Gotta Get Away Monterey

February 27, 2011 at 9:20 am · Filed under On the Road, Restaurants, Uncategorized

I like short and sweet weekend trips. I don’t like sitting all day in the car. Or traffic. So, quick jaunts to places like Monterey fit the bill perfectly.

Monterey covers all the requirements; far enough away from the bay area that you feel that you are “away”; there is stuff for the kids; good eats abound; and there is a beach. Ahhh.

For the Kiddos

A trip to Monterey with kids requires an obligatory trip to the aquarium. We buy our tickets through AAA to save a few bucks. Some hotels even do 2-day-for-the-price-of-1 tickets — a great deal if you know you’ll need more than one day to enjoy the marine life.

Another option for fun is a trip to the Dennis the Menace Park. Located a short drive from Cannery Row, this park is loads of fun. There is an actual retired locomotive welcoming a climb from a child or two, tunnels, slides galore and several climbing structures. The park is a great way to burn off some energy.

 

Eats

 

Lunch at Fish Hopper

We tend to head out early to the aquarium and then get our hands stamped and walk down the street a short walk to Fish Hopper for lunch. This place has excellent food and is located on the water – which is great for kids. Our son has consistently enjoyed watching kayakers, sea otters and the waves over the years.

 

If you don’t want to leave the aquarium, there is a quickie deli type place for a quick bite and also a nicer white tablecloth restaurant to choose from. The latter gives the kids binoculars to enjoy while at the table — another great way to keep everyone entertained.

Compagno’s is also worthy of a visit. It isn’t in the touristy area, but you will be well rewarded for making a trip.This deli makes enormous sandwiches. Not a believer? Look at their Yelp reviews and you will be a convert.

Like pasta? Then you really should head to the Monterey Fish House. Stumped for dinner one night I asked the ol’ iPhone what was near us and stumbled on this local gem. The pasta is homemade, portions are large and everything and I mean everything, including the chocolate mousse, was divine. It was a bit loud however so if you are staying overnight you may want to consider takeout.

Hang Your Head

Monterey has several options for families. Yes, there are tons of romantic places complete with fireplaces and down comforters begging for a visit, but those tend to be better suited for when litte Jack and Annie aren’t in attendance.

Some of our favorite family hotels include the Hyatt Regency and the Embassy Suites in neighboring Seaside. The Hyatt often has free breakfast deals and the Embassy Suites has large rooms and of course the evening snacks and daily breakfast. The Clement is a fairly new hotel to the area. It is the closest to the aquarium and also on the water. They also have a kids club program which looked like fun.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Leave a Comment

Trick or Treat: Disney Style

October 27, 2010 at 9:39 pm · Filed under Holidays, On the Road, Uncategorized

I love this time of year. Sure, sweater weather beckons, but for me it is the hint of magic in the air.

The last time I trick or treated, I was 13 years old. I was a witch and my friend Abby dressed as a political candidate. We cruised my neighborhood avoiding the well-intentioned dentist who passed out apples that invariably made a saucy mess of his driveway and also stayed clear of the neighbor with the oh too realistic haunted house. It was a lovely California evening with a harvest moon which made everything dazzle in orange.

Since then, I have acted as trick or treat guardian for all my siblings and now for my 7-year-old son. It isn’t quite the same, but I love to see the magic ignite in his eyes as he waits for night to fall and then run from house to house with his loot bag.

This year we mixed things up a bit. We went to Disneyland for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween. It was a delight to see kids (and adults!) dressed for the occasion. There were witches, princesses, sea creatures, and more Disney characters than I could count. The candy count was out of control. I now blame Disney for the weight I surely gained last weekend.

The lake around what used to be called Tom Sawyer’s Island back in the day, was bathed in eerie purple and blue lights. And promptly at 7pm, fog machines and some not-so-creepy Halloween music played around the park. I felt like a kid again.

Childhood goes by so fast so it was a real thrill to tap into my inner-kid and get excited by Halloween. We introduced our son to the holiday version of  the Haunted Mansion and stayed up way past all of our bedtimes counting candy and trading treats. Note: Snickers and M&Ms still rule. Bit-o-Honey’s not so much.

Since Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, I am sure it will be a bit subdued on the streets. But I can wait to see all the ghouls and boo’s!

If You Go:

Tickets for Not-So-Scary Halloween are in addition to regular Disneyland admission. It was roughly 50-bucks per person. But it was worth it since the crowds were smaller and we were able to ride all of our favorite rides without painful lines and we also had great access to characters.

Bummer: most of the restaurants inside Disneyland closed early. We trekked around the park looking for food longer than we all would have liked.

If Almond Joy’s and Milky Way’s are not your cup of tea, Disney also passes out apples and carrots to assuage your trick or treat guilt.

Definitely catch the special fireworks show they do for the Not-So-Scary Nights. Very cool with several villains making an appearance. The parade was short and sweet but also Halloween themed.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Leave a Comment

Fall into Apple Hill

October 6, 2010 at 6:09 pm · Filed under On the Road, Placer County, Uncategorized

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Ah, fall. The air starts to smell sweet with the promise of rain, leaves begin to fall from the trees and we slowly trade our flip-flops in for sweaters.

I have three favorite fall loves: my son’s birthday, Halloween and Apple Hill. For those not in the know, Apple Hill is located near Placerville and Pollock Pines, in the foothills above Sacramento and Folsom.  There isn’t one sole Apple Hill, but rather it is 50 ranches, including Christmas tree growers, vineyards and lots of other fun stuff to create the quintessential fall day.

Top Five Reasons Why You Need to Visit Apple Hill

  1. Apples. Well, yeah. I am not a huge apple fan. However, I get my yearly fill at Apple Hill eating apple pie, apple fritters, apple cider and apple anything. I even saw an apple shake. Not sure about that one, but it is probably delicious. I also buy fresh apples and turn them into applesauce for the family to enjoy.
  2. You can ditch the car. The closer you get to Halloween, the crazier the parking. But there is a shuttle that will whisk you from ranch to ranch so you can enjoy the scenery without fighting for a parking space.
  3. You get to visit the Honey Bear Ranch. We like Honey Bear quite a bit since it seems less crowded than some of the other places and their pie is divine. They roast a pig each day as well so the BBQ pork sandwiches are yummy. Grab a picnic blanket and sit among the apple trees and enjoy their small pond and waterwheel. And don’t even think of leaving without buying some fudge. It is that good.
  4. You can do all your fall “stuff” in one swoop. Need a pumpkin? Check. Looking for a pony ride for junior? Done. Need to ride a cute train with the kiddos? All aboard.
  5. You can stock up. This year we added a trip to Boa Vista on our trek. The place was a zoo but we walked away with great local honey, pumpkin butter and more. And their cider was hands down the best I have ever had.

Before you go:

Cash is king in Apple Hill. We forgot that tidbit this year and were very glad that Boa Vista had an ATM for a nominal fee.

Bathrooms can be very hit or miss. I didn’t see much in the way of changing tables. So prepare yourself and your little one as needed.

 

Leave a Comment

Ardenwood Railfair

September 5, 2010 at 11:02 pm · Filed under Alameda County, Holidays

I woke up this morning with that “what shall we do today?” mentality, which usually means a mini-road trip or “adventure” as my son calls them, is in store.

All aboard!

I then remembered that the Rail Fair was this weekend at Ardenwood. Perfect.

We had never been to Ardenwood before and it was a treat. First, (and this will highlight my cheap-skate-ness), they did not charge for parking. Everyone seems to charge for parking nowadays and it was nice to not have to break out the wallet so quickly.

Admission was quite reasonable with 8-dollars for adults and 5-bucks for kids 4-17 years old. And that included rides on the steam engines. We were able to ride the 1889 Antelope & Western and the 1890 Anne Marie.

Chugging along to Deer Park Station.

The station folks gave kids a “Hobo Hunt.” They had to look for secret symbols scattered around the farm that indicated whether an area, person, home, etc. was friendly to such stowaways. It was a cute way to keep kids engaged and my son appreciated the popsicle reward at the end. And I appreciated that there was a legend pointing me in the right direction.

We took the train to Deer Park Station where we stumbled our way to a horse petting area, collection of loud but interesting tractors and gasoline engines, and an impressive display of several different scale railroads. There is food to purchase (cash only alert!) but there was more than enough impressive places to unpack a picnic. I wish we had gone that route instead of the fast food we ate while on the road.

Cool trains come in all sizes and styles.

Ardenwood also has a Harvest Festival on October 9 and 10. And there will also be some haunted trains (for the under 12 crowd) closer to Halloween. We enjoyed our day and I am glad we finally got around to exploring this park.

Leave a Comment

All Aboard: Old Sacramento

September 3, 2010 at 11:06 pm · Filed under Free Activities, Holidays, Restaurants, Sacramento County, Uncategorized

Old Sacramento is one of those places where if you live close by, you tend to ignore its potential as a touristy place to spend the day. Sort of how my husband feels about Pier 39 in San Francisco. “No self-respecting Bay Area resident would be seen there,” he has often said.

But I like Old Sacramento (and Pier 39 ). There is so much to do and see  in Sacramento that you can’t go wrong.

All Aboard

A little bit of history.

If you have a train kid then Old Sacramento is a must. Take Amtrak to Sacramento and not only beat the traffic along I-80, but enjoy the scenery and relax. The train station is  right next to the California State Railroad Museum and makes for an easy trip.  A train ride to a train museum? Kid heaven.

The trains at the museum range from a mighty cab forward all the way down to Thomas the Tank play tables.  Do yourself a favor and buy a Caboose Club membership. It pays for itself almost immediately and you are invited to fun perks like an annual ice cream social.

The museum also does fun seasonal events for everyone to enjoy as well like the Polar Express.

Good Eats

A trip to Old Sacramento is not complete without a visit to Fat City. The menu is kid-friendly but make sure you save some room to split a piece of banana cream pie.

Another yummy option is the Rio City Cafe. Located on the Sacramento River, you can dine outside, enjoy the view and on a nice day, watch the boats go by.

Yum.

There are also snack options galore. Salt water taffy and fudge are always a fun take-home treat.

Going Retro

On select weekends, Old Sacramento turns into a walking historical arena. Folks in period clothing roam around addressing each other as if it were 1850. That alone is enjoyable. At the Chinese herb shop we learned calligraphy and watched a period society woman barter for herbs.

Meeting the locals.

This Labor Day weekend, Old Sacramento is going one step further with Gold Rush Days. An entire weekend of music, stagecoaches, gold panning and more. So, dust off yer boots and head to the capital city!

Leave a Comment

Cheap Eats with the Kids

July 30, 2010 at 8:00 am · Filed under On the Road, Restaurants

Our family likes to get out and explore the various places to see and experience around California. But we also like to eat.  And being the thrifty parents to a six-year-old who is showing no signs of slowing his growth or appetite, I present to you an ongoing work in progress of good n’ cheap restaurants.*

Tuesday

  • At Denny’s kids 10 and younger eat free on Tuesdays from 4pm-10pm. Some locations include Saturday as well. Grand slam anyone?
  • Our family has a love affair with pasta. And it is even better that Pasta Pomodoro lets kids eat free on Tuesdays at select locations.
  • The Black Bear Diner gets cuddly with Teddy Bear Tuesdays. Kids eat free from the kid menu when accompanied by a teddy bear. How cute is that?
  • At Chevy’s kids eat free all day Tuesday (holidays excluded).
  • Marie Callender’s has free meals for kiddos on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
  • The Wipeout Bar and Grill in Marin celebrates Tiny Tuesdays. Kids 12 and under eat free from the kid’s menu from 11am-close (with purchase of each adult entree).

Wednesday

  • Kids dining at El Torito eat free on Wednesdays.
  • Smokin Oakies lets little cowpokes eat free all day on Wednesdays.

Saturday

Any Day

  • Coco’s is crazy for kids this summer. Kids eat fee after 4pm until August 31.


*Check back as I will continue to update this page. You may want to call ahead first to make the restaurant is still honoring these specials.

Leave a Comment

Pass the Popcorn

July 1, 2010 at 12:08 am · Filed under Free Activities, Uncategorized

Looking for some freebie flicks for the kiddies to enjoy this summer? Check out these movie houses and get ready to pass the Red Vines:

Cinemark in Pleasant Hill has movies for a buck on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Century Theatres in Walnut Creek is also sporting the dollar movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Regal is offering their kid movies for free.  Yep, free.

Leave a Comment

Tinkering Around Tilden

June 25, 2010 at 10:17 pm · Filed under Alameda County, Free Activities

My husband is an outdoors guy. He loves hiking, biking, camping and pretty much any verb ending in “ing.” Our son is not as adventurous and prefers paved paths and serene environments, preferably without bugs or dirt.

That said, finding outdoorsy escapes can be a challenge. But the Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley always seems to make the entire gang happy.

Start out by visiting the Environmental Education Center (EEC). Walk through an exhibit that explains a bit about the area and then (if you time it right) stick around for one of the ranger-led talks. Some do require fee/reservations so check ahead.

Jewel Lake

For a quick hike perfect for little one’s, head out from there to Jewel Lake. My son was okay with the wide paved nature of the path but if you and yours are more nature-y, you can take the trail instead.

When you return back to the EEC (yes, there are bathrooms!) you can then explore the Little Farm and its residents. From cows, goats and rabbits to chickens and pigs, Little Farm has you and your Old McDonald covered. Bonus: visitors are welcome to bring lettuce or celery (but nothing else) to feed the animals.

Local "wildlife"

Bring a picnic and spend some time in the grassy area near the parking lot. If the kids get antsy there is a new play structure there as well to burn off some steam.

Redwood Valley Railway

From here, we then usually head back into the car for a quick ride over to the Redwood Valley Railway. This is a must if your child is a conductor-in-training. If you ever find yourself humming to the tune of Thomas the Tank, then this is your place. For 2 bucks/ride (kiddos under two ride free) you cruise along on a scaled-down steam train through the woods. It is actually quite relaxing.

All Aboard!

This area is also home to the Golden Gate Live Steamers. They are hosting an Open House this Sunday, June 27th — a great opportunity to check out their 7.5″ gauge model trains.

Leave a Comment

Day Trip: Fairfield

May 26, 2010 at 8:56 pm · Filed under Solano County, Uncategorized

I just read an article in the SF Chronicle about a local cherry place in Fairfield were you can pick your own. We used to live very close to 99 Cherry Orchard and in addition to the great tips posted in the piece, I wanted to make sure you consider a few others if you plan on heading out that direction — which you should!

  • Try the homemade ice cream. The berry is divine and my husband is smitten with the kumquat. They are fresh and delicious and packaged for a quick ride home or for consumption on the spot, which we always do. They have a few benches where you can sit back and enjoy.
  • Buy a pie. I am keen on the apple. They take reservations around the holidays and their pies were dazzling at Thanksgiving.

If you need more to do to make the trek to Fairfield worth your while, then check out the following to round out your day trip:

  • Suisun Valley website has lots of info on local farms, wineries and events. A good starting point to plan your day.
  • Jelly Belly Factory is just mere minutes from 99 Cherry Orchard and right off the freeway. Tours are free and last about 30 minutes.
  • Rockville Hills Regional Park is also close by. This is a great place to go for a leisurely hike and picnic. You can also mountain bike here.

 

 For information about CAKidTrips, click here.

Leave a Comment

On the Road Again

May 12, 2010 at 9:33 pm · Filed under On the Road, Uncategorized

There is nothing quite like a road trip with kids. Whether it is the anticipation of a pending adventure or just the thought of a break from the normal routine, road trips with kids require a bit more planning. We are hitting the road in a few weeks and with summer approaching and its unlimited opportunities for road trips, I thought this would be a good time to share what works and what doesn’t for keeping the family sane once you hit the highway.

Have Bear. Will Travel.

  • DVD players: Practically every new car comes with these now. When we bought our minivan last year we specifically bought one without a DVD player so we could instill a love on imagination in our son and let him know the freedom of just gazing out the window and enjoying the scenery. Some friends thought we were crazy. But it has been enjoyable and we have all benefitted from new finds and discoveries. If you do travel with a DVD, find videos that tie in to your destination. This video we recently borrowed at the library on Yosemite would be a great travel companion.
  • Travel word hunt: When we travel, I love finding activities to do on the road that connect to our destination. I recently found this word hunt site, that lets you create word hunts with words of your choice and customize the difficulty level. I have already made a few of these to pull out on the road when boredom sets in.
  • Tunes: Last year I loaded up my ipod with tunes for everyone. I picked mellow jazz and vocals, husband chose Silverspun Pickups (which are still in my head) and our son went with Bob Marley and mariachi music. This helped everyone when you hit those pockets of roadway where there are zippo radio stations. Now that I have an iphone, I plan on streaming Pandora quite a bit as well.
  • Dollar Store: About a week before we hit the road, I head to the local buck-o-rama outlet and buy a few toys for the road. Nothing fancy, just new toys that help break up the monotony of the road. If you are feeling really ambitious you can wrap these presents for your little one to add to the suspense.
  • Snack Attack: A well-stocked cooler can work miracles on the road. Last year I packed too much and quickly realized not everyone in the care shared my same passion for packing food. This year I plan on a few basics and splurges to do the trick: ice water, granola bars, dried fruit, some cookies (you gotta have some fun!) and fresh fruit. We also have a family tradition of hitting the Sweet Factory on the way out-of-town for “road nourishment.” I can’t turn down a cinnamon bear apparently.
  • Lovies: I learned last year that writing a list of all the toys that are packed and brought into the car, and double-checking that list when we drive home, is priceless. On that same note, I always make sure the important items in my son’s life are within an arms reach: his blankies and bear.

What road trip items have made your life easier?

Leave a Comment

Older Posts »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.