Each of these two family getaways is a six-hour drive from OC—one-tank road trips—but the similarities end there. Off-season (summer) lodging at the Four Seasons in the Sonoran desert of Scottsdale allows for world-class luxury at a reduced rate. A stay at the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz offers the classic and casual Cali beach […]

A uniquely serene setting and a world-class 9-hole course make this staycation a gem. Whether you’re ready to hit the open road with the family this summer and explore life outside of OC, or you want to chill closer to home and enjoy a bit of what this local paradise has to offer, we will […]

Family volunteer vacations balance doing good with having fun. For your next family trip, how about doing some good while also having fun. Sound intriguing? It’s called a “family volunteer vacation,” and thousands of people across the country are doing it every year. The trips can last for a few days or several weeks, but […]

It’s the best time of the year to simmer down and get on a horse in snowy Colorado. If you are ready for a hassle-free school break in a fantasy setting, consider an all-inclusive family vacation at Vista Verde Guest Ranch, a luxury dude ranch in Northwest Colorado. How best to describe it? it’s like […]

Competition is fierce but the aloha spirit presides over this event on Maui for young dancers, the Hula O Na Keiki. According to our annual Parenting OC Reader’s Choice survey, Maui was the top choice for the family vacation. One reader explained its popularity by saying it’s a place that feels “comfortably exotic.” All islands […]

The impact of a million visitors a year and the arrival of dozens of activities can’t shake off the original Catalina. Here’s hoping it never fades away. By the nature of their isolation, separated by sea from other influences, islands can be slow to evolve. When a people, a way of life, a plant or […]

Whether you’re going by car, plane or train, traveling with children of any age isn’t always easy, but it is nearly always rewarding. 1. Plan Ahead, But Be Flexible There is no substitute for looking at your options before you go and making a plan. But, since children are involved, build in alternate possibilities and […]

Where Moonstones, kayak paddles, otters and elephant seals compete with Hearst Castle for attention. The time was when families traveled to the San Simeon area solely to tour Hearst Castle and take in views of the dramatic Central Coast shoreline. Don’t get me wrong, those are still around and as eye-popping as ever — and […]

A room becomes more romantic when paired with wine, art, or a coastal hike. The Carmel Highlands & Point Lobos. The storms of one year ago destroyed a large swath of the iconic Big Sur Highway, making Carmel inaccessible from the south (reopening is slated for summer of 2018). But if you come to the […]