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 […]
Memorable Mini-Getaways
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 About a 2-hour drive Soak […]
Chronic Catalina
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 […]
Escape to Cambria
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 […]
Romantic Wine, Art, and Hiking Getaway Ideas
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 […]
The “Big Island” of Hawaii
Touching down in Kona, you might be confused as you exit the plane. But yes, that is the whole airport and yes, you would be correct in observing that most of it is outdoors. This is just the start of the charming quirks of the largest of the Hawaiian islands, the “Big Island” of Hawaii. […]
Wailea
There is a reason the phrase “Maui no ka ’oi” is emblazoned across every beach towel, trucker cap and coozie in the airport shops of this gorgeous island — Maui IS the best. And where is the best place on Maui? Well, them’s fighting words…but Wailea certainly makes a convincing case for the honor. This […]
JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
This postcard perfect beachfront resort lies where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. With cliffside tiers down to the water, these luxury digs have panoramic views over tranquil infinity pools to the crashing waves below. Sophisticated décor worthy of the JW brand adorns public areas and the well appointed suites, while the property […]
Cruising, A Mother of A Vacay
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, makes meals and snacks on […]
Government Getaways
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 get in her way from […]
