Western Pacific Railroad Museum

700 Western Pacific Way Portola, CA This pit stop submitted by fellow mom and Pit Stops for Kids reader Vanessa. Visit Vanessa's photography site, Second Spring. If you should find yourself somewhere between Reno, NV and Chico, CA along Hwy 70 you will pass through the little town of Portola, CA. There you will find this little gem of a pit stop, The Western Pacific Railroad Museum. One of … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 23): Embassy Suites Sacramento

We spent our last night on the road at the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade (100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento CA). Embassy Suites is a favorite hotel chain of mine due to their high quality amenities, top-notch service, and the extras they provide, such as made-to-order complementary breakfasts and manager's reception' hours with snacks and cool drinks on-hand in the late afternoon. … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 22): Old Sacramento Historical District

We spent our last day, Day 22, driving from Laguna Beach to Sacramento CA on I-5, visiting Sacramento's historic Old Town and staying our final night on the road at the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade. Sacramento's Old Town is a state historic park covering 28 acres along the Sacramento River directly opposite from downtown. Wooden sidewalks, false storefronts, and cobblestones … [Read more...]

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 20): Stops for Kids in Laguna Beach, CA

On Day 20, we drove from Zion National Park to Laguna Beach, CA, a route pretty devoid of pit stops! We were very glad to arrive in such a kid-friendly mecca of attractions, restaurants, and beaches! Having grown up in the area (and returning to visit relatives every year since), we are quite familiar with Laguna Beach and its surrounding areas, and we're convinced it's one of the best beach … [Read more...]

Enterprise Park and Kids’ Kingdom

4000 Victor Ave Redding CA We drive through Redding, CA often, and I'm ever on the hunt for a great park. On our most recent pass down I-5, we found one worthy of being declared a pit stop! Kids' Kingdom is a section of the larger Enterprise Park that spans several city blocks. Whereas the park at large seems to cater to the sports and leisure crowd (lots of soccer fields and picnic areas), … [Read more...]

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

15101 Lancaster Road Lancaster, CA Think you can't find rolling hills and wildflower habitats right outside of Los Angeles? Think again! If your southern California family vacation takes you down I-5 (especially from February to May, when the wildflower blooms are most vibrant), the detour to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, part of the California State Park system, is worth the … [Read more...]

Whale Watching in Crescent City, CA

1001 Front Street Crescent City, CA Crescent City, CA has long been a favorite location for whale watching year-round, but the best time to get a glimpse of a gentle giant or two is in May! If you find yourself traveling along scenic Highway 101 this spring, it's well worth a pit stop on your family vacation! Check in at the Cultural Center (1001 Front Street) first in order to see if any … [Read more...]

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park

14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road Pine Grove, CA Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park makes for an excellent family road trip pit stop while you're exploring California's Gold Country. Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills eight miles east of Jackson, the park offers not only a great outcropping of marbleized limestone with some 1,185 mortar holes, but the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum, … [Read more...]

Cave Campground California

Junct. of Hwy 89 and Hwy 44 Hat Creek, CA Part of the Lassen National Forest, Cave Campground near Hat Creek makes for a nice pit stop along Hwy 89, especially if you only have time for a bathroom break and maybe a picnic lunch. (If you have more time at your disposal, consider hiking to the falls at nearby McArthur Burney State Park.) The campground, open with full services April through … [Read more...]

Elwell Lakes Lodge review, CA

Hands' down, Elwell Lakes Lodge and the surrounding Sierra Nevada region of Northern California is one of our favorite places on earth. As such, I'm afraid I'll have a hard time being impartial in this review! Having grown up in the area and visited numerous times from childhood to adulthood, I cannot recommend it highly enough for an adventurous family vacation well off the beaten path. Elwell … [Read more...]