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Malibu, California

Most people (outside of California) associate "California Dreaming" with Malibu. All sorts of mythology has been built around the classic California beaches around Malibu. The beach movies of the '60s did nothing but continue the international love affair with the idea of "Malibu," and Hollywood continues to play up that mystique all of the time. The reality is that Malibu is part of 27 miles of scenic beauty in Southern California. It is, in fact, home to dozens of famous celebrities and does offer famous surfing fun at Zuma Beach. Here are some fun facts about the area and some will debunk some of the mythology. No, you cannot have a bonfire on any beach in Malibu, so any idea of wild beach parties with a raging fire to dance around, you will be cited. You can BBQ is some of the fire-designated spots on some of the state beaches. Alcohol is prohibited on all beaches in Malibu, and the city clearly lets its guest know there is zero tolerance, so don't plan that kind of party. Although the city will issue certain permits for parties with alcohol. Finally, nude sunbathing is not allowed -- and there is no permit for that one. Do plan to enjoy the quintessential California beach experience in Malibu outside of those restrictions.

Mill Creek Campgrounds on the Del Norte Coast

 

Fall is a nice low-key time of year to hit the California Coast. The infamous fog generally has lifted, and while it's cool and damp, you will have some sunny days mixed in. Take the family on a weekend escape to the Del Norte Coast and make reservations at the Mill Creek Campgrounds, which are one of the few set in a forest of old growth redwood trees surrounded with lush ferns and moss. It's one of those few state campgrounds where you're afforded some privacy. The campground is located just outside of Crescent City along Highway 101, and it is roughly three miles long. Expect some great hiking trails and enjoy the stream that runs through the middle of it. On any given weekend, it's a fun family atmosphere with children running, playing and biking about on the main camp road. Plan for a great bonfire and ghost stories around the fire. Do bring wind breakers and coats. While the sun comes out, it's still cool in fall and cold in winter. 

 

Historic Columbia River Highway

Known as the "King of Roads," a fun weekend getaway would be to take a fall drive to the Historical Columbia River Highway in Oregon. The longest and most scenic drive if you start in the state of California would be take Highway 101 to Highway 1 and drive along the coast until you cross the Oregon Border and then map you trek inland to the Columbia River. What makes this drive particularly special are the overlooks and views of the Columbia river and waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. In the fall you will enjoy the fall colors mixed in with the evergreens and catch plenty of shades of orange and yellow. You can make this a driving trip or plan to hike or bike on any of the numerous trails, but be aware that later into the fall it will get damper and colder so plan accordingly. The full route is approximately 75 miles between Troutdale and The Dallas, which was built through the Columbia River Gorge between 1913 and 1922. You might pick your lodging based on either the beginning of the end of the drive.

Bodie -- California's Authentic Ghost Town

Up for some real ghost-town experience? Travel to the Mother Lode in California and find a real abandoned ghost town named Bodie, which had the reputation of being the most furious, vehement, violent and lawless town in the hills. Bodie once had a burgeoning population of 10,000 people and made some $75 million in gold taken from Bodie Butte, which at the time was a huge sum of money. Some suggest there is still much more gold to be mined under Bodie Butt, but the mine shafts and tunnels are caving in. Now the site is considered a State Historic Landmark. The best time to visit is in the fall, and with Halloween right around the corner, a trip seems apropos. 

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. 

 

Kid Friendly Tide Pools, California Coast

MacKerricher State Park (near Fort Bragg) -- Drive north past Mendocino and you'll eventually hit MacKerricher State Park, which is a seaside campground. The campground is very nice with wide spacious sites. It is far enough out of the city to make you feel like it's authentic camping and sits within yards of the beach. Hike down to the beach and you will find some tide pools loaded with sea life, from sea urchins to tiny crab. The pools are far enough back from the crashing waves that little ones can gaze to their heart's content and not be threatened by stray, big waves. Bring a small Pacific Coast marine life book to help identify the various occupants of the tide pools to teach your little ones proper names and identify the seaweed and critters. The northern coast is much cooler, so bundle up in wind breakers and sweat shirts so you don't get too cold. Sunny days will bring warmth, but not enough to leave your coats home. In late summer, fog will regularly set in.

Natural Bridges State Park (near Santa Cruz) -- This tide pools are located up on the rock ledges of the beach's end. The pools are left behind at low tide where pools of water settle into the natural spaces between the rocks and fill with sand and silt. All kinds of sea life swim and crawl around the pools. Parents can lead kids out in tennis shoes to protect their feet from the jagged rocks to view the marine critters in their natural habitat. The beach is close by to enjoy an afternoon picnic or play in the sand. Again, the waves crash far enough back to protect kids from being hit by a stray crash.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (near Half Moon Bay) -- This big park is 30-acres of natural sea life to explore the sea life living among the cracks and crevices. Sea lions fans may even spot a few of the mammals lying lazily out in the sun. In the spring, you may even spot a calf with its momma. Plenty of space to explore and see all of nature in its natural habitat. Check out the crabs, sea slugs, sea urchins and numerous fish swimming about. It's a beautiful spot for the whole family to enjoy and very safe for young children.

Truckee, California

Now that summer is creeping upon us (at a surprisingly slow pace this year), time to think about some weekend getaways or even some great vacations spots in the vicinity. Truckee is a favorite vacation town that is roughly two hours away from the Greater Sacramento area and offers the perfect cool spot to escape the imminent summer heat. Favorites ways to enjoy Truckee include camping along the Truckee River in the numerous state and county campground littering the banks going both north and south up or down the river toward Tahoe where it begins. Some campgrounds are first-to-come, first-to-serve so you won’t need reservations if you manage to arrive early enough. Others are reservation-only and you may need to have you travel agent research those ones. You may also find a rental home in and around Truckee. Truckee-Donner area offers numerous sized and types of homes to rent. If you want to feel out in the woods, avoid renting a home that backs up onto other homes in the development. Look for a house with a natural greenbelt behind it. Activities in the area include hiking, biking, rafting along the Truckee River, swimming at the public pool or in Donner Lake or the river (be careful of the current). Shopping is mostly limited to Old Truckee, which offers numerous boutiques and restaurants. A fun vacation is to take Amtrak from Sacramento and get off in Truckee and stay. The train ride is enjoyable for families with children who can get up and down and explore the train. 

Humbug Mountain State Park, Oregon

Looking for a part of the Oregon coast that is slightly warmer than the average beach and forest? Then check out Humbug State Park (http://www.oregon.gov/) campgrounds that sit at an elevation of 1,756. The surrounding mountains create a kind of shelter from the wind and protection from ocean breezes. You are not far from the beach, so you can camp and enjoy swimming, windsurfing, scuba diving or boogie boarding. If you enjoy hiking, take the trail to the top of Humbug Mountain and check out the amazing views. If you know anything about Oregon then know this, their state parks are absolutely pristine and well kept. The state takes great pride in their parks and travelers enjoy relatively inexpensive campground fees for the full hooks up and well groomed sites.

Prairie Creek Redwoods

Prairie Creek Redwoods (http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=415) located outside of Crescent City to the south is one of the larger State Campgrounds. The sites are sprawled along a corridor in the California redwoods and make one of the easier campgrounds to get reservations at, because it’s so large. Right before the campground entrance sits a large, open meadow where you might spot some deer grazing before you enter. The sites are large and spread apart so you do not gaze easily at your neighbor and many of the sites are in the actual forest. This campground makes for great hiking and biking adventures. Families can meet and do adjoining sites and enjoy a great cookout or BBQ. If you’re driving up from Central California, please be advised it’s about a five- to six-hour trek up Highway 101 and into Highway 1. This campground in particular has a nice, cozy family feel about it, as you can hear children screaming and giggling as they ride bikes up and down the trail.

Sonoma Coast State Beach

If you’re a fan of the true “rugged” coast then a favorite spot can be found at Sonoma Coast State Beach. As you can see from the picture, this coastal area is very rugged with many rock formations jutting out of the sea. It makes a very scenic photo opportunity along with a beautiful place to stop and beach comb or stroll the beach. Whale watchers can also find an ideal spot to watch the whales migrate north from March until early May. You can make a picnic lunch and sit on top of the bluff overlooking the beach and sea, take your binoculars, and keep a careful watch for the mammals as they move along. A little further up the road, many rental homes with spectacular views can be procured for the weekend, and you can go no further than the home’s living room or deck to watch the whales pass. Surfers and swimmers are cautioned to enter the water, because of riptides. So, it’s not the ideal swimming hole if that’s your intention, but you can always wade in a little bit and enjoy the beach. Check out some of the tide pools as well.