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Send a ComplimentHometown:
SF, California, United States
About Me & My Family
I'm a mother
3 Kids 0-8 years old boys and girls
3 Kids 0-8 years old boys and girls
When we travel, good food and adventure always abound. Our family loves to push the limit of what we can do with children. Our mantra has always been - have kids, will travel. However, this doesn't mean I'm unlike most frantic moms before a trip. Wanting adventure and being a control freak can sometimes be a lethal combination.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, independent, spontaneous
We Just Got Back From
Northern California and Oregon
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Hawaii
A Place We'd Love To Visit
New Zealand, Argetina, Brazil, Eastern Europe, Cambodia
Favorite Vacation Memory
Climbing Machu Picchu with a 4 month old infant in a slight and having all the locals stop us to ask what happened to his feet which were all bundled up. They just couldn't believe it wouldn't be bow legged.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Getting to the airport on our way to Scotland with my 15 month old and discovering that my husband's passport had expired. Instead of rebooking all of our flights, we decided that I would do the first leg of our journey on my own with baby. Unfortunately, we had not packed for me to be flying by myself. I could bearly walk to the runway with all my bags and a 15 month old who would get distracted by everything along the way. He then proceeded to sleep only 1 hour of the entire 11 hour journey (red-eye). It was pretty miserable.
Websites I Like:
Kid-friendly Hwy 1 Day Trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz
One of my favorite things about living in the San Francisco Bay Area with kids is that there are so many fantastic road trips you can do over a weekend or as a day trip. The drive from San Francisco to Santa Cruz along Hwy 1 offers spectacular scenery, but also many kid-friendly stops that provide families the opportunity to have fun in nature, feed their curiosity, and expend lots of energy. Here are some of our must see fun stops for kids with a few other optional activities you might want to include as well.
Total distance: 79.6 miles
Estimated Driving Time: 2 hrs 15 min (excluding stops)
Start your drive in San Francisco and head south towards Pacifica, CA along Hwy 1 or along Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35)
2145 Coast Highway, Pacifica, CA 94044
Pacifica, California
Comment:
(Optional Stop) Awesome take out BBQ in an old orange caboose. Nice stop for picking up some yummy food for a picnic at the beach.
reviewed on: May 09 2009
"Brisket to die for"
Gorilla BBQ is located in a bright orange caboose. If that's not enough to catch your attention, then their brisket will. After sitting the smoker for 12 hours, the brisket literally melts in your mouth. Their ribs are huge and yummy with a great spice rub. The chicken is good, but nothing special. Sides are better than most BBQ joints. This joint was recently featured on Drive Inns, Dinners and Dives. So, if you're trying to get a piece of that brisket, call ahead to make sure they haven't sold out for the day. Otherwise, expect a line during normal meal times. There is no dining area except for a couple of picnic tables under a tree.
Hwy 1 (cabrillo Hwy) and Linda Mar Blvd
Pacifica, California
Comment:
(Optional Stop) Great for watching surfers. At low tide, the south end of the beach has some great tidepools with a healthy population of sea stars.
reviewed on: June 28 2008
"Best beach in Pacifica for children"
Unlike the other beaches in Pacifica which have strong undertow, Linda Mar Beach is gentle and more sheltered. Sand is nicer, but can be dirty at various times depending on the tides. Ample parking, showers and bathrooms make this beach easily accessible for families.
Hwy 1, between Pacifica and Montara
Montara, California
Comment:
(Must Drive) Amazingly beautiful stretch of the hwy1 drive. Admittedly, our family has stop for pictures at one of the pull outs, but if you do watch kids carefully because there are drivers zooming by on one side and steep cliffs on the other side. Drive carefully because the view can be distracting for you and other drivers
reviewed on: May 09 2009
"Nothing Special for Kids, but still amazing"
This drive hugs some of the most treacherous but stunning sections of Pacific Coast Hwy. There isn't anything special about the drive for kids, but the views make this drive a must see if you are in the area. Whenever we have friends visit, we always take them on this drive because it is so rare to be able to drive on a road that hugs the steep cliffs so tightly offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean's grandeur. There is a beach half-way between Pacifica and Montara that is a great place to hang out, but the walk down is steep and could be challenging with kids.
California Avenue
Half Moon Bay, California
Comment:
(Optional Stop) A marine reserve with some great tide pools that are easy for little ones to explore. Look for signs for Moss Beach Distillery and take a right at that junction.
281 Capistrano Rd.
Princeton, California
Comment:
(Optional) Beautiful setting along the marina of Princeton-by-the-Sea. The fish and chips here are sooooo good.
reviewed on: May 09 2009
"Our favorite Fish and Chips"
Fish and Chips is one of my all time favorite foods. However, I was always disappointed at not being find anything in the bay area that was comparable to the yummy stuff I found in the UK...well, until I discovered Barbara's Fish Trap. The fish is fresh and flaky. But the tempura crust is simply perfect. Light and crispy. The jumbo scallops are even more amazing. Clam chowder not overly creamy and full of clams. The long lines on weekends are a drag and it is the most expensive fish and chips you can buy as take out (they have a sit down restaurant too). But it's totally worth it!
95 Kelly Ave
Half Moon Bay, California
Comment:
(Optional) Another nice beach to watch surfers and easy for kids to walk down to.
Main Street
Half Moon Bay, California
Comment:
(Optional) Cute little coastal town with some charming boutiques.
185 Verde Rd
Half Moon Bay, California
Comment:
(Optional stop) If you're here in October for pumpkin season, this can be a fun stop for families.
reviewed on: May 09 2009
"I like it simple"
Arata is an over the top type of pumpkin farm. Personally, when we go pumpkin picking at a field, we're just looking for a traditional farm experience. Not train rides and gladiator fights. Everything you do at this farm requires you to pay more. But, there are many families who would enjoy this place. We're just not that kind of family. The straw maze is pretty impressive, but I've heard that it's rodent ridden. Not sure how true.
10.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1
San Gregorio, California
Comment:
(Must Stop): You could spend a day, here, but if you don't have a day, plan to stop for a least half an hour and let the kids build some forts with the fantastic driftwood. Nice sand and natural lagoon.
reviewed on: February 16 2009
"Perfect for a warm sunny day"
There aren't too many beaches between Santa Cruz and San Francisco along Hwy 1 that allow young kids a safe place to enjoy the water. San Gregorio State Beach has a lagoon at the mouth of the estuary that drains into the ocean along a swift but gentle little stream that flows across the sand. It's perfect for young children to float down on an inflatable tube or mini raft. The lagoon seems pretty clean and allows young children to wade and splash in without parents fearing they will get swept away by strong currents. The beach also has lots of fantastic driftwood that are the perfect building blocks for imaginative play. There are already signs that other families have come before and made forts and shelters. This nature's playground. Bring a picnic or food to BBQ at the numerous BBQ pits. You can spend all day here on a warm summer day. Be sure to bring layers as the weather can shift constantly throughout the day.
Hwy 1
Pescadero, California
Comment:
(Optional) Another favorite beach for families with a little creek and driftwood.
Pescadero State Beach
Pescadero, California
Comment:
(Optional) Not particularly kid-friendly because it is rocky and doesn't have much sand, but you can see seals hanging out on the rocks. Worth a 10 minute stop.
2001 ROSSI ROAD
Pescadero, California
Comment:
If you're planning to make this a weekend trip, Costanoa is a great place to stay with kids. Choose to camp, stay in a tent cabin, or the lodge. Costanoa offers naturalist hikes for kids and other fun activities for families. There is also a fairly good restaurant here with fresh California produce.
New Years Creek Road
Pescadero, California
Comment:
(Must Stop) One of the few breading grounds for elephant seals. In the winter, reserve a tour ahead of time. Other times of the year, you can just walk out to the dunes yourself. This is a wonderful stop for kids who will ride in a child carrier or kids who are strong enough to trudge through sand dunes. The elephant seals are huge and you can get quite close to them.
reviewed on: April 15 2009
"View animals in their natural habitat"
There are few places in the US where you can get this close to animals in natural habitat. Ana Nuevo is more than just a place that you can visit elephant seals. It is one of their view breading grounds. Each year these fantastic creatures swim between the California coast and the gulf of Alaska to feed and breed. You can see the seals all year round, but the most dramatic time of the year to visit is in the winter when the papa seals arrive ready to fight each other to lay claim on their harem of females. I know these seals really need to get with the times! During the winter months, you need to call ahead and book tickets because docents need to take you out to the mating grounds. Bring a pair of binoculars if you want to really take a close look at their fantastic elephant like trunk and tusks. The walk out to the dunes isn't too far - about 1.5 miles, but it is over sand dunes for part of the journey, so young kids (under 8) may find it challenging to make the journey. The coast can also be very windy and cold in the winter months which can add to their discomfort. Be sure to bring wind breakers and food that kid can eat until the half way point where they you can't take food beyond. At this point, there is a also a porta potty. My kids always get really hungry from the cold and walk. So, we leave food at the little shelter at this point that we can come back to. Strollers will only work up to this point. The sand dunes then to be very unstable. A child carrier would work best.
hwy 1
Santa Cruz, California
Comment:
(Optional) Stop for a few minutes to enjoy this sandy beach or watch the wind and kite surfers catching some air as they zip over the surf. It's quite a sight.
25 Swanton Road
Davenport, California
Comment:
(Must stop) There are two locations for this farm. The first - Coastways Ranch - you will hit right after Ano Nuevo. This farm has u-pick olallieberries (starts June) and kiwis (starts Nov). The second location is about 8.5 miles south and is called Swanton Berry Farm (season starts mid-April to about July). All berries are organic and a must stop for families.
reviewed on: May 09 2009
"Organic Strawberries with Oceanviews"
One of our local favorite strawberry famrs is Swanton Berry Farm in Davenport California just slightly north of Santa Cruz along the fabulous Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1). Swanton Berry Farm is one of the few organic u-pick strawberry farms within an hour and a half drive from San Francisco. Since strawberries are notoriously pesticide laden and it's hard to keep a 3 year old from stuffing one delicious juicy berry after another into his mouth, I love that this farm is organic. The strawberry beds are also lined with plastic so that the strawberries aren't laying directly on the dirt. Another thing I loved about the farm is that the strawberry beds are raised about 2 feet off the ground, which means that mom and dad won't be suffering from backache the next day. Having raised beds, so makes it easier to keep the kids from trampling over the strawberry beds. Our two boys were beaming from ear to ear and covered in strawberry juice from beginning to end. We didn't end up picking berries for more than 45 minutes and we were all stuffed and had a full flat.
A few things to consider when you visit. Bring sunblock. Even though the coast can be overcast or foggy, UV rays make it through the cloud cover and you can still get sunburned. The coast is often windy. Dress in layers because you will likely need at least some wind protection. Today, it was so windy that hats just wouldn't stay on. So, if your child has long hair, consider putting up their hair in a pony tail. If there has been rain in the last 24 hours, the fields can be muddy, so leave new or pretty shoes at home. Swanton Berry Farm is located out in the middle of nowhere, so bring a picnic lunch to eat at their picnic tables, in the car, or at one of the wonderful beaches on the way to the farm. (Big Basin Redwood State beach has lots of wind and kite surfers to gaze at.)
When you arrive, pick up a box at the farm store. Head out to the fields and return to pay. They have an honor till where you weigh your own strawberries and leave whatever you owe. The honor till leaves a warm feeling that the world is still a good and honest place. The farm store also has jam and pies for sale. Nothing too tempting even for my sweet tooth, but if you're hungry for some pie and don't want to make some of your own, you could pick some up.
If you live in the area or you're visiting California and doing the Hwy 1 drive with kids. This is something you must experience with them. Kids just love seeing where their food grows.
1401 Coast Road
Santa Cruz, California
Comment:
(Optional) If you're bringing bikes on your day trip, this coastal trail is great for family bike rides with breathtaking views. Read LisaLim's review...
reviewed on: January 16 2012
"Wow! Made me happy to be alive"
After reading the reviews here on Trekaroo, we decided, it was time to check out Wilder Ranch for ourselves and I must say, it was well worth the 1.25 hour drive! Our family lives a mile from a beach, further up the coast, and were spoiled by panoramic ocean views from our home for about 10 years, yet, the Ohlone Bluff Trail at Wilder Ranch State Park really took my breath away. Today was one of those cloudless blue sky days in Northern California and the Pacific Ocean was a bright rich blue. From the bluffs, we saw sea birds playing on the surf, and the ocean crashing relentlessly against the colorful sandstone cliffs. The wide, flat (unpaved) trail hugs the edge of the bluffs tightly, meandering in and out, providing so many different views of sea caves, small beaches, the bluffs that looked more like dramatic sculptures set against the blue ocean and sky. I cannot think of a more beautiful place for a bike ride with the family. The wide dirt path is well compacted and very even as far as dirt paths go. Along the bluff trail, the path is very flat, making is perfect for young children. Best of all, the views will inspire even the most reluctant young biker. I always worry about poison oak along coastal hikes and I kept a look out for this nasty weed. I'm happy to report that i saw none at all. This means, even if your child looses control of their bike, you won't have to worry about them falling into poison oak. The only thing, is that if you have a 2 or 3 year old, you'll have to keep a keen eye on them, as there are many areas where they could walk right off the cliff. Perhaps keeping your young child in a backpack carrier or a stroller would be a better idea. Yes, this trail is very stroller-friendly. Only the short trail from the parking lot out to the Ohlone Bluff Trail was a little uneven. Even so, a regular stroller would have made it through without too much difficulty. Don't miss the historic farm buildings near the old Victorian and Interpretative center. They were fun to walk around for about 10-15 minutes. I totally agree with the other reviews, the big hit with the kids were the awesome climbing trees and cactus bushes. We saw kids as old as 12 or 13 having a great time, but even toddlers couldn't get enough of weaving their way through cactus tunnels, and balancing on great big tree roots. There are several picnic tables in this area, so bring your lunch and enjoy the peace and quiet while the kids just hang out and play in nature's playground.
It can be windy and chilly even on sunny days, so dress in layers and bring along a wind breaker for everyone just in case.
2531 West Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, California
Comment:
(Must Stop in the winter) This beach is definitely worth stopping at to catch a few photos of the natural bridges if your kids haven't seen this before. But if you're driving by between October and February, you must stop to view the thousands of Monarch butterflies.
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, California
Comment:
Last Stop. You arrived. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has some old fashion roller coaster rides. The town is very cute. And the boardwalk has a wonderful beach town feel to it.
