We found a great new tradition last year- taking out little family on a mini vay-cay, courtesy of Santa. Last year we rented a house in Tahoe, the girls wanted to go to the snow. This year I'm stuck as to how to follow it up and I need ideas from you all!
Carmel, Monterey, Santa Cruz. If it isn't raining, the weather tends to be beautiful with no fog/cloud cover in the mornings. The Aquarium is amazing and there are tons of other things to do as well.
well, 2 hours south of you is Monterey....
then there's San Luis Obipo or Solvang...
Napa is close...I know it's wine country but there's stuff to do for kids...
San Francisco...
Why not go to Tahoe again but a different house??? Don't try to make each year BETTER...make the best of what you have...do you see the difference?? Make memories...you can do that simply...you don't need to "impress" the kids...make it fun....you can do it.
Go to Tahoe again? That's what I would do. :)
The Los Angeles area has several theme parks and a zoo. I enjoyed the beach too. But if you're taking this trip over winter vacation it may be too late to get reservations. And the parks will be very crowded.
I would consider a Disney cruise but again it may be too late.
Hopefully someone will have suggestions for out of the way places.
Spend a night or two in San Francisco! It's such an easy drive from Santa Rosa, and it's so magical this time of year. The lights on Union Square are gorgeous, you can window shop, ice skate and eat great food. Most kids love riding the cable cars, walking through Chinatown and seeing the sea lions at Pier 39. Oh, and get tickets to see the ballet or some other holiday show, there are so many! If it's not raining too hard walk across the Golden Gate bridge in the morning. One year we stayed at the Hotel Nikko which has a penthouse indoor pool, my kids thought that was the coolest thing ever. I could go on and on...
Not sure how old the kids are. San Francisco (cable cars, China Town, museums, Lombard Street)? Monterrey - aquarium and scenic drive? Hearst Mansion (if kids are over 8)?
Historic Sacramento? Mission Trail towns? Giant Redwoods/Sequoias?
I'm lucky enough to live where others vacation. There's lots to do on the Monterey Peninsula but I think I'd wait until late Spring-Fall. So many outdoor stuff that you would not enjoy as much or miss entirely.
We love the city (SF) and go a few times a year, fun in any season. Yosemite is fun in the Winter. The Tenaya is gorgeous and has an ice rink, indoor pool and snow tubing area. Badger Pass is close with tubing and skiing at a quaint little family resort.
As others have mentioned, why not Tahoe again? We try to get up to go skiing there at least once a year, never gets old. Truckee is a nearby town on the north side by Donner lake. It's a fun and funky little town, get a cabin at Tahoe Donner and enjoy their facilities. Have fun!
wow, that's a terrific thing to do! i don't think i'd call it a tradition, though, since it was a one time dealio. but if you WANT it to be a tradition, follow it up by following it up! i know i'd take a huge cut in the present budget to do a trip instead!
come to think of it, maybe i'll suggest that to the husband for next year......
:) khairete
S.
Do a beach house this time. Monterey, Santa Cruz, Pismo, Capitola, San Luis Obispo. There are so many great things to do in all those towns.
Merry Christmas!
We spent time at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast last spring and loved it!! Beautiful resort with wonderful restaurants! You didn't mention how old your girls are but there are pools, golfing, beaches and hiking all nearby.
