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Lake Tahoe

Summer in Lake Tahoe: 7 Family Friendly Highlights

September 19, 2017
by Carrie
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A Perfect Day in Mendocino
A Perfect Day in Point Arena
Bay Area Day Trip: Davenport
Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail – Joshua Tree National Park
Tahquitz Falls Hike – an Oasis in the Desert

marquezfiveadventures

After years of talking about it, we finally made i

After years of talking about it, we finally made it to Mendocino! We barely scratched the surface of things to do so naturally we’ll need to come back! Here are some reasons to put Mendocino on your list:

🌿IT. IS. BEAUTIFUL.
🌿3 State Parks: Russian Gulch, Mendocino Headlands, Van Damme which have a mixture of easy accessible walks to more challenging hikes all with gorgeous views of forests, streams or the rugged coast.
🌿Russian Gulch Bridge - I could have stared at this bridge all day. Lots of lookout points plus you can hang out on the beach below the bridge for a totally different perspective, and beach combing of course!
🌿Downtown Mendocino is totally adorable with old Victorian bed & breakfasts, cute shops, and delicious restaurants.
🌿Very strict mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines. We were surprised it was so strict since it’s a relatively remote area, but they also depend on tourism and want to keep everything open. Everyone we saw respected the rules and we felt very safe traveling here.

Check out more details on our weekend in Mendocino in my new Blog Post. Link in Bio.

This hike on San Bruno Mountain is one of my favor

This hike on San Bruno Mountain is one of my favorite hikes on the peninsula because of the sweeping views. Saddle Loop Trail is our go-to. It starts with views to the south of SFO ✈️ to Oakland in the east, The Bay Bridge & Downtown SF, then all across the city towards Marin and out to the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day like this it’s just magnificent, but we’ve still had good views on overcast days as well!

The absolute best time to visit the Bay Area is in September and October. While temperatures are dropping elsewhere, here we get some of our warmest fog-free days! Seriously, it’s the best! ☀️

Although it can be sporadically foggy throughout the year, it mainly blankets the coastal areas in the summer. Odd right? That’s because we have a built in air conditioner - the hot inland temperatures in the Central Valley cause the air to rise and the heavier cold ocean air rushes in to replace it. This flow pulls the fog through the Golden Gate passage into the Bay. Just take a look at my post from yesterday...that was taken in July! You’ve all heard the saying from Mark Twain, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco!” 🥶🌁

Jackson asked me the other day if I thought it was

Jackson asked me the other day if I thought it was worth it to live in the Bay Area. Whether you’ve lived in the Bay Area your whole life (like me) or you’ve only lived here a short period of time, everybody here asks themselves that question. I quickly ran through all the pros & cons in my head, but one thing always sticks out: When a “normal” day consists of views like this, then yes, I absolutely think it’s worth it 🌁😍

With California’s rocky coastline it’s no wond

With California’s rocky coastline it’s no wonder we have lighthouses all along the west coast. I always think they are beautiful, standing tall along the coast often surrounded by fog, but we don’t usually stop to look at them - maybe that needs to change.

Here are a couple fun facts about the Point Arena lighthouse we visited last month:

✨It’s the tallest on the west coast, standing at 115 feet (well, it’s actually tied for tallest with Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero).
✨The lighthouse was first lit in 1870, but was rebuilt after the original was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake.
✨This is the closest point in the continental US to Hawaii.
✨You can actually stay in the Keeper’s Apartment (listed as one of the Top 10 Unique Vacation Rentals in the West by SF Gate)
✨And yes, the light is always on!

If you’re in Point Arena, the lighthouse is definitely worth a stop. Even if lighthouses aren’t your thing, the grounds are gorgeous and if you’re lucky you can spot whales, dolphins, and seals! 🐬🐳🐋

He wanted to stop and play in a driftwood hut. I w

He wanted to stop and play in a driftwood hut. I wanted to rush down to the other end of the beach so I could see the cool bowling ball shaped rocks before the tide came in and covered them up. And there we were, at a complete standstill.

Obviously you can see who came out on top.

The rocks were the whole reason we were at this beach in the first place, but I needed to remind myself that my goal is just to spend time together as a family making memories, get outside, and hope that my kids build a love for exploring. If I don’t let them slow down to play and explore on their own terms then they aren’t going to be excited about joining me in the future. Here was my kid really excited about something he found and I was trying to drag him away. So I stopped so he could explore and enjoy the moment.

We eventually made it down to those rocks I was coveting. The tide had come in and they weren’t fully exposed, but I was still able to appreciate them. You know what I remember most about that trip to the beach anyway? The unexpected driftwood forts and how excited my kid was to play in them.

“The days are long, but the years are short” i

“The days are long, but the years are short” is definitely resonating with me. Today we celebrate Jackson’s 16th Birthday! 🥳 The last 16 years have flown by, but are filled with incredible memories of this kid growing up into the young man he is today. I think my favorite part of being his mom is watching him wander down many different paths as he discovers his interests. When he was younger we tried to direct him down some paths we thought would be good choices and quickly learned we had to let him find his own way. It’s so exciting to watch and support him as he continues to develop independence, follow his curiosity, and pursue his passions. 💙

And of course I appreciate his willingness to go along with our family adventures year after year. Lucky for me he inherited my passion for travel. I hope he’s always game for ziplining over a cenote with me!

Happy Birthday, Jackson! (He is on Instagram, but I’ve been told I’m not allowed to tag him 🤪) I look forward to another year of adventure, laughter, and having to google the answer everytime you ask me one of your hard questions.

“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly c

“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.” - GK Chesterton

Some of our family’s most memorable travel experiences are the result of inconveniences we encountered along the way. Maybe we look back on those moments and can laugh or maybe we realize that it created an opportunity for growth.

✨Like the time we took a horse and buggy ride through Killarney Ireland and chose the absolute slowest horse who caused traffic jams in the street and got passed by literally everyone, including joggers. At the time, I thought the horse had ruined our experience, but the truth is that experience may have faded into the background had it not been for Padhraic, the slowest horse in the world🙄😂

✨Or the time on Maui we decided to drive to the top of Haleakala in our convertible jeep and halfway there realized we forgot the hardtop cover at our house. It was gorgeous by the beach but by the time we reached the top it was about 30 degrees out and we were all huddled inside the jeep with the heat blasting to keep warm. To top it off, the summit was completely covered in clouds and we couldn’t see a thing! 🥶

✨Or when I came down with strep throat on our family’s first international trip to Costa Rica and then Kate developed an ear infection about 2 days later! I had not planned ahead in the event any of us needed medical attention. Luckily there was a doctor on staff at our resort who helped us, but now I always make sure we are prepared and know what we’ll do if any of us get sick while traveling.🤒

We viewed these experiences as inconveniences at the time, but they’re now the stories we recount through laughter and with great fondness! And I also think hitting bumps along the road makes us better and more adaptable travelers.

Anyone else addicted to travel magazines? I love t

Anyone else addicted to travel magazines? I love to pour through them every month savoring every page. I rip out the articles with places I want to go, hotels I want to stay at, restaurants, hikes and adventures I want to try. Then I file them all away for future reference. Most of them we’ll never do, but many of them have inspired our travel. As we were preparing to head up to Mendocino County last month, imagine my delight when I found a @sunsetmag article about Point Arena, CA I had saved from August 2014 🤪!

At the time, my kids were much younger and I had been intrigued by B Bryan Preserve, a private reserve actively committed to the breeding and preservation of African hoof Stock (zebra, giraffe, antelope). I looked into it and they were currently open and offering Land Rover tours through the preserve so I booked a spot!

We also visited Point Arena Lighthouse which happens to be the closest spot to Hawaii in the Continental US, and Bowling Ball Beach which has the most perfectly round rocks exposed during low tide.

Check out my newest blog post with lots of details on our day in Point Arena (link in bio)!

One thing that helps me motivate my kids and get t

One thing that helps me motivate my kids and get them excited about hiking is having a “hook”. What are your kids’ interests? What gets them excited? Our kids love hiking to waterfalls or swimming holes, scrambling up rocks, exploring forts, climbing on logs & trees, hopping across streams, skipping rocks in water, etc. When they were younger they loved animals so we’d pick hikes where they could see wildlife or where they could just run free & explore.

Sometimes the hardest part is just getting them motivated and out the door! But most of the time once they’re out they have a good time and are happy they went. They aren’t motivated by a “good workout” or captivating views (although they appreciate them it doesn’t get them out the door). So know what will pique their interest and find a hike that will satisfy it. I love the @alltrails app. We use it all the time to find lesser known hikes around us or when we travel. There are great user reviews, elevation charts and gps maps so you can see how far along you are on the trail.

Hiking Tennessee Valley was Kate’s request. She chose it because she likes the beach at the end. This time we hiked up a short, but steep trail on the cliffs above the beach for sweeping views of the coast. There were also some bunkers at the top (likely left over from WWII) that we could walk in. She found a narrow opening down into one of the bunkers and had to hang there for effect. It wasn’t a long drop down, but she likes to push limits 🤷🏼‍♀️

What’s your hook? How do you get your kids out the door?

“Because when you stop and look around, this lif

“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.” – Dr. Seuss

It’s true. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the little things that can sometimes feel so big. This year slowing down has allowed us to get back outside on hikes and adventures and spend more intentional time together as a family - things we had stopped making time for because we were so “busy”. Every time we get outside, breathe fresh air and take in views like this, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to live here and be able to enjoy these views and all the outdoor spaces in the Bay Area. 2020 may not have been the year we planned and we’ve all missed out on a lot, but we’ve gained a lot too. This year I’ve learned it’s all about perspective - life is always amazing sometimes we just have to stop and look for it.

My kids are all finally at an age where we can pla

My kids are all finally at an age where we can plan outdoor adventures that are fun and challenging for all of us. These kids can basically handle anything and everything! I love packing our trips and weekends with fun outdoor adventures: challenging hikes, ropes courses, kayaking, rock climbing, biking, skiing, and anything else I can find. So far they’ve been game for anything and I love their adventurous spirits. I love that we get to share these things with our kids and also learn new things together as a family. The truth is, I waited a long time to do these things with them and now they’re all pretty much better at everything than I am! I’m the slowest 🐢 and most cautious because they are fast and I’m afraid of getting hurt🤕!

My one complaint is that they are just growing up too fast! I wish we could pause here for a while and enjoy this time before they are all off doing their own things. I already feel the effects of them growing up, wanting to be with their friends and being pulled toward competing interests. I hope we’re igniting a little spark in them and they’ll always choose to come adventure and explore with us even when they don’t have to!

This was a fairly challenging trail in Montana and the kids and I had little-to-no trail experience. They all did great and we only had one incident when Ben took a downhill turn too wide, hit a barrier and launched himself and his bike into a prickly bush which luckily kept him from falling into a creek bed below. Ironically, flying into this bush was his favorite part of the trip. A year later and he still talks about how fun the fall was 😂

Hands down the favorite activity of our trip to Me

Hands down the favorite activity of our trip to Mendocino was the @skunktrain Railbikes!

We cruised along the Skunktrain tracks on these motorized railbikes for a 7 mile out & back adventure through the redwoods! Once we reached the turnaround point we had time to hike along a 1-mile trail through the redwoods and relax at some shaded picnic tables. Each bike has a “driver” who controls the motor and brake, the passenger basically does nothing except take pictures, videos, and yell at her daughter to “Slow Down!!” 😂

🔹Bay Area Day Trip🔹 I can’t believe I’d

🔹Bay Area Day Trip🔹

I can’t believe I’d never heard of Davenport, a tiny coastal town just north of Santa Cruz along Highway 1. This summer Ben and I decided to check it out - we were especially excited to spend some time at Shark Fin Cove which did not disappoint! It’s one of the coolest beaches I’ve been to! We had lunch at the cute Davenport Roadside Inn, stopped by Swanton Berry Farm for strawberry shortcakes (their U-pick farm was closed so we’ll have to go back), and spotted an abandoned pier. Definitely worth a day trip and you can even combine it with a trip to Santa Cruz! Check out my new post with all the details (link in bio)!

Our trip to Mendocino was honestly one of the best

Our trip to Mendocino was honestly one of the best trips we’ve taken in a while. The kids seemed happier than usual and were getting along great with each other. They were engaged in conversations and we all laughed so hard we cried. I didn’t want to over-analyze, but I kept asking myself, Why? What was it about this trip that made it so enjoyable?

And then it dawned on me - it’s because it was just for a long weekend!

✨It was just a local weekend trip so my expectations were pretty low. I didn’t plan a crazy itinerary because I knew we could easily go back. There was no pressure to see everything which I think just led to a more relaxed trip overall.

✨There were no flights to catch, rental cars to pickup or time-zones to adjust to. I get giddy just thinking about going to the airport, but it does add an extra layer of coordination that I don’t think any of us missed!

✨The kids were more relaxed because even though they were missing out on things at home it was only for 3 days, not a week or more.

We rarely take weekend trips because in normal times our weekends are busy with sports and other commitments which is why we typically travel over school breaks. We’ll definitely still take longer trips (I’ve got 2 in the works!!!) but I’m definitely going to try to add in some weekend travel every now & then. One thing that has been reinforced lately is we don’t have to go far to explore new places!

One thing is clear- I need to be near the water.

One thing is clear- I need to be near the water. Preferably near the ocean, but I’ll take a lake in the mountains as well.

I feel pretty lucky to have grown up in the Bay Area right next to the Pacific Ocean. I’m biased, but I think our coastline is stunning and one of the best. I was blown away by the rugged Mendocino coastline! The long stretches of beach full of bleached driftwood, climbing rocks, and tidepools perfect for exploring. It seemed each corner we turned revealed a new breathtaking vista better than the last!

It definitely inspired me to want to explore even more of the Northern California and Oregon coastlines. Anyone else drawn to the water like me? Any favorite beaches or coastal towns you would recommend?

Last weekend we took a roadtrip to the Mendocino c

Last weekend we took a roadtrip to the Mendocino coast! Mendocino has been on my list for years and it was definitely worth the wait. It was gorgeous!

One place we all felt like we needed more time was Russian Gulch State Park. We took the Headlands trail along the bluff to the Sink Hole Overlook and then spent time on the beach throwing the football around, dipping our toes in the freezing water, and admiring the surroundings under the famed bridge. We had really wanted to hike Fern Canyon trail to Waterfall Loop, but Fern Canyon is closed for restoration. That is a must-do the next time we return!

This summer I got asked how I was able to get my k

This summer I got asked how I was able to get my kids out of the house to go on so many adventures. Well, they didn't go with me as often as it may have appeared.

Each week, I planned two weekday activities and told each kid they had to pick at least one (except for my 10-year-old, he was required to go on both!). Even though I was forcing some family fun, they had control over picking which activity they preferred and which day worked better for them. I tried to come up with fun ideas and each adventure always incorporated food 😋 (because why not?). Plus I told them I was open to requests. Though the only one who ever made a suggestion was Kate. It's definitely harder to get kids to come along as they get older and become more independent. I'm just going to be over here planning adventures and hoping to keep my kids interested in hanging out with me as long as possible!
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#Takeyourkidseverywhere #wanderlust #lifewelltraveled #travelwithteens #AdventureFamily #AdventureTravel #AdventureSeeker #OutdoorAdventure #BornToBeAdventurous #FamilyAdventure #ExploreMore #WeCollectMemories #yestoadventure #OutdoorKids
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A lot of our vacation days look just like this. Th

A lot of our vacation days look just like this. The kids like to hang out at the pool, relax, and sleep in (after all we have two teenagers!). While I'd prefer to be out adventuring all day, one thing I've learned is that I need to incorporate my kids' preferences into our travels or they’re not going to like traveling with us. They have made it clear that they don't like a jam-packed itinerary every day. We've come to an agreement that we alternate an adventure day with a rest a day. Rest days can include a trip to the beach, pool, or exploring an area, but without a set schedule. I also ask them to tell me one thing they really want to do and make sure to incorporate it into our trip. Then even if we're doing something they don't particularly like, they know they have at least one activity/day that they planned.

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#Takeyourkidseverywhere #familytravel #familytravels #wanderlust #lifewelltraveled #kidswhotravel #travelwithteens #AdventureFamily #AdventureTravel #AdventureSeeker #OutdoorAdventure #BornToBeAdventurous #FamilyAdventure #ExploreMore #WeCollectMemories #yestoadventure #GetOutside #OptOutside #ChildhoodUnplugged #ExploreCalifornia #CaliforniaAdventures

This was the most difficult hike we did all summer

This was the most difficult hike we did all summer. It wasn't because of the distance (3.1 miles) or the elevation (600’ gain). It was because of the heat! We hiked 1.5 miles to an oasis where we cooled off near a stream under fan palms before turning back around. But that return trip was tough! Not only physically, but also mentally. Our kids did great, though we did have to motivate them along the way a few times and remind them (and ourselves!) that we can ALL do hard things! I hope they remember these small feats as examples of how they finished something tough when they weren't sure if they could 💪🏼

If you look in the center of the photo you can see a little green dot - those are the palm trees at the oasis! 🌴

#HikePalmSprings #PalmSpringsHiking #DesertHiking #PalmSprings #VisitPalmSprings #fortyninepalmsoasis #joshuatreenationalpark #AdventureFamily #AdventureTravel #ChildhoodUnplugged #ExploreCalifornia #ExploreMore #GetOutside #OptOutside #Takeyourkidseverywhere #VisitCalifornia #WeCollectMemories #CaliforniaHikes #FamilyHike #FamilyHikes #LocalHikingTrails #HikingFamily #HikeCalifornia #californiaadventures #AdventureSeeker #OutdoorAdventure #familytravel #familytravels #OutdoorKids #familyadventure

If all goes according to plan and the smoky skies

If all goes according to plan and the smoky skies stay away, we will be heading to Mendocino soon! I can't believe I've lived in Northern California my whole life and have never been to Mendocino!

The only thing we have booked is the @skunktrain rail bikes which sound amazing! Also looking into sea kayaking in Van Damme Park and will of course check out Russian River Gulch State Park and the Pygmy Forest. Have you been? I'd love to hear your suggestions for must-do activities or places to eat! I can't wait to get away and explore a new part of California!
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#californiaadventures #hikecalifornia #pacificcoasthighway #northerncalifornia
#AdventureFamily #ExploreMore #GetOutside #OptOutside #Takeyourkidseverywhere #TravelDeeper #AdventureSeeker #wanderlust #OutdoorAdventure #familytravel #familytravels #OutdoorKids #familyadventure #ExploreCalifornia #VisitCalifornia #CaliforniaHikes #californiacoast #FamilyHike #FamilyHikes #LocalHikingTrails #HikingFamily #sanmateocountyparks
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