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Best Campground - Hendy Woods, California

Hendy Woods located in the middle of the Anderson Valley wine district near Sonoma Valley is a nice off-the-beaten path campground. The 845-acre park is warmer and less foggy then other redwood campgrounds and parks along the California coast. The Navarro River runs the length of the park and offers some great water activities for the family to enjoy in the warmer summer months. Plenty of hiking trails such as Big Hendy, an 80 acre, self-guided discover trail, will keep the family occupied exploring and discovering the beauty of the region. The park is also famous for a fallen redwood stump that was home to the Hendy Woods Hermit.

Mt. Rainier, Washington -- Best Wildflowers Spot

"April showers bring May flowers" -- and the best place to see wildflowers blooming in a floral rainbow of breathtaking color is Mt. Rainier in Washington state. As spring approaches, fields full of wildflowers decorate meadows and hillside like bouquets given to loved one. A recommend drive to see the flowers is take Rte. 410 to Chinook Pass. Common flowers in bloom include avalanche lilies, white spires of beargrass flowers, lupine, paintbrush and more. If you visit the Hob and Quinault rainforests, you will feast your eyes on moss-draped trees. Plan to spend some quality time in the Mt. Rainier National Park and tour the rainforest and natural beauty of the area. This vacations offer families time to hike and explore the forest and glaciers. Check out the National Park Service website for when the park officially opens for summer. 

North Coast Springtime Escape

The unexpected early spring has invited the flowers to bloom and the sun to shine along California's North Coast. You can drive up or down Highway 1 and enjoy the colorful rainbow of wild flowers blooming in all of their glory. Notice the poppies, daffodils and even tulips decorating the landscape in their colorful array of clusters sprinkled throughout the green grass of the coastal range. The sun is shining bright and warm. You can start your trip on Highway 101 and cut through on Highway 29 or 120 and drive through the tall redwoods where it's green, wet and lush with spring runoff. Make your way as far north as Fort Bragg and invest in a weekend package that includes excursions through the redwoods on the famous Skunk Train or a stroll through the Botanical Gardens where you can whale watch off the cliffs and see for miles off into the clear horizon. Choose from one of the numerous lodges right on the ocean such as the Northside Sea Cliff Inn, open your slider and hear the crash of the waves, and fill the jacuzzi tub that sits next to the door and just listen. The Northside serves a continental breakfast with muffins and fruit as part of your stay. Get up the next day, stroll old Fort Bragg, and stop for lunch at one of the numerous cafes that line the main street. If you don't have children along, maybe make an appointment at the Bamboo Spa and enjoy a relaxing massage. 

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Are you a tree lover? The snow will melt soon and invite plenty of hiking time in nice weather. How about a trek to the Ancient Bristlecone Forest in Inyo County in what are called the White Mountains in eastern California? The Great Basin Bristlecone Pine tree grows between 9,800 and 11,000 feet above sea level. Plan your family hiking adventure to the Methuselah tree, which is a tree more than 4,750 years old -- that is 1,000 years older than any other tree in the world. The tree is not marked to ensure added protection from vandals, but a little research and effort (and maybe a good GPS) and you'll find it. This hike requires true backpacking and proper equipment and is not recommended for hikers under the age of 10. You will be at high altitudes and can get altitude sickness so train for the hike ahead of time. The tree makes a great goal to make as your end point for your adventure.

Waikamoi -- Best Hawaiian Rainforest

Want to visit a rainforest without leaving the U.S. The Waikamoi rainforest located on Maui is considered one of the best rainforests in the country. If you've ever wanted to hike and tour an authentic rainforest without having to travel to South America, do consider booking a hiking tour through Waikiamoi where you can even camp at the Hosmer Campground in the Haleakala National Park. The campground is located near the Natura Conservancy where you can hike the 1.25-mile loop trail and explore the natural setting of a natural Hawaiian rainforest. The air is cool and clean and some parts of Wakamoi are at 6,000 feet above sea level. Waikamoi is home to eight endangered birds, including the Crested Honey Creeper. Animal and bird watchers alike will enjoy getting a glimpse at nature's natural wonders up close and personal. If you do not want to camp, you can always stay in one of the resorts, hotels or condos in and around Maui. 

Kirk Creek Campground

The central California coast in winter is tepid, mild and lacks fog, which is quintessential to California's coast in the summer. In winter, expect some rainy days, but if you plan your trip right, you can visit on a mild weekend when the sun shines. Sunset magazine released the top 10 California campgrounds and rounding out no. #6 is Kirk Creek Campground in the Los Padres National Forest in Big Sur. This pristine campground is located near Big Sur, which is also a little artist's community. You can drive up Highway 1 and find numerous galleries and some fantastic restaurants including the Post Ranch Inn's Sierra Mar, which offers four-star cuisine. Please beware it's expensive. If you want to camp, make sure you get your reservations well in advance of your trip. Most state and federal campgrounds fill up fast, especially in the high season.

Ocotillo Desert, Southern California

 

Rain has already set in early in California. Some people will seek drier climates and the Ocotillo Desert in Southern California is a great escape from the cold climate. The Anza-Borrega Desert State Park also houses the famous Joshua Tree that has been made famous in pop culture by the likes of the band U2, which named one of its albums after it. The tree is supposed to be sacred and is now protected. The desert is sparse and spread out, and as you would expect in a desert, very dry with little plant life. Great desert escapes involve off-road recreational fun that includes motorcycle and ATV fun. The Ocotillo Desert area doesn't offer much in the way of lodging so you might want to consider designing a great RV trip to one of the campgrounds. If you decide to hike throughout the area, make sure you bring a proper map or GPS and lots of water. The climate is cooler in the fall and winter and offers the best time to explore the region without baking in the sun. 

 

Hiking Mount Rose

 

A pleasant day hike if you're looking for something new can be found at Mount Rose near Lake Tahoe. You will find several hiking trails including Houghton and Relay, which all lie in the same area and take you respectively to three peeks, Freel, Jobs and Jobs Sisters. You can begin your like on the north side of Highway 432 and follow the Tahoe Rim Trail to the Mount Rose Trail, which is where you'll find the trailheads. A few tips before you take these hikes that can go as high as 10,000 feet at the peaks. If you're older with any heart problems or perhaps slightly out of shape, this hike is not for you. It gets very steep in some areas and as you ascend in altitude, it can become difficult to breathe because of the thin air. You should definitely bring water, snacks or lunch in your backpack and expect this hike to take the full day or longer. You don't have to complete the trail if you just want to hike and picnic halfway to the top. Always make sure you bring reflective blankets and safety kits with water purifiers just in case you get lost, as the trails wind and weave. Bring a map and compass too. Better safe than lost. If you do decide to ascend to the upper peaks, the views of the lake are absolutely breathtaking and worth the work.

 

Ukiah Wineries

Here is an interesting trip that you probably never thought about doing. Did you know that Ukiah, California has an abundance of wineries and vineyards? As you travel north on Highway 101, you will come to Ukiah sitting nestled in the coastal range mountains just outside of the famous California redwoods. Ukiah has a population of about 40,000 so it has plenty of shopping and things to do. It is sometimes a great stop as you travel north toward Eureka as a last stop in a major city to pick up supplies. Just outside of Ukiah, you will find numerous wineries. You can even camp at the regional Cloverdale Wine Country KOA that sits out among the vineyards. If you want to take some tours at the regional wineries, you might come with another family and switch off staying with the kids at the campground, which is loaded with plenty of activities to keep small children occupied. The reason you might chose Ukiah over the Napa Valley is that during crush, which begins at the end of September, the Napa Valley becomes overrun in crowds and tourists. It can be very difficult with all of the traffic to enjoy the wineries and activities. In Ukiah, not as famous as Napa Valley, you will not find the same crowds. The wines may not be as world famous, but it offers a good time to do something slightly different.

Castle Rock Trail, Big Bear

Are you a family of rock climbers and hikers? Then a great hike starts at Castle Rock in Big Bear. Plan to spend the day and bring lunch and snacks in your backpack. The hike begins at the Castle Rock trail head and turns and ascends up routes called Taj, The Murder Hole, Timeline and Crocs in the Moat. The rock climbing involved will not be good if you have young children. Parents of older teenagers will not only challenge their outdoor skills but their teens as well. Be sure to bring the proper safety equipment and take a rock-climbing course before you head out. The view from the top of the lake below is well worth the work to the top. If you time it right, you can plan to eat your lunch when you reach your goal at the top. Nothing beats such a spectacular view as you rest and prepare for your descent. Or you can bring lightweight camping gear and find a safe place to stay the night. Be careful to secure you food properly for protection from bears and wild animals.