The main event here is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the oldest continuously running amusement park in California. Santa Cruz is a must-stop location on any Highway 1 road trip with kids. Santa Cruz Views of the Giant Dipper from the Sky Glider at Night They haven’t stopped us from enjoying these views yet! But if we’re here mid-road trip with bags, one of us stays behind in the car while the other takes the kids out to explore.ġ8. In less time than you’d believe, they can break your windows, take your things, and ruin the rest of your trip. Never leave your car in or around San Francisco with bags or valuables inside. Sadly, this is also well-known to local criminals who have been breaking into cars all over the city. Some of the best places to snap a photo are Battery Spencer and the Golden Gate Bridge View Vista Point on the northbound side of the road. This is an iconic spot for a family photo to commemorate your trip down Highway 1 with the kids. No matter how many times I cross here, the view of the bridge with the city in the distance as you emerge from Rainbow Tunnel never fails to make me smile. The Golden Gate Bridge Morning at Golden Gate Bridge from the Vista PointĬrossing into San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge is one of my favorite parts of this drive. Swimming is not recommended in most northern California beaches due to rough water and rip currents, but my kids could have splashed in the creek all day.ġ0. This beach surrounds the area where the creek reaches the ocean. When you’re not riding the rails, stop by Pudding Creek Beach. Children 3 and up can ride, but those ages 3-5 need to use their provided harness or a car seat. Rides include a stopover at Glen Blair Junction for a picnic or walk in the woods. The electric-powered rail bikes seat two and travel along the rails through Pudding Creek and into the redwood groves. The Skunk Train Depot is now offering rail bike rides as well. Riders enjoy the same gorgeous views that have welcomed passengers for over 100 years. The Skunk Train has wound its way through old-growth redwood groves and into the Noyo River canyon since 1885. The most popular family attraction here is the Skunk Train. It’s a bit grittier than its neighbor to the south, but it’s also larger and offers a lot of family-friendly things to do. Ten miles north of quaint downtown Mendocino is the seaside town of Fort Bragg. Read on for some of the best stops to help you do just that. ![]() Make some happy / funny / crazy memories with your favorite people. Whatever happens along your journey, the best way to have fun on Highway 1 with kids is to stay in the moment. I had so much fun dreaming up Highway 1 ideas, that I ended up extending my usual 4-day itinerary to a 7-day plan. If this mega-list of 50 things to do has you feeling overwhelmed, skip ahead to the itinerary as a jumping-off point. ![]() Focus on everyone’s favorites, and aim to be flexible from there. Know that there is no way to do everything you’re going to want to do. Check out our planning and travel tips to help you prepare for some possible bumps in the road. ![]() But Highway 1 has been romanticized so much that the reality may at times struggle to match the myth. I LOVE traveling as a family and have made incredible memories with them up and down Highway 1. And I find it especially fitting when it comes to traveling with my kids. “The secret to happiness is low expectations.” This quote by psychologist Barry Schwartz is one of my favorites. HOW TO HAVE FUN DRIVING HIGHWAY 1 WITH KIDS If you purchase through a link on our page, we might receive a small commission at no cost to you. And be sure to follow all local guidelines to keep yourself and others safe!Īlso, we use affiliate links to keep our blog free for you to read and to pay for the occasional pizza night. Things are changing fast – make sure to double-check what’s open before your trip. I hope you’ll find some perfect ways for your family to explore it together. We’ve tackled sections of it in bits and pieces for years now, and have made many happy family memories along the way. The truth is, there is something for everyone along this iconic highway. You may hear that a Highway 1 road trip is not for kids. In this mega-post, you’ll find 50 fun ways to enjoy an amazing Highway 1 road trip with your kids. Along the way, it reveals much of the state’s coastal character and impossible beauty. From the sunny beaches of Dana Point to the majestic redwoods of Mendocino, Highway 1 follows the California coast for 655.8 miles.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |