Ultimate Guide to the Best Hiking in Los Angeles (2023)

Would you ever have guessed that hiking in Los Angeles is *the* thing to do here? We were so surprised to learn this when we moved here 9 years ago. 

Traffic, yes.

Celebrities, of course. 

But hiking? Yes! it is really one of the most popular activities you will find Angelenos participating in all days of the week, and all times of the year. 

The truth is, there are a TON of amazing hikes in the Los Angeles area, that it can take years to experience them all. When we first moved to LA, my son was only 3 so we didn’t do a ton of difficult hikes at that time, focusing on the best hikes for toddlers, but as the years have progressed, we have added more and more to our arsenal.

In 2021, we started the year with a goal of hiking (and biking!) 100 miles for the month of January and 1000 for the year. For our own purposes to keep track of the hikes we have done and would recommend, we started this guide on all the hiking trails in Los Angeles that we have been on or have on our list!

We will cover the best hikes in LA (according to popular consensus), waterfall hikes in Los Angeles as well as some great hiking near Los Angeles. Read on for more information for each. Check back often for updates as well.

Read more

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide For Outdoor Kids For 2022

The holiday’s are quickly approaching, which inevitably means the family will start asking for your kid’s wish lists. If you have an nature loving kiddo to buy for, this is your go-to guide! My son is an outdoor fanatic and loves everything that relates to the outdoors from gear, to toys and even art supplies that can be used outside. Here are some of his (and our) favorite holiday gift ideas for outdoor kids.

Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Kids

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Read more

Explore the Suisun Valley: A Vibrant Emerging Family Destination

Suisun Valley is a unique, rustic wine country and farming community located just north of the San Francisco Bay Area in Solano County between San Francisco and Sacramento. In the recent past most visitors made their way up to the area for the Jelly Belly Factory that is located in Fairfield. These days, there are … Read more

Top 10 Magical Things To Do in Carson City Nevada

Are you looking to extend your trip along Hwy 395? If so, we have the perfect place – Carson City, Nevada. Continuing on with the cute Americana theme of Hwy 395, Carson City is a bit bigger than the other towns along this beautiful route, but offers a whole lot more. Read on for our list of great things to do in Carson City for a weekend or extended trip to the area.

Read more

7 Reasons to Visit the Bass Lake Yosemite Area

Looking to visit Yosemite but don’t want to stay inside the park? Our favorite place to stay outside the park is in the Bass Lake Yosemite area. The area is cute, quaint, offers a new dimension to your Yosemite visit and is well worth the drive into the park. Read on for our favorite things to do in and around the Bass Lake California as well as where to stay and eat.

Read more

13 Epic Things to Do Near Zion National Park

Zion is one of my favorite parks in Utah, but during certain times of the year it is insanely crowded. However you are in luck, there are a multitude of amazing things to do near Zion National Park including river rafting, spectacular Instagram worthy hikes and even private photo sessions.

If you are planning a trip to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon (or any other Utah National Parks), check out all the other options of things you can do near Zion to avoid the crowds, but still get an amazing vacation.

Of course when you are in the area, you must make time to visit Zion National Park as well for one of the best hikes in the world through the Narrows.

Read more

Zion is one of my favorite parks in Utah, but during certain times of the year it is insanely crowded. However you are in luck, there are a multitude of amazing things to do near Zion National Park including river rafting, spectacular Instagram worthy hikes and even private photo sessions.

If you are planning a trip to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon (or any other Utah National Parks), check out all the other options of things you can do near Zion to avoid the crowds, but still get an amazing vacation.

Of course when you are in the area, you must make time to visit Zion National Park as well for one of the best hikes in the world through the Narrows.

Read more

10 Easy Camping Meals That Will Make You Want to Go Camping

With camping season upon us, it’s time to get planning! The top ingredients for a perfect camping trip includes friends, food and fun. We have you covered with our favorite easy camping meals for family and friend get togethers. These are some of our tried and tested favorite easy camping recipes that we eat on almost every campout!

If you haven’t quite figured out where to go camping, our top spots for camping in Southern California is a great place to start. For now though, get busy planning what you will eat on your next camping adventure! Below are our favorite 10 easy camping meals that are perfect for your campouts big or small!

Read more

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway: 10 Surprising Places You Will Love

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives in all of California. Located in Kings Canyon National Park, the drive takes visitors through massive canyons, past raging waterfalls, all while following a beautiful roaring river. Visiting the sights along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is one of the most best things you … Read more

7 Easy, Fun & Uplifting Things to Do in Visalia California

Have you driven through Visalia in the Central Valley but wondered what all there might be to do there? Well, let me share with you there are so many great things to do in Visalia that makes it a great stop on a longer road trip or even as a base for a few days … Read more

40+ Car Camping Essentials For Families

These days everyone is venturing into the outdoors, looking to get away from the crowds. From hiking to camping, there are a multitude of options to experience nature. Here we share our top car camping essentials for families (and even those without kids!) to get you going this spring and summer. In addition to this list, I also have a family camping packing list that is printable here if you want that to help packing for all of our car camper friends!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Read more

9 Amazingly Fun Things to Do in Madison with Kids

When I was in college applying for graduate school Madison, Wisconsin was top of my list. I’d never been, and wasn’t sure I could manage the cold, but it sounded like an ultra hip town just like Austin where I was living.

Life took me in another direction, but when I was recently invited to visit Wisconsin I was so excited to finally see the university town I had longed to move to way back when. It was all I had envisioned and more.

Turns out there is also a ton of amazingly fun things to do in Madison with kids, which is why it should be on your radar if you are ever in the area.

Read more

10 Terrific Things to Do in Tennessee for Families

Tennessee may not seem like your obvious first choice of destination for a family vacation. However, The Volunteer State has a lot going for it. There are so many amazing family friendly things to do in Tennessee from taking in the iconic music, beautiful national parks and of course food!

The state has been home to musical icons such as Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley, and is often considered the birthplace of country and blues. It has a rich well-preserved history and a range of fascinating museums and monuments. It’s also home to the Smoky Mountains and has a lot of natural beauty to offer. 

All in all, there are a lot of great reasons to visit Tennessee. Below are just some of the best family activities to consider while on vacation in this state. 

Read more

A Family Adventure: Channel Islands Kayaking with Kids

Last summer I was offered an opportunity to visit one of the few national parks in California I had yet to visit, the Channel Islands. Upon looking at the itinerary I noticed that an entire day was dedicated to kayaking around the island of Santa Cruz..in the sea! I was terrified to be honest. I had never kayaked, much less in the sea.

The water in California is not warm even in the height of summer and I was super nervous about the possibility of flipping my kayak. Now, add in that I would be doing this with my equally scaredy-cat 6 year old who prefers hot tubbing to actually swimming! And there you have it, the scene is set for our adventure at the Channel Islands kayaking with kids.

Read more

Idyllwild Camping, Glamping & Fun Things to Do

An Idyllwild camping or glamping trip is the perfect escape for those living in Southern California. This small mountain town is popular with hippies and hikers alike offering an abundance of things to do. Nestled in the San Jacinto mountains about 2 hours from Los Angeles, Idyllwild makes for an easy weekend from the hustle … Read more

Horseback Riding in Tucson

Horseback Riding in TucsonI have been a fan of horseback riding since I was a kid growing up in Texas. It’s something I try to do wherever I am, as it provides a good opportunity to see landscapes not otherwise accessible, as well as time to chat with a local about their home. As you can imagine, I was super excited this past summer when my son was finally old enough to go on his first trail ride outside of a stable or ‘amusement park’. He was hooked and now also looks for any opportunity he can to ride. It has become our perfect family friendly outing that everyone enjoys.

That said, it’s not surprising that my son kept noticing all of the horse crossing signs throughout Tucson during our visit. If you have horse riding fans like my little one, you will be hard pressed to get out of this beautiful town without getting on a horse.

One of the best things to do in Tucson is to stay at a ranch where you can ride horses every day. Since this isn’t a possibility for all families, I thought I would also give a few options for where you can ride without a being a guest at a ranch. In our 10 day stay, we had the opportunity to ride at several different places and were recommended a few as well. Regardless of what you end up doing, don’t miss your chance to go for a trail ride in the desert landscapes of Tucson.

Read more

The Essential Guide to Visiting Pismo Beach Sand Dunes

If you are heading up the Pacific Coast of California, you must make a stop at Pismo Beach Sand Dunes. Everyone knows about California’s array of famous 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. Pismo Beach Sand Dunes, also known as Oceano Sand Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, near Pismo Beach on the Central Coast of California is one of our favorites. 

This park is perfect for a weekend getaway for those living in Southern California as well as those in the central valley areas of California. It provides outdoor loving families an amazing opportunity to experience a park like few other places in the US.

Oceano Sand Dunes, Pismo Beach

Read more

Places to Visit in Kerala with Kids

Places to Visit in Kerala with KidsIndia is one of those places that so many people dream of visiting. However, that dream often dies when children come on the scene. Everyone says “NO, you can’t go to India with kids!” Actually, you can.  I won’t lie, a trip to India will be challenging, but it will fill your heart and soul like no other place on earth. Kerala, in the South of India, is a wonderful mellow introduction to India for the whole family.

From lazing on beautiful beaches, hiking in mountainous tea plantations to exploring the jungle and cruising the backwaters, a trip to Kerala is a dream for outdoor families. Without massive highways or crowded cities to contend with, a visit to South India can be full of quiet serenity, which is usually not synonymous with travel in India! 

Read more