When we first stepped into the opulent lobby of the Omni San Francisco with our three excited kids, lots of luggage, and a cooler of snacks, I thought, 'Uh oh.' It was so beautiful, and so peaceful, and somehow smelled so good (citrus?) I couldn't imagine this elegant San Francisco hotel could be a good fit for families. I was completely wrong. From the moment of check-in, my boys were greeted … [Read more...]
A stay at the Radisson Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
June 11, 2012 By
Families have hundreds of lodging options while visiting San Francisco with kids, but if they want to be in the heart of the Pier 39 action, the location of the Radisson Fisherman's Wharf can't be beat. Literally steps from the wharf, the Radisson is the only bay hotel with this prime location, with a back entrance opening on the Embarcadero. The surrounding area is busy and crowded and noisy at … [Read more...]
Expedia Kids in the City: Portland Oregon
June 7, 2012 By
Today, Pit Stops for Kids is proud to participate in Expedia.com's fantastic Kids in the City summer series. For 12 days, 12 American cities are featured by 12 travel bloggers. Each day, readers of Expedia experience a different city, all perfect for family summer vactions. Today, Pit Stops for Kids is presenting the final city of Portland, Oregon. As an Oregon resident, it's hard to … [Read more...]
The Acqua Hotel: kid-friendly boutique hotel in California’s Bay Area
May 24, 2012 By
I'm pleased to announce I've found a new (to me) hotel brand favorite for traveling families: Broughton Hospitality's boutique hotel collection, with properties across the west. On our recent California road trip with kids, we had the pleasure of spending a night outside San Francisco at Mill Valley's Acqua Hotel, which served our family's needs perfectly. What made the Acqua, and the … [Read more...]
Muir Woods National Monument
May 21, 2012 By
Nestled in the lush hillside just minutes from Mill Valley, CA, Muir Woods National Monument is a must-do for families visiting San Francisco's Bay Area. Only minutes outside of the city, it makes for a perfect pit stop en route to San Francisco or a nice day trip to escape city crowds. Called a 'tree lover's monument', Muir Woods is a very accessible park of walking trails and visitor … [Read more...]
Portland Saturday Market, Portland Oregon
May 10, 2012 By
Often, one of the best ways to get to know a city is to experience one of their seasonal festivals or street markets. From March through December of every year, the Burnside Bridge area of Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Ankeny Park in Portland Oregon comes alive with the Portland Saturday Market. One part artisan vendor market, one part touristy festival, and one part foodie heaven, the … [Read more...]
Guide to Portland food carts with kids
May 3, 2012 By
Ever since getting my first taste of food cart eating in Vancouver last June, I've sought out food trucks and carts while in cities. I've found great food cart fare in Boston and traditional hot dog cart fare in New York City, and given Portland, Oregon's foodie bent, I wasn't surprised to find the food cart craze had hit the City of Roses as well. During an overnight at downtown Portland's … [Read more...]
3 things to do with kids in Paso Robles CA
April 30, 2012 By
The following pit stop was submitted by Bay Area blogger and mom Whitney Moss of 510Families. Located exactly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles, California is an excellent pit stop if you want to get out of the car and feel like you’ve arrived somewhere special. (Pro tip: locals pronounce the town name Paso Robuls, not Paso Roblase.) Here are three things to do with … [Read more...]
Wings and Waves Water Park
April 26, 2012 By
After lunch would be a good time to move from the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum to the Wings and Waves water park. (The exception to this rule would be during peak holiday weekends, when the lines for rides at the water park escalate by mid-day. This, however, is not the norm.) You can't miss the water park, which is adjacent to the museum buildings and topped by an Evergreen commercial … [Read more...]
Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
April 26, 2012 By
When I first heard that McMinnville Oregon's Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum was one part aviation history museum, one part military vehicle and firearms collection, one part 3-D theater, and one part water park (yes, water park), I couldn't imagine how it all fit together. I worried that the 70,000 square foot indoor water park would seem gimmicky in comparison to the museum, which would feel … [Read more...]
