Palm Springs Eternal

Sometimes, it's important to stop and smell the flowers and enjoy the nature around us. It's important for  the little ones too. It's important for them to take a break from the over-stimulation-non-stop-commercial-media world for EVERYONE to refuel. You'll appreciate it and yes, your kids will enjoy it too. It doesn't have to be Disney Princesses/Batman/Spongebob/Barbie all day, all the time. The Palm Springs/Desert area is the perfect place to do just that.

Only about 2 hours away from San Diego and Los Angeles, the Palm Springs area offers you an opportunity to relax and take a breather, all the while keeping the family entertained thanks to the beautiful desert environment.

I've already written about the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, but it truly is an amazing place to unwind.

The rooms are beautiful, the bed ultra comfy. Hip but still very family friendly. We got a room with a king bed and there was enough room for E to sleep in her trusty camping bed. The prices are generally very reasonable and if you visit this site you can usually find some amazing deals. We stayed for under 100$/night. The King's Highway restaurant in the hotel is also a great option. We had both breakfast and dinner there and both were great. Although there isn't a kids menu per say, they were also very accommodating in making special meals for kids. In the evening the restaurant also has Free theme nights. We all enjoyed Sissy Bingo with Linda Gerard, E thought it was great fun! I really can't say enough about this place, what I can say, is that you won't want to leave!

About an hour away from Palm Springs is Joshua Tree National Park. It's an amazing day to spend the day taking in the desert landscape. The parks service also has great recommendations for kids. We went on a few hikes and took in some great views. The Keys View will give you an opportunity to see a panoramic view of the Coachella Valley where you can see all the way to the Salton Sea.

Discovering the Salton Sea is also incredible and if you are interested in nature preservation, I would highly recommend doing it while you still can. Isreali born documentary film-maker Alma Har'el  made an amazing film about the Bombay Beach area. 

While you're near Niland, why not check out the zaniness of Salvation Mountain. Created by Leonard Knight, this incredible piece of outsider art is a 50 ft high and 150 ft wide tribute to his love for god.

Another place to see some amazing views is at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway where you will travel through 4 climate zones as you travel up the Chino Canyon of San Jacinto mountain. Sign up your little ones (ages 3 - 12) for the Tramsters Club for some discounts!

After seeing the great heights on the aerial tram head off to The Living Desert Zoo to take in animals from the North American and African continents. The kids will love grooming the dwarf African goat in the Petting Kraal of the African Village WaTuTu. There's a great Discovery Centre which offers some great interactive indoor activities if you need to get out of the sun for a little bit and a really awesome G scale model train which is sure to fascinate if not mesmerize the little ones! There's also a carrousel for all to ride. Note that summer hours are reduced as it gets too hot for the animals (and people), so if your visit is during the summer (June 1 - Sept 30) make sure that you plan your visit for the morning.

Lastly, the canyons were unfortunately closed when we were there, but next time we are in the area we will definitely be checking out the ranger-led hike of Palm Canyon.

California on my Mind (still)

Lots has happened since August and unfortunately, the blog was one of the things I just had to give up in order to make do. But I'm back! ...I think.


Really what happened is that I got pregnant last August and the three first months of my pregnancy hit me like a Mack truck and I just felt narcoleptic - all the time. Not the greatest time to have a family vacation planned... So here I am, with a blog on family travel and how great it is and I had, what I think my husband and I will forever remember as, the most difficult family vacation ever. There you go, even I have suck-y vacation sometimes. California, I love you, but last fall, you sucked. Or maybe rather, it was E that  just sucked all the fun out of it. Now don't get me wrong, there were lots of great times, and we did have some great times, but dragging your kicking and screaming child through Alcatraz and fantasizing about leaving her there, is not something I'd like to experience ever again thankyouverymuch.


That being said, it hasn't killed the desire for family travel in me. In fact, believe it or not, we're planning another trip to the golden state in September with E and now little G in tow. That's how much my husband loves the coastal landscape... or maybe we're just masochists asking for trouble. I'll let you know how it turns out this fall, but in the meantime, I thought I'd share one of the reasons which keeps pulling us back.


Nestled in the lush landscape of Marin County, about 45 minutes North of San Francisco lies the place where in my mind, i am most of the time... Tomales Bay and the Point Reyes Seashore is where, in my fantasy world, I would like to take off to and cash in Freedom 55 a little early... say Freedom 35. In the real world however, if you're on the west coast, it's a great place to spend a refreshing and relaxing family weekend.

Tomales Bay

Nick's Cove in Tomales Bay

The Red Legged Frog Cabin at Nick's Cove

E on the deck, eating apples from our breakfast
delivered to our room

Right on the waterfront, Nick's Cove has beautiful cottages and has the most friendly staff I've met in a long time. The cottages are all recently renovated and feel luxurious and homey at the same time. We stayed in the Red Legged Frog and suffice it to say, none of us wanted to leave. Breakfast was included in the room rate and delivered to our cabin every morning. When E woke up early, we had breakfast on the deck and let my husband sleep. The bed was a pure dream and there was plenty of space in the room for the 3 of us, with E sleeping in her camping bed. Nick's Cove also has beautiful cottages on stilts which are directly on the water which is why they are not recommended for small children, but truly amazing nonetheless. The restaurant at Nick's Cove also has some great food and a great children's menu for the small ones. I honestly can't say enough about this place and can't wait until our next visit.


If Nick's is all booked up, take a look at the Sea Mist Cottage which looks beautiful and is also right on the waterfront of Tomales Bay. It's always been booked when we've wanted to go, but hopefully we'll get the chance to check it out soon!

Sea Mist Cottage

Oyster farming is a major industry on the bay. The two largest producers are Tomales Bay Oyster Co and Hog Island Oyster Co, both of which retail oysters to the public and have picnic grounds on the east shore. For the best oyster lunch you have ever experienced, you will never get them as fresh as at The Marshall Store. A small shack on the side of the road, you can have your lunch right on the waterfront, overlooking the oyster farms where your lunch came from... that's how fresh it is!

Fresh oysters at the Marshall Store

Lunch at the Marshall Store

Hillsides east of Tomales Bay are grazed by cows belonging to local dairies. One of the best by far is the Cowgirl Creamery which has some of the best cheese you'll ever find. You can even book a tour of the farm, or simply buy some of their delicious products at the Tomales Bay Foods market in downtown Point Reyes Station.

Tomales Bay Foods

While in Point Reyes Station, there is a great little bookstore just around the corner from Tomales Bay Foods called Point Reyes Books. Celebrating their 10th year anniversary, they have a great selection of fiction and non-fiction and also have the cutest corner with children's books. They even have a small cubby with a gently used selection so you can share some of your out of print childhood favourites with your kids. Last time we were there we picked up some amazing photography books and cookbooks and a great non-fiction book about the benefits of eating locally. They also have many guest author and book signing events. E left the store with these two children's classics.


Stop for coffee and a delicious snack next door at the Bovine Bakery where you will find fresh hand-made organic coffee,  pastries and baked goods.

Chillin' outside the Bovine Bakery

The National Parks Service operates the Point Reyes National Seashore and wile we where there we were lucky enough to visit during the Tule Elk Season (form July - September) and the three of us took a lovely hike through the park and got to see the Elk roaming free and hear the sounds of their mating calls.

E and her dad walking through Point Reyes National Seashore

Tule Elk

The parks service also operates a great Visitors' Centre from where you can have your own Ranger-Guided tour of a Coast Miwok village during the Kule Lolko walk.

E in the Coast Miwok village

Entrance of a Coast Miwok sweatlodge

After a long day of hiking, enjoy a great Italian dinner at Osteria Stellina, where fresh delicious dishes are made from local organic products. We're still talking about the Bellwether Farms ricotta & toasted hazelnuts crostini... mmmm.


Point Reyes Weekend is a great source of information of what's happening in the area and if you're lucky enough to visit the area during Memorial Day weekend or Thanksgiving weekend, then do take in the local artists' Open Studios.


California, you will be on my mind for a long, long time...

desperately seeking... florence? maui? palm springs? san juan... any vacation will do.

I'm itchy, my palms are sweating, I can't focus - sorry what did you say? I didn't hear you... I think I'm close to seeing things. It's been 5 months, 2 weeks and 4 days since my last vacation. I'm getting pretty desperate. Worse more,and this is maybe more than I'd like to admit, but *cringe* I have nothing in the foreseeable future... it hurts just thinking about it.

Although my vacation hours are accumulating, the credit card bill is not decreasing, so it doesn't look very likely that I'll be going anywhere soon. However, that being said, it doesn't mean that I don't have vacation ideas ready to pull out of the bag.

Here are a couple (one can always dream, right?):

Sayulita

Only 26 miles from the Puerto Vallarta airport Sayulita is not what pops to mind when one thinks of vacationing in Mexico and especially not Puerto Vallarta. In a different state, on a different bay, and in a different world, Sayulita is home to about two thousand, most from three extended families, with a beach unspoiled by large scale development.


The complex is composed of huge majestic private villas, some which are right on the beach and has 4 private pools, which is great for kids. The villas accommodate 6 to 8 people, so maybe invite another family to come along and bring the  kids. The village is charmingly rustic with many family friendly places to eat and not blow the budget. A perfect off the beaten path Mexican family vacation.

Sayulita Villa

Amazing snorkeling is available in Islas Marietas, where decades ago, Jacques Cousteau filmed his diving specials and has wildlife here which is only also found on the Galapagos Islands. There is also the San Cristobal Estuary where you can take a boat upstream and see crocodiles and hundreds of beautiful white egrets... It's enough to make me want to go and not leave. And since it's easy to find low prices to Mexico, it offers a very tempting lure.

One of the pools on the Sayulita complex

Crocs at the San Cristobal Estuary

Or, if Mexico isn't your style, how about trying the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs?

Ace Hotel - Palm Springs

Swim Club, Ace Hotel - Palm Springs

Near the Joshua Tree National Park and the Salton Sea this boutique hotel has a great pool & swim club, great rooms at very reasonable prices (starting around $100/night) and an onsite spa, horse stables, golf, tennis and hiking.

Simple Suite - Ace Hotel, Palm Springs

Did I mention some rooms come equipped with turntables? My husband will love this, seeing as Palm Springs is less than a 2 hour drive to one of the best record stores in the world... And yes, by records, I mean vinyl.

Getting away from it all... in my dreams.

Getting away from it all and relaxing, is lately quite often at the forefront of initial vacation plans. However, lately, I find myself trying to think what E. will want to do, because to be completely honest, there's not much worse than a bored child. Especially E. So what I try to do is squeeze 2 or 3 days or isolation and 2 or 3 days of activity and the balance usually ends up somewhere in between. But for now, i can still dream...

Ravine cabins at Mount Tamalpais

The isolated cabins at Mount Tamalpais caught our eye as we were driving by them along Highway 101.  We almost died and never in our life did we think that we could actually rent them. BUT YOU CAN.

Renting is through the California State Park site and at $100.00 a night, it's not only an incredible deal, but possibly a reason in itself to go back to California. However, yes, I return to reality and do realize that E will not last longer than a couple of days here. The great thing about Mount Tamalpais is that it's just north of San Francisco. So if you start going stir-crazy after a few days, the city is less than an hour away. 

Also quite close is the area of Point Reyes and Tomales Bay where we were in May and if I had my way, I would have never left... With fantastic beach front cabins at Nick's Cove, which is also home to a great restaurant, a local creamery which makes delicious cheeses, oysters to die for, fantastic restaurants who are obsessed with finding the freshest most local produce, a great book shop where I wanted to buy everything in sight, and artist studios, cute shops, art galleries and great people, there is no reason to leave. So yes, I will most likely be going back in the near future.

E at Osteria Stellina in Point Reyes Station