California Archives - My Family Travels
Parents and kids are scrambling over rocks on summer hike in Vail Valley.
Article
13 Reasons to Try a Top Value Mountain Resort in Summer

Ski mountain resorts offer great summer values at rental condos, which also make a cozy home away from home. Just select your destination resort carefully.

Read More    4 min read

Step into gaming at
Article
Surviving Halloween Horror Nights at Universal

Having survived a night of gleeful terror at Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights, I can report that #HHN is a blast. Before you die, take just...

Read More    5 min read

Boy and girl spalsh in the water off of the Nantucket beach. Photo by Garrett Patz for unsplash.
Article
51 Summer Trip Ideas – Plan Your Perfect Family Vacation

It’s time for our annual roundup of the 51 best family summer trip ideas! Wave goodbye to work and school stress, and forget about travel hiccups or economic woes. Right now,...

Read More    44 min read

Snoopy and family
Article
California Haunted Houses and Halloween Happiness

Discover ghosts, goblins and Halloween costumes along with ghoulishly fun frights at California haunted houses, theme parks and other Halloween venues. Since the fright industry...

Read More    7 min read

Family group enjoying the outdoor firepit and s'mores at the RumFish Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Photo c. Tradewinds Resorts
Article
Family Reunion Planning: 6 Steps to Stress-Free Success

Are you in charge of doing the family reunion planning this year? If so, here's my in-depth guide to get you started. With...

Read More    7 min read

Girl sitting on float on the sand squirts sunblock from a bottle. Photo c. campus for pixels.
Article
Best Spring Break Vacation Ideas

There's still snow and plenty of sun, so get out and choose your best spring break idea from one of our many affordable family vacation deals for 2025.

Read More    18 min read

Make wellness vacations in the great outdoors easy with a comfortable glamping option at the Grand Canyon. Photo c. Backland Luxury Camping
Article
Relax, Recharge, Reconnect: Fun Wellness Vacations For A Healthy Spring Break

Spring Break 2025 is shaping up to be a time for more than just escaping the classroom. It's an opportunity to prioritize family wellness vacations and create healthy habits that...

Read More    7 min read

Two people on adaptive cycle at NEDS school
Article
Special Needs Travel Destinations And Programs For Travelers With Disabilities

There are many special needs travel destinations and activity programs for those with physical or mental disabilities or special dietary needs....

Read More    6 min read

Romantic beachfront dinner by candlelight at Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Baja California. Photo c. Dino Gomez for Las Ventanas al Paraiso.
Article
6 Romantic Getaways for Valentine’s Day: Reconnect and Rekindle Your Love

Planning romantic getaways for Valentine’s Day -- or any time -- can be surprisingly stressful because there are so many options. Ask yourself:

Read More    6 min read

Couple hiking with a dog at Batiguitos Lagoon. Photo c. VisitCarlsbad
Article
Active Family Weekends In Carlsbad, California

It's time to discover the southern California city of Carlsbad and its family attractions. Previously known as a gateway to

Read More    6 min read

Family studies Christmas lights in Myrtle Beach.
Article
Top Holiday Lights Celebrations Across America

We love holiday lights celebrations — the decorations, evergreens, religious displays and multicultural celebrations that light up cities and towns everywhere from November to...

Read More    14 min read

Family on snow-covered porch of cabin at YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park.
Article
The Best Ski and Snow Family Vacations

With snow in the forecast, our annual guide to the best ski and snow family vacation guarantees a fun time for all ages. This season, the top family mountain resorts are touting...

Read More    20 min read

Special effects, digital imagery and CGI exhibit at The Academy Museum explains some of the Hollywood magic seen in major new films.
Article
The Top Los Angeles Family Attractions

From movie star footprints to Koreatown, here’s a look at some of our favorite  Los Angeles family attractions. LA’s nickname the “City of Angels”...

Read More    10 min read

Family and dog pose in front of sign for Glacier National Park, Montana.
Article
The Truth About Working Remote In Our Camper For A Year

It’s late spring, my daughter takes her last steps out of preschool, and we prepare for a future of working remote in our camper. We pack up only the necessities, throw everything...

Read More    9 min read

girl holding pumpkin
Article
Haunted Houses, Halloween Ideas and Weekend Breaks

Wondering if our directory of Halloween ideas will help you get your fright on? Across the country, discover the wide variety of haunted houses for kids and other organized Halloween...

Read More    4 min read

apple cluster
Article
Apple Picking And Pick Your Own Pumpkins

Apple and pumpkin picking U-Pick farms and local orchards are among Fall's...

Read More    4 min read

Charlie Brown and Snoopie ride the historic East Broad Top Railway to find a Halloween pumpkin. Photo c. Matthew Malkiewicz for East Broad Railroad Foundation
Article
24 Fabulous Fall Getaways For 2024

Fall is a fabulous time to get away without busting the budget, whether you want to take the kids apple picking and leaf peeping, head to a festival, or revel in your first trip...

Read More    34 min read

Clowns and ghouls play on the thrill rides and around concession stands at Six Flags parks for the Halloween holidays.
Article
Halloween Events and Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme at Great Adventure Themepark

This year, Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is back to its old haunts during the annual Fright Fest Extreme. It's bigger and better than...

Read More    4 min read

Three children playing in a pile of leaves near a tree
Article
Leaf Peeker’s Guide To America’s Fall Foliage

Fall foliage tours and affordable leaf peeping road trips are easy to plan if you use this How-To, Where-To Leaf Peeker's Guide with tips on the best places to see leaf colors...

Read More    4 min read

Boy holding his catch while fishing at a mountain stream.
Article
Summer Fun At Western Ski Resorts

Western ski resorts known for winter and skiing offer summer fun at family-friendly mountain destinations. Parents love that lodging and activities are economical and the weather...

Read More    4 min read

Hikers walking the Badwater Trail in Death Valley National Park.
Article
5 Great Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Las Vegas

Traveling with young children? I want to share five great, kid-friendly hikes in the unspoiled wilderness of nearby Nevada, Utah, California and Arizona. We live in Nevada so we...

Read More    4 min read

apple on counter
Article
California Apple Farms – U-Pick ‘Em And Enjoy

The late summer and early fall is apple picking time for San Francisco and Bay Area families. Start with our list of California apple farms and u-pick pumpkin fields in Mendocino,...

Read More    4 min read

Visitors pose for a photo on the Midwest backlot at the Warner Bros. studio tour in Burbank.
Article
Hollywood Dreaming: Top 12 Hollywood Attractions From The Golden Age Of Movies

While Los Angeles has many tourist experiences, families with media savvy kids love Hollywood attractions best. Plan your visit to include the Hollywood sign, stars' homes, the...

Read More    8 min read

Murals and restaurants along L Street, Sacramento
Article
What To Do In Sacramento For A Staycation Or Quick Visit

Take the capital of America’s most progressive state, let busy lawmakers work from home and Sacramento becomes a laidback town with big city dining and amenities for staycation...

Read More    5 min read

Aerial view of Big Sur along California's Pacific Coast Highway.
Article
Top 10 Family Road Trips USA

Our Top 10 Family Road Trips USA awards go to the original family vacation: the road trip by car. Nearly 80% of Americans have said they consider road trips...

Read More    3 min read

A spring day skiing at Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont.
Article
Ski During Spring Break – Spring Break Ski Values In the East And West

With lengthening days, a bit more warmth, and days off for spring break, many families look for spring break ski values. Imagine a ski vacation. And why not? Rates at mountain...

Read More    4 min read

Hotel guests watch fireworks display over the Pacific Ocean from their balcony at Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort, Oahu. Photo c. Hilton
Article
Forget Chasing Bargains: These Are Top Value Spring Break Vacation Deals

Whether you're suffering from Tiktok fever, relentless blizzards or restless kids, many families are looking for a last-minute spring break vacation. Don't worry -- last minute...

Read More    8 min read

Backpackers disembark at the Amtrak train station at Whitefish, Montana
Article
5 Top Train Trips for Exploring the West

Simplify your family vacation planning with these five top train trips for exploring America’s Western states. Each of these rail travel adventures are sure to make for interesting...

Read More    10 min read

The Santa Float makes its first holiday appearance at Philadelphia's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Article
All American Thanksgiving Events and Celebrations

FTF's A-Z guide to local festivals and Thanksgiving events, from traditional eats to marathons, is your Thanksgiving recipe for fun.

Read More    6 min read

field of Christmas trees
Article
Real Christmas Tree Farms: Where and How to Harvest Your Own Tree

Family excursions make for great holidays, so why not take the kids to harvest your own tree in the wild or at a real Christmas tree farm? We make it easy with...

Read More    6 min read

San Clemente Lifeguard station #4 overlooks the Pacific as seen from Sunset Limited train.
Article
San Diego Activities: Things to Do with Your Kids!

From Sea World to surfing to a world-class zoo, here are our favorite ideas on where to go when visiting sunny San Diego with kids. By the way, southern California is a participant...

Read More    9 min read

Legoland California Miniland Thanks First Responders to COVID
Article
Legoland California Review – A Kid’s Paradise

The imagination of my two boys skyrocketed as they built and built their adventures in Legoland...

Read More    7 min read

thumbnail of Girl buried in the sand at the beach
Article
The Art Of Meteors, Fairy Rings, Fatherhood And RVing

I have been looking at my phone all week checking weather and atmospheric cloud conditions. In a summer full of bright nights in the Canadian Rockies, the sun is finally setting...

Read More    8 min read

Two women pose for a picture in a fun frame from the Montecito Sequoia family camp. Photo c. Montecito-Sequoia Lodge
Article
Top Family Camps In The West

Family sleepaway camps in the West make fun, adventurous bonding experiences possible. They make vacations that focus on family closeness affordable, too. Parents can relive their...

Read More    6 min read

pickup game of cricket on the sand.
Article
9 Last Minute Vacation Deals For One Last Summer Vacation

To help you save on one last summer vacation, we've rounded up nine great last minute vacation deals. Picture how envious your neighbors will be when you head out on a late summer...

Read More    7 min read

cross country skiers on ridge of snow.
Article
Free Winter Fun At Yosemite National Park

Enjoy low cost eco-activities and lots of free winter fun outdoors at Yosemite National Park. This northern California preserve is truly one of America's favorite and most easily...

Read More    4 min read

Husky dog sits on hotel room balcony overlooking Whistler Village in British Columbia, Canada.
Article
Pet-Friendly Ski And Snowsports Resorts

Many dog-loving, pet-friendly ski and snowsports resorts are ready when you want to hit the slopes. Since the pandemic, when pet ownership rose to new heights around the world,...

Read More    4 min read

Logging truck in upstate California with Mount Shasta in the background.
Article
Next Stop: The Mountain Town of Redding

Redding, California, the center of outdoor recreation in the Northlands, is becoming the next stop for active families. Head upstate about 220 miles north of the Bay Area. This...

Read More    6 min read

Closeup of an iguana with the Old San Juan Fort in the background, Puerto Rico.
Article
15 Last Minute Summer Vacations You Can Still Take

Despite gas prices, Covid outbreaks and heat waves – or because of them -- American families are keen on last minute summer vacations. Since deals abound, let’s explore 15...

Read More    8 min read

Sea Swings at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
Article
Santa Cruz With Kids – California From Surfing To Redwoods

From playing on the "SC" Boardwalk in summer to apple picking in the fall, some of the best family vacations happen when you do Santa Cruz with kids.

Read More    8 min read

Vernal Falls at Yosemite National Park.
Article
Yosemite National Park For A Summer Vacation

Which Scottish-born writer credited Yosemite National Park as the finest creation of nature incomparable to any other on the face of the earth? It was John Muir who wrote, “All...

Read More    7 min read

Young girl rides a brown horse at Vista Verde Ranch, Clark, Colorado.
Article
The Worry-Free Western Dude Ranch Vacation

Try rock-climbing, fly fishing, hiking, falconry, yoga and a massage -- all available on a worry-free, Western dude ranch vacation. There’s plenty of opportunities to ride, of...

Read More    3 min read

Two women and girl walk across a pedestrian bridge carrying beverages
Article
8 Best Resorts for Same Sex Families

Every family, including same sex families, looks for vacations where everyone feels welcomed. Gay couples with kids, however, have an added dilemma. Same sex parents must choose...

Read More    5 min read

Oahu four men on standup paddleboards
Article
Top Beach Breaks, Places to Surf and Surfing Schools

Looking for the top surfing schools and beach breaks because surfer slang has washed over your conversations? Book one of these places to surf and your family will learn the sport...

Read More    7 min read

Girl with dog dressed up in pirate's outfit.
Article
High Times at Fall Beer and Wine Festivals

Fall for fun beer and wine festivals with their many free outdoor activities this season. Despite the resurgence of the pandemic, there are many options for adult getaways, whether...

Read More    5 min read

Pool bottom at Surfjack Hotel in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
Article
6 Family Boutique Hotels That Get What Families Want

While millennials continue to book vacation rentals, demand for family boutique hotels has increased for short stays and road trips. We all know you can book the major chains'...

Read More    6 min read

Kids stand at water's edge while a man does cartwheels on beach.
Article
Surfing Resorts In California And Hawaii

I have been an avid surfer since I was a kid, so when my wife and I vacation with Hannah, now 2, I expect to go to a surfing resort. The

Read More    2 min read

Guest quarters at CordeValle Resort with patio overlooking the hills.
Article
A True Luxury Resort in Northern California

I love traveling en famille, but before I head out on a multi-gen vacation with our adult kids and their spouses -- especially to a luxurious retreat like CordeValle Resort...

Read More    6 min read

Man and woman look at an electronic board of shore excursions aboard a Princess cruise ship.
Article
Waited Long Enough? It’s Time To Cruise

Haven’t you waited long enough? It’s time to cruise, whether on a bucket list trip to Alaska, the Islands of Hawaii or...

Read More    4 min read

Lady Gaga wax statue in London Madame Tussaud's wears the famous Telephone Hat from designer Philip Treacy
Article
Star Trekking: Lady Gaga Shrieks Viva Las Vegas

The Grammy's make us dream about the big year for Lady Gaga. When one of the world's most flamboyant and individual performers joined the A-list at Madame Tussauds in...

Read More    2 min read