Trips with Kids —A Castle in Carlsbad
Beyond LEGOLAND and sandy beaches, a great resort is transformed into something extraordinary. Ranging from laid-back to luxurious, Carlsbad has many looks
Beyond OC
Popular attractions, hidden gems, outdoor adventures, and more experience all that Southern California has to offer with these travel recommendations from our publisher.
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Traveling with Kids and Pets
Get some tips from experts for safe, sane and fun travel with the whole family. Travel is a great way to experience new things, learn and gain enlightenment.
Pixar Haven
Get immersed at Disneyland Resort’s new Pixar Place Hotel. Splashes of color are everywhere you look at Disneyland Resort’s Pixar Place Hotel
Torrey Pines Story
The trails at Torrey Pines offer spectacular views of the coastline.(Photo Courtesy of The Lodge at Torrey Pines) At the Nature Reserve and luxury Lodge, spring means adventure and indulgence on the bluffs. If you are thinking about nearby spring break travel options that combine outdoor adventure with indoor splendor, consider Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla. In about an hour by car from much of OC, you and the kiddos can be walking on a seaside bluff at the wild and spectacular Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, then kicking it afterwards at...
Postcards from Cambria
The boardwalk on the bluff at Moonstone Beach is the best reason to stay at one of the inns on this stretch of coast in Cambria. Memories mix with new discoveries when the writer visits his old stomping ground on the Central Coast. I’ve been a little reluctant to recommend my old stomping grounds to a larger audience as a place to visit, but then Smithsonian magazine just named Cambria one of the “Top 15 Small Towns to Visit.” So, the cat is out of the bag. And with the reopening of Hearst Castle in May, after a two-year closure...
Destination Mission Bay
Mission Bay offers vacationing families access to the very best of San Diego. School’s out for summer and most families are in need of a getaway — something fun
Trips with Kids —A Castle in Carlsbad
Beyond LEGOLAND and sandy beaches, a great resort is transformed into something extraordinary. Ranging from laid-back to luxurious, Carlsbad has many looks
The Family That Rides Together…
Quality time at One of California’s Top Dude Ranches, Alisal Guest Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley As the world opens up and normalcy creeps back one cautious step at a time, the annual summer getaway takes on a special significance this year. It must be good, a vacation so memorable that it will restore your child’s smile and wipe away bad thoughts left from the past 15 months of pandemic anxiety, civil unrest and politics-fueled kerfuffles. A stay at a dude ranch is meant to be that kind of memory-maker and mood enhancer. I tried it, and it’s not even...
Splitsville
Goofy tried to bowl, but goofed up and instead, opened the newest place for families to have fun and eat at the same time at the Disneyland Resort. Splitsville Luxury Lanes, the newest addition to the Downtown Disney area, offers bowling as well as dining and drinks for the entire family. “We see the Splitsville addition as a part of our evolution to transform the Downtown Disney experience into an extension of the family-friendly theme park experience,” said Brent Davies, the general manager for Downtown Disney. The 20 bowling lanes are not all next to each other in the two-story,...
Editor’s Picks: January 2018
PICK OF THE MONTH Polar Bear Plunge January 20th Sometimes to rally the whole family together to have a little fun, you need to amp up the cool meter. The Polar Bear Plunge certainly does that, no pun intended. This family-friendly event is perfect for kids, teens and fun-loving adults who long for a bit of winter without the long and stressful drive on snowy or icy roads to the mountains. At this annual Mission Viejo event, you’ll get a taste of winter and summer. Folks can have fun getting into snowball fights with 180 gallons of artificial snow as...
V-Day Stay-Cays
When you want to get your Valentines on, skip the crowded airports and long security lines. A quick escape is just what the love doctor ordered for parents needing to decompress from the chaos of family life. The Ranch at Laguna Beach Coastal cool reigns at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, the newest south county private resort and luxury hotel. Secluded within a peaceful blend of canyon and sea, the authentic natural beauty permeates every detail of this unique property. This entry into the world of a Laguna local is literally off the beaten path. The attentive staff offers an...
Beaver Creek
[caption id="attachment_13590" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Beaver Creek Resort is the perfectly designed ski village of family vacation dreams.Photo by Jack Affleck[/caption] The Ultimate Family Ski Getaway There’s a wonderful indefinable energy about Colorado’s Beaver Creek Ski Resort, something akin to getting a family hug by a destination. Swoosh your way into this easy peasy one-stop spot that has everything you need to build memories and some serious quads from the world class skiing. Getting Around Don’t feel chained down by worries over snowy driving, let the pros at Colorado Mountain Express whisk you from the airport to your getaway. Once in...