids 0-3 are free. You can also buy a self-guided tour book for $3, which I would highly recommend to make the most of your visit.

As a state park, the town has not been overly commercialized and aside from a small gift shop in the museum, there is nothing to buy here, so be sure to pack a picnic before you come.

There are restrooms in the car park and a drinking fountain (however, this was boxed off when we visited in June 2021 – I am not sure if it is because of the drought or COVID, but bring plenty of water).

In the summer months, Bodie is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bodie is open in the winter too, but the snow means the road could be closed. Check the local weather before heading out there in the winter, or come with a snowmobile!

Is Bodie worth visiting?

Bodie is a real town, with homes, stores, a mine, a schoolhouse, bars and hotels… just without the people. It is a snapshot of a fascinating era gone by and anyone curious about what life was like in a frontier town during California’s gold rush should come and take a look.

If you love creepy abandoned building photography (yes this is a thing) I recommend getting to Bodie at opening time, before the crowds spoil your shot.

What happened to Bodie ghost town?

As with all mining towns, Bodie is a story of boom and bust. In 1859, prospectors W.S. Bodey and E.S. “Black” Taylor discovered gold in the high desert, 8,375 feet above sea level. Word spread and miners hoping to strike it rich headed to the area.

However, It wasn’t until the 1870s that Bodie’s population exploded, when the Standard Mining Company discovered a rich seam. By 1880, Bodie had a population of about 10,000 people – with more than 60 saloons and its own Chinatown.

The boom times at Bodie were short-lived. Mining became more difficult and by 1886, much of the population had left for more lucrative gold fields. A fire in 1932 destroyed most of the town and Bodie became a ghost town in the 1940s.

Bodey never saw the rise and fall of the town named in his honor. He died in a winter storm on a supply run in 1859.

The Bad Man of Bodie

Even among frontier towns, Bodie had a reputation as the wildest of the Wild West.

Gunfights were a regular occurrence within the town and highwaymen lay in wait for the stagecoaches laden with bullion in the hills outside. There were enough lurid incidences to keep five local newspaper busy, printing tales of murder and vigilante justice.

One of the more famous stories was of Joseph DeRoche, who danced with Thomas Treloar’s wife at the Miner’s Ball in the winter of 1881. After DeRoche left, Treloar followed him to the corner of Main Street and shot him in the head.

Although Treloar was quickly apprehended, he just as quickly escaped; apparently the Deputy in charge was too drunk to properly imprison his suspect. However, a vigilante mob quickly tracked him down and, the following morning, hanged Treloar in the same spot where the murder took place.

Killings were so commonplace in Bodie that the newspapers ran a report when an entire seven days passed without a single murder.

Despite the violence, brothels and dangerous work, miners raised their families in Bodie. Peer into the many homes and you will catch a glimpse of family life in the 19th century. The schoolhouse still has desks lined up neatly, with a lesson waiting on the board.

It was reported in one Sierra newspaper that a little girl, on hearing her family was moving to the town, said: “Goodbye, God, I’m going to Bodie”. Naturally, the Bodie editor claimed the child had clearly been misquoted; what she actually said was “Good, by God, I’m going to Bodie.”

Is Bodie family friendly?

Today, Bodie is a very family-friendly town. Head to the museum at the start of your tour and get a Junior Ranger worksheet from the ranger. Our kids loved finding all the answers as we walked around and were delighted to receive their badges after completing their project.

The history of the town is not presented in a lurid way and only one murder makes it into the guided tour. The scariest thing is the possibility of a rattlesnake lurking in the tall grass, although we only saw an adorable Pika.

Bodie is fairly stroller-friendly, with flat, gravel paths throughout the town. It’s also reasonably wheelchair accessible, although you may need to drive to certain sections – contact the park in advance to get the best experience. 

Bodie weather

The climate here is bizarre! We visited in mid-June and the weather went from cool, to searing hot, to rain and wind within three hours. Summer is the best time to visit, as there is no snow at least, so the road is clear. I do think the town would be beautiful in the winter, however – if you could get up safely.

Where to stay in Bodie

I recommend staying at Virginia Creek Settlement, a motel south of Bridgeport, just off Highway 395. It’s about as close as you can get to Bodie (no one is allowed to stay in the town), which means you can get up early and visit with fewer tourists around.

There is a Wild West theme, so we had fun exploring the grounds and the creek behind the motel. You can choose to stay in a regular motel room, in one of the rustic cabins or bunk down in a covered wagon.

I would love to stay in one of the cute wagons, but they only accommodate two people, and we were four. I chatted briefly to a guest staying in one and he said it was very cozy although he recommended taking a sleeping bag as it can get cold at night.

Instead I booked a cabin, which was very comfortable and we did not need to use the space heater provided overnight. The cabins have no bathrooms, so bear in mind you will need to use the communal bathrooms, just like on a campsite. It is also noisy with trucks roaring by, so if this bothers you, I recommend staying in one of the motel rooms.

Barbecues are provided on site if you want to bring your own food (or if you are fortunate enough to catch yourself a trout from the creek) but there is also a good restaurant. 

Around Bodie

Lake Tahoe is a two-hour drive north, or head further south on the 395 for just under an hour to the Tioga Pass and Yosemite National Park.

The ski resort town of Mammoth Lakes is also located approximately one hour south of Bodie.

The post Why Bodie Ghost Town Is A Perfect Family Day Trip 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.

Lake Tahoe is beloved by Californians, who return year after year to spend lazy summer days splashing in the clear waters and hiking through fragrant pine forests.

It’s perfect for outdoorsy families who like to be on the water, especially for those with small children who might find the Northern Californian surf too strong (and shark-filled) for paddling.

Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination. The ski resorts are buzzing in the winter and early spring, while hiking and boating is popular in the summer and fall. I have focused on summer activities for this post.

What part of Lake Tahoe is best for families?

On the Californian side, the areas are roughly split into South, West and North. There is really no area that isn’t suitable for families.

I like the West Lake area: being in the middle, it is a short drive to anywhere and Tahoe City has a laid-back vibe with plenty of great places to eat.

Sunnyside Resort and Lodge is a great place to stay, and the lakeside restaurant is a locals’ favorite.

VRBO is another great place to find accommodation, as you can often find an entire home for the price of a hotel room. This Tahoe City cabin has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a real log fire and access to a private beach for an average of $200 a night.

If you want to stay close to some of the more famous beauty spots, South Lake is a better base but it is also a little busier with casinos and bars.

Check out The Landing Resort and Spa or Edgewood for a luxurious stay in a very convenient lakeside location.

North Lake Tahoe has some of the best beaches, with wide, sandy shores and stunning views over the lake. It is also fairly quiet.

The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is ideal for families staying in this area. It has two heated outdoor pools, fire pits for roasting marshmallows and a private beach.

A short drive inland from the lake is Truckee, a vibrant mountain town with great restaurants and shops. Truckee is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a slightly less “touristy” Tahoe experience.

Although you won’t be right on the lake, this cute cabin near Truckee’s downtown is steps from the river.

What is there to do in Lake Tahoe for families?

Lake Tahoe is all about the outdoors: hiking, swimming, boating, cycling and after all that, enjoying a well-earned sunset cocktail on a restaurant deck.

I highly recommend spending half a day navigating the Truckee River on a raft: drifting down the river is the perfect way to stay cool on a hot day and there are a few rapids to keep things interesting.

Rent a raft from Truckee River Rafting, including life jackets and a ride back to Tahoe City, for a three-hour trip along the river. Under fives are free but under two-year-olds are too young for this activity.

Watch out for the geese – one of them bit our daughter!

For adventurous kids aged five and up, check out Tahoe Treetops Adventure Park, an outdoor ropes course where you can climb, swing and zipline your way through the forest. There are challenging courses for adults and easier ones for the whole family.

A fun lake activity is to hike down to Emerald Bay, rent a kayak and paddle out to Fannette Island not far from shore. Children can kayak but they must be over the age of three. More details on this hike are below.

Best Lake Tahoe hikes for families

Emerald Bay Sate Park

Stroller friendly: Yes, with a sturdy model
Distance: Two miles there and back
Trail start: Vikingsholm car park

Emerald Bay State Park, 12 miles north of South Lake Tahoe, is reached from the Vikingsholm car park ($10 parking fee) by a winding downhill trail. Once you are by the lake, you can explore Vikingsholm, an intriguing Scandinavian-inspired mansion, take a kayak to Fannette Island, or simply relax on the sandy beach.

One drawback to this area: it is very crowded. You will not get a car parking spot after 9 am during the summer. There is road parking but this too will be full after 10 am.

For families with small children, the one-mile hike to the beach is enough, especially if you are lugging all your swimming gear. The trail is wide and the incline is not too steep, so a rugged stroller is possible. A comfortable carrier might be easier, however, especially for the uphill return trip.

If your kids can handle a few miles of walking, the lakeside trail is flat and shady, perfect for all ages.

From Vikingsholm, follow the signs to Lower Eagle Falls, an easy trek through the forest to a waterfall. The trail continues, offering beautiful lake views as a reward.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds, pick up the Rubicon Trail from the beach and head away from Vikingsholm. Keep an eye out for the majestic Bald Eagles that circle overhead and make their nests in the pines.

Cascade Falls

Stroller friendly: No
Distance: Three miles
Trail start: Bayview campsite

Another great hike in this area can be found across the road from the Vikingsholm car park, at the Bayview camping ground, to Cascade Falls. Park at the entrance and trek through the campsite to the far side, where you will head over a ridge and immediately want to get out your camera for the view of the lake.

This out-and-back hike is rocky and narrow at times, so make sure you all have good shoes. Our kids managed this at four and six but I think it would have been do-able with a carrier for younger children.

The trail heads away from the lake up towards Cascade Falls, where the path opens up to a granite plateau. Take a picnic and check out the creek, where you can paddle in the shallow water.

Keep a close eye on the kids, as there are no barriers at any point. Stick to the lakeside trails if you are anxious about your kids’ safety on what is a fairly rugged mountain hike.

Dolder Nature Trail

Stroller friendly: Partially (to the beach)
Distance: 1.5 mile loop
Trail start: Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

My other favorite family hike is in Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. The large parking lot offers plenty of spaces, so there is no need to turn up early. The Dolder Nature Trail is a 1.5 mile loop that starts out paved and becomes sandy as you go deeper into the forest.

It is an easy, flat trail that begins and ends at the sandy beach, where you can take a cool dip after your walk. As you meander through the Sugar Pines that are the park’s namesake, look out for the logs and branches neatly piled – they are part of the controlled burns that take place here in an effort to mitigate the region’s devastating wildfires.

The park also holds Junior Ranger events here in the summer, so kids should look out for an opportunity to earn themselves a badge.

Balancing Rock Nature Trail

Stroller friendly: No
Distance: 0.5 mile loop
Trail start: D.L Bliss State Park

This is a sweet trail for kids, with a surprise at the end! Take the easy, half-mile loop located in D.L Bliss State Park, between South and West Lake Tahoe. There is some uphill and the trail is rocky, but it is not long and should be do-able with toddlers.

Round a corner and there it is – a cool geological phenomenon, or a dinosaur, depending on how you look at it. You can combine this walk with a trip to the beach, which is located at the bottom of the hill, through the campsite. There is parking at the end but I suggest you get there early in the summer (like 9 a.m. early) as there are limited spaces.

How to get to Lake Tahoe

From San Francisco International Airport, the drive is 200 miles, or around three hours and 20 minutes. If you can fly into Sacramento International Airport, the journey is more like two hours by car.

If you are looking for more Northern California summer adventures with kids, check out Yosemite with kids or try these kid-friendly Sonoma wineries.

The post Epic Things To Do In Lake Tahoe This Summer With Kids 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.

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.

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