California
California is one of your favorite travel destinations and a place that has my heart, and that of the kids. All our trips here have been a real full immersion into California culture and lifestyle thanks to the wonderful system that is home swapping. Thanks to this system, we were able to stay very long each time we went and had the change to get the insider tips of the wonderful people who gave us their home (while staying at ours!). Below, you will find our travel guides to California based on our own travels and experiences.
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How to spend one day in La Jolla, California, with kids
All you can do in one day in La Jolla with kids: practical tips for families visiting this stunning and family-friendly California beach town. When I looked into things to do in SoCal with kids, a visit to La Jolla, San Diego, perched itself very high on my list. A wealthy part of San Diego, La Jolla seemed to have a lot to offer for a family day out: wonderful coastline, seal spotting opportunities and Dr. Seuss connections all conjured to make me want to go and so one day in summer, we did. This is how we spent our day in La Jolla with the kids and why I…
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One day in San Diego with kids: how to spend a perfect day in the city
Detailed family itinerary to spend one day in San Diego with kids. When we told our American friends we were looking at Southern California for a summer home swap, they all had one reaction: ‘Go to San Diego! San Diego is the best for kids!’ I hadn’t really considered San Diego as a destination. However, as soon as I started researching the area, it became obvious the city is indeed very family friendly and full of children attractions. In the end, we found a home swap in the charming seaside town of Carlsbad, just North of San Diego, and spent three wonderful weeks in the area. One of the places…
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Fun things to do in Southern California with kids (that are not theme parks) on your first visit
Southern California has been our family vacation destination for the last 4 years. Friends laugh at us: what there is to do in Southern California with kids that is so special you fly 10 hours each time to get there? The question is fair but the answer surprises many who associate Southern California with beach, sun, Disney and nothing else. To us, Southern California is made of sea and sun (and juices, and amazing food, and a relaxed lifestyle) but it is also made of wonderful landscapes, learning opportunities and great outdoor adventures. This is our selection of our favorite things to do in Southern California on a summer vacation…
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Joshua Tree lodging: where to stay near Joshua Tree National Park
Looking for the best lodging option near Joshua tree? This is our list of handpicked Joshua Tree hotels, suits and rentals. If you have started researching where to stay near Joshua Tree National Park, you may have already noticed that there are no hotels inside the park itself. The only Joshua Tree lodging option inside the park is campsites, but this doesn’t mean you don’t have a good choice of good Joshua Tree hotels nearby should camping not be your thing. We studied accommodation in the area carefully before going to the park and I believe we have identified a good selection of the best places to stay near Joshua…
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Visiting Joshua Tree with kids: essential tips for families
All you need to know to plan a visit to Joshua Tree with kids: child-friendly hikes, what to carry and best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park as a family. Visiting Joshua Tree with our kids is what sealed our love for US National Parks. US National Parks are one of our favorite destinations for active family vacation. Living outside of the US, we cannot get our National Park fix as often as we would like but, when we do, we savor every minute of our time there. The one that got us hooked to this National Park travel obsession was Joshua Tree NP in California, which was memorable…
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Should you visit Venice beach with kids? What to expect when visiting Venice CA as a family
Many say you shouldn’t visit Venice beach with kids. In this post, we talk about our experience in Venice California as a family and we share what to expect, what we loved and what leaves many perplexed about this alternative and stunning corner of LA. Venice beach is more than a little bit controversial when it comes to family friendliness. Put ‘Venice beach with kids’ in the google search bar and you will soon see what I mean. ‘Do not bring your kids’ recites in capital letters the first result. ‘Must-go place to show your kids life outside of the suburbs’ claims another article. As a European with no previous…
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Fun things to do in Santa Monica with kids on your first visit
Our guide to visit Santa Monica with kids: what to see, how to get around, where to stay. Find out our selection of the fun things to do in Santa Monica with kids grown up will love too! When asked where we spent our summer vacation last year, I usually answer ‘Los Angeles‘ but this is not quite true. Our accommodation was indeed in LA but we spent the vast majority of our days in the seaside city of Santa Monica. Surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles proper and to the West by the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica is a lovely city…
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The interesting history of Mission San Francisco Solano, Sonoma, CA
Fun and interesting facts about Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma, California and tips for visiting. Last updates: Nov. 2020 One of my favourite stops during our day in Sonoma was our visit to Mission San Francisco Solano. We stumbled upon this mission by chance. While planning the day, I had focussed all my attention on wineries and kids attractions and I had uncharacteristically missed the fact that this town has some interesting historical sites that happen to be easy to visit even by the distracted tourist. Mission San Francisco Solano is one of them. It is located on Sonoma main square and its official address is 363 3rd Street West,…
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The best places to stay in and near Yosemite National Park
A handpicked selection of the best places to stay in Yosemite National Park, California. Yosemite lodging options for all types of travelers.
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Yosemite with kids: essential guide to plan your perfect family vacation in Yosemite National Park
All you need to know to plan the perfect family trip to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite must see sites, activities and all the practical tips you need to plan the perfect stay in Yosemite with kids. Majestic, imposing, jaw-dropping beautiful. Words struggle to capture the feeling Yosemite evokes when you see it for the first time. One of the most popular and better known of all the National Parks in the United States and one of the most beautiful places in California, Yosemite National Park is in Northern California and welcomes the visitors to pristine Alpine scenery, fast water streams and green valleys. I first visited Yosemite when I was a…
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Day trip to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs: itinerary + tips
All you need to know to plan a day trip to Joshua Tree from Palm Springs: Joshua Tree highlights and practical tips for visiting Joshua Tree National Park California. Perfect one day Joshua Tree itinerary.
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Visiting the tallest living things in Muir Woods, California
Visiting Muir Woods National Monument was one of the most magical and powerful experiences we had in California. This post recounts the emotions evoked by this meaningful place and practical considerations about visiting Muir Woods with kids We first heard about Muir Woods from friends. They had visited the area before us and had put forward a pretty compelling case for a visit: they defined Muir Woods as a place we ‘had to see’ and so I added the Woods to my California must-see list straight away. We were not disappointed. Home of the tallest living things on the planet, Muir Woods is a wondrous place and one of the best places…
