Travel

The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most cosmopolitan and progressive cities in the United States. Founded in 1776, the “city by the bay” has grown at a feverish pace ever since. This enigmatic area of California has a rhythm and beauty unlike any other. Full of incredible restaurants, shopping, outdoor recreation and brimming with history, culture and breathtaking architecture, San Francisco and its surrounding cities are a fantastic place to visit for families. Here are just a few of the many wonderful things to do if you get the chance to take a trip north to visit. Many of the activities are affordable or free! I guarantee that once you visit, you will leave your heart (or at least a little piece of it) in San Francisco!

Getting Around in SF The Bay Area’s excellent system of trains, trolleys and buses make getting around easy. Visit www.511.org for public transit information.

Alcatraz National Park
Ranger Station: 415-561-4900
Ferry Tickets/Reservations:
415-981-7625
www.nps.gov/alcatraz
Learn the colorful history of “The Rock!” Take the ferry to Alcatraz for a self-guided tour of the infamous prison. Hours vary—call first.

Aquarium of the Bay
Pier 39 at the Embarcadero
888-SEA-DIVE;
www.aquariumofthebay.org
Walk through 300 feet of tunnels to see marine wildlife from all angles! Kids will love to touch sharks and bat rays! The aquarium has a climate change exhibit and an amazing octopus exhibit! $16.95 for adults; $8.00 for kids.

Cal Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr.
Golden Gate Park
415-379-8000; www.calacademy.org
This entertaining site boasts a planetarium, rainforest, aquarium and museum. Tickets: $19 to $29.95. Kids 3 and under are free.

Exploratorium
415-561-0399
www.exploratorium.edu
The famous Exploratorium showcases the coolest science projects known to man! Kids of all ages will have fun while learning through art and science. Free parking. Tickets: $10–$15.

The Wave Organ
1 Yacht Rd., San Francisco
415-561-0360;
www.exploratorium.edu/visit/plan_your_visit/wave_organ/
Acoustic structures over San Francisco Bay. Walking distance from Exploratorium.

Golden Gate Park Children’s Playground and Carousel
MLK and Bowling Green Drives Golden Gate Park
415-831-2700
www.golden-gate-park.com/index.php/attractions/childrens_playground
Newly renovated, this free park is sure to please kids of all ages! Amazing play structures, gigantic slides, climbing wall and a magical carousel are just a few of the many fun things to do here! Pack a picnic because you won’t want to leave. Carousel tickets $.50–$1.50.

Golden Gate Park Buffalo Paddock
John F. Kennedy Dr., in the northwest corner of the park
415-831-2700
www.golden-gate-park.com/index.php/attractions/buffalo_paddock
Buffalo in San Fran? You bet! Since the 1800s, these animals have called Golden Gate Park their home. Free.

Bonus Attractions:
Don’t forget the Cable Car Museum, Walt Disney Family Museum, Fisherman’s Wharf, the sea lions on Pier 39, Lombard Street, Coit Tower, Angel Island, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum and the San Francisco Zoo, Discovery Kingdom Solano County and Old Faithful Geyser of California in Calistoga.

North of the City

Jelly Belly Factory
1 Jelly Belly Ln., Fairfield
1-800-9-JELLYBEAN
www.jellybelly.com
Learn the secrets of its famous jellybeans! Free tours operate daily from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The 40-minute tours start every 10–15 minutes. Gift shop. 

Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory
3810 Cypress Dr., Petaluma
1-800-429-4549
www.mrsgrossmans.com
Tours last an hour and include an art activity and a visit to their famous sticker museum. Tour tickets: $3. Tours Monday–Thursday by reservation only.

Bonus Attractions:
Don’t forget to check out the Oakland Zoo and Children’s Fairyland!

South Bay

California’s Great America
4701 Great America Pkwy.
Santa Clara
www.cagreatamerica.com
Theme park with tons of fun attractions. Live music, thrill rides, kid’s rides and Planet Snoopy! Tickets are $54.99. Check website for seasonal hours.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Tide Pools at Half Moon Bay
California Ave. off Highway One at Moss Beach
650-728-3584
www.fitzgeraldreserve.org
Some of the most famous tide pools in the world are found in Half Moon Bay. Check tide tables for low tides. Tours available.

Cantor Arts Center on Stanford University
Museum Way, Stanford
650-723-4177
http://museum.stanford.edu
See breathtaking artwork such as the Rodin exhibit, exquisite watercolors, oils, indoor and outdoor sculptures. Visit the Cool Café while you are there and stop by the bookshop. Free.

Winchester Mystery House
525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose
www.winchestermysteryhouse.com
Secret passageways, odd stairs and 160 rooms in this allegedly haunted home once owned by Sarah Winchester (the rifle heiress) offer creepy thrills to visitors. Be careful on your tour … you could get lost! Tickets range from $25–$55.

Bonus Attractions:
Don’t forget to check out the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose and the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

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Autumn Johnson is a longtime fan of San Francisco, a freelance writer and mom of two young children.

The next time you load the family in the car for a drive down the Interstate, don’t forget your passports. Your Passports to Your National Parks, that is.

Talk about bargain souvenirs, some 390 sites administered by the National Park Service (NPS) issue free self-service “passport cancellations” which record the location and date of your visit. The rubber stamp imprints resemble international port of entry stamps.

Passports are easy to obtain. You don’t even need a birth certificate. Most NPS visitor centers sell the spiral-bound 6 x 3.5 inch passports and a special “Kids’ Passport to Your National Parks Companion” is designed to enhance youngsters’ NPS and passport experiences. (That is strictly a companion guide, not a kids’ version of the passport.) You may also purchase passports and companion guides via the Internet or mail order directly from Eastern National, an organization that supports the national parks.

Besides famous preserves like Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Great Smoky, NPS also oversees historic sites across the 50 states and US Territories. Therefore, history buffs treasure parks passports as much as nature-lovers. For example, Federal Hall at the foot of Wall Street where George Washington took the oath as our first president is one of a dozen passport cancellation sites in and around New York City. After snapping your photo alongside George’s statue, hop on a subway and head up to 28 East 20th Street for another cancellation at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site. No surprise that visitors to Washington, D.C. will find 17 passport venues.       

While the cancellation stamps are free, they can only be obtained in person at NPS sites. However, parks aficionados can augment their passports by purchasing sets of stickers (think oversized postage stamps), which may be obtained by mail or at NPS visitor centers. Each year NPS issues a new “national” sticker and one sticker for each of its nine geographic regions. Sets from past years are also available for purchase. The passport includes separate spaces for cancellations and stickers.

Non-NPS sites are getting into the act. Chimney Rock, once a signpost for covered wagons in western Nebraska, falls under the auspices of the Nebraska State Historical Society. So many visitors sought passport cancellations that the Society set up a cancellation station. Likewise, some local Chambers of Commerce in historic areas offer their own stamps. Occasionally NPS locations feature additional imprints to go with the standard round date and location imprint. For example, visitors to Mount Rushmore will find a stamp of the four commemorated presidents besides the standard cancellation.

Some sites offer more than one stamp. Lowell National Historic Park in Massachusetts, which chronicles the coming of the Industrial Revolution to New England mill towns, offers a different stamp at each of its three ranger stations. Gargantuan parks offer separate cancellations for each visitor center. Yellowstone has a special Old Faithful cancellation. Stamps commemorating geographically expansive sites such as the Oregon Trail or Pony Express extend across NPS outposts in several states.

Family members can keep their own individual passports or can share a single collection. Regardless, these souvenirs are lots of fun! What’s more, net proceeds from passport sales go to the National Parks Service.

For further information, including NPS locations, or to obtain a passport or regional stickers by mail, call Eastern National Toll free 877-628-7275 or go to www.eparks.com.

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W.E. Reinka is a father of two who is preparing for a family road trip to gather Parks Passports stamps in the Southwest.

Published: June 2010

St. Louis, the Gateway City, teems with memory-making attractions that will appeal to kids of all ages as well as their parents. The best part: Many are free.

Gateway Arch and downtown
A trip to St. Louis would not be complete without a stop at the 630-foot Gateway Arch. Even though the Arch and its grounds are currently undergoing renovation, the tram to the top of the monument, which offers a panoramic view of the city and the Mississippi River, remains open. Stop at the base of the Arch for a family photo before you venture to other downtown attractions. (Note that the Museum of Westward Expansion, located underground at the Arch grounds, may be closed for renovation during summer 2014.)

Youngsters will love downtown’s Citygarden, especially its massive spray plaza. The free two-block sculpture garden, vibrant as well as soothing, combines renowned sculpture with spectacular landscaping featuring native trees and plants. Stroll through the grounds; then rest in the shade while the kids explore and get wet.

Don’t let the simple name fool you. Downtown’s City Museum takes visitors on a dizzying tour that includes such not-to-be-forgotten exhibits as The World’s Largest Pencil, the Privy Museum and the Shoelace Factory. Kids will be captivated by seven-story and 10-story spiral slides. It’s almost impossible not to have fun in the 600,000-square-foot former shoe factory. That goes for adults as well as children.

Forest Park
The city’s beloved urban oasis is the perfect place to start a St. Louis visit. And the best place to begin an exploration of Forest Park is the world-class Saint Louis Zoo. Beautifully landscaped and tastefully arranged, the zoo is free. Fees are charged for a few attractions, including the Sea Lion Show and the Emerson Children’s Zoo, but rest assured that the main part of the zoo will keep your family entertained for many hours. New exhibits in 2014 are the Sun Bear Forest, Andean Bear Range and Painted Dog Preserve. No matter where you roam at the Saint Louis Zoo, expect to see animals at close range.

Forest Park is also home to the Saint Louis Science Center. The science center has free general admission, and its 700-plus exhibits will capture the curiosity of kids and adults alike. Younger children will especially enjoy uncovering dinosaur bones at an interactive dig site, watching a tornado form and experiencing an earthquake. Older kids may want to build and program a Lego® Mindstorms® robot. The whole family will marvel at a lifelike Tyrannosaurus rex.

The venerable Saint Louis Art Museum is another Forest Park freebie; so is the thought-provoking Missouri History Museum. If you want to leisurely survey the 1,293-acre park, rent bicycles for the whole family or rent a paddleboat and navigate the lagoon. Be sure to drift a little at Grand Basin and take in the breathtaking hilltop view of the art museum and the statue of France’s King Louis IX, for whom the city is named.

Botanical Garden and more
Missouri Botanical Garden is another family favorite  in St. Louis and one of the city’s brightest jewels. Young and old will appreciate features such as the world’s first geodesic-domed greenhouse, a plant maze, and a Japanese strolling garden, where visitors can feed large, colorful koi. The Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden offers hands-on learning about nature, plants and sustainability.

St. Louis’ Magic House turns learning into a magical experience. This nationally recognized children’s museum dubs itself a “special place where families can explore, pretend, discover, experience, play, construct and create together.” Kids will never forget touching an electrically charged ball that makes their hair stand on end, surrounding themselves with big bubbles and crawling through an earthworm tunnel. And that’s just for starters.

Climbing aboard a giant locomotive—and pulling the cord to ring its bell—is another adventure available in St. Louis, this one at the Museum of Transportation. The museum’s transportation collection, which the Smithsonian Institution calls “one of the largest and best,” includes trains, streetcars, horse-drawn vehicles, a riverboat, automobiles and airplanes. No matter if you measure three feet or six feet, you’ll feel like an ant when you walk among the Museum of Transportation’s 70 locomotives.

Grant’s Farm, ancestral residence of the Busch family (think Anheuser-Busch brewery), features quaint 19th-century German farm buildings; informative, entertaining animal shows; and tram rides through a wooded area that is home to rare wild animals. Admission to Grant’s Farm is free, although there is a parking fee.

Six Flags
End your family’s St. Louis vacation with a bang by visiting Six Flags St. Louis. The theme park’s new Tsunami Soaker, which arms riders with giant water pistols as they spin around in six-passenger boats, is just the thing for a warm summer day. Everyone, even onlookers, gets wet. Your whole group can fit into a covered gondola and ride the 180-foot Ferris wheel; the fearless in your family will want to experience Batman The Ride, where you’ll overturn many times in an almost-3,000-foot-long spiraling, looping track. If you have young children, head for Bugs Bunny National Park, where rides include Yosemite Sam Tugboat Tailspin and Elmer Fudd Weather Balloons.

Find more information about St. Louis, including places to stay, at explorestlouis.com.

Barbara Carrow is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting issues and travel.

Visitors to Santa Cruz on California’s Central Coast often shake their heads in wonder that anyone should be so fortunate to live in this college and beach town where the bumper stickers urge everyone to Keep Santa Cruz Weird, and the independent cafes—always full to overflowing—vastly outnumber Starbucks.

The weather is often so spectacular here that many visitors leave convinced that a cloud never casts a shadow across its skies. This town of 50,000 residents, located about an hour and a half south of San Francisco and over the coastal mountain range from Silicon Valley, is an outdoor playpen. Wedged between the ocean and the mountains, the real question is not should you come visit, but when.

In March, you can catch sight of whales—humpback, gray, blue and killer whales—as they migrate back up north through Monterey Bay. On a lucky day, it’s possible to see them from land. But if you want to hedge your bets, go out on a public or private charter.  Or trek about 15 miles up the coast on Highway 1 to watch the giant elephant seals mate at Ano Nuevo State Natural Reserve, site of the largest mainland breeding colony in the world.

Read more: Family Travel to Santa Cruz, CA

Just beneath its star-studded, concrete-covered surfaces, Los Angeles houses a deep and inviting well of cultural attractions and natural wonders. Pushing right up to the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and sprawling across the valleys and hillsides, the nation’s second-largest metropolitan city comes together to form one big destination filled with a colorful collection of neighborhoods and cool things for families to see and do.

To fully appreciate the scope of this diverse, sun lover’s paradise, explore its many facets in several trips, tackling a different theme with each visit. Here are three great weekends to get you started on an itinerary guaranteed to make you as well-versed in Angeleno culture as the locals.

Weekend #1—Movie Magic
When most people land in L.A., the first question is inevitable: “Do you ever see any celebrities?” Unless a gaggle of paparazzi happens to tip us off that Britney is in the building, we don’t usually notice them among us. But this tour offers some assurance that you’ll get to see a big-name star, even if it’s only on the silver screen or merely tracks left behind in cement.

A three- or four-day tour of Tinseltown should begin on Hollywood Boulevard at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. You can still catch a movie at this architectural wonder, which opened in 1927, but most visitors go to gawk at the stars’ footprints cemented into the sidewalk. Just up the boulevard at Hollywood and Highland, you’ll find shops, restaurants and plenty of star look-alikes (from Marilyn Monroe to Spiderman) mingling about. You can also check out the Kodak Theatre (home of the Academy Awards and several other performances), which offers guided tours.

If you stay on Hollywood Boulevard you can’t miss the twinkling lights of Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, a lavish, historic building that houses not only Disney movies and accompanying entertainment but also the Jimmy Kimmel Show, which tapes next door. For even more historic Silver Screens, amble just a bit farther east and south to Sunset Boulevard to the old Cinerama Dome and adjacent Arclight Theaters, one of which serves as a cinematic landmark for movie watching, while the latter rolls out the red carpet on luxuries, such as extra-cushy seating, access to a bar that serves martinis to go with your popcorn and assigned seats.

Schedule at least one day for delving into the mechanics of movie making at Universal Studios Hollywood. Aside from the heart-stopping rides, high-tech movie theaters (that include an IMAX screening room) and over-the-top eateries, Universal’s Backlot Tour is still one of the best ways to get a glimpse into the inner workings of movie and TV show making. While both hokey and historic—all in one fun-filled tram ride—the tour will still make you jump when the shark from Jaws rises up, or quiver during the simulated 8.5-magnitude earthquake. And production companies actually film movies and TV shows here, too, so look for familiar sets.

Top off a long weekend with a high-society side trip to Beverly Hills, where you can enjoy some window-shopping or “do lunch” at one of the chic restaurants that dot the boulevards. Opt for the city’s official trolley tour for a 40-minute guided view of celebrity homes and other landmarks. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (remember the Oscars?) is headquartered here, too. Check out the exhibitions and public screenings here, as well as up the street at the Paley Center for Media, where you’ll find events, guided tours and exhibits centered on all forms of media.

Weekend #2—Culture Shock
Despite L.A.’s reputation for celebrity antics and Valley girl vernacular, the City of Angels is a world-class art destination. First stop? Make it the Getty, one of the most highly regarded warehouses of art and antiquities in the world. The museum was established by businessman and art collector J. Paul Getty, whose legacy was to make art accessible for all. Free except for a parking fee.

You’ll find special storytelling, drawing and other events for kids that are designed to stimulate their interest in the art world. And with its open grounds and expansive gardens, the well-designed complex offers families plenty of space to stretch out and explore the travertine-covered galleries that house everything from precious manuscripts and sculpture to landscape paintings and decorative objects.

Plan to spend another day immersed in the halls of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which has a much different feel than the Getty. Here you could easily spend a day getting lost among works that range from ancient to very modern. Kids younger than 18 get in free, so pick up the Family Guide to help you navigate among the more than 150,000 pieces on exhibit here—there’s even a free children’s audio tour. Look for classes and lectures, too.

If your youngsters need a stretch after broadening their minds, indulge in the short stroll over to the La Brea Tar Pits, where, oddly situated among the modern-day buildings, is an actual lake of tar. Then duck into the George C. Page Museum to experience a bit of the Ice Age and check out the thousands of fossilized remains that have been excavated from the tar pits (from dire wolves to saber-toothed cats), which provide a fascinating geologic record of the area we now know as Southern California.

Reserve a day in your cultural tour to experience a completely different genre and trot over to the Autry National Center of the American West. Here you’ll learn not only about singing cowboy Gene Autry, who co-founded the museum, but also about all types of people who were part of the American West experience.

The top kid spot at the Autry center is the Family Discovery Gallery, where young explorers can learn what life was like for a Chinese-American family in the 1930s. Kids can play in the re-created restaurant, antique store and home while they dress up, play with props and entertain their parents. Buckaroos can also participate in gold panning or join one of the crafting or story time events. And there’s plenty for moms and dads, too, including the galleries that honor the cowboy culture and American Indians.

If you prefer your culture in small bites, L.A. is packed with several compact museums that allow you to get a big dose of art in a short amount of time. The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena has great collections and superb children’s programs. Or head downtown to enjoy a musical and architectural interlude at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry and home to the L.A. Philharmonic. Take a self- or docent-guided tour of the halls or Edna Disney’s rooftop garden. Also in the neighborhood is the Museum of Modern Art, as well as neighboring Chinatown and Olvera Street, home to some of the city’s most alluring shopping districts.

Weekend #3: Natural Wonders
Despite the oceans of concrete and asphalt, you’ll find several ways to catch a glimpse of L.A.’s more natural side. Check a local map for a veritable web of nature centers and trails if you like to get off the beaten path and into the footprints made by locals.

For a highly concentrated day of outdoor activities, fix your gaze upon Griffith Park, L.A.’s massive and thriving green belt tucked among the hills and houses of Silver Lake and Los Feliz (pronounced “Los FEEL-iss”). Here you’ll find facilities galore for biking, hiking, bird watching, swimming and even horseback riding, as well as miles of open space for picnicking, Frisbee-throwing and lounging.

You’ll also find a little slice of heaven for train buffs at Travel Town, which houses a museum of bonafide rolling stock, and a miniature train that takes passengers in a loop around the museum. The L.A. Live Steamers Railroad Museum nearby is also worth checking out, and rides on the 7-1/2”-gauge model train are offered on Sundays. The park shelters an old-fashioned carousel, built in 1926 and still going strong.

This lush sprawl is also home to the birds, mammals and reptiles who reside at the Los Angeles Zoo. Or explore the heavens at one of the real stars of the park: the Griffith Peak Observatory. This architectural landmark invites stargazers in for a telescopic look at the constellations or just to take in the planetarium, educational exhibits and sweeping views of the city. (Be sure to grab a bite at the Café at the End of the Universe, operated by star chef Wolfgang Puck.)

Plan another day around visiting one of the city’s public gardens. The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens feature not only some of the most splendiferous gardens in the country but also an extensive collection of early American and European artwork and manuscripts (Thomas Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy is exhibited here). The Children’s Garden is populated with plants just for kids, as well as other hands-on features, hidden nooks and a misty Rainbow Room that produces its own cloud forest.

Wrap up a nature-focused L.A. getaway with an expedition to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, where you can learn a lot about our local oceans and why we need to take care of them. Kids are naturally drawn to the Shark Lagoon, where you can stick your hands into the touch tanks to feel the slimy, sandpapery skin of the more than 150 sharks (Fridays, from 6 to 9 p.m., the pleasure is free). The aquarium is relatively compact, but allows for leisurely strolling—kids can join craft activities and special events to keep them feeling fishy. The cafeteria even offers an education in the types of seafood that are Earth-friendly; pick up the brochure when you enter the aquarium.

Leave the fishies behind to linger in Long Beach, which, of course, is also home to the legendary ship, the Queen Mary. The waterfront area is the place to catch a Ferris wheel ride or check out other recreational opportunities, such as whale-watch outings, boat rentals and fishing trips.

Plan to catch the sunset by zipping up the coast a few miles to a scenic trio of classic SoCal beaches: Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo.  Redondo Beach has its own SEA Laboratory, an education facility operated by the L.A. Conservation Corps, if you want to seek out more sea life. Or if you prefer some quiet time, settle in at either Hermosa or Redondo beach or the slightly more upscale Manhattan Beach. Spread out a towel, slather on some sunscreen and sit back to pursue a classic Southern California pastime—soaking up some sand, sun and surf.

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The following Websites might come in handy when planning a Los Angeles getaway:
• Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau – www.beverlyhillsbehere.com
• City of Beverly Hills – www.beverlyhills.org
• City of Manhattan Beach – www.ci.manhattan-beach.ca.us
• Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau – www.hbchamber.net
• Hollywood Chamber of Commerce – www.hollywoodchamber.net
• Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – www.visitlongbeach.com
• Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau – http://discoverlosangeles.com
• Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau – www.redondochamber.org

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Carolyn Graham is the Editor of L.A. Parent and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.
Photo by Carolyn Graham

Published: July 2009

Monterey is one of those wonderful reasons to visit California’s Bay Area. If you’re visiting San Francisco, you can make it in a day trip, or plan to stay for several nights.

It’s home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, pristine golf courses and breathtaking natural resources. Plus, it’s all set in a climate where even the most frazzled parent will stop and smell the intoxicating sea breeze rolling in from the bay.

For those traveling with kids, rest assured. Monterey is more than up to the challenge of entertaining every member of the family. My husband and I braved an overnight trip with our two girls, ages 1 and 2. There are nooks and crannies all over town that will give them ample opportunity to burn off steam.

There’s no one way to “do” Monterey, but here are our recommendations, depending on how much time you have to spend:

Day Trip
The Monterey Bay Aquarium, is a natural first stop, and it’s best to come early to beat the crowds. Located on the west end of Cannery Row, the aquarium has been entertaining millions of visitors since 1984 with more than 35,000 different marine animals and plants representing 550 species.

It can take two to three hours to fully explore the aquarium’s nearly 200 exhibits. One of the biggest draws is the million-gallon Outer Bay exhibit, which houses an array of open-ocean animals, such as tuna, sharks and stingrays. We happened upon it just before feeding time, which draws a large crowd of people morbidly curious about the fate of the unsuspecting feeder fish casually tossed into a tank of eager predators.

What makes the aquarium particularly family-friendly is its Splash Zone, which brings welcome relief to antsy infants, toddlers and parents longing for a well-deserved time out. A waterbed play area and play structures easily entertain, while a 40-foot-long touch pool satisfies a child’s need for hands-on experiences.

After the aquarium, you might be ready for lunch, and there are plenty of nautical/pirate-themed restaurants ready to ply you with their own “award-winning” version of clam chowder, often with free samples provided on the street.

If you simply need to decompress, check out the “jellyfish lamp” over the staircase of the main lobby of the Clement Monterey, the new Intercontinental Hotel located just steps away from the aquarium on Cannery Row. Created by San Francisco-based Effect Design, the soothing music and projected images of multicolored water reflections encourage families to sprawl and enjoy.

Since you’re in the heart of Cannery Row, you may be curious to explore the area’s sardine canning factories, which served as the setting for some of famed author John Steinbeck’s novels. Today’s Cannery Row, however, serves as little more than a venue for businesses seeking to cater to tourists hungry for food and useless trinkets. Through its Aquarium Adventures program, the aquarium does offer a 1.5-mile walking tour of the former sardine capital of the world for a group of six or more. It’s offered by appointment only (ask about fees when you call to make your reservation). It ends at Fisherman’s Wharf in front of the Monterey Maritime and History Museum, which co-sponsors the tour. The museum’s seven exhibit areas highlight the history of the Ohlone Indians, Spanish explorers, World War II and, of course, Monterey’s fishing business.

Before the sun dips below the horizon and it’s time to head back home, an excursion down 17-Mile Drive is well worth the admission fee to enter the road’s exclusive gates. (I've heard the fee is refundable if visitors spend at least $25 at any of the restaurants along the way, so be sure to ask!) A map is available by visiting www.pebblebeach.com.

This scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach will have your head whipping back and forth between breathtaking views of the Pacific and the area’s impressive mansions.

In addition to world-famous golf courses, there are lots of places to picnic and take inspirational pictures. Plus, it’s home to the Lone Cypress Tree. This legally protected symbol of the Pebble Beach community clings to an outcropping of rocks and is held in place with a series of cables and screws. It couldn’t fall into the sea if it wanted to, much to the delight of tourists busily angling for the best shot.

If you’re visiting between November and February, fans of butterflies will want to check out the nearby Monarch Grove Sanctuary, located near 17-Mile Drive on Ridge Road in Pacific Grove. Thousands of monarch butterflies spend winters in the grove’s wind-protected canopy. Docents (decked out in a variety of butterfly-themed clothing) are on hand to answer questions and set up telescopes for close-up viewing.

Overnight Trip
If you’re heading for a hotel instead of the highway, Monterey has a number of options, many with spa facilities to soothe cramped muscles. We decided to stay at Casa Munras, located at 700 Munras Ave. Built around the original hacienda of Spain’s last diplomat to California, we enjoyed a comfy, modern suite-style room that allowed our kids their own area to sleep and space for us to savor a bottle of wine from Monterey’s nearby wine region.

If only we knew about VIP Babysitting Service, we could’ve been checking out a tasting room to really savor Monterey’s finest! Part of Corporate Kids Events, Inc., which provides childcare for weddings, conventions and other large-scale events, VIP Babysitting provides in-room services with sitters who’ve been fingerprinted and prescreened. It serves mainly major hotels and local resorts. VIP Babysitting also operates a Kids Club at The Clement, complete with a climbing wall, games and other activities.

The following morning beckons with the promise of more activities. As you plan your day, make sure to visit the Dennis the Menace Playground, located at Camino El Estero and Pearl Street. First opened in 1956 through donations by Hank Ketcham, creator of the famous comic strip, it includes a large suspension bridge, numerous slides, a maze made of hedges, an adventure ship and a full-size steam engine. Plus, there’s a nearby lake with paddleboats, snack bar, picnic area and youth center.

If your kids need more play time (or if it’s raining), visit the 8,500-square-foot MY Museum at 425 Washington St. It features educational exhibits on beach exploration, golfing, farm life, tree house inhabitants and how a hospital works.

If time permits, board a boat at Fisherman’s Wharf for a bay tour, fishing trip or whale-watching expedition, especially during the winter and spring seasons when grey whales pass by Monterey. A list of boat companies offering tours lasting around three hours is available by visiting www.montereywharf.com.

If your return home takes you through Salinas on your way to Highway 101, stop by the National Steinbeck Center. Born in Salinas in 1902, John Steinbeck is best known for his novel The Grapes of Wrath, a tale of sharecroppers during the Great Depression. The center brings Steinbeck’s works to life with stage sets, films, vintage photographs and other items.

One of the best reasons to visit Monterey is its proximity to the Bay Area. If pounding the pavement with your tourist hat on isn’t your thing, there’s nothing wrong with packing a picnic and parking it on one of Monterey’s beautiful beaches. If you simply can’t get to everything, the beach is only a quick trip away.


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Millicent Skiles is an associate editor at Bay Area Parent.

Published: July 2009

Top Orlando Family Destinations from a Florida Native

My family loves to take vacations and quick weekend trips to Orlando, Florida. We go a few times a year. There is always something new to see or do. But I hate driving in Orlando traffic. It totally takes me out of the carefree vacation vibe. That’s why we center our trip around a single location. Orlando has so much to offer that you’ll be able to easily find a way for your family to have a fun and relaxing time. Here are some of our favorite Orlando getaways.

Walt Disney World

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com

Walt Disney World consists of four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Plan on spending at least a full day at whichever parks you choose. Each park has tons of rides, shows and attractions to take in. We like to stay at a hotel on Disney property and take the free busses around to the other hotels. This is especially fun in December to check out all of the holiday decorations.

Sea World

http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando

Sea World has expanded to three theme parks. See polar bears, killer whales, dolphins and penguins up close! You can even feed many of the animals for an additional free. Roller coaster lovers won’t be disappointed with Kracken and Manta. Spend a day at Discovery Cove for more animal encounters or hit Aquatica for some thrilling water slides.

Universal Studios

https://www.universalorlando.com

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure both offer a wide assortment of rides and shows based on television and movies. Now that my daughter is approaching her teen years, she seems to prefer Universal parks to Disney. Universal offers three luxurious resorts by Lowe’s and a wide range of restaurants and nightlife.

International Drive’s smaller attractions

http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com

International Drive is filled with fun attractions, including Wonder Works, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Exhibit and Wet ‘N Wild. We’ve enjoyed staying at a hotel on International Drive and going to whatever activities appeal to us the most each day.

Lounging at a resort

You can also have a relaxing vacation in Orlando. The city has dozens of huge resorts that offer everything you need for a great trip on site. 

Rachael Moshman is a mom, freelance writer and loves staying at hotels.

A Whirlwind Tour of our Nation’s Capital, Washington D.C.

With countless museums, monuments and other attractions, the thought of seeing all of Washington, D.C., in three days is daunting. The trick is to plan several visits!

Where to Stay
When booking a hotel in D.C., it is important to consider the location. It may be less expensive to stay in a hotel in Maryland or Virginia suburbs, but these might not be Metro-accessible (the Metro is D.C.’s subway system), or may require long rides into the city. There are hundreds of affordable hotels in the District, some within walking distance of some of our most treasured attractions.

How to Get Here
There are three major airports in the metropolitan area, all less than an hour from the city: Reagan National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI). National is the closest to the city and is accessible by Metro or a short cab ride. Dulles, in Northern Virginia is at least a 30-minute drive, and a cab ride can cost $60+. (A Super Shuttle will cost less for a one-way ticket into the city, but because it takes multiple passengers, it may take some time to get to your destination.)

BWI is in Maryland, and although is the farthest from the city, there are multiple ways to get there. You can get a Super Shuttle or take a 30-minute train right into Union Station, where you can catch the Metro.

The train is an excellent way to travel to D.C. Though it can be a little pricey, it will take you to Union Station, which is in the heart of the city.

How to Get Around
Best advice: Do not drive! D.C. is famous for its complicated streets, originally designed to confuse foreign invaders. There are traffic circles, partial one-way streets, dead ends and missing streets (such as J Street). If you do decide to drive, do not take it lightly.

Instead, take the Metro. It is clean, modern, easy and reasonably priced. Up to two children under the age of 4 can ride for free with an adult paying full fare.

If you want to travel above ground to see the sights, many Metro buses in the District run 24 hours a day. There is also a Circulator bus, which makes a loop through the city, hitting the major stops that are must sees: Georgetown, Union Station, the Mall, the Smithsonian museums and other attractions. The Circulator is very inexpensive. If you want a guided tour, there are red Double Decker tour buses you can hop on or off whenever there is a landmark you want to explore further. The tour bus tickets are around $20 (check for price changes!) each and are good for 24 hours.

If you are staying for the weekend, the best bet is to buy each member of your family a SmartTrip card. They are reusable Metro cards, which you simply load enough money onto to last you the weekend. The turnstiles let you know how much money you have left on the cards. You can use the SmartTrip card on the Metro, buses or the Circulator.

Day One
Hit the Mall on your first day in the district—and we’e not talking about shopping. The most famous landmarks in Washington, D.C., are on the National Mall. The Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial are must-sees. The most recent addition, the World War II Memorial, is perfect on a hot summer day because of the giant fountain in the middle.

If you are feeling a little bit adventurous and your kids are still up and running, the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial are a bit of a hike (on the other side of the Tidal Basin). 

If you just want to stay on the main section of the Mall, many of the Smithsonian Institution’s 14 museums are steps away.  Plan ahead by visiting GoSmithsonian.com, and stop in the Smithsonian Castle for more information. Popular destinations include the Air & Space Museum, the Museum of the American Indian, Natural History Museum and African Art Museum, but you may also want to see the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, the Anacostia Community Museum and the Postal Museum. All of the museums are free, so you and your family can easily stop briefly at more than one.
 
Day Two
Even though downtown D.C. doesn’t seem that big, there is a lot packed in. The best bet is for you and your family to spend two full days on the Mall and the surrounding areas. Hit up some of the museums that you missed the first day. The National Air and Space Museum is great for kids because it has a plethora of hands-on activities, such as a flight simulator. The National Museum of American History, which was just recently re-opened after being closed for renovation, has some national treasures, such as Judy Garland’s Ruby Red Slippers and the past First Ladies’ gowns. The National Art Gallery has displays and hands-on activities just right for young children (and, like the Smithsonians, the NGA is free).

The Library of Congress is worth seeing simply for the architecture (note: it is not open on the weekends) and is across the street from the new Capitol Visitor’s Center and take a tour of the Capitol. You can also get a tour through your Congressperson or Senator’s office, but these should be scheduled a few months before visiting. White House tours are difficult to obtain, but try your congressperson or senator. Your best option may be to walk along Pennsylvania Avenue and take some pictures outside the White House gate. Along the way, stop in the National Archives, where you can see the original Declaration of Independence. 
   
Day Three
After you have seen the main tourist attractions, this is the day to see the other sides of D.C. There are some great neighborhoods that show the city’s culture and diversity.

The kids (and you) will love the National Zoo (also free) with its most popular attraction, the giant panda exhibit, where panda parents Mei Xiang and Tian Tian show off their 3-year old cub, Tai Shan. The areas surrounding the zoo, Cleveland Park and Woodley Park, have some terrific restaurants right at the Metro stops, with food that will please even the pickiest of eaters. These are also great areas to walk around to experience the D.C. that the locals see everyday. 

The National Cathedral is nearby, and the architecture you see is fantastic. Mimicking the gothic style of cathedrals in Europe, the cathedral has high vaulted ceilings, beautiful stained glass windows and fanciful gargoyles and grotesques. Next door is a small English-style garden that, in the spring or summer, is perfect for the kids to play, or at least lie down after an action-packed weekend.

Washington, D.C.  is full of attractions for kids and adults. We know that when your family leaves, you’ll want to come back soon.


Sightseeing Resources

• Washington.org: The official tourism website offers suggestions on planning your family’s visit to D.C., as well as what to see, where to eat and performances to catch. 
• Culturaltourismdc.org and dcvisit.org: More helpful websites.
• wmata.com: D.C. Metro website. You can plan your travel itinerary throughout the city and find out when the next train or bus is coming.
• washingtoncitypaper.com: D.C.’s free magazine gives locals and visitors information on what is going on in the city during the week. You can check it out online or at newsstands by Metro stations.
• si.edu: Gives you access to all the Smithsonian museums and features new exhibits, ongoing exhibits, hours of operation and more. They even have a Smithsonian kids section to make your museum tours more kid-friendly. 
• Washingtonparent.com: Washington Parent magazine has been serving the D.C. metropolitan area for more than 25 years. It provides tips for parents about kids, ranging from newborn to adolescent, as well as a calendar of events for the month.
• Dccirculator.com: The D.C. Circulator website. You can view the route the bus takes, as well as area attractions and dining options.

NOTE: If you are going to D.C. in the spring, try to avoid the Cherry Blossom Festival. It is truly a spectacular sight but, unfortunately, the hoards of tourists are not worth the headache.

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Article by Casey Shellenberger
Photos/Credits:
Washington Monument: Photo courtesy of Dorry Samuels
The Smithsonian Castle: photo courtesy of the Smithsonian

Vietnam War Memorial: Photo courtesy of Anna Hughes

Honored as one of the world’s best family destination resorts by Travel & Leisure, Missouri’s Big Cedar Lodge is a luxury retreat for adults as well as an action-packed wonderland for kids.  Nestled in its own wooded hollow, the resort features two spas; one in a 1920s carriage house the other on a lakefront, five swimming pools, and breath taking land and water adventures ranging from bass fishing, water skiing and lake cruises to campfire wagon tours and horseback riding.

The resort is Located in the heart of the Midwest, just 40 miles south of Springfield, Missouri.  The two main airports are Branson and Springfield/Branson Regional. American Airlines flies from San Diego to Springfield through Dallas Fort Worth (DFW).  Southwest flies to Branson through Chicago (MDW).


KID'S CLUB

Drop your little ones (ages 4-12) off at Little Cedar Kids Club for an amazing adventure packed with games, nutritious snacks and wilderness experiences.  There are also fun “theme days” ranging from Exploring Nature Day to Saddle ’em Up Day. The Kids’ House also offers evening entertainment with welcome bonfires, dive-in movies, fishing and junior golf clinics. If you hit the right season, make sure to grab a rod and join in on the young anglers fishing program.

Do your kids like rewards? Get them involved in “adventure pins,” from the resort for participating in activities such as BB gun safety and training, camping, tent making, fire building, and canoeing.

Big Cedar Wine Club: Monthly event
Each month the wine club invites you to explore fabulous wines from around the world and learn the art of pairing and tasting.

ACTIVITIES CLOSE TO THE LODGE

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Located just 15 minutes from Big Cedar Lodge, this amazing 10,000-acre park offers walking and biking trails, guided tram tours, trout fishing, horseback riding and a café. There are even log cabins for those not wanting to leave.   

Titanic Museum
http://www.titanicbranson.com/
Board a recreation of the famous ship and view artifacts, shovel coal in the boiler room, touch an iceberg and experience the kid friendly, “tot-titanic.”

Table Rock State Park
http://mostateparks.com/park/table-rock-state-park
Within a short drive from Branson is a 43,000-acre lake offering a public marina, swimming, camping, boat rentals, and parasailing.

Branson Landing waterfront shopping
http://www.bransonlanding.com/
This waterfront shopping and dining area in downtown Branson features clothing, jewelry, gifts, and and vibrant atmosphere complete with fountains set to music. 

Silver Dollar City theme park
http://www.silverdollarcity.com
This massive amusement park has all the bells and whistles from rides to attractions to a full water park during the summer months. Starting in spring through December, check out the Showboat Branson Belle; a two-hour cruise with a family-friendly show and three-course meal.

Eureka Springs
www.eurekasprings.org
A little over an hour outside Branson, you’ll find this quaint mountain village. Relax on a carriage ride through the historic village, check out the local theatre or browse through some of the incredible art galleries.

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Elise Edwards began her career as an award-winning writer, producer and news anchor where her expertise was in celebrity, fashion and beauty. She has two children and lives with her family in Los Angeles.

Published: April 2013

Family Travel Charleston, South Carolina

One family vacation spot sure to please those of all ages is South Carolina, also known as a destination “made for vacations.” Thanks to the warm, white sands of Myrtle beach, horseback riding and fishing in the magnificent Blue Ridge mountains, and true Southern hospitality, it’s definitely an area made for family fun.

What To Do
Long considered the crown jewel of the South, Charleston prides itself on refined manners, support of the arts and historic preservation. The richness of the city’s past can be felt just by walking around the Historic District and King Street. There you’ll find homes dating back to the 18th century, plantations and public buildings that have been around for hundreds of years. The Old Slave Mart Museum recounts the story of Charleston’s role in the slave trade by focusing on the history of the building, site and the slave sales that occurred there. The Aquarium has over 60 exhibits including a great ocean tank, which extends from the first to the third floor. Additionally, there are countless art galleries, boutiques, fine restaurants, home and gardens tours, museums and beaches galore.

Beaches

• Kiawah Island - Only 21 miles from historic Charleston, this area boasts 10 miles of undisturbed Atlantic beach and five world-renowned golf courses.
• Seabrook Island - Another serene setting just outside Charleston offers 2,200 acres of lush forest, beautiful salt marshes and a pristine beach.
• Bull Island - The island, considered a Class 1 wilderness location (meaning it has remained relatively unchanged and unaltered by man), translates into a great day trip for nature lovers.
• Folly Beach - Located just eight miles south of Charleston, Folly is the closest beach to the city. It’s a great place to play in the waves, collect seashells, and walk to the lighthouse.
• Isle of Palms - At the marina, you can schedule boat rentals for a day on the open sea or a charter a fishing boat.

Where To Stay

One of the area’s most family friendly resorts is situated in the Lowcountry of South Carolina just between Charleston and Savannah. The Auberge Resorts’ Inn at Palmetto Bluff ranked #4 on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Hotels for Families in 2012 for good reason.  There are a huge number of activities aimed at bringing the family together as well as a variety tailored towards alone time, a balance that General Manager, Marty Wall cites as the key to success.

“We have scheduled dolphin tours on the May River, group kayaking, bocce, croquet, golf, equestrian, tennis and even historical tours,” says Wall. “Most of those activities can be done with a group or on your own. All of our accommodations come with bicycles, which is another great activity to enjoy on your own or with your family. The property is vast and there are so many places to go and enjoy quiet time; sitting along the May River, walking through the historic River Road preserve or taking in the view from the top of one of our tree-houses. The property lends itself to encourage exploration and connections, both inward and outward.”

There’s also canoeing, golf, and a 9,500 square-foot spa tailored you can relax at which your kids partake in one of a number of adventure programs aimed at those between ages 5 and 17. 

“Explorers and Pioneers” (ages 5-13), provides arts and crafts, team sports and various daily recreational activities while teens (ages 11-17) have the ability to travel to “Adventure Island” where a leader guides them through rope courses, kayaking and inner tubing.  There are also evening adventures complete with campfire stories, shrimping, crabbing and fireside snacks.

“Our Kids Camp allows children to experience positive group interaction in a safe and fun environment,” says David Smiley, Director of Guest Services. “We place an emphasis on cooperation, teamwork, participation and fun. Through arts and crafts, sports, daily recreational activities, and special events, we give children an opportunity to develop teamwork skills, experience fun adventures, and create new and lasting friendships.”

Occasionally, getting the little ones to leave your side can be a challenge, but Smiley says that’s something this AAA Five Diamond Resort specializes in.

“From time to time, the little ones don't wish to leave Mom and Dad so we invite the parents to start camp with us. This allows the children some time to adjust and more importantly make friends in camp. Once they are playing with their new friends, Mom and Dad give them a kiss and wish the fun for the day.”


Festivals
March —Camden’s Carolina Cup horse races
May —McClellanville’s Lowcountry Shrimp Festival
May —Beaufort’s Gullah Festival
May —Spoleto Festival USA
June —The SC Festival of Flowers in Greenwood
October — Gaston’s Collard Festival

Elise Edwards began her career as an award-winning writer, producer and news anchor where her expertise was in celebrity, fashion and beauty. She has two children and lives with her family in Los Angeles.

Published: February 2013