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How to Get & Make the Most of FREE 4th Grade National Park Passes

One of the best deals in family travel is the Every Kids Outdoors program. This program provides free national park passes to all fourth graders for a full year, giving kids and their families access to hundreds of national park sites and other federal lands. The program was formerly known as Every Kid in a …

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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 …

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Complete Guide to Yosemite National Park with Kids

When it comes to national parks, few have quite the name or cachet of Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is one of the oldest national parks in the United States and is also one of the most visited – and with good reason. The park’s majestic waterfalls, grand giant trees, and natural wonders like Half Dome …

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10 Amazing Fall Destinations in California for Families

Tourists traditionally 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 …

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7 Iconic US National Park Lodges to Add to Your Travel Bucket List

There are dozens of different ways to explore national parks. From backcountry camping to RVs to families just trying things out on a day trip, so many more people have happily discovered “America’s Greatest Idea” the last few years. For many travelers, one of the draws of a national park vacation is the chance to …

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What Partially Reopened Yosemite National Park is Like During COVID-19 in 2020-2021

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 2020 trip way back in the summer of 2019, so we were thrilled that the timing worked out to be able to visit. Yosemite holds a very special place …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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