Family Travel
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Best 10 Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is truly one of the closest things to heaven on earth. There is so much to do and see that it might feel overwhelming to choose what to do once you are there. Here are 10 must do items to add to your Yosemite bucket list: 1 Float the Merced The slow paced leisurely float down the Merced River that runs directly through Yosemite, will give you stunning views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the rest of the awe inspiring scenery for which Yosemite National Park is known. You might even see a deer or bear cross your path while taking your heavenly float down the…
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Plan a Family Camping Trip Made Easy
Planning a family camping trip can feel overwhelming, daunting and formidable to say the least. However, it doesn’t have to be. Over the years we have done our fair share of trial and error to learn tips and tricks to make camping with kids a lot easier (it is still work, don’t get me wrong, but once you’ve done it a time or two, you start getting the hang of it). We’ve had tents blowing over in the wind from failure of being anchored correctly, to forgetting lanterns, brooms, and water… heck we’ve even left an entire suitcase behind. Having a proper checklist is without doubt the most important aspect…
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The Sunken City of San Pedro
A once thriving neighborhood destroyed back in the 20s; the end result is an amazing colorful display of history with pieces of an older time literally falling into the Pacific Ocean. This California hidden gem is a small piece of history and cruel beauty. The area is CLOSED! THE SUNKEN CITY IN SAN PEDRO, CA The area is fenced off and not open to visitors. Now, I am sure many of you won’t know much about the “Sunken City” so I am going to provide a brief history lesson (thank you Wikipedia). In 1929 a landslide took out a community of exclusive homes. The landslide caused two houses (which couldn’t…
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10 of the Best Things to See in St. George Utah For First Timers
As many times as we’ve visited Southern Utah it never disappoints. It has every outdoor adventure you can think of and is absolutely stunning. Proof lies in the many MANY National Parks nestled so close to one another. Better yet, it is all very affordable, making it the perfect family destination. St. George is the largest city in the Southern part of Utah and is a great place to stay as you discover the beauty of the region with all the comforts of the city. Our family visits the area often from Southern California since it is a relatively quick drive at a little over 5 hours. We have had…
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The “Who-lidays” Return to Universal Studios in Hollywood
Universal Studios is back with their Christmas festivities! Make this year memorable as you and your family add a new tradition by joining in with the citizens of Whoville. Meet the Grinch and his trusty companion Max and watch the impressive light show at the Hogwarts castle all happening now through December 29th. Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood is unbelievably cool! The Grinchmas seasonal Who-bilation and Who-lidays is happening again. Guests can enter Whoville and mix and mingle with different Whos; think the mayor, cheerleaders, the librarian, and even Cindy Lou Who, the Grinch and Max. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you might have your face burped in by the Grinch……
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5 Reasons to Make Mazatlan Your Next Family Vacation
I’ve gone skydiving, hitch-hiked to get where I needed to be in Hawaii, studied abroad for 3 months throughout Europe. I never minded dining alone, or seeing a movie solo. I drove across counties and states to get where I needed to be, no problem; and all of this before I was 21. Then I got married and was blessed to have someone with whom to do all of this. My husband became my partner and adventure buddy, my go to when problems arose. He made the calls I never wanted to make, and in a lot of ways did the dirty work (like driving for hours on hours) so…
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Plan Your Visit To The La Brea Tar Pits
Who knew you could visit the Ice Age right in the middle of Downtown Los Angeles?! The La Brea Tar Pits on Miracle Mile in the heart of L.A. transports you back to the age of mammoths, mastodons, giant sloths, saber tooth tigers, a squirrel chasing that elusive acorn (Anyone?) and so much more. With over 3.5 million fossils having been found there, this place is definitely somewhere you want to check out when you are in town. The La Brea Tar Pits are natural tar pits formed under L.A. that have seeped up from the ground in the area for tens of thousands of years. Over the centuries the…
- Amusement Parks, Family Fun, Family Life, Family Travel, Inland Empire, Kid Activities, Let's Eat!, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego
Best Things to do on Summer Nights in Southern California
One of the best parts of living in Southern California are the nights. The summer breeze, lights, sounds, smells and tastes that make summer special. And California is one of the best at making these nights extraordinary! Here are a few of my favorite reasons why. Knotts Summer Nights! When the sun goes down, the party turns up! Guests can enjoy a variety of activities including live music, food, and games throughout the park. The park provides special summer food and drinks, kid friendly games, live music and interactive photo-ops. You definitely want to check this out! Summer nights at the aquarium of the Pacific. You can dive into summer…
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What to do on the Oregon Coast
I know this isn’t a Southern California destination, but as you may have already read in my previous posts this summer we took a family road trip and spent a glorious week visiting the Oregon Coast. While I know there is a LOT more to see and do there, we had some pretty fabulous experiences I wanted to share with you. So that if you decide to visit the area, or perhaps take your own little road trip, our itinerary might help in the planning process. See how to make your road trip a little less stressful here and the best place to stay in Northern California (for an overnight…
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12 Strategies For a Successful Road Trip with Kids
Recently we packed up our 4 young kids (ages 8, 6, 3, and 1) and headed out on a 16-hour road trip from Southern California to the Oregon Coast. My kids are no strangers to long drives. I mean we live in the traffic capital of the world and love to get out and go; so, to an extent they are used to long bouts in the car. However, when I say long drives our typical trip usually maxes out at about 5 hours. So, to triple that amount had me a little anxious. Mostly about the baby and toddler. So, we prepared as best we could, held our breath…
