Weekend Trip from Bay Area

The Charles Schultz Snoopy Ice Rink and Museum in Santa Rosa is a fun place for kids, both 4 and 8. There are also some cool hikes and tide pools out at the coast in Bodega (30-35 minutes from Santa Rosa). I grew up in Western Sonoma county and it is absolutely beautiful up there this time of year. I think there is some kind of mini amusement park in Guernville (25 minutes from Santa Rosa on the way to Bodega Bay) and Armstrong Redwood is there too (fun walk along the forest floor perhaps). Feel free to contact me directly if you're interested in the area and have questions :-)

My family REALLY enjoys staying in a cabin at the KOA in Manchester Beach (about 1/2 hour south of Mendocino). There are many wonderful day trips from there (lighthouses, tidepools, and of course, Mendocino), the campground has wonderful activities for kids, and you get a taste of camping with civilities like clean showers and bathrooms. Lots of fun for all ages.

Good luck!

If you haven't been to Safari West in Santa Rosa you should check it out. It is an African Wildlife Preserve. You can stay in beautiful tent cabins and tour the reserve. They have a big BBQ dinner and marshmallow roast in the evening. There is no pool but I doubt you would notice with the other attractions.

San Luis Obispo has a really fun hotel called Madonna Inn. I don't think there is an indoor pool but the rooms have other cool features they would like. From there you can tour Hearst Castle.

K.
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My kids have lots of memories from spending time in Sacramento--the Capitol, Old Town (with the train museum, carriage rides, and an old-fashioned candy store where you pick your own out of big barrels), an Indian fort, the Zoo (with Fairytale Town across the way), and lots of parks. Just beware the heinous driving experience that is Sac, and give yourself plenty of time to get wherever you are going.

Hi there! Fort Bragg is far away- especially because there's always traffic around Santa Rosa. However, it's also really fun!

Our special place to go up there is the C.V. Starr Community Center with a Water Park!! So much fun!! A gorgeous water slide, fountains, lazy river to float. Water's warm and the center is brand new!!

Have a great time whatever you decide!

What about Sacramento? There's the state capitol building, Sutter's Fort, Old Sacramento (our kids love the candy and toy stores and looking out at the river), the state Train Museum, California Museum, an air museum and the Sacramento Zoo, among other attractions. I'm not sure about indoor pools, but no doubt there's a hotel in the area that has one.

I think I suggested this to someone else months ago on this site - we love to go to the Gold Country, which about 2 hours from you area: Murphys, Columbia, Arnold, etc. There's places (Columbia, Sutter Creek) to pan for gold. There's a big Redwood forest to explore (Big Trees in Arnold). There's many caves and caverns that you can tour in that area. After we took our first trip a few years ago, my then 8 year old was hooked! He loves gold and rocks, and it's been one of his favorite vacations ever.
We usually stay in downtown Murphys (small and cute) and go "exploring" from there.
Have fun!

Dolphin Bay in Pismo Beach. It's a nice resort.

What about Disneyland? Your kids are the perfect ages to go. I also believe the park will soon be decorated for Christmas.