Yosemite National Park reopened to the public on June 11, 2020, after a three month closure due to COVID-19. My family made reservations for a mid-July trip nearly a year ago, so we were thrilled that the timing worked out to be able to visit this year. Yosemite holds a very special place in our […]
Tips for Visiting Muir Woods National Monument
A very popular day trip from San Francisco for many travelers is an excursion to Muir Woods National Monument. Located in Marin County near the town of Mill Valley, Muir Woods protects a forest filled with old growth coast redwoods. Because of its proximity to San Francisco, it is an extremely popular national park site […]
Every Kid in a Park: Guide to National Parks with 4th Graders
This post is sponsored by Perseus Books. All opinions are my own. My family has gotten to take advantage of a pretty amazing travel discount this year thank to my 4th grade daughter. The National Park Service has a program called Every Kid in a Park that allows all 4th graders and their families to […]
Best National Parks to Visit in Fall
This post is sponsored by Moon Travel Guides. All opinions are my own. While the back-to-school season sometimes puts a damper on many family’s travel plans, it invigorates me for a new season of travel. Traveling in the fall brings the chance to see amazing autumn colors as well as to enjoy outdoor adventures like […]
Taking a Volcano Road Trip in Northern California and Southern Oregon
We are a family that flies much more than we drive in our travels. My kids can do a cross-country flight like champs, but they aren’t used to long road trips. When my husband and I started planning a summer road trip from our home in the San Francisco Bay Area through Northern California and […]
Hiking with Toddlers: Tried & Tested Tips for Family Travelers
This post is sponsored by Moon Travel Guides. All opinions are my own. Travel with little ones always presents unique challenges, and perhaps even more so when taking young kids into the great outdoors. Our traveling family has found that hiking with our children, even in the extra-challenging toddler years, is incredibly rewarding. From national […]
The Ultimate Guide to National Parks in Northern California
This post was written in partnership with the National Park Trust and sponsor Northside USA for Kids to Parks Day. My home state of California has an important designation when it comes to national parks – California has more national parks than any other state. Five of California’s nine national parks are within a few […]
Getting Started with National Parks Travel: National Parks Tips for Beginners
Last year’s 100th anniversary of America’s national park system put national parks on the travel radar of a lot of families. Many have discovered what so many others have known for so long – national parks are unique and breathtakingly beautiful destinations that have the added benefit of being budget-friendly. It is no wonder attendance is […]
The Ultimate Guide to Haleakala National Park in Maui
This post is sponsored by TourMaui.com but all opinions are my own. America’s national parks are one of my family’s favorite travel destinations. When a recent trip to Maui began to take shape, I realized it was the perfect opportunity to cross a new national park, Haleakala, off my bucket list. Haleakala National Park is […]
10 Amazing Fall Destinations in California for Families
Tourists flock to California in summer, but fall in the Golden State is one of the best times of year to visit. We may not quite have the breathtaking fall foliage of New England, but California has fall fun all its own to offer. All the inland locations that are too hot to visit during […]
