California Archives - Page 3 of 5 - My Family Travels
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Top Baby Beach Getaways

Parents review their top baby beach getaways for that first vacation when your tiny traveler needs a gentle introduction to the pleasures of sun, sand and waves. As parents,...

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The New Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim has long been my pick for that very first theme park vacation with little ones, because of its manageable size and laid back California vibe. You don't need a car or a shuttle...

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Re-Visiting Our Original Tiny Traveler Award Winners: 1998 to 2015

In 1998 the concept of "family travel" was not as refined as it is today, with hotels mainly targeting the 5-12 age set when it came to services and activities. So, Family Travel Forum set out...

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Montecito-Sequoia Lodge

Located in the magnificent redwoods between the Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park, Montecito-Sequoia Lodge (650/967-9502,...

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Anaheim, California Hotels And Resorts

Anaheim, California brims with local delights for families: Disneyland and California Adventure, the Wild West-inspired Knott's Berry Farm theme park, Angels baseball, and Ducks hockey,...

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The Del Hotel Ultimate Family Reunion

Recently, five generations of our family gathered to share good times at one of the most famous San Diego beach hotels, the historic Hotel Del Coronado, better...

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Free Travel Fun In Santa Monica, California

In a chic westside community like Santa Monica -- the "beach" to most Angelenos -- there are many options for free family fun. All ages will enjoy the relaxed Main Street, a truly walkable route that's...

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Top 10 Disney Vacations – Hotels, Resorts And Cruises

Our Top 10 Disney vacation options allow families to choose from great themepark resorts in Florida and California, a Hawai'i resort hotel, and several cruise ships. We know there's never enough "Disney...

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Julian, California: A Gem in Eastern San Diego

A natural landscape encased by iridescent skies and crisp mountain air dominates the view heading into the Gold Rush era town of Julian in the heart of San Diego's backcountry.

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Inipiring My Kids Through Nature Yosemite: A Journey into the Sierras

Nature has always been a place of refuge for me. Living on the west coast I seem to have a deep connection to the mountains and to the wild and adventurous spirit from generations past. Unfortunately...

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A Week of Perfect Health

It takes a visionary like Deepak Chopra to understand that in this day and age, being able to successfully achieve “Perfect Health” in one week is an irresistible offer. Anyone interested in practicing...

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Scoring Happy Holiday Cheer and Disney Savings When You Need Them Most

Far from the pressures of cooking, shopping and putting on mittens, it’s all cast members on deck at the Disney theme parks to create winter holiday cheer, and ensure you and your family have a “magical’...

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A Very Cool California Road Trip

My husband and I are trying to squeeze a lot of family travel into our lives, since our firstborn son will be going away to college soon. That prompted us to take a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon...

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Outdoors Adventures In California Wine Country

Famed for its scenery and fine vintages, the California Wine Country has much more than grapes to offer family adventurers. In addition to the many gastronomical destinations just 50 miles north of...

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California Roadtrips On Roads Less Traveled

If your clan has already done the family roadtrip up and down Route 1, rest assured that there's more to explore among the Golden State’s endless shoreline and sweeping landscapes. Whether you want...

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San Francisco Weekends Away Starting At $500

With low-cost airlines serving San Francisco and Oakland, northern California has several options for top-value family getaways within a short drive of either airport that feel like deluxe vacations. Visiting...

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Lake Tahoe, California Hotels And Resorts

The shores of Lake Tahoe offer families so many outdoor activities, sports, shopping, restaurants, and scenic vistas that almost any resort will have enough to please 'tweens, teens...

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Santa Barbara Paradise, California Style

Just about anything your family can do outdoors can be relished in Santa Barbara, California's flawless Mediterranean climate. In this wonderful seaside sanctuary known as "America's Riviera," kids can...

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Ghost Towns of the American West

Up for a bit of a scare blended with historical haunts on your next vacation; discover the ghost towns of the Southwest in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, California, and Utah. Learn about the history...

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Top 10 Family Camps For Family Together Vacations

Family Travel Forum's picks have been compiled from more than a decade of "Top 10 Getaway Winners" to help your family begin their lifelong love of nature. The following options combine...

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Top 10 Disney Vacation Ideas for All Ages

A Disney vacation is what many families dream of and save for.  Our guides to the best attractions for all, money-saving tips and strategies to help make your Disney dreams come true

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The Bahia Resort Hotel, San Diego, California

The Bahia Resort in San Diego has all the advantages of its mid-century vintage -– a pick-of-the-litter location on Mission Bay, its own private beach, and lush, mature tropical landscaping that gives...

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Custom Itinerary – Off The Beaten Path Thanksgiving Getaway

Q. Donna C. of Northern California writes that her family with 5 and 6-year-old children is looking for a Thanksgiving getaway within driving distance, that is off the beaten path, relatively quiet,...

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Weekend Adventures with Kids Around the Bay Area

We love San Francisco’s Bay Area and the Monterey Peninsula and return often with our family to sample new hotels, restaurants and the ever-changing scene.  Fans who have been leery of attempting...

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Los Angeles Hotels: Westside And Santa Monica

Find out the best places to stay west of Hollywood or near the Pacific Coast beach in this California playland.  As you move west across Los Angeles, the real estate values rise and the smog disappears...

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Downtown Los Angeles Hotels And Resorts

Your guide to the personalities and amenities of top value "downtown" hotels in California's largest city.LA's "Downtown" has become one of those commercially rejuvenated neighborhoods that...

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Best Kid-Friendly Hotels In Los Angeles, California

A team of Oyster reporters spent weeks exploring 52 top hotels in and around Los Angeles, including Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Santa Monica. We slept in the beds, lounged by the pools, ate in the...

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Anaheim – Orange County, California Attractions

With Disneyland and other themeparks, the city of Anaheim in Orange County is a must-stop vacation destination for any family touring souther California. The region also has some great Southern California...

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Ski Mammoth And Enjoy Family Fun At Mammoth Lakes

One of our favorite things about a winter or spring vacation in Mammoth Lakes, California is that it's as fun for skiing and riding families as it is for those who just want to get...

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Reunion Celebration At Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells Resort

The Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells Resort & Spa was the perfect desert playground for our "Five Generation Family Reunion" celebration. The prestigious desert enclave of Indian...

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LA’s The Grove and Farmer’s Market

One of the best places to take kids in Los Angeles is The Farmer's Market. It is centrally located and really fun, with several food stalls and lots of small souvenir shops. I...

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Great Yosemite Lodging at Cheap Scenic Campsite

School is over and thousands are flocking to Yosemite National Park for summer fun in great lodging. But if you don’t want to deal with crowded camping sites, waiting for a permit or, worse, being...

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Hollywood And Beverly Hills, California Hotels

Family Travel Forum's guide to some of the best kid-friendly lodging in the Hollywood and Beverly Hills neighborhoods of central Los Angeles, California.We love the variety in central Los Angeles...

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Napa Valley Vineyards And Family-Friendly Winery Tours

About an hour to the northeast of San Francisco, and comprised of the towns of Napa, Yountville, Oakville, St. Helena, Rutherford and Calistoga, the 30-mile-long Napa Valley is home to...

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Elephant Odyssey at the San Diego Zoo

Elephant Odyssey in the San Diego Zoo is Enormous Fun.  Begin a journey through time at the awesome 7.5-acre, multi species natural habitat at the San Diego Zoo. Discover animals that roamed...

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San Diego’s Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina Loves Families

Squeals of playful laughter and contagious giggles fill the air at San Diego's Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, a convention style hotel where families are very welcome. Overlooking...

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Custom Itinerary: San Diego To Yellowstone By RV

Q. Darlene K. of Poway, California asks for recommended campgrounds to accommodate her 28-foot-long RV on the route between her home and Yellowstone.

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Cheapest Of The Cheap Skiing At Lake Tahoe

Winner of FTF's Top 10 Cheap Ski Getaway award, the Lake Tahoe region remains a great family value for winter and spring during the 2012-13 season. Here are some of our favorite deals. Lake...

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Kids Cook at Sonoma County Summer Cooking Camp

This summer Epicurean youngsters step out of the classroom and into the kitchen at Ramekins, the Sonoma culinary school, event venue and inn. Sonoma Wineries: Family Fun for Every...

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Summer Wednesday Night Market in Santa Rosa, CA

If your gonna be in the San Francisco area this summer the Santa Rosa Wednesday Night Market is a MUST on your to do list. The Wednesday...

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Cali for Real na

(California) All I could see were hundreds of white windmills spinning in the breeze across the mountains, and I knew we weren't in Arizona anymore. Living in Phoenix, a mere five hour drive...

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Lost and Found: Yosemite

I’m flat on my stomach flying at 9,000 feet, legs tight and arms stretched wide. My neck and head are over the edge, and the...

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The Biggest Loser Resorts Focus On Fun Family Weight Loss

The Biggest Loser Resort – Niagara set to open in May, 2012 in Java, New York promises the same supportive, weight loss programs made famous by the reality TV series.  Owned...

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Free Lodging, Lift Tix and Air Offers at Snowy Mammoth Mountain California

Savvy skiers and snowboarders have known that Mammoth Mountain offers some of the best and most scenic skiing in the West.  It's been a tough start to winter for many mountain...

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Celebrate Bastille Day Around the World

Join Frenchmen and Francophiles around the world in celebrating the mid-summer holiday of Bastille Day, an independence day for millions. Every July 14th, the French celebrate liberté,...

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Star Trekking: Michael Jackson at Madame Tussauds Hollywood

For families living in or visiting Los Angeles or Hollywood, be sure to check out the new Michael Jackson exhibit at the local Madame Tussauds Hollywood. The "Michael Jackson...

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Star Trekker: Justin Bieber Celebrates in Luxe Style with Selena Gomez

A few weeks ago, the “Never Say Never” pop sensation and heartthrob, Justin Bieber turned 17 years of age... and he is growing rather fast. Bieber and Disney star, Selena Gomez,...

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All-American Family Weekend from $269/N

Baseball season is now open and that means plenty of family bonding over this great American pastime.  Ballparks across America are welcoming kids of all ages -- while munching on classics like peanuts...

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Custom Itinerary: Ideal One-Month Tour of California with Kids

Q. Alan T. of Perth, Western Australia, is planning a month-long family vacation in California with his young children, and wants suggestions for the ideal itinerary.

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Star Trekker: Justin Bieber Wins NBA Celebrity All-Star

While Hollywood's elite watched, the 60th NBA All-Star Game played out Sunday, February 20, 2011 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California....

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