The Great Outdoors
-
Best Family Vacation Guide to Carmel by the Sea
Calling families, lovers, artists, foodies, naturalists, adventurers, intellectuals and marine biologists; did I miss anyone? No? Good. Because have I got the place for you! Our family recently had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite places in all of California. It’s the area I’ve told my husband I want to live since we were dating. And after visiting, I think I have him on board too. Carmel by the Sea in Monterey County is truly a place out of a dream. Once you enter this quaint town, you will feel like you are in a real life Grimms fairy tale village or at least walking in a town…
You May Also Like
Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel by the Sea
-
Camping (as a Family) on Catalina Island
Blue sky, blue sea, good food, perfect weather, a drink in your hand with your toes in the sand. Sounds pretty perfect right? While we may not be doing any far away exotic islands any time soon, that is absolutely no problem for us here in sunny Southern California. Why? Because we have our very own island paradise located just 26 miles off the coast. Catalina Island at only an hour boat ride from Los Angeles and Orange County on the Catalina Express is a must do!!! This beautiful island has it all! If you are looking for adventure, take your pick of pristine snorkeling or scuba diving, zip lining…
-
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…
-
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…
-
The Most Beautiful Springtime Flowers In Southern California
Check out the Carlsbad Flower Fields Edited March 2, 2022 Welcome Spring! Which means it’s the beginning of warmer weather, buds on the trees, the beginning of new life, daylight savings time! and blooming flowers. And if that last one appeals to you even in the slightest, have I got the place for you! Imagine nearly 50 acres of one of natures best, most colorful shows of natural beauty. This spectacular display is one of the best you will see anywhere in the world!!! For approximately 6-8 weeks the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus will bloom (from early March to early May) and visitors from all over will flock to enjoy the…
-
Ladder Hike in San Diego
Annie’s Canyon is a family friendly hike near Solana Beach that brings the fun! This hike is nothing short of a gem. Located near Solana Beach, San Diego County this trail gives you panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, San Elijo Lagoon, narrow slot canyons, and a ladder climb through the sandstone all in less than 2 miles, 100 feet of elevation, and it’s easy enough for the whole family to do together; but fun enough that everyone (teenagers included) will enjoy it! This trail in essence allows one to feel like a true adventurer without really having to have any training or skill whatsoever. My kids LOVED it, we…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Etiwanda Falls Waterfall Trail in the Inland Empire
It’s been years since we’ve done the Etiwanda Falls Trail in the North Etiwanda Preserve in Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. In fact, the last time we did it, we had 2 kids and one of them was still in the hiking carrier. So, adding two more was interesting because this is a hike. Not a hard hike, but it is relatively long coming in at 3.4 miles. TRAIL-HEAD: Etiwanda Falls Trail (look on maps) North of the 210 fwy off Etiwanda Ave. DON’T PARK ON STREET!!! Watched a cop write about 100 tickets to cars on the street; pay attention to the “No-Parking” signs. There is a gravel lot at the…
-
Graffiti Falls Hike {private property}
Disclosure: UPDATE This trail is on PRIVATE PROPERTY and is closed to the public. The entrance is gated and locked with signs that states NO TRESPASSING, VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED. There are all types of beauty in the world. And though I am not one to support desecrating nature, I do find beauty in the “street art” found at graffiti falls. So, this quiet, nature hike has more of an “urban” feel to it, though it is found in a very suburban, and seemingly ordinary neighborhood. Expect lots of paint cans, and graffiti, obviously. And if it has not been cleaned up recently, you may have some broken glass in…
You May Also Like
Top 15 Pumpkin Patches in the Inland Empire
