Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina is the jewel of South Lake Tahoe. Since 1924, Camp Richardson has been a favorite destination on Lake Tahoe’s south shore for families to relax and reconnect. Its lake front, kid friendly, budget friendly, and activity rich. If Camp Richardson is on your bucket list, move it up to the first position.

The resort’s 40 lake front cabins are named after late model cars; there are 19 year round cabins and 24 summer only cabins. There are also 26 hotel rooms, 7 Beachside Inn rooms, and the luxurious fully furnished Historic Richardson House which sleeps 20 with 7 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths. My family spent a glorious December weekend in a year round cabin named Thunderbird. This cabin comfortably sleeps eight and is a stone’s throw from the lake. It offered a gas fireplace, full kitchen (including microwave, coffeemaker and toaster), with utensils, linens and towels.

We did not have phone, Internet, or television but thanks to my cell phone, the portable DVD players we brought with us, and my laptop’s built in wireless card, I never felt “off the grid.” If you don’t own these things, have no fear; the front office has a few TV/DVD players available upon request. If you anticipate needing one, call in advance to reserve it. The resort also offers free Wi-Fi in its common room and general store and deli.

My daughter’s reaction to our cabin was unforgettable. While walking through it, she was jumping up and down chanting “This is the best trip ever!” My beau’s reaction was also rib tickling, after just one hour in our cabin he was already planning our annual return visit for the next 10 years! The children graciously helped me feel at home by covering the living room floor with a sea of toys before I had even finished unloading our groceries from the SUV.

It was cold outside, but we were cozy inside thanks to forced-air heating from vents throughout the cabin. Camp Richardson’s cabins have 12-15 gallon water heaters, much smaller than the water heaters of most homes. However, less hot water is needed at a cabin since its not running a dishwasher or washing machine. The main limitation is the inability to take lengthy consecutive showers. I’m guessing a family could take three short showers, 5 to 7 minutes, back to back with no problems.

There is a restaurant right on the water’s edge, The Beacon Bar and Grill, home of the famous Rum Runner. Live music and outdoor dining are offered in the summer months. We had a delicious and affordable dinner here. Please see my review of The Beacon Bar and Grill for more details. http://tinyurl.com/cdrhc8f

Camp Richardson is bursting with family friendly activities. This year-round destination resort offers camping, boating, biking, beach-going, lakeside dining, cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, and is just minutes from world-class ski and snowboard resorts and casinos. Its Mountain Sports Center rents all the seasonal equipment you'll need and was recently voted “Best Place to Cross Country Ski” by Tahoe locals. You can snowshoe along the shore or visit the stable for sleigh rides. The full-service marina rents boats, seadoos, kayaks, paddleboats, and offers a rum runner cruise.

Regardless of your itinerary, don’t forget to squeeze in some nature walks. I took many stunning family photographs on the lake’s pier and the wooded property around our cabin. For me, a great photograph validates the cost of my vacation.

Camp Richardson is the epitome of family friendly. I was raving to all my friends about my stay here for a week. That says a lot considering the amount of time I spend traveling.

Traveler’s Tips:
1. Only two cabins have bathtubs. If a bathtub is important to you make sure to request a cabin with a bathtub or bring a travel bathtub.
2. Cabins rent only by the week in summer and fill up quickly. Campsites go early in the summer so it is recommended families book a couple months in advance.
3. There was no heating vent in the children’s room. Pack thick PJ’s for the kids if you visit in the winter.
4. Bears do frequent the area so it is important to make sure to store food properly and keep food out of cars so the bears don't break in.

This review is based on a complimentary stay at Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina in South Lake Tahoe, CA. I received no other compensation besides the hotel stay. Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina did not request that I express any particular point of view and my reviews always reflect my honest opinions.

The Beacon Bar and Grill, located right on the water’s edge at Camp Richardson Resort, is the perfect place for families to dine. Its rustic appearance appealed to my daughter who was excited to eat inside the “giant Lincoln Log house.” The restaurants exterior is currently decorated with holiday lights and red festive bows. Inside, tabletop candles cast flickering lights off panels of glass etched with sailboats. The relaxing ambiance was just what I needed after a day of vacationing with my children, which at times feels like indentured servitude.

When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who walked us to our table. The kids were immediately given crayons to color their menus with (thank you awesome hostess). As we were walking in, I noticed the bar was to the left of the dining hall. Although I only poked my head in, it seemed family friendly. I saw several children sitting on bar stools enjoying dinner with their families while watching the big screen TV’s or enjoying the live music. (There is live music on Friday and Saturday nights at 5pm.)

The Beacon’s kid’s menu is excellent! There’s a nice variety of dishes to choose from with several healthy options. I’m happy to report, the prices are very reasonable (we paid
$8 per child for very generous portions). Most importantly the children ate until they were full and could eat no more. As a parent, it’s a great feeling to watch your kids eat a big meal (especially if it doesn’t consist of popsicles, popcorn, or Doritos.) Both kids wolfed down their chicken fingers and French fries. I ate some of their fries too….they were sinfully good.

I ordered a dirty martini; it was so delicious I ordered another! I also ordered the steak chili ($9.50) and it was VERY GOOD. My significant other ordered the filet mignon ($37) which he most have loved because he ate every bite and then enthusiastically licked his plate clean (just kidding) but he did eat every bite and exclaimed it was worth every penny.

By now everyone in the family had full bellies, felt relaxed, had no room for dessert (which is always a good sign that dinner was excellent), and were basking in the memories of the wonderful day we had all shared together in our beautiful cabin at Camp Richardson Resort. Before I wrap up this review I must give props to our waiter. He was attentive, funny, and knowledgeable. Best of all he brought out the children’s dishes before the adult entrees (I wish every server would do this.)

Although I did not spend time out on the large lake front patio because it was winter, I had a clear view of it from my cabin. I can see why it’s the place to be in the summer. When the weather heats up, patrons flock to the Beacon’s outdoor patio to soak up the sun, enjoy the beautiful view, and drink the Beacon’s famous Rum Runners.

Whether you stay at Camp Richardson or not, I absolutely recommend the Beacon for family friendly dining. In honor of the holidays, Beacon Bar and Grill has a special Christmas Day Menu on December 25: this special menu is served along their normal menu from 1-6pm. Reservations are suggested. Ring in the New Year with another celebratory menu (along with their normal menu), live music, and champagne toast at midnight! Party starts at 5pm, music starts at 7pm.

Camp Richardson Resort provided my family with a discounted meal for this review. Camp Richardson Resort did not request that I express any particular point of view and my reviews always reflect my honest opinions.

After hearing so much about the California Academy of Sciences and how it’s the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a four-story rainforest, a planetarium, and a natural history museum all under one roof, I drove up from Sacramento to visit with two boys (ages 3 and 4.)

Now through January 16, the Academy celebrates 'Tis the Season for Science', the science behind some of our most familiar holiday sights, sounds, and traditions. The wintry festivities made an impression on me from the moment I entered the building. It was a winter wonderland in the Academy’s central piazza. Twice an hour the Academy makes it snow inside. We lucked out because it was snowing right as we walked in! I saw children try to catch the artificial snowflakes on their tongues. I longed to enter the "Snowman Theater"—an immersive digital dome (imagine a huge inflatable igloo) shaped like a giant snowman, but alas, the opening looked like it might be a tight fit for my two giant strollers and I wasn’t sure how much elbow room my wriggly young toddlers would have once inside. I had visions of my son trampling everyone inside and bringing the entire dome crashing down. Where does snow come from? How is it formed? I guess I’ll never know since I missed the show!

I felt the nostalgia of Christmas gone by when admiring the taxidermy specimens of the real birds mentioned in "The Twelve Days of Christmas.” For the first time my son was able to perceive the differences between a swan, a goose, colly birds (colly means "black"), hens, doves, and a partridge. The beautiful taxidermy birds are way better learning tools then the flashcards I buy for him from Target. I found myself wishing I had a taxidermy version of every animal at home to show him.

Next we had an up close and personal experience with a pair of live reindeer in the museum’s East Garden!! To get here, the mountain reindeer traveled up the freeway in a trailer from Tehachapi, California, a journey which takes about 6 hours by car. Had they hoofed it, it would have taken ten days. It may sound like a long trip when compared to car travel times, but reindeer actually migrate farther each year than any other land mammal, up to 33 miles each day. The children and I were able to touch a reindeer antler and I learned an interesting reindeer fact: lichens and mosses are the reindeer’s favorite food. One species of lichen is so commonly eaten by Santa’s sleigh-pullers that it’s called “reindeer lichen.”

Outside in the East Garden the boys enjoyed the freedom to run around and burn off some energy before we headed to the hot and humid four story rainforest. The rainforest environment is ideal for frogs because their skin is a thin, not so ideal for my toddler dressed in denim overalls and a long sleeved Mickey Mouse shirt. For the sake of science we pressed on after I rolled his pants to his knees for extra ventilation. The sounds of exotic animals from around the world transported us to the tropics. In fact, this exhibit is so spectacular that my son actually thought he was in a rainforest! He clung to my leg at every unusual sound and cried, “Mommy, scary monster!” He ran from the beautiful butterflies like they were flying piranha fish. (Sigh, only my son, but what a great experience for him to see them up close!)

I could not have been more impressed with this exhibit. It was truly out of this world incredible! I saw parrots, bats, and butterflies as I climbed into the canopy of a living rainforest. I cannot wait to go back and visit the rain forest again.

The soothing sights of swimming fish at Steinhart Aquarium were the perfect thing to calm my little one down. He happily sat in his stroller while I ogled over the impressive Philippine Coral Reef, one of the deepest exhibits of live corals in the world. At the Northern California Coast Gallery there's a Discovery Tide pool where children and adults can touch and examine a wide variety of ocean creatures. I love touching sea creatures! I was instantly a kid again! The aquarium is huge and diverse and mind blowing. I saw jelly fish, sting rays, and an albino alligator. I so wish Sacramento had an Academy of Sciences. People of San Francisco – I am very jealous!!

I can’t possible describe everything worth mentioning at the Academy in this review so just trust me when I say, the Academy of Sciences is nothing short of “astonishing-amazing-oh my goodness-magnificent -I can’t wait to visit again-tacular!!”

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL EXCURSION:

1. Parking: While I’ve heard parking can be a challenge here, I was able to secure a free spot at the back of the building with little effort. It was a short beautiful walk from the car to the museum.

2. Where to Eat: The cafeteria is expensive and there is no kids menu. I threw goldfish and grapes in Tupperware containers in the back of my stroller for my son to munch on when we braked for lunch. I purchased a grilled cheese sandwich, a banana, a cup of coffee, and a bottle of sparking water for $20. I did not see artificial sweetener at the coffee bar.

California Academy of Sciences provided my family with complimentary tickets for this review. California Academy of Sciences did not request that I express any particular point of view and my reviews always reflect my honest opinions.

A Fantastic Way to Spend the Afternoon

My family drove 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe to Carson City to visit the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada. It was my first trip to Nevada’s capital, Carson City. The Capitol Building is beautiful and downtown Carson City is charming.

The Children’s Museum is located in the historic former Carson City Civic Auditorium, built in 1939. The museum is a large room with small store fronts and exhibits such as a Carson Tahoe Emergency Room with a Human Anatomy Exhibit running along the walls. There is also a play structure, climbing wall, and floor piano children can play with their feet, just like in the movie BIG.

I set my two children loose inside (a girl age 6 and a boy age 3.) My son was immediately drawn to the large slide suspended from the tall play structure. My daughter did a bee line to the Asian Cafe connected to Smith’s Grocery Store.

The attention to detail in the café was inspiring! Aprons hang on the wall for children who want to pretend to be cooks or serving staff in the scaled down kitchen. A table is set for children who want to pretend to be hungry customers in the restaurant. The table place settings are beautiful plastic Asian plates, bowls, and spoons. Inside each soup bowl is pretend tofu. There’s also pretend sushi on some plates. A Chinese zodiac poster hangs on the wall resembling one of those zodiac placemats you often see in a fast food Chinese restaurant. Hats off to the staff that put this together!

Smith’s Grocery Store is a market with shopping carts and a variety of pretend food. My son loaded up 2 shopping carts worth of food before having a melt down because he wasn’t coordinated enough to push both carts at once. I quickly ushered him to a neighboring train table. Luckily his mood quickly brightened or I would have had to haul him off to the sheriff’s office and jail cell. He would have been able to post bail though because the bank and ATM machine were close by!

My son spent a good chunk of time at a table with large wooden shapes that were painted different colors while I played a metal instrument resembling a xylophone with a wooden drumstick. We loved the giant replica of a Space Shuttle with an on-board flight simulator and the giant virtual reality maze projected on the floor that we could control by stepping on it. It was similar to one of those little hand held plastic games with tiny metal balls inside that you can tilt one way or the other to try to get the balls to settle in the holes.

My girl struck up a conversation with a lady who was painting pottery in the lobby and was invited to go the basement to observe a ceramic workshop where they met Liz who was making a porcelain bowl on a pottery wheel. My daughter was also encouraged to touch many different types of clay like porcelain, terra cotta, and stone wear and she learned how hot kilns get.

I had a big laugh at the giant green screen exhibit where I saw a dad cover his body in a green blanket while standing against a green wall thus making his head appear to float on its own on the connected television. I also did a double take when I walked by one of the distortion mirrors and noticed my hips looked twice as wide. Yikes!

Lastly I learned about the ACM Reciprocal Program, a family membership from your local children’s museum that provides free or discounted admission to almost 200 museums in the U.S. and Canada. The Children’s Museum of Carson City offers a reciprocal membership for only $125. The Children’s Museum of Sacramento charges $250. For more information go to www.childrensmuseum.org.

The Sacramento Children’s Museum (SCM) officially opened to the public on August 25, 2011. The 7,000 square foot facility hosts an exciting and enriching environment in where children learn through exploration and hands-on activities.

SCM strongly believes that play is an essential part of a child’s “work.” Imaginative, hands-on environments provide children with a gateway for opening up their minds to developing new abilities, building confidence, and making connections between their dreams and real world experiences. The museum has several exciting interactive areas for exploring, playing, and learning:

• In “Waterways” children experiment with the flow of water, race boats, and create whirlpools.
• In “Airways” children and adults interact and explore how various objects are affected by air currents.
• “My Neighborhood” encourages role playing and celebrating unique family traditions and cultural awareness.
• “Studio of the Arts” features hands-on art projects.
• “Baby Bloomers” is for babies and toddlers to enjoy safe exploration.
• In “Raceways” visitors will have a ball playing with velocity, gravity, motion, friction, and acceleration.

From the moment my son (age 3) and I walked through the door we were both in awe. This place is a toddler’s dream come true. Every exhibit was amazing and news worthy.

We visited the “Airways “exhibit first. A huge network of clear tubes covers an entire wall from floor to ceiling. Children insert scarves or yarn balls though a waist high tube which then gets sucked up, spit out the top, and falls back down to the children. We easily spent 20 minutes between this exhibit and the adjoining Raceways.

At Raceways my son dropped ball after ball down hot wheel loop de loop tracks. Visitors to this exhibit come away understanding such mysteries as why people don’t fall out of a rollercoaster when riding upside down.

Next we visited “Waterways”. Waterways is a large room with many water activity tables. Waterproof aprons hang from hooks along the walls to keep children dry. Use them! I didn’t immediately put one on my son and within 5 minutes he was soaked from neck to waist. Lesson learned.

My favorite part of waterways was an activity table with an infant seat built into the table so babies can splash in the water! What a great idea!!! As a safety measure the floor of this room is covered with a rubber mat to keep children from slipping on wet floors. Word of caution – my son fell anyway (in sneakers) but did not get hurt. Next time we visit the museum I’ll put his water shoes on for maximum traction.

We then migrated to the Studio of the Arts exhibit. Art Aprons hang from hooks along the walls here too. Kids will get messy, so use one! My son channeled his inner Picasso with tempera paint on the huge plexiglass wall. The art studio provides opportunities for self-expression and creativity. Children can work with a variety of materials including recycled materials, clay, fabric, feathers, paint, rocks, glitter, and more. The art studio is included in the cost of admission.

Last but not least my son played dress up. In the main dress up area there is a wide variety of occupational dress up costumes such as a police officer, a firefighter, doctor and postal worker. There is also a small side room full of actual fireman clothes and gear! While my son played, I sat in a chair against the wall and watched him try to unsuccessfully elbow his way into a game of dress up between two girls. He got shot down but a nearby felt board map of the United States helped him forget his woes.

Some areas we didn’t visit but admired:

Baby Bloomers is a space separated from the rest of the exhibits and is specially designed for babies and toddlers. Young children can be on their tummies gazing at themselves in the mirror, walk up carefully sized steps and over rippling bumps, play peek-a-boo, dress-up like a lion, or even explore the realm of physical knowledge by rolling, kicking and tossing a variety of balls in the ball pit. Adjacent to baby bloomers is a clean and quiet changing room with everything a mom could need or want during a diaper change. There is even a rocking chair for mom’s who need to go into the room and close the door for breast feeding!

World Market allows kids to sort fruits and vegetables, stock shelves, and help others checkout at the cash register. This exhibit offers children a fun, role-playing experience, as well as, helps them develop knowledge about nutrition, sorting, measuring, counting, and cooperation. Items in the super market will include grown locally foods, as well as, foods from around the world.

I’ve bragged about this museum many times to friends and family. If you live in Sacramento or are visiting with children you should make a point to visit. Your toddler will thank you!!! I can’t wait to return and am considering this location for my son’s next birthday party.

The Sacramento Children’s Museum provided my family with complimentary tickets for this review. The Sacramento Children’s Museum did not request that I express any particular point of view and my reviews always reflect my honest opinions.