Cambria is a magical seaside town on California’s Central Coast, and it is one of our favorite places to visit. My husband grew up visiting Cambria often as his Grandma would rent a house each summer. We hope to continue the tradition. Our son already loves our visits, and, at four months old, our daughter has already had her first visit. Cambria is a beautiful place to escape for a weekend getaway- or longer! Here is our guide to visiting the coastal gem of Cambria, California.
WHERE IS CAMBRIA, CALIFORNIA?
Cambria is a quiet, beautiful town full of fun shops, delicious food, and beautiful places to explore. Whether or not you stay in the east village or west village, you will find yourself surrounded by the ocean and Monterey Pines. Cambria is the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend away. California’s Central Coast has so much to offer, and I hate to write too much about it because I don’t want our favorite places full of crowds. However, the magic of Cambria is something everyone should experience.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN VISITING CAMBRIA?
Check out the following pages for our ultimate guide to Cambria! If you plan to head up the coast a bit, check out my post about San Simeon too. Here are our favorite family-friendly places to explore, eat, drink, shop & stay when visiting Cambria, California.
Mount Laguna is one of our favorite places to visit for a hiking day trip or camping weekend away. We have spent many weekends enjoying the hiking trails of the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area in beautiful weather. However, after a winter storm rolls through the San Diego area, the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area becomes a hot destination for snow play in the days that follow.
A little over an hour away, San Diego County families flock to the mountains in masses to enjoy the fresh powder. A snow day on Mount Laguna can lead to lifelong memories for your family if carefully planned. Here are some of my tips to ensure a safe and successful day (versus frustration with crowds and parking) while respecting the beauty of the mountains and local community.
Obviously driving into the mountains in search of a snowy adventure without checking the weather is not a great plan. Weather conditions can change suddenly, so be aware of what is expected. We always check the weather in advance and I love checking the Laguna Mountain Lodge webcam to see real-time footage of what the snow looks like on the ground. The Mount Laguna weather webcam is available year-round and gives you a heads up on current conditions.
CHECK CURRENT DRIVING CONDITIONS
Knowing current weather and driving conditions is a must. Just a few days before our last visit, CHP completely shut down the Sunrise Highway from Highway 8 due to crowds. The roads can be closed due to snow before plowing as well. I HIGHLY recommend checking this info before heading up the mountain. You can read more about our favorite routes up the mountain here.
CHECK THE LAGUNA MOUNTAIN LODGE FACEBOOK PAGE
The Laguna Mountain Lodge Facebook page is another great resource to check before you head up. During the winter, they usually post each morning with a picture of the view, inches of snow on the ground, the current driving conditions, current trail/recreation area closures, and other important info. The Laguna Mountain Lodge Facebook page also shares current links from the CHP and National Forests.
THE LAGUNA MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE PASS
If you are not familiar with Mount Laguna, check out my post about some of the basics to “Know Before You Go.” The US Forest Service requires an “Adventure Pass” to recreate and park in many of the areas on the mountain. Make sure you are prepared to avoid a ticket. A ticket is one way to bring down a fun day and can easily be avoided by planning. Not all areas require an adventure pass, so you can always check here for updated info on what areas require the pass.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR SNOW ADVENTURE
The beauty of a day trip after a snowstorm is chances are you can enjoy some beautiful blue sky! Temperatures will still be cooler (like 45-50°), so you definitely want to pack in layers. When planning a family day, I always plan on the kids being hungry and getting soaked at some point. I love having lots of snacks and backup layers. I also plan on something warm for them to put on before we drive home. My son loves taking off his shoes and putting on his cozy socks to warm up with on the drive home. You know your family’s needs best, but here are some of the things I recommend you consider!
PACK FOR COMFORT AND SUCCESS
If you have snow gear for your kids, it is great to bring for a snow day on Mount Laguna! If you don’t have snow gear for your kids, do not panic. Please remember, I am talking about a day trip in sunny weather. If you are planning something more, you should definitely organize full-blown snow gear for your kids. Nothing ruins a day faster than being wet and cold, especially for kids. We have cut some corners for our day trips.
This advice is not for the seasoned snow family, more of the “we live in San Diego and want to be comfortable while we play for the day” family! Target & Amazon have great snow gear options you can order online if you are planning ahead. Also, ask your friends! You may be surprised what you can borrow. Local Targets usually have some great options for hats and gloves in-store that you can order for pickup on your way out of town. Sometimes these adventures need to come together quickly.
SNOW GEAR HACKS FOR KIDS
My son does not have snow boots in his size right now, so we have done thick socks with rain boots or he has also used his hiking boots and been more than happy for the day. I always bring a change of socks in case he falls in a puddle or something so the day doesn’t go downhill. Worst case you can also double layer socks with ziplock bags in between. Again, I am talking about throwing things together for one day in sunny weather! We layer him up in long sleeves, sweatshirts, a jacket, and his snow hat that he loves. We do make sure to bring gloves because our son LOVES a good snowball fight and his hands get cold quick.
For the baby, we layer her up the same. She is not playing in the snow yet, so layers are key for her. We were gifted a cozy suit like this one and it was perfect! Paired with a beanie underneath and she was good to go. I have read these baby booties are amazing for bigger snow adventures or hikes with toddlers. I will update once we get to that stage with our girl.
For the adults, just remember layers. My husband tends to be the one targeted with snowballs the most or getting the most involved in sledding runs. Layers are key. However, he did jeans and Nike shoes during our last visit and was fine. We both do gloves though, because… snowball fights. They can be intense with a seven-year-old.
SNOW PLAY GEAR
If you have a snow sled, definitely bring it! If you don’t, the Laguna Mountain Lodge sells snow gear and sleds to fill in what you are missing. Or just get creative with what you have. We looked around our garage the night before we headed out and grabbed two kickboards that worked great! Very silly but did the trick. I am planning to order a disc like these from my childhood for future trips. If you have snowman accessories, throw those in too. Otherwise, the nature surrounding you will provide you with all you need to create a perfect “Frosty!”
FOOD & SNACKS
When heading to Mount Laguna, we always pack a picnic. There are only two restaurants/bars on the mountain- the Blue Jay Lodge and the Pine House Cafe & Tavern. Due to COVID, these have been closed quite a bit. You can read more about the Pine House Cafe & Tavern in my Mount Laguna post. We are excited to try this restaurant during our next visit, but we have been enjoying picnics (or our campsite) on recent visits during COVID times. We feel a lot more comfortable avoiding crowds during COVID, so picnics have been our go-to! Another option is leaving town through Julian and grabbing food there. The Laguna Mountain Lodge Store also sells a variety of snacks and if you need to grab any snacks.
4WD/AWD/CHAINS FOR SNOW ON MOUNT LAGUNA
If you do not have AWD or 4WD on your car, bring your chains if you want get away from the crowds. If you don’t have chains, it does not mean you cannot enjoy the mountain, you just need to be VERY aware of where you are driving and what the weather is planning next. You don’t want to get stuck! We watched a family venture down the road too far in a Prius and get stuck in the snow. That stress will not lead to an exciting day!
WHERE TO SIT/RELAX
As I mentioned above, we love a picnic. In the snow, you are not just going to throw a blanket down so creative thinking is a must. We had a truck during our last visit, so the bed of the truck was an ideal spot. We saw other visitors with lawn chairs and coffee carafes in the snow. You can always pack a waterproof blanket as a resting place. My favorite was a couple relaxing in their hammock between the trees. Definitely packing our camping hammock for our next snow day on Mount Laguna. If you have young kids, it is nice for them to have a space to sit when they need a rest during snow play.
ROAD TRIP EXTRAS
For general tips on road trips with kids, check out my post on our favorite things to pass the time.
On a less exciting note, we always have Dramamine for Kids packed with us on our way to Mount Laguna. Our son tends to get carsick, and Dramamine has been a lifesaver when we take the windy roads through Julian. Before I knew they had a kid version, we used these vomit bags to prevent messes that can put a stop to your day. Not the most exciting thing to pack, but it only takes a time or two when you don’t have a bag to help you remember to always have one in the car.
As always, plan to pack out whatever you take in when enjoying the beauty of the mountains. We keep extra grocery bags in the back (who isn’t overflowing with them since COVID?!) so we always have a trash bag in the car. I saw pictures of the trash left behind after the recent rush to snow play that shocked me. Don’t add to that problem. Respect the land and local community that is sharing it with us. Be prepared to take everything off the mountain that you bring up!
WHERE TO FIND GREAT SNOW PLAY ON MOUNT LAGUNA
No matter what side of the mountain you drive up, you will begin to see the snow and cars start lining the road. The snow on the Anza-Borrego (East) side of the mountain tends to melt quicker. That side also tends to have cliffs with great views for stopping along the route, but not ideal for snow play, especially with kids.
Kwaaymi Point – Great views, but less snow and lots of cliffs
SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY– IN A SAFE/DESIGNATED PARKING AREA!
EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE DOING THIS AND NOT NECESSARILY IN A LEGAL/SAFE WAY
Although we had a great day earlier in 2020 pulling off the side of the road, I do not recommend this during more crowded times. During this visit, snow was scarce and there was no big rush to the mountains for snow play. During peak snow days, cars will be sticking out all over the Sunrise Highway, groups of people can be seen trespassing and sledding through local’s properties while also setting up large groups on sled runs along the highway. This is not ideal and not appreciated by the local community.
If you choose to pull off the side of the Highway, please make sure you are in an area where parking is allowed and you are parked safely, not halfway in the highway. This sounds silly, but when you see how some people are parking you will understand. Please respect the land and do not trespass on private property. In addition, with the surge of COVID numbers during our last visit, massive crowds on a sled run are not where any of us should be.
Remnants of a snowstorm on Mount Laguna
OUR PICK: EXPLORE A SIDE ROAD IN A DESIGNATED RECREATION AREA
BY SHORT HIKE OR DRIVE OFF SUNRISE HIGHWAY
During crowded times, I HIGHLY recommend venturing off the Sunrise Highway to a planned destination in a designated recreation area. The roads are plowed fairly quickly, so depending on the amount of snow and conditions, taking a road a small distance off the main Highway does not always require chains. Another option is to park on the Sunrise Highway and walk further down a road (not through private property) away from the crowds. To give you an idea of the conditions, we visited 5 days after a snowstorm that reported 9″ of snow. On the day we visited, the am report was 3″ of snow. You can see how fluffy so much of the snow still was.
*WOODED HILL NATURE TRAIL*
A GEM DURING ANY SEASON
Our favorite spot for snow play is the Wooded Hill Nature Trail. The road to this trail is located between mile markers 22 and 21.5 and has a sign for the Wooded Hill Group Campground and DOES NOT require an Adventure Pass (check here to confirm before you go). It is about .3 miles down the road to the parking for the trailhead. I love this family-friendly hike throughout seasons, (more info about the hike here) and it did not disappoint in winter. It gave us an incredible snow day. I would love to post a picture of the sign for the road, but unfortunately, the cars on Sunrise Highway were piled up all over and the sign was hidden. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it is the second right after passing the Pine House Tavern coming from Julian.
We were able to park right where we were playing and we practically had the place to ourselves. A few hikers and cars passed by and another family was enjoying the snow at the top of the hill. No crowds, no gross snow from people trampling all over it for the last 5 days. We knew we were visiting a little late after the storm and did not know what to expect with snow quality. Some of the main spots on the highway were well trafficked. Having the car close was key with the baby for nursing and diaper changes. In addition, we could picnic, change clothing and take a rest right in the “play zone.” Baby and I were able to hang on the back of the pickup to watch my son and husband sled. It was a great spot that we are sure to return to.
*BIG LAGUNA TRAIL AT PENNY PINES TRAILHEAD*
Penny Pines Trailhead is one of our favorite places to explore throughout the seasons. At this point, Penny Pines Trailhead DOES NOT require an Adventure Pass (check here to confirm before you go). When parking at the Penny Pines trailhead, you can head west towards the Big Laguna Trail out to the Laguna Meadow. This is a bit of a hike, about a mile, so you will be away from your car. Make sure to pack for your adventure (and have what you need to pack it out!) so you are not running back and forth. However, this meadow is beautiful no matter the season and is a great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy a snow day on Mount Laguna!
Have you enjoyed a day in the snow on Mount Laguna? What are your favorite ways to escape the crowds?
Are you looking for a quick way to submerge yourself in nature from the East Bay? Living in Southern California, we were craving some of the lush greenery Northern California hiking offers after the holidays. The Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve Interpretive Loop Trail was a great way to escape the post-holiday business and enjoy a short afternoon hike. The loop takes you down into a beautiful forest and luscious change in scenery filled with bright green ferns and aromatic bay trees.
The Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve is tucked away in the Oakland hills, sandwiched between the East Bay and San Francisco. The preserve is run by the East Bay Regional Park District and is well maintained. At the start of the trail, you can pick up a park brochure that includes a trail map and information about the 21 interpretive panels along the 1.7-mile loop.
PARKING AT THE HUCKLEBERRY BOTANIC REGIONAL PRESERVE
Parking was easy, as there is a small lot at the park entrance on the left side of Skyline Blvd., just after the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. The parking area has several picnic tables to enjoy, as well as bathrooms and trash/recycling cans. Unfortunately, there are no dogs or bikes allowed on the Huckleberry Loop.
The Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve Interpretive Trail loop is 1.7 miles and took us less than 1.5 hours. The loop takes you down into a beautiful green fern and bay forest and teaches you about the local flora and fauna along the way. The unique climate of this area has created a moist environment that is home to many native plants that cannot be found anywhere else in the Bay Area. We loved the change of scenery and damp feel under the canopy of greens.
STARTING YOUR HIKE
At the start of the loop, you can either take the Lower Huckleberry Loop Trail to the left or the Upper Huckleberry Loop Trail to the right. The left takes you down a set of stairs into the fern and bay forest. We opted for this direction, knowing we would be climbing back up as we looped around. Many hikers opt to take the flatter Upper Huckleberry Loop Trail out a bit and back for a less strenuous hike. This is an excellent option for families with young kids concerned about distance. However, the Lower Huckleberry Loop Trail was the highlight of our hike. I highly recommend starting to the right, down the Lower Loop Trail.
LOWER HUCKLEBERRY LOOP TRAIL
We visited after light rains, so the trail was slightly muddy. The sun was peeking through the clouds, but the canopy of trees made for a primarily shady and damp hike. The trail can be slippery and steep at times. I can see this trail being very muddy after heavier rains, so plan your footwear appropriately. The smell of bay leaves filled the air throughout the hike, making for a peaceful feeling winding through the fern and bay forest on the lower half of the loop.
The greenery was plentiful, and the tree canopy made you feel like you were hours away from the busy Skyline Blvd and cities just outside of the preserve. The Lower Huckleberry Loop covers interpretive panels 21 to 16 as you move down the interpretive panel list when starting from the lower trail. Shortly into your hike, you reach another fork in the trail. Continue on the trail to the right, the Lower Huckleberry Loop Trail. The path to the left will take you to the 31-mile Skyline National Trail into Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve (North) or Reinhart Redwood Regional Park (South).
UPPER HUCKLEBERRY LOOP TRAIL
After interpretive panel 16, you will see a sign heading up towards the Upper Huckleberry Loop Trail. As you begin to climb up, turn around for beautiful views of Mt. Diablo through the trees.
The climb up the “connector” portion of the Lower Trail to the Upper Trail is steep but short at .11 miles. There are several sections of stairs to help on muddy days.
We looked down at the climb we had just made up to the Upper Huckleberry Loop Trail.
After the climb, you will reach another sign and head right to continue on the Upper Huckleberry Loop Trail back towards the trailhead. Heading left will take you on the Upper Pinehurst Trail into Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park.
DETOURS
Shortly after connecting to the Upper Loop Trail, we took a slight detour to the right towards interpretive panels 14 & 15. After an uphill stretch through some bushes, we came out into a clearing with beautiful views of Mt. Diablo. There was also a bench where we enjoyed a snack and the sunshine. This would be an excellent place for a picnic or extended rest when hiking with our kids.
After our detour, we continued along on the Upper Huckleberry Loop. We immediately noticed it was a much flatter path along the ridge. We took another detour to see interpretive panels 9, 10 & 11. The clearing was much smaller than the previous clearing we discovered, so we quickly headed back to the main trail. As we continued along the main trail, we enjoyed seeing the red bark of the manzanitas as well as the sprawling bushes of the coast huckleberry.
MANZANITA TREES
At one point, a live manzanita tree has grown over the trail and gives you an up-close view of the beautiful bark. It is against the law to carve into the branches of these beautiful trees, as they are protected in this preserve. Although manzanitas are abundant on the upper loop in this preserve, they are eventually overtaken by the huckleberry or chinquapin native to the area.
As you approach the trailhead, you find yourself winding through similar greenery as the start of your hike. Finally, there are two benches where you can rest and take in the final views and smells of bay leaves surrounding you!
This trail was a beautiful getaway from the East Bay. We visited in December 2020, when COVID numbers were surging, and everyone on the trail was wearing a mask. The trial is thinner, but we could step aside when parties need to pass. I would love to explore the Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve next door with more time. Some trails connect the two preserves.
LAST STOP – GRIZZLY PEAK
Don’t forget to stop at Grizzly Peak for incredible views (on a clear day) of the Bay Bridge, San Francisco skyline, and Golden Gate Bridge. Grizzly Peak is right on your way to Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve from the East Bay. As you head up towards the Preserve from the East Bay, you exit Fish Ranch Road right before the Caldecott Tunnel and then take a left onto Grizzly Peak Blvd. for a little over 2 miles before hitting Skyline Blvd. Although giant logs have blocked the main turnouts, the view is still exceptional from different points on the road.
Views of the city from Grizzly Peak
We pulled on the side of the road as we left the preserve and crossed Grizzly Peak Blvd. to take in the view. This pullout was a great spot to take in city views at night in high school. However, I did read police are patrolling and citing between 9 pm-6 am. Apparently, the views were not only attracting people but also smoking, bonfires and fireworks. These do not pair with high fire danger, so “hanging out” is no longer allowed. But do stop to enjoy the view!
Do you love getting into nature from the East Bay? Check out my post on Muir Woods. What are some of your favorite hikes in the Bay Area? We are always looking for new things to explore!
Idyllwild is a great spot for a day trip of exploration or a weekend away. We have loved heading up for a day trip from San Diego several times and we have loved staying longer to camp for the weekend. No matter how you choose to adventure in Idyllwild, you will not be disappointed. With live music almost daily, funky art, and unique food, there is always something fun to check out in Idyllwild. There is something so unique about the west side of Mount San Jacinto.
The Idyllwild Nature Center is a must-do visit for anyone, but especially with kids! The Nature Center not only has hands-on educational exhibits for the kids, but the surrounding trails offer several options for family-friendly hiking. Our favorite, the flat, less than one mile, Nature Trail walks you through the history, flora, and fauna of the region. It makes for a great walk with kids, with lots of nooks to explore. The trail has numbers along the way that corresponds to information on the trail guide you can pick up when you pay your fees. Check out the top of the cedar tree at stop #4 for a raven’s nest! It has been there for multiple years now. We love to park in the first lot off Highway 243 and walk to the museum portion of the Nature Center on this trail.
The Nature Center is located about a mile outside of town and has two small parking lots that we have always been able to park in. They are open Thursday – Sunday 9 am – 4 pm. The Nature Center collects fees that support the programs and facilities. Day use fees are $4/adult, $3/child (12 and under), and $1/leashed dog. These fees cover your parking, allow you to hike the trails, explore the museum, and use the picnic areas and facilities. After you park, you pay your fees in the Nature Center and the volunteer will give you a Nature Trail Guide and trail map and can answer any questions you may have.
NATURE CENTER HIKES
After visiting the museum, make sure to head up the Perimeter trail and take in the beautiful views of the San Jacinto Wilderness. We love picnicking up here or having a kombucha and snack. Our son has so much fun exploring the rocks and checking things out with his binoculars from this spot. If you want a longer hike, keep going on the Perimeter Trail. We haven’t completed the loop, but this post goes into great detail about the route! This is also a starting point for the Deer Springs Trail. Don’t miss the Nature Center when checking Idyllwild out with kids!
HUMBER PARK
Humber Park is in the San Bernardino National Forest and makes for a great stop. It is a beautiful spot to park and explore. There are picnic tables and facilities to enjoy in the area. Most people are using the site as a starting point for two major trailheads – Devil’s Slide and Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail. The Devil’s Slide Trail requires a permit to head into the San Jacinto Wilderness. This area also requires an adventure pass (like Mount Laguna) or National Park Annual Pass to park. My husband is working on completing the Devils’ Slide hike up to the Palm Springs Tramway so I will report back on that soon. The kids and I will be waiting in a pool on the other side of the peak!
IDYLLWILD VILLAGE CENTER
On any given weekend, the center of town is almost always filled with live music. Sadly, Dolly Parton sold her home in Idyllwild a few years ago, but you can only imagine how cool it would be to enjoy live music and see Dolly walk on stage! If nothing is happening in the main square, you can always find music in the variety of restaurants surrounding the center. So many of the restaurants and shops I recommend are in walk distance of the town center.
Art is abundant in Idyllwild so there is no shortage of galleries to explore. You can also check out the “Harmony” wood sculpture carved with a chainsaw by local sculptor David Roy. You may even see David Roy carving different wood animals in front of the sculpture as well. Our son loves watching him work!
Idyllwild is full of culinary adventures, but Ferro has become our absolute favorite. We are both suckers for amazing Italian and the food is delicious. Ferro has three sections of seating – the front patio (all we have experienced – you can see the vibe in pictures), indoors, and the back patio. The back patio looks super fun with live music and room for kids to roam. Ferro makes DELICIOUS food. It is not to be missed! Reservations are recommended. During COVID lockdowns, we took our meal to go to Humber Park for a delicious picnic. If you are traveling without kids, check out the pizza oven bar outside! Don’t skip Ferro for dinner!
Who doesn’t love ice cream at any moment? But especially after a decent hike? There are two spots in town that we love. Idyllwild Ice Cream & Jerky gives you all of your classic flavors with a short walk to several of our favorite shopping spots. This is a great spot to treat your kids for hiking well!
Closer to the campground, the Candy Cupboard is another one of our son’s favorites. The store is filled with candy which is exciting enough for kids, but their specialty is an old-fashioned chocolate-dipped ice cream bar. The bar is rolled in the topping of your choice. This is a hit with the whole family, and as you can see, our son prefers sprinkles!
The Idyllwild Brew Pub is the hot new spot for families in town! Owned by the same people as Ferro, they are bringing A-game food to the pub scene. They have a great beer selection (over 20 draft beers) and space for kids to play. They know what they are doing! The Brew Pub opens at 11 for lunch & dinner.
This restaurant is a go-to! On day trips, we love it for lunch or early dinner. The building is filled with art and doubles as an art gallery. You can almost always find live music here (on hold due to COVID). We had incredible sandwiches and my chicken sandwich came with a raspberry vinaigrette that was delicious. Cafe Aroma serves breakfast, lunch & dinner. Although we have only had lunch outside, the main dining room looks cozy and cute for a snowy day. I also love the “Idyll-Beast Yeti Crossing” sign as Idyllwild is known for its rumored Yeti sightings.
La Casita has great Mexican food. You can sit outside on a beautiful deck surrounded by pines in summer or opt for inside the dining room in winter! The menu has all of your favorites and we loved our burritos (they were super big)! La Casita has margaritas and Micheladas to quench your mid-day thirst as well. We did not have to wait too long for our lunch table. They open at 11 for lunch and dinner.
This is a great date night restaurant as it is a classic steakhouse. The restaurant opened in 1973 and continues to expand on the relationship between food and art. Although we have only visited Idyllwild in summer, I can only imagine this place would be ideal in the snow! The fireplace and dim lighting would make for an exceptional meal. Gastrognome opens at 11 for brunch & dinner.
This was a rad little spot to grab a drink and listen to live music along the creek. You could take your beverage down to explore with several little seating areas scattered along the creek. The freedom to explore making it great for kids. The restaurant was closed during our last visit to Idyllwild but has apparently reopened with a new menu and management. I will update this post once we visit again!
We have enjoyed this chocolate shop since they were in a tiny place right in town. Now they have a larger space for making their amazing chocolates. The chocolates are made with cacao and have nothing added to them. They are divine. Stop in for a treat and coffee and you will not be disappointed.
I absolutely love coming to Idyllwild Gardens during our visits. They carry so many beautiful indoor and outdoor plants. A small Idyllwild succulent is the ultimate souvenir to me when we visit. Even better, I love seeing the new parts of this nursery, as it has only expanded over the years. Every time we visit, there is a new nook to explore. They are doing a beautiful job! I also love scoring a few plants to use as campsite decor before making their home in our yard!
What child is not pumped to go from hiking to an arcade? Our son was so excited to stumble upon this arcade during our camping trip. A classic arcade that excites your kids – and lets parents nostalgia indulge?!? This is a great place to stop after a hike and when cruising through town.
This is a cute “paint your own pottery” store right in the town center. Due to COVID, they now have take-home kits available. Being in a mountain town that thrives in art and music, this makes a fun stop for kids if you are visiting for the weekend. In addition to the experience, you have a fun souvenir to take home with your kids!
This campground is great if you want to be close to town. Although you are within walking distance of the town center, you still feel like you are escaping the busyness of the town underneath the pines. We had an incredible weekend here. There are 31 sites for tents and RV’s. Sites are spread out and have close water and facilities. Our son participated in the Junior Ranger program here and had a great time. This is a great pick for camping in Idyllwild. Sites are $25/night and limited to 8 people max at any time. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance on ReserveCalifornia.com.
Just a little outside of town, Idyllwild Regional Park is another great place for camping. Although we have not camped here, we paid the day-use fees to explore with our son. He was anxious to ride his bike and the trails through the meadow and campground delivered! We used our time exploring to plan a future camping trip that I will update here once we do!
The park is run by Riverside County, the same as the Nature Center. Day use fees are $6/adult, $3/child (12 and under), and $2/leashed dog. Camping sites are $30/night for six people. Reservations can be made online through the Riverside County website. During our walk, we thought that sites 20 & 21 were especially desirable. Many of the sites are very close together and only one car will fit in the parking for the site (additional cars can park in the day-use lot).
Muir Woods National Monument is located in Marin County in Mill Valley, California. With over 6 miles of maintained trails, a day hiking in Muir Woods is a great way to escape the busy city life and find peace in nature. Some of the best hiking trails in Muir Woods are accessible and kid-friendly, making for a great family day. Reservations are required for parking, so you will have to plan a bit. But setting aside some time to explore the beauty of these redwoods on a Muir Woods trail is highly recommended.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT
MUIR WOODS HOURS OF OPERATION
Depending on the season, the park opens at 8 am and closes at 5 or 6 pm. The café and gift shop are open 9 am-4 pm. The visitor center opens at 8 am and closes about 30 minutes before the park. You can check current hours and closures here.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO PARK
Advanced reservations are required to park at Muir Woods National Monument. Check this link for the reservation page. For $9.00/vehicle, you choose a 30-minute arrival window for parking, and you are welcome to stay as long as you would like. You can also opt to pay your $15/person entrance fees during this reservation process. Muir Woods is part of the National Park system, so do not pay the fee in advance if you use one of the National Park Annual Passes to enter Muir Woods.
THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE
There is no cell service approaching the Muir Woods National Monument entrance. This is important to consider when planning a day in Muir Woods. Your parking reservation needs to be downloaded or printed in advance to show the attendant. You will not be able to pull up your email to show the attendant. Also, if you are taking rideshare to get there, such as Uber or Lyft, you will need a plan for leaving. You will not be able to request your ride home with no cell service.
MUIR WOODS SHUTTLE
A shuttle runs from Mill Valley and Sausalito to board and take to the park. Unfortunately, we did not use the shuttles, but you can find current information about the shuttles here.
PLAN FOR WEATHER
Muir Woods is located in Marin County, known for having cooler, foggy/cloudy days. Due to the canopy of the redwood forest, the sun can barely peek through the trees, making shade abundant. This naturally brings the temperature down, so I highly recommend layers for everyone in the family during a Muir Woods hike. When temperatures are high, the forest remains cooler with the shade. After heavy rains, the forest can be incredibly muddy, so plan accordingly with little kids!
DINING OPTIONS
There is no eating allowed in the forest area of Muir Woods National Monument. We had packed a delicious picnic packed and realized quickly we would not be enjoying it during our hike. There are many benches outside the entrance for picnicking, which we did. We had picked up the delicious Sweet Affair bakery in Walnut Creek and I wasn’t about to pass up my favorite sandwich (turkey on butter crust) and cookie (peanut butter chocolate chip) combo!
If you plan a longer hike that heads into Mount Tamalpais State Park, you will be able to picnic in the state park. In addition, there are no garbage cans anywhere along the trail. Therefore, if you snack or have a beverage, make sure to pack out ALL of what you bring in.
MUIR WOODS TRADING COMPANY CAFE
Muir Woods has a small cafe and gift shop right at the entrance. The Muir Woods Trading Company Cafe serves a variety of lunchtime-style sandwiches and salads. Check out the menu here. You can also pick up a coffee or pastry if visiting early or in chilly weather.
HIKING TRAIL ETIQUETTE
When you visit Muir Woods, it is important to respect the beauty of the forest. Redwood trees are some of the tallest trees in the world and have very fragile and shallow roots. Therefore, it is essential to stay on the hiking trails in Muir Woods to protect this beautiful place. The trails are well maintained and marked, so you will not be confused. It pains me to see people blatantly ignoring signs and hopping over fences to get their perfect Instagram picture. The fragile state of the forest is also why there are no bikes or pets allowed in Muir Woods. In addition, be aware of poison oak warnings all over the forest, especially with littles. Please make sure to respect the forest so it will be here for future generations.
THE JUNIOR RANGERPROGRAM
As you know from my blog, I love the Junior Ranger programs at National Parks. This program was great because it was much shorter than the large National Parks, and my son could complete the activities during our visit. In addition, I love the info in the books and how we all learn about the park more as he works through his activities. You can download the activities ahead of time or pick up a book in the visitor center or when you pay your entrance fee ($15/adult when we were there in 2020 and 2022).
THE REDWOOD CREEK TRAIL – THE MAIN MUIR WOODS HIKE
The Redwood Creek Trail is the main trail through the redwood forest. This is where you will start a day in Muir Woods, and you can add to the adventure from this trail. The trail is a wooden boardwalk that is well maintained and wheelchair accessible. The trail follows the creek and has four bridges that cross over each side. Since we visited during COVID, the trails were designated one-way, so we could not travel back and forth, although that option would have allowed more back-and-forth to see everything. The bridges offer you three different options for looping through the forest. Bridge one is right by the cafe at the entrance. Once you start up the creek into Muir Woods, you have several options for expanding your hike.
LOOP TO BRIDGE TWO
The first option for your Muir Woods hike is to only walk up to bridge two, a 1/2 mile, 30-minute loop through the start of the forest. This loop gives you an exquisite taste of the forest and is an excellent option for those not looking to walk too much. There is very little elevation gain on this trail. This loop starts at the Muir Woods visitor center and takes you through Founder’s Grove and the Pinchot Tree.
This tree is one of the largest in the grove and is dedicated to Gifford Pinchot in 1910, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Pinchot lobbied President Roosevelt to save these redwoods. This first loop offers beautiful views of the creek and towering coastal redwoods above. The beginning of the Canopy View Trail is to the right of this loop.
LOOP TO BRIDGE THREE
The loop to bridge 3 is pretty short and will turn your walk into a 1 mile, 1-hour tour of the grove. You can enjoy the giant redwoods of the Bohemian Grove trail on this portion of the walk. As you approach bridge 3, you can either cross the bridge to loop back towards the Visitor’s Center or continue for more adventure.
LOOP TO BRIDGE FOUR
If you continue to bridge four, you will create a two-mile loop through the redwood forest that is well worth it. This portion of the main Redwood Creek Trail takes you through Cathedral Grove, a beautiful, quiet part of the trail. As I mentioned earlier, the wooden boardwalk and trails are very well-maintained. They are even adding a portion of the trail in this area.
CATHEDRAL GROVE
I read somewhere that you should enter this area with purpose and reflect on your intention as you walk through. Signs ask for quiet in the grove, and it is beautiful. We entered the grove focused on gratitude as we were with my parents whom we rarely get to adventure with. Practicing gratitude for a moment, no matter your circumstances outside of your visit is empowering in nature. So take a moment of pause to reflect in the grove during your day in Muir Woods.
A quote from John Muir was ringing in my head as we walked through this particular area in the grove. Due to the beauty and quiet, my son enjoyed working on a few pieces of his Junior Ranger book on this portion of our hike. We all enjoyed taking in the sounds of the forest.
Several longer trails leave from this loop – the Fern Creek Trail, Camp Eastwood Trail, and Bootjack Trail. Hikers can combine the Fern Creek and Eastwood trails into a less than 4-mile loop through the forest, wildflowers, and Mount Tamalpais State Park. Fern Creek Trail can be combined with the Mt. Tam Lost Creek Trail and back to the Canopy View Trail in Founder’s Grove for a two-hour, quieter trek through the forest. The Bootjack Trail will take you on a beautiful 7-mile loop into Mount Tam State Park as well.
In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.
– John Muir
HIKING THEHILLSIDE TRAIL
Once you reach bridge 4, you can U-turn and head back through Cathedral Grove to bridge three or cross over to begin the Hillside Trail to loop around. This route gives you a 2-mile, 1 1/2 hour trek through the forest. I highly recommend going this way as it gives you a different perspective on the beauty you have seen. In addition, it gives you a new view of the forest since you were walking on the forest floor before this trail. Suddenly you are on a hillside, looking down at the paths where you were before. It is essential to be careful with young kids on this trail, as some drops are steep, and there are no guard rails. This trail begins with a large hill up from the bridge but then levels out. It is a great option that will take you back to bridge two.
You will be back on Redwood Creek Trail when you come off the Hillside Trail at bridge 2. The walk back to the entrance and Visitor Center is very short and shaded. I highly recommend adding the Hillside Trail to your Redwood Creek loop. Please note the Hillside Trail is not stroller friendly.
DON’T MISS THESE GEMS NEAR MUIR WOODS
After hiking through Muir Woods, chances are you will be seeking more adventure or a relaxing meal. Here are some of our favorite places to stop by after our Muir Woods adventure.
THE PELICAN INN & MUIR BEACH
A few minutes down the road from the Muir Woods National Monument is Muir Beach, where you also find the relaxing and quaint Pelican Inn. This inn takes you back to 16th century England is a great place to come and enjoy a beverage or meal after your Muir Woods hike. This small inn is home to a great pub that delivers sustainable and delicious English fare.
We visited on a gloomy day, and the dining room’s fireplace and cozy feel were a perfect stop on our Marin County adventure. We had the fish and chips as well as the roasted carrots. Both were great, and I cannot wait to return for an overnight stay to enjoy the Beef Wellington with a glass of wine by the fire.
On a sunny day, I can imagine these lawns are a great place to picnic, as people were gathered doing just that even in wet weather. The patio was green and inviting. Don’t forget to step out to see Muir Beach after your meal. This quiet cove is a favorite for sunbathing and bonfires by locals and is accessed by the 450-foot bridge that connects Muir Beach to the parking lot.
MUIR BEACH OVERLOOK
Muir Beach Overlook is a beautiful place to end your day. Follow the staircase out from the parking lot for panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Muir Beach, and the Point Reyes Peninsula on a clear day. History buffs will enjoy seeing the remnants of observation bunkers used by the San Francisco Coastal Defense System in WW2.
If you are craving more adventure, follow the 1.5-mile coastal trail to Slide Ranch and down to the North Beach tidepools. This 3-mile round trip adventure is fun for kids and on our next time list!
NEXT TIME LIST
Hike the 3.1 mile Fern Creek, Lost & Ocean View Loop
Hike the 6.3 mile Bootjack Trail Loop
Picnic and hike the 9.7 mile (difficult level) Ben Johnson Trail (aka Dipsea Trail) from Muir Woods to Stinson Beach
Mount Laguna is one of my favorite places to get away to when I am craving nature. The trails are beautiful and the views are stunning. On clear days you can see out over Anza-Borrego Desert and over the Salton Sea. During fall the trees are gorgeous and in spring the wildflowers sprinkle the trails with colors and joy. We have experienced days when you can’t see 10 feet in front of you and the wind is whipping everything around you. We have also played in the snow on the side of the road. A weekend in Mount Laguna will not disappoint, no matter the season.
The Mount Laguna Recreation Area is part of the Cleveland National Forest, which requires an “Adventure Pass” for parking on the mountain in certain areas. Due to COVID, many of the areas stopped requiring Adventure Passes, so I recommend checking here for the latest info on what trailheads are requiring the pass. You can purchase your $5 daily pass online here or opt for the $30 annual pass. To purchase the annual pass, you have several options. In advance, order online here, visit a vendor (Big 5 in Carlsbad or REI in Encinitas sells them) or day-of stop in at the Visitor’s Information Center when entering the recreation area. If you have an “America the Beautiful” national park pass, that will cover your fee here too! Just hang it on your mirror when parking.
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN VISITOR’S CENTER
The Visitor’s Information Center is next door to the Laguna Mountain Lodge Store. This is a great place to quickly stop in for information. There are public restrooms in the parking lot as well. Due to COVID, the Visitor’s Center has been closed, but when open, they are a great resource for maps and other brochures. This is also where you can pick up the Wooded Hill Nature Trail Guide I mention below. The Visitor’s Center is located right off the Sunrise Highway at Los Huecos Road, between mile marker 23.5 and 23.
JUNIOR FOREST RANGER
If you follow the National Park areas of my blog, you know my love for Junior Ranger programs. Although they are not passed out on the mountain, there is still a National Forest Junior Ranger program your child can participate in! You can email to order your booklet ahead (smokeybear@fs.fed. us) to receive one in the mail or download the booklet here to print at home. The booklet is a great additional item to pack for a weekend in Mount Laguna because it keeps your child engaged with all that he/she is seeing out on the trails. I love using them as entertainment at restaurants too! Once your child completes the activities, you can mail in the card for a pin and card.
WEATHER
As with any adventure, check into the weather before heading up the mountain. Mount Laguna can see hot temperatures during summer days, but they drop quickly as the sun goes down. In addition, wind can be a major factor! When we are planning a big hike or camping weekend, I always check the wind to make sure it will be enjoyable. During winter, Mount Laguna will see snow and the Sunrise Highway will sometimes require chains or be closed. So please check weather and current driving conditions before you go!
DRIVING TO MOUNT LAGUNA
The main road through the mountain is the Sunrise National Scenic Byway. No matter the direction you come in, I love the way the road changes as you climb up the Sunrise Highway. The 24-mile scenic byway winds up and down the mountain through pines and mountain meadows with views of the Anza-Borrego Desert below. We usually try to come in one way and out the other to make a big loop.
From North County San Diego, there are two main ways to head into Mount Laguna. You can use the 8 freeway past Alpine to head up the mountain, or you can take the windier, slower way through Highway 78 & 79 past Julian. The direction we go really depends on our plans for hiking and dining. This map gives you an overview of the places I mention in this post so you can plan your route. I usually consider the following factors when picking our route.
Starting on the 8 freeway towards Alpine is faster and more direct. Our son gets carsick so this is an easier way up for him. He does better with the windier roads near Julian on the way out of town. Also, the cell service works better for the initial chunk of the drive if your child is using any device that needs consistent service to function. On colder days, I love a hot coffee in the car while we charge the freeway route to get up. After our time in Mount Laguna, I love stopping in Julian to enjoy one of our favorite places for a snack or beverage before heading home.
Driving up the Sunrise Highway from the 8 near Alpine
The alternative route is to go through Julian first. I love this if you are visiting during summer and have more daylight hours. It allows you to stay on the mountain until sunset later in the evening. Many of our favorite stops in Julian tend to start shutting down around 5pm, so it allows us to stop at the pumpkin patch before heading up the mountain with plenty of daylight for hiking left. The freeway route home is faster when you are exhausted and just want to be home. Leaving through Alpine gives you a straighter route in the dark too, versus the windy mountains roads of Highway 78 out of Julian.
Driving up the Sunrise Highway towards Mt. Laguna from Julian
GARNET PEAK via PENNY PINES
I am jumping right into my favorite hike on the mountain. Garnet Peak is absolutely stunning and will take your breath away. On a clear day, the panoramic views seem to go on forever. When you make it to the top, it is almost emotional staring out at the beauty of the Cleveland National Forest around you and the Anza-Borrego Desert below you. There is an old coffee can with a notepad where people sign a note saying they have made it to the top. You can see messages from people who just overcome trials like beating cancer, hiking to heal from grief associated with extreme loss or are celebrating with family. As you sit at the top, you can’t help but think of all the emotions that have been processed on this peak. It really is a beautiful place.
There are two ways out to the Garnet Peak Trail. You can park on Sunrise Highway and head straight up the peak (about 2.2 miles), but we prefer to park at the Penny Pines Trailhead (27.8-mile marker) and take the longer 4-mile route. This trailhead is closest to the Julian side of the mountain, so it is a great first stop if heading up from Julian (or last stop if you come in from Alpine). There will be cars parked along the road at Penny Pines. This section of trail takes you east for a bit and then north on the famous PCT before hitting the Garnet Peak Trail. The views this way are stunning and Penny Pines is a great area to explore and enjoy even if you don’t want to take the longer hike to Garnet Peak.
Penny Pines Trail on Mount Laguna
PENNY PINES TRAILHEAD
We have stopped here several times without heading all the way up to Garnet Peak. This portion of the trail is less than a mile and gives you a taste of the views you will see once you reach the peak. We have been here on beautiful clear days like you can see above, and also on windy and foggy days where you cannot see anything! Mt. Laguna in the fog is fun to see for different reasons, but clearly, the views will not be as exciting!
We knew this day would be foggy, but we decided to adventure out anyway, The fog gave us a new view of a trail we love. However, we ended up turning back from Garnet Peak early because the wind was so strong it felt like our son could blow off the trail! The fog did begin to burn off as we returned to the trailhead. Make sure to keep wind and weather in mind when planning your Mount Laguna adventure.
During spring, the trail is filled with beautiful wildflowers. In fall, you can see the changing colors of the forest surrounding you. Our son does great on this trail. Whether only heading out for the first mile, or taking the full 4-mile out-and-back trail to the peak, he loves this trail. In the beginning, some of the brush is overgrown and you may feel like you are squeezing yourself through, but stay on the trail. It will soon open up to expanse views of the Anza-Borrego Desert.
GARNET PEAK TRAIL
The full 4-miles to Garnet Peak will give you an elevation gain of about 700 feet. We always pack a small picnic to enjoy along longer hikes, and there are several areas along this trail to sit on the rocks to enjoy a snack. Once you see the “Garnet Peak Trail” sign, you have merged onto the Garnet Peak Trail and the climb begins.
If hiking with kids, it is a good idea to make sure they have proper shoes for this hike. The last portion towards the peak does get very steep and rocky. When our son was younger, we did put him in the carrier for this final portion of the trail. At the top, there are many areas to sit and enjoy the view. When our son was younger, we kept him close! On a clear day, you can see the windmills out towards Palm Springs! Definitely pack some binoculars for the views on top!
PINE HOUSE CAFE & TAVERN
This restaurant recently changed ownership, and I have not been since the change due to all of the COVID madness. However, the location is great and the mountain vibe is the same. This log cabin style restaurant has been around since 1942 and has been feeding PCT hikers for many years. The cafe is right next to Burnt Rancheria on Sunrise Highway, across from the Laguna Mountain General Store. The cafe is open Thursday – Sunday and has breakfast, lunch, dinner & take-out picnic options available. Our son loved the mac and cheese and we love a cold beer on the patio after a long hike! The menus below are current in October 2020. You can check out the current hours and menu offerings on their website. I can’t want to check this place out next time we are on the mountain!
BURNT RANCHERIA CAMPGROUND
We love this campground! It is beautiful and the camp hosts are so helpful. The campground is open from April – October. Pets are allowed on a 6ft max leash at all times. The campground is made of several loops, and sites in the Pinyon, Lilac and Yucca Loop can be reserved in advance on recreation.gov. The rest of the 108 sites become first-come, first-serve. This map can give you an idea of where the sites are in relation to facilities. All sites have a table and fire ring. The camp hosts sell firewood for $6/bundle. You can call the campground with any questions at 619/473-0120 or follow the campground facebook page for updated information.
Our son loved this campground. I had been checking cancellations and scored a one-night opening during COVID when the campground had been full every day. We were thrilled, but then the 60mph winds had us hesitant. After our windy Garnet Peak hike, we came to the campground to picnic on our site and decide what to do next. During our picnic, we looked over at our fire ring and saw this snake cruising through our site! It may be hard to see in the picture, but we quickly realized all of the snake warning signs are up for a reason!
We were in site 45, which was right next to the bathrooms. All of the sites are spread out, which was especially enjoyable during COVID. The campground borders the PCT and The Desert View Trail left right by our site which made for an easy late afternoon hike. Walking through the campground later in the evening showed us the beauty of the sun setting in the Mahogany, Redberry & Cherry loop. During non-COVID summers, you an easily walk up to the Sunrise Highway to grab dinner or a beer at the Pinehouse Cafe before setting up for smores at night.
DESERT VIEW TRAIL & PICNIC AREA
The Desert View Trail gives you panoramic views of the Anza-Borrego Desert 6,000 feet below. The trail leaves right from the Burnt Rancheria campground next to site 44. It is pretty amazing to be looking down at the desert and surrounded by pines. The one-mile loop heads up to the Desert View Picnic Area which has several picnic tables and nooks to take a break and enjoy the scenery. The PCT runs along here too, so you may share the trail with PCT hikers for a bit.
We were visiting in June, and the wildflowers along the hike were my favorite. I just love the bright colors sprinkling the landscape along a hike. We headed back to our campsite through the campground (vs the trial back to site 44) and enjoyed the views of the sun setting on the different loops in Burnt Rancheria.
If you are not camping in Burnt Rancheria, the Desert View Picnic Area has parking and you can loop staring there and back up. The views are fabulous and you can see the Salton Sea on clear days. It was an easy trail for our son too!
WOODED HILL NATURE TRAIL
This trail is an easy 1.6-mile loop that is great for families! The trail is a figure-8 shape, with a smaller .5 mile loop option. It is also a self-guided nature trail, with exhibit numbers painted on rocks to teach you about local plant life. You can pick up the trail guide at the Visitor Center. Due to COVID, we were unable to get the pamphlet, but we still loved the hike. To find the trailhead, follow the small road (between mile markers 22 and 21.5) towards the Wooded Hill Campground. After about .3 miles, you will see cars parked along the left side of the road at the trailhead.
At the trailhead, there are two trails. We headed up the left side to start and we were happy with that decision in the end. Not only do the numbers on the pamphlet begin on the left, but we found the direct climb up the hill better on the left than the switchbacks on the right side. We started to head into the forest through the dry grass. Before long, we were surrounded by beautiful autumn colors between a forest of pine and oak trees.
After about 1/4 mile and a bit of a climb uphill (the hike has an elevation gain of 234 feet), we reached the middle of the two loops. We turned left, heading up for the longer 1.6-mile loop. Our son loved all of the boulders along the trail and the pinecones all over the ground. The clouds above us were moving, which gave us great views as we climbed the trail. From spots on the trail, we were able to see the Anza-Borrego Desert, the old US Air Force station, and the Laguna Mountain Observatory.
The top had great views and lots of boulders for our son to explore. We were wishing we had a picnic packed to enjoy once we were up there. It took us about 40 minutes to get to the top – we had a lot of stops for rock climbing and even a mid-trail diaper change!
We had a snack and kombucha, enjoyed the views and started our way down on the other side of the loop! This way down had many switchbacks that made the downhill steady. It was beautiful weaving through the forest. It took us less than 30 minutes to make it back down to our car. Although this trail is not stroller-friendly, it was a great hike for families with kids of all ages! I loved the fall colors during our October visit, and I can only imagine how beautiful the wildflowers must be in Spring!
This area is also our favorite to explore for snow play. You can read more about snow play on Mount Laguna here.
SUNSET TRAIL to WATER OF THE WOODS
This is a great hike to do with kids. To access these trails, you park at the Sunset Trailhead (mile marker 19.1). There will be a lot of cars parked on the highway here as this is a popular area for hiking and mountain biking. The 8-mile Sunset Trail to Laguna Meadows Loop leaves from here as well. The Big Laguna Trail is a popular mountain biking trail that splits off of the Sunset Trail after a few minutes. To make sure you are on the Sunset Trail, stay left, heading West. The Big Laguna Trail will have bikers and bike tracks in the dirt and head to the North, on the right.
Our son loved this trail because he could walk around and explore different areas of the mountain. The trail starts by heading into a pine forest, and eventually comes out into the large Laguna Meadow. The Water of the Woods is a large pond in the middle of the giant mountain meadow. We took time to snack here, and instead of heading back on the Sunset Trail for a 3-mile loop, we hooked onto the Big Laguna Trail (the biking one) and looped back along the meadow. This meadow is home to many cows and you will pass through cattle guards on the trail. Our son loved the different scenery on this easy hike with very little elevation gain. We first hiked this trail in fall and the colors did not disappoint. I have read that the wildflowers are stunning in spring too!
A FEW QUICK STOPS WORTH NOTING
Mount Laguna is filled with scenic points all along the Sunrise Highway. We love pulling off to take in the views for a moment. During COVID closures, these scenic points gave us picnic areas to enjoy in a socially distant way. I highly recommend taking your time heading through to pull off and take in the view! Kids can have a moment to snack and use their favorite binoculars while parents can enjoy a kombucha (or your beverage of choice) and, of course, a snack too.
KWAAYMII POINT
Kwaaymi Point is on the left side of the Sunrise Highway when coming up from Julian (mile marker 30.3). The point is right at the border between the Anza-Borrego Desert and Cleveland National Forest. A short road, Kwaaymi Point, takes you out to the overlook. At 6,000 feet elevation, this point is popular with hang gliders. The area has also become a memorial to hang gliders that have lost their lives and unfortunately, many spots have been tagged with memorials as well.
There is a short 1/2 mile hike that takes you on a portion of the PCT. The views here are beautiful, but there are no guard rails and the drops are steep along the trail. Those with little kids may want to enjoy the overlook and not explore the trail. A portion of the hike is on the old Sunrise Highway from the 1920’s. Our son enjoyed rock climbing (away from the cliff) and we enjoyed the views and a short picnic. This is also a great spot for stargazing!
DESERT VIEW OVERLOOK
Coming from Julian, shortly after mile marker 24, just before the Desert View Picnic Area, turn left up Monument Peak Road towards the old Mt. Laguna USAF station. The road dead-ends at the gate, but has fantastic views at the top. This is another great spot to stargaze, or even get up early from Burnt Rancheria Campground and watch the sunrise. Coffee or wine in hand, pop up a chair and enjoy the views.
OUR FAVORITE TURNOUT
We have another favorite stop on the left side of the mountain heading towards the Sunset Trail from the summit. It is the middle of three turnouts and is just past mile marker 20. I love this spot as we picnicked here several times during COVID and if offers fresh mountain air and views.
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN LODGE STORE
The Laguna Mountain Lodge Store was built in 1930 and has all you may need for a weekend in Mount Laguna. They carry groceries, beverages and camping gear. The store also carries ice, firewood and charcoal. They carry a variety of local souvenirs and even have snow gear. Campers can grab a fresh coffee in the am and they even have a gift shop for visitors. They have you covered for last minutes necessities during a week in Mount Laguna.
SNOW PLAY
Mount Laguna is known for its beautiful winter snowfall. An adventure up the mountain for family-friendly snow play makes for a great day! Check out my post on snow play in Mount Laguna for all my tips and info. Sometimes chains are required on the Sunrise Highway and in extreme weather, the Sunrise Highway will be closed. Mount Laguna is beautiful during every season which makes it a fun place to explore with family all year.
There is so much to do with a day in Julian, California. Less than 90 minutes from San Diego, Julian is a great day trip for the whole family. I love the different offerings throughout the seasons. Julian is an old mining town that is now known for its incredibly busy apple picking season. Although we always head to Julian for fall adventures like apple picking and the pumpkin patch, I also love visiting during the other seasons. Spring offers beautiful daffodils and wildflowers, summer offers fresh berry picking and winter will bring you snow play! We have had so many adventures in Julian over the years, so instead of a one-day itinerary, this post is broken into some of our favorite things to do when we head up!
This is one of our favorite things to do in Julian throughout the seasons. The farm is owned by the sweetest family and offers a variety of seasonal activities. During summer, you can pick fresh strawberries and blueberries on the farm. During the fall, the farm is our go-to pumpkin patch. You can pick pumpkins from the displays or head into the patch to pick your own. They offer hayrides, cider pressing, barnyard animal visits, and ax throwing.
The farm always has a variety of barnyard animals for kids to enjoy as well. This summer, they had three new baby goats that our son LOVED and was able to pet. The farm is a fun place to wander and the tire swing on the tree next to the pumpkin patch is a do-not-miss for kids. When heading to Julian, check out their website for the latest info on what the farm is offering during your visit. We love to stop by the farm closer to closing to avoid mid-day peak crowds. Don’t miss the farm when spending a day in Julian, California.
JULIAN MINING COMPANY
4444 State Highway 78
On the other side of Highway 78 is Julian Mining Company, owned by the same family that owns Julian Farm & Orchard. The mining company is another great stop for families. Kids will have a blast as they “mine” for gold and/or gems by the creek where the real gold was first discovered in Julian. The panning is set up in troughs under a beautiful walnut tree. The grounds have lots of funky areas to explore as well. The Julian Mining Company is open year-round. Check their website for updated hours, but they usually close by 5 pm.
VOLCAN VALLEY APPLE FARM
1284 Julian Orchards Drive
This apple farm has been a family tradition for all of our son’s life. It is our favorite place to go apple picking in Julian each fall. It has changed ownership over the years but only gotten busier. We plan on a weekend visit to Julian somewhere around Labor Day, but I recommend following them on Facebook to get the most updated info on the season. This year (2020) the season was picked over and closed after three weekends! Bags were $15 and include admission for 1. Additional admissions are $5, with children under 5 free. They grow a variety of apples and depending on when you go, certain varieties may be unavailable if they are not ready yet. The apple farm is located just outside downtown Julian and we usually head there first thing on our day trips. Apple season tends to coincide with hot weather in Julian, so come prepared with water, sunblock, and hats! You can find our favorites here!
I always recommend packing a picnic before heading up to Julian, enjoying the apple picking, and then heading next door to Menghini Winery for your lunch with some local wine by the apple orchard. There is a winery across from the orchard that has changed over several times, It is always packed because it is right by the apples, however, head down the road to avoid the lines and enjoy the views at Menghini.
BEST FOOD & DRINKIN JULIAN
HEROES RESTAURANT
218 Main Street
Heroes Restaurant is a delicious stop for lunch. Although open until 4 or 5, Heroes is a VERY popular spot that tends to close a bit earlier in the afternoon due to crowds. Put your name on the list and enjoy downtown Julian until they text you. The restaurant is focused on honoring the men and women that serve our country – military and first responders. They offer a 10% discount to military patrons. The dining room is filled with military and first responder memorabilia, patches, and flags.
If you are looking for a delicious burger or beer in Julian, Heroes is your spot. You cannot go wrong with anything on their menu, but my personal favorite is the Jammin Burger. The apple-cranberry-almond coleslaw is delicious too. Our son loves ordering the burgers too, but unfortunately, they do not have a kids burger on the kid’s menu, so expect the full price ($14) burger on your check. The restaurant is pet and motorcycle friendly which makes the patio very popular on crowded weekends. Don’t miss your chance to watch the action on Main Street from their patio seating.
MENGHINI WINERY
1150 Julian Orchards Drive
This is one of the first places we ever discovered in Julian and we have been coming back since. The boutique winery is just down past Volcan Valley Apple Farm on Julian Orchards Drive. They have a large property of grass, beautiful trees, picnic tables, and apple trees. They encourage you to picnic and their location is perfect for it! You can taste, buy a glass or bottle to share. If you are not picnicking and want to be close for tastings, you can enjoy a glass on the back patio among lush greenery and enjoy the views of the orchard. This is a great spot for lunch after apple picking before heading into town! Hours are 11-4 or 5 pm depending on the day. You can check their website for current hours.
WYNOLA PIZZA & BISTRO
4444 State Highway 78
This is our favorite place to grab a casual lunch or dinner with family. Wynola Pizza & Bistro has a great patio, live music, and craft beer selection. Our favorite is the “Joe’s Godfather” pizza for sure. I also love the “Pizza Crust Salad.” Everything is delicious and their location is ideal, just off Highway 79, right next door to Julian Farm & Orchard. If you are anxious to beat sunset down the windy mountain roads, it is a great place to stop in and grab pizza to-go after a day in Julian, California. It is also perfect for grab-n-go when camping nearby!
JULIAN PIE COMPANY
21976 State Highway 79 or 2225 Main Street
Julian is known for their apple pie and the line outside of Julian Pie Company in downtown Julian never ceases to amaze me. My advice is to skip the Julian Pie Company in downtown Julian and opt for the bigger, less crowded Julian Pie Company in Santa Isabel. We always enjoy the classic apple pie with vanilla ice cream, but Julian Pie has other unique combinations too. You can top your slice of pie with whipped cream, caramel, or even a slice of sharp cheddar cheese! The apple cider donuts (and donut holes) are delicious, too! A slice of pie on the way out of town is a great end to a day in Julian, California.
JEREMY’S ON THE HILL
4354 State HIghway 78
We absolutely love this restaurant. If you are looking for a nicer meal, Jeremy’s is your spot. This is farm-to-table local cuisine that will not disappoint. We have had a variety of meals here – full course dinner and late afternoon appetizers. With the Julian Farm & Orchard across the street closing at 5 pm, Jeremy’s is a great spot for an early dinner on the patio with your family! Whatever season it is during your visit, Jeremy’s is sure to compliment your day in town! Jeremy’s is delicious, fresh, seasonal and dinner here is an amazing way to end a day in Julian!
BLUE DOOR WINERY
2608 B Street
Blue Door Winery is located in the center of downtown Julian. The tasting room is located in the town’s old livery stables. The winemakers are the nicest people too and the wine is great. Their signature sangria is fantastic on a hot, Julian summer day. You can grab a growler of the Sangria to go as well. I definitely recommend stopping in for a beverage during a visit to Julian! They have an urban winery on Morena Blvd. in San Diego so if you want to become wine club members you can taste and pick up at either location!
NICKEL BEER COMPANY
1485 Hollow Glen Road
This brewery is right outside of town and a fun place to stop in for a refreshing beer. They have over 16 beers on tap and have different food truck options. We especially love swinging by after a big hike. We once had an incredible sunrise hike in Anza-Borrego and stopped in for a beer on our way into Julian. More on that in a future post. They have a large, pet-friendly outdoor seating area. During the spring, you can enjoy the daffodils popping up all around the hills surrounding the brewery. If you enjoy beer, definitely stop in for a pint or two during your next day in Julian!
CALICO CIDERY
4200 State Highway 78
This is a great new spot in town! The ranch has been around for years, growing apples and pears and making cider for family and friends. The ranch has been selling fruit and recently opened for retail cider sales last year. The location is beautiful which makes it is a must-stop for us! There is a large seating area in the shade along Highway 79 in front of the cider, but the gem is the orchard behind. Tables are scattered throughout the orchard under the tree. Pick up a tasting flight of the four ciders on tap and enjoy the scenery. Calico Cidery is open on weekends and is a great place to meet up with friends and escape the crowds in downtown Julian.
JULIAN HARD CIDER
4470 Highway 78
Julian Hard Cider has been around for years and is always a fun place to pop in and taste. They have super friendly staff members and I love all of the recommendations that come with the ciders. The “Apple Pie” cider is a delicious treat to break out during dessert at your Thanksgiving celebration. The “Black and Blue” is a great tasting cider alone, and is also fabulous boiled down into a reduction over brussel sprouts. The tasting room for Julian Hard Cider is located in the Julian Station shopping area and is a great place to check out on your way in or out of town.
WHERE TO SHOP IN JULIAN
JULIAN STATION
4470 Highway 78
Julian Station is a great place to stop on your way in or out of town. The property is actually an old apple packing facility and cider house turned into a marketplace of unique vendors, boutiques, food, and drinks. I always have fun cruising through, checking out the different shops, and tasting at Julian Hard Cider. Your kids will love the coin-operated rides like the ones outside of grocery stores from when we were kids. They even have a small fenced-in toy area for the kids too! Julian Station is a great little stop to check out with a day in Julian!
ECCENTRIC APE
2000 Main Street
This store is located in downtown Julian between B & C Street. This was such a unique shop to stumble upon. They have a great tapestry selection. We use ours for a picnic/beach/park blanket and camping tablecloth but you can also hang them as art or use them as a comforter cover. I am always getting compliments on the one we purchased. The store also has a variety of incense and related supplies. Definitely, a place to check out with a day in Julian if you are into this vibe!
THE CANDY MINE
2134 Main Street
Our son loves this place. It is his favorite stop. When you first walk in, you will be in the small Miner’s Diner restaurant. However, in the back, follow the sign to the Candy Mine. Head down the stairs and you will be surrounded by buckets of candy. They carry all of the old-time candies and favorites. There is definitely something for everyone. It is a hit with my son. He brings it up every time we go to Julian. I love that he will always remember heading down the dark stairs complete with mining sound effects. It is a quick stop, but a fun one with kids! It is also on the main stretch where chances are you have parked and are cruising around if you are spending a day in Julian.
CROW & LILAC
2608 B Street
My friend and I stumbled upon this store while enjoying Sangria from Blue Door Winery next door. The store smells amazing and is full of natural body & home products. I have several linen sprays from the essential oil line that are incredible. I also have the “after sun spray” that is so rejuvenating on your skin after a shower post-beach day. Crow and Lilac is a great place to check out while you enjoy your Sangria.
JULIANTLA CHOCOLATE BOUTIQUE
2608 B Street
Next door to Crow and Lilac, this boutique has some delicious candies and chocolate treats for the entire family. In addition to chocolates and candies, they carry pastries, cakes, and apple pies. Everything is made locally and they have a large vegan selection. Juliantla Chocolate Boutique is another great place to check out while having your Sangria from Blue Door!
HIKING & CAMPING IN JULIAN
SANTA ISABEL COUNTY PRESERVE
You pass the Santa Isabel County Preserve coming into town from San Diego. The Santa Isabel West trails are an easy place to take kids out hiking, however, it can be very hot. There is a lot to explore and we enjoyed heading out among the rolling hills and oak trees. The entire loop can be up to 8 miles, or you can head out and back a few miles as we did with our son. There are many cows on the trail and very little shade. If you want an easy hike with minimal elevation, this is a great place to explore! Make sure to watch out for rattlesnakes, especially with little kids! I recommend this hike on a cooler day.
WILLIAM HEISE COUNTY PARK SELF-GUIDED NATURE TRAIL
William Heise County Park is a great place to hike and camp in Julian. The park is filled with hiking trails that can make a day out of adventuring. We had an enjoyable, .5mile hike along the self-guided nature trail loop. The loop left from the campground, not too far from our site (site 72). My son brought his scooter because we started by cruising through the campground and ended up on the hike. The hike is not scooter/stroller friendly, but it was easy enough to carry his scooter on the .5 mile loop. The hike takes you out into the county park, with information about the vegetation as you go. It is a great way to get out into nature in Julian. The county park does charge $3 for parking.
CAMPING AT WILLIAM HEISE COUNTY PARK
Camping at William Heise County Park is a great way to turn your daycation visiting Julian, Ca into a weekend getaway! The park has tent and RV hookup sites, as well as cabins and group-camping options. The cabins are insulated and include lighting, wood-framed beds (no linens), a table, and chairs. Use this link to view the park brochure and campground map. In addition to the 11-miles in hiking trails, there is a playground and ranger activities on the weekends. We had a wonderful time camping at William Heise during apple season.
Between family vacations and family an eight-hour drive away, we have covered a lot of miles on the road with our son over the years. Whether we are visiting family, traveling for the holidays, or taking our own adventure, we have become used to long periods of time in the car together. Now we are adding our baby girl to the mix, so we get to start all over with newborn road trips. I’ve had many people ask about how our son handles the long drives, so I thought I would put this list together for all of you. Here are the following essentials I always have packed for a road trip with kids!
1. CAR TRAY
Our son’s car tray is a road trip essential and he LOVES using it. It is used for eating, doing homework, playing, watching a DVD, etc. The trays with sides are awesome to keep projects from spilling. I love when they fold up for storage in the car under the passenger seat. The pockets on the side keep things organized during the drive. There are many options for car trays, but an old cafeteria tray will work too! Don’t forget a tray on your next road trip with kids.
2. HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
Keeping your child busy is essential for road trip success. This section could go on and on, but I will pick a few of our son’s favorites. These ideas also double for grab-and-go entertainment in a restaurant, event, etc where your kids need something to keep them busy. Basic coloring books fall under this category, but here are a few of our son’s more engaging favorites.
MAGNETIC PLAY TINS & BOOKS – love these because the magnets keep the pieces together – SUPER helpful when you are in the front seat and can’t reach around easy!
MAGNETIC STORY SETS – his favorite was “Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site“ – ideal with stories they know and love so they can recreate stories with characters they love.
WIKI STICKS – as a teacher I loved these for making letters, math projects, finding sight words in big books, etc. I had kind of forgotten about them until we went to Nick’s in Laguna Beach and they gave them to our son with the kids menu. Our son was so engaged through the whole meal and now they are an easy tool for distraction! They never dry out and can stick to papers, tins, trays, etc. I love this travel kit! Easy to grab and throw in the car. Perfect for a road trip with kids.
TAKE APART ERASERS – my son loves these! They can fall apart and be messy, but he is so engaged with them. I actually take apart each animal and put it in a plastic easter egg. I usually have a set or two in 1/2 an egg crate ready to explore. You can get food, animals, sea life, etc. They are like mini-puzzles and keep him so engaged. I actually started using them on planes but they are great in the car too. Just annoying if they start falling on the ground, but if a piece falls, we tell our son to move on until the next stop!
MAGNETIC WOOLY WILLY – Ha! My son loves this thing. Easy to throw in and super engaging for kids!
TRAVEL ART SET – My son loves this set! Paper, markers, colored pencils, and more all fit inside this easy-to-grab (and slide between seats) case!
LACING ACTIVITIES – My son loved beads on a pipe cleaner, but lacing cards work too! Pipe cleaners hold the beads better to cut back on large spills of beads all over the car! Put the beads in a cup that will fit in the car seat cup holder and let little fingers create while working on their fine motor skills! Lacing is a win-win.
WATER WOW BOOKS – These are so awesome because all you need is water! So easy to clean up and so simple for the car. They have engaging topics for all interests!
STICKER STORY– This was a fun “go-to” activity in my Kindergarten class. Create a story from stickers. Kids can label, write a sentence or make a book with papers, markers & stickers. Always fun to see what they come up with! Just start with some high-interest stickers for your child!
Leading up to a trip, the $1 bins at Target and Michaels are always fun to check too. They tend to have thematic activities that correspond to seasons, hobbies, etc. so you can grab things that may match your trip!
3. GAMES
Games are great in the car on road trips with kids because they keep everyone happy, laughing, and engaged with each other. Our son’s favorite game – 2 TRUTHS & A LIE – has led to so many fun stories and conversations. Some of his other favorites are:
ROAD TRIP BINGO – My husband makes fun of me when I break this one out! I love it! Takes me back to riding cross country in the station wagon as a kid. Everyone needs this BINGO in their road trip entertainment arsenal.
MAD LIBS – Our son LOVES Mad Libs! Mad Libs are so easy and entertaining in the car. I especially love them now that our son is learning parts of speech. We used to say things like “something you do” for verbs, etc. Now he can play them with friends too!
I SPY TRAVEL – Our son loves I SPY and is the easiest game in the car. These cards are great, but you really don’t need any cards to play!
HIGHLIGHTS MAGAZINE – Highlights has tons of engaging subscriptions in their magazines! My son’s favorite is the sticker matching pages in Puzzle Buzz. I love that Highlights targets specific age groups and you can adjust your subscription as your child gets older. These are also great for road trips because you can toss the magazine once your child has worked through it!
MAGNETIC GAMES – Just like the magnetic activities above, magnets are great in the car to reduce drops! our son loves matching games and the classic Tic-Tac-Toe. These are also so easy to store in the pocket behind the driver and passenger seats.
WENDY’S KIDS MEAL TOYS – Just another thing I want to note here. We have always loved the toys that come in Wendy’s kid’s meal. They are usually games or activities for the car that require thinking, exploring, etc. vs a random keychain your child will never play with again. Just something to think about when you are deciding where to stop for food!
4. MINI TOYS
This seems like a given, but it is important to bring a few of your child’s favorite little toys along. Try to think about toys that inspire creativity. For our son, it has been small superhero action figures, Disney Pixar die-cast cars, and small lego sets. If you are doing screens on your drive, try to think about small toys you may have that correlate to the movie they may be watching on the drive. My son LOVES playing cars as he watches Cars. He loves to play shark legos as he watches Discovery Channel shark shows. It can be fun to surprise your child with a few of these along the drive too!
5. PODCASTS
We have had a lot of fun listening to entertaining Podcasts with our son on the road. He loved the comedy THIS PODCAST HAS FLEAS during a road trip a few years ago. It is great when you can find one that you all enjoy listening to. Currently, he is super into WHAT IF WORLD. If your children need to calm down, BE CALM ON AHWAY ISLAND is a great pick. Pick out a new, engaging podcast to try on a road trip with kids!
Read-along books are great for road trips with kids, but they are useful to have in the car all of the time. They can tuck in the pocket in front of your child. Disney makes cheap read-along books with CDs that go with almost every movie. Through the distance learning COVID brought all of us, we were introduced to the app Epic with tons of audiobooks to listen to. We found we had several in our library which we were able to pair together for a listening center in the car! The scholastic book orders your child’s school probably sends home are a great, cheap way to grow your book & CD collection too.
7. OPTIONAL – *SCREENS*
Uggggg, OK I am saying it. Screens. Like we have not had enough. But let’s be real and honest and we know they help in times like the car. However, I will say a few things here. When we do our big National Park trips, we DO NOT bring the iPad. I can write a novel on how I think iPad changes my son, but I will spare you. I am not going to preach here, because my son has PLENTY of screen time, but it is important to think about the role the screen will play on your trip.
For our son, knowing the iPad is in the car almost makes him obsess over it the entire trip. So for us, it is not ideal. However, we will sometimes bring his Nintendo Switch or our travel DVD player. Depending on where you are going, you may not have cell service, so a pad may not work. In addition, unless you have unlimited data, the charges can start adding up if you let your kids go wild on the pad.
Our car does not have a built-in DVD player, but a friend recommended this one and we have loved it! It is great because we can bring into hotels for our son’s breathing treatment time. Each trip, we pick a few favorite Disney movies and some corresponding toys. I love watching him enjoy movies he wouldn’t give the time of day during regular day-to-day life. Especially when they are movies he LOVED as a toddler (uhmmmm Cars, yes please!).
8. SNACKS
This kind of goes along with water in the way that you don’t want whining, “I’m hungry” as soon as you get on the road. We don’t do snacks that create a huge mess during road trips with kids (if possible). Our son love string cheese, yogurt pouches, BBQ chips, crackers, and cashews. Again, please remember our son has CF and has a need for a high-fat, high-calorie diet that is probably different than what your child needs. It is great to have a variety of snacks (for you too!) as road trip snacking tends to be heavy. When you pack your snacks, think about items that will avoid crazy spills and are easy to pass behind you. If you want to try something new and not think too much about it, these boxes are a fun way to make your road trip snack game strong!
9. WATER
This seems like a silly item to include, but it is so important. I have mentioned our need for water because our son takes over 40 pills a day as part of his fight against Cystic Fibrosis, but water is important for every child! The last thing you want to hear is whiny, “I’m thirsty” when you are on a road trip with kids! We love stainless water bottles that keep the water icy cold without condensation dripping all over our son’s car seat.
In addition, water creates no sticky spills or messes. Brightly colored, large water bottles allow your child to find their bottle in the backseat without asking for unnecessary help. Water is the only beverage (outside of our son’s high-calorie milk – CF-related need) that we have going on during road trips. No chugging sugar bomb drink, spilling sticky juice all over the backseat, and no unwrapping and poking straws while twisting my back around to reach!!
10. CLEAN UP
Not the most exciting part, but a VERY necessary part of a road trip with kid travel! Our son gets carsick, so Kids Dramamine and barf bags are a must. So simple to have with you and they can make all the difference in your day. I won’t get into how many times we have been taking the car seat apart in a gas station parking lot to clean out the mess. These barf bags have saved SO many days.
Another thing that saves the day? Wipes! As mothers, we know this. Always make sure you have plenty within arms reach on your road trip!
Also, we always have our potty from back in the potty training days. This thing has saved us several times when bathrooms were closed, totally disgusting, or just unavailable. You can always pull over and set your child up on the side of the road with this thing. This was especially helpful during the beginning of COVID closures. This potty was essential for potty training and years later is still useful in time-sensitive situations. When on a road trip with kids, make sure you have a backup plan for all things potty!
The last thing I want to note about road trips with kids is to PLAN YOUR STOPS! Check out what you can do on your route. Nothing is worse than the tensions boiling and uncomfortable kids driving. There are so many quirky stops where you can let your kids run, stretch their legs, and burn off a little energy. Planning for these moments will help make the drive better for EVERYONE in the car! Don’t let a road trip with kids hold you back from your next adventure! Anything else you would add to my list?
Camping in Joshua Tree is an unforgettable experience, no matter where you end up. The stargazing is phenomenal, and sitting around a campfire next to massive piles of boulders or Joshua Trees makes for an unforgettable experience. There are several National Park campgrounds to choose from, but for reasons I will talk about below, Black Rock Campground is our favorite for camping with kids. If you are looking for more info on visiting Joshua Tree with kids, make sure to read this post!
JOSHUA TREE CAMPGROUND OPTIONS
Joshua Tree has eight campgrounds – five requiring reservations during the peak season of September to May (Black Rock, Cottonwood, Indian Cove, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan).
BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND – 99 sites, $25/night, water, flush toilets, fire grates, dump station
COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND – 62 sites, $25/night, water, flush toilets, fire grates, dump station
INDIAN COVE CAMPGROUND – 101 sites, $25/night, water at ranger station, pit toilets, fire grates
JUMBO ROCKS CAMPGROUND – 124 sites, $20/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
RYAN CAMPGROUND – 31 sites, $20/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
BELLE CAMPGROUND – 18 sites, $15/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
HIDDEN VALLEY CAMPGROUND – 44 sites, $15/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
WHITE TANK CAMPGROUND – 15 sites, $15/night, NO WATER, pit toilets, fire grates
WHY CHOOSE BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND FOR FAMILIES?
Little “luxuries” can make a huge difference when camping with kids. Safety and convenience factors go a long way, especially with younger kids. You can read more about our favorite things to pack when camping with kids here. We love Black Rock Campground in Joshua Tree for the following reasons.
SPACIOUS SITES
We picked site #30, the campsite at the northern tip of the campground, where several trails begin. Although this campground does not offer the fun rock climbing that the more popular Jumbo Rocks and Indian Cove do, it is the only campground where you can sleep under a Joshua Tree! In addition, site 30 was secluded, a short walk from the bathrooms, and had total privacy!
Some of the middle sites are pretty close together, with nothing separating them. We were thrilled to be secluded and have plenty of space for our set-up, especially during COVID. There was plenty of room for our large tent, and there was plenty of space for another family to have joined us.
CELL SERVICE
So obviously, cell service is not something you expect or necessarily want when getting into nature. Still, the reality of our “always available world” is that sometimes it is necessary to getaway. Due to COVID, our son was distance learning and could check-in via Zoom while setting up our tent. My husband also had to manage any pressing issues at work. It was great to stay where he occasionally could check on email, as Joshua Tree has NO CELL SERVICE. I know this isn’t the point of camping, but when ducking out of town early on a Friday, it was nice to have service to manage school and work issues that came up!
FLUSH TOILETS
Black Rock Campground has real bathrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Real toilets are great for camping with kids. Although some of the more popular campgrounds like Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, and Hidden Valley are at the top of the “best campgrounds in Joshua Tree,” they only have pit toilets and no water available. When camping with kids, real bathrooms and sinks are very helpful!
WATER
In addition to bathrooms, Black Rock Campground has running water available throughout the campground. When I was 27 weeks pregnant, we camped here, so I appreciated an actual toilet and running water. Also, a water spout nearby makes washing dishes easier and assures you will have what you need to put your fire out at night. When camping with no water, you need to pack A LOT of water, especially in the middle of the desert. Water available in the campground alleviates this extra step.
LOCATION
Black Rock Campground is located inside the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park. However, it is not located inside the main entrances. Just a few minutes off of the highway, the campground offers the beauty and quiet of Joshua Tree, with the convenience of 7-11 and Walmart not too far away. Since Joshua Tree is a park you are primarily driving through and stopping along the way, we found this super convenient for picking up firewood and ice each evening. The drive to the main entrance was only about 15-minutes each morning, and then we enjoyed stopping at our favorite places along the way as we looped through the park.
BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND NATURE CENTER
Several trails leave from the Black Rock Campground, and the campground is home to the Black Rock Nature Center. Although closed during our COVID visit, the Nature Center is fun for families to explore and learn more about Joshua Tree National Park. The Black Rock Nature Center is also an excellent place for kids to work on their Junior Ranger books!
ABILILTY TO PLAN AHEAD
HOW TO MAKE RESERVATIONS
Although we were visiting when sites were first come, first served, reservations are available for Black Rock, reservations are available August-early June. You can make your reservation on Reservation.gov six months in advance. A reservation lets you know exactly what site you have and takes away the worry of “where will we end up?” Spots fill up fast, so signing on at 7 am is best EXACLTY six months before you want to go. Another option is to sign up for a service like Campnab that will monitor cancellations for you in real-time.
FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED SEASON
Due to Black Rock Campground’s entrance being shortly off of the highway, you do not need to go through the main entrance to get there. This saves time when trying to score a great campsite (especially on a holiday weekend). We talked to the ranger on our drive out that said it is always best to try Black Rock or Cottonwood Campground before heading to the more popular Jumbo Rocks, Indian Cove, or Hidden Valley. You lose time driving into the middle of the park and will almost certainly be met with “Campground Full” signs on a busy weekend.
No matter what campground you choose, during first come, first served, all you do is grab a yellow envelope when you enter the campground. Then, pick an available site and begin setting up. Within an hour, make sure to fill out all of your info on the envelope, put your payment inside and clip it to your site marker. The key is finding a site with no yellow envelope clipped to the number- meaning it is vacant!
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CAMPING IN JOSHUA TREE
Joshua Tree is a beautiful National Park but also an isolated park. When you plan your family’s camping trip, there are several things to consider. First, always remember there is no cellular service inside the park.
FIREWOOD
Joshua Tree DOES NOT SELL FIREWOOD in their campgrounds. Please make sure to purchase your bundles on your way into the park. There are plenty of stores along the highway that sell firewood. Remember always to buy the firewood you burn locally. We found Black Rock Campground the most convenient because we could grab ice and firewood on the way back each evening.
WATER
Unless your campground has water available, like Black Rock Campground, you will need to bring all of your water with you. It is essential to overestimate as you are in the desert. Due to high desert winds, you want to make sure you have enough for drinking, washing up, and putting out your fire each night. You will want to have at least 1 gallon per person, per day, just for drinking. It would be best if you planned to double that in hotter temperatures.
PETS IN JOSHUA TREE
Pets are NOT ALLOWED on the trails in Joshua Tree. The answer to that is not to leave your pet unattended in the car while you hike!! The temperatures in Joshua Tree can soar to 100° plus. We all know that the car heats up much faster than the outside feels.
Pets are allowed on paved and unpaved roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. You can read more specific details about where dogs are permitted in Joshua Tree here. Pets must be on a leash at all times. All leashes (or camping tie-ups) must be less than 6ft long. We all know you need to clean up after your pet.
CAMPSITE RULES
Joshua Trees are very fragile, and hanging anything from them (hammocks, string lights) in your campsite is not permitted. So leave your hammocks at home. However, generators are allowed during certain hours. This is important for us as our son has Cystic Fibrosis and needs to do nebulizer treatments.
HOLIDAY WEEKEND ADVICE
Joshua Tree is only gaining in popularity. Getting a campsite is becoming harder and harder, especially when competing in the first, come, first served scenarios. Here are my tips for being successful when the competition is intense.
CALL THE RANGER STATION – (760) 367-5522
When we visited for Memorial day weekend, everything was first-come, first-served. News stations reported that the heavily sought-after Jumbo Rocks Campground was almost full by Wednesday night. We had no idea where we were going or what we would do there. So I started by calling the ranger station to ask about the status of the campgrounds.
Calling ahead was a great choice. The ranger gave me an idea of how full the different campgrounds were. It was still early, so the ranger station did not have the current count of sites that were left, but he was able to give me a general idea of what was already pretty crowded and probably full. This saved us a lot of time. The ranger advised us that during overcrowded times, you should always head straight to Cottonwood or Black Rock, whichever one is first on your route towards the park.
ARRIVE EARLY
When things are hectic, and everyone is competing for the first-come, first-served campsites, early arrival is essential. I am not talking about an early morning Friday arrival, but ideally, an early week arrival. Some people send members of their party out on Wednesday or Thursday to scoop up a site for the weekend.
If you can’t pull the kids out of school early, definitely get to Joshua Tree as early as possible. When we left our site and returned a few hours later, the campground was a zoo. Lights circled all night with people driving around looking for a site (don’t be those people)!
OUR BLACK ROCK CAMPGROUND WEEKEND ITINERARY
We left San Diego with our car packed in hopes of scoring a campsite shortly before 8 am. Unfortunately, the whole country was kind of chomping at the bit to get out, as quarantine had been going strong for about 12 weeks. We were initially heading to Mount Laguna but after a call with the camp host, we realized the trip would probably be a waste of time and immense disappointment (who wants to do all the organization/packing for camping for no campsite?!?!). So we quickly turned around and headed north to Joshua Tree. I immediately began finding a campground to target and piece together an itinerary.
DAY ONE – 85°
We were thrilled to find a great site in Black Rock Campground, and we were setting up by 11 am. Our son could even attend his class via Zoom while we unpacked the car. We finished a quick picnic lunch at our campsite, and since we were in the blazing sun and anxious to see the park, we headed in pretty quickly.
WEST ENTRANCE STATION
In non-COVID times, the first stop would have been the Joshua Tree Visitor Center for brochures, Junior Ranger books and recommendations. However, the building was closed, so we headed to the West Entrance Station, where all these materials were available in boxes once you entered.
As we headed into the park, we were all filled with anticipation as it was our first visit to Joshua Tree! It is fun to see the trees surrounding the road as you head into the park. It is impressive how so many of one type of tree can pop up in the middle of the desert. We decided to spend our day driving through the park versus coming back out to exit here again. We could go through east to the North Entrance Station in Twenty-nine Palms or head south towards Indio, to the Cottonwood Visitor Center Exit.
KEYS VIEW
We planned our exploring by heading straight out towards Keys View, the highest viewpoint in that park. It is a 20-minute detour from the main road (Park Boulevard). Panoramic views looking out at the San Andreas Fault, Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. San Gorgonio (the highest peak in southern California), and the Salton Sea. Being from California, you hear so many things about the San Andreas Fault and the earthquakes it has caused. It was fantastic to look out and see part of the 700 miles where the fault runs! Keys View has a short, paved path to the viewpoints, and the entire loop is 1/4 mile long. The park had signs that created one-way traffic on the pathway to help with social distancing. It was a great start to the trip, as we could look out and see how expansive the desert is.
Keys View in Joshua National Park
CAP ROCK
After checking out the desert view, we headed back towards Park Boulevard and stopped at Cap Rock. This was a great stop for our son to explore and rock climb. Cap Rock is a short, .4 mile self-guided loop through boulders, Joshua trees, and other plants. Although it is a loop, we took turns taking our son out to explore for a bit while one of us walked our dog around the picnic area, as dogs are not allowed on the trails. There are pit toilets and a picnic area here, and the parking lot is large, which can only be helpful on busy days.
I knew I wanted to check out the Cholla Cactus Garden, a bit of a drive south in the park, so we started heading in that direction. We drove through Jumbo Rocks Campground on the way to check the status (which was packed) and scope out sites we would want to book in a future trip. More on that in my “next time” list. Next toJumbo Rocks Campground is Skull Rock.
SKULL ROCK
The Skull Rock Trail goes through the campground, so joining it would be easy if you were camping in Jumbo Rocks. We pulled off on the right side of the road atSkull Rock and took turns taking our son in to check it out. I wish we were able to explore this area longer together. I was very cool, filled with boulders, and our son would have climbed all over for hours.
We did get to see the “skull rock,” as it is right off the road at the stop. To complete the trail, you need about an hour or two (depending on how much climbing your little may want to do) as it is a 1.7-mile loop. This was an excellent stop and a trail I would love to hike when we are back without our dog. It is so fun to see all of the kids climbing all over boulders and just LOVING every second of it!
Shortly after Skull Rock, the road ends at a “T,” with Park Boulevard heading north to the North Entrance Station in Twentynine Palms and Pinto Basin Road heading south to the Cottonwood area. I knew I wanted to see the Cholla Cactus Garden in the late afternoon, so we headed south for almost 30 minutes to get there. Sadly, we had to pass the White Tank Campground and Arch Rock on the way. More on that in my “next time” list. In hindsight, we would have stopped here on the way to the cactus garden.
CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN
The Cholla Cactus Garden is an incredible sight. We took turns taking our son through the 1/4 loop. The cactus garden appears to go on and on, and the colors shining in the sunlight are spectacular. Unfortunately, the needles are sharp, painful, and all around on the ground. The trail and boardwalk keep everyone safe, so stay on the path. The Cholla Cactus Trail is not a spot to let your child wander.
The Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua National Park
From theCholla Cactus Garden, we headed north to the North Entrance Station park exit. Since we were camping, we wanted time to explore our campground, take care of our son’s breathing treatments and start a fire before dark. We stopped at a gas station to buy ice and firewood for the night in Yucca Valley. We were back at Black Rock Campground before 6 pm.
SUNSET IN BLACK ROCK
The wind was starting to pick up when we were out! We came back to most of our table set up on the ground. We did our best not to let the wind bring us down, and we enjoyed the evening around our campsite. With our site along the trail to the West Side Loop, we could explore the scenery around us while keeping our dog safe!
The wind started picking up even more, so we started our fire early and grilled some hot dogs quickly! It was an easy meal to make in windy conditions. Making dinner under a Joshua Tree is a memorable experience. As the sun went down, the temperature dropped, and the stars came out. Finally, we were able to see what all the hype is about Joshua Tree stargazing. Unbelievable stargazing. We were surprised to be pulling out the sweatshirts we had packed for the mountains. We capped the night with smores (our son’s camping staple) and waited out the wind while we slept.
DAY TWO – 85°
We woke up and were all feeling a little discouraged about how crazy the wind turned through the night. Weather apps said they were about 60mph, and they kept us awake! Meanwhile, I was pregnant and had to pee constantly. So it wasn’t the best night of sleep. However, when the coffee heated (it took forever because the wind was blowing out the stove) and we took in the views, we were ready to go for another day! So if you are camping, know your wind predictions and make sure you have what you need to be comfortable!
Looking out your tent window in the morning at this view – who cares how bad the wind was?
HEMINGWAY
We made a quick breakfast and headed back into the park. As soon as we entered, we could tell that being Saturday, it was far more crowded than the day before. So we decided to stop at a few places we had skipped the day before. We started with Hemingway, which was an excellent spot for rock climbing for our son. It also has an unpaved road where we could walk our dog. We even saw a desert iguana running through the vegetation. Very exciting!
We drove past Hidden Valley and Barker Dam but kept going because the parking was intense. Having our dog with us, we did not have the option to hike the trails. Instead, we headed back to Cap Rock to let our son climb while we walked the dog and enjoyed a picnic lunch. Cap Rock is a less crowded destination but makes for a great time with ample parking. I can see this being great if we were with friends and all in separate vehicles wanting a place to gather for lunch. However, if the crowds feel too much, this is also a great spot to relax.
Cap Rock in Joshua Tree
HALL OF HORRORS
Up next was the Hall of Horrors and my son loved it! My husband took him out on the .6 mile loop so I could stay with our dog. It was an easy loop with lots of rock climbing. Due to COVID, my husband felt uncomfortable with the crowds and had them wear their masks. As I write this in September 2020, it is interesting to think about this now, and masks have become standard. It was just an “idea” that may or may not help back then. They had a lot of fun climbing the rocks and checking out the scenery. Hall of Horrors is an excellent spot for kids.
Hall of Horrors
COTTONWOOD SPRING
From here, we headed south again to check out theCottonwood Spring Trail. We drove for almost an hour, passing the cactus garden we saw yesterday and several campgrounds along the way. As we turned off the main road, we saw the Cottonwood Visitor Center and stopped to see if anything was open. It was not, but a kind ranger in the parking lot checked our son’s Junior Ranger book and swore him in. It was a sweet moment, as masks were brand new and seemed temporary at the time. I cannot say enough about the Junior Ranger program at the National Parks (more on that here).
We headed out to theCottonwood Spring Trail, and each took turns taking our son out (again, our dog!). It is a less than 10-minute walk out to the palm oasis. It was easy enough to do, but it seems like the long walk out to the Lost Palm Oasis would give more incredible views. So unless you plan to leave this way to head out towards Indio or other parts of the desert, I would probably say skip anything south of the cactus garden if you are working with limited time.
We left the Cottonwood area and headed north towards theNorth Entrance Station. It was an hour plus to get back to our campsite, but it was magic when we did. The sun glowing over the Joshua Trees is nuts and obviously why there is so much hype around Joshua Tree.
BLACK ROCK HI-VIEW NATURE TRAIL
Once we got back to our campground, we took a mini stroll to find the Hi-View Nature Trail. We started strong, but our son saw a snake on the trail after a bit. After that, we realized we were going the wrong way, and we headed back to our camp. This trail had a lot of potential, but we were not ready for it. I cannot wait to check it out when we return. As the sun sets, the glow around the Joshua Trees is insane and capped the night with kombucha, smores, and INSANE stargazing.
DAY THREE – HEADING HOME
We woke up pumped on the beauty of the night before. We debated staying another night because it is hard to give up a great spot. But, instead, we decided to make an adventure on the way home. My husband had always wanted to see the Salton Sea from things he had read, so we decided to get a little creative with our day.
PIONEERTOWN
We headed out shortly before 10 am and headed up to Pioneertown. Unfortunately, due to COVID, most things were closed, but we enjoyed checking the vibe and seeing the famous Pappy & Harriets Pioneer Palace. They were serving drinks on the patio, but we were not comfortable yet, so this will hit the “next time” list. This strip looks like a movie set and is worth the 15-minute detour!
THE SALTON SEA
From Pioneertown, we did not take the direct way home. Instead, we headed south to one of California’s lowest points, the Salton Sea. If you are looking for weird, head south from Joshua Tree. The Salton Sea was once a thriving destination. However, the Salton Sea became toxic due to the lack of drainage needed for salt balance in the water. As the toxicity increased, it killed every living thing inside and destroyed the dream of the LA/palm springs lake-side destinations thriving on the salty banks. Coming into town, you can still see the remnants of the heyday. We did a drive-through as the remnants are sad, broken, and not where you are looking to hang out with no destination.
SALVATION MOUNTAIN
In my quest for adventure, I carried us on to Salvation Mountain, a piece of artwork that needs to be seen to be believed. We waited almost 30 minutes to cross the train tracks to get there, but once we pulled up, we knew we had arrived. The message “GOD IS LOVE” can be seen by all from the road not far from Slab City.
After an unforgettable two days in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in June 2020, we were ready to start our Yosemite adventure. Due to COVID-19, Yosemite had just reopened with reservations required about a week before our visit. Having an in-park lodging reservation automatically gave us an entry reservation for the park so we did not have to compete with the masses for our entry reservation. Here is what we did with our two days in Yosemite!
We woke up in the Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites, about a 25-minute drive from the SOUTH ENTRANCE to Yosemite. Our room was large and had a pull-out bed for our son, a coffee maker, and a fridge. All rooms include the fridge which is important when you are planning to do breakfast in the room. We booked with Expedia to ensure flexibility due to COVID and a competitive rate. Oakhurst was a great starting point because it is close enough to get to the park quickly, but also a town with plenty of hotel and gas options. We filled up with gas before heading into the park and were in line for the entry gate in no time.
MARIPOSA GROVE/WAWONA
Since we only had two days in Yosemite, we opted to skip the first right turn towards MARIPOSA GROVE because we had just spent time in the Sequoias. However, this would make a great first stop. The BIG TREES TRAIL LOOP is an easy .3 mile 30 -45 minute walk through the towering Sequoias. Due to COVID, there was an additional 2 mile walk to the grove from the parking area.
Most of the other sites in Wawona, like the Pioneer Yosemite History Museum, Wawona Golf Course and Wawona Hotel were all closed as well. We drove through the area pretty quickly and decided this would be on the “next time” list. This stop would take a full morning between visiting Mariposa Grove and exploring Wawona. After a full morning, it would be nice to enjoy lunch (and a glass of wine!) at the Wawona Hotel Dining Room. There is a 24-hour mini Chevron station in Wawona as well in case you need to fill up before the one hour drive towards the valley.
GLACIER POINT
As we headed towards the valley, our first stop was GLACIER POINT. I highly recommend taking this detour on your way in to the park, as there is no shuttle service to this overlook. After driving into the park from the Wawona area for about 40 minutes, you will see the turn off for Glacier Point Road on the right in Chinquapin. It is about 30 additional minutes out to the overlook on Glacier Point Road, but the views are worth it!
At 3,000 feet above the Valley floor, it is a great introduction to the park. You can see most of Yosemite’s famous sites from this area, such as Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, several waterfalls and Yosemite’s High Country. It is also a great place to picnic and let kids run around a bit. There were families moving around camping chairs just relaxing and taking in the views as the kids enjoyed rock climbing and exploring.
Views of Half Dome and Vernal & Nevada Falls to the right
There are several trails around Glacier Point, including the 4.8 mile FOUR MILE TRAIL that will take you down to Yosemite Valley. We chose to stroll the paved trails along the guard rail and take in the views! It was the perfect introduction to Yosemite for our son. This is a great spot to let your kids break out their binoculars or digital camera. It was fun to “get the lay of the land” by looking down into the valley. The Merced river snakes through the valley floor and the Ahwahnee Hotel looks like a castle peeking out of the trees. It was a great place to stretch our legs from the drive into the park and spark excitement for our two days in Yosemite!
Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point – views of the valley floor, Merced river, Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls Lots of places to explore and wander at Glacier Point
WAWONA TUNNEL VIEW
Once you drive the 30 minutes back to Wawona Road/Highway 41, you are not too far from the not-to-be missed pullout – the WAWONA TUNNEL VIEW. If you have seen someone post a family in Yosemite, chances are it was from Tunnel View. It is an easy stop, just turn left immediately following the tunnel. As you drive through the dark tunnel, there is excitement approaching the bright light and insane views to follow.
There are parking lots on both sides of the road as you exit, but the grand view is from the parking lot on the left. If parking is too full, do not be discouraged. Just circle around again as people are constantly coming and going very quickly here! I grew up going to Yosemite as a kid, so my brother and I had plenty of photo opportunities at Tunnel View! Of course I had to try to recreate this 80’s photo from my childhood with my son! How did we do?
The Wawona Tunnel and Tunnel View Pullout
BRIDALVEIL FALLS
As we made our way down Wawona Road into Yosemite Valley, the sights surrounded us and did not disappoint. Yosemite truly is a magical place, and it is amazing to look up at the granite rocks knowing there are climbers looking down at our car weaving through the valley floor. Our first stop was BRIDALVEIL FALLS.
With only two days in Yosemite, I highly recommend stopping here as you head into the valley for several reasons. Wawona Road, the road heading in and out of the valley, is one way, so this is an easy pull out as you head in as it is on the right side of the road. In addition, there is no shuttle service to the trailhead. Open year round, the trail is an easy 1/4 mile walk to the base of the 620 foot waterfall. Some of the trail heading up closer to the base of the waterfall was closed for renovations, but we still had great views from the pools below.
TRAIL SAFETY
Please use caution when exploring the rocks below the waterfall as they are very slippery. Also, be very aware and careful near any water areas in the parks as conditions can be unpredictable. Each year visitors are injured (or worse) due to slipping on rocks or being swept away in changing currents, etc. I read earlier this year about a hiker that slipped on the rocks and hit his head in this same area. There were many people hopping the construction fence and scaling the rocks up closer to the waterfall. I just can’t recommend that as it may look exciting, but it is very dangerous. Plus we had great views from the end of the designated trail!
Short hike to the base of Bridalveil Falls
YOSEMITE VILLAGE
DINING OPTIONS
After our stop in Bridalveil Falls, we were more than ready for a late lunch. Once again, due to COVID, our dining options were very limited. With the fluctuating changes surrounding COVID, make sure to check here for updated information about what is open and when if you are traveling in this pandemic. We opted to stop in the village to grab sandwiches at DEGNAN’S KITCHEN, a grab and go deli in the heart of Yosemite Village. In addition to deli offerings, Degnan’s Kitchen has salads, artisan pizzas, baked goods and a variety of beverage choices. It is an easy place to stop in, stock up and continue your adventure! If times were different, I would have loved to check out THE LOFT AT DEGNAN’S for a more leisure-like lunch with a glass of wine or cold craft beer! Another item on my “next time” list!
VALLEY VISITOR CENTER
We also used this stop to check out the (closed due to COVID) VALLEY VISITOR CENTER. Park Rangers had tents set up outside to answer any questions. We were able to purchase the $3.00 Junior Ranger book for our son to complete during our two days in Yosemite. We were also able to grab stamps for our National Park Passports and figure out our parking options as there was no shuttle service available due to COVID. During regular operations, you would spend a little more time checking out all the village has to offer, but our stop was pretty short. Our next stop was within walking distance and a favorite from my childhood, the Yosemite Valley Lodge.
YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE
I cannot recommend the YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE enough. It has a fantastic location along the bike path and provides the comforts of home with the National Park rustic feel. The lodge is home to a gift shop, Starbucks, a large cafeteria open for breakfast/lunch/dinner, a bar/lounge, a swimming pool and a bike rental stand. Those of you that follow my itineraries know how much we love in-park lodging at National Parks. Yosemite Valley Lodge can be very difficult to book, and I made our reservations 12 months in advance. Even then, they only had one night available. However, I continued to check and was able to secure the second night about 10 months in advance. So do not give up! Keep checking availability as I have mentioned in other posts.
Traditional Room at the Yosemite Valley Lodge in the Laurel Building
MERCED RIVER and SWINGING BRIDGE
Once we were settled in our room, we were anxious to head back out because there is so much to do and see in Yosemite! The back door of our room lead right out the the bike path so we followed the path a short distance (10 minutes maybe) straight to SWINGING BRIDGE and the MERCED RIVER. It was a beautiful bike ride for my son and we enjoyed the views across the meadows as we approached the river.
We took time to sit down by the “beach” along the river as my son splashed away in the water. The views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome towering about the river are phenomenal. We sat in awe of our surroundings. We enjoyed a kombucha on the beach, but the lodge had informed us that you are more than welcome to grab a drink at the bar and walk it down to the beach for a fun happy hour!
Biking from Yosemite Valley Lodge to Swinging Bridge over the Merced RiverCooling off in the Merced River under Sentinel Bridge
COOK’S MEADOW
After our swim, we crossed Sentinel Bridge to continue the loop to COOKS MEADOW. My son rode the bike path along Wawona Road and the views were astonishing. It was almost 6pm (late lunch for the win), and we felt like we had the place to ourselves. With only two days in Yosemite, we wanted to make the most of our daylight hours. The boardwalk weaves through the meadow and back to the bike path all along Wawona Road. Right before we turned to cross the meadow towards Yosemite Falls we passed the oldest building in Yosemite, dating back to 1879, the YOSEMITE CHAPEL. This walk/bike ride was beautiful and I cannot recommend it enough! The loop from the lodge is about 1 mile, easy and paved or boardwalk the entire way. Crossing the meadow towards Yosemite Falls is a view everyone should enjoy!
Weaving through Cook’s Meadow on the boardwalkViews along the Cook’s Meadow Loop – Yosemite Chapel, Showy Milkweed, Sentinel Rock
YOSEMITE FALLS
Although it was getting late, we decided to check out the LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL as I knew this is a very busy trail and would be crowded during peak hours. Our son was able to ride his bike for some of the trail and again, the views were remarkable. The trail to the falls is easy, with just a slight incline towards the end. At the base of the 2,425 foot waterfall you can feel the spray as the water flows down. We even saw climbers repelling down from the top of the lower falls. It was a great time to do the trail as it was mostly shaded and not too crowded. Again, please use caution around wet rocks and waterfalls in Yosemite. There were many people climbing all over the rocks to get closer to the base of the waterfall. This is not recommended!
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail – Can you see the climbers repelling down the waterfall?
DINING AT YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE
As we began seeing last light on the valley floor, we knew it was time to head back to the lodge. The Upper & Lower Yosemite Falls trailheads are right next to the lodge, so it didn’t take much time to get back. BASE CAMP EATERY is the cafeteria at the Lodge, and offers a variety of items for dine in and to-go. I have some of my favorite childhood memories adding massive slices of cake to my tray sliding through the line. It has changed a lot since then, but the nostalgia surrounding it made it something we were going to try.
Due to COVID, we decided to take it to go back to enjoy on our room’s porch. We all chose the meatloaf and macaroni and cheese plate and it was really good! We enjoyed an easy night and my husband and I enjoyed a quiet night on the porch as our son fell asleep. In an non-COVID world, I would have loved to have a glass of wine in THE MOUNTAIN ROOM LODGE, dinner in THE MOUNTAIN ROOM and to roast marshmallows for smores on their patio – all on my “next time” list!
Last light on the valley floor – heading back to Yosemite Valley Lodge from the Lower Yosemite Falls trailDinner on our porch at the Yosemite Valley Lodge
OUR PLAN – DAY TWO
EXPLORE YOSEMITE VALLEY – 84°
Waking up in the center of the valley is truly incredible and so peaceful. I can only imagine how camping in Yosemite must feel (on the “next time” list!). Morning coffee on the patio while filling my husband in on the adventures I have planned for the day is one of my favorite things. Knowing we only had two days in Yosemite, I loved knowing we had the entire day ahead of us!
As always, I picked something I knew would get crowded to do first thing in the morning. I chose another nostalgic hike to start our day, the hike to MIRROR LAKE. Yosemite Valley offers so many beautiful hikes, but this one stands out from my childhood. We headed out for the day and as we hopped in the car I couldn’t help but smile at the view of Yosemite Falls from the Lodge parking lot. It is all just so beautiful. Yosemite really is magical. I know everyone says that. But really, there is a reason.
MIRROR LAKE
Mirror Lake is an easy, 2 mile flat hike on the east side of the valley. You can park at the horse stables near Curry Village, or during non COVID times, take the shuttle to Mirror Lake Trailhead at shuttle stop #17. As a kid, my family walked this trail in summer and winter. We used to whine and complain like it was the longest walk ever. Not at all. It is incredibly kid friendly and has many beautiful things to see. Mirror Lake is the closest you can get to half dome without actually hiking or climbing it. The tranquil waters act as a mirror for the beauty surrounding it.
PARKING AND TRAILHEAD
To start our hike, we parked at the stables which are right by the service road where the trail begins. Along the side of the service road is an actual trail, so although my childhood memories were walking along the paved service road, I insisted we follow the trail on the side. My son loved climbing along the boulders on the trail. At the first bridge crossing the creek, stay to the left along the road. To get to Mirror Lake in one-mile, follow the service road.
TRAIL TO MIRROR LAKE or MIRROR LAKE 5 MILE LOOP
I took us to the right walking along the right side of Tenaya Creek. Although it was beautiful, we realized about 2 miles in that I had taken us on the 5-mile loop of Mirror Lake. We reached a point along the creek to cut across, but the water was VERY cold to walk through and led us to a marshy wetland with limited options to cross over again. We quickly realized we were in the middle of Mirror Lake!
From the start of the trail my husband had said he was concerned we were on the wrong path, but I insisted I knew what I was doing (because I did it every year 25+ years ago?!?!?). Michael is a good sport and just gave me that “I told you so” look in the middle of the lake! Ha! But good memories. It did not take too long to cross over again and then we were there! We took some time to enjoy the views and have a small snack before walking back on the paved road! There were many people heading up as we walked back, including lots of families biking which would be really beautiful! When we got back to the car, parking was full with people circling for spots. Earlier we had no problem parking, so early was key for this trail.
Mirror Lake
HAPPY ISLES ART & NATURE CENTER
During non-COVID times, the HAPPY ISLES ART & NATURE CENTER is a short walk away and would be fun place to check out with kids too. This would be a great place to attend a Junior Ranger program or let you ranger ask questions, explore and even take his/her Junior Ranger oath! Since the nature center was closed, we headed back to Yosemite Village so our son could take his Junior Ranger oath. I absolutely love the National Park Junior Ranger programs. More on that here. But they really are so special to kids. He talked to this sweet ranger for almost 10 minutes about all of his adventures. It makes me so proud to see him so proud of what he has done and seen! The activity books are the perfect activity for quiet evenings, getting ready in the am, restaurants and specific to CF breathing treatment times.
An official Junior Ranger!
THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL
Once our Junior Ranger was officially sworn in, it was time to have lunch and celebrate! What better place to relax and celebrate than THE AHWAHNEE HOTEL? Unfortunately, due to COVID, the dining room was only open for dinner, so we planned to take advantage of the bar’s “Gourmet Grab & Go” box lunches.
The Ahwahnee Dining room is definitely a special treat and reservations are strongly recommended. Due to the changing situation with COVID, I would recommend checking out the latest offerings. As I write this, everything is take-out only, but it makes for a fun gourmet picnic! Although the Ahwahnee had dining tables set up outside, we decided to picnic on the grass. It was a special time, although it was cut short by some aggressive squirrels! We ended up enjoying the outdoor couches surrounding the dining room and treating our son to an ice cream treat from The Sweet Shop!
A beautiful picnic at the Ahwahnee
BIKE RIDING IN THE VALLEY
After lunch, we headed back to our room to regroup and decided our son should pick the afternoon. He wanted to head back to the Merced River and go on another bike ride. Although we had just done it yesterday, it was a lot of fun so we put on our suits and headed out! Bikes are a great way to navigate Yosemite Valley and if I hadn’t been 32 weeks pregnant, we all would have taken a family bike ride. If your kids are able, I highly suggest enjoying the valley on bike! There are over 12 miles of flat bike paths that take you to a majority of the highlights! The Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village have bike rental stands if you do not want to bring them with you. We had an incredible day in 2021 bike riding and you can read all of the details and our itinerary here!
SENTINEL BEACH
We headed back to the MERCED RIVER along the bike trail and headed north of SWINGING BRIDGE toward SENTINEL BEACH. Hanging out on the shore, we saw so many people come cruising down the river on rafts. The water was so calm, and families looked like they were having a great time. This is another “next time” item and it turns out you can rent rafts through your in-park lodging and enjoy the river starting in Curry Village! We had a lot of fun relaxing on the shore before heading out for an afternoon bike ride/parent walk! We cruised around a similar path as the night before, through Cook’s Meadow and even saw several deer and two brown bears! It was incredible.
The Merced River and biking through the Valley
CURRY VILLAGE
After cruising the valley it was time for dinner! I wanted to check out CURRY VILLAGE, another childhood favorite. Due to construction, Curry Village has a variety of food trucks in the parking lot to add to their dinner options. We had some delicious tacos and checked out the “under renovation” Pizza Patio. I can imagine relaxing with some delicious pizza and a craft beer under the towering views of Glacier Point would have felt pretty good! So again, adding it to the “next time” list. Deer were out and about which was a lot of fun for our son to see.
We went to bed with happy hearts and beautiful views of the moon from our patio. As we enjoyed the moonlight and quiet, we heard some major noises in the bushes and then saw glowing eyes staring at us on the porch. Due to COVID, there was a lot of news about how animals were out and about more due to park closures. After our experience, we could not agree more.
OUR PLAN – DAY THREE
YOSEMITE VALLEY TO SAN DIEGO – 84°
Waking up on the last day of vacation is so hard. Let’s be real. I am always grateful for the time we have had, but it is hard to know it is time to pack up and start our 7-hour drive home! I always have a few last-minute “let’s try this” items so we took our time in the morning and headed out right before check-out to see some last-minute sights!
EL CAPITAN
As much as our son loved the documentary “Free Solo,” I knew we had to take him to look for climbers on the granite monolith EL CAPITAN, or as my son would say, “EL CAP.” We headed west out of the valley and pulled off the side of the road at EL CAPITAN MEADOW to check out the climbers. My son used his binoculars and immediately saw two heading up and it was so exciting! As far as we could tell it was not Alex Honnold, but my son was thrilled anyways! Can you spy them in the photo?
Looking for climbers on El Capitan
VALLEY VIEW LOOKOUT
As you continue towards the park exit after El Capitan on the loop road, the beautiful VALLEY VIEW lookout is waiting for you. We were not sure what we were looking for and it came up quick. We actually had to loop around to get there again! Shortly before the exit to 140 and the turnaround towards Bridalveil Falls, there is a small pullout on the left hand side of the road with incredible views. It is a great way to say goodbye to the valley as you head out. It definitely maximizes your time to hit the one way stops on the way in and the way out versus turning around over and over on one-way roads. As we our two days in Yosemite, it was hard to say goodbye but our hearts were full from the magic.
Valley View Lookout
FINAL GOODBYE AT TUNNEL VIEW
On the way out of the valley, we pulled over at TUNNEL VIEW to say a final goodbye to our two days in Yosemite. It seemed fitting as it we entered the valley here and said our final goodbye here. There are so many amazing ways to experience Yosemite and I feel like we did not even begin to scratch the surface. We had an incredible trip, but I know there are so many more things we want to do and see. In addition, I am only writing about a summer version. Imagine what a winter wonderland in Yosemite can bring you. I have left a few pieces of my heart around CA, but Yosemite definitely has some of it. I am confident we will be back.
Saying goodbye to Yosemite at Tunnel View
I always keep a “NEXT TIME” list when we travel. It is important to share because this blog is subjective and I want my readers to know about the myriad opportunities that I am still hoping to experience. Whenever I read, hear, research something outside of my experience, I will include it here. My hope in to eventually fully experience these destinations when I visit again (and I can’t wait to do so). Next trip, I want to to see more of the park and experiences a few new things. I also want to visit some of the most popular places the were closed due to COVID.
THINGS WE WANTED TO DO THAT WERE CLOSED OR IMPACTED BY COVID
