Vacations Blog

Back in the BK (before kids) days, my husband and I roadtripped to Baja California every winter.  That was also back in the days before rampant rumors of activity by dangerous drug cartels at the Mexican-American border, but mostly it’s the kids that keep us from continuing the tradition.  One of our favorite things to do was scout for gray whales.  Every winter these beautiful animals migrate along the Pacific Coast en route to the salty lagoons of Baja California where they give birth to their calves.  If you ever have the occasion to visit Guerrero Negro in Mexico, it is the number one thing you must do before you leave – hop on a panga, or small boat, and go out into the waters where some days the waters are so thick with whales that you can actually touch them.

Gray whale in Mexico, courtesy of Wikimedia.

For the toddler-laden landlubber, however, there are other opportunities to view the gray whales on their past Southern California.  The most popular way to do it is to take a whale watching cruise and there are several companies that operate out of the various SoCal harbors.  Don’t be fooled by our lovely sunny weather:  out on the water it can get chilly and wet so bring the proper gear.  And if you’ve never been out on a boat, remember your sea legs.  If you or your children feel seasick, there is no shame in it.  You are out there to have a good time.  If watercraft are not for you, there are places to see the whales from shore, like at Point Dume beach in Malibu.  You have to scan the horizon and look for the telltale signs: spouting water or glistening black skin.  If you see those things you have most likely happened upon a pod.  They will probably be swimming south.

If you are okay with being out on the water, here are some places to go:

Newport Beach Harbor:  Newport Landing Sportfishing runs excursions Monday through Friday and they also have trips to Catalina.

Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach:  a 2.5 hour cruise on a double decker boat, hosted by Cruise Long Beach Harbor.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $18 for children under 12, and free for children under 2.

Marina del Rey Sportfishing runs a grittier tour on a smaller boat, that much better to get closer to the whales without being obnoxious?

Whale Watching in Los Angeles is a great site that aggregates and reviews many of the whale watching tours available in the area.  Now is a great time to look into this kind of activity if you are visiting the area with your family.  A whale sighting feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you are lucky enough to spot one up close.

Whether you see a whale or several or none, you can also see other ocean life, like the dolphins and sea lions below who joined us on a sailing trip from Marina del Rey to Redondo Beach one day.  (Photos by Tim Clark.)

Dolphins say hello!

What are you looking at?

Collecting scares with Mike and Sully

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California is the pinnacle of family vacation spots (at least on the west coast).  In addition to the original Disneyland there is a second gate, Disney’s California Adventure (DCA).  It is a relatively new theme park, and it has its critics.  In fact, it has so many critics that Disney’s California Adventure is being overhauled with a budget bigger than the one that financed its creation.  There is hope and change in the air.

The entrance to DCA is just a matter of feet from that of Disneyland but the two parks couldn’t be further apart, figuratively.  While Disneyland is the classic standard and the maker of the magic, the theme of the newer park is slightly less so: California.  This is the beginning of the end for those that just drove hours through the actual state of California to get there.  My family likes to look at it differently.

These are the jokes, folks.

Sure, the idea of additions and renovations is exciting to us (We’re big fans of the newest attraction Toy Story Mania which thrills my wife just as much as it does my 2-year-old.  If this is a sign of things to come then sign us up!), but we really enjoy the park in its current state as well (hey, that’s like a pun!).

Disney’s California Adventure offers family activities from the very young to adult.  There are shows, rides and interactive areas geared at the Playhouse Disney set, the adventure seeking school-aged kids and the thrill-loving teens.  There is also a full bar, a winery and a beer cart for the grown-ups.

DCA hosts an annual food and wine festival, a half-marathon (runs through park and other parts of the resort), a very fun Halloween celebration (Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party runs on various nights during the month.  A separate admission is required.) and a rowdy but safe New Year’s Eve bash.

Basically, the entire Disneyland Resort, which includes Downtown Disney and three hotels, can be as family-friendly or as romantic as you want it to be.  We go for both.

The park hours are shorter than those of Disneyland and vary by season as well as day of the week.  Services within the park include lockers, strollers, wheelchairs, first aid, ATM and communication assistance.

I recommend purchasing a ticket that allows you to enter both parks in the same day.  It cost a little more, but the options that it allows you with regard to planning your activities is well worth it.

All Photos: W & T Honea

The beaches of Northern California are stunning. They are dramatic and moody and rocky and cold. If you are crazy, you can surf the wild icy waters. If you are of a more normal constitution, you can sit in the coarse sand or gaze down from the top of a steep cliff and watch the powerful waves crash into the land, with a dull and constant roar.

Most people rave about the sunny warm beaches of Southern California. I agree that the sand is softer, the waves are gentler and the sun is warmer. It is probably pretty groovy to live by one, too. But, let’s be honest, folks. This isn’t the Caribbean…and never will be. If you can’t offer me clear aquamarine water, white sugary sand and reefs filled with colorful corals and fish then I would much rather the moody wildness of the Northern California coast.

But, this is just my take. I’d love to hear your opinion!

Which type of beach is your favorite and why?

Thanks to clairity for the NoCal and mbtrama for the SoCal beach pictures.

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Have the urge to put on a pair of tights, belt your shirt and use the word ‘thee’ in every sentence? Then you should definitely head on over to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire happening right now just outside of Los Angeles. The event, which usually takes place on weekends from early April to mid May, is a fair designed to simulate an imagined village in England during the reign of Elizabeth I. With costumed entertainers, theatrical acts and craft and food booths from the period, you’ll feel like you’re experiencing a piece of history firsthand. Nothing like gnawing on a turkey leg to transport you back in time!

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who has grown up in Southern California who hasn’t been to the Faire at least once. Whether it was on a trip during one of the Faire’s special school days, or on a date with that guy who just wanted an opportunity to call you his ‘comely wench,’ the Renaissance Faire has always been a novel destination. (Renaissance Faires take place throughout the country, but I’ve only been to the one in Southern California.)

I haven’t been to the Faire currently taking place, but we did take our kids to a previous one and they had a great time. Once they got used to the people in costume, and everyone “talking funny” they soon got into the spirit of jolly old England. The spontaneity of the whole event took them by surprise; once, while riding on one of the low-tech rides, the operator ran up and began grabbing the shoes off of unsuspecting patrons. This might get one arrested at any theme park, but at the Renaissance Faire it was seen purely as good-natured ‘mischief.’ For some reason it’s the one thing my kids seem to remember most about that day.

There are a variety of shows to keep you entertained; everything from Bold and Stupid Men (”Our swashbuckling duo deliver ‘lessons in gentlemanly behavior’ amidst a flurry of daring sword play”) to action-filled jousting. Little ones who might need more hands-on activities have lots to do as well in the Kids Kingdom – I remember my girls playing forever with huge bubble wands made out of wire that they dipped into big troughs of soap. Something that they would have loved when they were younger is the Imaginary Tea Time with the Fairie Godmothers, that asks you to “bring a vivid imagination, your willingness to play and the Fairie Godmothers will provide the rest.”

(Take note: there are several shows that the Faire has rated NC-17 for adult themes or content. Might want to steer the kiddies away from the Poxy Boggards, the self-described “drinking group with a singing problem.”)

There’s a variety of food choices to keep your cup runneth over. There’s the above-mentioned turkey leg as well as ‘Steak on a Stake’ and ‘Shepherd’s Pye and Bangers.’ Don’t worry – for those less adventurous I do remember seeing a sandwich or two.

Who knows – after a visit to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire you might become a true fan and decide to become one of the hundreds of people who come every year and take the Faire lifestyle to heart. And if you do, the Renaissance Faire does weddings!

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire is taking place from April 5 to May 18 at the Santa Fe Damn Recreation Area
15501 East Arrow Highway, Irwindale CA

Have you ever been to a Renaissance Faire? What other spring events are popular in your area?

Photo courtesy of Renaissance Pleasure Faire