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The holiday season is upon us and Northern California is filled with a plethora of family-friendly activities. Winter offers great opportunities for picture perfect moments and time together as a family. We could keep all these great ideas to ourselves, but in the spirit of holiday sharing here are Trekaroo’s top picks for holiday activities in Northern California that are perfect for creating special days that make for wonderful memories.

Catch a Ride on The Polar Express Ride in Sacramento:

photo by flickr user latca

Everyone is encouraged to wear their pajamas on board this one hour train ride. Passengers will travel to the “North Pole” while being read the story of The Polar Express.  Dancing waiters fly through the cars as ticketed passengers are served hot chocolate and a cookie. As you head back to Old Sacramento, Santa walks through each car to give out the “first gift of Christmas” — a sleigh bell — to each passenger.  All join in and sing Christmas carols when pulling into the station at the California State Railroad Museum.

Tickets for this coveted event sell out immediately. I’ve yet to get my hands on some myself so I’ll take my son to Esquire IMAX Theater for a 3D screening of the Polar Express which plays from November 21 – December 23.

Free on-street parking is available in Old Sacramento after 4:30 p.m. on weekends and all day Saturday and Sunday during the holiday season. Be sure to swing by The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum to see The Gingerbread Holiday. The Schoolhouse Museum will have dozens of sweet houses and other gingerbread structures created by kids, families, and culinary students on display December 3-18th.

Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for museums of the Sacramento/Sierra Nevada area that kids love

 Rendezvous with Reindeer at California Academy of Sciences:

‘Tis the season for science at California Academy of Sciences, located in the heart of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Enjoy art and music from the Bay Area’s greatest talents including carolers, musicians, dancers, and theater troops. Gather round for an up close and personnel experience with live reindeer. To get here, the mountain reindeer traveled 6 hours up the freeway in a trailer. Had they hoofed it, it would have taken ten days. That may sound like a long trip when compared to car travel times, but reindeer actually migrate farther each year than any other land mammal, up to 33 miles each day, which is why members voted online to name the male reindeer Miles!

Discover the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a four-story rainforest, a planetarium, and a natural history museum all under one roof while enjoying wintry activities and family fun that celebrates the science behind some of our most familiar holiday sights, sounds, and traditions.

I visited the California Academy of Sciences in December with two boys. It was a winter wonderland in the Academy’s central piazza. Twice an hour the Academy makes it snow inside. We lucked out because it was snowing right as we walked in! I saw children try to catch the artificial snowflakes on their tongues. At the Academy’s Northern California Coast Gallery there’s a discovery tide pool where children and adults can touch and examine a wide variety of ocean creatures. Touching sea creatures instantly transforms me into a kid again (way cheaper than botox)! People of San Francisco – I am very jealous you have this great place of learning in your city!!

Parents can celebrate New Year’s Eve with their children ages 6+ at Penguins + Pajamas Sleepover. Allow your kids to camp out for a night at the Academy and see the museum in a whole new light. Why count sheep when you can count geckos, butterflies, sharks, and penguins?

 Read Tina’s full review of California Academy of Sciences.

 Recapture the spirit of Christmas past during the annual Cornish Christmas Celebration in historic downtown Grass Valley:

Recapture the spirit of Christmas past amid the charming surroundings of historic downtown Grass Valley during the annual Cornish Christmas Celebration. Mill and West Main Streets are closed to traffic and filled with the sights and sounds of an old fashioned Christmas while the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir performs traditional homeland Christmas carols at the steps of the historic Union Building.

The Cornish Christmas celebration is truly a delight to the senses. Smell the aroma of your favorite dish while you shop the amazing collection of merchants that call downtown Grass Valley their home. Stroll down the bustling historic streets as Christmas music fills the air. Hear young and old alike play your favorite holiday tunes as buildings dressed in Christmas lights sparkle in the December night air. At the Cornish Christmas you’ll see kids and adults dressed in period costumes, musicians, jugglers, carolers, Tommyknocker Cloggers and of course, Santa Claus. Delicious food and drink can be purchased from a number of restaurants and specialty food vendors.

 Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for Fun Holiday Activities for Kids in Sacramento, CA.

 Holidays in South Lake Tahoe are Heavenly:

Tahoe’s South Shore is New Year’s celebration central. Firework shows combined with a myriad of outdoor recreation provide an action-packed holiday season for kids of all ages.

New this season is Heavenly Holiday with a month of festivities including live music, ice sculpting, fire dancers, professional ice skaters, face painting, interactive games and photo opportunities inside a giant snow globe or festive backdrops. “A Heavenly New Year Celebration” includes a concert followed by the Gondola Drop with a decorated and illuminated car descending from the top of the mountain in a “midnight” countdown at 9 p.m. followed by a firework display.

Santa’s Workshop will be recreated in Heavenly Village inside of a 16-foot interactive snow globe.  Children and families will be able to go inside of the snow globe to sit on Santa’s lap for a unique experience and photo opportunity. There will be a DJ playing holiday music daily.

Barton Health’s Festival of Trees & Lights, inside the Montbleu Convention Center, features designer decorated trees, crafts for kids, live entertainment and of course Santa Claus. Children age 12 and under are invited to visit the Teddy Bear Hospital – a fun, interactive place where they learn about their health and hospitals in a safe, “no poke” environment from Barton Health’s wonderfully caring real doctors, nurses and staffers. Each child will receive a free teddy bear as they are “admitted” to the hospital. Their journey through the emergency room, the operating room and the doctor’s office check up help build confidence and alleviate fears. Their “patient” teddy bear is theirs to take home and treasure this holiday season and for years to come.

The Tahoe Queen, an authentic Mississippi paddle wheeler, is offering opportunities to meet and take photos with Santa on the 12 p.m. cruises on Saturdays. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort continues its Christmas tradition with a two-day kids’ festival, Dec. 23-24 with events, music, sack races and a snowman competition.

Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for Winter Holiday Activities for Kids in Lake Tahoe & Nevada.

 Napa Valley Wine Train’s Santa Express is a fabulous and fun holiday outing for the whole family:

Photo Courtesy Winetrain.com

 Join Santa, along with his friends and carolers (including one with a nose that glows so bright), as he travels from the city of Napa to the town of Yountville and back on a train overflowing with happy children. Designed especially for children, this 90 minute journey offers plenty of time for kids to tell Santa exactly what they want to receive for Christmas. A fabulous and fun holiday outing for the whole family, The Santa Express Train is a magical experience for the young and the young at heart. The train will have child friendly menus on board including hot chocolate for the kids.

Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for Friendly Holiday Fun in the Napa Valley.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in Apple Hill:

While Apple Hill, located just northeast of Placerville, is primarily known for all things apple related, it is also a beautiful destination to pick and chop your own Christmas tree.

Currently, seven full-scale tree farms with u-cut trees are open in Apple Hill during the Christmas season for families to visit and cut their own Christmas trees. Several smaller farms are open, too. Visiting an Apple Hill Christmas tree farm after Thanksgiving is truly a very memorable family experience you and your kids will never forget. All Christmas tree farms open the day after Thanksgiving and remain open until Christmas Eve.

Wide selections of tree varieties are available for purchase. Some of the most popular Christmas Tree Farms currently operating in Apple Hill include: High Sierra Iris Gardens, Hillside Tree Farm, and McGee Christmas Tree Farm. Enjoying Christmas in Apple Hill isn’t all about just getting a Christmas tree though. Many of the tree farms offer great Christmas activities for the kids and have nice warm cups of hot chocolate or some world famous apple cider waiting for you. If you get the chance be sure to try the fudge and freshest apple pie you have ever had!

Be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for Apple Hill Christmas Tree Farms

Celebrate the Holiday Season at the Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights:

 

Get into the Christmas spirit at the Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights. This family and community-centric event is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. The lighted parade consists of marching bands, floats, dancers and classic cars. Come early and grab a spot along the parade route which goes up South Main Street and through Oldtown to the National Steinbeck Center.

The annual Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights attracts over 10,000 spectators. Celebrity announcers keep you well informed during the festivities. The Holiday Parade of Lights, celebrating ‘One City, Many Cultures’ has become a Salinas family tradition. The parade is a volunteer community effort and has been hosted by the Oldtown Salinas Association since 2006.

Monterey Celebrates The Holiday Season with An Ocean View at the Lighted Boat Parade:

You’ve seen parades on land — now see one on the ocean at the Lighted Boat Parade. Every year the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club sponsors a lighted boat parade in the harbor.  The boats of Monterey Bay will be brilliantly decked out as they sail from Coast Guard Pier past Cannery Row to Lover’s Point. The ships compete fiercely to win the coveted award for Best Decorations from the Yacht Club at the end of the evening. Check out this unique, can’t-miss event from along the Monterey and Pacific Grove coastline.

Ring in the New Year with the entire family (ages 5 and older) at the Monterey Bay Aquarium! This special New Year’s Eve event will feature a sparkling cider toast at 9 p.m. to celebrate the countdown to the New Year on East Coast time. The evening snack will be a Ghirardelli ice cream sundae bar! There will be fun family activities and programs for a night of celebration. Wake up with the fishes on New Year’s Day and enjoy a full breakfast in the Monterey Bay Aquarium Café then join the aquariums naturalists in watching wildlife from the Great Tide Pool Deck.

Photo by Trekaroo user ukelly

 Read Trekaroo’s  reviews on Monterey Bay Aquarium.

 

Last week we told you about Passports with Purpose, the travel bloggers annual fundraiser, and how this year our goal was to raise $80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia. We asked you to consider donating to this worthwhile cause and encouraged you with the incentive that in return for your $10 donation, you have an opportunity to win some incredible prizes. Of course, we think the prize we are giving away, a golf stay at Austin’s Barton Creek Resort, is pretty awesome but there a so many other great prizes to enter to win as well. To get you even more pumped about donating to Passports with Purpose, we have decided to highlight some of these truly awesome prizes. Here are some of our favorite  prizes that  Passports with Purpose donators have a chance at winning:

Kindle Fire:  This has got to be one of the most sought after gifts this holiday season. The  7-inch tablet with Wi-Fi from Amazon is  slim, lightweight,is in full color, and holds 18 million movies, books, and apps, making it perfect for travel.  With Europe up Close, The Solo Traveler, Mother of All Trips, and The Vacation Gals all giving one away, your chances of winning are pretty decent! Psst…. Budget Travelers Sandbox is also giving away a Kindle Touch…

Xbox 360 with Kinect Bundle:  Can you imagine how cool your kids will think you are if an Xbox 360 shows up under your tree? Yes, video games can lead to way too many hours on the couch but Kinect features active games so your kids will get some exercise while playing. Score! Wandermom is hosting this amazing giveaway.

4 Nights in a Suite at the Honua Kai Resort in Maui: Delicious Baby is hosting this 4 night giveaway in an ocean view suite. 4 nights. Maui. Ocean view. Enough said.

Three Night stay for a family of four at an all-inclusive Beaches Resort in Jamaica: I love all-inclusive resorts so the all-inclusive stay in Jamaica that Have Baby will Travel is hosting definitely caught my eye. Imagine hanging out with your little one’s poolside with a cocktail in hand and the Caribbean sun on your shoulders. Not bad, eh?

Two Night Stay at the Four Season Scottsdale at Troon North: My family just returned from this amazing resort (I can’t wait to share the details with you all!) so I know that this is a tremendous prize. In addition to the resort stay, the winner will also be treated to a dinner at Talavera, where I enjoyed the best steak I have ever had. I will definitely be entering in hope of returning to this incredible resort. This giveaway is hosted by My Itchy Travel Feet.

Disneyland/Hilton Garden Inn prize pack: It’s no secret that Trekaroo loves Disney so when we saw the prize that Travel Mamas is giving away, we couldn’t help but get excited. One lucky family will win 4 park hoppers for Disneyland and California Adventure as well as a two night stay at the Anaheim Hilton Garden Inn.  What an ideal family getaway!

$1000 HomeAway voucher: We love HomeAway because it give travelers access to 260,000 vacation rentals around the globe in one location.  Vacation rentals are great for extended family travel, travel with large families, or families who would love the convenience of staying someplace with all the comforts of home (like a kitchen!.)  Nerds Eye View is giving away a $1000 voucher which can be used to take your family on an adventure in a vacation rental that is perfectly suited to your needs.

$500 BedandBreakfast.com gift card: Last year we featured BedandBreakfast.com in our holiday gift guide  giveaway  so when we saw that Land Lopers was hosting this prize, we were happy to see another chance to win this great prize. The  BedandBreakfast.com can be used at more than 4,000 small inns and bed and breakfasts which makes it an idela gift for travelers.

110,000 Hyatt Gold Passport Points: There is something just so exciting about hotel points. Hyatt is one of my favorite hotel brands (extremely family friendly) so winning $2640 worth of Hyatt points turn me into a kid in a candy store.  I could spend hours researching what sort of luxurious hotel stays I could get with all those points! According to the giveaway host,  Loyalty Traveler of Boarding Area, this prize can buy 5- 22 nights, depending on how you use them. Donate to win this prize and start daydreaming!

There is only one way to win all of these fabulous prizes- head on over to Passports with Purpose and DONATE.

The last day to donate is Friday, December 16, 2011.


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

Tis the season for holiday cheer!  For many of us, that means seeking out family friendly spots to enjoy festive fun.   These are some of our family’s favorite places to get into the Christmas spirit and all are easy to get to from most places throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia area.

Photo Courtesy Storybookland

Storybook Land is one of our favorite theme parks all year round but at Christmastime it takes on a magical appearance when they feature Christmas Fantasy with Lights.  Every night at 5pm Santa climbs out of his chimney and turns on over a million holiday lights throughout the park.  He has even managed to make it snow!   You can meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus in their home as well to tell them how good you’ve been all year long.  All the rides of the theme park are open too!

A visit to Koziar’s Christmas Village  is like stepping into Christmas Land.  Walk along the path and take in the beauty of displays featuring Christmas in the jungle, beneath the sea, and around the globe lit by over a half million lights.  The reflective view from the pond is a breathtaking sight!  When you get chilly be sure to stop for some hot chocolate or a visit with Santa himself.

The Nutcracker is one of my favorite holiday shows.  My mom used to take me every year and I couldn’t wait to take my daughter for the first time.  During her first show she sat rapt with attention at the edge of her seat.  To find a show be sure to check Trekaroo’s lists for where to see The Nutracker in Philadelpia  and New Jersey.

Photo Courtesy New Hope Ivyland Railroad

Taking a train ride with Santa has always been at the top of my children’s lists, even before they ever saw the movie Polar Express. This holiday tradition has become more popular than ever with kids all around the country dressing in their pajamas and taking a magical Christmas ride. While some stations started the tradition after 2004 movie, others like the Pine Creek Railroad in New Jersey, have been taking families on rides with Santa Claus for over 30 years!  See where to board a train ride with Santa in New Jersey and Philly areas.

Another family favorite of ours is piling in the car in our jammies, bringing along some hot chocolate and turning on some Christmas music while driving around the neighborhoods in our area to enjoy the lights. Some of the people in our town really go all out! However, if you want to make more of an adventure out of it, how about heading to Center City Philadelphia to see the Macy’s Holiday Light Show . While  at Macy’s, be sure to visit the third floor where you will find a 6,000 foot recreation of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Over 100 animated figures help bring this Christmas classic to life. You might even be able to get some Christmas shopping done!

Photo Courtesy Visit Philly

While I have never been to Christmas Village located in Love Park in Center City, Philadelphia, it looks to have some real charm. This traditional German Christmas Market features over 50 vendors selling arts and crafts, jewelry, ornaments and all sorts of other goodies you can purchase as a treat for yourself or as a holiday gift. You can also sample European food and drink while browsing about. If you happen to visit the market on December 7th,  your family can even attend the tree lighting!

Longwood Gardens is another one of those year round gems that transforms at Christmas time. Walk through the gardens and see how they have been transformed into a gingerbread fantasy with over 40 miles of lights and displays. During the season there will be performances in the evenings by local choral groups and vignettes from the Nutcracker.

May you all have a happy and healthy holiday season filled with many wonderful memories!

 

Looking for more holiday-fun activities?  Check out your neighborhood below.

CaliforniaSan Diego | Orange County | LA & Environs | Bay AreaLake Tahoe | Sacramento

Other US cities:  Dallas | NYC/NJ | Philadelphia | Salt Lake CitySeattle

Don’t see your city??  Make a list of fun activities in your neck of the woods to share with Trekaroo users.


Tina Buell is one of Trekaroo’s Northern California Destination Guroos

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

 

I have a confession.  Every year when Mother’s Day rolls around, I shyly harbor hopes that Dad and my two boys would make a big deal of me. (Blush!)  My idea of a perfect Mother’s Day would involve being greeted with an enthusiastic morning greeting and a brunch at a kid-friendly restaurant with great food or a picnic at a beautiful location. The key – I don’t have to lift a finger.

I figured there are lots of other moms everywhere who harbor secret wishes of the prefect  Mother’s Day celebration just like me.  Every mom is a little different.  Some of us just want a day to ourselves, others want some pampering at a spa, others of us would like nothing more than quality time with our family where we didn’t do all the planning.

So, I took the question to Trekaroo moms, and here are the dream mother’s day ideas they’ve come up with. From wonderful spots for brunch to beautiful gardens to picnic in, to decadent chocolate events.  Some require advanced reservations, but others, you could just pack a picnic and head on out.

So Dads, if you’ve been trying to read mom’s mind to figure out what would make her feel really loved, here are some great suggestions brought to you by none other than moms themselves.  Share this list on Facebook or Twitter and help out all the Dad’s out there who are probably scratching their heads desperately trying to figure out plans for this Sunday.  Moms, here’s your chance to voice your secret wishes to Dad. Sign in to Trekaroo and create a list of your own or leave a comment below with your dream spot to celebrate Mother’s Day idea.

Biltmore Estate - Asheville, NC - Free Admission on Mother's Day

OREGON

Awesome Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner Spots in Southern Oregon by PitStopsForKids

CALIFORNIA

Mother’s Day Brunch and Ideas for Family Fun Around San Francisco by Lydie

5 San Francisco Bay Area Gardens to Picnic at for Mother’s Day by Lydie

Mother’s Day Brunch and Family Fun Ideas in San Diego, CA by McFam

Mother’s Day Brunches and Family Fun in Orange County, CA by McFam

Perfect Mother’s Day Brunch and Treats in the Inland Empire, CA by filmdncr

Mother’s Day Brunch and Fun Activites in Temecula, CA by B’s Mom

MIDWEST:
Mother’s Day Brunch Spots and Fun Events in St. Louis by Natalie’s Mom

Favorite Mother’s Day Ideas  in the Midwest by mama.bear.johnson

TEXAS

Best Mother’s Day Ideas and Events in Texas by slofamilylife

Mother’s Day Brunch Spots in Austin, Texas by slofamilylife

Best Mother’s Day Brunch Spots and Fun Ideas Around Dallas by slofamilylife

PENNSYLVANIA

Mother’s Day Ideas and Brunch Spots in Philadelphia by Travelpangs

NORTH CAROLINA

Mother’s Day Ideas Around Asheville, North Carolina by PrincessTrioMom

FLORIDA

Best Mother’s Day Brunch and Ideas for Family Fun in Florida by Cavaletta

Photo by: Flickr/Dawn Huczek

Liling Pang is Editor and CEO of Trekaroo – a reviews website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids. We’re powered by a community of travel savvy parents.

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

In my mind, there is no better city to visit on the West Coast than San Francisco.  Besides being gorgeous, it offers everything you could want from a cosmopolitan city- culture, shopping, fantastic public transportation, and plenty of outdoor opportunities within the city limits.  Are you planning a visit to SF but don’t know where to take your kids?

Here are the top 10 places in San Francisco to take kids as voted by Trekaroo families:

1. Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39- Yes, its a tourist trap. But its a tourist trap worth visiting because the kids love it and the sourdough bread bowls at Boudin Bakery are incredible.  Hit up the souvenir shops which carry and endless array of San Francisco themed goodies. Stop and say hi to the world’s most beloved sea lions. Take time to enjoy the street performers and be sure to relish that awe inspiring Bay Bridge view.

2. San Francisco Zoo-  Giraffes, lemurs, tigers, penguins and 246 other species all call the SF Zoo home.  It features a carousel, puffer train, and a large children’s zoo.  The zoo is directly across the street from Ocean Beach so be sure to leave time in your day to enjoy a sunset.

3. Golden Gate Bridge- Nothing says San Francisco quite like the Golden Gate Bridge.  The massive red suspension bridge is an icon, both in its beauty and presence.  Walking across the bridge and taking in the incredible views of the bay and the Pacific is a right of passage that everyone, locals and tourists alike, should experience.

4. California Academy of Sciences- This museum was reborn in 2008 when its new 400,000 square foot structure opened to the public.  The building includes a 4 story rainforest experience, an aquarium housing 900 different species of aquatic life, a natural history museum, the largest digital planetarium in the world, and a living roof. Be sure to stop by and say hi to Claude, the museum’s albino alligator.

5. The Exploratorium- Your children will have so much fun here they won’t even realize they are learning!  This museum allows kids to explore science hands on.  Play with magnetic sand, watch you shadow stick to the wall, step into a giant kaleidoscope, and enjoy hundred of other exhibits geared towards children but enjoyed thoroughly by all ages.

6. Golden Gate Park- If you are looking for a great place to enjoy the outdoors in San Francisco, look no further than Golden Gate Park. Families can take a paddleboat ride around Stowe Lake, explore the Japanese Tea Garden, stop by the buffalo paddock, and enjoy the many walking trails throughout this massive park. Outdoors concerts in the park are great way to enjoy some quality family time during the summer months.

7. Chinatown- Plenty of American cities have a Chinatown, but the Chinatown in San Francisco is simply the best.  Introduce your children to the wonders of dim sum inside one of the many restaurants lining the streets and then stop by the fortune cookie factory for dessert. Explore the shops looking for a special souvenir but don’t forget to stop and take a picture in front of the famous Chinatown gate.

8. Alcatraz- There is no place quite like The Rock and the ferry ride out to this eerie place on a foggy day is something you will never forget.  A self guided audio tours of the former federal prison are the perfect way to introduce the history of Alcatraz to your school aged children. Be sure to have your kids spend some time in one of the tiny cells, a reminder of the experience could especially come in handy during the teenage years.

9. Ghirardelli Square- A square dedicated to chocolate- what’s not to love about that? Come to watch chocolate being made but stay for the out of this world ice cream sundaes. The lines can be long but the treats are worth the wait.

10. Lombard Street- 8 switchbacks. A 27 degree incline. A slow 8 mph drive. This all waits for you if you decide to drive the family car down the crookedest street in the world. Personally, I prefer to take the sidewalk and get some exercise while enjoying this San Francisco landmark.

Need a place to stay while visiting The City? Then read reviews of family friendly San Francisco hotels.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

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

The holiday season is officially here and for many of us, the season’s celebrations are not complete without a colorfully trimmed tree in our living room.  Artificial trees have become more and more popular in recent years, but Christmas tree purists like myself scoff at the idea of putting our presents under anything but the real thing.

Some of my greatest Christmas memories involved my family walking around the Christmas tree farm for hours, in search of the perfect tree to saw down, only to return to the very first tree that caught our eye.   Yes, we could have just as easily gone to Home Depot and picked up a tree from the masses that were stacked inside the garden department, but there was just something about cutting down our own tree that added to the tradition.  No, it isn’t quite as authentic as tromping out into the woods, chopping down a tree, and carrying it back to our home through the snow, but for those us living in urban areas, a Christmas tree farm is as close to authenticity as we can get.

If your family is looking to cut down a tree for the first time this year, then I highly suggest you read our top ten tips for a successful trip to a Christmas tree farm.  The list contains tips on everything from tree selection tips, to  cutting advice, to tips on what to do once you get the tree home.  Its a must read for first timers or folks who have been out of the tree cutting game for a while.

For families living in the Bay Area, be sure to check out our list of cut your own (U-cut) Christmas tree farms near San Francisco and Liling’s writeup of her family’s experiences at Christmas tree farms in the Bay Area.

If you live in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, we have a list of Choose and Cut Christmas tree farms in Southern California.  Even though we may not exactly live in a winter wonderland, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a good old fashioned tree cutting experience!

For families living in the Pacific Northwest (aka Christmas tree central), be sure to view out list of U-cut Christmas tree farms in Oregon and Washington.

I was surprised to discover that even Florida has some Christmas tree farms!  If you live in the Everglades State, be sure to check out our list Christmas tree farms in Florida.

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the Northeast. We have lists of Christmas tree farms in New York, U-cut spots in New Jersey, and choose and cut locations in Connecticut as well!

Still don’t see your neck of the woods on our lists? Help out fellow locals and create a list of your favorite choose and cut spots!

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

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

Its where land ends and the massive Pacific Ocean begins.  A place where the city becomes less urban and more wild.  The views are sweeping and the trails are perfect for a family friendly adventure . Its San Francisco‘s Lands End, a portion of a larger treasure known as the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Land’s End is full of hiking adventures, opportunities to see the remains of ships that
met their fate on the rocks near the bay, and even cannons that were once built to
defend the city which are still facing the ocean as though awaiting a call to action.  Amongst all that
nature and history, there is even a world-class art museum, the Palace of the Legion of Honor, which is
home to works of art by some of the greats including Picasso and Rembrandt.

There are many ways to enter the recreation area, but the main trail head starts on El Camino
Del Mar at the base of the park.  The beginning of the trail is also the first viewing area.  The
vista point unfolds into a view of the entire bay with the Golden Gate Bridge slightly east, Marin
Headlands
to the north, and the vast Pacific Ocean to the west as far as the eye can see.  On
clear days (there aren’t that many of them in foggy San Francisco) there are numerous
sail boats all over the bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge, adding to the picturesque
view.  Sometimes large freighter ships pass through the bay on their way to Oakland and San
Francisco, and on rare occasion a military ship can be spotted.

The main trail starts right from the initial vista point.  The trail is rather easy, so even small
children wouldn’t find it too challenging.  Most of the trail is surrounded
by bushes and small trees for hiker safety.  Sometimes there are intervals without much
surrounding vegetation and views of the ocean open up all over again to remind the hikers
that they really are walking along a huge cliff with jagged rocks right underneath.  Parents are
advised to keep a close eye on their children because as enchanting and magical as the hike
can be, it can also be dangerous.

The main trail isn’t very long, but there are plenty of fun things for kids to do.  Since the beaches of
San Francisco are largely covered with jagged rocky cliffs, over time there have been a number
of ships that have crashed into the rocks and run aground.  Some of the remains of the ships are over 50 years old
and still present today.

People interested in joining such a hike can do so by visiting this Group Hike Through Land’s End.

Another great destination is Fort Miley which was built to protect San
Francisco from potentially invading ships. Old 19th century style cannons can still be found
facing the ocean at various spots that are now overgrown with thick vegetation.  Kids to get a great kick out of seeing or
climbing on an old cannon if they find one.

After a few hours of hiking on trails with arguably some of the best views in all of California, make time to visit the Palace of the Legion of Honor, a
museum which is right inside the park. Not only does it have a place to buy snacks and take
a little break, but it is also home to some of the greatest artists in history like Picasso, Monet,
Rembrandt.

Parents who manage to get their kids interested in the museum tend to be most satisfied with
the day because after all, it is a rare parent-dream-come-true when the kids are active and
learning at the same time.

As mentioned earlier, the museum houses works from some of history’s greatest artists and
sculptors. While Picasso’s works are understandably not the most comprehensible to children,
the museum has a section with ancient art that might be more fun for kids.

Whatever part of the park you have time to explore, the day is sure to be fun, educational, awesomely exhausting, and
unforgettable.

Alex Genadinik is a big fan of the California outdoors and is currently working on a site to
unite residents of the Bay Area into a great San
Francisco and Bay Area Hiking Community
.

about trekaroo
trekaroo is the fun way to get the inside scoop on traveling with kids. We provide reviews of kid-friendly hotels, activities, and travel tips for family fun.
 
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Reviews of kid-friendly hotels, activities, and travel tips for family fun.
yes! you can travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
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