Travel | boy-mamas

Huntington Beach, Ca

Our room was both colorful and beautiful- plenty big for our family of four. Seriously, it's VERY convenient- you can walk everywhere...to the beach, restaurants, and shopping.

Tip: bring a camera for fab photo opps. And definitely make a reservation and plan ahead, knowing the bonfires go out 10 p.m.

Stay at the Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel in downtown HB with a recently completed a $3-million makeover. This boutique beachfront base camp is situated just steps from the Huntington Beach Pier. You’ll feel instantly at home in this Cali oasis, featuring a surfer vibe, open-air lobby (with plush seating and games for kids), fire pits, and more.

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Buena Park, Ca

The hub of Buena Park is Knott’s Berry Farm, definitely the destination of choice for Buena Park visitors. From a factual perspective, it’s a 160-acre amusement park; the twelfth most visited theme park in North America in 2015. The park features 35 rides including roller coasters, family rides, children's rides, water rides, and historical rides.

Snoopy tuck in services! Opt for a special room and Snoopy comes to tuck in the kiddos! A great ending to a jam-packed getaway.

Why go? Simple. It’s a gem. Knott's Berry Farm amusement park is clean, organized, fun, and not overly crowded. And staying at the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel is both convenient and special, packed with everything Snoopy! (Pictured here doing brunch with the big dog himself.)

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Four Seasons Aviara, Carlsbad, CA

Simply put- they cater to you. Upon arrival, they start pampering your entire family, including your kids. This was the set-up in our bathroom- a bubble bath with named sponges awaiting my sons.

Probably my fave pic. Mini Four Seasons robes. These boys sure live a good life! You can too- Aviara is a fab (and affordable!) alternative to a pricey VRBO.

This Carlsbad, CA property is one of the few Four Seasons locations that offers residence style living equipped with fantastic resort amenities. Apartment-style rooms feature living space, dining area, loaded kitchen, washer/dryer, lavish bedrooms, and A-list bathrooms. Staff is amazingly accommodating and the property is flawless.

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Catamaran Resort, Mission Bay, CA

I really consider the Catamaran an ideal home base in San Diego. It’s steps from the bayfront walking path, giving guests the option to stroll, ride, or run outside their hotel door. You can walk to a local playground located on the sand. You can walk to the grocery store. You can walk to downtown Pacific Beach. And you can walk to Belmont Park, the entertainment district on Mission Beach. Simply put, it’s extremely convenient.

Check out the Catamaran’s seasonal luaus- it will tire your kids out. The San Diego summer tradition is a festive celebration of Polynesian food, music, and dance. The luau experience includes a lei, Mai Tai, all-you-can-eat buffet, and entertainment. A bayfront room over spring break can go for $500/night, but rooms start at $229 in October, so if you can get away in the fall, it’s a better deal.

This is your backyard. It's located on San Diego’s Mission Bay and across the street from the Pacific Beach shoreline. Instead of staying on busy Mission Beach, treat your family to a bayside stay. It’s quiet, inviting, and downright picturesque.

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Fairmont Princess, Scottsdale, AZ

We spent the next day at the Sonoran Splash Pool equipped with two waterslides and a shallow kid’s area where my boys played for hours. (Oh, and they felt quite comfy in a cabana- definitely reserve one instead of stressing over securing lounge chairs.) Plenty of room for plenty of people, and plush seating for relaxing.

With so many family-friendly things to do, the kids are occupied, parents are satisfied and everyone is happy. I gotta mention the importance of picking a resort that flaunts luxury, cleanliness, care and ambiance. With plenty of restaurants, activities and amenities, your fam will be all smiles.

Yes, you want to cater to kid stuff, but at the same time, us mamas need posh pampering! Indulge in a highly rated 5-Star hotel…you deserve it. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is everything you could imagine and more. Plenty of stuff for kids, and luxury for us parents...

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In La Jolla? Kill some time at the Birch Aquarium. Perfectly sized for little kids, this aquarium is perfect for checking out fish and sealife. There's an awesome touch pond and outside area for kids to explore.
I'm a big fan of exploring different areas of San Diego, but one of my faves is Little Italy. It's a few blocks of amazing Italian eateries where you'll be treated like family. Make sure to peruse the Saturday morning Farmer's Market- the kids will love the music and tasters, and so will you!
Located downtown San Diego along the harbor, you'll find Seaport Village, an area of shopping and restaurants. Hidden among the touristy attractions is a boutique carousal, a MUST-DO for young kids!
Read more details in our Buena Park review, but in short, this amusement park is PERFECT for young kids. With a section dedicated to little rides, your minis will be entertained for hours. And for the big kids, like husbands, there are roller-coasters galore.
It's like a rock concert for kids. We got to meet Elmo before the show- I cried mom tears watching my son embrace his idol. And the show...amazing! You'll be singing and dancing. Work your way to the front...there's a big surprise at the end. Personal opinion- best for age two and older.
PERFECT first amusement park for young ones. Plenty of stuff to do for even a two year old...my 6 month old was even amused by the Star Wars exhibit.
Nicholas, at two years old, has been to 6 ballparks. Teach them early to love the game. Arrive at the 3rd-ish inning and stay through the 7th inning stretch so your son doesn't get antsy. Petco Park (pictured) has great activities for little ones, including Park at the Park- a playground and mini field alongside the stadium.
I'm staying out of the controversy. My son loved the exhibits, especially the belugas. There are plenty of rides for older kids as well. Nicholas loved it.

All Things Boy Mama

Huntington Beach, Ca

Just Chillax

One more pic...

Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel

Buena Park, Ca

Hey Charley!

...and the best part...

Snoopy Fans Unite

Four Seasons Aviara, Carlsbad, CA

Four Seasons Aviara

Four Seasons Aviara

Four Seasons Aviara

Catamaran Resort, Mission Bay, CA

Catamaran Resort

Catamaran Resort

Catamaran Resort

Fairmont Princess, Scottsdale, AZ

Cabana Life

Family Time

Fit for Royalty

In La Jolla? Kill some time at the Birch Aquarium. Perfectly sized for little kids, this aquarium is perfect for checking out fish and sealife. There's an awesome touch pond and outside area for kids to explore.

I'm a big fan of exploring different areas of San Diego, but one of my faves is Little Italy. It's a few blocks of amazing Italian eateries where you'll be treated like family. Make sure to peruse the Saturday morning Farmer's Market- the kids will love the music and tasters, and so will you!

Located downtown San Diego along the harbor, you'll find Seaport Village, an area of shopping and restaurants. Hidden among the touristy attractions is a boutique carousal, a MUST-DO for young kids!

Read more details in our Buena Park review, but in short, this amusement park is PERFECT for young kids. With a section dedicated to little rides, your minis will be entertained for hours. And for the big kids, like husbands, there are roller-coasters galore.

It's like a rock concert for kids. We got to meet Elmo before the show- I cried mom tears watching my son embrace his idol. And the show...amazing! You'll be singing and dancing. Work your way to the front...there's a big surprise at the end. Personal opinion- best for age two and older.

PERFECT first amusement park for young ones. Plenty of stuff to do for even a two year old...my 6 month old was even amused by the Star Wars exhibit.

I'm staying out of the controversy. My son loved the exhibits, especially the belugas. There are plenty of rides for older kids as well. Nicholas loved it.

trav·el(verb):

to make a journey

Four Seasons Aviara