Los Angeles
The Los Angeles area is more than just Hollywood and Disneyland. After you have taken in those iconic tourist destinations, get the kids out of the city itself and take a hike. Some great trails can be found in Solstice Canyon and Eaton Canyon. After a tiring hike, head out to Redondo Beach and do something that can't be done just anywhere in America. Take an excursion into the Pacific Ocean climax in the sight of gray whales, dolphins and sea lions for a trip the kids will remember for the rest of their lives.
Los Angeles Whale Sighting Cruise
235 E. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(310) 831-0996
2seewhales.com
Sacramento Gold Rush Country
The Gold Rush country in the Sacramento area is a true gold mine for families looking for outdoor fun the entire family can enjoy. Moaning Cavern park features fun in the form of zip lines and the chance to rappel 180 feet down into the cavern. A whitewater rafting trip down several rivers in the area usually includes the chance to pan for gold.
Moaning Cavern
Parrotts Ferry Road
Vallecito, CA 95251
(866) 762-2837
http://www.caverntours.com/
Whitewater Connection
P.O. Box 270
Coloma, CA 95613
(800) 336-7238
whitewaterconnection.com/HTML/north.html
Sierra Nevadas
Alpine Meadows is an excellent place to take the kids when the snows come, offering a first-rate children's program as well as terrific snow sporting for adults. Alpine Meadows offers a spring camp to teach skiing and snowboarding to children as young as 3 years old. The instructors are all experienced and well trained in the art of teaching children.
Alpine Meadows
2600 Alpine Meadows Road
Tahoe City, CA 96145
(530) 587-4266
skialpine.com
San Francisco
San Francisco's rolling hills and location near the water make this a perfect spot for a family vacation for outdoor sports. Begin with Golden Gate Park Bike & Skate where you and the kids can spend several hours biking or inline skating and viewing this amazing city's sights. For added pleasure, pack some food in a backpack and break up the day with a picnic. The next day head to Tomales Bay for a wetter workout of kayaking in search of seals and bat rays.
Golden Gate Park Bike and Skate
3038 Fulton Street
(between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 668-1117
goldengateparkbikeandskate.com
Blue Waters Kayaking
60 4th Street, Ste C
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
(415) 669-2600
bwkayak.com/
Article Written By Timothy Sexton
Timothy Sexton is an award-winning author who started writing in 1994. He has written on topics ranging from politics and golf to nutrition and travel, and his work appears online for Zappos.com, Disaboom and MOJO, among others. He has also done work for "Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy." He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Florida.
