Set on 504 acres of the bluffs of the exclusive Newport Coast, Pelican Hill is a Renaissance-style resort with architecture reminiscent of Andrea Palladio’s celebrated churches, villas, and palaces in Northern Italy.  Everything about this resort is grand and luxurious, from the massive arch your car passes under as it heads up the hill to the resort to the circular infinity-edged Coliseum Pool (one of the world’s largest) with its 1.1 million hand-cut glass mosaic tiles which mirror the brilliantly blue coastal skies. The stunning views from the lobby, with the Tom Fazio designed golf course in the foreground and the brilliant Pacific looming behind, are breathtaking and best enjoyed with a cup full of house made gelato from the Caffé.

Can a resort this opulent and luxurious also be family friendly? Absolutely! This resort is designed to appeal to those who are used to the finer things in life; people who are used to the best want the best for their children as well!

Spacious Bungalows and Villas

One thing that families always appreciate in a hotel room is space! Those staying at Pelican Hill will be happy to hear that the smallest room is a spacious 847 feet. Each bungalow features a private terrace with ocean views, a fireplace framed with Italian limestone, and décor that is the finest in understated luxury.

Large families, multi-generational travelers, and those looking for extra space will fall in love with the villas. Massive two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas ranging from 2,193 to 3,581 square feet feature the best of everything including huge patios with expansive ocean views, private garages, plenty of privacy (the villas are in a guard gated area to protect the rich and famous, or just regular folks like me), full kitchens, large living areas, plenty of room for the kids to run around (or ride their scooters as my kids did!), and personalized service from your butler.  That’s right- your own butler! Run out of diapers at 10 at night? No worries, your butler can get them for you! Want someone to come in and cook a personalized meal for your family? Your butler can arrange that! As a matter of fact, your butler is happy to make any of your requests a reality, as long as they aren’t illegal or immoral. Just imagine the possibilities…

Complimentary Extras

Staying at Pelican Hill is not cheap, rooms start around $400 per night, but the bungalows truly are a great value.  Unlike many luxury resorts, you aren’t nickel and dimed with resort fees and hidden charges. Internet is complimentary, self-parking is free, use of the house cars (a bunch of Escalades and one sweet Bentley is included), and even usage of the spa facilities is complimentary! While my kids were enrolled for a morning session at Camp Pelican- the resort’s kids club which has its own kiddie pool, sandbox, and covered yet heated outdoor patio for enjoying crafts in the fresh air- I was happily relaxing in the sauna, whirlpool, and quiet room (a luxury in itself to any mom) while sipping on refreshing spa water.

Another complimentary extra that every family staying at Pelican will definitely want to enjoy is the Beach Experience at my favorite beach in Orange County, Crystal Cove. It includes

• Complimentary round-trip coach service
• Set-up of complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas on the sand
• Food and beverage service on the sand from The Beachcomber Café
• A Complimentary Adult Beach Bag for two with two towels, two bottles of water, sunscreen, Smashball paddles and ball
• A Complimentary Children’s Beach Bag with two towels, two waters and assorted sand toys

You haven’t really experienced pampering until you have experienced a beach day like that!

Whether you watch the sun set from your patio, the Coliseum Pool, the 18^th green, or Crystal Cove, you will be doing so surrounded by beauty, style, and of course, the finer things.

Want ideas for fun in and around Newport Coast? Check out our reviews of family friendly activities in Orange County and beyond.

Sharlene Earnshaw is the blog editor for Trekaroo.

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A visit to Nevada can feel like stepping into a Western movie. When traveling in Nevada, it’s normal to drive 50-100 miles between towns outside of the major metro areas of Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City. Nevada’s nickname is The Silver State, dating from the Nevada silver rush days of the mid 1800′s when a fortune’s worth of silver could literally be shoveled off the ground! Makes you want to visit Nevada, right? Before you dash out the door with your diaper bag and shovel, plan ahead and read Trekaroo’s top ten things for families to do in Nevada.

10. Visit Lake Mead before it goes dry

Photo Courtesy Flickr User Ethan Miller

Lakes Mead and Mohave are the central focus of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, one of Nevada’s most popular water sport playgrounds. The lakes offer year-round water recreation plus scenic drives, shaded picnic grounds, and National Park Service Ranger led programs throughout the year. Children can earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing activities in the Lake Mead Junior Ranger Guide book which is available for free at the Visitor Center. Tragically, Lake Mead, the source of almost all of the water in Sin City, is in the beginning stages of a crisis that if left unchecked would spell the end for Las Vegas. There is a 50% chance Lake Mead will go dry by 2021. Basically what we’re saying is, quit beatin’ the devil around the stump and go!

Read family reviews of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

9. Hike Red Rock Canyon

Photo Courtesy Flickr User Alan Vernon

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is less than a twenty minute drive from Las Vegas. Wild burros roam the shoulders of the park’s 13-mile scenic loop drive. Families will have themselves a hog-killin’ time at a popular area known as The Children’s Discovery Trail, a half mile “move at your own pace, learn about the desert, and enjoy the scenery” kind of hike. If you have never taken your child on a hike, this is the one to start with. There are no steep climbs and plenty of signs to make this an easy and unforgettable experience. You had me at “wild burros.”

8. Stand atop Hoover Dam

Photo Courtesy Flickr user Tsmyther

When you drink from the tap at Disneyland, Anaheim, that water is coming from the Colorado River and Lake Mead, 300 miles away. Without Hoover Dam, there would be no Vegas and until the Hoover Dam was built, much of the southwestern United States was plagued by two natural problems: parched terrain that lacked irrigation and boring bachelor parties. The Hoover Dam is on my bucket list, not because it was named one of the Top 10 Construction Achievements of the 20th Century (when it comes to engineering, folks I am at sea), but to visit the state line!  Look at me, I’m in Arizona, now I’m in Nevada, now I’m a Republican, now I’m a Democrat!

Read family reviews of the Hoover Dam.

7. Visit the State’s Capital, Carson City

Nevada’s capital city plays host to a number of year round events designed to give families a plethora of sightseeing options. My family loved the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada- the museum did a bang-up job! This hands on museum features a floor piano children can play with their feet, just like in the movie BIG. No trip to Carson City is complete without a visit to the Nevada State Railroad Museum where children can experience train and handcar rides. If you’re headed north, Washoe Lake State Park is only 10 miles away.

Read family reviews of things to do in Carson City

6. Discover Reno

Photo Courtesy nvdm.org

Reno’s newest museum, Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, is a hands-on exhibit experience that caters to young minds. Just northwest of downtown Reno, cheetahs run free at Animal Ark, a 38-acre wildlife sanctuary open to the public. Catch a baseball game at the Reno Aces Ballpark or visit Sierra Safari, the largest zoo in Nevada. Later, when the young whippersnappers are hungry ‘nough to eat a saddle blanket, swing by Squeeze In, where kids can write on the walls, order Teddy Bear pancakes, receive toy baskets, or sip hot cocoa piled high with whipped cream and sprinkles.

5. Valley of Fire State Park

Photo Courtesy Flickr User Rickz

Barely an hour outside Las Vegas, Valley of Fire is Nevada‘s oldest and largest state park. The valley derives its name from the intense heat which incinerates hikers. Okay, I’m kidding. The valley derives its name from the red sandstone formations of the Mojave Desert. Petroglyphs carved into the rocks are both accessible to little legs and easy to spot. If weather permits, try the short hiking circuit at the White Domes Loop Trail which passes through slot canyons with colorful sandstone walls. Unless your children are lizards I wouldn’t recommend desert hiking in the summer when temperatures are usually over 100 degrees. You’ll be wise to remember these two tips: Never kick a cow patty on a hot day and always take water with you!

 4. Explore Great Basin National Park

Photo Courtesy NPS

 Great Basin National Park is home to some of the world’s oldest trees, bristlecone pines. The road leading to the park hosts an impromptu exhibition of quirky art sculptures placed there over the years by witty locals. Once in the park, a 12 mile road, winds up to the gentle Island Forest Trail and Wheeler Peak, the second highest mountain in Nevada which is home to the famous Lehman Caves  featuring 1.5 miles of underground passages. Family adventure daypacks filled with goodies to create excitement while exploring the park are available for check-out free of charge at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center. Only out on the range can you find yourself.

3. Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Nevada’s State fossil is the Ichthyosaur aka: “fish-lizard.” The Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, 150 miles from Reno, is divided into three main sections. Visitors can complete a self-guided tour through the ghost town of Berlin, schedule a park ranger led tour of the fossil quarry and recently reopened Diana Mine, or camp at the campground. The newly opened Diana Mine is filled with artifacts to make it appear as if the miners were still working there today. Imagine crawling through dusty and cramped tunnels in near total darkness for 12 hours a day. Yikes! Umm wait, does crawling under dark and dusty couches to retrieve action figures count? Whoa Nellie!

2. Break Rocks at Garnet Hill

Photo Coutrtesy of Flickr user Vegas Swallows

Garnet Hill, about 4 miles Northwest of Central Ely, is an area famous for its dark red garnets found in volcanic rock. Serious individuals should be prepared to break a sweat. You need a hardened chisel, eye protection and a sledge hammer to get them out. Typically you will end up dulling three or four chisels throughout the day. Children can visually search the ground for small garnet stones which are spread here and there throughout the area, their dark color contrasts with the soil making them easy to see. To add some excitement to the trip, when no one is watching, scatter pre-purchased faux gems out on the ground for the kids to find (just make sure to take them all home with you)! Pack your plunder dear, we’re headin’ for Garnet Hill!

1. Vegas Baby Vegas

Photo Courtesy Flickr User 5 flip-flops

The wildest part of Las Vegas isn’t necessarily the nightlife. Families can visit The Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage which is home to some of the world’s rarest and most exotic animals, Journey to the Center of the Earth with SpongeBob Squarepants at Excalibur and pet sting rays at Mandalay Bay Resort’s Shark Reef Aquarium. Itching to gamble? Try your luck at The Lion Habitat at MGM Grand Hotel! Lions sleep 20 hours a day. If you go, and they’re awake “JACKPOT”; admission is free! Children and Adults alike will love the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Want to get away from The Strip? Kids at Springs Preserve will enjoy interactive exhibits and outdoor activities. Anyway you shuffle the deck, Vegas is Ace High!

Read reviews of family friendly activities in Las Vegas.

Want more 50 states fun? See more posts in our series:

Top Ten Things for Families to do in California

Top Ten Things for Families to do in Alaska

Top Ten Things for Families to do in South Dakota

Tina Buell is Trekaroo’s Northern California Destination Specialist, single mom, and mother to a constant ray of SONshine

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Park City, Utah, once a silver mining boom town deep in the Wasatch Mountain Range, has been transformed over the past few decades into one of the most family friendly vacation destinations in the USA.  Just like it lured hopeful miners in search of silver fortune and drew the 2002 Winter Olympians going for gold, Park City continues to attract numerous visitors in search of something special.  Here are just a few of my family’s favorite things about Park City.

 Historical, Cultural and Environmental Attractions

Civic pride has ensured that visitors come away from Park City with a greater appreciation of its history and future place on the world stage.  If you are driving into town, stop by the Kimball Junction Visitors Center  to pick up a training schedule for the nearby Utah Olympic Park.  We had a thrill riding in a bobsled along the same track that was used in the 2002 Olympic Games and our professional driver made sure we were racing along at top speed.  After our victory dance, we explored the Park’s two museums, the Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum.  We even got to touch a real Olympic torch!

If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, explore the great outdoors at your own pace at the Swaner Preserve and Eco-Center.  There we learned about this region’s natural habitat and saw some of the plants and animals that make their homes in the mountains surrounding Park City.  While in downtown Park City, stop by the Park City Museum  to learn about the transformation from a silver mining town to a world-class ski destination.  Be sure to visit all three floors of the museum including  the basement which houses The Dungeon, the original jail which is always popular.  Artistic kids may prefer the creative exhibits at the Kimball Art Center.  The docents are always eager to chat about the artists and their works which helps engage our kindergartner. Her eyes light up when she discovers artwork she likes.  That’s a treasure worth sharing anytime!

Ski and Snowboard Resorts

Only 45 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, Park City is home to three of the top-rated ski resorts in the world:  Canyons Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort.  Families flock to these mountains not only for the incredible range of terrain to suit any level skier, but also for Utah’s famous powder dubbed the greatest snow on earth!  Park City Mountain Resort is where my kindergartner learned to ski so it will always hold a special place in my heart.  Ski Magazine named Park City Mountain Resort as the #1 Family Vacation for 2012.  If you or your kiddos need a few lessons, do yourself and them a favor…go with the pros!  The ski, snowboard and adaptive school instructors are absolutely incredible.  I went from a beginner to a confident green trails skier in just three days.  Now, I cannot wait to return!  If your family is made up of mixed level skiers, there are some amazing group meetups on the mountain; the black diamond skiers can venture off on the resort’s famous groomed trails while the beginners can safely ski at their own pace on the turtle trails.  This was such a relief and no one got hurt trying to ski a trail they were not ready to explore.  If you’re looking to refill hungry tummies, the Cobra Dogs are legendary and the bison chili at the Legacy Lodge is my personal fave.  Some of the resorts, such as the Marriot’s MountainSide, have outdoor hot tubs which are a huge hit after spending a few hours on the slopes.

Hand-crafted Snow Bugs, made in Utah by Frank Conlon, make great souvenirs and hang in our house to remind us of our time spent on the slopes.  They are  a great conversation starter when guests visit.  The Snow Bugs are available for purchase at all three Park City resorts as well as at the SLC airport.

We’ve found that a vacation to Park City is like a silver lined memory all dusted with snow.  Once you visit this magical land, you’ll find yourself dreaming of a return trip just like we are.  Hope to see you there!

Stay tuned for more in depth ski resort anaylsis on Trekroo:  January 2012.

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This year, I made it a point to finally ditch my beaten, battered, cat scratched, and barely functioning luggage in search of something durable and family friendly. But was there really such thing as family friendly luggage? I was determined to find out.

After scanning the internet, desperate to find something that would make my life easier during our 20+ trips per year, I came across Eagle Creek’s Pack-it System.  Their website  assured me that their system of  folders, cubes, sacks, and organizers would make my life easier. I was definitely intrigued by the concept so I decided to contact Eagle Creek and put the system to the test.

The Pack-it System became my travel hero.

Before I start waxing poetic about the many reasons to love my cubes, I first should start with the shell I use to carry them all, the Eagle Creek Tarmac 25.  This 17 x 25 x 12.5 inch bag (standard check-in suitcase size) only weighs 9 1/2 lbs! In a world where families are constantly struggling to stay under the 50lb weight limit, a lightweight suitcase is like a golden ticket which ensures your passage through the check-in lines without extra fees. I have stuffed that suitcase until it couldn’t possibly be stuffed any more and still come well below the 50lb limit. Take that nickel and diming airlines!

My Tarmac is the vessel for the Pack-it System that I love.  The system uses self contained little pouches to organize clothing, and make the best use possible of the space in your suitcase. The centerpiece of the system are the cubes, which come in a variety of sizes and shapes.  I can use one standard sized cube for each of my kids, and pack their shirts, pants, and shorts in one spot.  I roll their clothes in the cubes, keeping things as wrinkle-free as possible, resulting in a 14×10″ pouch that I can easily take out of a suitcase and put into a drawer as we hop from destination to destination. Unpacking takes 2 minutes and I can put the suitcase in the closet and not have to think about it until we are ready to move on.

Socks and underwear end up in a smaller cube while extra shoes hang out in their own little compartment. I use a half cube to throw in sweatshirts or anything I want easy access to from the front zipper of the suitcase. A folding toiletry bag holds, well, the toiletries! You get the picture. There is a cube built to serve pretty much ever purpose you can think of.  I even have a folder that is perfect for my dresses, pants, other things I want to keep flat.  I am telling you, they have thought of everything.

Besides allowing me to stay organized, the Pack-it System also helps me pack a heck of a lot into one suitcase.  I have used this suitcase and system now for three seasons. My kids and I shared a suitcase on a 5 day trip to Mammoth in the winter, along with a duffel to carry our ski jackets and snow boots. Anyone who has packed for the snow can understand just how impressive that is!  I also managed to pack my kids into that same suitcase for a 3 week trip to the Pacific Northwest, where I was forced to pack for every possible condition due to the region’s finicky weather. As we toured the Olympic Penninsula and stayed in different lodging each night, I simply slipped out my cubes and found what I needed without a moment of hassle.

So it is true. There is such as thing as family-friendly luggage after all. Eagle Creek has managed to make traveling easier for my family and any company that helps me spend less time stressing and more time enjoying deserves all the praise in the world.

*All photos courtesy Eagle Creek Luggage.

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary suitcase, duffel, and pieces of the Pack-It System in order to review the products. Eagle Creek did not ask that  I state any particular opinion and certainly did not ask me to gush about the fabulousness of their luggage. I just couldn’t help myself!

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

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The Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Arizona offers families amazing fun, breathtaking beauty and four diamond luxury.  It sometimes feels difficult to put those fancy descriptive words next to “families” and “kids”, but the resort pulls it off wonderfully.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my kids can be loud.  Sometimes they whine and yes, they can even cry when they don’t get their way.  That being said, we’ve never let that stand in the way of travel, art and culture.  My husband and I have been heading out to art museums and hotels with our kids in tow since they were born.  However, there have been a few times when the reality of three little ones (all girls age 1-6) has come blaringly clear to other travelers and we have received those corner of the eye looks that seem to whisper that our children are to “be seen and not heard”.   I get this little wriggle in my stomach when this happens and start to doubt if my children should be allowed to view amazing art at age 5, or be in the company of high-paying guests eating extraordinary food.  I also start to doubt my mom abilities to contain them or make them conform to a society who sometimes seems to view kids as an inconvenience.

While driving up the road into the Arizona Grand Resort, I felt my stomach wriggle a little again.  The grounds were breathtakingly beautiful that I almost forgot I was in the middle of the desert.  The mixture of water features, lush greenery, large mature trees, beautiful flowers and architecture signaled luxury, and I began to worry.  The stomach wriggling came as my mind inserted my three beautiful, albeit bouncy and excited, children into this luxurious picture and imagined fellow resortees giving me that look of disapproval.  On our drive out they were singing “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands”, and I was just hoping that no one would mind if they continued to be happy, and yes, even clap their hands.

I was so impressed with this resort.

While stunningly beautiful, full of amazing amenities, and exceptional service, the resort is far from stuffy or pretentious.   As I walked into the lobby, all of those wriggly stomach feelings began to melt away.  The lobby looks like an oversized version of your own living room (although slightly more picked up than mine).  Large, comfy couches are grouped together in seating patterns around fireplaces and coffee tables.  The golf course backs up into the walkthrough patio with a small lake and fountain providing a peaceful lullaby.  Families, even with small kids like mine, were gathered around these tables and chairs eating, talking and laughing, just as if they were at an amazing home away from home.  My fears dropped even more as I interacted with hotel staff who seemed so pleased to welcome so many families to their resort.  They went out of their way to welcome even the smallest guest and many of the staff stopped to talk to my kids and ask them if they were having a good time.

Our room was also amazing and just as family friendly.  It was luxurious with fantastic linens and amazing lighting, but it also was decorated in way that was so approachable and comfortable that you really felt you could put your feet up (or jump on the beds as my little ones did!).  All of the rooms at The Grand are suites with at least one closed off bedroom and a pull out couch in the living room.  The kids were so excited to have their own room and as much as we love to take our kids with us everywhere, it was nice to have a quiet place to lay our heads as well.  The mini-bar was available, but came with a key so you didn’t need to worry about your kids accidentally seeing (and then wanting, needing, pleading for that $5 bag of candy).   Room service even offers a great deal on a family pizza dinner (with drinks & breadsticks) for under $30!!

The Marketplace Café inside the lobby also had some great deals on some quick and easy breakfasts and lunches that made things easier with the kids.  Instead of spending our time waiting for breakfast at one of the many outstanding restaurants on the property, we grabbed some milk and boxed cereal and ate in our rooms to get a quick jump on the day.  This café and nearby gift shop also had lots of little things you might have forgotten to bring on your trip and this could save you a trip out of the property to the grocery store.

All of the restaurants on site (there are five!) have kid’s menus with options suitable for even the most pickiest of eaters (I can say this with certainty as I am well acquainted with this species of child).  I had the chance of eating at two of the restaurants on site: Aunt Chilada’s and Rustler’s Rooste- both of which I  recommend to families.

Read my full reviews of Aunt Chilada’s and Rustler’s Rooste on Trekaroo.

The grounds are also set up with kids in mind.  There are nooks and crannies with things like ping pong tables and small games to play throughout the resort.  The Grand has an amazing private waterpark with everything you could ever want or imagine for you and your kids.  There are three giant slides for kids 48” and up, a huge wave pool, an active (faster than lazy) river, splash zones for little ones and a full restaurant and bar on site for your convenience.  There were plenty of servers keeping guests satisfied wandering the premises, and the 13-17 trained and certified lifeguards on staff at any time were keeping a close watch on the kids so that the adults could relax a bit too.  The waterpark features some awesome activities during peak seasons including concerts, dancers, and “dive-in” movies. In addition to the waterpark, there are pools in the courtyards near each building that offer later hours of swimming as well as a few adult only pools.

If you do want a moment to relax without the little ones, you can feel certain that they are in good hands with either the Grand Adventures Kids Club or the in-room babysitting that is available.  The Kid’s Club is for your school aged kids (5-12) and features crafts, games, hikes, activities and snacks to keep them not only busy, but thoroughly entertained.  Reservations are required for both and there are fees associated, but the price might just be worth it for a moment or two of pampering at the spa, a romantic dinner, working out at the gym, or even your own chance to be that cuddly couple in love at the adult only pool!

I was so pleased with the resort’s friendliness to families.  By the end of our trip, instead of shushing our little ones, we were all singing “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!”  And we did!

Disclosure: The author received a complimentary stay at The Arizona Grand Resort in order to complete an unbiased review and this post. The resort did not ask that any particular opinion be expressed.

Katie Bodell (aka filmdncr) is mom to three girls living in Southern California and 2011 Trekaroo Superoo.

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