Growing up in the 80s and 90s, Joshua Tree for me symbolized music, not a National Park. But because of the music, the park has always held a certain allure. Once I discovered how close it was to LA, it moved to the…
We set out on a foggy overcast day for the mountain town of Skyforest, just outside of Lake Arrowhead and about 30 miles from Big Bear Lake, in search of winter fun at Santa's Village. As we weaved through light…
The holiday season is upon us which means an overload of things to do in Los Angeles. Even though we don't get the snowy cold weather, this city knows how to celebrate for the holidays! Parades, neighborhood Christmas light extravaganzas,…
As much as we love to venture off to distant lands, we also love exploring here at home in Southern California. One place I had yet to visit was the small mountain town Idyllwild, popular with hippies and hikers alike.…
Every year the number of traditions that my son institutes seems to grow exponentially. It's tough to keep up with all the things he wants to do each year to signify and celebrate the coming Halloween holiday. For him it's not…
Most southern Californian residents know Long Beach either for it's spectacular aquarium or as the home of the famous Queen Mary. Situated on the coast, only 30 minutes from LAX or Downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach is an easy day trip…
Living in Los Angeles means pretty great weather most of the year.. except for a few months during the summer where temperatures regularly soar into the high 90s and 100s. It is during these times that we look to get…
California is home to 28 national parks and sites scattered throughout the state. From the iconic Half Dome in Yosemite, to the desolate in Death Valley and the big trees in the North at the Redwoods, there is no shortage…
Growing up in Texas, my summers were spent at the local pool or the water park, so I was super excited to finally take my son to his first water park. With hot summers, Southern California has a great selection…
San Francisco, the city by the bay, is one of my favorite cities in the world. The beautiful views, the architecture, the quaint neighborhoods with their own distinct feel, the abundance of amazing restaurants, and the glorious fog. I first fell…
The last thing I wanted to do after finding my car broken into was drive 80 miles south of Los Angeles to Oceanside for a planned weekend getaway. Turns out, it's exactly what I needed. Packed up and ready to head…
San Francisco is one of the world’s top destinations for tourists and is a wonderful city for families to visit. A visit to the magical city of San Francisco is never complete without some time at Fisherman's Wharf. Yes, it's super…
During our recent visit to the San Francisco Bay Area, we unexpectedly found ourselves at a national park site that we didn't even know existed. Researching this a bit more, I was surprised to learn there are 10 national park sites…
I love camping, as in, I love being out in nature. But I actually don't really love setting up a tent, sleeping on a half inflated air mattress (I mean they never stay inflated for the whole night right?) or cooking on…
One of our all time favorite ways to travel is by road. Prior to having kids road trips were few and far between. Usually just as a means to get somewhere that was too expensive to fly! I wasn't looking to take…
An exclusive vacation spot for Californians and out of towners alike, Palm Springs is known for its outdoor exploration, relaxation and intense heat. These things blend together to create the perfect desert experience. Ideal for a girls weekend away or a…
Through the years, my son has become a real train enthusiast, moving beyond just playing with his toy trains to actually taking an interest in real ones no matter where they are. He loves to go to the local train station…
During my visit to Santa Rosa late last year, I was super excited to check out the Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa. I am a big fan of mid century modern design, old-school hotels and anything Vegas. From what I…
When you hear of Sonoma County, you think wine country. Yep, this is the heart of the wine country. For young singles and couples without kids, a weekend visit to Sonoma means soaking up the scenery, sampling first class wines…
If you read our post on Exploring the Mojave Preserve, you might remember that the basic premise for this park is a place for self discovery, adventure and exploration. This extends to where you will stay as well. Given that…