Go on Safari in Santa Rosa, CA
Long before we looked to go to Africa for safari, I had my eyes on a little known place in Northern California called Safari West. The Sonoma Serengeti as some call it, is unlike any wildlife preserve you will have…
What to Do in Death Valley with Kids | One Day Itinerary
What do you think of when you hear Death Valley? Hottest Place on Earth. Yep. Desolate and barren. Yep. Even though Death Valley is synonymous with these images, I think that like most people, I didn't really have a clear…
Pismo Beach Sand Dunes
Everyone seems to know that California has an abundance of national parks, but what some don't realize is that there are also a ton of really great state parks that are well worth visiting. One such park, nicknamed Pismo Beach…
Visiting Manzanar National Historic Site with Kids
If you follow us regularly, you know we are national park obsessed. But it's not just nature parks that we love to go to, we also enjoy visiting many of the monuments and historic sites that are part of the…
Guide to Legoland California
Even though we live only 90 minutes away from Legoland in Carlsbad, it has taken us years to finally get there. My son isn't a lego fanatic, so we weren't pushed to make the trip. I regret now that it…
Finding Fall in Bishop, California
Growing up in Texas and spending most of my adult life in places that do not experience fall, I had had enough and wanted to find some cooler air and pretty colors! My nature loving sidekick was game as he…
Medieval Times or Pirate’s Dinner Adventure
Visitors flock to Southern California for vacation looking to fill their days and nights with as much fun as they can afford! If you are visiting Buena Park or nearby Anaheim you probably have on your itinerary to attend an interactive family…
Summer in Big Bear with Kids
Often only thought of as Southern California's place to play in the snow, Big Bear also has a wide array of activities luring visitors throughout the year. As the heat of the summer sets in, Big Bear is the perfect escape.…
Sky’s the Limit Observatory in 29 Palms
One of the best places in Southern California for star gazing is in and around Joshua Tree. We have been out several times specifically to do this, but only recently learned about the Sky's the Limit Observatory in 29 Palms.…
29 Palms: A Joshua Tree Hidden Gem
We have been to Joshua tree too many times to count, but we continue to find new areas to explore. On my most recent trip, I had the opportunity to stay in Twentynine Palms near the Oasis of Mara entrance.…
Get off the Beaten Path with Joshua Tree Excursions
I have been to Joshua Tree many times, and while there is still a ton to explore on my own, I was excited to get off the beaten path with Joshua Tree Excursions during my last visit. Joshua Tree Excursions is…
Touch a Truck Thousand Oaks
Touch-a-truck events are becoming the spring and summer thing to do. Some are fundraisers for public schools or charity organizations and some are just free community events. The Touch-a-Truck day in Thousand Oaks is our favorite of all the ones on offer…
Buena Park: A Kid’s Dream Destination
There isn't always time or money to take elaborate vacations out of town, but that's where staycations come in handy. We are so lucky to live in Southern California where there is an abundance to do locally no matter the…
Fire Service Recognition Day Open House 2018
There are several important events in the year according to my son. Christmas and Easter are two, but right up there with national holidays are the open house days for the sanitation department and the fire stations! The second Saturday…
A Perfect Weekend: Things to Do in Huntington Beach
When most people think of Southern California, the image that comes to mind is of golden sand beaches running for miles, beautiful sunsets and surfers galore. This is exactly what is waiting to greet you in Huntington Beach! From relaxing…
Family Day Trip to Muir Woods
The Bay Area is one of my favorite places on earth. Not just because I lived there for almost a decade, but because no matter where you turn you are surrounded by so much beauty. The abundance of beautiful scenery,…
Get off the Beaten Path: Best National Parks for Families
In celebration of the 100th year of the National Park Service, I will post at least once a month in some way relating to our wonderful national park system to help bring awareness to an awesome part of our country that is…
What To Do in Wrightwood (Near Mt. High)
You managed to pack up the car, bundle up the kids and hit the road for snow tubing at Mountain High. Whew! Congrats. Oh but wait, now you have arrived only to discover that it's either sold out for the day…
Calico Ghost Town | Perfect Stop Between Las Vegas & LA
Ever since moving to California I have heard of it's ghost towns. The few I have on my list to visit haven't been on any route we've taken, so when I happened across Calico Ghost Town on our way back…
Polar Bear Hunt at the Annenberg Space for Photography
Update Jan 2016: The polar bear exhibit has now been changed to an oceans exhibit. I hear it is just as spectacular. Looking for a free afternoon adventure? Bundle up and head out on a polar bear hunt at the…