The Golden Gate Bridge as seen from the historic Armory. It's a little tricky to find this spot, but it pays off with a unique angle of the City's signature monument. The Rise of the Golden State Is Told in the Storied Streets of San Francisco San Francisco is our...
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...
(Photo Courtesy of Madison Amirehteshami) 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 for the kids that will keep parents from pulling their hair out planning and budgeting for...
(Photo Courtesy of Paul Chambers/Unsplash) Have a soothing summer vacation with the help of these six mindfulness exercises for traveling with kids. Family vacations can be magical, creating memories that last for a lifetime. Unfortunately, traveling with children can be challenging too. Your children may experience new places and new...
(Photo Courtesy of Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad) Beyond LEGOLAND and sandy beaches, a great resort is transformed into something extraordinary. Ranging from laid-back to luxurious, Carlsbad has many looks: venture beyond Legoland and you’ll find some of SoCal’s most beautiful beaches, three waterfowl-packed lagoons to explore, dozens of easy-walking trails,...
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...
Tips for a smoother, happier, and not-so-insane highway adventure. The average parent has, at one time or another, fantasized about taking their children on a road trip. Thoughts fill our heads of cheerful kids laughing and pointing out the window at magnificent sights, great music in the background of the...
Break away to a world of peace and tranquility – and still be back on time to pick the kiddies up from school. These day spas throughout OC offer everything from skin care to deep tissue massages, for the stress relief and relaxation every parent deserves. MassageLuXe Escape from carpool...
Oak Canyon offers an easy trail along a year-round stream, a cactus-covered ridge and a wide variety of flowers. It seemed as though the rains were never going to come this past winter, didn’t it? The hills remained brown and wildflowers that usually show up in early January still hadn’t...
School may be out for the summer, but schedules can still be difficult to get away too far and for too long. Fortunately, there are numerous attractions and mini vacation spots up, down, and around Orange County to have a fun and unique family vacation for the scrapbooks. Palm Springs...
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...
Summer is drawing to a close, but there is still time for one last family getaway. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa www.omnihotels.com Located on 240 lushly landscaped acres in the heart of the desert, the Rancho Las Palmas feels like a relaxing oasis. Set against a backdrop of...
The Chill List If climbing temps have kids climbing the walls, let off some steam with these cool options for summer fun. Seven New Water Slides at Knott’s Soak City One of OC’s best places to chill out just got cooler, with seven new slides making a total of 22...
When you want to treat your family’s guest of honor with a little escape to celebrate, you don’t have to go far for a memorable family trip. The Garland North Hollywood | www.TheGarland.com This retro chic iconic Hollywood boutique hotel sits in the heart of LA. Once a hideaway for...
Sometimes a vacation feels like anything but, for parents. Schlepping beach toys over dunes, making endless rounds of sandwiches, picking up around campsites to avoid nighttime wildlife visits, packing-unpacking-repacking on roadtrips… maybe it is time to set sail to an escape where someone else makes the bed, entertains the kids,...
Miss Abigail Goes to Washington (and So Can You!) Twelve-year-old Abigail, a native of Huntington Beach, was born with a congenital heart condition. She has endured three open-heart surgeries and additional operations throughout her short life. Although she has faced many challenges because of her condition, she doesn’t let it...
It’s that time of year, to plan Spring Breaks and look ahead to Summer Vacations. If you haven’t yet shared the culture South of the Border with your kiddos, here are two ways to ensure a fabulous family getaway. Grand Velas Rivera Maya Everything at this very exclusive Riviera Maya...
We’d all like to see our kids grow up as well-traveled citizens of the world, but they have to start somewhere. Here are our picks for easy first time trips to take with the kids. El Capitan Canyon Resort Cabin. Newbie Campers Ocean Mesa Campground & El Capitan Canyon Resort...
Opulence is standard in Sin City Having just returned from a weekend in Las Vegas, it’s easy to see why the time-starved OC moms and dads chose Sin City as a favorite in our Reader’s Choice Awards. It’s not for the same reasons that bachelorette party revelers, spring breakers and...
Discover Norse Legends aboard the ms Koningsdam of Holland America Line The Queens Lounge Deck, featuring the BB King Jazz Club is the place to hear some royally good tunes. Mexican and Pacific coastline cruises are a great option for fun in the sun, beach time and serious margarita tasting...
City Slickers Meet Saguaros at Tucson’s Tanque Verde Ranch When it comes to family adventure in Arizona, Tanque Verde Ranch, an upscale dude ranch set in the hills above Tucson, is a horse of a different color — up to 180 horses, actually, of many sizes and colors. In fact,...
On the go with tot-in-tow? No problem. Use these gadgets to make sure you never hit a bump in the road. Diono Dreamliner Travel Bassinet Naps are no small thing, it can be the crucial do-or-die element when on the road or in unfamiliar places. Keep them cozy in...
Celebrate your independence from the daily grind with a May getaway in the picturesque Riviera Nayarit and Iberostar Playa Mita. Just a hop, skip and an ole south of bustling Puerto Vallarta is a lovely stretch of coastline packed with enough fun activities to satisfy everyone in the family, and...
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...