I love taking my kids to Trailside Park in Park City. This park has a wonderful playground that is perfect for children of all ages. It's a great place to go for a lovely day with the family. More

My family enjoyed a brilliant whale watching tour during our recent trip to Los Angeles. Minke whales and sperm whales are commonly seen during the trip, with a possibility of seeing something rarer. You can book a family ticket for the tour through the Aquarium of the Pacific Blue. More

Fairytale Town is a great place for kids to visit with over 25 fairytale-themed play areas including Jack and Jill Hill and the Mother Goose stage. And since tickets for children cost just $3.75, it's a dream come true for your wallet! More

Not only is the Varden Hotel pretty affordable, it's also rated as one of the best (if not THE best) Long Beach hotels. The rooms are quite small, which is why the rates are so good. More

Visit the Forest Park in Portland free of charge. With more than 30 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, the whole family can enjoy the great outdoors for free! Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. More

The Waterboy in Sacramento is a lovely, romantic Italian restaurant that hits all the right notes. The food here is perfect, the atmosphere is intimate and romantic, and the service is wonderful. I highly recommend coming here for your next date. More

The Golden Gate park in San Francisco is an ideal place to take the person you love. Consisting of well-kept meadows, rose gardens and lakes, the park is a beautiful place for a stroll. You also have the option of a bike ride, with bicycles available to hire. More

You can grab ready-to-eat sandwiches, snacks, baked goods, wines, drinks, and other prepared picnic foods at the Whole Foods Market. It is a one-stop-shop for picnic-goers and people who do not have enough time to prepare their own food. There are also budget menus and boxed lunches for people who need affordable and healthy meals on the go. More

Chao Chi Chinese on Capitol Avenue is a great place to eat without breaking your bank. They are very generous with their servings and their veggies taste wonderfully fresh. They also have a very nice staff. More

A great place for hiking with the kids is Crystal Cove State Park. There a number of trails that are perfect for the inexperienced hiker. The views and scenery are extraordinary, and are sure to help make this an experience your family will remember. More

If you're looking for a cheap, old-fashioned hamburger, go to George's Giant Hamburger. It offers generously-sized hamburgers with tons of toppings and a fresh condiment bar. George's doesn't accept credit cards, so be sure to stop by the ATM before dining. More

The El Modena Trail is a great hike that takes you up to marvelous views and then loops back down again, so you don't have to backtrack. There are beautiful colored rocks along the trail and plenty of desert or dry-weather plants, including cactus. More

The best outlet mall in the area is in Gilroy, a short drive from San Jose. Gilroy Premium Outlets has more than 140 outlets, including all the top brand-names. It's a great place to find a bargain. More

If you've got small kiddos, Kaseberg Park is the best park in Roseville for a family outing. It has a separate play area for younger children, so they can have fun without being jostled by the older kids. More

A fun thing to do is go for a walk around Old Sacramento, which is free. It's like going back in time with all the old buildings. There are plenty of cafes and bars in the area too, if you want to grab a cheap bite. More

I would highly recommend Cafe Jacqueline for a first date. Located in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, the restaurant is intimate and romantic. The food is absolutely superb. It's such a great spot, you'll want to come back for a second date. More

The Coyote Point Museum features educational exhibits that appeal to all age groups. The Museum consists of four interconnected exhibits. We love the natural history exhibit and the hummingbird garden. More

Scandia Family Fun Center boasts an excellent miniature golf course located right in Sacramento. It also features several other attractions, such as baseball cages and a video arcade, and there is also a snack bar if you need a break. More

Our kids really love going to Safari Run. There is a great indoor play structure there, complete with a big triple slide that the kids adore. It's fairly reasonably priced, too. More

If your family likes baseball, Dodger Stadium is the place to see the Los Angeles Dodgers when they are in town. When a game isn't going on, you can also take a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium. More

Sun Sui Wah Chinese Seafood has really good dim sum in the Riley Park neighborhood. More

The Daily Pint is one of my favorite bars. They've got pool tables, and their Scotch list is insane! And definitely hit up Copa d'Oro for a great crowd and killer happy hour deals.
More

Overall, Paris is amazingly safe for a metropolitan area that holds more than 14 million people. The districts (arrondissements) are numbered starting from the center and radiating outwards, so in general the lowest numbers have the highest tourist and therefore police presence. Violent crime is unusual, but there are pickpockets around, and you'll want to watch your kids especially closely at attractions like the Eiffel Tower and anywhere there's a crowd watching street performers. (I mean so they don't get pickpocketed, not so they don't get kidnapped!) The Eiffel Tower Flatotel is in a very convenient location, and all rooms are suites. More

Cafe Bizon is a really cool beer bar with a great atmosphere. There's usually some sort of live music going on, and all of the beers are fantastic and served by barmen with a good knowledge of their drinks. More

Jamaica has some well-known car rental companies such as Budget Rent-a-Car, but I would recommend shopping around and trying a local company. Driving in Jamaica is different than in the U.S., so be prepared. For one thing, they drive on the different side of the road, and that can take some getting used to. More

Try the Browsers Garden Cafe. It's a little European-style cafe that has great sandwiches. Eat outside and enjoy the air while you eat stuffed potatoes, pumpkin quiche, and lemon cake. Soooo good! More

The drive in the car is approximately 6 or 6.5 hrs. But it is really beautiful to drive up through New York, passing through Albany and the Adirondacks. If you don't think you can stand being in the car for that long. There's always the option to fly. More

If you're going to be there more than a few days it's actually more cost effective to get a vacation rental. Brinsmead Studio Apartments offers some cute little apartments with kitchenettes. More

Santa Monica doesn't have a whole lot to offer besides the Pier for kid's activities, however, it does have a great downtown and park system. I would recommend Chess Park. While Chess is not exactly the best children's activities, the park itself is a great place to fly a kite or have a picnic. More

If money's no object, the Gaige House is probably one of the nicest and fanciest places to stay in Glen Ellen. If you'd prefer something a little more low-key, like the town itself, beltane Ranch is a charming B&B with amazing views of the Valley of the Moon. It's a little outside of the heart of Glen Ellen, which gives this rustic, working ranch a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. More