Laguna Beach is one of Pit Stops for Kids' Best Beach Town picks, and one of our family's favorite places to visit in California. Any family vacation to this sunny ocean-front artist colony will be well-spent, but if you want to take your Laguna Beach family trip over the top, stay at the Montage Laguna Beach. A Preferred Hotel with the Preferred Family seal of approval, the Montage Laguna … [Read more...]
Three northwest backpacking routes for families
July 17, 2017 By
Parents with young children: you absolutely can backpack with kids! Our family has found success by choosing backpacking routes that are short on distance but big on rewards, whether that be in the form of a fun lake or river to swim in, dramatic scenery, or both. The following three northwest backpacking routes for families deliver. Before you read on, check out our tips for backpacking with … [Read more...]
Disneyland hotel pick: Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
April 3, 2017 By
The following guest post is written by Pit Stops for Kids contributor Elizabeth Bickford. Need a Disneyland hotel pick? The Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance has one of the best locations and properties combined in the Disneyland resort area! We had a great stay with our two daughters ages five and seven. The property is within walking distance and is surrounded by several … [Read more...]
Grown Up Getaway: Eureka California wine and cider weekend
March 15, 2017 By
A wine weekend in...Eureka? Yes, California's rugged northern 'lost coast' can make for an ideal grown-up getaway, provided you know where to go. Parents will feel completely away from it all, with cell service cutting delightfully in and out with each curve of Highway 101. The scenery is spectacular, the shopping and art scene funky and fun, and the cuisine is original, yet … [Read more...]
Boreal Mountain Resort with the M.A.X. Pass
January 16, 2017 By
If you read Pit Stops for Kids' ski coverage regularly, you know we're big fans of Lake Tahoe, CA skiing. I grew up in the area, skiing at resorts throughout Tahoe, and we try to visit our favorite resorts at least once a season. However, until our visit last month, it had been YEARS since I'd been at Boreal Mountain Resort. One of the oldest and most established ski resorts in the Tahoe … [Read more...]
Hometown skiing at Homewood Mountain Resort
December 14, 2016 By
When families think of skiing at Tahoe, they usually think of big, expensive resorts with fancy hotels and all the latest in snow science and technology (apps that track your laps, anyone?). Tahoe skiing IS all this and more, but there are still a few Tahoe ski resorts that remain the same as when I grew up here in the '80s...and that's a good thing. Homewood Mountain Resort is the very … [Read more...]
Luxury ski lodging: Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe review
November 21, 2016 By
We've skied Northstar many times, each time opting for different accommodations. We've stayed in home rentals, in a condo at the Village at Northstar, and in a Northstar townhouse. Every time we visit, however, we look at the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe, perched at mid-mountain like an elegant fortress, with longing. Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe review: We've enjoyed meals at the Ritz … [Read more...]
Southern California pit stop: Pioneertown
July 6, 2016 By
Pioneertown, California is located in the Morongo Basin of southern California's Inland Empire. If traveling from Joshua Tree National Park or Palm Springs toward San Bernardino or Los Angeles, Pioneertown will (almost) be on your way. And it's worth the slight detour. Located in the mountains overlooking the valley floor, Pioneertown began as an elaborate Hollywood set for Western movies. … [Read more...]
Exploring Shasta Cascade: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
April 4, 2016 By
Northern California hosts wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities for families, from Lassen National Park to Mount Shasta hiking trails and ski areas. If you only have a day, and want a taste of the area's lakes, trails, and mining history, head to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, just outside Redding, CA. Whiskeytown is located just 20 minutes from I-5, and I'm ashamed to say I … [Read more...]
Shasta Cascade pit stop: Turtle Bay Exploration Park
February 29, 2016 By
If you've taken I-5 on a west coast road trip, chances are you've driven right through Redding, California. We had passed through numerous times before we had the opportunity to stop and check out this Northern California town. If you're looking for a place to stop with kids, it's a great choice! The Sacramento River runs through town, offering plenty of opportunity for families to cool off in … [Read more...]
