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...

A weekend in Burlington, Vermont

Take a long weekend in Burlington, Vermont to just unwind and relax. We recently made the trip. Refreshed, we are sure to do it again before the end of the summer.

The Gray Room at Shelburne Farms 

The Pottery Cottage at Shelburne Farms

The Vineyard Cottage at Shelburne Farms

Stay at the beautiful Inn at Shelburne Farms. Room rates start at $155/night, they also have private cottages with kitchenettes on the farm grounds which offer families a little more privacy, which start at $260/night. Clients of the Inn and/or restaurant supports the farm's sustainable farming, conservation and their educational programs. On the shores of Lake Champlain, the inn was originally the 19th-century country home of Dr. William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb. Restored in 1987, the inn today retains its historic character and continues the tradition of warmth, informal elegance and hospitality. 

Petting the Animals at the Children's Farmyard

While your there, visit the grounds of the beautiful farm with your own guided tour, or or take a wagon ride (offered every half an hour) form the visitor's centre to the Children's Farmyard where the kids will be able to get close to Brown Swiss Milk cows, Brown Swiss calves, goats and kids, sheep and lambs, pigs and piglets, several breeds of rabbits, polish Crested hens and bantams, laying hens and roosters, meat birds, turkeys, miniature Sicilian Donkeys and a Belgian draft horse. Kids can also milk a cow, collect eggs, pet and brush a rabbit, brush the horses and the donkey and all kinds of other farm activities. You can also go visit their cheesemaking facilities or if it's a nice day wander around the grounds on their walking trails.

On Saturday, make your way to City Hall Park in downtown Burlington for the weekly Farmer's market where local farmers sell some of the best local, organic produce and meat. Stock up on delicious food from farms such as the Boucher Family Farm  and Willow Hill Farm (who also offers blueberry picking if you go visit their farm site) only to name a few of the many, many vendors, and pack your picnic basket before you head down to North Beach for the rest of the day.

North Beach, Burlington Vermons

This beautiful clean, family friendly beach has a space for all and is great for little kids as it doesn't get too deep. Older children will still enjoy enough depth to swim and jump around in the water. There is a beautiful park area with lots of shady trees with picnic tables so you can have your family lunch feast and a bbq grill for each picnic table in the park. There is also a large gazebo with long tables for large groups which you can reserve for special events. There's also a great playground where E made lots of new friends. Camping is also possible on the park's grounds. After a full day outside, watch the sunset on the waterfront while having dinner at Splash, where there is a kids menu and something for the whole family.

Playground at North Beach

On Sunday, head out to Waterbury (about 30 minutes) to go visit the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory and take in a tour and some ice cream samples! Throughout the summer they also have a Free Outdoor Movie Festival where you can take in a flick for the whole family.

Sunday afternoon, head back to Church Street Market place and stroll around the pedestrian streets and take in some shopping and street performers of all kinds. Events of all kinds are planned throughout the summer and year-round. End your day by having dinner on one of Church Street's many restaurants, sit outside and enjoy the people watching and the scenery!