The United States Virgin Islands consists of three main islands — St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix — the first two located close enough to explore from one home base.

Island hopping to St. Croix is easy, but the greater distance and varied attractions merits more than a day trip. (Click here to read US Virgin Islands Family Vacation Part Two: St. Croix with Kids.)

My advice? Enjoy the best of ‘both worlds’ and book a stay in each! Here’s a guide to the best things to do, with where to eat and stay, on your vacation in St. John and St. Thomas with kids.

Note: An earlier version of this post was first published January 2016. It has since been revised and updated. This post may contain affiliate links.

1: Swim with the Fish at Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas

Learn about the Virgin Islands’ ocean life and get up close and personal with the marine animals at Coral World Ocean Park at Smith Bay. In addition to looking under the sea in the geodesic underwater observatory, you can get within kissing distance on the sea trek, snuba diving, sea lion swim, Nautilus submarine, of several see and touch tanks.

Coki Beach, one of the best beaches to learn how to snorkel in St. Thomas with kids, is next door. Rentals are available, and if you bring a dog bone or bread you can literally have yellow-and-black-striped sergeant major fish eating right out of your hands.

2: Dive into the Blue in Magens Bay in St. Thomas

Without a doubt, Magens Bay is one of the most beautiful and family-friendly beaches in the world. The mile long crescent beach hugs a gentle stretch of sea that’s perfect for young and old alike. Magens does charge an entrance fee ($4 for non-residents, kids 12-under free,) but in exchange you get lifeguards, bathrooms, and showers.

There’s also a snack counter, souvenir shop, and a shop renting kayaks, paddle boards, and lounge chairs. On the far end there’s an arboretum, mangrove, coconut grove, and nature trail. The Nature Conservancy also opened a hiking trail to Magens Bay from the hill road above, but it can be tricky to spot the entrance.

If you do drive in, be sure to stop at Famous Delight (long-time residents know it as Udder Delight) for a liqueur-laced milkshakes—perfection after a day on St. Thomas with kids in the sun.

3: Kayak through a Mangrove on a Virgin Islands Eco Tour (St. Thomas/St. John)

Virgin Islands Eco Tours runs a number of hike, kayak, and snorkel tours on St. Thomas and St. John including a thrilling nighttime kayaking trip to “Pirates Point” (talk about a memory from your family vacation to St. Thomas and St. John!).

Probably the best adventure with kids is the one to Mangrove Lagoon where in between learning about nature’s coastal filter they may also see a variety of marine life—on a typical day guides may point out lobsters and barracudas—and an army of hermit crabs.

4: Hike a Nature Trail in the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John

One of the smallest of the US Virgin Islands, St. John remains mostly as nature intended because more than half the island has been protected as the Virgin Islands National Park since 1956. Your best bet for making the most of a day on St. John is to get around by jeep (either on St. John or bring it on the car ferry from St. Thomas, but check that it’s allowed by your rental policy.)

Otherwise, you can take a safari taxi either as a tour, or point to point, from Cruz Bay where the ferry docks. Be sure to check the calendar for park ranger programs. They’re all excellent but there are a couple of standouts.

With these ranger-led programs, you might discover medicinal and other uses for tropical plants along the Reef Bay Trail on your way to seeing the ancient Taino Petroglyphs. Or perhaps learn about the sugar plantation at Annaberg Historic Site. And also learn how sea grass inhabitants defend themselves on the Waters Edge Walk at the Leinster Bay Trailhead next to Annaberg.

Best Place to Stay with kids on St. Thomas: Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove

Frenchman’s Cove is blessed with a great location (and private beach). At this Morningstar Beach resort, the main building is only a short path from one of the best beaches on the island. Known for its gentle waves, Morningstar Beach is a favorite with skimboarders–while satellite rooms and a couple of restaurants and bars are right on it.

BONUS TIP: Frenchman’s Cove Marriott Vacation Club that’s part of it (and pictured here) has suite-style accommodations that are particularly good for families.

The resort itself is huge with everything you might want for a family vacation on St. Thomas. There are 4 restaurants, 4 bars, plus a café, deli, and well stocked convenience shop. Better still, consider the four pools (including 2 infinity pools and a swim-up bar,) full-service spa, fitness center, and variety of watersport rentals.

Available excursions include sunset sails and night kayaking tour. Click here to see available family activities at Morningstar Beach.

1 Great Family-Friendly Restaurant in St. Thomas: Iggies Beach Bar & Grill

Iggies Beach Bar & Grill at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort has reasonably priced meals, cheap drinks, and kids can play in the sand. Go on Wednesday nights for the all-you-can-eat buffet and stay for a West Indian Carnival with steel pans, conga lines, mocko jumbies, and fire-breathing limbo dancers. Also, Iggies Oasis located poolside at the edge of Bolongo Beach.

Ready to start planning part one of your visit St. John and St. Thomas with kids?

Don’t miss the Google map with my recommendations below. And if you’re curious how St. Thomas and St. John with kids compare with St. Croix for a family vacation, don’t miss part two of this feature: St. Croix with Kids.

You might also like:

St. Croix with Kids – USVI Family Vacations Part 2

Northeastern Puerto Rico with Kids Family Vacation Guide

Tips for Buying Sunglasses for Kids

Review of the Lumix DMC-TS-25 Waterproof Camera

Bonaire with Kids

Into the Everglades: A Post-Hurricane Airboat Adventure

Nine Amazing Family Vacations Abroad and Tips for When You Get There

California with Kids: 10 Unforgettable Family Vacations

How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Maui Family Vacation

Five Great National Park Vacations for Families

The post St. John & St. Thomas with Kids – USVI Family Vacation Guide appeared first on Family Travel 411.

MAUI, HAWAII – With long flights to get there even from the West Coast, and an average daily room rate of $350*, Maui may be one of the last places a budget-minded traveler would think of spending vacation time. And it may seem an especially daunting destination to the frugal traveler with a family in tow.

But while it may feel effortless (though painful) to plan an expensive Maui family vacation, planning one that would cost only half as much–or less–may be easier than you think. Here are a few tips to help your family get the most Maui for the least moolah.

Take advantage of spring airfare sales to Maui.

When you’re buying tickets to Maui for four or more people, a difference in $100, $200, $300 or more per ticket makes a huge dent in your travel budget’s bottom line. Just consider the difference in total airfare between a family of four that travels over their President’s Week school vacation (AKA ski week) or spring break, and the family of four that waits until summer vacation:

Summer vacation for 4:       

RT San Francisco/Maui @ $700   = $2800 total airfare

Spring vacation for 4:            

RT San Francisco/Maui @ $350   = $1400 total airfare

By taking advantage of Alaska Airline’s spring fare sales, we were twice able to fly round trip to Maui from the Bay Area for less than $350 per person (including taxes). In fact, the savings of $1400 illustrated here may actually pay for a 1-week stay in a 1-bedroom Maui vacation rental!

As I update this in early May 2023, Hawaiian Airlines is still promoting spring fares through end of May/early June, including one-way fares from San Francisco OR Oakland to Maui from $129 each way. Click here to check Hawaiian Airlines’ latest special offers.

Tip: Use www.Fly.com to find out which airlines serve Maui from your nearest airport and sign up for their promotional emails. You’ll be the first to know when they offer a fare sale to Maui—which is important when the number of sale seats per flight are limited and you’ll be buying four or more of them. By subscribing, you may also get special offers, promotional codes, or perks others don’t.

Bypass the resorts and book a Maui condo instead.

It goes without saying that a family equipped to cook at least some of its meals during a Maui vacation will save money over the family stuck with eating out in restaurants the entire time. But having a kitchen, which may be included in many resort rooms as well, is really just the beginning of the financial advantages you’ll have by renting a fully-equipped Maui vacation rental.

Privately owned Maui condos and vacation rentals often come stocked with extras you’d have to pay additional fees for at a resort—like boogie boards and beach chairs—or conveniences you’d pay resort fees for such as beach towels to use during your stay.

Maui vacation condos and rentals usually provide more square feet per dollar than resort rooms, too, and with a 1-, 2-, or 3+ bedroom vacation rental, large families and those vacationing with grandparents or extended family can more affordably accommodate the group without the financial burden of having to pay for a second hotel room for extra children or additional hotel rooms for extended family.

And in a best case scenario, your vacation rental will even include a washer and dryer in your unit, which can not only save you over exorbitant resort laundry fees (or trips back and forth from a coin-op shared laundry) but it may even save you on checked baggage fees when you can get away with packing fewer outfits (x 4 or more people!).

Shelly’s pro tip: Search family-friendly and budget-friendly maui vacation rentals through VRBO

Or… consider camping on Maui!

Yes, you can fly your camping gear over to Maui, but for a family of four, you might really want to consider a campervan rental instead. A VW Westfalia campervan rental from Maui Westy Campers for a van sleeping 4 runs $140-$160 per night in mid season or $160-200 per night in high season —and that covers both your car rental and lodgings!

Note: That doesn’t include additional insurance (optional) of $15 a day, or campground fees—which range from $5 per adult (and $2 to $3 for children) at some camp sites up to $35 per night for a family. But what else does it include? All of the bedding and towels you’ll need, a kitchen kit, French coffee press, ice chest, flashlight, and other helpful items (www.alohacampers.com).

Having a campervan also gives you great advantages on Maui. You can continue exploring the island without constantly back-tracking, and every time you go to the beach you’ll have everything you might possibly need, including all of your food, a stocked ice chest, and mobile changing room!

Rent your snorkel gear or paddle board by the day or week (not by the hour).

Even if you’re staying at a resort, renting snorkel equipment on your own by the day or week will save you money over renting it from a beachfront resort. For example, you can pay around $35 an hour to rent a snorkel set at most Maui beachfront resorts, or stop by Snorkel Bob’s dive and snorkel gear rentals to get fitted for you complete “Ultimate Truth” premium snorkel & fin set for the week at $45 for adults—and lower-priced packages for kids. And you’ll be able to snorkel wherever and whenever you want during your stay.

Paddle boards rented from beachfront resorts may cost you from $55 an hour and up (they usually include a quick lesson with that). But if you pick up a rental board en route to the beach instead, you’ll get the board for the entire day for around the same price. If you’re wondering how to get a paddle board from a rental shop in town to the beach of your choice, it looks something like this (yes, those are foam noodles on the roof–and they’ll show you how).

Or if you prefer, some board shops in Maui like 808 Boards offer affordable day rates of around $50/day or $200/week WITH free delivery and pick up in the west end included.

Skip the spendy luau and get your Hawaiian entertainment for free.

It’s not to say that an evening of feasting, fire dancers, and world class hula performances is anything to sneeze at. But the family on a budget doesn’t have to spend the $80 to $100 per adult (and child over 12 years) or $30 to $50 per child 6 to 12 years, to enjoy Hawaiian culture and entertainment. Especially when there are plenty of opportunities around Maui to enjoy it for free. Here are some places to start.

Free family fun in the Kihei, Makena, and Wailea area:

Check the schedule of free entertainment and activities including Polynesian dance performances, Papa Hula dance and ukulele lessons, lei making, and more. You can view upcoming events at The Shops at Wailea website.

Free family fun in the Ka’anapali area:

Take a look at the current schedule of events at Whaler’s Village, where you may find hula lessons, lei-making classes, ukulele lessons, and even a free movie night.

Free Friday town parties all around Maui:

Plus, each week Maui has a rotating “Friday Town Party” with free live entertainment, food trucks and vendors, and local arts and crafts on display. Here’s the schedule:

• First Friday of the month – Wailuku
• Second Friday – Lahaina
• Third Friday – Makawao
• Fourth Friday – Kihei
• Fifth Friday – Lana‘i

Kihei’s Friday town parties, which happen every 4^th Friday of the month at the Azeka Shopping Center, are known to be particularly family friendly, with face painting, animal rides, and now “human hamster balls” on water. You can visit the Maui Fridays site to see which parties are coming up next.

Plan ahead—or plan last minute for Maui.

Planning your budget-friendly Maui vacation well in advance will enable you to jump on those best airfare specials when they surface, and also to reserve one of the best-value vacation rentals before someone else gets it for the dates that you want.

Destination Residences, for example, will even reward you for booking from at least 60 days up to 120 days in advance with discounts up to 40%. That can bring the cost of a 1-bedroom garden view condo at Grand Champions Villas in Wailea down as low as $143 per night, or a 1-bedroom ocean view at Wailea Ekahi Village down as low as $269 per night (prices will vary by season, date, and individual unit). Click here for more about these offers from Destination Residences.

But if you’re too late to be early, there’s no reason to despair. Many vacation rental owners will drop prices on certain dates if there is a cancellation or an odd number of days to fill between other stays (keep checking Vrbo).

Save like a local on groceries.

Yes, there is a Costco near Maui’s main airport, and you and 100 of your closest friends from your flight may all be headed there as soon as you pick up your rental cars. But before you load up on more short ribs or cheese doodles and jumbo-size condiments than you may be able to consume during your stay, consider whether or not this is the most cost-effective way to go about grocery shopping for your vacation.

You might fare much better overall by shopping at a grocery store nearer your accommodations on an as-needed bases. Safeway has multiple locations on Maui, including Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, and if you already have a Safeway Club Card, you can use it to get the sale prices when shopping at any of these.

Foodland, which also has locations in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, is rumored to have better prices than Safeway, especially when you take advantage of their Maika’i Card savings program (similar to the Safeway Club Card). You don’t have to be a local to join; just ask a cashier for the quick form to fill in on your first visit and the “instant savings” prices will apply to you at checkout.

Better still, Maui has farmer’s markets all around the island and all through the week. In fact, central Maui and south Maui (Kihei) have farmer’s market three days a week, making it easy to buy the freshest, local produce you could hope to get your hands on (unless you want to go pick your own…). Click here to see the full list of Maui’s farmer market locations and dates.

You might also like these other Maui family vacation features:

My Six Picks: Great Maui Vacation Rentals for Multi-Gen Family Vacations

Of Pirate Ships and Paddle boards: A review of Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas

East Maui Escape: My Review of Travaasa Hana for Families

Inspired yet? For more tips, ideas, and inspiration for your Maui family vacation, see my “Maui with Kids” board on Pinterest. And if you get a great budget-friendly Maui tip, please share with the rest of us it in a comment below. Mahalo!

You might also like:

Kauai with Kids – Hawaii Family Vacation Guide

The Ten Best U.S. Vacation Destinations for LGBTQ+ Families

Ten Things You Should Do Before Booking Family Vacation Rentals

California with Kids: 10 Unforgettable Family Vacations

This article was first published September 25, 2015. It has since been revised and updated.

The post How to Build a Budget-Friendly Maui Family Vacation appeared first on Family Travel 411.

Hiking with Kids Southern California: 45 Great Hikes for Families includes my recommended hikes in Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, Death Valley, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks.

And for each hike, I’ve included all the details you need to know BEFORE you go to plan for hiking success! You’ll see:

• Multiple color photos
• An easy-to-follow map
• Difficulty ratings (from easy to strenuous)
• Recommended ages on foot (from 2 years through teens)
• Directions and GPS to the trailhead
• Dog-friendliness info
• Mile by mile directional cues
• Even restroom availability for every hike!

Plus my detailed hike descriptions take you along each unique trail so you’ll know what to expect — and what cool things to look for as you hike with your family.

Of course, the book includes several MORE hikes in other incredible California locations as well, from San Luis Obispo County through Salton Sea State Recreation Area.

If you want to experience some of California’s biggest bucket list destinations with your kids, please consider this guidebook your formal invitation!

You can preview the book online at Amazon and order your copy now. And if you find it helpful, I hope you’ll leave a review to let others know. And drop me a line @shelly.rivoli – I’d love to hear what you think of Hiking with Kids Southern California!

Here are some related posts you might like:

Sequoia National Park with Kids

Ten Unforgettable California Family Vacation Ideas

Anza-Borrego’s Best Hikes for Kids

Yosemite National Park with Kids

Hiking to Whiskeytown Falls – Shasta County

Review of Merrell Siren Sport 2 women’s hiking shoes

How Can Fourth Graders Visit U.S. National Parks for FREE?

The post Hike These 5 California National Parks with Kids — and Confidence! appeared first on Family Travel 411.

Read on, get inspired, and get packing!  

LGBTQ+ parents know that they struggle with many of the same issues as their straight counterparts–getting their kids to eat better, trying to understand new math, and picking where to go for a great family vacation.

They also know that they are not alone. The number of LGBT families in the U.S. is growing rapidly. According to a study by Community Marketing, Inc., between 6% and 29% of LGBTQ Gen-Xers report having a child under the age of 18 living in their home.  The study also found that there is a significant number of LGBT Baby Boomers who have grandchildren.

While there is no easy answer on how to get the kids to like broccoli or how to solve 2 + 2 in fifteen steps, the specific question about where to go for a great family vacation is becoming easier to answer as more destinations across the U.S. are family-friendly, gay-friendly, and LGBT-friendly.  Here are 10 vacation destinations topping the list with that winning combination.

An earlier version of this article first appeared June 1, 2017, which has since been updated. This post may contain affiliate links.

1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Twenty-three miles of stunning beaches is one of the main reasons the Greater Fort Lauderdale area is a top family travel destinations. In addition to the surf and sand, Fort Lauderdale offers many family friendly attractions ranging from the Museum of Discovery & Science to Butterfly World. Visiting LGBT families can take added comfort in knowing that this southern Florida paradise is also home to one of the largest concentrations of same-sex couple households in the U.S.  More tips & resources for your trip:  http://www.sunny.org

Related: See our story Into the Everglades: A Post-Hurricane Airboat Adventure at Sawgrass Recreation Park.

2. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is not just the entertainment capital of the world, it is also an awesome family-friendly destination. A child’s imagination will soar at the sight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center or travel in time inside the spectacular Dinosaur Hall at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. There is also the always fun Universal Studios Hollywood that includes The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

For some LGBT immersing, you can plan some sightseeing with Out & About Tours, which offers walking and driving tours that focus on LA’s LGBTQ history, and visit the nearby city of West Hollywood, which has a large LGBT population and many friendly retail shops and restaurants.  More tips & resources for your trip:  www.discoverlosangeles.com  

Related: See our Los Angeles with Kids – California Family Vacation Guide and also Catalina Island with Kids.

3. New York City, New York

From Broadway shows to world-class museums to famed parks and gardens, New York City is a giant playground for visitors of all ages. In addition to kid-friendly attractions such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Statue of Liberty, a must-see attraction and important learning opportunity is the Stonewall National Monument  located at the historic site of the 1969  Stonewall Uprising that helped spark the modern LGBT civil rights movement in the U.S. 

More tips & resources for your trip: https://www.nycgo.com/

And don’t miss our NYC with Kids – New York Family Vacation Guide and Ten Things to Know Before Taking Your Kids to a Broadway Show.

4. Orlando, Florida

Dubbed the theme park capital of the world, Orlando attracts more than 60 million visitors annually. Disney, which received a perfect score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index that provides an in-depth analysis and rating of large U.S. employers and their policies and practices pertinent to LGBT employees and customers, operates five of the city’s top parks.

Needless to say, most if not all of them are on the travel bucket list for most families–including LGBTQ families planning that ultimate theme park vacation. More tips & resources for your trip: https://www.visitorlando.com/

Related: See our story Into the Everglades: A Post-Hurricane Airboat Adventure at Sawgrass Recreation Park and Swamp Buggy: A Tale of Family Adventure in Big Cypress National Preserve

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is a city steeped in American history but there is nothing “old and stodgy” about this amazing gay family-friendly vacation destination. Liberty Bell Center, Please Touch Museum, and The Franklin Institute are all great examples of the city’s fun and interactive attractions.

In addition, the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection) has been very proactive in welcoming LGBT visitors. It was one of the first cities in the world to create a LGBT-inclusive tourism ad campaign. More tips & resources for your trip: www.visitphilly.com

Related: See our Philadelphia with Kids – Pennsylvania Family Vacation Guide

6. Phoenix, Arizona

From hiking the famed Camelback Mountain to exploring the Musical Instrument Museum, the greater Phoenix area offers the opportunity to experience diverse activities in a single destination. And while it might seem cliché for the LGBTQ family to ride in a rainbow-colored hot air balloon … it is strongly recommended.

Phoenix and the surrounding cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa, are all LGBT-welcoming, with non-discrimination policies and some openly LGBT officials. More tips & resources for your trip: https://www.visitphoenix.com/

7. Provincetown, Massachusetts

Located on the Northern tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is most famous for two things. First and most obvious: it’s the location of the Mayflower’s landing in 1620.

But second? Provincetown is a long-time leading LGBTQ-friendly summer vacation destination. During the height of the summer season, more than half the city’s visitors are members of the LGBTQ community including many families.

The annual Provincetown Family Week identifies as “the largest annual gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified parents and their families in the world.” More tips & resources for your trip to this LGBTQ-friendly vacation spot: http://www.provincetowntourismoffice.org/

Related: See our Cape Cod with Kids, The Berkshires with Kids, and Boston with Kids Massachusetts Family Vacation Guides.

8. San Diego, California                      

In addition to 70 miles of beautiful beaches and nearly always pleasant weather, San Diego is home to world-class family attractions including the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld San Diego, and Balboa Park.

October is an especially good time to visit for the annual Kids Free promotion. For the entire month, child admission to bay cruises, theme parks, museums, and other activities are free with paid adult. Plus, restaurants offer special Kids Free deals and hotels offer special amenities to children 12 and under.

As a testament to its LGBTQ friendliness, San Diego Pride is the largest civic event in the city. More tips & resources for your trip: http://www.sandiego.org

Don’t miss our Family Travel 411 Carlsbad with Kids and Catalina Island with Kids California Family Vacation Guides.

9. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is a city overflowing with iconic family-friendly attractions including Golden Gate Park, Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception, and Aquarium of the Bay . Of course, no trip to San Francisco is complete without a ride on a cable car.

The Castro District is the city’s traditional LGBT neighborhood and filled with family-friendly restaurants and retail shops. It is here you will also find the SF LGBT Center. More tips & resources for your trip: www.sftravel.com

Don’t miss our recommendations in the Family Travel 411 San Francisco with Kids – California Family Vacation Guide.

10. Washington, D.C.

Monuments and memorials and museums…oh my! A family trip to Washington, D.C. can appeal to many interests including science, history, and art. Better still, nearly all of the major museums in the city have LGBT-related items.

Among others, look for artwork by Andy Warhol at the National Gallery of Art and information on the persecution of homosexuals during WWII at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. More tips & resources for your trip: www.washington.org  

Related: See our Washington, D.C. with Kids Family Vacation Guide.

You might also like:

California with Kids: Ten Unforgettable Family Vacation Ideas

How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Maui Family Vacation

Puerto Vallarta with Kids – Mexico Family Vacation Guide

Five Great National Park Vacations for Families

Ten Things You Should Always Pack for Travel

Travel with Teens: Tips for Getting & Renewing U.S. Passports

Nine Amazing Family Vacations Abroad + Tips for When You Get There

Traveling with a child under 5 years? Don’t miss “How to Travel with a Car Seat (Without Losing Your Mind)” and my ultimate index to Flying with a Baby or Toddler advice at TravelswithBaby.com.

The post The Ten Best LGBTQ+ Family Vacation Destinations appeared first on Family Travel 411.

Consider California’s giant sequoias and world’s tallest redwood trees awaiting in ancient forests. Classic cable cars climbing the hills of San Francisco and golf carts cruising the streets of Catalina Island. And some of California’s best vacation spots may still even be off the radars of many families! (It’s a pretty big state.)

The unique vacation experiences to be had in the Golden State are too many to number. That’s why I’ve rounded up ten California vacation ideas from our contributors your family will never forget — with more fun family trip ideas linked below.

From sunny beaches to snowy slopes to a surprising safari and island escape, each recommendation here links to an additional feature filled with planning tips and details for some of the best California family vacation spots. (Be sure to pin this to your travel boards for future family getaways in California!)

1. The Catalina Island Family Getaway

For the parent whose days feel like an endless shuffle of get-in-the-car-and-out-again en route to school, soccer, dance lessons, sports camps, play dates and the like, Catalina offers the perfect respite: a family vacation of car-free bliss.

On Catalina Island, cars are not allowed except for those already ‘grandfathered in’ or operating as taxis to whisk you from ferry port to port cochère of your hotel. Once there, walking in Avalon is perfectly lovely and can get you anywhere your happy feet may want to go, from lodgings to restaurants and from bakery to beach.

But there’s no need to wander aimlessly. Read our 411 on Catalina Island with Kids travel guide for our recommended activities, dining and lodging on the island for families considering this California vacation.  >>> Read more in “Catalina Island with Kids” – contributed by Shelly Rivoli

2. A South Lake Tahoe Winter Family Vacation

The kids shrieked with joy and screamed in delight as the first snow-clad Sierra pines came into sight, and the cacophony of, “Oh, my gosh! Oh, my GOSH!” and “Guys, over there!” and “Oh! It’s like…like… giant mushrooms!” continued with increasing volume  as we ventured on over the mountain toward our favorite summer playground–now transformed into a winter wonderland they only recognized from holiday greeting cards.

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area and on the heels of years of drought, there is one thing my kids will tell you they have NOT had enough of. But with the glorious “snowpocolypse” blanketing Tahoe with impressive snowfall, this is clearly the year for families to get out there and seize the snow.

That’s exactly what we did on our recent trip to uncover the best of South Tahoe with kids. If you’re headed that way, here are 4 great family-friendly activities, along with recommendations of 1 amazing winter California family resort and 1 great place to eat while you’re there. >>> Continue reading “South Lake Tahoe with Kids – Winter Edition” – contributed by Shelly Rivoli

3. A San Francisco Urban Family Adventure

Riding cable cars, sampling Ghirardelli chocolates, getting that Golden Gate family photo op, savoring clam chowder served in a sourdough bowl, and souvenir shopping in Chinatown? The first-timer’s San Francisco Travel Bucket List is long to say the least.

And don’t even get me started on all of the great neighborhoods to explore across the city, each with its own brilliant cafes, bakeries, small restaurants, and intriguing shops.

Yet if you’re like many traveling families I know, you’ll have to pack all your San Francisco fun into just a handful of days. So you’ll be especially glad to make use of our travel guide, with details and tips for our top-recommended activities for this classic California family vacation spot, including 1 great place to eat and 1 great place to stay.  >>> Read  more in “San Francisco with Kids – Northern California family vacation guide.” – contributed by Shelly Rivoli

4. A California Family Safari Vacation–staying in real African Tents!

The first question any child of three years or seventy-five will likely ask is, “Who gets to ride on the top?” Indeed, everyone in our group of ten safari goers would have liked a turn to enjoy the view from the top deck of the jeep.

Especially when we happened upon certain curious and, later, potentially deadly inhabitants of the “Sonoma Serengeti.” However, this privilege is only bestowed upon those measuring at least 45 inches in height.

Having confirmed these qualifications where necessary–and that everyone who needed to use the facilities one last time had, we boarded our safari jeep, settling into its three tiered bench rows on the lower level and solitary bench above (the only seating with safety belts).

With water bottles, cameras, and wide eyes, we set out on our 2-hour exploration of Safari West Wildlife Preserve, set on 400 acres of rolling hills just an hour and a half north of San Francisco. Our safari adventure took us among the giraffes, cape buffalo, ostriches, zebras and others. But all the more fun: our overnight stay in the luxury safari tent from Botswana

Find out more about one of the most memorable family trips in California >>> Read more in “On Safari in Sonoma: Our Tour of Safari West Wildlife Preserve,” and also “One Night in the African Tent Camp: Our Review of Safari West, Santa Rosa” – contributed by Shelly Rivoli

5. A Carlsbad Family Vacation

The captivating shimmer of rescued treasures and inviting smell of old books permeate from antique shop entryways as visitors soak up this uniquely “European” city center situated on the beautiful Southern California coast.

Just 87 miles south of Los Angeles and 35 miles north of San Diego, Carlsbad has discovered its inner-glam and is not afraid to show it. Visitors revel in its world-class dining, shopping and cultural events with friendly, small-town charm.

Carlsbad is also know as the Village By the Sea. Lucky visitors can explore nearly 7 miles of pristine coastline and 50 miles of biking and hiking trails. Have I mentioned the year-round perfect climate for enjoying the outdoors?  >>> Continue reading “Carlsbad with Kids – Southern California family vacation guide.” – contributed by Jennifer Fontaine

6. A Sequoia National Park Family Vacation

Want to show your kids some seriously big trees this year? Then pack your bags and make way for Sequoia National Park in southern California. Sequoia is not simply home to some of the largest living organisms on earth; it’s also home to “the world’s largest tree” based on volume.

Yet Sequoia has more to offer than just spectacular trees. To get the most from your visit to Sequoia National Park, take a look at our guide to see why Sequoia National Park is one of the most beloved family vacation spots in California. >>> Continue reading “Sequoia National Park with Kids – Southern California family vacation guide.” – contributed by Shelly Rivoli

7. A Morro Bay Family Vacation on California’s Central Coast

Harbor seals, sea otters, and egrets aplenty await where the land meets Morro Bay on California’s scenic Central Coast. This once remote fishing village offers families an ideal combination of nature and recreation. And better still, you can enjoy Morro Bay without the crowds and exorbitant price tags that come with many California beach towns (shhhh).

Granted, the scenery is hard to top and dock-to-dish dining options abound. Yet Morro Bay also registers high on my family-friendliness-ometer for some very practical reasons. Among them: available free street parking, abundant public restrooms, and great walkability.

All together, it’s what a great coastal family destination should be. And given its Central Coast location, Morro Bay makes a great weekend family getaway for families driving in from north or south.

Morro Bay is just under 4 hours south of San Francisco or north of Los Angeles by car.

When you get there, dive into these great family-friendly activities, including hiking trails, kayaking tours, sea otter viewing, and more. >>> Continue reading “Morro Bay with Kids – Central Coast family vacation guide” – contributed by Shelly Rivoli

8. A Los Angeles Family Urban Vacation

Take a sip of a cool fruit smoothie, your feet buried in warm golden sand. As you watch your children make sand castles, thoughts of your afternoon plans sleepily buzz in your head. Old Hollywood? Ancient Rome? Natural history? It’s all possible when you plan a family vacation in Los Angeles.

Yes, it is sprawling. Yet in spite of the driving, you’ll find that Los Angeles is well worth the trip for families. The key is to plan no more than one big activity a day. Play the rest of your day by ear, you know, in that laid-back California-style you perfected on the beach. >>> Continue reading “Los Angeles with Kids – Southern California family vacation guide” for our top priorities for family vacation in L.A. – contributed by Veronique Autphenne

9. The Bucket-List Yosemite National Park Family Vacation

Yosemite is one of the most popular destinations to visit in California with kids and with good reason. Granite domes, sheer cliffs, waterfalls, ancient and enormous trees, alpine meadows, and a lush river valley all come together in one of America’s most famous and beloved national parks.

Yosemite is just a few hours’ drive from the Bay Area, so it may be tempting to add a few days to your San Francisco itinerary to go visit the park (or make a side trip to San Francisco if you’re already visiting Yosemite).

Living in such close proximity to Yosemite, we’ve been lucky enough to visit nearly every year since becoming parents. And what’s as much a treat as seeing the park in different seasons? Seeing the different “seasons” of our kids experiencing Yosemite in new and changing ways.

Ready to check Yosemite off your family’s National Park bucket list? Here are some of our favorite ways we’ve found to experience Yosemite National Park with kids, including hiking trails, biking recommendations, and more. >>> Continue reading “Yosemite National Park with Kids – Northern California family vacation guide” – contributed by Shelly Rivoli

10. A Family Horseback Riding Vacation in Santa Barbara County

The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort in Solvang, CA (just north of Santa Barbara) offers a fun, western twist on traditional California family resorts. What’s more, in addition to all the fun outdoor activities, swimming pool, and activities club, the riding experiences here are perfect for beginners through accomplished equestrians.

Tired of nose-to-tail, no-trot trail rides on your family vacation? When we visited, the riding experiences proved to be anything but, making for an enjoyable family horseback riding vacation for all three generations of our family, and all level of riders (and levels of horseback enthusiasts) among us.

Set on 10,000 acres outside of Santa Barbara, the active cattle ranch is home to a herd of 100+ geldings. Among them are horses suitable for the youngest beginning riders through advanced riders. Suffice to say I wasted no time getting over to the barn to see what it’s all about. >>> Continue reading “A Family Horseback Riding Vacation at The Alisal Guest Ranch” – contributed by Shelly Rivoli

Traveling with a child under 5 years? Don’t miss “How to Travel with a Car Seat (Without Losing Your Mind)” and my ultimate index to Flying with a Baby or Toddler advice at TravelswithBaby.com.

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The post Ten Unforgettable California Family Vacation Ideas appeared first on Family Travel 411.

Yet Sequoia has more to offer than just spectacular trees. Here are my top 4 recommended activities to get the most from your visit to Sequoia National Park with kids, along with recommendations for 1 great place to stay and 1 great place to eat while you are there.

Summer 2023 alert: Generals Highway is closed for road repairs caused from storm damage between Hospital Rock and the Giant Forest Museum. THE ONLY WAY to currently reach the giant sequoias, including the Giant Forest, General Sherman Tree, and Grant Grove is through the Big Stump Entrance on Highway 180. Click here to check for the latest status on the road reopenings before your visit.

1. Tour Crystal Cave

Note for summer 2023: Crystal Cave is closed for 2023 from damage caused by wildfire and the more recent storms. It’s expected to reopen for summer 2024.

It’s a bit off the beaten track and missed by many visitors to Sequoia National Park, but I encourage anyone who is physically able to take the guided tour of Crystal Cave. With its polished marble underground streams and cream puff stalagmites, it’s a fascinating world to explore beneath Sequoia National Park.

You must buy tickets and sign up for your tour in advance, and the process of getting to the cave and getting in is surprisingly complicated but worth it, so be sure to read this post first on Important Tips for Visiting Crystal Cave. You can buy your tickets and reserve your tour time at Recreation.gov’s Crystal Cave tours page. Once you have your tour time set, you can plan the rest of your activities around it.

2. Enlist in the Junior Ranger program

As in many National Parks, Sequoia offers a Junior Ranger Program where kids completing certain tasks during their visit to the park can earn a badge and the distinction of being a young protector of the park. For us, it involved visiting a minimum number of sites from a list, picking up some litter we found in the park, completing a few activities in the guide, and attending a ranger talk at the Visitor Center–which we all enjoyed more than expected and admit we wouldn’t have done if the kids hadn’t wanted to earn their Junior Ranger badges.

With these tasks accomplished, the kids had to answer a few on-the-spot questions from a park ranger to demonstrate their knowledge of the place before getting sworn-in and receiving their badges. Ask for details and your Junior Ranger Guide at the Lodgepole Visitor Center, or read more here on the Visit Sequoia website.

3. Visit the Giant Forest and say hello to the General Sherman Tree

This is where you’ll not only get your family’s photo op with the world’s largest tree, but you’ll find great paths meandering through some of Sequoia’s most famous and picturesque groves. It’s all a moderate hike from the parking lot above or shuttle stop below. Although it’s the most trafficked tree trail in the park, you’ll actually make quite a descent and ascent back up again to the parking area, and many people are caught off guard by the effects of the altitude.

Bring your camera, bring water, go slowly, and enjoy the trees.

4. Hike to the top of Moro Rock

Perhaps one of the most photographed locations in the park, the top of Moro Rock provides panoramic views of California’s Central Valley and the Western Divide. The hike up is actually short but very steep. Cement staircases give way to textured slopes at times, though it is do-able with a toddler.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to enjoy a park ranger’s talk at the top, as he points out the treasures hiding in the sweeping expanse around you (check times at the Visitor Center). For tips on Hiking Moro Rock with little kids, be sure to read this post.

1 Great Place for Families to Stay: Wuksachi Lodge

The one and only official lodge of Sequoia National Park is the very comfy and well-appointed Wuksachi Lodge. Situated at 7,200 feet and spread between three buildings and the lodge, your family will have plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife on strolls around the grounds and to the dining room.

Guest rooms range from standard rooms sleeping 4 in beds to superior rooms. The latter of the two can sleep 6 in beds with two in a sitting room, which can be closed off with sliding doors (shown above). Wuksachi Lodge also hosts free family-friendly weekly activities, such as wildlife viewing clinics, flashlight hikes, astronomy talks, and more.

1 Great Place for Families to Eat: The Peaks at Wuksachi Lodge

Yes, there are basic lunch options and a small market by the Lodgepole Visitors Center. But for a “great” dining experience, you’ll want to check out The Peaks restaurant at Wuksachi Lodge. Kids under 12 years have their own menu ($6 – $8), and parents can enjoy a simple Caesar salad or a more sophisticated meal, all while taking in a forest view from the dining room. See the current menus and hours here.

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An earlier version of this article first appeared May 21, 2014.

The post Sequoia National Park with Kids Family Vacation Guide appeared first on Family Travel 411.