J.H.
Monterey--The Monterey Bay Aquarium is fantastic. There are affordable places to stay just a short drive away. We love to go to Andril Fireplace Cottages.
I desperately need a break from the daily routine of life so pls suggest a place where we can drive & stay weekends nights, has to be kid friendly for my 5 yr olds . we r in fremont CA
Monterey--The Monterey Bay Aquarium is fantastic. There are affordable places to stay just a short drive away. We love to go to Andril Fireplace Cottages.
A couple of years ago, I bought a book "Southern California Cabins and Cottages" by Ann Marie Brown. There was also a Northern Californa version. It has some wonderful ideas.
Good luck to you and yours.
If your kid is into trains, I would suggest Sacramento. Or more specifically Old Sacramento. There's a Embassy Suites right there, and The California State Railroad Museum. Our girls love it (they even have a Thomas the Train setup for kids to play with... unless it's Free Museum Day, I don't recommend going on Free Museum Day LOL)
There are lots of little shops and restaurants right there in Old Sac, or just through the tunnel (which goes under the freeway) you can get into downtown Sacramento proper, including a mall, etc...
Murphys/Arnold area. You can go gold panning in nearby Columbia. Really fun!
KOA campgrounds are pretty cool for families. You can either camp or rent a cabin (beds only, but with a heater). Nothing like campfires and nature to break your routine. The nice thing about KOA's is that they also have things like swimming pools, arcades, stores, full kitchens, hayrides, movie nights. Amenities and entertainment (and cost) vary a lot between different campgrounds. Our favorite is at Manchester Beach (just south of Mendocino).
Good luck!
Hi there,
We also love Big Basin and Monterey! Another place we love is Tomales Bay/Pt Reyes. It's a breathtaking place to relax, hike, see wildlife,eat great seafood etc. There aren't a lot of campgrounds but lots of Inns and house rentals (www.vrbo.com) Email me if you want more info! :)
we went camping in big basin this summer, we did tent but i think you can rent little cabins. kids loved it, roasting marshmallows, telling "ghost" stories etc. they're still talking about it.
Sometimes we stay at the Marriott in WalnutCreek. They have a nice fitness center and give guests childcare at the gym for a few hours. Fun to go swim and a little time to yourself.
Monterey :-) Great weather, awesome aquarium and nearby Dennis the Menace park is great for 5YO's. And for budget accommodations if you don't mind things a bit DIY - the Monterey Hostel http://www.montereyhostel.org/ is walking distance from the Aquarium and has a few "family" rooms besides the dorm rooms, plus a nice common area and kitchen