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We all know San Diego and Carlsbad are great for kids, but if you’re overlooking Oceanside, you’re missing the opportunity for a prime vacation that includes beachfront, a funky town, and easy access to the best of San Diego county. Head out on the pier for a meal at Ruby’s, and rent beach gear, bikes, and surreys right below the pier area (where you’ll also find shave ice and other snacks). Note: there is construction currently in the works in front of the hotel (which will eventually result in another hotel going up on the beach), so right now, there is some construction noise. The Marriott is very nicely sound-proofed, however; once I closed my balcony door, I could hardly hear the construction, and of course, it’s absent at night.

Pit Stops for Kids Road Trips for Kids Where to eat in Oceanside California Here’s where to eat in Oceanside: Elena’s Cafe French Crepes: this hole in the wall on Pier View Way is run by a husband and wife team and serves delicious French-style crepes and local art. A must for anyone who’s going to be eating their way through Oceanside, Linda and Carla are a wealth of knowledge on the Oceanside food scene. Young kids are half price, and as long as they’re old enough to behave in restaurants and are willing to try to be adventurous eaters, they’ll have a great time going from restaurant to restaurant.

You’ll find Wheel Fun down here, enabling you to rent a surrey bike to cruise around as a crew, and the Museum of Natural History SeaLife, with touch tanks and educational exhibits depicting ocean life. Along historic State Street, you’ll find quaint one-of-a-kind shops and eateries, and just uphill, families can access the Old Santa Barbara Mission, the Museum of National History, and the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, which features miles of dirt trails showcasing native Californian plants and wilderness. I suggest walking along Anacapa Street to hit up popular wine tasting rooms such as Kunin, funky winery rooms like Municipal Winemakers, and the OG of them all, Oreana Winery. Dine without the kids at The Lark, Lucky Penny, or Tyger Tyger, all within easy walking distance or with the kids along the wharf or at Santa Barbara’s authentic Hawaiian shave ice booth, ParadICE.

The Tuolumne Meadows and Wawona regions are well-worth visits; however, if your family is new to the park, and you have at least three days, devote one morning to a Valley Floor Tour. Our Valley Floor Tour covered Yosemite Falls, Bridle Veil Falls, Tunnel View, Swinging Bridge, and Sentinel Rock, Cathedral rocks, and El Capitan. Yosemite Falls offers a very short hike to the lower falls, or a much more strenuous hike (3.8 miles one way) to Upper Yosemite Falls. Because you are directly across from Yosemite falls, you get a great perspective since you start above the falls, and see it at every height as you descend to the valley floor.