The kids learn about animals, you skip the lines for Santa at the mall, and everyone has a merry time at Sunny and Angel Save Christmas at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego, California. Read on to find out how to win a pair of tickets to this fun and festive event for this weekend, December 10 or 11, 2011.

My family visited the rare, real-live twin horses Sunny and Angel this past weekend. To kick things off, children gathered around to listen to a story about why Santa has come to visit the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Most of the kids (besides my 3-year-old) seemed enraptured by this story, which included mentions of resident animals, such as Willy and Billy the goats and, of course, Sunny and Angel.

Next, everyone was led on a little tour to meet some of the animal shelter’s residents, like Oreo the sheep. Most of the animal visit time was spent learning about the stars of the event, the twin nearly two-year-old horses. We stopped by Angel’s stall while we learned about what makes this duo so special. For starters, there’s a one in 10,000 chance that twin horses will be born alive.

Sunny, one of the twin horses

After our tour, families were treated to cookies, hot cocoa, and peppermint candies. Kids could color Christmassy horsie pictures or play with a big tub of make-believe snow. My children had the most fun making their own snow by pouring some magical white powdery stuff into a cup and adding water–which spontaneously grew into fluffy, slightly chilly white “snow.”

We also got a chance to meet Rina and Ricochet, service dogs dressed up in their holiday best. Ricochet is quite the celebrity for his surfing abilities. He loves to surf with kids who are disabled. Both dogs love to be petted, lick a human hand or two, and give sweet puppy dog eyes in return for attention. You can read more about Ricochet’s adventures on SurfDogRicochet.com.

Ricochet the Surf Dog, with his pal, Rina

Soon enough, our kids were called to have their session with the big man himself—Santa! Whereas visits with Santa at the mall tend to feel incredibly rushed, our visit was more leisurely with lots of chitchat about wish lists and reindeer. Of course, our family had a photo taken with Mr. Claus. Santa gave both kids their choice of a stuffed puppy to take home. Each child even received a personally addressed letter from Santa!

Then it was back to the crafts and the faux snow to await our photo. Many families spent this time perusing the adoptable cats, dogs, and other creatures at the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter. My family, however, has enough pets already and my husband and I could not trust ourselves on such a journey.

My kids making snow at Helen Woodward Animal Shelter

We received our Santa photo in a sparkly paper frame before we left. We weren’t given the option to purchase wallet sizes and whatnot like at the mall. We did, however, snap a few shots with our camera so we can order photos from an online store like Snapfish or Shutterfly.

Are you looking for a sweet holiday event that is fun AND educational for kids? Sunny and Angel Save Christmas is the ticket! The cost is $20 per child and $8 per adult, which includes the story, educational tour, crafts, a Santa photo, holiday snacks, a stuffed toy, and a personalized letter from Santa.

Santa was quite impressed with the pile of homemade gifts my daughter brought for him

Here is the mission of this non-profit organization: “Helen Woodward Animal Center’s passionate belief that animals help people and people help animals through trust, unconditional love, and respect, creates a legacy of caring. Sharing this philosophy with others, the Center inspires and teaches, locally and globally, the importance of the animal-human bond.” Find out more about the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter!

Enter to Win!
If you are a San Diego resident or plan to visit San Diego VERY, VERY soon—you can enter to win a pair of tickets (for one adult and one child) to Sunny and Angel Save Christmas at the Helen Woodward Animal Center for this weekend. Tickets can be used on December 10 or 11, 2011. Shows are every 30 minutes, 10 am-2 pm.

To enter, just leave a comment below about why you’d like to win!

For a bonus entry, do a status update on Facebook about Sunny and Angel Save Christmas at Helen Woodward Animal Shelter that includes @TravelMamas (so I see it!) and leave another comment below (so your entry is counted!).

Enter now because this contest ends Thursday, December 8, 2011 at noon Pacific Standard Time! The winner will be selected at random using Random.org. If the winner does not claim the prize within 24 hours of email notification, another winner will be chosen.

Can’t wait to win? Register for Sunny and Angel Save Christmas.

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A Note from The Travel Mama: My family and I received complimentary passes to Sunny and Angel Save Christmas from the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter. I have paid for my children to attend many other fun and educational programs through this charitable organization.

You could win four Disneyland Park Hopper tickets AND a two-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim/Garden Grove AND help build two children’s libraries in Zambia! All you need to do is donate $10 (or more!) to this year’s Passports with Purpose holiday fundraiser. What could be better than helping children, encouraging reading, making the world a better place, AND winning a fabulous prize?!

The Fundraiser
Passports with Purpose is a blogger-supported fundraiser. Each year a different charity and goal is chosen. Then bloggers (like yours truly) gather up incredible prizes (hello, Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack!) to encourage donors (like YOU) to contribute money to the cause.

Last year Passports with Purpose raised over $65,000 to build a village in India. This year’s goal is to raise $80,000 to give to Room to Read to build two children’s libraries in Zambia. Room to Read believes world change starts with childhood education. According to their website, ”If all children in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty.”

With the exception of of a very small percentage of fees that go to PayPal for processing, 100% of the donations will be given directly to Room to Read.

The Prize Pack
Spend a weekend at the happiest place on Earth…Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Fly through outer-space on Space Mountain, sing with the birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room, pose with princesses, and go Soarin’ Over California. The prize includes four complimentary Disneyland® Resort One (1) Day Park Hopper® Tickets. These tickets, valued at $420.00, are valid during normal operating hours and provide admission to a magical experience at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park for one day. Tickets will be valid for approximately 24 months, with expiration and blackout dates listed on the back of the tickets. Passports with Purpose will mail the tickets to the winner.

With two nights at Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim/Garden Grove, you can explore Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks and still have time to relax in the hotel’s pool and whirlpool spa (shown above), or to work off those Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream treats in the on-site fitness center. The 24-hour Pavilion Pantry Market, plus the in-room microwave and refrigerator, make snacks a cinch. Located about a mile from Disneyland with affordable shuttle service to the parks, Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim/Garden Grove is a convenient option for travelers. I love Hilton Garden Inn for its fabulous customer service and family-friendly atmosphere. The winner will receive a Hilton Garden Inn Be My Guest Card, valued at $400 and good for two free nights at any Hilton Garden Inn. There are no exemptions or blackout dates. The card will expire on December 31, 2012. Hilton Garden Inn will mail the gift card to the winner.

As if this weren’t enough…Disney has donated some extra swag to sweeten this prize pack, including a Dooney & Bourke bag! Read more about these BONUS PRIZES.

The Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack total value is $820. Everyone can enter to win this prize besides me (boo!), people directly related to me, and anyone who works for Disney or Hilton. If you are one of these people, there are a bunch of other awesome prizes to choose from! Make your bids for prizes by December 16, 2011 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be chosen at random.

What You Do
So, how does it work? For every $10 you donate to the Passports with Purpose 2011 fundraiser, you are eligible for one virtual raffle ticket good for a myriad of prizes valued anywhere from $100 to $5,000. It’s up to you how much you donate–every $10 gives you one more chance to win. For example, if you would like to donate $100, you can put all 10 of your chances toward winning one fabulous prize (like the Disneyland-Hilton Garden Inn Prize Pack!), or you could split up your chances…one chance to win this prize, two chances for another prize, etc. DONATE AND ENTER TO WIN NOW! 

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Ever heard of Carlsbad? It’s probably not the first place that pops to mind when you think of a California vacation…but maybe it should be. Often overlooked in favor of its popular neighbor, San Diego, Carlsbad has plenty of fun for families. This laidback town is just 36 miles north of the San Diego International Airport and less than an hour’s drive south from Orange County’s Irvine, making it an easy destination for those hailing from Los Angeles, Phoenix, and beyond. Here are some of the best attractions, restaurants, and accommodations Carlsbad has to offer families.

The Carlsbad Seawall beach walkway

Beaches, Beaches, Beaches!
Carlsbad is home to seven miles of beaches, where families can splash, swim, build sand castles, and maybe even learn to surf. If you’d rather just go for a seaside stroll, the Carlsbad Seawall stretches for about a mile along Carlsbad Blvd, with several beach access points along the way. 

Carlsbad Lagoon
For some wave-free water fun, head to the Carlsbad Lagoon to rent stand-up paddle boards, canoes, jet skis, speed boats, and more. Float past luxury waterfront homes and into an inlet lined with condos and their docked boats.

Carlsbad Flower Fields

Carlsbad Flower Fields
Every spring families pose for pretty pictures amongst row upon row of brightly colored ranunculas at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. Gem-mining, free concerts, tractor-pulled wagon rides, and a maze made of sweet peas add to the fun.

Museum of Making Music
Discover the history of musical instruments from the 1890s to today at the Museum of Making Music. This attraction features over 500 instruments. Push the plentiful exhibit buttons to hear what the instruments sound like in the hands of masters. The best part is an interactive room where you can make your own music using an electric piano, drums, guitars, and more.

Carlsbad Premium Outlets
With over 90 stores to visit, save some time in your schedule and money in your vacation budget for trip to the Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Choose from favorites like Banana Republic Factory Store, Kenneth Cole, Coach, and Barney’s New York Outlet plus stores that cater to kids like Baby Gap Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, and Carter’s.

The Dragon roller coaster at LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND California
Carlsbad is probably most well-known as the home of LEGOLAND California. This amusement park for families with children ages 2-12 offers mellow roller coasters, interactive rides, colorful play areas, and other fun for kids. The park’s centerpiece, Miniland USA, is filled with recreations of famous U.S. landmarks like the Las Vegas Strip and the Empire State Building as well as Star Wars scenes, all formed entirely from LEGO bricks.

Located inside LEGOLAND California, the LEGOLAND Water Park is a must-do if visiting during the warmth of summer. The whole family can float down the Build-A-Raft River, while stacking huge foam LEGO bricks on their inner-tubes. There are special splash areas with fountains and mini waterslides just for toddlers and young children while big kids and grown-ups can zip down four giant swirling slides.

SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium
Located next door to LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium is a fabulous attraction in its own right. Add SEALIFE Aquarium to your LEGOLAND visit by purchasing a park hopper, or purchase an entrance ticket just for the aquarium. Innovative pop-up underwater viewing stations give kids a chance to see what the fishies see. Make it a learning adventure by encouraging children to play the Quiz Trail, a scavenger hunt of sorts that teaches about marine life while children make their way through the aquarium’s exhibits.

Pop-up bubble at SEA LIFE Aquarium

Family Dining
Just above the flower fields, you’ll find the Karl Strauss Brewing Company. Each year this family-friendly restaurant and brewery creates 30 beers, including seasonal and and specialty brews. Stop in for lunch or dinner or just to get a side of their to-die-for fries with a nice, cold brew (or a lemonade for the kiddies).

Another dining option is Pizza Port with arguably the best pizza in San Diego County, a handful of video games for kids, and plenty of beers on tap for grown-ups.

If your kids dig Mexican food, there are a couple of tasty options for families. Rena Crawford-Payne, a Carlsbad resident and mom, recommends Norte because, “they have a nice outdoor patio and you don’t have to worry about the kids being too loud or making a big mess.”

Los Olas is the Carlsbad Mexican restaurant of choice for Aimee Steckowski, a mom and author of the FancyLittleThings.com blog. She says, “They have wonderful food choices for both adults and children. Their food smells and tastes wonderful — true authentic Mexican food served in big portions for great prices.”

Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach pool

Kid-Friendly Accommodations
The Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach makes a wonderful choice for families. This particular Hilton Garden Inn ranks highly among mid-range hotels year after year, not only for its gorgeous Southern California location across from the beach, but also for its above-and-beyond customer service. Complimentary shuttles cart guests anywhere within a five-mile radius of the hotel. During the summer, child guests are greeted with a stuffed sea animal like a dolphin or seal. In warmer months, guests can munch popcorn and cookies while watching family-friendly Movies on the Lawn on an inflatable screen. They even pass out free Otterpops to cool down guests at the hotel pool!

You could win a two-night stay at ANY Hilton Garden Inn in the world (including the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach). Enter the Hilton Garden Inn Vacation Wishes Giveaway now!

What is your favorite Carlsbad attraction or restaurant? Tell us in the comments below!

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A Note from The Travel Mama: I received a complimentary stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach. As a travel writer, I have also received media discounts/passes from a few of the other attractions mentioned above.

As a California resident, former SeaWorld annual pass holder, and parent of two – I have been to SeaWorld San Diego more times than I can count. I’ve gathered up a list of 10 tips to make the most of visiting this watery amusement/education park when visiting with kids.

Blue Horizons Show

1. Schedule your day around the shows
Grab a park map at the entrance and plan your day around the show times listed on the back. There are nine different shows to choose from (three of which only take place at night), ranging from 5 minutes in length (the Into the Blue Fireworks show) to 20-25 minutes. Get to the shows a little early to nab a good seat. Doors to shows close promptly and they do sometimes fill to capacity, especially during high tourist seasons like spring break and summer weekends. My family’s favorites are the Blue Horizons show (with leaping, spinning dolphins and humans dressed up like birds performing Cirque de Soleil-like acrobatics in and out of the water) and Pet’s Rule! (a humorous show filled with land animals like dogs, cats, ducks, and pigs performing tricks galore).

2. Remember clearly where you park
I have lost my car more at SeaWorld San Diego than anywhere else. Rows are marked but the signs are widespread so take note of exactly how close you are to the row letter and number.

3. Budget meal money and calories
You can bring small kid-sized snacks into the park, but not full meals. Yes, they do check your bags at the entrance and make you return forbidden food to the car, pack the items into a rentable locker, or dump it out. As at most amusement parks, the food is not cheap. There are plenty of deep-fried and sugary temptations, but you can also find healthier options like salads, barbecue-smoked chicken (at the Calypso Bay Smokehouse), and fresh fruits.

Elmo’s Flying Fish ride in the Sesame Street Bay of Play

4. Get in line for popular rides first thing
If you want to ride Journey to Atlantis (a roller coaster with two big splashy dips), Shipwreck Rapids (a very wet water ride), or Riptide Rescue (a spinning thrill ride) — get in line first thing when the park opens in the morning. Lines can get quite long (an hour+) as the day goes on. These rides are located quite a distance from each other, so you have to prioritize. Journey to Atlantis is probably the most popular, so hit that one first. The Bayside Skyride (a gondola ride over San Diego Bay) and the Skytower Ride (the tall needle-shaped ride in the center of the park that provides 360 degree views of the park) are more mellow and wait times are typically more manageable. There are also three fun rides for young children in the Sesame Street Bay of Play area of the park.

5. Prepare for A LOT of time in the sun
If ever you were going to pack sunhats and slather on the sunscreen, do it at SeaWorld. There is no shade for the shows and sitting on the aluminum benches under the beating Southern California sun (particularly in summer), it can feel like the hottest place on the planet.

6. Cool down & bring swim gear
There are plenty of watery opportunities to cool down at SeaWorld: fountains at the Sesame Street Bay of Play for young children, Shipwreck Rapids and Journey to Atlantis water rides for big kids and adults, and sitting in the splash zone at the park’s many shows. Bring along swimsuits and towels for little ones who will get soaked in the Sesame Street splash area. If you forget, you can buy Elmo, Zoe, and other Sesame Street character-themed gear there. You can walk through the chilly Wild Arctic attraction (with polar bears, beluga whales, and walruses on display) or the Penguin Encounter.

Journey to Atlantis

7. Keep kids busy while waiting for shows
Kids can get antsy waiting for shows to start, so use toys and snacks as entertainment while you wait. Pack a few little distractions in your day bag or purse like mini bubbles, toy cars, or Sillybandz. Food is allowed into shows (and peddled by SeaWorld employees inside), so this is a good time to break out the snacks to busy the kids.

8. Stay hydrated
You will be doing a lot of walking, probably in the sun. Don’t get so busy that you forget to stay hydrated. There are plenty of beverage carts throughout the park. The Frozen Lemonades are deeeeelicious!

9. Keep it fun by alternating activities
Especially with children, it’s important to alternate mellow activities (like watching shows or walking through the park’s numerous aquariums) with busy fun (like climbing the giant rope structure in Sesame Street Bay of Play or feeding sea lions at Pacific Point).

Turtle Bay Aquarium

10. Tell children what to do if you become separated
During one visit to SeaWorld, I found a little boy (about age 5) by himself with tears in his eyes. I asked him if he was lost and indeed he was. We walked back with him to Guest Relations/Lost & Found and stayed with him until his aunt was located. Before exploring any large tourist attraction, remind children what to do should they become separated: Stay where you are until your grown-ups return, or approach a MOM with children of her own and tell her you are lost. (And, parents should keep eyes open for children who could use a little help finding their families!)

For more information, check out the SeaWorld San Diego website. Additional SeaWorld locations are in San Antonio, Texas and Orlando, Florida.

Do you have a SeaWorld tip or favorite attraction to share? Tell us in the comments below!

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A note from The Travel Mama: My family and I recently received complimentary media tickets to SeaWorld San Diego. All opinions are my own.

There were 344 entries in the Embassy Suites of Southern California Vacation Giveaway on TravelMamas.com. Entrants craving a SoCal getaway indicated their interest in San Diego, La Jolla, Temecula, Anaheim, Los Angeles and beyond. With 18 locations, there’s something to suit all vacationers’ tastes.

Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach – Hotel & Resort

Congratulations to Kathy Blalock, whose entry number was chosen at random using Random.org. Kathy must’ve really wanted to win a trip to the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach – Hotel & Resort because she entered this contest every day and always chose this property in Oxnard, California. Can you blame her? It’s a gorgeous hotel located right on the beach, just 60 minutes up the coast from Los Angeles. It offers a large outdoor heated pool, two whirlpools, an on-site spa, fitness center, and bicycle and boogie board rentals. Just like the other Embassy Suites of Southern California, it offers complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and happy hour, plus the spacious suites for which Embassy Suites is so well-known.

Thank you to everyone who entered. If the winner does not claim her prize within 48 hours of email notification, the prize will be forfeited and another entrant will be selected.

Follow the Embassy Suites of Southern California Facebook page for updates and specials, like the $15,000 Awkward Family Vacation Photo Contest. 

Want to be notified of other giveaways and happenings on TravelMamas.com? Sign up for the Travel Mamas e-newsletter now! Mailings are sent out approximately once per month.

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A Note from The Travel Mama: The Embassy Suites Southern California will provide the contest winner with the prize.

Know what’s better than a Southern California vacation? A FREE SoCal vacation in a suite with plenty of room to spread out and get a good night’s sleep. Throw in complimentary full breakfast and nightly happy hour while you’re at it. That’s just what Embassy Suites of Southern California is offering up to one lucky Travel Mamas reader: two free nights at any of their 18 sunny locations.

Ahhhh…but which Embassy Suites of Southern California to choose?! That’s the tough part.

Embassy Suites San Diego Bay Downtown

You could pick one of two San Diego locations and take surfing lessons, visit the world famous San Diego Zoo, and dine on fish n’ chips along the waterfront.

Embassy Suites Los Angeles International Airport North

Or you could choose between three Embassy Suites located in Los Angeles, to walk in the footsteps of the stars along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit King Kong at Universal Studios, and dine on pot stickers and fortune cookies in Chinatown.

Embassy Suites La Quinta Hotel and Spa

If you plan to visit in the winter, you might opt for a warm desert location like Embassy Suites La Quinta Hotel and Spa, where you can relax poolside, indulge in a massage or pedicure at the on-site Spa Hibiscus, or play a round of golf at nearby courses.

Embassy Suites Temecula Valley Wine Country

Then again, Temecula might be more your style, where you can float above Southern California’s vineyards in a hot air balloon, attend tastings at local wineries, or take the kids to the Temecula Children’s Museum.

Every suite has a separate family room with a pull-out bed, so Mom and Dad don’t need to turn in when the kiddos do!

And there are eight more Embassy Suites of Southern California to choose from, including two in Anaheim for Disneyland lovers! No matter which location you pick, you get all of the amenities that make Embassy Suites such a fantastic option for families…a suite with a separate bedroom and kitchen, complimentary cooked-to-order breakfasts, free nightly happy hours with drinkies and snackies, and a pool for family splash time.

Complimentary cooked-to-order breakfasts are standard at Embassy Suites

Have a Gas!
Embassy Suites of Southern California is making their hotels even more attractive to families this year by offering a $10 gas card upon check-out for each night you stay – up to three nights. When making reservations, request rate plan code PL9. This special is good now through December 31, 2011.

Enter to Win!
One lucky Travel Mamas reader will win a two-night stay at any Embassy Suites of Southern California. 

You can enter up to twice per day!

1. Check out the list of 18 Embassy Suites Southern California and post a comment below about which hotel you’d pick if you won this giveaway. Choose a different Embassy Suites location each time or stick with the same one…it’s up to you!

2. Tell us in a tweet where you’d go if you won (be sure to fill in the name of the specific Embassy Suites in your tweet!):

If I won the @Embassy_Suites #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/3hztnxf on @TravelMamas I would go to…

And add a separate comment below for your tweet entry to count!

This contest ends at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on Sunday, July 31, 2011. The winner will be chosen at random using RANDOM.org and will be notified by email. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours of notification, the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be selected. Gift certificates valid one year from the end date of this contest and are subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply. Good luck! THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Find out who won!

Want to be notified of other giveaways and happenings on TravelMamas.com? Sign up for the Travel Mamas e-newsletter now! Mailings are sent out approximately once per month.

Follow the Embassy Suites of Southern California Facebook page for updates and specials, like the $15,000 Awkward Family Vacation Photo Contest.

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A Note from The Travel Mama: The Embassy Suites Southern California will provide the contest winner with the prize.

Splash Zoo in the LEGOLAND California Waterpark is beyond adorable. This new water play area is outfitted with DUPLO animals (a lion, a zebra, a giraffe, a polar bear, and two penguins). Each animal has an interactive feature, like a wheel on the giraffe that makes water spout from its mouth and ears. A seesaw sprays riders when toddlers make it teeter up and down. There’s also a crawl-through tunnel and a fountain that shoots water 25 feet in the air.

LEGOLAND Water Park Splash Zoo

Although built specifically for children ages one to three, there were plenty of other kids splashing around in the Splash Zoo on its opening day. At first my six-year-old balked at this attraction being “for babies” but after she saw other big kids hamming it up on the water features, she joined in the fun.

I worried about keeping an eye on two young children all on my own so I didn’t bring my three-year-old son to opening day of this attraction. I was wracked with guilt the minute I laid eyes on Splash Zoo because I knew how much he would go bananas for this colorful, watery area. Apparently, Karissa felt a tad guilty too. Upon arrival, she said, “Mommy, I feel sad for Leo that he’s not here.”

Located near numerous lounge chairs and a handful of rent-able shaded cabanas, this attraction makes a great spot for parents to chat and relax without worry while little ones play since there is no pool of water here - just fountains galore.

Splash Zoo is a perfect spot for toddlers and preschoolers

Nearby is Splash Safari with its child-sized waterslides and Kid Creek, a mini lazy river built just for children. Life vests are available for kids of all ages at LEGOLAND Water Park, so really, I could have brought both and managed just fine.

To be honest, I was craving a mommy-daughter day. It turns out, Karissa must’ve wanted a special day for just the two of us too. She told me she loved me (unprompted) at least 10 times that day, while splashing at the water park or standing in line for the rides in the amusement park.

My six-year-old getting into the Splash Zoo spirit

After a long day filled with waterslides, roller coasters, and ice cream cones Karissa didn’t even complain when she got a blister from her shoe. But she did suggest, “Maybe next time you should take Leo to LEGOLAND for a special mommy-son day.”

Sounds like a good idea to me!

Splash Zoo opened over Memorial Day Weekend 2011. Read more about LEGOLAND Waterpark and LEGOLAND California amusement park.

What’s your favorite LEGOLAND attraction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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A Note from The Travel Mama: My daughter and I received free one-day entrance to LEGOLAND California and the LEGOLAND Water Park. I always share my honest opinions, no matter who pays!

California’s Pacific Coast is lined with darling beach towns, each with its own local flavor and stretch of beach. For the ultimate surfer town, take the kids to Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City USA.

Beach cruisers in front of a surfboard mural in Huntington Beach, California

Soak Up the Surfer Vibe
Dean Ormsby Torrence, of the surf music group Jan and Dean, is a proud town resident. The duo co-wrote their number one national 1960s hit “Surf City USA” about this very town with Jan and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. There are statues around downtown of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimmer who is known as the Godfather of Surfing for bringing the sport from Hawaii to the mainland. The Surfer Walk of Fame is located along the town’s Main Street. Plus, Huntington Beach is home to the longest stretch of uninterrupted beach in California. 

But what really makes Huntington Beach feel like Surf City USA is the surfer vibe that permeates the town. Madison Fisher, Manager of Huntington Beach Marketing and Visitors Bureau said, “Surfing is what Huntington Beach is all about. But it’s not just the act of surfing. It’s the culture and laidback attitude that’s everywhere in our town.”

A statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the Godfather of Surfing

Visit a Surfing Museum
To learn more about the history of surfing and legendary surfers like Duke Kahanamoku and Corky Corral (known as the first professional surfer), head to the International Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach’s small, walk-able downtown. Watch videos of surfers hanging ten on giant waves, listen to some classic surf tunes, and take a look at surf memorabilia and art.

Take Family Surf Lessons
Of course, there’s no better way to understand surf culture than by grabbing a board and catching a wave! Toes on the Nose surf shop provides professional instruction to anyone six and older. Wetsuits and surf boards are provided. Stand-up paddle boarding lessons, kayak tours, fishing charters, and beach cruise bicycles are available too.

Surfers catching waves in Huntington Beach

Dine Surfside
Like everything else in town, dining in Huntington Beach tends to be casual. Named for the famous surfer, a favorite local spot is Duke’s, located along the Huntington Beach Pier. Choose from fresh fish and seafood, steaks, sandwiches, and salads with a tropical flair. Kids can choose from standard favorites on the keiki (kids) menu. You simply MUST save room for a slab of Hula Pie for dessert, a fudgy ice cream concoction available in three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and mint.

My kids got a big kick out of the 1940’s-style Ruby’s Diner, perched at the tip of Huntington Beach Pier over the ocean’s waves. Wash down hearty diner fare for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with one of their famous handmade milkshakes. Kids eat free after 4:00 pm on Tuesdays!

Ruby’s Surf City Diner

If you’re looking for a joint with tasty Mexican fare and lots of colorful eye candy to distract the kiddos, head to Fred’s Mexican Café. Grab a table on the second floor patio to soak up some sun and do some people-watching of the Huntington Beach foot traffic below as you sip a strawberry or lime margarita.

Spend the Night in Surf City USA
Huntington Beach is a compact town that makes a lovely day visit. However, to truly unwind and soak up the town’s mellow vibe, make reservations at a seaside resort.  

Every Saturday afternoon, guests of the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa are treated to complimentary sandcastle building lessons from Dig It! SandCastles. If you’re looking for some grown-up time, check kids (aged three to 12) into Camp Hyatt while you relax at the Pacific Waters Spa. 

Waterfront Beach Resort

Another family-friendly option is the neighboring Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, where guests can enjoy a beach bonfire complete with a fiesta of food catered by Wahoo’s Fish Tacos and all the fixings for s’mores. I stayed at this hotel during a press trip last year and was joined by my family on the last day to enjoy the Waterfront Beach Resort’s gorgeous pool with its view of the ocean. It is the picture-perfect spot to soak up some California sun!

What’s your favorite beach town? Leave a comment below!

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Every spring locals and visitors flock to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California to smell the ranunculus and pose for amazing photo opps among thousands of blooms. Take the kids to learn about nature’s beauty by tiptoeing through a maze made of sweet peas or while riding aboard a tractor-pulled wagon through over 50 acres of rainbow-colored fields.

Posing with my family at the Flower Fileds at Carlsbad Ranch

Walk through a Colorful History
The flowers were originally planted as a crop from which to harvest and sell bouquets. The beautiful blossoms began to draw crowds and soon became an unintentional tourist attraction. The first ranunculus bulbs were planted here in the 1920s. Years later a then-owner, Edwin Frazee, is known to have said, “If I had one penny for every picture that’s been taken of those fields, I’d be a rich man.” From that seed of an idea, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch was born in 1993 when Frazee formed a joint venture with grower Mellano and Company. Today over 125,000 visitors come to the fields each year.

One of the whimsical floral displays in the Artist Garden

See & Smell Flowers, Flowers Everywhere
While you can gaze at numerous types of flowers here, rows and rows of ranunculus are what paint the acres in bright stripes of pink, yellow, orange, red, and white. Breathe in the sweet scent of more than 150 rose varietals and more than 80 varietals of miniature roses in the All-American Rose Selection Garden and Walk of Fame. Stop by a greenhouse stocked with well-known and unusual poinsettias. Orchid-lovers will be amazed by the stunning display of these gorgeous flowers on-site. The Artist Garden is a must-see spot filled with unique floral displays among caged birds and burbling fountains.

My kids stamping their scavenger hunt passports

Embark on a Scavenger Hunt
Upon entrance, children are handed a paper passport to fill with stamps from stations set up throughout the Flower Fields. This extra activity will help hold the attention of older kids who like a challenge. As a prize for getting all of the stamps, kids get a free chance to mine for gems at a sluicing station set up by the Carlsbad Mining Co.

Carlsbad Mining Co. gem mining

Mine for Gems
Kids love a treasure hunt – especially one that involves uncovering polished gem stones. The Carlsbad Mining Co. gives children (and adults) a chance to find their own pirate’s booty by sluice mining for gems like California settlers did in the early 1900s, by sifting through sand with water.

The challenging and beautiful Sweet Pea Maze

Get Lost in the Sweet Pea Maze
My children and I are suckers for a life-sized maze! The Sweet Pea Maze is a fragrant labyrinth with one entrance and one exit. While some corn and hay mazes we have visited are quite simplistic, this floral maze proved to be a challenge for us and many other visitors. If you really want out, the entrance is fairly easy to find but it was more fun to seek…and seek…and seek the exit!

Take in the Flower Fields aboard a tractor-pulled wagon

Go for a Ride
The Flower Fields are huge, so be sure to bring a sturdy stroller or baby carrier of some sort if visiting with a baby or toddler. You can also climb aboard a tractor-pulled wagon (for an additional fee) to ride through the fields and hear commentary from an expert while you rest your tootsies for a bit.

The kids going for a slide in Santa’s Playground

Romp through Santa’s Playground
Your children will definitely want to stop by Santa’s Playground. While you can’t meet the jolly elf here, kids will adore climbing and sliding among the play houses and gigantic mushrooms that were part of the once popular Santa’s Village amusement area in Lake Arrowhead from 1955 to 1998. These vintage treasures were restored and brought to the Carlsbad Flower Fields in 2008.

Orchids in a greenhouse at the Flower Fields

Feel Special
There are special events each year at the Carlsbad Flower Fields like a Blue Grass Festival, an Arts & Crafts Fair, and a Mother’s Day Event. The Annual Kids Day features such activities as face-painting, animal balloons, magic shows and juggling. On the regular ol’ day that we visited, my daughter was enthralled by the tunes of local teen singer, The Luke Walton Band.

Workers gathering up ranunculas to sell in the Armstrong Garden Center

Take Nature Home with You
Before heading home, wander through the on-site Armstrong Garden Center to peruse a wide array of garden accessories, flowers seeds of all sorts, and plants and blooms for sale. Children can continue their nature lesson by planting some flowers, fruits, or veggies in a garden or planter at home.

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch are typically open to the public March 1 through Mother’s Day each year.

Where is your favorite garden or flower field to explore with your kids? Let us know in the comments below!

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A Note from The Travel Mama: My family received free entrance passes to the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. I always provide my honest opinions and tips, no matter who pays!

Enter to win one of THREE vacation packages to Irvine, California - including airfare, hotel, and entertainment for two people from Destination Irvine. Read on to find out how to enter.

As a Southern California resident, I love sneaking away to Orange County for weekend getaways and day trips. There’s so much to see and do in the O.C.!

You can rent bicycles, take a spin on a paddle boat, go horseback riding, or hike nature trails during a visit to one of my family’s all-time favorite spots, Irvine Regional Park.

Looking for an uplifting experience? Take a fun and FREE ride in the Orange County Great Balloon!

If traveling with children, you absolutely must stop by Pretend City Children’s Museum to watch the kiddos take turns acting store keepers, farmers, postal workers, and more in this kid-sized make-believe town.

Or, spend a day swimming, snorkeling, surfing, or just soaking up some sun at one of the plentiful California beaches. (Photo of Crystal Cove Beach by Sharlene Earnshaw, Trekaroo)

For those seeking amusement park fun, Irvine is conveniently located near Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.

This Destination Irvine Package includes:

• Two-round trip airline tickets on Southwest Airlines to John Wayne Airport

• Two-night stay at either the Hilton Irvine, Hyatt Regency Irvine or Marriott Irvine Hotel

• $100 gift card to the Irvine Spectrum Center

• V.I.P. passes for two to the Improv Comedy Club

Approximate value of each package is $1,470!

Sweepstakes runs from Tuesday, March 1, 2011 through Tuesday, May 31, 2011. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Winners will be selected from all eligible entries received in random monthly drawings and will be contacted by Destination Irvine via email.

Enter now on the Destination Irvine site!

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Stretching between Seattle and San Diego, Interstate-5 has no shortage of exciting cities, beautiful scenery, and road-side attractions to keep your crew entertained on family road trips. The question is, which are worth stopping for and which are simply a waste of valuable travel time and travel cash? Making my home in an I-5 town, I’m well acquainted with this particular interstate, as are my kids. Below you’ll find our top five pit stops that won’t break the bank or ruin your carefully planned schedule. Best of all, they’re all directly off an I-5 exit!

English Village at the Enchanted Forest Theme Park

1. Enchanted Forest Theme Park - Salem, OR
This small-scale outdoor amusement park is a Northwest institution, and for good reason. Past the Enchanted Forest entrance, you’ll find winding paths amid lush scenery that instantly transport you to a fairytale world of cottages and castles, caves and treasure. Little ones will love Storybook Lane, and older kids could spend hours in the English Village and Indian Caves. We love the interactive and exploratory nature of these attractions; no long lines, no waiting! There are traditional rides as well, such as a log flume and mini roller coaster if that’s your thing. Families can explore the entire park within a few hours, and admission is a reasonable $10 per person (under age 2 free). Some attractions require an extra ticket to ride.

Climbing in Lithia Park

2. Lithia Park – Ashland, OR
If you’re not yet acquainted with Ashland, you’re about to fall in love. This small I-5 university town is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and fabulous Lithia Park, which stretches over 93 acres just past the main downtown shopping district. Beautifully landscaped to create a true garden setting at any time of year, Lithia features several duck ponds, hiking trails, and an excellent playground amid its green open areas, oak and aspen groves, and river bridges. If you stop by in winter, check out Centennial Ice Rink, Lithia’s outdoor skating pavilion (on Wilburn right past the Plaza).

Sundial Bridge in Turtle Bay Exploration Park

3. Turtle Bay Exploration Park - Redding, CA
Turtle Bay is a sprawling center of river walks, outdoor exhibits, indoor museums, and stunning views - making it the perfect pit stop when everyone’s about to go crazy in the car. Run across the glass-bottomed Sundial Bridge, learn about local wildlife and forestation at Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp, or head indoors for multiple exhibits and displays. Everything at Turtle Bay is interactive, and there’s a great café on-site. ($13 for adults, $9 for kids)

Train at the California State Railroad Museum

4. Old Sacramento and the California State Railroad Museum – Sacramento, CA
Before tackling the drive through California’s Central Valley, stop in Old Sacramento. As you exit I-5, you’ll suddenly find yourself in an Old West town complete with false store fronts, one-room schoolhouses, saloons, and the best railroad museum we’ve ever seen. The California State Railroad Museum is well worth two to three hours of your time. Kids can walk through trains as they replicate the movement of rumbling along the tracks, check out dining cars and sleeping cars, learn about the history of the California railroad through life-sized displays, and watch an IMAX film. (Admission: $9 for adults, $4 for kids)

Children “working” at a make believe restaurant at Pretend City

5. Pretend City – Irvine, CA
Southern California is bursting with kid-friendly attractions, but if you’re looking for a stop that will only cost you an hour or two out of your schedule and you have small children itching for a chance to get out of the car and play, Pretend City is for you. This huge indoor play space has been ingeniously laid out into a mock city for kids to explore and take part in. Everything from the city streets (with streetlamps and pedal cars) to the grocery store (where kids can take turns as clerk or shopper) to the post office (where they’ll be put to work sorting envelopes) is designed to teach children about how their communities run while they play. At first glance, it seems Pretend City is geared for the under eight set, but our older kids (10 and 12) enjoyed handling and exchanging pretend money, working pretend jobs, and making pretend telephone calls more than the preschoolers around them! (Admission: $10 per person, under 12 months free)

Amy Whitley is editor and administrator of Pit Stops for Kids, a family travel review site dedicated to finding the best resorts, attractions, restaurants, and experiences for traveling families. She also serves as a travel expert and content editor at Best Family Travel Advice and travels as much as she can with her husband and three kids.

What is your favorite road trip pit stop? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Thank you to everyone who entered the Embassy Suites California Dreamin’ Giveaway on Travel Mamas! All Embassy Suites Southern California hotels offer fabulous amenities like complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, free happy hour drinks and snacks, and an indoor or outdoor pool for a splashing good time. Plus, having a separate bedroom, living room, and kitchen make travel easier and more enjoyable for families!

To enter, you told me which of the 18 Embassy Suites Southern California hotels you wanted to stay at most. Many Disney fans chose the Embassy Suites at Anaheim South or Anaheim North. Meanwhile wine lovers chose the Temecula location. Other entrants wanted to check out the new digs over at Embassy Suites Ontario, which is scheduled to open next month.

The Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel & Resort (shown above) was a popular choice for its gorgeous beachfront location. This was also the favorite property of the contest winner, April Miller. She will receive a two-night stay at this or another Embassy Suites Southern California hotel of her choosing. Congratulations, April!

The winning comment was selected at random using Random.org. The winner has been notified by email. If she does not respond within 48 hours, she will forfeit the prize and another entry will be selected at random.

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I had never stayed at an Embassy Suites before. They sounded delightful…a separate bedroom for the kids, free cooked-to-order breakfast and evening happy hours…what was there NOT to like? Now that I’ve stayed at this family-friendly hotel chain, I am a believer! Read on to find out how to win a weekend getaway to any of 18 Southern California Embassy Suites.

Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach

Suites, Baby!
Let’s start with the most important part. For the same price as a single room in a fancy (or maybe not even not so fancy) hotel, at Embassy Suites you get a suite: a real suite with a bedroom that has a solid door separating it from the family room/kitchen area. Two-bedroom suites are also available.

I know it’s ironic, but I don’t sleep well away from home, particularly when the whole family is piled into one room. I just can’t get myself to turn down for the night at my kids’ bedtime (7:30 pm).

A separate bedroom allows you to stay up later to watch TV, read, have a nightcap, or (ahem!) whatever.

Embassy Suites Anaheim South

Breakfast – The Most Important Meal of the Day
I am a big fan of eating breakfast in-room to save money and time…unless I can head downstairs in my jammies for a hot, tasty, cooked-to-order breakfast - for free. Choose from omelets, pancakes, hashbrowns, bacon, and sausage plus dried cereals of all sorts, oatmeal, pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt, and beverages galore.

Embassy Suites San Diego Bay-Downtown

Pools, Pools, Pools
You know what I love? A good hotel pool, that’s what! Most Embassy Suites, including all 18 of the Southern California Embassy Suites in this giveaway, have pools.

The indoor swimming pool at the Embassy Suites Irvine where we stayed provided a lot of fun for my family and reminded me of the echoing sounds of laughter and splashing water during my childhood vacations in the Midwest.

Embassy Suites Irvine

Happy Hour for a Happy Family
After a long day of travel adventures, it’s so nice to slow down with a (free!) glass of wine, beer, soda, or juice (or two!). A complimentary snack is also available to satisfy those pre-dinner munchies. 

The Embassy Suites Irvine offered chips with nacho cheese sauce and salsa, plus cheese and crackers when we visited. What’s more, we were able to dine at the onsite restaurant in the lovely indoor atrium area and continue to enjoy free happy hour beverages during our meal.

Embassy Suites Los Angeles Downey

Kids Eat Free
Now through December 31, 2011, when AAA members book reservations at any of the 18 participating Southern California hotels “Kids Eat Free.” When making reservations, request rate plan code AA3 or speak to your AAA Counselor today.

This promo includes one kid meal/entrée with each paying adult entrée. Limit of two complimentary kid menu entrees per suite. This offer is valid for lunch and dinner in participating hotel restaurants only and is not valid with other offers, take-out or room service.

Enter to Win
One lucky Travel Mamas reader will win a two-night stay at any Embassy Suites Southern California. With 18 locations from San Diego to Ventura County, your California dreams can come true whether you want a beach vacation, amusement park adventure, or desert getaway.

Check out the list of 18 Embassy Suites Southern California and post a comment below about which hotel you’d pick if you won this giveaway. Please note that Embassy Suites Palmdale is no longer with the group, however, Embassy Suites Ontario is part of the giveeaway and will open in February.

Enter once per day! Choose a different hotel each time or stick with the same one…it’s up to you!

This contest ends at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on Sunday, January 23, 2011. The winner will be chosen at random using RANDOM.org and will be notified by email. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours of notification, the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be selected. Good luck! THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Check back later this week to find out who won!

Want to be notified of other giveaways and happenings on TravelMamas.com? Sign up for the Travel Mamas e-newsletter now! Mailings are sent out approximately twice per month.

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A Note from The Travel Mama: The Embassy Suites Southern California provided my family with a complimentary night at the hotel of our choice for purposes of this post. They will provide the contest winner with the prize.

Have you always wanted go up in a hot air balloon but you’re a little too nervous? Or maybe you don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars for the flight? The Great Park Balloon in Orange County, California provides the perfect solution!

Orange County Great Balloon

This helium balloon is FREE to anyone who wants to soar 400 feet in the air over Orange County. It is always tethered to the ground by a steel cable with the strength of 99,000 pounds, making it a safe adventure for all ages.

My toddler clung to me and said, “No! No! No!” as we entered the 30-passenger metal basket, but he quickly settled down and enjoyed our ascent. My roller-coaster-loving kindergartner had no qualms about taking to the air in the giant orange balloon. Although I tend to get airsick, the ride was mellow and short enough that I felt fine throughout. The whole family enjoyed the aerial view of the Great Park and beyond.

Aerial view from the balloon

The Great Park Balloon is one of six such helium balloons in the United States, and is the only one on which you can ride for free. Those in wheelchairs can roll right on board. This orange balloon is also “green” – it is environmentally-friendly and non-polluting.

The balloon is used to draw interest to the Great Park. Plans for the 165-acre park include botanical gardens, a sports park and fields, picnic areas, and the Great Park Air Museum, where vintage aircraft will be displayed on remnants of former runways.

My kids aboard the Great Balloon

After our balloon adventure, we wandered through the park’s Farmers Market, purchasing some healthy, juicy snacks to munch along the way.  There were also food trucks peddling more substantial fare like tacos and crepes. The Farmers Market is  held every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

We didn’t have time to take a spin on the Great Park Carousel, but that’s free as well.

Food trucks at the Sunday Farmers Market

Many say the flame used to lift a hot air balloon is disturbingly noisy, but this balloon ride was quite peaceful. I still would like to take a ride in a hot air balloon someday (loud or not) but the Orange County Great Balloon in Irvine was a fun taste of flying up, up, up in the air like the Wizard of Oz.

What is one of your favorite free attractions? Please share your recommendations in the comments below!

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Knott’s Berry Farm hosts a holiday celebration complete with A Peanuts’ Holiday Parade, Christmas Crafts Village, visits with Santa Claus, and even a Christmas ice skating show! Located in Buena Park, California, Knott’s Berry Farm is America’s original theme park. It is better known for its scary Halloween Haunt, but a visit during the holiday season is sure to delight all ages with its fun and festive shows, decorations, and activities.

Snoopy & The Nutcracker waving to the crowd in the Peanuts’ Holiday Parade

A Peanuts’ Holiday Parade
This traditional parade features dancers, holiday music, and floats topped with Peanuts Gang members – Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, and the crowd-favorite, Snoopy. The parade is just long enough to keep kids rapt with attention throughout. The parade ends with Santa ho-ho-ing and wishing a Merry Christmas to all.

My daughter, Karissa, was smitten with this adorable Knott’s Christmas Craft Village shop

Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village
What I remembered most from my last visit to Knott’s Berry Farm as a teenager was its plethora of roller coasters. As a grown-up, my favorite part of the park is no longer thrill rides, rather it is the Old West decor and feel of Ghost Town. I am a sucker for make-believe, especially when it is done well. This area of the park transports you back in time to an 1880s California gold rush town.

You can purchase a lucky horseshoe emblazoned with your name from the blacksmith, watch a knick-knack being whittled from wood before your eyes, pan for gold, or stop into the school house for a taste of old-school education. The school was made in 1879 and was purchased and recreated by Mr. Knotts in 1952.

Through Christmas Eve, Ghost Town is home to the Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village. Artists peddle their one-of-a-kind crafts, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, and more from these temporary storefronts.

It’s Christmas, Snoopy! ice show at Knott’s Berry Farm

Holiday Shows
If visiting during the holiday season, you absolutely must head to the Charles M. Schulz Theatre to see the It’s Christmas, Snoopy! ice show. I was fascinated by how these talented skaters glided, spun, and flipped on the small ice stage. The colorful lighting, elaborate sets, playful costumes, and snippets from the famous It’s Christmas, Charlie Brown television special are sure to keep even the wriggliest of kids entertained. White doves even fly onto the stage and snow drops from the sky! Arrive a half hour before the show starts to nab the best seats.

Traditional holiday shows like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and O’Henry’s A Gift of the Magi can be viewed at the Birdcage Theatre. Join the Peanuts Gang in Calico Square for a song-and-dance show, Snoopy’s Calico Christmas Tree Lighting, followed by the lighting of a huge, decorated Christmas tree. A Winter Wonderland show in Camp Snoopy featuring all the Peanuts characters can be skipped in favor of the ice show or tree-lighting.

A white Buche de Noel cake at Knott’s Farm Bakery

Rides, Lights, Treats & More Holiday Fun
It was chilly the day we visited Knott’s Berry Farm so we did not brave the wetness of the Timber Mountain Log Ride. This ride is tranformed every year into Elf Mountain Christmas, where you can see Santa’s elves readying for Christmas complete with lights and music. I was impressed with a giant drying station outside the ride where soggy riders warmed themselves with heat lamps.

Take little ones to the Ghost Town Bakery, where they can decorate their own Christmas cookie with frosting and candies from noon to 5 pm daily during the holiday season. You can also find delectable holiday treats at the Farm Bakery in the Marketplace. This area of shops and famous Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant is located just outside the park’s entrance and was the birthplace of Knott’s Berry Farm in 1934.

In the evening, head to Camp Snoopy, the area of Knott’s geared toward the preschooler-set with child-friendly rides and a giant Snoopy bounce house, for Snoopy’s Christmas Light Spectacular. Hundreds of thousands of holiday-shaped light displays twinkle in the dark from dusk to park closing.

Kids can even pay a visit to jolly old St. Nick during their visit to Knott’s Berry Farm during the holidays. Head to Santa’s Toy Barn to get some one-on-one time with Santa Claus and purchase a darling photo of your kiddo making their Christmas toy wish.

Here I am with my daughter in front of one of the Christmas trees at the Knott’s Resort Hotel

Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel Dressed Up for the Holidays
After a busy day at the park it’s nice to take a short stroll through Knott’s Marketplace to turn in for the night at Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel. The lobby is all dressed up in green and red, adding to the holiday spirit. We stayed in one of the 16 special Snoopy rooms, decked out with Snoopy and Woodstock headboards plus paw-print carpeting. The highlight of our stay was when Snoopy stopped by our table during breakfast at the hotel’s onsite restaurant, Amber Waves.

When you think of holiday activities, Knott’s Berry Farm may not be the first place that pops to mind…but maybe it should be!

What part of a Knott’s Merry Christmas would be the most fun for your family? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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A note from The Travel Mama: My family and I received complimentary park entrance from Knott’s Berry Farm and we were hosted by the Buena Park Convention and Visitors Bureau for our stay at the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel.

The next time you are planning a trip to Disneyland, schedule an extra day or two to explore the nearby Irvine Regional Park. I fall a little more in love with this park every time I visit this treasure in California’s Orange County. You could easily spend a whole weekend just exploring this 477-acre park with its plentiful hiking trails, zoo, horse rentals, miniature train and more- all amid tall, leafy trees and the natural beauty of Southern California.

Freely roaming peacocks add to the magic of Irvine Regional Park

Bicycle and Surrey Rentals
I can’t remember the last time I laughed as much as I did during my most recent visit to this park a couple months ago with my family. Nothing made us laugh more than our surrey ride through the park ($25 per hour). Rent cruisers, kids’ bikes, tandem bicycles, surreys, and other wheeled items from Wheel Fun Rentals near the boat dock.

I am a bit of a worry wart and my husband, Phil, tends to think no rules apply to him. Although the rental attendant warned us to avoid a couple of specific hills on the park’s trails for safety reasons, Phil peddled our surrey straight toward these areas. As we zipped down the hills I commenced yelling, which led to our daughter’s nervous screaming, and caused our two-year-old son to turn around from his front basket seat and ring the bicycle bell frantically – apparently as a warning to Daddy to slow down. Once we reached the bottom of the hill safely the whole family would burst out into laughter. Until the next hill.

For a giggling good time, rent a surrey!

Paddle Boats
Since the paddle boats only fit three, my husband and I took turns peddling the children around the small, picturesque lake. Our little boy’s chubby cheeks squished up by his life preserver busted his big sister and me into more rounds of giggles.

The paddle boats are available to rent by the half hour (for $12), and that’s about all you’ll need. My legs tired quickly as I followed ducks around the lake, while the kids gazed in awe at the birds’ submerged orange feet.

The paddle boats are a fun way to explore the lake and get some exercise

Pony Rides and Horse Rentals
Kids can ride ponies at the Country Trails and Riding School ($4 per child – closed Mondays). A parent leads the pony and child around a gated ring a few times. My daughter was delighted by her pony ride on a visit earlier this year.

Horse rentals are also available for adults ($40 for a one-hour trail ride). Rentals are by appointment only, so plan ahead! The trail horses meander sloooowly along one of the park’s many trails. There’s no cantering, certainly no galloping, and barely any trotting allowed. As a teenager I rode horses competitively so trail rides are a bit of a yawn for me. But it’s always nice to climb aboard a horse and take in the scenery, especially in a setting as lovely as Irvine Regional Park.

My daughter, Karissa, sits proudly atop her rental pony

The Orange County Zoo
Contained within Irvine Regional Park is the Orange County Zoo, home exclusively to native inhabitants of Southern California ($2 admission for children and adults aged 2+). During a trip to this zoo, you can expect to see animals such as raccoons, eagles, burros, snakes, mountain lions, black bears, and others.

According to Zookeeper Lauren Howell, the zoo’s residents live here because they cannot be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Many have been injured by cars, gunshot, hunting traps, or by predatory animals. Others are orphans who could not survive in the wild because they were never taught survival skills by their mothers. Some were confiscated from people who illegally kept the animals as pets.

Willie the Screech Owl, who is blind in one eye possibly due to being struck by a car

Miniature Train
If visiting the park with young children, be sure to make your way over to the Irvine Park Railroad for a journey on the miniature train ($4 per rider aged 12 months+). Listen to commentary about the park’s history as you chug through the foothills of Orange.

Kids love a ride through the park aboard the Irvine Park Railroad

More to Explore
There are several playgrounds equipped with swings, jungle gyms, and such throughout the park. Picnic tables are also plentiful. There are a couple of on-site snack bars with affordably priced items like hamburgers, corn dogs, burritos, and ice cream. I’ve never ordered anything beyond a bag of chips and a soda because we like to pack a picnic lunch for our Irvine Park adventures. 

On my three visits to Irvine Regional Park I’ve been too busy with all of the other activities to explore the park’s several hiking trails. This gives me an excuse to come back!

My kids, Karissa and Leo, soaring through the air on swings at Irvine Regional Park

I think spending a day outdoors at Irvine Regional Park was good for my family. I know it was good for my soul. This park is now officially one of my favorite places in the world. It’s a place to connect with nature. To play. To laugh. To breathe. To take joy in the little things.

Where is your favorite place to take joy in the little things? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

You might also like:

• 5 Yosemite Kid-Sized Adventures

• Orange County with Kids – Beyond Disneyland 

• San Diego’s Birch Aquarium: A Worthwhile Alternative to SeaWorld

• Stop to Smell the Roses in San Diego’s Balboa Park

A note from The Travel Mama: Irvine Regional Park provided my family with complimentary surrey rental, paddle boat rental, train tickets, and entrance to the Orange County Zoo on our most recent visit. My horse rental was provided by Travel Media Showcase, a conference for travel writers that I attended earlier this year. 

America’s state parks, reserves, and beaches enable families to connect with nature. Unfortunately, the future of America’s natural treasures is being threatened by budget cuts and lack of funds. Here are three of my favorite family-friendly nature spots in my adopted home state of California.

Redwood tree in Pfeiffer State Park, Big Sur

Best Place to Forget Your Worries
A California park that holds special memories for me is Pfeiffer State Park in Big Sur. As a Midwest girl by birth, while I love the sandy, palm-lined landscape of San Diego, I often long for walks in the woods. I want to breathe in the scent of pine, hear leaves crunching underfoot, and feel small in the shade of big trees.

My husband, Phil, and I visited Big Sur a few years ago during the sixth month of a stressful pregnancy and amidst the shocking beginning of what has been a financially rocky few years for our family. My mom watched our toddler daughter while Phil and I took a respite our troubles for a few days. Escaping to this breathtaking spot of nature’s beauty gave us time to breathe, to connect, to remember why we had chosen each other before there were children and the weight of constant worry. 

Big trees were what I was looking for, and that’s just what I found at Pfeiffer State Park. In addition to Conifers, Oaks, Sycamores, Cottonwoods, Maples, Alders and Willows, this park is home to redwoods, the tallest tree species in the world. Redwoods can grow up to 360 feet in height! Standing next to something that huge, that beautiful…reminded me how insignificant my problems were compared to largeness of the world.

Hiking with my daughter at Torrey Pines State Reserve in 2007

Where to Experience Southern California’s Natural Beauty
One of my family’s favorite spots to connect with nature is at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in La Jolla. On weekends you can often find us hiking one of the Torrey Pines State Reserve’s eight trails. My favorite is Beach Trail, which descends over three-quarters of a mile from its cliff top to the beach. It provides gorgeous, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. That hike tends to be a bit too much for our two-and-a-half-year-old, so we often stick to the easiest path, Guy Fleming Trail, a more manageable two-third mile loop.

No matter which trail you choose, all provide an opportunity to experience Southern California’s indigenous beauty. The reserve is named for the rare, twisted Torrey Pine Trees. You can also spot Yucca, Prickly Pear Cactus, and colorful wildflowers. If you’re lucky, you may even see California Gray Whales on their migration between the Bering Sea and Mexico.

My husband and daughter splashing in the waves at Torrey Pines State Beach, La Jolla in 2008

Favorite Family-Friendly Beach
During the summer, we lay out a blanket and picnic lunch on the beach below the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve at Torrey Pines State Beach. For eye-candy and an eclectic party vibe, head to Pacific Beach or Ocean Beach. For a pristine, upscale beach, head to South Beach on Coronado, which stretches out before the famed Hotel del Coronado. But if you want a laid-back, family-friendly beach scene, come to Torrey Pines State Beach.

This is my family’s favorite beach in San Diego County. We love its long stretch of sandy shoreline set against the beautiful backdrop of the reserve’s cliff. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a ten-minute drive from our house!

Proposition 21
A rallying cry was sent out by my friend and fellow travel blogger, Bridget A. Smith of Family Adventure Guidebooks, to help save California’s state parks and conservation efforts by supporting Proposition 21. According to the California Voters’ Guide, “A YES vote on this measure means: An $18 annual surcharge would be added to the amount paid when a person registers a motor vehicle. The surcharge revenues would be used to provide funding for state park and wildlife conservation programs. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would have free admission and parking at all state parks.”

This proposition will keep California’s parks, beaches, and other natural reserves open and safe for residents and visitors. Learn more about about Proposition 21 on YesForStateParks.com. Read more blog posts supporting California’s State Parks on Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday: State Parks Edition.

Do you tweet? If so, join me on Monday, November 1, 2010 at a Twitter Party to support America’s state and national parks, 6 to 7 pm PST. Just follow the #TMOM hashtag. Learn more now.

What is your favorite family-friendly place to connect with nature? Please leave your thoughts about nature conservation in America and beyond in the comments below!

You might also like:

• Fall Beauty at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine

• 5 of California’s Best & Most Diverse Beaches

• How to Camp with Kids

• Yosemite Kid-Sized Adventures

I have found the best cupcakes in California…maybe in the world. As a cupcake connoisseur, I do not make such a statement lightly.

SusiCakes cupcakes

The hubs and I got a hankering for cupcakes during the drive home on a recent family road trip. A little iPhone inquiry led us to SusieCakes in Newport Beach. Everything looked so delectable, I named off which cupcakes I thought we should order to eat on-site, and which we should box up to take home with us. My husband, Phil, whispered, “What if they aren’t any good? Let’s just get one each to try. We can always order more.”

As dessert lovers, we tend to enjoy the idea of a cupcakery more than eating the actual desserts these shops proffer. Between mouthfuls, Phil and I often complain to each other that the cake is too dry, the frosting too sweet, or (as with Sprinkles-brand), the whole cupcake seems utterly lacking in salt.

So how did SusieCakes stack up? Let me put it this way…we devoured the cakes, making num-num-num sounds all the while. Then we jumped back in line to purchase more whilst licking frosting from our fingers!

Pastel decor at SusieCakes

Susie’s signature frosting-filled cupcakes come in nine flavors plus holiday favorites, like October’s pumpkin cupcake with cream cheese frosting. Both kids chose chocolate with chocolate frosting, which they gobbled up with much gusto, leaving a trail of crumbs in their wake. My husband is a cupcake purist and stuck to his standard white cake with butter-cream frosting. I, on the other hand, like the adventure of wackier flavors. The frosting on my strawberry cake tasted like real strawberries (only better!), with a delightful balance of sweet and tart.

My husband’s birthday was the next day, which provided the perfect excuse to load up a box of treats to go. We purchased four cupcakes: chocolate, coconut, vanilla, and red velvet. For good measure, we bought a smallish (five inch) apple pie and a peanut butter whoopie pie (peanutbutter cream sandwiched between two sizeable peanut butter cookies).

Strawberry cupcake

I made it through the whole day without succumbing to the desire to at least dip a pinkie into the frosting of one of the cakes for a preview of the birthday fun to come. I could not, however, escape the lure of the whoopie pie. The peanut butter cookies were crispy-chewy and salty-sweet, just how I like ‘em. The cream in the middle pushed this treat into the “too sweet” zone for me. That seems to ring true for me with all whoopie pies, so if you are a frosting enthusiast, you’d probably love a SusieCakes whoopie pie.

We had invited our neighbors and their kids over to help us celebrate Phil’s birthday that night. Since there would be four adults and four children, I stopped by the grocery store to purchase some mini cupcakes. I didn’t want to sacrifice the SusieCakes splendor to the kids!

My kids devouring their chocolate SusieCakes

The crowd consensus best of the bunch was the vanilla with pink butter-cream frosting. All four cupcakes were moist, delicious, and had the perfect frosting-to-cake ratio (as all cupcake lovers know is so important). I defy you to find a better cupcake!

My husband’s favorite dessert in the world is apple pie. If there is apple pie on the menu, Phil feels compelled to order it. He makes his own homemade version for every holiday. He cons my mom into baking apple pie for him every time she visits. And he gets really mad when he has a bad slice of apple pie. I’m happy to report that the SusieCakes apple pie left him in good spirits. When I asked him what he thought of the pie, he said, “For a place that makes cupcakes, they make a helluva apple pie.”

Wedding cake

Plan to inhale a cupcake on-site and then take a few home (or back to your hotel) to savor later. The gals behind the counter seemed quite smitten with our kids. The minimalist pastel decor was lovely too. Besides a handful of small tables, though, there isn’t a whole lot of space to sit at the Newport Beach location. It’s not a place you necessarily go to linger over dessert with cup of coffee (or milk).

SusieCakes offers layer cakes, stacked cakes, and specialty decorated cakes for such occasions as birthdays, weddings, and beyond. There are also miniature cupcakes, cheesecakes, puddings, and a variety of cookies and bars on their menu. According to the SusieCakes website, “We specialize in an array of sentimental dessert favorites, which conjure up the sorely missed flavors and aromas of childhood.”

My son enamored with the display of sugary goodness

We visited the Newport Beach location, but there are five other SusieCakes locations in California including branches in San Francisco and Los Angeles. After all this sweet reminiscing, I think another road trip with a special stop at a SusieCakes may be in my family’s near future!

Who do you think makes the best cupcakes in the world? Please leave a comment below!

You might also like: 

• Family-Friendly Food in San Juan, Puerto Rico

• My Santa Monica Top Chef Confession

• Phoenix Restaurants Worthy of Craving

• Stop to Smell the Roses in San Diego’s Balboa Park
 

A note from The Travel Mama: I did not receive any compensation or free goodies from SusieCakes related to this story. I will always let you know if I receive any money or products related to a blog post.

When I was a kid, I had just one shot at wearing my Halloween costume each year while trick-or-treating through my suburban Minnesota neighborhood. Most years I had to wear a thick winter coat over my bunny rabbit, princess, or ballerina outfit. This often led to my crying, whining, and general tantrum-throwing. Not so for lucky kids visiting Southern California during October! Families can celebrate the holiday all month long at LEGOLAND California. In San Diego’s mild climate, kids can collect treats in their Halloween garb coat-free and maybe even snag a prize in the process!

My son on one of the Brick-Or-Treat Trails at LEGOLAND

Brick-Or-Treat Trails
Kids don’t need to wear a costume to gather goodies at the treat stations set up along two Brick-Or-Treat Trails in LEGOLAND, but what kid doesn’t like an extra chance to be a super hero or pirate? Trick-or-treaters aged 12 and younger can gather candies, apples, crayons, and more from one of the trails located along the Enchanted Walk (open weekends 12 to 5 pm plus Saturday evenings during October) or at the Miniland Overlook (open October Saturday evenings 5 to 9 pm).

If you didn’t have time to put together a costume or your kiddo wants to add a little flair to their ensemble, elaborate face-painting is available in Castle Hill. Choose from designs for fairies, monsters, animals, and more. Prices range from $12 to $19.

Mail Order Monsters

Mail Order Monsters Show
Starring ten-year-old Princess Playwright and some grown-up “monsters” like Jester Funny Bones, Mail Order Monsters is a not-too-scary slapstick show for families. My kindergartner and toddler laughed at the actors’ antics but they were not at all interested in meeting the monsters (especially the zombie!) when the characters climbed down from the stage after the show to mingle with the crowd. Of course, my daughter was fascinated by the princess and ran up to her get a better look at her sparkling orange dress.

Performances take place several times throughout weekend days and Saturday evenings in October at the Courtyard Theater. There are no seats besides a couple of benches at the back, but kids and adults didn’t seem to mind standing or sitting on the ground.

Special Halloween treats available for purchase

Halloween Sweets
If the kids didn’t get their fill of sweet treats from the Brick-Or-Treat Trails, you can purchase Halloween-themed goodies at eateries throughout the park. Choose from Jack-o-lantern cookies, caramel apples, orange-colored crispy rice treats drizzled with chocolate, Halloween cupcakes, and hot apple cider. Or, stop by Sir Scoops A Lot for a pumpkin ice cream shake.

My kids were afraid of these jack-o-lanterns until I pretended this one was eating my hand

“Spooky” Decorations
Everywhere you look you’ll find LEGO brick-shaped ghosts and skeletons plus live pumpkins and man-made jack-o-lanterns. You must stop by the Giant LEGO Pumpkin made entirely of LEGO bricks and the Giant Ghost to snap adorable photos of the kids.

One of the “hidden” candy corns at Haunted Hideaways

Candy Corn Scavenger Hunt
Halloween or not, one of my kindergartner’s favorite LEGOLAND attractions is The Hideaways, a gigantic playground perfect for kids five and older. At this time of year, it is transformed into Haunted Hideaways with spooky music and “hidden” candy corn pictures that kids can count while they climb across rope bridges and zoom down slides.

To participate in the Candy Corn Scavenger Hunt, just fill out a form with how many candy corns your child spotted and your contact information for a chance to win a family four pack of tickets to LEGOLAND California.  

Howlin’ Howie’s Contest at Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights

Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights
There is no additional cost to attend the Brick-Or-Treat Party Nights, which take place 5 to 9 pm every Saturday in October. In addition to the Halloween fun outlined above, most of LEGOLAND’s regular attractions stay open. Plus, there are special shows, activities, and contests just for partygoers in Castle Hill.

Hubble Bubble’s Dance Party

Kids can compete to howl the loudest and proudest in Howlin’ Howie’s Contest at the Courtyard Theatre twice each night. Watch the Spirits of Brick-Or-Treat Light Show, where friendly spooks and pumpkin luminaries light up and sing on the castle rooftop in celebration of Halloween every half hour, starting at 6:30 pm. Hubble Bubble’s Dance Party starts at 5 pm and culminates in the Ultimate Dance Off at 8:30 pm, when six of the best dancers are chosen to dance onstage. A final winner is chosen by show of applause.

Here’s Mikayla (age 11), a “Creative” Halloween Costume Contest entrant

The Costume Contest draws some truly innovative costumes in the categories of Heroes, LEGO, and Creative. Registration begins at 4 pm. The contest is open to kids aged 12 and younger. A panel of judges chooses one first-prize winner from each category.

Get Your Halloween On!
A regular admission ticket allows you to enjoy the daytime Halloween fun and includes entrance to Brick-Or-Treat Nights for $59 online or $84 at the door. If you only want to attend the nighttime activities, you can purchase a Brick-Or-Treat ticket for $30 online or $40 at the door. Go to the LEGOLAND California website to purchase tickets and learn more.

Where is your favorite place to celebrate Halloween? Leave a comment below!

You might also like:

• Halloween with a Disney Twist

• LEGOLAND for All Ages

• LEGOLAND Water Park: Joy Is Good, Right?

• San Diego Zoo’s Best Beasts, Eats, and Treats

A note from The Travel Mama: My family and I received complimentary passes to LEGOLAND California to experience the park’s Halloween festivities.

Want to read about more Halloween fun? Check out the Halloween blog carnival over at Best Family Travel Advice or on Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday.

A highlight of my recent trip to Santa Monica was meeting a finalist from Bravo TV’s Top Chef series. As Top Chef fanatics, my husband and I jumped at the chance to eat at The Yard, a gastropub at which Season Three Top Chef Finalist CJ Jacobson works as head chef. Our waitress said CJ is always more than happy to come out to talk to fans of the show. How could I resist?

Here I am with Top Chef Finalist CJ Jacobson

So, here’s my confession. I had a bit of a crush on CJ during his season of Top Chef. You can probably tell by my goofy smile in the picture above. And what’s going on with my hair and that unflattering outfit?! If I had known at the start of the day that I would be meeting CJ that night, I probably would have put a bit more effort into my appearance. (Sorry, hubs!)

Anyhoo… the celebrity chef seemed almost apologetic about the (mildly) rowdy atmosphere and casual happy hour menu. Apparently there had been a street festival that day, drawing in a younger and thirstier crowd than usual. My family didn’t mind one bit. We happily enjoyed our fish tacos, burger sliders, buffalo wings, and beers (water for the kids, of course) at discounted happy hour pricing.

Gastropub fare at The Yard

I promised the chef I’d come back someday for a true taste of what the restaurant offers beyond the happy hour menu. (I’m sure CJ is eagerly awaiting my return!)  The dinner menu lists such items as Braised Beef Cheek served with potato puree, market vegetable, and pickled golden raisins or Crispy Duck Confit with grilled tenerelli nectarines, market beans, and hazelnut. 

If traveling with kids, you should know there is no children’s menu or high chairs. The Yard would probably make a better date night than a family dining option if you can manage to snag a sitter one evening while in Santa Monica.

When I asked CJ if he particularly likes gastropub fare or why he chose to work at The Yard, he said, “I like food of all kinds. Yes, I do like gastropub fine. But eventually the owners and I want to work together on something else.” Their new venture, while not necessarily fine-dining per se, will offer a more upscale dining experience. I can’t wait to see what they cook up!

Have you ever been unprepared to meet someone you admire? Share your celebrity “brush with greatness” story below!

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• Disney’s “World of Color” Premiere & My Red Carpet Hullaballoo

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A note from the Travel Mama: We paid for our meal at The Yard and didn’t get any special treatment because I am a travel writer. I will always tell you if I receive any discounts or perks related to a blog post.

Santa Monica is the epitomy of a Southern California beach town with its surfable waves, walkable downtown, laidback atmosphere, and seaside amusements. Santa Monica makes for a family-friendly weekend getaway, with just enough to see and do in a couple of days without being overwhelmed by the need to squeeze it all in.

My kids show off their carnival game prizes (won by Daddy) on the Santa Monica Pier

Carnival Rides & Games
When I asked readers where my family should go for a weekend getaway, 55% of voters chose Santa Monica. This Southern California beach town is probably best-known for the Santa Monica Pier and its amusement park, Pacific Park, which offers 11 rides including a roller coaster, a handful of fast food options, and carnival games galore. There is something so summery, retro, and joyous about taking a spin on a Ferris wheel on a pier perched over the ocean! There is no entrance fee to the park. You can purchase individual ride tickets or serious ride lovers can purchase an all-day wristband for unlimited fun.

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Shop
After taking in a few rides, head over to the Soda Jerks Fountain Service for hand-dipped ice cream sundaes. This ice cream parlor, also located on the pier, has limited counter seating inside (next to the indoor carousel) plus outdoor tables at which to gobble up your goodies. Choose from old school favorites like an egg cream or go for Curious George’s Jungle Shake (a blend of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, mixed nuts, and banana). Or, you can create your own sundae from 16 flavors of ice creams, sherbets, and sorbets plus nine toppings. The salted nuts on top were the bee’s knees!

“The Ocean Park” create-your-own, kid-size sundae from Soda Jerks Fountain Service

Seaside Aquarium
Santa Monica Pier offers a variety of sit-down restaurants, a handful of shops, and an aquarium. The Santa Monica Aquarium may be the smallest aquarium I have ever visited but it is a non-profit and admission fees are minimal. My five-year-old enjoyed creating a paper shark puppet while her toddler younger brother gazed at the tanks of fish and got a chance to pet a sea star.

Sea stars at the Santa Monica Aquarium

Stroll, Shop & Watch
Once you tire of the pier, walk over to the Third Street Promenade, a 30-block pedestrian-friendly shopping area. There is no shortage of retail stores or dining options here! Adding to the fun are street performers singing, dancing, doing acrobatics, and playing musical instruments of all kinds. This free (or tip-only) entertainment enabled me to snag a couple of new shirts and a darling sweater from H&M while the hubs minded the kids!

Whimsical dinosaur fountain along the Third Street Promenade 

An Affordable Place to Stay
We stayed just outside Santa Monica at the Los Angeles Marina del Rey Courtyard by Marriott. Our room was a little cramped for a family of four, but the service was friendly, the hotel was clean, and the outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees was a pleasant diversion for big sister Karissa while toddler Leo took his afternoon nap.

View of the pool at Marina del Rey Courtyard from our hotel room balcony 

I appreciated the subtle little extras this hotel provided, including individually packaged earplugs (for those of us married to a snorer) and self-service poolside ice water. I was a bit surprised when my bill for the buffet breakfast arrived. I thought breakfast was included at Courtyard hotels. (Alas, I must’ve been thinking of Comfort Inn.) Although a free breakfast would have certainly been preferred, we enjoyed a pleasant spread of fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, juices, coffee, make-your-own waffles, and an omelet station.

Spirit of Aloha in SoCal
One of the most memorable aspects of our trip for me was meeting former Travel Mamas Guest Blogger Debi Huang. She is the author of Go Explore Nature, a blog that suggest unique ways and fun places to explore the outdoors with kids. On our first night in town, she and her husband, their two boys, and my brood got together at Duke’s Malibu for some scrumptious fresh fish, live ukulele music with hula dancing entertainment, and a gorgeous view of the ocean.

Tableside entertainment at Duke’s Malibu

The best part for me was gabbing about the wild and wacky world of blogging with Debi while our husbands wrangled the children! A wonderful bonus to blogging is all of the incredible people I have met from around the country and around the world who share my love of writing and travel. What a wonderful way to connect with locals wherever I go!

Karissa, me, and Debi Huang of Go Explore Nature

While it was too chilly for a beach outing during our Labor Day vacation to Santa Monica, we did zip around on amusement park rides, play carnival games, eat some tasty food, and meet up with some awesome Santa Monica residents. What more could we ask for?

What’s your favorite attraction, restaurant, or hotel in Santa Monica? Leave a comment below!

You might also like: 

• 5 Yosemite Kid-Sized Adventures

• How Did I Become The Travel Mama?

• LEGOLAND for All Ages

• San Diego’s Birch Aquarium: A Worthwhile Alternative to SeaWorld

 

A note from the Travel Mama: The Santa Monica tourism board welcomed my family with a beach bag of logo items and two free Pacific Park wristbands. We paid for much of our two-night hotel bill with a $250 Marriott gift card, which I earned for hosting an unrelated post on Travel Mamas. These benefits did not affect my opinion of anything mentioned in this story. I will always let you know if I receive any any products or services related to a blog post.

San Diego’s Balboa Park is overflowing with fun things to do with kids. As locals who have visited nearly all of the park’s 15 museums and who are annual members of its world-famous San Diego Zoo, one of my family’s favorite Balboa Park attractions is its Rose Garden. With approximately 2,500 roses of nearly 200 varieties, this garden is free to the public, doesn’t take all day to tackle, and makes a fun and fragrant outdoor field trip for visitors of all ages.

Sometimes family vacations are so jampacked with activities, it’s easy to forget to slow down and savor the moment. Here’s a little pictoral tour of Balboa Park’s Rose Garden, a relaxing spot to visit on your next trip to San Diego.

Balboa Park Rose Garden in San Diego, California

My daughter, Princess Karissa, and the rose

Take a close look – this rose has a visitor!

My son, Leo, is more interested in rocks & dirt than in flowers (such a boy!)

Every time we visit, Karissa and I select our favorite rose – this time the winner was this perfect Sheila’s Perfume bloom

My daughter loves to collect (already fallen) rose petals to stuff in her pockets as a natural souvenir

After wandering through the Rose Garden, you may want to mosey through the neighboring Desert Garden, which is filled with over 1,300 cacti and succulents. Be sure to keep toddlers in strollers to avoid getting pricked! Both of these gardens are located North off the Park Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge, across from the San Diego Natural History Museum and the big fountain (for which I could not find a name). Here’s a map of Balboa Park to help you find your way.

Do you have a favorite public garden? Please leave a comment below!

You might also like:

• 5 of California’s Best & Most Diverse Beaches

• San Diego Botanic Garden – An Enchanting Place for Children

• San Diego’s Birch Aquarium: A Worthwhile Alternative to SeaWorld

• San Diego Zoo’s Best Beasts, Eats, and Treats

I left it up to you to decide where my family should go for a Southern California road trip getaway. With 55% of the votes…we are headed to Santa Monica for a weekend of Old School Amusements & Beachy Fun! Coming in second place was Knott’s Berry Farm with 45% of the votes, for a trip filled with Rides & Waterslides. That means the third choice, Wooly Mammoths & Hollywood in Los Angeles, got exactly zero votes. Was it the bones of creatures stuck in gooey ponds of muck that turned you off?!

Many who voted for Santa Monica recommended Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, the Farmers Market, and Pacific Park. Based on your recommendations, it sounds like there is plenty of tasty, family-friendly food to try too. I’ve booked our room at Marriott’s Courtyard Marina Del Rey and my five-year-old is already psyched about the Ferris wheel on the pier. We can’t wait!

For helping me with my bout of indecision, everyone who voted was automatically entered to win two travel games from ThinkFun – Zingo! To Go and Rush Hour or Rush Hour Jr. One lucky winner was selected at random using Random.org. Congratulations to Mia J., who said, “I think Santa Monica sounds the best. You will be able to enjoy each other and the fun and beauty of the beach.” I hope you’re right, Mia! The winner has been notified via email. If I do not hear from her within two days, another winner will be chosen using Random.org.

If you have any additional Santa Monica site, restaurant, or activity suggestions, send them my way with a comment below!

You might also like:

• Disney’s “World of Color” Premiere & My Red Carpet Hullaballoo

• The Best Travel Toys and Activities for Kids, from Babies to Teens

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• Vote Where to Send My Family for a Weekend & Win!

I need your help with a little travel dilemma. I have got a $250 Marriott gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket book! The problem? I tend to be a tad (ahem, a ton!) indecisive. That’s where you come in. I’ve narrowed it down to three choices…please weigh-in and choose where my family should go on our weekend getaway! For helping me out, you could win two fabulous travel games from ThinkFun. Even if you don’t need the prize, go ahead and vote! Just let me know in your comment that you’d like the games to go to another entrant. We’ll go wherever you tell us to go!

To keep things within my (tight) budget, I need to go somewhere within driving distance from our home in San Diego. My travel companions will be the hubs (Phil), my daughter (Karissa, age five), and my little guy (Leo, age two). We’ll take our journey sometime during September, while the weather is still warm and sunny in Southern California.

Option 1: Rides & Waterslides
What kid doesn’t love amusement parks and waterslides? While we’ve visited Disneyland with Little Ones numerous times, we have never taken our children to Knott’s Berry Farm. In fact, the last time I visited the nation’s oldest theme park was during high school and I’m sure a lot has changed since then. There are oodles of rides in Camp Snoopy that would please the kiddies, like the Flying Ace Balloon Race and the Charlie Brown Speedway. The following day we could head to Knott’s Soak City waterpark for a watery good ol’ time on its plentiful waterslides, lazy river, and Gremmie Lagoon children’s pool.

Option 2: Wooly Mammoths & Movie Stars
My husband and I have lived in SoCal for ten years and during that time we have only ventured to Los Angeles for a weekend getaway once…and that was shortly after we moved here. Sure, we’ve driven through the city on our way elsewhere or to pick up cupcakes from Sprinkles, but that’s about it. For this trip, we’d bring the kids to La Brea Tar Pits, where thousands of years ago extinct animals got stuck in black, gooey pits of tar. There are life-sized wooly mammoth models submerged in the tar pits as well as skeletons of creatures like Sabor-toothed cats constructed from fossils found in the muck on display at the Page Museum next door. We could also wander along the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, try to match our hands with those of celebrities at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, or take in behind-the-scenes movie magic at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Option 3: Old-School Amusements & Beachy Fun
I have never been to the Santa Monica Pier, the West Coast’s only amusement park on an oceanfront pier. With its aquarium, old-fashioned soda fountain, carnival games, carousel, Ferris wheel, and other diversions – this place is sure to please the kiddies. The next day we could pick up a picnic lunch and head to Santa Monica Beach for a day of splashing in the water and building sand castles.

Road Trip Entertainment
For the journey, I’ll be sure to bring along lots of healthy (and a few forbidden!) snacks, pack some bubbles and a beach ball for rest-stop entertainment, and pull out the Zingo! To Go for a few rounds of on-the-go fun. My kindergartner and I played this game for the first time during our flight to Puerto Rico for our mommy-daughter getaway. We have the at-home game too and my daughter and her friends love, love, love playing both versions! The game is similar to Bingo…but with a zing! There are no loose pieces to worry about misplacing and everything fits in a compact travel bag. It’s recommended for kids aged four and older.

Another fun travel diversion for puzzle lovers is Rush Hour, a single player sequential game in which the player steers cars, trucks, and buses out of traffic jams. It also comes with its own handy travel bag. The original version is appropriate for kids and adults aged eight and older, while Rush Hour Jr. can keep children aged six to eight occupied on the way to your destination.

Vote & Win!
So…where should we go? It’s up to you! Just leave a comment below about which of these three paths you think we should take for a chance to win two games: Zingo! To Go (for ages four and older, retail value $14.99) PLUS your choice of ThinkFun’s popular Rush Hour (for ages eight and older, retail value $19.99) or Rush Hour Jr. (for ages six to eight, retail value $17.99). 

This contest ends on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. A winner will be chosen at random using Random.org. The winner will be notified via email. If the prize is not claimed within two days, another winner will be selected. One entry per person.

To vote, simply make a comment below about which road trip option my family should take. That’s it! If you have additional tips on sites to see, restaurants for us to try, and activities to do during our trip, feel free share those too. We will go to whichever location receives the most votes.

A note from the Travel Mama: I earned this $250 Marriott gift card for running a Tots Travel Too Contest for Marriott a couple of months ago on Travel Mamas. I was under no obligation to write another blog post mentioning Marriott. ThinkFun provided my family with a free Zingo! To Go game to preview and will provide the two games to the winner of this giveaway.

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• Which Disneyland Character Meal is Best for Your Family?

 

Each of the five Disneyland character meals has its own feel, special touches, and star character. These meals are a great way to meet many characters in one fell swoop, which frees up park time to enjoy rides, shows, and other attractions rather than waiting in long lines for a brief photo opp. But how do you know which character meal is best for your family? Let me break it down for you…

Most character meals are served buffet-style. I am not a huge fan of buffets but Disney does everything well, and buffets are no exception. For dinner, expect kid-friendly food like macaroni and cheese, pizza, and chicken plus some especially delicious desserts. For breakfast, you will find made-to-order omelets, pastries, Mickey-shaped waffles, and other tasty treats. Ariel’s Grotto is the only character meal option that serves a sit-down, three-course meal of appetizers, main course, and dessert.

Breakfast in the Park with Minnie & Friends
Where?  The Plaza Inn inside Disneyland (so you must have a Disneyland park entrance ticket to dine here).

Meals offered?  Breakfast only.

Characters?  We saw a multitude of characters at this meal, from Minnie herself to Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother.

The Verdict?  Dining with Minnie with a view of Tomorrowland’s Asto Orbitor was a wonderful start to our day at Disneyland. However, I’d rather not “waste” precious park time eating a long breakfast. I suggest eating a character meal at one of the hotels either on the day of arrival or departure to squeeze in some extra Disney magic on a day when you don’t want to spend your money or time at the parks.

Tips?  Be sure to request a seat indoors when you make your reservation and again when you check in so you can get out of the heat or the cold, as the case may be. The pink stained glass mosaics inside are darling, plus you will feel more “a part of the action.”

Chip n’ Dale Critter Breakfast at Storyteller’s Cafe
Where? Storyteller’s Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.

Meals offered? Breakfast only.

Characters? Chip n’ Dale and other woodland characters like Brother Bear and Winnie the Pooh.

The Verdict? Children who have their hearts set on seeing a specific character may be a tad disappointed to be greeted by the array of woodsy creatures here. On the other hand, kids collecting signatures might be pleased to find some off-the-beaten-path characters to sign their autograph books!

Tips?  Don’t follow the characters around the restaurant. Enjoy your meal and they will come to you! (This is true of all Disney character meals.)

Goofy’s Kitchen
Where?  Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel.

Meals offered?  Brunch and dinner.

Characters?  The only character guaranteed to make an appearance at any meal is the meal’s namesake. So, for sure you’ll see Goofy here. You are likely to see other classic characters like Pluto, Donald Duck and the like.

The Verdict?  Watching the kids dance with Goofy was definitely the highlight and added a little something special to this meal. Goofy parades about the restaurant before clumsily “spilling” a bunch of clanking, non-breakable dishes. Then he invites children to join him in making music by banging the dropped plates and bowls.

Tips?  This will soon be the only Disney restaurant offering a character dinner, so if you want to dine with characters in the evening, book this one early!

Ariel’s Disney Princess Celebration
Where?  Ariel’s Grotto in Disney’s California Adventure Resort (so you must have a Disney’s California Adventure entrance ticket to dine here).

Meals Offered?  Breakfast and lunch. In mid-June 2010, dinners at Ariel’s Grotto will no longer feature the princesses. Instead a special World of Color dining experience will be offered here in the evenings only.

Characters?  Ariel and other princesses like Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, and Aurora. Unlike the masked characters, the princesses talk to diners and never break character. My husband said, “You really look like Snow White.” To which she replied in her tiny, bubble gum voice, “Why, whatever do you mean?”

The Verdict?  For a little girl, this is the ultimate treat for a birthday or other celebration. Younger children scared of plush characters will find the princesses less intimidating. My son, Leo, was 19-months-old when we visited and he seemed just as enthralled as his big sister by all of these sweet, beautiful women stopping by his table to say hello. I enjoyed the more relaxing, upscale dining experience of this only sit-down Disney character dining option. Hors d’oeuvres and mini pastries are presented on tiered trays, adding to the fanciful feel of the meal.

Tips?  There is both indoor and outdoor seating at Ariel’s Grotto. Make your preference known when making a reservation and checking in.

Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends
Where?  Disney’s PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel.

Meals Offered?  Breakfast only.

Characters?  Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters.

The Verdict?  This is the newest Disneyland character meal. We ate here back when Lilo & Stitch were the title characters. Attendance seemed low to me, probably due to the hotel’s slightly longer walking distance from the theme parks and because Lilo & Stitch don’t draw the crowds like the more well-known characters. It looks like Disney is going all out to draw diners here by having the head cheese himself, Mickey Mouse, as the headliner. I’ve never seen Mickey at any of the other meals, so that just might do it. Plus, this meal offers interactive activities with the characters, who show youngsters how to surf and do the hula hoop.

Tips?  Save a seat for me! Since I haven’t attended this newly-revised character meal, this gives me an excuse to head back to Disneyland to check it out. (All for you, dear readers, all for you!)

More Character Meal Tips
Some young children are fearful of these life-sized cartoon characters. Before attending a character meal, you may want to get your little one acquainted with Disney creatures by reading books featuring Disney characters, watching Mickey Mouse Playhouse or other shows on the Disney Channel, or renting a couple of Disney movies. Also, consider waiting until after your tot has had a day in the parks to get used to the idea of the characters at a distance before plunging into a character meal.

An autograph book brings a whole new, entertaining dimension to the character meal experience. Hold off purchasing one until your child is old enough to appreciate it. My daughter, Karissa, requested her first autograph book at age five and proudly brought it to preschool for “show & tell” the following week.

Whatever you do, don’t forget your camera! Shots of your kids cuddling up to their favorite Disney characters are priceless.

Reservations are recommended for all of the character meals and can be made up to 60 days in advance by calling 714-781-3463. Call as soon as you know you will be attending; you can always cancel later.

What is your favorite Disney character meal? Leave a comment below!

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A note from the Travel Mama: My family and I recently received free passes to Disneyland so that I could review the Breakfast with Minnie at The Plaza Inn. We paid for all of the meals mentioned in this post ourselves. I will always let you know if I receive any complimentary or discounted goods or services in conjunction with a story on TravelMamas.com.

Thank you to everyone who entered the LEGOLAND Prize Pack Contest on TravelMamas.com! I enjoyed reading which attractions appealed to you the most.

The winner of the four LEGOLAND California/SEA LIFE Aquarium park hopper tickets plus a copy of The Unauthorized Guide to LEGOLAND is Chacoy, author of the Ma21cuteboy blog.

Here’s what Chacoy said she most wants to experience at LEGOLAND, “My son would love the Build & Test – as would I to see how much fun he is having. He has been wanting to go here for some time now!” Congratulations! I hope you and your son have as much fun exploring this unique amusement park as my family does!

Check back again soon for more fun travel-related giveaways!

From themed rides and LEGO brick building stations to musical fountains and roller coasters, LEGOLAND California has something to please everyone. Read on to learn about the best this park has to offer for babies, toddlers, tweens, teens, and grown-ups.

LEGOLAND California’s Miniland Cruise Ride

Last month I spent a day at LEGOLAND California with the woman who literally wrote the book on LEGOLAND. My daughter and I rode rides, explored play areas, and ate apple fries with the author of The Unauthorized Guide to LEGOLAND, Bridget A. Smith, and two of her three kids. It was like having our own personal tour guide to the park! From questions about the best rides for my five-year-old, to where we could find the closest bathroom, Bridget was there to guide the way.

Bridget is a LEGOLAND aficionado and mom to Justin (age 11), Destiny (age six), and Jared (age five). She decided to write this guidebook because, “I live down the street here in Carlsbad. LEGOLAND is a wonderful park but there were things I thought I could share that would help families with children. And there are a lot of undiscovered areas people may have never explored before.” The book helps you navigate varying height and age restrictions; which rides can only be ridden by a solo child; and when to hit certain attractions to avoid long lines. She even lists fun indoor activities for rainy days. You can read Bridget’s blog and purchase her book at FamilyAdventureGuidebooks.com.

Bridget with her daughter, Destiny, at LEGOLAND

While I am not as knowledgeable about this park as Bridget, I have been to LEGOLAND numerous times and I like this amusement park more each time I visit. I asked Bridget to share her thoughts on the LEGOLAND’s best attractions and food. Here are some of her picks with a few of my favorites sprinkled in.

Attraction that Makes You Fall in Love with LEGOLAND
Water Works Magical Fountain (Explore Village: All Ages)
While Bridget and I watched our kids playing at the Water Works Magical Fountain, I said, “This is my favorite attraction at LEGOLAND.”

Bridget said, “Me too!” She bubbled, “This fountain is why I fell in love with LEGOLAND. I came here with the kids and we saw this fountain and I thought, Why haven’t we been here before? This place is awesome!”

The Water Works Magical Fountain is made of musical instruments formed from LEGO bricks. Kids stomp on the circles in front of the drum, trumpet, harp, or other instrument and its musical sound chimes in. It’s just a joyful, unique experience.

My daughter, Karissa, making music at the Water Works Magical Fountain last year

Toddler Time
If you will be visiting LEGOLAND with a baby or toddler be sure to check out What to Do When You Are 2 for ideas to keep young children content.

DUPLO Playtown (Explore Village: All Ages)
This play area is filled with slides, pretend vehicles and buildings, and a crawl-through maze. This is a great place to relax a bit while the kiddies play.

My son, Leo, exploring DUPLO Playtown

LEGOLAND Express (Explore Village: All Ages)
This adorable train ride is tucked into a corner of DUPLO Playtown. Bridget recommends this train even for ride-phobic little ones. In her guidebook she says, “I love the mix of real California crops and LEGO brick produce. Make sure to point out the artichokes and fresh strawberries.”

Preschooler & Kindergartner Play
Volvo Junior Driving School (Fun Town: Kids Ages 3-5)
What kid doesn’t want to drive a miniature car around a track all by himself? To quote the Unauthorized Guide, “This ride is a great rite of passage. At the end of the ride your child will receive an official LEGOLAND driver’s license.” The Volvo Driving School is next door for kids ages 6-12.

The Royal Joust (Castle Hill: Kids Ages 4-12 & Height Restrictions)
This is a favorite of both Bridget’s daughter, Destiny and my daughter, Karissa. Kids straddle pretend horses that trot through a forest dotted with life-sized LEGO knights and other characters.

Destiny aboard a Royal Joust horse

Grade-Schooler Stuff
Build & Test (Imagination Zone: All Ages)
I never really understood the appeal of this attraction until I saw how much Bridget’s son, Jared, loved playing with LEGO bricks at this and other hands-on building stations. The guidebook advised, “At the main desk big kids check out a set of wheels with axles, then build vehicles with a wide assortment of big kid LEGO bricks. There are a number of tracks with timers, and the kids can race their vehicles to see who has the fastest car.”

Bridget’s youngest son, Jared, playing with LEGO bricks at Build & Test

The Dragon (Castle Hill: Height Restrictions)
Karissa and I love this roller coaster! It starts out with a mellow riding tour through a castle filled with humorous LEGO medieval scenes. Then, as the guidebook explains, “Suddenly the roller coaster takes hold and you find yourself outside in a roller coaster that has some zip to it.” I like that it’s fast enough to get your heart pumping a bit, but not so scary to deter brave young children. I also appreciate the details of the funny markers on the gravestones in the make-believe cemetery through which you wind if the line is long.

The Hideaways (Castle Hill: All Ages)
Bridget and I had a grand ol’ time yapping away here while our kids zipped up, down, and through this play area. According to the book, “This is one of the best places to get a lot of energy out. Kids can climb, slide and wiggle through a variety of obstacles…Luckily the entrance to the Hideaways is also the exit so you can stake out a spot nearby and make sure you catch your little one before he or she can escape. Don’t plan to see your kids anytime soon however, this area is so engaging it may be a while before they are willing to leave.”

Teenager Rides
Knight’s Tournament (Castle Hill: Height Restrictions)
This is Bridget’s oldest son, Justin’s all-time favorite ride. The guide says, “It is not for the faint-hearted. I have never seen anything like it at another park. Giant robotic arms like the one used in automotive assembly plants to weld on car doors spin you around and almost dip you into a slimy moat.” Riders can pick the intensity level of the ride.

The Knight’s Tournament is LEGOLAND’s most thrilling ride

Lost Kingdom Adventure (Land of Adventure: Height Restrictions)
This is one of my family’s favorites. It’s like a ride plus a carnival game all rolled into one during which you explore Egyptian ruins made of LEGO bricks. In the Unauthorized Guide Bridget says, “Blast targets with laser guns in order to recover stolen treasure…A computer records every shot, so at the end you can compare scores with your riding companions.”

Family-Time Fun
Fairy Tale Brook (Explore Village – All Ages)
This is a ride all ages can enjoy it together. As described by Bridget’s guidebook, “Take a sweet boat ride through a LEGO world populated by many of your child’s favorite story book characters…This ride provides a quiet break and is good for small children.”

Miniland USA (All Ages)
Bridget says, “This signature attraction of LEGOLAND California is fun for the whole family. Miniland is a collection of American landmarks from seven different geographical regions of the United States constructed with more than 20 million LEGO bricks at a 1:20 scale.”

The U.S. Capital Building in Miniland USA

Tastiest Eats
Granny Apple Fries (Castle Hill)
Bridget describes this unusual sweet treat as, “The fried Granny Apples are dusted with cinnamon and sugar. They are served with a vanilla cream dipping cream. Everyone in our family loves this treat.”

Fun Town Market Restaurant (Fun Town)
My husband always insists we eat at this made-to-order buffet-style restaurant for its outstanding Philly cheese steak sandwiches. You can find something to meet everyone’s needs here from oriental chicken stir fry, to an extensive soup and salad bar, and kids’ meals. We save money (and room in our bellies!) by splitting a sandwich so we can indulge in Granny Apple Fries afterwards.

Best Way to Cool Off
Pirate Shores (Various Age and Height Restrictions)
On a hot day, you will definitely want to bring swimsuits and towels for the kids and head over to Pirate Shores. This area encompasses several splashing attractions. Bridget explains, “This is one of the most fun areas at LEGOLAND and a great place for parents to take a break. There is only one entrance to the area, so you can keep an eye on the kids. Any kid who loves water play will want to stay there for hours.”

SEA LIFE Aquarium
With a LEGOLAND/SEA LIFE Hopper pass you can visit the adjoining SEA LIFE Aquarium during a visit to LEGOLAND California. There are plenty of fish and marine life on display in educational, fun displays. Pop-up bubbles where kids can get a feel for what it would be like to live under the sea make this aquarium stand out from others.

Karissa peering at fish through a plastic pop-up bubble at the SEA LIFE Aquarium

Enter to Win!
Post a comment below about which LEGOLAND feature you would most like to experience and why to win a four-pack of 1-Day LEGOLAND/SEA LIFE Hopper passes plus a copy of The Unauthorized Guide to LEGOLAND. THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Find out who won! 

LEGOLAND will provide the park hopper passes (worth $308) and Bridget A. Smith will provide the guidebook (worth $17.95).

This contest ends at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on Saturday, May 15, 2010. The winner will be selected at random using Random.org and will be notified by email. If no response is received within one week, the first winner will forfeit the prize and another entrant will be selected.

You can enter a maximum of four times, using each method of entry once. The first option is required for entry. For each bonus entry, you must add an additional, separate comment to this blog post.

• REQUIRED ENTRY: Leave a comment below about which LEGOLAND feature mentioned in the post you would most like to experience and why. Please be specific! General comments like, “Thanks for the contest” or “I want to go to LEGOLAND” will be disqualified.

• BONUS ENTRY: Follow @TravelMamas on Twitter and tweet this contest. Be sure to add a link to your tweet below! Copy  the following phrase into Twitter:

Win a 4-pack of @LEGOLAND_CA park hopper passes on @TravelMamas http://bit.ly/cemnsU

• BONUS ENTRY: “Like” Travel Mamas on Facebook and add a comment. Copy and paste the following phrase (filling in your answer) on the Travel Mamas Facebook Page. Be sure to come back here and repeat the phrase in a separate comment on this blog post!

I want to win tickets to LEGOLAND on TravelMamas.com because________________.

• BONUS ENTRY: Become a Travel Mama to receive bimonthly e-newsletter updates. If you already receive the e-newsletter, that counts! Just be sure to make a comment below saying that you are on the distribution list!

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A note from the Travel Mama: My family recently received free 1-Day LEGOLAND/SEA LIFE Hopper passes to LEGOLAND California. We have visited many times on our own dime too. In fact, we have purchased two years worth of annual passes in the past. I also received a PDF version of The Unauthorized Guide to LEGOLAND from Bridget A. Smith for purposes of this blog post.

One of the things I love most about living in California is being in such close proximity to some of the most amazing beaches in the world. Even after 32 years of life near the coast, my breath is still taken away every time I round a bend and get that first glimpse of the ocean. As I have lived in and explored both Northern and Southern California, I have grown to especially love the diversity that our coast holds. Here are five very different but very spectacular California Beaches.

Ultimate Southern California Beach – Santa Monica Beach & Pier
This is the prototypical Southern California beach: palm trees swaying, wide expanses of sand, and surfers searching for the perfect wave. Santa Monica ups the ante and includes a picture perfect pier complete with Ferris wheel, surfside dining, and sunglass-sporting salesmen hawking photo opps with a cutout version of your favorite star. It’s the perfect beach to get active whether you rent a bike and go for a ride or bring a volley ball and hit the courts. Feeling lazy? Pick your preferred parcel of sand and catch some rays while the little ones perfect their castle-making skills.

Most Majestic Beach – Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
This scenic beach is not what comes to mind when people think of California. Way up in Humbolt County, California takes on a new identity. One of my favorite beaches here is Gold Bluffs. The beach itself is wide and sandy, but it is often shrouded by fog and its waters can be described as bone-chilling at best. Elk can be spotted on the beach and there is an amazing fern and Redwood filled hike right near the shore.

Best Beaches for Spotting Wildlife – Beaches of Point Reyes
The beaches on Point Reyes are so rugged and remote, it’s hard to believe they are less than thirty miles from San Francisco. Kayaking, hiking, and wildlife-viewing are just some of the activities families can enjoy while on this incredible stretch of beach. On our last visit we saw both elephant seals and Tule elk. On one side of the point, thunderous waves crash down onto the sandy shores while on the other, the calm water of Tomales Bay provide the perfect place to get out and paddle.

Best Old School Beach – Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove is a great place to get a glimpse of what Southern California beaches looked like nearly a century ago. Most of the park is still wild and there isn’t a single multi-million dollar home occupying the bluffs above the ocean. There are only a few beach bungalows on one section of the beach. These are historic properties from the 1930s and ‘40s, which are available for rent through the State Park system at a very reasonable rate. There is also a fun restaurant right on the sand and a shake shack at the top of the hill so you don’t have to leave the beach or pack a meal while you are there. There is no surfing at Crystal Cove but there is plenty of scuba diving, water play, and tide pooling. My kids love searching for sea stars and hermit crabs in the pools that gather around the rocks.

Best Beach for a Sunset Stroll - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Magic happens on a point near where Monterey Bay ends and Big Sur begins. Cypress trees reveal their enchanting, twisted beauty as they cling to rocky cliffs above the sea. The ocean produces the most amazing blues and greens before it rears back and crashes into the shore. Children will love spotting the seals, sea lions, sea otters, and countless birds that call this area home. There are fantastic coastal walks that lead you along some of the most breathtaking coast California has to offer. It is said that Point Lobos is the “greatest meeting of land and water in the world.” After spending the day at this beach, it’s hard to disagree.

Sharlene Earnshaw is an Orange County, CA based writer who loves nothing more than to travel with her husband and three-year-old twins and then share their adventures on her blog,  Double The Adventure. She has written about everything from a three-week summer road trip across the Western U.S. and Canada to local hikes and day trips. You can also find her on Trekaroo where she has recently taken on the role as Blog Editor in Chief.

What is your favorite beach? Leave a comment below!

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Orange County Vacations

I was asked to share a few of my happiest travel memories to coincide with Lay’s potato chips’ Happiness Exhibit, a campaign that showcases the moments of simple happiness that people treasure most. Share one of your happiest travel memories in the comments below for a chance to win a $200 gift card to Southwest Airlines, provided by Lay’s potato chips!

Happiness is Family
When we travel with family, the focus isn’t on work, school, and never-ending to-do lists. Family vacations allow us to spend quality time with people we love, live more fully in the present moment, take notice of our surroundings, and enjoy life. This must be why my daughter often cries at the end of a vacation, “But I don’t wanna go home!”

And, it must be why so many of my happiest childhood memories took place while on a family vacation…swimming in indoor hotel pools with the gleeful calls of “Marco! Polo!” echoing against the walls…playing 20 questions in the backseat of our spitfire orange station wagon…or knowing I was safe on Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride because my dad told me my green Mickey Mouse ears would protect me. I am pictured above at age four (sporting my magical green mouse ears) with my brother and Pluto at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Happiness is Getting Away from it All
One of the happiest moments of any trip for me is after I arrive at my destination and I realize, “Hey, I’m on vacation!” Here I am pictured with my son, Leo, with my hometown San Diego in the background on a Carnival Cruise to Mexico. A sweet thing about a cruise is, the minute you step onboard, your vacation starts!

Happiness is Being Together
Since my two siblings and I live in three different states and we each have families of our own, it is a very rare occasion when we, our children, and our parents are all able to meet in one place. We made a point to get together in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a few days of family fun in the sun before my brother, a naval officer, was deployed to Iraq for six months.

While it was thrilling to swim with dolphins in The Bahamas and to climb a waterfall in Jamaica, most of my happiest travel memories take place when doing simple things with people I love. By far my favorite memory of this trip was simply splashing around in one of the hotel’s pools with the whole family.

In total, there were fourteen family members who went on this multi-generation vacation. From left to right, pictured above are my niece Siobhan, husband Phil, nephew Trevor, and sister Karen hamming it up at the pool at Solmar Resort.

Happiness is Relaxation
It is a happy moment indeed when children successfully take a nap while on vacation! This is especially true when such a nap takes place poolside at a beautiful resort, allowing for a mid-day snooze or dip in the pool for the Travel Mama and Travel Daddy! Here’s a photo of my daughter, Karissa, asleep in her stroller at the Kauai Marriott Resort in Kauai, Hawaii.

Happiness is Dreaming
I spent a lot of time visualizing taking my baby to Disneyland to distract myself from contractions during a very, very, very long labor with my firstborn. I couldn’t think of a happier place to be. It is, after all, The Happiest Place on Earth!

So, for my daughter’s first birthday rather than throwing her a birthday party, we took a three-day trip to Disneyland. Did the trip live up to my expectations? I think this picture of Karissa clapping with joy on her inaugural Disney ride aboard Dumbo’s back says it all!

Happiness is Simple
The message of the Lay’s potato chips’ Happiness Exhibit is that the happiest moments in our lives are truly the simple ones. From the online exhibit, select photos will be chosen to be featured on millions of Lay’s potato chip bags. You can submit photos that showcase simple, happy moments to Lays.com. Submitting photos on the Lay’s site does not affect your chance of winning the Happiest Travel Memories Contest on TravelMamas.com but it sure would be fun to see your photo on a bag of Lay’s potato chips! 

Happiest Travel Memories Contest Sponsored by Lay’s Potato Chips
I shared just a few of my happiest travel memories with you. Now it’s your turn! Leave a comment below describing one of your happiest travel memories for a chance to win a $200 Southwest Airlines gift card. Lay’s potato chips will provide the prize to the winner.

This contest ends at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on Saturday, May 1, 2010. The winner will be selected at random using Random.org and will be notified by email. If no response is received within one week, the first winner will forfeit the prize and another entrant will be selected. THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. To find out who won and to read my favorite entries, read Thanks for Sharing the Memories.

You can enter a maximum of four times, using each method of entry once. The first option is required for entry. For each bonus entry, you must add an additional, separate comment to this blog post.

• REQUIRED ENTRY: Leave a comment below about your happiest travel memory. Please be specific! General comments like, “I love to travel” or “I have many happy travel memories” will be disqualified.

• BONUS ENTRY: Follow @TravelMamas on Twitter and tweet this contest. Be sure to add a link to your tweet below! Copy and paste the following phrase into Twitter:

Share a happy travel memory on @TravelMamas to WIN $200 for AIRLINE TIX from Lay’s potato chips http://bit.ly/arRHw7  #giveaway

• BONUS ENTRY: Become a Fan of Travel Mamas on Facebook. Then submit a comment like the one below, filling in the blanks, on the Travel Mamas Fan Page wall. Be sure to come back here and repeat the phrase in a separate comment on this blog post!

If I win the Happiest Travel Memories Contest on TravelMamas.com I will go to ___________ because _______________.

• BONUS ENTRY: Become a Travel Mama to receive bimonthly e-newsletter updates. If you already receive the e-newsletter, that counts! Just be sure to make a comment below saying that you are on the distribution list!

You might also like:

• Beach Day in Zihuatanejo, Mexico

• Carnival Cruise Line’s Onboard Activities for Kids

• 10 Best Family-Friendly Hotel Pools in the World

• Top 10 Disneyland Rides and Attractions for Babies and Toddlers

• Why We Travel with Children

Yosemite National Park in California has a special place in my heart. I’m lucky enough to have spent at least of couple of weeks there almost every summer thanks to a family cabin in the park. As an adult, I have now begun to relive some of my most cherished childhood experiences with my kids (ages five and two).

Whether you’ve never been before or have visited annually since you were a kid, there’s always something to discover in Yosemite. My husband and I are especially keen on low-cost, off-the-beaten-path activities that are fun for the little ones. Here’s how you can enjoy five of our favorite Yosemite adventures:

Enjoy a stagecoach ride in Wawona’s Pioneer Yosemite History Center

1. Take a Trip Back in Time
I admit I’m partial to Wawona– a tiny town located about 10 minutes from the South entrance. It’s home to the family cabin and is a quiet refuge from the crowds that Yosemite draws every summer. Here you can stop by the historic Wawona Hotel with its enormous grass lawn that beckons you to enjoy a picnic or an afternoon snack.  

Another of Wawona’s gems is the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, complete with historic structures from different eras of Yosemite history including a jail cell, blacksmith shop, and covered bridge. For just a few dollars, you can take a ride (albeit, a rather bumpy one) on a horse-drawn stagecoach with a driver who’s been giving rides since he was 14-years-old!

Insider tip: After roaming through the Pioneer History Center, cross the covered bridge and head down to the South Fork Merced River. Let the kids search for rocks to skip or dip their feet in the water. Pack a snack (or lunch) and plan to spend a few hours here.

Posing underneath the famous California Tunnel Tree at the Mariposa Grove

2. Head to the Big Trees
The Mariposa Grove, located just two miles from the South Entrance to the park, is home to roughly 500 giant sequoias. These trees are some of the largest living things on the planet. They stand so tall you’ll have to strain your neck trying to see the tops. This place inspired my oldest to utter one of his first words: “trees.”

There are hiking trails to explore as well as a one-hour tram tour. The Grove is open from April through November, weather permitting. You can reach the entrance by car or, during the summer, take advantage of the free Wawona-Mariposa Grove shuttle.

Insider tip: Skip the pricey tram ride and scout out the surroundings on foot. We usually take the short hike to two of the more famous trees in the Grove: The Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree.

Dreaming of the day he’ll become a Yosemite junior ranger

3. Become a Junior Ranger
Kids 7 through 13 can become a Yosemite Junior Ranger. This program allows kids to interact with the park at their own pace, then share their findings with a park ranger. To participate, simply buy and complete an inexpensive self-guided booklet at one of several locations throughout the park. To earn a patch, kids will also need to collect a bag of trash and attend a ranger-led program.

Insider tip: If your kids are too young to be junior rangers (like ours), you can still take advantage of ranger-led events. I always learn something new and I’ve got almost 40 years worth of visits to the park under my belt!

4. Visit the Nature Center
A visit to the Nature Center at Happy Isles is a great way to introduce kids to the plants and animals found in the park — and it’s free! There are plenty of hands-on, interactive displays, plus stuffed replicas of local wildlife. My kids love pressing the buttons to hear the sounds each animal makes.

Insider tip: Just outside the center are four short trails worth investigating. My five-year-old likes to play follow-the-leader on the short “hike” to the center from the shuttle stop. Don’t forget to stop and admire the Merced River flowing right alongside the path.

Tyke hikes need rewards, like this great waterfall view

5. Enjoy a Tyke Hike
No trip to Yosemite is complete without a hike. There’s simply no better way to see the park than on foot.

When it comes to hiking with little ones, success comes with short trails that offer big payoffs. Our favorites are the Lower Yosemite Falls trail and the path to Bridalveil Falls. If you’ve got older kids, take the steeper three-mile trek to Vernal Falls.

Insider tip: For a quieter experience, check out the Chilnualna Falls Trail in Wawona. The complete hike is more than 8 miles long, but kids will be content to stop about a quarter of a mile in, when you’re rewarded with two waterfall cascades.

Debi Huang is a Los Angeles-based wife, mom and adventure guide for two young boys. Her blog at GoExploreNature.com is all about getting kids and families outdoors and connected to nature. You can follow her on Twitter at @goexplorenature.

Do you have a favorite spot or activity in Yosemite that’s great for kids? Leave a comment below!

If you like this story, you might also like:

• Camping & Outdoor Pursuits Resources

• How to Camp with Kids

• Roar & Snore Campout at the San Diego Wild Animal Park

• The Travel Mama’s Top 3 Hidden Gem Destinations

Yosemite National Park Vacations

Since Orange County, California is probably best known as the home of Disneyland, it’s easy to overlook how many other amazing things there are to do! Here are several other family-friendly activities in the OC:

Katie’s husband and sons exploring tide pools at Crystal Cove Beach

Pretend City
This is a new attraction in Orange County that is rapidly gaining attention of families. You should plan to spend an entire morning or afternoon exploring the small scale town at Pretend City. Parents can sit and relax while children work in the field (picking plastic fruit out of the cubbies in the walls), work at the café (serving pretend drinks), or performing the duties of many other occupations. The kids earn play money by performing each task. It’s a great learning experience that keeps the kids entertained for hours!

Discovery Science Center
Located in Santa Ana just off the Interstate 5, the “Discovery Cube” it is hard to miss – it’s the giant black 3-D cube next the freeway. Admission is quite inexpensive and it offers a great educational experience for the children. The Discovery Science Center alternates different learning programs every couple of months and have a number of unique exhibits that kids love!

The Irvine Park Railroad

Irvine Park
There’s so much to do here it’s hard to know where to start! With the Irvine Railroad, hiking, Orange County Zoo, pony rides, paddle boats, and more; it’s easy to be overwhelmed with choices at Irvine Park. There are numerous holiday themed activities occurring throughout the year, so be sure to check their website  to see the current events scheduled.

Knott’s Berry Farm
This Orange County amusement park often gets lost in Disneyland’s shadow. With a multitude of rides, shops and other entertainment, Knott’s Berry Farm is a great value! A tip is to buy and print your tickets at home through their website to receive almost 20% in discounts for adults. They also offer AAA discounts. Be sure to say hi to Snoopy! 

Santa Ana Zoo
California is very lucky to have a number of wonderful zoos, but one that frequently gets overlooked is the Santa Ana Zoo. The admission price is very affordable and has a number of attractions ranging from the Zoofari Express Train Ride and the Conservation Carousel (with endangered animals) to the Crean Family Farm and the Colors of the Amazon Aviary to Amazon’s Edge. You can spend an entire day here exploring!

Tide pools at Aliso Creek County Beach

Tide Pooling
Exploring the sea creatures and plant life in tide pools, or shallow rock pools beside the ocean, is a free and relaxing way to break up an active vacation. We have a number of beaches here in OC, but my family’s top two favorites for tide pooling are Crystal Cove California State Beach (right off Pacific Coast Highway at the Laguna Beach/Newport Beach border) and Aliso Creek County Beach/Montage Beach (south of downtown Laguna Beach).

More Fun
Other favorites if you have the chance…If you’re here in late winter/early spring, check out the whale watching boat tours that leave from Dana Point. They are spectacular! Take the ferry out to Catalina Island; it’s just a plain fun day trip! If you visit during the summer, be sure to check out Wild Rivers for a day of water slides, lazy rivers and wave action for the whole family!

Katie writes about anything and everything that pertains to families at OCMomActivities and Disneyland-specific content at KidsandMice. Katie is a busy, working mother of two boys ages eight and six. When they aren’t riding the roller coasters at Disneyland, heading to the beach, or on some other adventure, you’ll find them at home in South Orange County, CA. You can follow Katie on Twitter as @OCMomActivities or become a fan on Facebook.

What is your favorite Orange County activity? Please leave a comment below!

For more information on this topic see:

• Amusement Park & Disney Resources

• Holidays at Disneyland

• Inspiration from a Disney Expert

• Top 10 Disneyland Rides and Attractions for Babies and Toddlers

 

Many San Diego visitors forego visiting the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in favor of the more glitzy SeaWorld. The aquarium offers a wonderful, low-key alternative to its famous competitor.

The Birch Aquarium’s Kelp Tank in the Hall of Fishes

If you only have a few days in San Diego, you have some cash to spare, and you want to see killer whales and dolphins performing splashy tricks, then go to SeaWorld. If you are on a tight budget, you are looking for an educational hands-on experience, or you are traveling with a baby or toddler who will have little interest in shows, choose Birch Aquarium. Admission prices are significantly lower and parking is free. Also, the aquarium’s interactive exhibits encourage children and adults to think, not just be entertained.

Here’s a bit about what the Birch Aquarium has to offer…

“The Legacy” Whale Sculpture Fountain & Memorial
The impressive “Legacy” Whale Sculpture Fountains greet visitors to the aquarium. Kids love dipping their hands in the water and chasing each other around the giant whale statues just outside the aquarium’s entrance.

“The Legacy” Whale Sculpture Fountains

Hall of Fishes
Wander through the Hall of Fishes and peer at amazing creatures like jelly fish, eels, and colorful fish from around the world. The octopus exhibit is my favorite. When my daughter was a baby and I held her up to the glass to view the eight-legged creature, the normally fuchsia-colored octopus shrunk itself into a small white ball before violently throwing itself against the exhibit’s glass. From reading the exhibit information, I learned the octopus will change colors before attacking prey or when agitated. Apparently my infant looked like a yummy (or threatening) snack!

Jelly fish in the Hall of Fishes

Another crowd pleaser is the large Kelp Forest Tank, which spans an entire wall and is filled with leopard sharks and other fish, huge and small. This is a nice place for parents to rest a bit while the kids climb up and down the carpeted bench seats and gaze at the giant display of fish.

Tide Pool Plaza
In the outdoor Tide Pool Plaza kids can pet animals like sea cucumbers and sea stars. Staff and volunteers are pleased to share their knowledge of the sea life with you. The sweeping view of the ocean in the distance isn’t bad either.

Feeling the Heat: The Climate Change
This exhibit uses interactive videos, games, and displays to teach how the actions of human beings impact nature’s delicate balance and what we can do to have a positive impact on our oceans’ future.

One of the many interactive displays in the
Feeling the Heat: The Climate Change exhibit

There’s Something About Seahorses
Learn about seahorses and seadragons, as well as tricks these unique animals and others use to camouflage themselves in There’s Something About Seahorses.

My son playing in the Camouflage Corral, where kids can attempt
to “hide” stuffed sea creatures in manmade seaweed displays (2010)

Smargon Courtyard
The Smargon Courtyard is an outdoor area where you can ham it up in a giant model of a shark’s mouth, view tropical shark tanks in the Shark Reef, and learn about water through play. I always have a hard time pulling my children away from the Wonders of Water display, where kids build dams, create rapids, and race plastic boats in tables of moving water.

My mom and daughter posing for the camera at the aquarium (2005)

Splash Café
The aquarium’s outdoor café offers sandwiches and salads. The food is fine but my advice is to bring a sack lunch or plan to eat elsewhere before or after your visit. Whereas at some sites, the food is part of the experience, here the marine life and exhibits are the stars.

The Birch Aquarium’s Splash Café
 

Book & Gift Shop
Visitors can find an array of ocean-themed toys, books, wind-chimes, and other tchochkes in the aquarium’s Book & Gift Shop. Proceeds benefit the aquarium, which is a non-profit. Those with wheelchairs or strollers will exit through here. For an inexpensive souvenir of your visit, imprint a penny with a shark, whale, or fish design in the machines just outside the store.

Why I am a Member of Birch Aquarium
I have nothing against SeaWorld. I have visited the amusement park numerous times with my family. But as a San Diego resident, I renew my membership year after year to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. The cost of membership is reasonable and comes with a pack of passes and discount coupons for friends and visitors. Plus, I feel good knowing my money is going towards saving our oceans.

The beauty of a visit to the Birch Aquarium is its simplicity. The focus is on education and conservation, not big shows and rides. Its small size and low cost make it an easy activity to tackle with children. And, kids just love getting upclose to learn about fish and other sea creatures!

Which are you more interested in visiting, the Birch Aquarium or SeaWorld? Please leave a comment below!

For more information on this topic see:

• San Diego Zoo’s Best Beasts, Eats, and Treats

****

As a fifth-year San Diego Zoo member and a mama of two young children, I have spent a lot of time at this world-renowned zoo.  I know the best places to eat, which animals kids love to see, and the special extras that make a visit memorable.  This zoo is huge so if you have little ones who need to nap or you just don’t want to spend an entire day gazing at animals, you should focus on the best the zoo has to offer instead of trying to see every single animal in one day.  I provide the location of each recommended attraction in parentheses.  View a map of the zoo.

The flamingos and ducks are favorites for the zoo’s youngest visitors.

An Unexpected Favorite – Flamingo and Duck Pond (Lost Forest)
Imitate the flamingos standing on one leg and “quack” at the ducks at this pond.  This is an easy exhibit to work into your schedule since it is located near the zoo’s entrance.  Even though you will see many more exotic animals at this zoo, these birds are always a favorite, especially for toddlers and preschoolers.

Mama panda Bai Yun is one of the zoo’s most beloved residents.

Best Path to the Zoo’s Most Famous Residents – Pandas (Panda Canyon)
The zoo’s most popular residents are its pandas, Bai Yun and her newest baby, Zhen-Zhen.  On busy summer weekends you may have to wait in a long line to see the Oreo-colored bears.  There are several paths to reach this exhibit in the zoo’s center, but I recommend taking the Monkey Trails through the Lost Forest.  View monkeys and apes of all sorts as well as pygmy hippos and more along this route.  If you have a stroller or a wheelchair, you will need to walk through Owens Aviary (past colorful birds and flowing water) and along the Sun Bear Trail (past bears and more monkeys) to reach Panda Canyon.  Other visitors can take a more direct route via stairs at the end of the Monkey Trails.  View the live Panda Cam.

Most Beautiful Exhibit – Gorilla Exhibit (Lost Forest)
This lush exhibit is overflowing with waterfalls and greenery.  Get a sense of just how big these apes are by placing your hands in gorilla-cast imprints.  Kids love climbing on the life-size sculptures of the gorillas.

Most Elaborate Exhibit – Elephant Exhibit (Elephant Odyssey)
This newly updated area of the zoo is definitely worth seeing.  Learn about the world’s largest land animals and their prehistoric relatives, the mastodons, while wandering past live Indian and African elephants.  You will also see camels, jaguars, and lions, among other animals.  View the live Elephant Cam. 

That’s me with my daughter, Karissa, aboard the SkyFari Aerial Tram in 2006.

Most Uplifting Experience – SkyFari Aerial Tram (Discovery Outpost and Polar Rim)
You can board the SkyFari Aerial Tram near the Children’s Zoo in Discovery Outpost or near the lovely water-filled polar bear exhibit in the Polar Rim.  The ride sends you soaring above the treetops and gives a birds-eye view of the animals below.  It’s also a handy way to get from one side of the zoo to the other.  View the live Polar Bear Cam.

Best Hands-On Experience – Feeding the Giraffes (Urban Jungle)
If you’re visiting during the summer or on a weekend, check the schedule for giraffe-feeding times.  Your kids won’t soon forget handing branches of leaves to these sweet, towering animals.

This koala surprised me by climbing the branches of this eucalyptus tree
rather than engaging in its usual koala activities – eating leaves or sleeping.

Cuddliest Creature – Koalas (Outback)
A visit to the cuddly koalas is probably a necessity, especially if you are traveling with an elementary-school-aged girl.  Take a peek at nearby adorable creatures like wallabies and tree kangaroos while you’re at it.

Here’s the Discovery Playground in the Children’s Zoo.

Best Place for Kids to Play – Children’s Zoo (Discovery Outpost)
This is a great place to let the kids get their wiggles out.  The Discovery Playground has a twisty slide and climbing equipment but beware that toddler feet will likely get caught in the rubber climbing netting.  There is a petting zoo with goats, sheep, pigs and the like.  The playful otters who take up residence in the Children’s Zoo tend to be a big hit with children and adults alike.  Also, kids love to watch mice crawling through the Mouse House, which is fashioned from a giant loaf of real bread.

Best Way to Squeeze it All in – Bus Tour (Near Zoo Entrance)
If you want to see most of the zoo (75%) during a short timeframe, you can cough up a few extra bucks for the bus tour.  You see a multitude of animals with the added benefit of the driver’s educational commentary.  Plus, most kids love sitting on the top level of the double-decker bus.  However, if you have a child age three or younger, skip it.  The tour takes 35 minutes+ and you’ll spend most of your time placating your little one rather than enjoying the ride.

Best Food – Sabertooth Grill (Elephant Odyssey) and Canyon Café (Asian Passage, near Panda Canyon)
The Sabertooth Grill is one of the best eateries in the park.  Most zoo food comes deep-fried and tastes like, well, zoo food.  However you can find healthy, tasty options like wraps and salads at this restaurant.  Their soups are surprisingly delicious. 

At my other favorite zoo restaurant, Canyon Café, I recommend the chicken taco platter.  It’s not the best taco you’ll eat in San Diego, but it may be the best food you’ll find at the zoo.

At restaurants throughout the zoo kids’ meals are served in plastic buckets, which are perfect for taking to the beach.  They are filled with standards like chicken strips, hot dogs, or quesadillas depending on the restaurant.  Outside food and drink besides baby food are not allowed but the zoo is pretty lenient when it comes to packing children’s snacks.

A ride aboard the Balboa Park Railroad Miniature Train
is a fun way to top off a day at the zoo.

Best Finale for Good Behavior – Balboa Park Railroad Miniature Train and Balboa Park Carousel (Outside the Zoo’s Entrance)
A miniature train located just outside the zoo’s entrance typically runs every day during the summer and spring break but only on weekends during off-season.  If sharing a train with a gaggle of school-age children, beware that field-tripping kids scream in unison through the tunnel.  It’s best to wait for the next train.

The Balboa Park Carousel, built in 1910, is one of the few carousels left in the world that still offers the brass ring game. Big kids and adults who want to play choose an outside horse and reach out to grasp the small rings on each spin.  Iron rings don’t count; only the rider who nabs the brass ring wins a free ride.

Do you have a favorite exhibit or zoo activity not listed above?  Or do you have any questions about how to make the most of your visit to the San Diego Zoo?  Leave a comment below!

For more information on this topic see:

• Best San Diego Gaslamp Restaurants by a Local Foodie

• Roar & Snore Campout at the San Diego Safari Park

• Stop to Smell the Roses in San Diego’s Balboa Park

• 10 Tips for SeaWorld San Diego with Kids

 

I love poring over hotel review websites, destination guidebooks, and travel chat boards to plan out every detail of upcoming vacations. This time, however, I would have to wing it.

My son’s bout of chicken pox delayed our trip and forced me to revise the itinerary. Instead of a trip to Atlanta and Hilton Head Island this spring, our family of four flew to San Francisco at the last minute. Type-A traveler that I am, I worried that a getaway without structure would result in cranky kids and grumpy grown-ups rather than rest and relaxation.

Day 1
Not having time to scour the web for the very best deal on a hotel with a kitchenette and a heated pool, I booked a room at the Hilton San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf through Priceline using their Name Your Own Price option. I snagged the room at $125 per night, whereas the official price would have been $149. The room was small and sans fridge, but acceptable and the location was convenient.

After settling in, we took a 15-minute walk from our hotel to Pier 39, a mecca of shopping, dining, and entertainment perched over the bay. The plan was to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. because our children’s screeching would go unnoticed in the theme restaurant. However, there was a line out the door of other families thinking the same thing. Instead, we went to Pier Market, a seafood restaurant with a view of the boats bobbing in the harbor. The most memorable part of the meal was the warm sour dough bread – tangy, crispy, and chewy in all the right ways. I had the grilled swordfish with lemon garlic butter, which was adequate but bland ($18.95). My husband got a crab melt ($12.95) – I’m still not sure what pocessed him to order such a thing but it was good if you dig creamy, cheesy, messy sandwiches. Standard kids’ meals went for $4.95 each.

Day 2
The next day we headed back to Pier 39. We regarded the sea lions barking and flopping about for a while. Then we happened upon a juggling show, which I was “volunteered” to join. You would think my preschooler would find it cool to see Mommy on stage, but noooo, she cried the whole time. Apparently, she was jealous that I was picked instead of her. After that we took the kids for a spin on the double-decker carousel.

My children are good on-the-go sleepers so at naptime the baby dozed on his daddy’s shoulder while Karissa curled up in the stroller. When Leo woke before his big sister, I took him to the Aquarium of the Bay. I have seen my fair share of aquariums and for the price, this one can be skipped. The moving walkways were broken, the exhibits were not well lit, and while there certainly were fish, I didn’t see anything spectacular. If you must go, look for employees in the center of the pier handing out coupons for $2 off for adult tickets and $1 off children’s prices. Regular price admission is $15.95 for adults, $8 for children ages three to 11, and free for kids under three.

If you need a stroller in a pinch, check out Perrykids, a clothing store at Pier 39 that sells adorable handmade sweaters from Peru and rents strollers for $10/half day and $20/full day.

Late in the afternoon we texted San Francisco friends for recommendations on good Chinatown eats. Two families pointed us to the same restaurant: House of Nanking. The Sizzling Rice Soup, with its lemon-scented broth filled with vegetables and crispy rice, was worth the 40-minute walk from the pier. The lightly tempura-battered Salt and Pepper Shrimp with Mushrooms was divine, but the Famous Nanking Sesame Chicken was fatty and not worthy of its name. We all got a kick out my Hot Blossoming Flower Tea. What started as an innocuous green ball of leaves opened into a lovely pink bouquet floating in my glass. There is no kids’ menu but you can order thick round chow mein noodles without sauce, vegetables or meat for picky eaters. Dishes cost about $9-$14.

After our early dinner we meandered through Chinatown on our way back to the hotel. Karissa loved the exotic shops filled with plastic golden cats and dragons carved of jade. I bought Karissa a pair of red embroidered satin shoes for just $4.00. She still adores her “fancy” shoes, which she delights in pointing out to friends and strangers alike. I also treated myself to a Japanese puzzle box to add to my box collection from my travels.

Day 3
Traveling with children is a bit like child birth, in time all you remember is the joy, not the pain. That must be why my husband and I always convince ourselves that booking a single standard room will be fine. Why would we need a suite or connecting rooms? Sleepless nights, a screaming baby waking the four-year-old, and a lack of sleep for all. Oh yeah, that’s why.

After a couple nights with everyone crammed into one room, Phil inquired about booking a second room when I came down with strep throat. (I never said traveling was easy!) The manager on duty was a bit snarky about the fact that we had booked through Priceline, but eventually we were granted the second room, at a higher rate.

Since Leo was still napping twice a day at this point, we took a long drive to induce his morning nap. We drove around for some time searching for Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world. After two jaunts down the winding road we stopped for lunch at Mel’s Drive-In. The food was mediocre; I didn’t even finish my watery vanilla shake (a sin for a dessert lover like me!). However, the kids enjoyed the free balloons and jukebox stocked with doo-wop songs. Karissa was impressed when her chicken nuggets drove onto the table in yellow car made of paper. Kids’ meals served in a Mel’s car cost about $5-$7, including a drink.

Next we headed to the Golden Gate Park. Covering over 1,000 acres, it is even bigger than New York’s Central Park. In fact, it may be too big. There are numerous attractions, like the Academy of Sciences natural history museum, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the Buffalo Paddock where you can view American Bison. However, everything is so far spread that you can only plan to hit one, maybe two sites in a single day. The park lacked sufficient signage so I purchased a map for a couple of bucks from a little hut that sold post cards and the like. We were stopped frequently by other visitors who wanted to take a peek at the map so they could figure out where the heck they were in the massive park.

After a long walk from the underground parking garage, we finally caught a glimpse of the Children’s Playground. Karissa shouted, “Mommy! That’s the biggest playground I ever saw in my whole life!” She took off running and joined up with the other children working industriously together on an assembly line of fun in a stream of water that ran through the sand. Young children played on standard slides, swings, and climbing structures while older kids slid on torn pieces of cardboard down a two-story cement slide built into a hill.

Again we texted San Fran acquaintances, this time to inquire about Italian food. We took their advice and headed to Mona Lisa in Little Italy. It was a fabulous spot for families: busy, noisy, with lots of colorful eye candy. It’s the kind of place where waiters coo, “Bello bambino!” at your toddler, and the tables are squished together creating forced camaraderie with neighboring diners.

Day 4
On our last morning we walked along the harbor to Ghirardelli Square, named for the chocolate factory that was once located on the site. Today there is a Ghirardelli’s Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, which doles out free chocolate samples at the door. You can indulge in gooey sundaes or stock up on cable-car-shaped tins filled with treats as souvenirs. You can also view a few original machines stirring up vats of chocolate and read the signs about how chocolate is made aloud to your kids, if they’ll listen.

My husband noticed Karissa and I gazing longingly at the darling, pinkety-pink Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon. Phil suggested she and I have a mommy-daughter tea while he and Leo grabbed lunch at the diner also located in the square. Karissa was served the Nursery Tea, which came with three tea sandwiches (cucumber, PB&J, and egg salad), a scrumptious scone with clotted cream and jam, and four mini sweets as well as hot or cold tea ($14, for children 12 and under). I opted for a slice of quiche Lorraine served with a green salad ($12). Karissa spent the meal fishing the colored heart and star sugar shapes out of the sugar bowl with which to overload her cup of fruity tea. It was a lovely, sweet ending to our long weekend away.

I always say planning is half the fun (and the battle!) of any trip. But not having set plans forced us to experience San Francisco as it unfolded before us and led to fun surprises and impromptu experiences we may have otherwise missed. I wouldn’t change a thing. (Well, except for the strep throat!)

Do you have any San Francisco activities, sites, restaurants, or hotels that you would like to recommend to other Travel Mamas? Leave a comment below!

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Before I brought my daughter to Disneyland to celebrate her first birthday, some well-meaning friends warned, “It’s better to wait until she’s five or six to go. What’s the point in taking her now? She won’t even remember it.” But when I held my birthday girl in my arms as we soared through the air on Dumbo’s back and she clapped her hands, grinning and baring her two teeth, I knew that moment mattered. Even if she doesn’t remember it, for that moment she and I were soaring through joy. 

As a Disneyland enthusiast and former Annual Passholder, I have since visited the Happiest Place on Earth a multitude of times with my two young children. Many parents worry there are not enough rides for babies and toddlers, but amusements for all ages abound at Disneyland. The best part is the entire family can enjoy most attractions together.

Here are my favorite Disneyland rides and attractions for babies and toddlers:

1. Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Fantasyland
After failing to get my daughter (then age three) to ride Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and instead taking my infant son, who clawed at my face with fear throughout, I have given up waiting out the ridiculously long lines for the dark rides in Fantasyland. Instead, we head to everyone’s favorite flying elephant.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

2. It’s a Small World in Fantasyland
It is worth getting the cutesy Small World song stuck in your head all day for the smiles this ride will induce for your child. Plus, you get a big return (an eight-minute ride) for your small investment (typically a brief wait in line).

It’s a Small World

3. A Bug’s Land at Disney’s California Adventure
This area includes three rides for little ones that you can hit pretty quickly since the lines tend to be minimal. While Tuck and Roll’s Drive’Em Buggies bumper cars are fun for preschoolers, the other two rides are wonderful choices for kids and babies alike. There is Flik’s Flyers, which is a slightly less magical version of Dumbo’s ride, and Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, for which you board a talking caterpillar who chews his way though a garden of sweet-smelling treats like watermelon and animal crackers. Wait until kids are older to brave the 3-D film It’s Tough to Be a Bug! I took my daughter when she was a little over age two. Too scary!

Tuck and Roll’s Drive’Em Buggies

4. Minnie’s House in Mickey’s Toontown
When you tire of waiting in lines, this walk-though attraction keeps toddling kids busy with dials and buttons galore.

Minnie’s House

5. Jungle Cruise in Adventureland
Here’s an old-school ride for the whole family. Adults will chuckle (or groan) at the humorous commentary of the adventure guides. As for the kids, I remember believing I had actually been to Africa and back when I embarked on this ride during my first trip to Disney World at age four.

Jungle Cruise (Photo: armadillo444, Flickr Creative Commons 2.0)

6. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country
This brightly colored, sweet ride is one of my daughter’s all-time favorite rides! I keep hoping my (ride-shy) son will warm to it, but perhaps the psychodelic Heffalump scene and loopy feel are not his cup of milk. Most non-ride-phobic kids will love this one.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

7. Mickey’s Fun Wheel at Disney’s California Adventure’s Paradise Pier
Formerly the Sun Wheel, this huge Ferris wheel provides a great aerial view of the park. Skip the long lines for the swinging, scarier gondolas and opt for the milder, merely-swaying ones.

Mickey’s Fun Wheel

8. Disneyland Railroad 
I have yet to meet a child who is not enthralled by choo-choo trains! You can climb aboard or disembark at Main Street U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown, or New Orleans Square. The best part is the “surprise” trip through the Grand Canyon and Primeval World (a scene of Animatronic dinosaurs) between Tomorrowland and Main Street.

Historic photo of Walt Disney aboard the Disneyland Railroad (Photo Courtesy of Disneyland)

9. The Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland
Birds and flowers serenade the audience in this pleasant indoor show, giving you time out of the sun (or rain, as the case may be) to rest your tootsies while the baby nurses or sips a bottle. Beware of a brief, somewhat scary tropical thunderstorm at the end of the show.

The Enchanted Tiki Room

10. King Triton’s Carousel at Disney’s California Adventure’s Paradise Pier or King Arthur’s Carousel in Fantasyland
Whether you choose Triton’s underwater-themed carousel with seahorses, whales, and other ride-able sea creatures or you choose Arthur’s classic hand-carved horses, most tots love a carousel! It may seem like a boring choice to grown-ups, but not so for the kiddos!

King Triton’s Carousel

What are your favorite rides for young children at Disneyland or Disney World? Leave a comment below!

For more information on this topic see:

• Disney’s New Ship Is a Dream for Babies, Toddlers, and Children

• Epcot’s Best Rides & Hidden Treasures for Children

• LEGOLAND Splash Zoo for Toddlers & Beyond

• Which Disneyland Character Meal is Best for Your Family?

An Interview with Jennifer Marx, co-author of the PassPorter guides to Disney

Hanging in my office is a page torn from a PassPorter’s guidebook to Disney World, across which I have written, “DO WHAT YOU LOVE!” 

PassPorter was developed by Disney enthusiast Jennifer Marx. Jennifer originally made homemade binders filled with itineraries to take on Disney trips with her husband and PassPorter co-author, Dave Marx. The organizers helped her plan their vacations and served as a souvenir scrapbook. During one of their Disney adventures, it occurred to Jennifer that she could sell a combination organizer/guidebook to help other vacationers plan and remember their trips too.

During a recent interview, Jennifer gave me her top tips for touring Disney with kids and divulged some of her Disney favorites.

Top Tips for Doing Disney with Children: Jennifer suggests, “Go at their pace. Don’t try to do 50 rides. Try to keep to their schedule as much as possible and get back to the hotel if you can for a nap or to go swimming.”

Jennifer also recommended bringing along a good stroller instead of renting one of the hard plastic strollers from Disney. Her favorite is the McClaren Quest, “because it folds in half for getting on and off the buses and monorail plus it reclines for naps.” She sewed patches on her four-year-old son Alexander’s stroller from the 15 countries their family has visited together.

Favorite Park: Epcot. “It’s probably because of sentimental reasons because that was the first park that I ever went to when I was a teen. We went just for one day and didn’t go to Disney World until a couple years later.” Epcot is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It is divided into the Future World (which focuses on technology and innovations) and World Showcase (with shops, restaurants and attractions representing the cultures of 11 countries).

Favorite Disney Restaurant: “Victoria and Albert’s because that’s where Dave and I got married. We had a small wedding with 18 people – just immediate family.” Victoria and Albert’s is the most upscale of all Disney restaurants. It is located at the Grand Floridian hotel at Disney World and is solely for guests aged 10 and older.

Favorite Disney Attraction:  “The Carousel of Progress at Disney World.  It is quintessential Disney.  There are a lot of new great rides these days but this is old school Disney.  It’s kind of cheesy, but I like it. It just feels like Disney.” The 21-minute show was created by Walt Disney for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and then was moved to Disneyland in California. The show moved to the Magic Kingdom park in Florida in 1975.

Jennifer and Dave’s authenticity and approachability has helped to sell nearly a third of a million PassPorters to fiercely brand-loyal fans. Jennifer seems like one of your best girlfriends- unpretentious, fun, self-depricating. She said, “I don’t look like a supermodel. I look like a mom.” It is this couple-next-door realness that readers can relate to. Jennifer admits, “I’m really shy so at events Dave is in charge and I’m standing back and smiling and trying not to say something stupid.” I never would have guessed that from our conversation – she seemed nothing but confident, witty, and easy to talk to.

This year PassPorter is celebrating 10 years of helping people enjoy Disney World, Disneyland and Disney cruises. Jennifer and Dave are currently on a weeklong Disney Cruise to Tortola with about 150 readers. The festivities will continue at Disneyworld next week. Plans are in the works for a Disneyland party in the fall for West Coast fans.

I read PassPorter several months ago while planning a family trip to Disney World. The guidebook’s easy-to-read format and neighborly advice prompted me to flip to the to the front to read more about the authors, where I discovered how Jennifer was inspired to create the first PassPorter. I tore the page from the book (sorry, Jennifer and Dave!) and put it on the bulletin board in my office.

Jennifer’s story encouraged me to follow my dream. She transformed her love for Disney into a successful career writing a unique series of Disney guidebooks. She inspired me to turn my love of traveling and writing into a career too.

You can imagine how thrilled I was to interview the woman who has been such a source of inspiration to me! I just hope I didn’t say anything stupid.

 * * * *

Are you a fan of PassPorter or another Disney guidebook? Or do you have any Disney tips to share with other Travel Mamas? Leave a comment below!

For more information on this topic see:

• Amusement Parks & Disney Resources

• Holidays at Disneyland

• Top 10 Disneyland Rides and Attractions for Babies and Toddlers

Traveling with children is not as relaxing as seeing the world without kids. It is harder. It requires more planning. It requires more compromise. But the same is true of parenting. And the joys of parenting more than make up for the inconveniences. Children live so much in the present moment that we are forced to slow down and see things as they do…right now…right here. And that brings traveling to a whole new and exciting dimension.

A few months ago my husband, Phil, and I took our two kids on a road trip to the quaint town of Julian, California for the day. It is a town known for its abundance of apple pie shops and its country small-town-ness.

We had a quick lunch at the Cowgirl Café before savoring slices of apple pie with vanilla ice cream at Mom’s Pie House. Then we perused kitschy shops as long as the kids would allow it. The baby, Leo, began flailing his head into my chest and grunting. Our preschooler, Karissa, got that scary overtired glean in her eyes as she started tossing merchandise from shelves. This was our signal – time for naps!

The winding drive to go apple picking at a local orchard induced sleep for both kids. My husband and I lingered in the parking lot and chatted quietly while the kids dozed.

A short while later, we pushed Leo in his stroller through rows of apple trees while Karissa delighted in filling her paper sack with tiny ruby and green fruit. She zipped through the orchard, grinning through bites of apple. She cried when it was time to leave.

Next we drove to Lake Cuyamaca, a smallish lake lined by colorful fall trees. I marched ahead with the baby strapped to my tummy in his carrier. I wanted some solace from three-year-old squeals and was lacking the patience to go at a three-year-old’s pace.

At one point I was so far ahead that I could neither see Phil and Karissa behind me, nor hear any sign of them. I worried I had walked too far ahead and my daughter had gotten tired, forcing them to head back. I stopped to stare at the lake through a twinkling of golden leaves. I hugged my son to me, leaned my face into the warmth of his fuzzy head and breathed in his baby smell. I enjoyed the serenity of that moment.

But even then, I felt a tugging at me. I wanted to be with my other child too. I wanted to see her reaction to the leaves as they crunched beneath her. I longed to watch her blue-moccasined feet scamper through the grasses, arms spread like an airplane’s wings. I strained to hear those squeals I had sought to escape.

I waited.

Soon I heard, “Mommmmmy! Where aaaaaare youuuuu?!” Then I saw her, a streak of hot pink running toward me. I was greeted by a giant smile and little arms encircling my legs and stories of birds seen in the sky.

Karissa led our pack of four back down the path to our car. We rambled over rocks and roots and fallen leaves. We wound through trees, over tall grasses, around muddy puddles and past a lake dotted with tiny boats.

I witnessed, and therefore was part of, my child’s pure joy in the journey.

And that, my fellow Travel Mamas, is why traveling with children is worth the interrupted sleep, the noisy meals and the constant potty breaks.

What are your thoughts about traveling with children? Please leave a comment below!

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