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Do You Trekaroo To?

December 17th, 2009 by bsmith | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

A few months ago I discovered a great family travel website, Trekaroo.  Users can post profiles, review travel destinations, and pose  questions about traveling with kids forum.  There are also great articles by family travel bloggers like me :) .  With the Trekaroo Kids Mobile, moms all over the US are highlighting some of their favorite family travel destinations.  I am honored to join many of my blogging friends at the San Diego Stop of this fun travel tour.

 

Trekaroo families  have been voting for their favorite kid-friendly activities and hotels in and around San Diego.  We’ve tallied their votes for 2009 and here’s the line up!

Top Activities for Kids in San Diego, CA – voted by parents

Top Kid-friendly Hotels in San Diego, CA – voted by parents

Living in San Diego leaves local families little excuse to stay home.  These moms bring you their personal recommendations of the best places to take kids in their hometown.  Want the local scoop?  Here it is!

Bridget Smith, the author of The Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook not only shared with us her Top Tips for a Legoland Adventure with Toddler and Preschoolers, but now gives us some great ideas about Fun Things to  Do After Visiting Legoland, California. Bridget spent countless hours in Legoland one year and made more than full use of their family’s season pass to bring us the blow-by-blow of making the most of your visit to Legoland.  Follow their family’s other adventures on her blog:  Family Adventure Guidebooks

 

The Q Family  isn’t local but lives to travel.  If you have 5 days to spend in San Diego, here’s their list of the Must See Attractions with Kids in San Diego. This is a family who’s constantly on the go!  The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog chronicles their adventures with wonderful photos, fun stories and helpful tips.

Balboa Park is a wonderful urban park that families love.  But when hunger strikes, Carolina has a list of Kid-friendly Dining in Balboa Park.  She is the mom behind the blog Kids Go West.  As a public school teacher, mom and freelance travel writer, she shares her insider tips on all the totally awesome places to go with kids in her home state of California. Bookmark her blog if you’re heading to California.

 

Rockinmama loves to mix fun and learning.  She recommends these 5 Fun and Educational Kid Activities in San Diego.  On her blog Rockin Mama, she writes with great humor about pregnancy.  She also write prolifically about parent-friendly products.  If you’re looking for the inside scoop on new products for parents out there, this rockin mama’s got it.

Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino brings us San Diego: Favorite Family Hotels . Ciao Bambino is a one of Trekaroo’s favorite partners because we share a common passion – inspiring families to travel.  Ciao Bambino provides tips and advice around all things related to traveling with kids and is a guide to the best kid-friendly hotels.

 

Sarah Wyles runs Toddler’s Travels – a local baby equipment rental company for visiting families.  Naturally, she’s a guru on Fun Activities for Toddlers in San Diego.  Instead of lugging all those bulky items on the plane, rent it when you arrive from Toddler’s Travels.

Colleen of TravelMamas has the scoop on the 5 Best Family-friendly Restaurants in San Diego County.  Her blog, Travelmamas, gives tell-it-like-it-is tips about traveling with kids.  Relying on her own family’s experience as well as the advice from other traveling parents and experts, she gives loads of practical advice on traveling well with kids.

 

La Jolla is one of the most beautiful suburbs of San Diego and La Jolla Mom shares with us her list of Things to Do in La Jolla With Kids. Her blog La Jolla Mom has become a meeting place of sorts for local moms looking to connect.  Her Family Fun section is full of popular and off the beaten path places to go with kids.  Hop on over and see why La Jolla is a town you must stop at when visiting San Diego.

Other Resources for San Diego, CA

Which Hotels came up at the top?

Top Activities for Kids in San Diego, CA – voted by parents

Next stop, Denver, CO (that’s right, the launch of Colorado is coming soon)

KidsMobile_jumponThe Trekaroo KidsMobile is a blog carnival with a twist. It’s designed to provide a unique opportunity for mom and dad bloggers to be featured on Trekaroo while

1) expressing their unique point of view

2) getting a web of link exchanges.

Join us for one of our next stopovers.

 

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Making a List and Checking it Twice- Time to Treat Yourself to Passports With Purpose

December 14th, 2009 by bsmith | 1 Comment | Filed in Uncategorized

You’ve been good this year, right?  A great mom, a cheerful polite traveler, a hard working soul…since you lurk on my blog, I am sure that you are all of the above.  While Santa is busy making toys for all the good little boys and girls, perhaps it’s time to take a chance on a holiday suprise for yourself.  Dreaming of a getaway to Costa Rica or a night at the Four Seasons in Seattle with your hubby…a ten dollar donation might make that dream come true.

The school is on its way to being built, but the Passports With Purpose crew is still dreaming of a kitchen garden, cook, and gardener to give the kids at our new school some healthy lunches.  Malnutrition is a serious problem throughout Cambodia and our school can make a difference.

Here are some kid friendly prizes that have great odds as of today:

  • The Legoland Prize Pack including 4 park hopper tickets and two nights at the Sheraton Carlsbad. Family Adventure Guidebooks contributed this prize after the deadline, so with a ten dollar donation you have pretty good odds for winning this fabulous prize.  Don’t worry.  There are lots of fun things to do here in Carlsbad on that second day.  I’d be happy to fill you in.
  • $150 gift certificate to Restaurants.com.  Food is a major expense for any vacation.  Just think about how many days you could spluge on dessert with these great gift certificates.
  • $100 My Busy Kit Certificate  I am a big fan of these fun kits that keep kids busy while traveling.  Lorraine at Keeps Me Smiling comes up with some great travel toys.  Get some as gifts or give them to your friends.
  • $100 Gift Certificate to Tots on the Go- This would make that cool new umbrella stroller you dream of taking on your next vacation alot more affordable.
  • $75 Southwest gift card.  With three kids, air travel is very expensive.  Southwest fares are so low, this gift card would make a big difference.

See more prizes with great odds here.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Photo Friday: All Aboard for Sonoma Train Town

November 6th, 2009 by bsmith | 8 Comments | Filed in Smith Family Adventures, Uncategorized

train-town-sonoma

 

Sadly, as my youngest turns five next month, our family is reaching the end of an obsession with trains that lasted more than a decade.  However, a trip to Sonoma Train Town and a ride on the minature train there, showed me that even when kids “out grow” trains, there is something about a train ride that reawakens the kid in all of us.  One of the highlights of our visit was a stop at a kid sized town.  Here is some goofy moments from our layover.

caught-in-the-act-train-town-sonoma

justin-in-jail-train-town-sonoma

Here is a glimpse of the village from the train.

train-village-train-town-sonoma

Here’s the fun life sized rail car with old school video games:

train-car-arcade-train-town-sonoma

If plan to visit the Wine Country with your family Sonoma Train Town should be at the top of your list for family friendly destinations.  For more information on days Train Town is open click here. 

Family Adventure Guidebooks is a proud participant in Delicious Baby’s Photo Fridays.  For great pictures of her Seattle Halloween adventures click here.

Happy Trails!

Bridget

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Travel Bargain: Kids Visit San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for Free in October!

October 2nd, 2009 by bsmith | 3 Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Hi All,

The photo upload function on my WordPress blog isn’t working, so there will be no Photo Friday Post this week.  If anyone has a solution to this problem let me know!

In the mean time I am heading to the San Diego Zoo tommorrow.  We are bringing five kids ages 13 months, 4, 4, 5, and 10 so wish us luck!  Seriously I can hardly wait.  I chose this outing for my out of town friends because kids get in free in the month of October.  Zoo membership is cheap and tax deductible, so we may go ahead and get the family membership and use the free tickets on another day.  If you are visiting San Diego this October, be sure to take advantage of this amazing travel deal!

Tommorrow is the last day of my Legoland pass giveaway.  We will be choosing a winner on Sunday.  I was going to post a picture of the name being pulled out of a hat, but without photo upload capability you may just have to trust me. 

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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State Park Sunday: Good News for California State Parks?

September 27th, 2009 by bsmith | 3 Comments | Filed in State Park Sundays, Uncategorized
Save Our State Parks Booth, Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz

Save Our State Parks Booth, Wilder Ranch Santa Cruz

 

I have good news this State Park Sunday.  The governer has  decided not to close any California State Parks.  The budget cuts will still take their toll on the parks however in terms of loss of staffing and reduced hours.  This could continue to endanger the safety of the parks and the economic health of their surrounding communities.

Here are two different takes on what the Governer’s announcement means for the state parks.

California State Parks Foundation Press Release

Union Tribune Article

No doubt about it, a rough road lies ahead for the State of California and it’s State Parks.  User fees are going to be more important than ever, so have a picnic, go camping, and keep letting Sacramento know that you support a state access pass.  Get out and enjoy these great State Parks before the governor changes his mind!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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State Park Sunday:Angel Island State Park

September 12th, 2009 by bsmith | 2 Comments | Filed in State Park Sundays, Uncategorized

As a rule, I like to include pictures in these State Park Sunday posts.   Because I haven’t been to Angel Island since I  was about 10 years old I have none to share.  I can’t say that at the time it made a great impression on me.  I remember feeling privileged to see a Century Plant in bloom.  (Now I know that it does bloom more than once a century!)

A little later, however, I had a chance to learn more about the rich and tragic history of this state park.  Now I think  it is one of California’s most important state park treasures.  I was glad to hear that the federal government was considering transitioning this to a national park in case Angel Island was on the state park closure list.

This park is often called “Ellis Island of the West”.  However, unlike Ellis Island who welcomed most immigrants to U.S. shores this park was something more sinister.  As I did some background research on the Chinese immigrant experience for an ESL lesson on the book Dragon’s Gate by Laurence Yep, I discovered that Chinese immigrants were detained on Angel Island for many months, even years.

This island was also a temporary home for Japanese and German prisoners of war.  In the 1920′s it housed Japanese picture brides.

Immigration fascinates me.  My Irish ancestors arrived at Ellis Island at the turn of the century then made their way to California.  I want my children to understand their ancestor’s immigrant experience, learn more about how other immigrants have been treated by our country in the past, and show compassion towards the modern immigrants who live among us.  Hopefully, when we are ready to make the trip to Angel Island State Park, it will be open and ready to receive us!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

P.S.  I’m digging this cross cultural adventure out of the archives to share with my friends  at Trekaroo for  Spotlight Thursday.  Stop by for more great adventures with kids from across the country.

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State Park Sunday: SOS

August 9th, 2009 by bsmith | 1 Comment | Filed in State Park Sundays, Uncategorized

Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, Ca

Last night I had a dream that I was making an impassioned plea for the California State Parks.  This morning  when I awakened I realized that, although I have a huge day in store, I couldn’t let another Sunday pass by without sharing with you the potential park closures that will be happening at the end of the summer.

So far it is looking like the California legislators have cut the State Park budget to the point that 100 parks will be closing afterLabor Day.  I am gravely concerned of the implications this will have for our public land, the economy of our local communities, and our children’s access to the natural world.  The parks are fragile just like the natural rock formation that you see above.  When I arrived at UC Santa Cruz in 2001, there were two such natural bridges.   Now the waves and storms have destroyed one…one remains.  

As citizens of California we cannot sit by and let the budget waves wash away these precious treasures of our state.  Today I am hoping for a miracle, park/business partnerships, a state park access pass, there must be a way to turn this around.

Let’s continue to do what we can to change our State Park’s future.  Visit the California State Parks Foundation and learn how you can make your voice heard.

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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Mondays are For Dreaming: Where to this Thanksgiving?

August 3rd, 2009 by bsmith | 5 Comments | Filed in Mondays are for Dreaming, Uncategorized

My husband had the chance to stay at Holiday Inns this summer for a number of nights for work.  This summer they are running a fabulous promotion, for every two night stay you  and get a third night free before December 26th.  The beauty of this promotion is that you can stay at any IC  Hotel Group Hotel for free, not just a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express.  You can even stay internationally!  As a consequence we have spent too much time thinking about travel at our house.

Should we take a local road trip to Tahoe or San Francisco?  Should we get away somewhere warm and exotic?  Should we take the leap into international travel with our three young children?  The possiblilities are endless as are the opportunities to spend money.  We need to be careful, that our “free hotel rooms” don’t lead to a trip that breaks the budget.

We toyed with the idea of Costa Rica (definately my first choice!) or perhaps a fun island like, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, or Puerto Rico.   So far it looks like we may be settling on Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  They have a Presidente Resort there. We won’t be spending to0 much time in a plane, and I’ll get to practice my Spanish :) .  Now comes the hard part: finding affordable plane tickets, researching fun things to do, not going too crazy with expensive activities, and of course making sure that our trip doesn’t trigger any hotel black out dates.

If all goes well, we may be swimming with the dolphins and boogie boarding at the beach on Turkey Day.  Funny, my kids have told me that they would rather be skiing.  Still, I have no doubt they will enjoy our Mexican adventure.

Has anyone been to Puerto Vallarta with kids?  I would love to hear about it!

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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In Memory of Deana Reynolds

July 27th, 2009 by bsmith | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

My friend Deana passed away today.  She was a very special person, and I was lucky to know her.  She was a tireless advocate for adoption, mother to two beautiful boys, and a friend and mentor to all who knew her.  When I asked friends to help edit my book she was my first volunteer and did so in the hospital soon after she was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma.

I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts that her husband posted on her Caring Bridge website tonight.    They are important lessons learned from an amazing woman.

1.  Have blood or platelets?  Donate them.  There is no greater gift you can give another human, but a chance at life.

2.  Hug your family.  Do it often and for no reason at all.  You will all feel better.

3.  Family and friends are everything.  Without them one is lonely.  With them at your side, ALL things are possible.

4.  Never, ever quit.  No matter what, rise to the occassion.  It’s what makes life worth living.

Happy Trails, Deana. 

You  will be missed.

-Bridget

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Photo Friday: Ethel M Chocolate Factory, Las Vegas

July 17th, 2009 by bsmith | 4 Comments | Filed in Las Vegas Adventures, Uncategorized
Jared and his Green Friend

Jared and his Green Friend

It has been a hot week here in Las Vegas.  Before you think I was absolutely crazy to plan a trip out here this time of year (and perhaps I was!) my husband had a business trip so we decided to tag along. 

Enjoying Las Vegas in 112+ degree weather has required some creativity.  We spend more time just hanging out in our wonderful hotel room at the Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas then we usually do on such adventures.  We swim in the evenings and spent a morning bowling in an air conditioned casino.

The first day of our trip I had the crazy idea to drive out to Henderson and take the Ethel M Chocolate Factory Tour.  The tour, frankly, was a bust.  Although we arrived at 1:30 the workers must have been home on break or gone for the day.  The factory was almost deserted.  I enjoyed seeing all the machinery and redeemed myself in the eyes of my children by buying overpriced chocolate bars.   They were delectible.

Chocolate Delights

Chocolate Delights

Here are some photos of the cactus garden.  I enjoyed it immensely despite the heat.  The kids were another story:

Lone Cactus

Lone Cactus

 

Happy Trails, Las Vegas

Happy Trails, Las Vegas

Some of my fellow travel bloggers are heading to TBEX and BlogHer in Las Vegas.  Sadly, my travels are mostly over for the summer, and I won’t be joining them.  If you are looking for some virtual travels, check out Delicious Baby’s Photo Friday  .

Happy Trails,

Bridget

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