great takes on family travel in the U.S.

Used to be, all you needed to travel with your golf clubs was an ability to stuff your clothes into one bag and a case to put your golf bag into for your second piece of checked luggage.  Not so anymore!  Recently I was helping my uncle, who visits from England every summer,  figure out how to get his golf clubs from LAX (he keeps a set in the US) to Chicago for a family reunion.  Here’s what I found out:- Getting checked bags on any domestic flights has become a luxury!  Most airlines, to make up for the high cost of fuel, are now charging at least nominal fees for checked luggage.  Most still (as of Aug, 2008) give you one carry-on bag, but watch out because that’s changing.  If you’re traveling a budget airline, expect to pay $50 and more to check your bags.

- Golf clubs are heavy.  Even if you do get a checked bag with your ticket price, weigh your clubs in their travel bag before you go to the airport.  Golf clubs are heavy and many of the airlines that still allow checked bags have lowered their weight limits.  Check with your carrier before going to the airport as to the number of checked bags allowed and how much they can weigh- you don’t want to get slapped with unexpected fees when you’re trying to get through airport security.

- Unless you’re going on to the super-packer championships you’re probably not going to be able to fit all your clothes into one very small carry-on.  Used to be, I could smile nicely and carry on my purse, my laptop bag and my roll-away suitcase.  Not anymore.  I was shocked last time I flew when they actually made me stuff all my things into one of those little ‘your bag must fit here’ boxes and then made me check my roll-away suitcase.  If you’re counting on your carry-on for your clothing, measure it’s dimensions (including wheels!) to make sure you don’t get caught at the departure gate.

- Other options are springing up everywhere!  Ahh capitalistic society.  There’s a need for people to travel with more stuff, so industry is figuring out how to make some money off of it.  Check out USPS, UPS and even DHL for new rates on how to get your bags to your destination.  This can be especially helpful on the ride home - just fill a bag with your dirty clothes, ship it slow rate by land or ship, and do the laundry whenever it gets there.  Use your suitcase to carry home your souvenirs.

In conclusion…

Unless you fancy yourself Tiger Woods, it’s cheaper to rent (at the course)or buy (2^nd hand stores abound) a set of temporary golf clubs when you get to your destination than it is to ship them or travel with them in many circumstances.  Rental prices will depend on the quality of the clubs you’re getting.  If you don’t care much about quality, you can usually find some used clubs at the 2^nd hand store and just re-donate them when you get back for the tax write-off of their initial purchase price.  Especially if it’s a place you go frequently, like my uncle and coming to LA, it’s worth it to just keep a set of clubs with friends.  That way, whenever he comes he can hit the new PGA of Southern California course with his own clubs without having to get them through customs.  You might also ask around and see if someone has a set you can borrow.

Happy Golfing and safe travels!

Thanks to caymangirl for the photo.

Too often family vacations can mean long hours of standing in line at the amusement park/museum/zoo etc. and not enough time just relaxing. Or, they can mean hours spent in a car with your immediate family, which, while a good bonding experience, can drive you crazy if you normally spend at least 8 hours a day on your own. Either way, getting in a round of golf can be just the thing your vacation needs to be truly relaxing. Here are 5 great courses near major family attractions that can ensure you give your 9 iron a bit of work while you take a breather.

1. Disneyland time? Take a morning and visit the Anaheim Hills golf course. It’s beautifully apportioned and if you’re pressed for time to get back for the 9am opening of Disneyland you can have the option of just playing 9 holes instead of the full course. Open year-round!

2.  New York bound? Check out Craig Golf Course in Jersey City, just outside of NYC proper. Formerly military owned, this is a true diamond in the rough- just make sure to go during the warmer months.

3.  South Carolina, in general, has several great golf resorts which provide amenities that your kids will enjoy as much as you do the links! Quite a few of these have time-shares as well, so if you have one as well you can look into trading!

4.  Hawaii with the family? While your kids are learning to surf at the beach, you can hit the links at the famous Kona Country Club which was featured on the ladies’ PGA tour recently.

5.  Disney World, of course, has it’s own course. Make that COURSES! Not one but three of these are featured on the PGA tour. You might just have to book the extra-long package just so you can try all three.

So don’t forget to take your clubs with you! If you’re not going to one of these places, you can search UpTake for a course near your destination.

**Thanks to Michael Simmons for the great photo of Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course.

On a recent search for motels for an upcoming trip, I came across a few I would characterize as kitschy – original motor inns, catering to the auto traveler from days past. I thought these were worth sharing, if you are looking for a nostalgic trip back in time.

Ocean Park Motel

Built in 1936 (the same year as the Golden Gate Bridge) this art-deco landmark, located near the San Francisco Zoo and Ocean Beach, has not changed much since it was first built. Designed by Conrad Kett in a nautical theme, original visitors would stay while visiting Sutro Baths, Playland-at-the-Beach and Fleischhacker Zoo.

Red Victorian Bed, Breakfast & Art

Originally the Jefferson Hotel, built in 1904, the Red Victorian rose to prominence during the “Summer of Love” when it became a haven for flower children and hippies. In 1977, Sami Sunchild acquired the property, giving Red Vic its name and mission to foster peace, ecology and global friendship. Run as a Bed & Breakfast, guests can chose from 18 creatively decorated room, and are invited to join other travelers for morning Breakfast Conversations.

Madonna Inn

Construction began in 1966 on this over-the-top inn in San Luis Obispo. Phyllis and Alex Madonna designed each of the 109 rooms around a unique theme, incorporating many personal favorites (Phyllis loves the color pink and Alex is fond of rocks). Great for families who love kitsch, this inn features rooms and suites with several different configurations. If you plan to stay more than one night, don’t be afraid to ask to switch rooms for a new experience, apparently it is the thing to do!

As long as you are near San Luis Obispo, be sure to stop and see what remains of the Motel Inn, the world’s first motel, built in 1925 by Los Angeles architect Arthur Heineman. This new motor lodge, designed around a central courtyard with a swimming pool and picnic tables, was revolutionary for the time. Until then, most travelers camped or stayed home. With the advent of the Milestone Motel, travelers rested in comfortable two-room bungalows for $1.25 a night with a private adjoining garage.

What is your favorite kitschy motel and why? How about kitschy roadside attraction? Giant Bob’s Big Boy, anyone?

Photo courtesy of Ocean Park Motel.

This summer has been HOT. Muy Caliente. So, what is the best way to beat the heat in Dallas right now? Bahama Beach is a family water park with a lazy river, a rain-fortress playground and tons of slides. Mondays are half-off moms’ tickets with a downloadable coupon and seasons passes are also available. They are located ten minutes south of downtown and open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. There’s plenty of shade, reservable private cabanas and concession stands to feed the family.

The City of Dallas also offers seven spraygrounds and a summer brochure listing the metro pool schedules. That makes it easy to find the pool nearest you, because honestly, a cold pool is the best way to beat the Texas summer heat.

Just outside of Dallas is a unique indoor playground called Kidz Muze where children ages twelve and under can play and learn in a safe, clean environment. There are climbing structures, mazes, an arcade, construction zones, ball play centers and a pretend play village. You can skip the sunscreen and quit worrying about the heat on this playground. Adults and babies pay no admission while children one to three years old are $5.99 and children four to twelve years old are $7.99.

You seriously need to check out White Rock Lake, a unique 1,015 acre city lake where you can hike or bike on trails, rent sailboats, fish and picnic. Motorized boats and swimming are not permitted. The lake contains catfish, sunfish, crappie, carp, gar and bass. It’s a great place in the metro area to cool off under the trees while fishing or enjoying the cool breeze off the water while sailing.

What can a family of four do in Dallas for $20 a day?  Here are some ideas.

The best inexpensive fun is practically free and right around the corner from you, no matter where you are in Dallas.  Find the nearest Dallas park and take your family for the day.  Pack a picnic lunch, arrange for a water gun fight, and blow bubbles and let the kids try to catch them.

We almost always have a soccer ball in the trunk or a Frisbee.  The kids can climb or swing on a playground, feed ducks, fly kites or you can send them on a nature scavenger hunt.  Can they find a stick shaped like the letter “y” or a stone shaped like a heart?  A nature stroll is healthy and aerobic and while you’re at it, pick up trash or wash graffiti off play equipment, teaching your children an important lesson about nature and taking good care of our Earth.  The only money you need to spend will be on the picnic lunch.

In historic Fair Park many museums offer free admission.  Also within the park is a hidden gem called Texas Discovery Gardens, which contains ten themed garden areas for parents and kids to explore together and learn more about nature on their own, through workshops or guided tours.  Admission is pretty inexpensive at three dollars an adult, a dollar and fifty cents for children ages three to eleven years old, and children under three years old are free.  They have a butterfly habitat, a native wildlife pond, a scent garden, a shade garden and an heirloom garden.

The historic M-Line Streetcars that run along McKinney Avenue in Uptown Dallas are also free, and a great inexpensive way to explore that area of the city.

Five your children a free art lesson at Nasher Sculpture Center.  Adult admission is $10 but children twelve and under are free.  The indoor and outdoor galleries contain a comprehensive collection of masterpieces with rotating and special exhibitions.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport has an area in their Founders Plaza called Observation Station where you can watch the thousands of take-offs and landings in one of the busiest airports in the world.  A graph board helps you identify the many different types of aircrafts while you listen to live audio straight from the control tower.  This area is currently closed but scheduled to open up again in September.

Who says you can’t have inexpensive fun?

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

If you only visit Sea World when you go to San Diego, you’re missing out on a lot. Besides, how many times can you watch a whale jump through the air chasing a sardine? On your next trip, check out these romantic hotels - one of them is great for hookups, of both the romantic and the internet kind…

We recently stayed at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina, and while I know my husband chose it for its beautiful pool with cascading fountains and their cafe on the water, I know he also picked it for that one thing he knew would make me swoon: a plush internet lounge with WiFi. Because nothing says ‘I Love You’ like free Internet connection with a killer download speed.

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of Sheratons, but because we’re part of the Starwood program we decided to give the chain another try while on a recent visit to San Diego. We were pleasantly surprised – the hotel was in a beautiful location overlooking the marina, appeared to have been recently renovated and had excellent service. After lounging by the pool, we moved to the outdoor patio for a romantic evening sipping martinis by one of their outdoor fire pits. One definite buzzkill was the room service breakfast bill the next morning – how is it possible to spend almost $80 on a mediocre meal? I’ll tell you how – by cleverly hiding both a delivery charge and a room service fee in the bill, on top of which I unknowingly added a very generous tip. Luckily I was able to console myself with some quality time at Link, the internet lounge.

But one of our favorite places to stay is still the W Hotel located downtown. We love the modern, sleek rooms and the hip vibe – although if they heard me using the words ‘hip vibe’ they’d probably set me up in a room with a tub of Epson salts, a glass next to the bed for my teeth and a DVD boxed set of the Golden Girls. The Sand Bar on the roof is amazing – grab a private cabana, wiggle your toes in the (real) sand and sip a Mai Tai next to the one you love. You’d swear you were alone on a deserted tropical island if it weren’t for the techno music blaring on the speakers and the waiter who keeps showing up to ply you with expensive booze.

Not quite in San Diego, but close, is the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach. We haven’t been there for years, but it was one of the first hotels my husband and I stayed at together when we were dating (Yes, unmarried and in the same room! Sorry, mom.) This place truly is spectacular, and if you get one of the rooms on the upper floor of the main tower you’ll have a breathtaking view – a perfectly framed, unencumbered view of the ocean, sky and clouds. Now if that doesn’t scream romance I don’t know what does.

Photo: W Hotel, San Diego

Originally founded in 1849 as an Army outpost, Fort Worth still embraces its western heritage and traditional design more so than its contemporary sister-city, Dallas.  Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, the local bed & breakfast community has plenty to offer any traveler who wants a more intimate, unique view of this colorful town.The Texas White House is an award-winning, historic home restored to its original 1910 décor.  Located just minutes from downtown, guests still have plenty of privacy in the main house or the carriage house with relaxed private sitting areas in their rooms and claw-footed tubs for showers or bubble baths.  Breakfast is offered in the dining room or in suite, and other amenities include television, laundry service, secretarial services, early morning coffee service and afternoon snack and beverages and on-site massage services.  Rates start at $145 a night and up.

A stately plantation sitting on one acre in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood near downtown is the site of another bed and breakfast in Fort Worth.  Azalea Plantation offers spacious rooms with whirlpools, high ceilings, mahogany beds and balcony views.  A gourmet breakfast is served in the elegant Victorian Dining room every morning.  The Dallas Morning News called this B&B the “Best Kept Secret in Dallas/Fort Worth.”

Heart-shaped whirlpool tubs for two are in every room at Lockheart Gables along with personalized cookies, a special arrival drink, and lots of candles to light, fresh flowers terry robes and breakfast in suite on your own schedule.  Three rooms are available in the mansion as well as two romantic cottages on grounds.  Built around 1893 by an acclaimed English architect, Arthur Albert Messer, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic getaway.

Photo courtesy of Rhea.

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Okay, so maybe Los Angeles doesn’t come to mind when you’re thinking of planning a romantic getaway. Freeways, smog, Paris Hilton – I admit none of these inspire an enchanting escape with that special someone. But take a look at these hotels – you might just change your mind. And if not, well – there’s always Paris.

Though I’ve never stayed here, I’ve heard people say that the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills is an ideal romantic retreat. Done in a fifties retro-style, the rooms feature Eames cabinets and Noguchi furniture, which may not seem romantic to you but really gets furniture designers hot. But here’s why this place intrigues me: My husband and I used to live around the corner when the hotel was the run-down Beverly Carlton. We visited once when we were considering putting up some friends there, but changed our minds when the place had the vibe of a Motel 6 infested with crack dealers. (Although, this being Beverly Hills, those would be filthy rich, Gucci-clad crack dealers.) But they’ve done an amazing transformation with the hotel – it’s now a hangout for hipsters and celebrities who like to lounge around their swanky pool.

For a more classically romantic feel, you can’t go wrong with the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A. The hotel is currently celebrating it’s 85th anniversary, and has a rich history – besides hosting many celebrities and presidents, the hotel was the site of the Academy Awards back in the 30’s and 40’s. In honor of their birthday, the hotel is offering a special 85th Anniversary Celebration package that includes a deluxe room, a nice bottle of champagne and dinner for two at their acclaimed restaurant. Round out your romantic stay by indulging in their daily Traditional Afternoon Tea – just like a Royal couple! (Are any of them still together?)

One of my most memorable romantic getaways was at the Mondrian Hotel on the Sunset Strip. My husband surprised me with an anniversary weekend here, and it was amazing. Make sure you get one of their packages that includes a reservation at their famous Asia de Cuba restaurant and admission to the unbearably hip Skybar (opened by Cindy Crawford’s husband). This place features more celebrities per square foot than any other location in L.A. besides the cosmetic surgery ward at Cedars Sinai Hospital. Kick back with your amour in the stunning Seabar, have one of their unbelievable watermelon martinis and do what I do - try to figure out a way to make off with all their designer furniture. Now that’s romantic.

Photo: Mondrian Hotel