Yesterday marked the start of Chinese New Year, a 15 day festival celebrating family, new beginnings and the start of the lunar new year.  My family lived in China for a short period of time, so celebrating the Chinese New Year feels a bit like home.  This year celebrates the year of the Dragon; if you or your little ones are turning 12, 24, 36, (etc…) this year—throw something on that is red in color (wear it the whole year!) and get ready for a year full of luck & happiness!

Without further delay, here is your Trekaroo guide to everything Chinese New Year:

Festivals & Parades

The highlight of the festivities, especially for the kids, is the chance to attend a Chinese New Year Festival or Parade.  If you live anywhere near a metro area, chances are there is some sort of event going on to celebrate the holiday.  Los Angeles is the closest metro area to my family, and we were hosted for a pre-New Year LA tour by the Omni hotel.  The Omni at California Plaza exudes family-friendliness from backpacks stuffed with kid activities given at check-in, to complimentary milk & cookies before bed for all the little ones.  In addition to being full of family friendly amenities, the hotel is conveniently located near Chinatown; take the hotel car for a quick 3-minute ride and you are there!

Read my full review of the fabulous Omni Hotel.

LA’s Chinatown will be hosting their 113^th annual Chinese New Year parade on January 28^th at 1pm.  Families with older kids can sign up for The Great Chinatown Hunt, an Amazing Race style  scavenger hunt in Chinatown also on the 28^th—I must admit that I am waiting with anticipating for my girls to get older so we can enjoy this event.  Cities across the US are holding parades and festivals in honor of the year of the Dragon.  Get out there and get your roar on!

Photo by: Flickr/Global Jet

Chinese New Year Activities & Festivals in your city:

Los Angeles | San Diego | San Francisco |San Francisco ( Fortune Cookie Tours) | Sacramento| Portland | Seattle | Phoenix/Tucson | Denver | Chicago | Atlanta | Washington DC| New York | Connecticut Cities | Florida Cities | Massachusetts Cities |

Food

A major part of Chinese New Year, and Chinese culture in general, is eating authentic food- and by authentic, I don’t mean Panda Express!  Sharing meals together is a major part of Asian culture, so important in fact that the common street greeting in Chinese is ”Ni Chi Le Ma?” (你吃了吗 , Knee Chur Luh Muh)–have you eaten??  Most of the amazing memories I have while living in China take place around a giant table full of delicious food!  The West Coast & other major US cities abound with amazing authentic Chinese and Asian food opportunities; although the rest of the country is hit or miss, some awesome, flavorful restaurant spots are tucked into to unique corners across the US.

Jiaozi (饺子, geeOW-zuh) , more commonly known as dumplings, receive special New Year Spring Festival recognition as one of the main dishes to be served at a Chinese New Year feast.  My family gathers together yearly to continue this dumpling making tradition—although there is a bit of work, even the kids can (and should) join in the preparations for these tasty bites, and the reward is a lot of family time together with a delicious ending.    If you aren’t up for the labor intensive version, be sure to head out to your city’s favorite Chinese restaurant this new year.

Photo by: Flickr/johnsember

Find authentic food in your neighborhood:

Los Angeles |San Diego | Seattle | San Francisco | Portland | Chicago | Denver| New York City | DC |

Family

The major theme of the Lunar New Year is family.  Similar to our Christmas holiday, millions of people across the world take a break from work, fly home to be with mom and dad, and attempt to spend quality time with their family over food, fun and festivities.    If you live in a rural area or just don’t have the money or time to head to a Chinese festival or event, make it a staycation. Grab those closest to you and spend time making a memory this Chinese New Year- give red envelopes full of small trinkets or change to children, make dragons out of recycled egg cartons, wear a ton of red and decorate your house with home-made paper lanterns, or even attempt your hand at making your own Chinese New Year feast!

Stay-at-home Chinese New Year Resources:

Chinese New Year Overview | Chinese New Year Crafts | Jiaozi Recipe | Chinese New Year Games

Have a game, craft, recipe or any other Chinese New Year Staycation idea?  Share it here.

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Katie Bodell is Trekaroo’s Assistant Editor, a wife, & a mom to three sweet California girls.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

It’s the New Year and time to get out and have an adventure with your family!  We know all about tight budgets, pinching pennies, and sometimes the cost of travel can be very immobilizing but if you will consider traveling on just one tank of gas and finding adventures for cheap, it can make for a day filled with fun memories with your kids.  Here are some ideas for places to enjoy by traveling on one tank of gas from the San Diego area.

Palomar Mountain

Photo courtest Flickr uaer Abraxas3d

Any time our family can get away, our favorite places to visit are outdoor areas that have spaces to run, sticks to pick up, and fresh air to breathe.  Our family loves to play “Base Tag” anytime we are in a forest.  My kids hide behind rocks and trees and try to make it back to “base” before daddy can tag them.  Approximately 70 miles from downtown San Diego is Palomar Mountain State Park, a pine-forested mountain area at 6,000 feet in elevation, with picnicking, hiking, camping, fishing, biking, and more. The highlight of this area is the Palomar Mountain Observatory where families can look at the 200-inch Hale Telescope and watch a video on its inner workings.   On your way up or down the mountain, be sure to stop at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center for some delicious farm treats, or see living history at Mission San Antonio de Pala on Highway 76.

Julian

Photo courtesy Flickr user Mandaroo

This little town is known for its pies, antique stores, and fresh-grown, crisp apples.  An hour drive from downtown San Diego will take families to this quaint and cute village.  Train rides, mining tours, and panning for gold will have kids searching for that elusive treasure and talking about it for years to come.  My boys quickly learned to swirl the gold pan just the right way to make the heavy gold flakes stick to the bottom while the lighter stuff washed away.  They talked about their treasures all the way home.  If you want to find some fun adventure mining, visit the Julian Train & Gold Mine, Eagle Mining Company, the Julian Mining Company, or the Julian Pioneer Museum.  Make sure to finish  day by devouring a delicious slice of pie!

Cabrillo National Monument

Families on Trekaroo are singing the praises of the Cabrillo National Monument because of the incredible views of the San Diego Harbor, downtown buildings, and the glittering Pacific Ocean.  The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is like a beacon for children who love running to it and viewing the historical facts and replicas.  Families can climb the steep spiral staircase to the viewing platform above. Check the tide charts before going and enjoy the sea life in the tide pools below the lighthouse or take a stroll along the steep wave-weathered cliffs and enjoy the wild views of a seemingly never ending Pacific.

Torrey Pines State Park and Beach

There are too many gorgeous beaches in the San Diego area to list, but the beach below Torrey Pines State Park derves special mention. It is extra beautiful because the cliffs and hills above it is home to the rarest pine tree on the planet,the Torrey Pine.  Families love exploring the hiking trails which feature sweeping vistas of Torrey Pines State Park which hug the Pacific and have spenting time in the visitor center.  After exploring the “hill” where the Torrey Pines are, head down to the beach to enjoy some time in the sun and play in the water.

Escondido

Photo courtesy Flickr user Nicmcc

This North County city has several claims to fame, such as being home to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (a 4.5 star activity for Trekaroo families) and the EscondidoChildren’s Museum.  My husband grew up in this city and eagerly took me to Dixon Lake while we were dating.  Located just north of Escondido, but unknown to many residents, this man-made small lake boasts great bass fishing.  Families will enjoy picnicking on the grass, getting out some energy on the playgrounds, and even renting a rowboat for a cruise around the lake.  Camping, rock-climbing, and bike riding are other fun activities for families to enjoy.  Many people enjoy parties and get-togethers at this outdoor park on the weekends, so if you want a less crowded experience, visit on a weekday.

Carlsbad

The beach town of Carlsbad boasts so many activities for families, that one day here might not be enough.  My kids recently spent a couple of hours touring the Museum of Making Music where they got to play real instruments and learn about the history of music.  When we visited the Flower Fields last May (open seasonally) my parents were just as delighted in the gorgeous blooms as my kids were, when they weren’t running through the Sweet Pea Maze.  LEGOLAND is the biggest pull for families, and I must say that the Star Wars section of MiniLand is not to be missed. If your day-trip turns into an overnighter, consider a stay at the  West Inn & Suites. My family recently had the opportunity to stay at this family friendly property and really enjoyed our visit. You can read my full review of the West Inn & Suites on Trekaroo.

Coronado Island

Photo courtesy Flickr user Funcrunch

The thrill of driving over the large, iconic bridge to Coronado Island is just the start to a great day of family fun.  Trekaroo families have called Coronado City Beach the “Best Beach in Southern California.”  That is saying a lot considering there are  hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline in California!  I guess the soft sand, free parking, and pretty shells go a long way in making a beach great. The Coronado Ferry Landing is a fun shopping and eating destination.  Trekaroo user sunnysd365 recently shared her family’s favorite activities on Coronado Island.  Their highlights included biking and scootering on the beach boardwalk, walking down Orange Avenue, visiting the historic Hotel Del Coronado, playing at Spreckels Park, and enjoying delicious treats at MooTime Creamery and Café 1134.

Wherever you decide to go on one tank of gas this year, let it lead you to great adventure and fun with your family.  We’d love to hear about it!

Want more San Diego fun? Check out

San Diego Must See With Kids in 5 Days

Family Fun in San Diego

5 Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in San Diego

Fun Activities For Toddlers in San Diego

Michelle McCoy (aka Mcfam) is Trekaroo’s Southern California Destination Guroo. She and her husband, Matt, have 3 boys and a girl ages 2 to 10.  They love traveling to National Parks and going camping, but when life with young kids keeps them home, they find their fun in traveling to the local beaches in Orange County and hiking in the wilderness areas nearby.

Travel with kids to: CA|CO| DC| FL| HI| IL|MA| NC| NY| OR | PA| TN | TX |VA| WA

Enjoying a perfectly clear 70 degree day from a boat off the coast of Southern California is a pretty great way to spend an afternoon. If that afternoon is a seasonally warm January and the boat is taking you on a whale watching adventure, that day goes from great to spectacular. Gray whale season is just beginning and catching a glimpse of one of these gentle giants on their 10,000 mile migration from Alaska’s Bering Sea to Baja California’s breeding lagoons results in one of those moments where an involuntary gasp escapes as you find yourself in complete awe of nature.

My family has gone whale watching twice this winter with Dana Wharf Whale Watching. The first time was at the beginning of December. The weather was perfect and as we cruised south past Dana Point and along the Laguna Beach coast, I was in my happy place. The scenery was spectacular, the seas were calm, and my kids were having a great time on the boat, giggling away at the pelican (which they named Bruce) that decided to hitch a ride on the stern of the boat. Alas, Bruce and a half dozen sea lions lazing about on a buoy would be the summation of our animal encounters that day. That is not to say that we found our day to be a bust; quite the contrary! We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the water- the kids raved about it to anyone who would listen to them- and everyone on the boat received a voucher to come back again for another attempt at whale spotting.

As soon as the excitement of Christmas passed, my daughter began pestering me every day to see when we might go whale watching again. I checked the forecast and saw that the weather on the second day of the new year was forecasted to be spectacular- another calm 70 degree day was calling our names. This go round was different. The holiday visitors packed the boat and passengers ranged from infants to seniors. The fog was just beginning to burn off and the excitement on board was tangible. The whales must have known we were ready for a show because as soon as we exited the harbor, a gray whale was there to meet us! Success! My kids squealed (and I admit, so did I) as we saw the whale send up a stream of water in exhale and flip its tail as it dove back down below to feed. Unfortunately, the close proximity to the harbor meant that many causal boaters were also in the area and not exhibiting the best etiquette.  Our captain decided to head out into open water in search of another whale. I couldn’t help but question his decision. What if there weren’t any more whales? Boy was I wrong!

We zipped down the coast for several miles with an urgency that a boat which left a perfectly good whale could only exhibit. And then… we found them- a pair of whales, more than happy to put on a show. At first they demonstrated typical whale patterns, surfacing for a few minutes and then heading down for a deep feeding dive. But after a few minutes, they decided to hang out on the surface with us. They seemed just as interested in figuring out what we were about as we were them. Then, as if the day wasn’t going well enough, a pod of bottlenose dolphins headed over to play with the whales! So now we had two whales, dozens of dolphins, and wait… is that a sea lion I spy? Yes, we actually witnessed dolphins and whales playing together while a sea lion watched! “Wild Kingdom” had nothing on this day.

Dolphins and whales enjoying each other's company

Eventually, the captain regretfully informed us that we had to leave the spectacle and get back to dock so the 2 o’clock boat could head out. I could tell from his tone that we had witnessed something special. As we headed back in, we came across a pod of common dolphins that wanted to swim in our wake, leaping up to 20 feet in the air in what was most definitely an act of play. Our perfect day just became a bit more perfect.

Whale Watching for Land Lovers

If you suffer from sea sickness, have an aversion to boats, or just prefer to have two feet on land at all times, you may still get lucky and spot whales from the shore if you happen to know the right places to look.  Dana Point is thought to be a landmark to gray whales heading down to Baja so heading out onto the headlands with a pair of binoculars is a great place to start.  If you are visiting the area and want to search for whales from your hotel, there is no better place than the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel.

The Ritz sits on a bluff above the ocean just north of the Dana Point and has many great vantage points from which to view whales.  Whether you are enjoying appetizers at 180blũ, sitting on a Adirondack chair overlooking the ocean on the resorts lawn, or playing at Salt Creek Beach next door, keep your eyes on the sea.  The winter months are prime for gray whale watching and the summer brings blue whales, the largest animals on earth.  Salt Creek is my family’s local beach and we have seen dolphins from the sand on several occasions.

Read more about the family friendly and ideally located Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel.  

It has been only a couple weeks since my last whale watching experience and I am already pining for more. I am quite certain that my family has developed a brand new past time and I will be watching the reports for the first good blue whale sightings this summer. How can I possibly bear letting another season go by without seeing those massive yet gentle giants?

Disclosure: My family received a complimentary night’s stay at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel and whale watching trip with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching in order complete reviews fro Trekaroo and write this story. Neither business asked that I state anything in particular and all opinions are always my own honest thoughts.

Sharlene Earnshaw is the blog editor for Trekaroo.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

In this economy, money is tight but families still want to travel. If your restless children are climbing the walls you may want to consider a cost effective road trip. It may not be the island vacation you’ve been dreaming of, but road trips are a fun way to enjoy the day with your family, a “quickie” you might say. Or, as Mick Jagger would say: ‘You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.’ Here are Trekaroo’s top picks for places your family can visit on one tank of gas from Sacramento.

 Tour Moaning Cavern & Mercer Cavern in Calaveras County

Under the gently rolling hills of Calaveras County, are hundreds of limestone caverns, an ideal family vacation activity. Visitors of all ages have the opportunity to learn about cavern geology at Moaning Caverns and Mercer Caverns. Moaning Cavern is the largest single chamber public cavern in California. The main room is large enough to fit the Statue of Liberty inside. Moaning Caverns offers a holiday ‘Caroling in the Cave’ concert featuring a rappelling Santa and local high school choirs singing a cappella.

Read Trekaroo user reviews of Mercer Caverns

Auburn is known for its California Gold Rush history

Gold panning is a favorite tourist attraction. Kids in particular will love panning for specks and flakes like the thousands of miners who flocked to California in the mid-19th century. You might even sneak some history in, and there’s a (microscopic) chance you’ll come out of the experience with your very own gold nugget! Direction and free brochures to popular panning spots are available at Auburn California Welcome Center.

What Auburn’s less known for, but is of equal importance to tweens, is the Skateboard Park at Overlook Park. The Skate Park has ample parking and offers a beautiful view of the canyon. The park also connects to walking trails that access the canyon. Bring your lunch, park your car, and enjoy a wonderful relaxing view.

Step into the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield

Smell the aroma of chocolate, peach, cinnamon, pineapple, or whatever is being cooked up that day. Fairfield is located about 45 minutes west of Sacramento. Participate in the free 40-minute walking tour in which Jelly Belly tour guides show you a real working factory where over 150 different sweet treats are cooked up. Swing by the gift shop and buy the BeanBoozled Game.  BeanBoozled jelly beans are a collection of 20 lookalike flavors, some so crazy you can’t believe it, while others are the delicious Jelly Belly beans you love. New this year are Canned Dog Food and Centipede flavors. Take the dare with the spinner wheel, then pick and eat the jelly bean in the color the spinner lands on. Is the black jelly bean Licorice, or is it Skunk Spray?

Read Trekaroo user reviews of the Jelly Belly Factory

 Visit Vallejo Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Nothing provides more lasting memories for children than a great day shared with family at an amusement park. At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom you’ll find thrilling rides, a wide variety of entertainment, and huggable cartoon characters. That’s why I took my 3 yr old son here for his birthday on a Wednesday morning in August. The park was practically empty. No lines for rides, no lines for anything WOOOOO!! Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is an animal theme park and includes a variety of roller coasters and other amusement rides, along with a collection of animal exhibits and shows. Families can even get in the water and swim with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins!  The Dolphin Discovery program is available seven days a week throughout the year. 

Read reviews of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Trekaroo.

 The waterfront Children’s Museum of Stockton is amazing

The Children’s Museum of Stockton ‘Where Every Touch is a Know-Know!’ opened in 1994 as a memorial to the elementary students killed in a 1989 massacre at Cleveland Elementary School. The museum was the brainchild of a teacher at the school who was wounded in the attack, Janet Geng, Founding Director of The Children’s Museum of Stockton.  Each year, more than 55,000 children play in its little grocery store, climb inside its ambulance and peer inside the mouth of a larger-than-life Delta bass. KIDSWORLD is a permanent exhibit in the museum. KIDSWORLD which occupies three-fourths of the 22,000 square foot structure is a child’s version of a miniature city. Over 40 exhibits including a bank, hospital, grocery store, recycling, art center, and a post office engage children in a hands-on exploration of a functioning city. The new exhibit, “Healthier Ever After,” is an interactive feature highlighting exercise, nutrition and smart food choices and will be on display through mid-January

Read reviews of the Children’s Museum of Stockton on Trekaroo.

 Walk among roaring, stomping, realistic-looking dinosaurs at – Lawrence Hall of Science- UC Berkeley

Explore the prehistoric world like never before in Dinosaurs Unearthed. Scientists, engineers, and artists designed these creatures to be as lifelike as possible. The gigantic animals open their jaws, blink their eyes, and move their limbs. See the Hall’s dinos spring to life — if you dare! Dinosaurs Unearthed features amazingly real animatronic dinosaurs, a hands-on fossil dig site, articulated full-size skeletons, actual dinosaur fossils, and interactive multimedia stations. Younger visitors will have fun in the Young Explorers’ Experience. This special exhibition area features activities designed for visitors aged 2–7 years.

Visitors to Lawrence Hall of Science can also explore the skies in an interactive planetarium, where questions and activities are part of the program! The geodesic dome is installed with a state-of-the-art projection system. The 50-seat planetarium’s Public Planetarium Program is presented every Saturday and Sunday. Daily programs are also offered Monday-Friday during the summer. Saturday Night Stargazing, weather permitting, is held every 3rd Saturday of the month, year-round.

Read Trekaroo user reviews of Lawrence Hall of Science.

 Apple Hill growers such as #1 High Hill Ranch and #14 Denver Dan’s Apple Patch offer many kid-specific activities and fun for the whole family

One of the oldest ranches on Apple Hill, High Hill Ranch, offers daily fishing and you’re almost guaranteed to catch something there. Fishing is priced per pound and you have to keep your catch so unless you want to walk around all day carrying a dead fish I’d save this activity for last! On the weekends the ranch offers pony rides, face painting, and hay rides.

At #14 Denver Dan’s Apple Patch children will have a tour of the orchard, will be shown how to pick an apple (correctly) & will have a container which will hold about 3 apples. They will return to the barn and have a demonstration of an apple peeler (it will make apple slinkies!)  Next they will have a treat of apple cookies and glass of apple cider, and apple stickers to take home with the apples they have picked.  Also at Denver Dan’s is Cookin’ Kids, a pie making class for kids age 3 & up. Kids get to roll their own dough, place in 6” pie pan, and fill the crust with pie makins’. Then they learn to roll the top crust, place it on the pie, and crimp the edges. Any leftover dough goes into cookies that they can top with decorations! Their pies and cookies are baked and placed into individual containers for the kids to take home and share!

Photo by: Trekaroo/MissBirdieMFGS

Read Trekaroo user reviews of #1 High Hill Ranch

Be on the lookout for more “One  Tank Road Trips” heading your way as we launch this fun series across the US. 

Can’t hardly wait??  Tell us, what are your favorite places to go on one tank of gas from your city!

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Some people like the heat. They love the sun blazing down on them as they absorb all of its marvelous heat. Others love the cold.  They enjoy putting on a coat and taking brisk walks on snow covered trails while watching their breath form clouds in front of them.  I am neither of those people. If I had it my way, it would be 75 every day. When I moved to Orange County from Northern California, friends often  asked me if I missed having seasons. No, no I do not. If I want to experience a season, I will visit it while on vacation.  But most of the time, even when I travel, I still want it to be 75 and sunny- which is why I love Palm Springs.

When most of the country is putting on six layers to leave the house, vacationers in Palm Springs are putting on flip flops and a sundress. In Palm Springs, I can forget that winter even exists as I lay by the pool and watch my kids splash the day away. My family can strap on hiking boots and and explore palm studded canyons without worry of frostbite.  We can enjoy an alfresco dinner downtown without having to wear mittens.  And if I get that sudden urge to visit winter, we can simply hop on the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, climb up to 8500 feet, throw snowballs at my kids for a couple hours, then head back down to the warmth of the Coachella Valley.  Sounds pretty nice doesn’t it?

Many people who haven’t visited the area may not realize just how much there is for families to do in Palm Springs. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Desert Adventures take guests on fun and educational trips through the desert in their signature red jeeps. My family’s tour with Desert Adventures of the San Andreas Fault still ranks as one of my most favorite travel experiences. You can read about more in this blog post dedicated to our desert adventure.  This past weekend we took a tour with them of Indian Canyons and once again were blown away by the tour. Every member of our family had a great time and we learned so much. If I had to recommend one thing to do in the Palm Springs area, it would be to take a tour with Desert Adventures.
• Airplane aficionados and history buffs won’t want to miss the Palm Springs Air Museum, home to the largest collection of WWII aircraft that are still in flying condition. Families can climb inside an actual WWII airplane and kids will love the special children’s area with airplane themed crafts and cockpits for them to climb in.
• Did you know that there was a zoo in the desert? The Living Desert is a beautifully landscaped zoo featuring animals around the world that call the desert their home. Visitors can see animals such as big horned sheep, cheetahs, snakes, and giraffes at this world class zoological garden and enjoy camel rides, an endangered species carousel, and even an expansive model train exhibit. One thing I didn’t expect was just how much local wildlife we would encounter roaming about the zoo, including road runners and lizards.
• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world and has been taking visitors up steep Mt. San Jacinto, one of North America’s sheerest mountain faces, since it opened in 1963. Temperatures up top can be 40 degrees cooler than those on the valley floor and the mountain hiking opportunities are plentiful during the summer months. Winter brings snow, an exciting treat after a couple days poolside.
• There are actually springs surrounded by palm trees in Palm Springs- it is not just a clever name! Indian Canyons, owned by the Agua Caliente Cahuilla tribe, offer great hiking opportunities. Palm Canyon is home to the largest fan palm oasis in the world, with dozens of palm trees lining a spring fed creek, creating a shady reprieve from the desert sun and an ideal spot for a picnic. Andreas Canyon offers a shaded one mile loop trail which is great for families who want a short hike and some exposure to to the desert palm oasis ecosystem. Murray Canyon features a series of seven small waterfalls, said to be a great spot for swimming!

If all these activities sound like experiences your family will enjoy, you will be excited to know that we have teamed up with Visit Palm Springs, Daytripping Mom and Rockin’ Mama to put together an exciting desert giveaway!

If you are not familiar with Daytripping Mom and Rockin’ Mama, then it is time you got in the know! Aracely at Daytripping Mom keeps families up to date with the latest happenings around Southern California and always seems to be giving away something fun! Caryn at Rockin’ Mama is a woman on the go who takes her readers along for the ride with her posts about fabulous movie premiers, products we should know about, yummy recipes, and so much more. She is an LA gal through and through, contributing to the local CBS website with her Southern California  expertise. Both of these women are dedicated to sharing their family adventures with others in hopes of encouraging them to have their own, making them the perfect partners for our Palm Springs Family Getaway giveaway!

The Steal:

Win a trip for four to Palm Springs, CA including lodging and several great family friendly activities!

Details: