Destinations the whole family will love!

LIL TOOT WATER TAXI

TAKE YOUR SMALL FRY OUT ON THE HIGH SEAS ON A TUGBOAT THAT’S RUN ON FRENCH FRIES.

Okay, ‘Lil Toot tugboat isn’t really run on french fries, but it’s biodiesel engine does leave an olfactory trail that smells like them (or some say donuts) as it toots across the harbor of Santa Barbara every day. And if that’s not enough to entice your little pirate to cross the high seas on the taxi-cab yellow tugboat with the big smile on the front and the bubbles coming from the smokestack, maybe the idea that Captain Fred will let them take the wheel, will. He’ll even let them wear his captain’s hat. Ahoy, there!Since 2003, Captain Fred has been teaching kids about the importance of the environment and sharing his love of the high seas on his Santa Barbara harbor cruises. Go from the Harbor to the Wharf and back for only $1 per kid every day ($4 for adults). It’s an awesome time for everyone. And it was voted best ride by Santa Barbara elementary school kids and teachers. And they should know. Now, around my place ‘toots’ are code for something that often smells like rotten eggs, but that’s another story…

LIL TOOT WATER TAXI

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photo credits: images from Captain Fred and Rebecca Buel

She knows what’s up—vacationing at Si Como No!

SI COMO NO WEBSITE

ALERT AXL ROSE, WE’VE FOUND AN ECO-PARADISE CITY…OR RESORT…WHATEVER, YOU GET THE POINT)

I doubt you’ll actually find the swaggering Guns and Roses frontman at this amazing eco-conscious Costa Rican resort. Unless he’s traded in babes and booze for acres of wildlife refuge at his feet, butterfly botanical gardens and family-friendly lodging, including a special kids pool with waterslide. Well, there is a swim-up bar, so you never know… (more…)

this is how I imagine my childhood was

In case you all missed it, last month I was asked to write a little something for my friends at The Little Seed. I was of course extremely flattered because their store is one of my faves for shopping. And not just for kids, I mean, hands-down. Here’s where you can read the post:

kiddieuptravel on thelittleseed

Started by two amazing moms in Los Angeles, The Little Seed is the source for eco-friendly goods for the kiddos. If you can, visit their store in the Larchmont neighborhood of LA, a fantastic spot in and of itself. It’s so clean but warm and fuzzy. Upscale but also stocks lots of reasonably priced items. They lovely ladies who started it are kind of living my dream lives, so it’s always bittersweet for me to visit. Then I grab a tube of my favorite hand cream and an adorable stuffed Pear for my son, Merrit and *poof*, my envy just disappears. Funny how shopping can do that for you.

And if you can’t make it to the store in-person you can visit them, and shop, ‘natch, at TheLittleSeed.com or their new online storefront on Amazon.com.

P.S. Congrats again on the new storefront on Amazon, ladies!

“dad, you’re scaring me.”

Waimea Plantation Cottages
WWW.WAIMEAPLANTATION.COM

GET THE ENTIRE FAMILY ON ISLAND TIME

Imagine your own private cottage furnished with tasteful rattan and bamboo furniture (hard to break, no sharp edges), set on an expansive grass lawn (your toddler might just tire themselves out running on its even surface), each with its own kitchen (demands for juice can be easily fulfilled averting a total meltdown), and far enough from the other cabins for a little privacy (the neighbors won’t hear your kid crying because you won’t let them take their pet crab to bed with them, or you crying because they’re insisting on taking their pet crab to bed). Ahhh…paradise.

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rockin’ the family fun at the Omni

FAMILY SLUMBER PACKAGES ONLY $499

Omni San Diego slumber package

Yes, it is sad that you’ve had to put the trip to the Bahamas is on hold for the moment while your portfolio stablizes. But the fully-staffed, gorgeously remote villa on Nassua will be there when the market bounces back. I promise. In the meantime, channel your inner Mr. & Mrs. Howell (weren’t Gilligan and the crew leaving from San Diego for their 3 hour tour?) and check in to the Omni Hotel San Diego. Now through December 31, 2009, the Omni is offering their Family Slumber Party Package for $499, so you and the family vacation like it’s 2007, while spending like it’s 2009.

Included in the deal:

• 2 nights luxury accommodations

• one in-room movie per day, popcorn & soda included

• breakfast for 2 adults + 2 kids

• complimentary valet parking

Located in the Gaslight District and a baseball’s throw away from PETCO park (if you have any A-Rod/Madonna sightings, contact me immediatement!!!), the Omni is one of the hotels where modern design doesn’t mean it’s not mini-friendly. While you’re not right on the beach, you’re right across from the harbor and Coronado Island (see my review of the Hotel del Coronado). And do you really need all that messy sand when you’ve got a rooftop pool? Given the choice, I’d give up sun and surf for sun and Sangria-via-poolside-service.

And a few other notes notes:

• sign up (free) for the member’s program to earn frequent flyer miles, complimentary wi-fi and other goodies

• winner of a 2006 TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award for best luxury hotel

Omni Hotel San Diego website

photo credits: images from tripadvisor.com and Omni Hotel San Diego

check out these beach babes (yes, the hotel and the little cutie) 

HOTEL DEL CORONADO

WWW.THEHOTELDEL.COM 

EVEN THE KIDS WILL BE STARSTRUCK BY HOW GREAT IT IS AT THE HOTEL DEL.

Ever notice that you rarely meet anyone from San Diego unless you’re in San Diego? That’s because they NEVER LEAVE. And why would they with San Diego’s tropical clime, beautiful beaches, clean water and a hotel like the historic Hotel del Coronado. And no hurricane season!

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IT’S HAPPY TRAILS THANKS TO THIS HANDY TRAIL FINDER WEBSITE 

Trail Finder 

TRAIL FINDER WEBSITE

Time to break out the GORP and get all back-to-nature this Columbus Day, (or “The Meeting of Two Cultures Day” as it’s referred to at my daughter’s daycare. I’m totally serious.)

In my opinion, this is one of the best times of the year to hike, what with the comfortably cool temps and beautiful foliage and all. And the National Wildlife Federation is making it especially easy for families to do so with their Trail Finder website. Just plug in a zip code or a city and it lists trails near you, including city trails as well.  

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photo credits: images taken furiousmadgeorge’s photo stream on flickr.com. 

you won’t roll the dice on a great hotel when you check into The Chelsea 

THE CHELSEA

THECHELSEA-AC.COM

LOOKING FOR A FAMILY TRIP THAT’S A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY, A LITTLE BIT ROCK AND ROLL OF THE DICE? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN ATLANTIC CITY.

Okay, Atlantic City isn’t exactly ‘country’, but you can spend hours in the great outdoors strolling the boardwalk and watching the wildlife. It’s just that the cougars have fake tans instead of fangs and the bears…well, you know where I’m going with this. Anyway, Atlantic City is so close to so many metro areas that it’s practically a staycation for anyone on the upper Eastern Seacoast, and now they’ve even got a fab new boutique hotel so you and the family can kitsch it up all day but not have to return to the Polyester Bedspread Inn at night.

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girls rule at the Hotel Ixtapan Spa

Hotel Ixtapan Spa

WWW.SPAMEXICO.COM

GIRLS JUST GET TO HAVE FUN AT THIS SUN DRENCHED SPA. 

I normally list vacation ideas for the entire family, but this one is for the ladies only. It was just too good not to mention. ‘kay, so here it is: The Hotel Ixtapan Spa is offering a mother-daughter spa package now through September where you and your closest gal pal can enjoy 7 days of classic spa indulgences for $1299 for mom, $600 for daughter*.

Set 65 miles southwest of Mexico City, Hotel Ixtapan doesn’t boast a beach view, but you won’t miss it a bit while you’re enjoying your lunch poolside everyday. The Hotel Ixtapan Spa is a favorite best-kept spa secret with oodles of repeat visitors who come back again and again for a little R&R at this comfy, classic retreat.

What are you waiting for? Mo-om, c’mon we totally deserve to relax!

* recommended for ages 12 and up

Hotel Ixtapan Spa

WWW.SPAMEXICO.COM 

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photo credits: images from tripadvisor.com

dive into some Olympic-inspired fun in Park City, Utah

Utah Olympic Park

WWW.OLYPARKS.COM

Park City Mountain Resort

WWW.PARKCITYMOUNTAIN.COM

A VACATION OF OLYMPIC THRILLS, BUT HOPEFULLY NOT THE SPILLS, AT PARK CITY UTAH.

There’s another way to treat ‘Olympic fever’, besides sitting on the couch in front of the tv all summer. Like cowabunga-ing down the world’s longest Alpine Slide. Or experiencing 4 G’s of force on the Comet Bobsled ride. Or you can you know, take a bike ride (wuss!). No matter what your speed, there’s thrills for all at Park City, Utah, a vacation spot that’s as much fun now as it was during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

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