Little ones will love watching the ferry workers in action and the short 35 minute ride is just enough time to walk a few laps, watch the passing boats, & look for sea life. Kidimu is just a few blocks from the ferry building (see their website for walking directions). Afterwards you can have lunch in the Big Star Diner which is housed in an old train car just outside Kidimu or Casa Rojas next door in the Pavilion.

Yosemite provides enough jaw-dropping moments for little first-timers and parental been-theres alike.

Spring is the perfect time to introduce young ones to the wonders of the Monterey Bay and the surrounding coast. Along with the usual sea lions, pelicans, and otters, the gray whales’ migration is in full swing, so with the help of some binoculars, littlies can get a glimpse of some blowholes and flipping tails out amongst the waves.

Of course, weather can be a bit unpredictable in the spring, so if you find your beach plans socked in by fog or your hike plans bumped by rain, there are far worse places to find yourself than the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. In fact, we think a perfect day would be spent waiting out the fog and getting acquainted with the creatures at the aquarium, then spending the afternoon outside in the sun and sea air. READ MORE

First stop is Parsons Garden, a delightful spot where you enter through an iron gate and stroll the paths or have a picnic under the canopy of mature trees. (Once family-owned, the garden was donated to the city of Seattle in 1956.)

Sick of the rain? We are too, but remember, it’ll be over soon, and we’ll have our sunshine back. If you can’t wait that long for some good old-fashioned heat, Palm Springs makes a quick and easy family getaway.  Shop around for flights  – we found direct flights from SFO coming in at under $200 and round-trip from Seattle for $250. The time is right to head south to the desert.

WHERE TO STAY:

When you think of Palm Springs, you might think more of swinging Rat Pack nights than kids splashing and running around, but the bigger resorts in Palm Springs and the neighboring desert communities actually cater to families. (Rates are highly variable depending on occupancy and season; make sure to call for the best deals and packages—we’ve included a recently found Orbitz price for each resort listed.) Read more

British Columbia, Canada has always been known for it’s majestic natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities but it’s close proximity to the US makes it a fantastic kid-friendly destination to try international family travel for the first time. A short 78 miles North of Vancover lies Whistler, home to the world famous Whistler/Blackcomb Resort which is the site of the upcoming 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. With 8171 acres, Whistler ranks as North America’s largest ski area, (54% larger than Vail),  and is sure to have a little something for everyone. READ MORE >>

The snow’s on its way to the mountains, and it’s time to get the chains on the tires and head up to Tahoe! If you’ve taken a season or two off while pregnant or toting around a pre-walker, you’re probably itching to get back on skis. Hopefully you can trade off with another family member in keeping the kiddos occupied, but with all the fun activities to do with kids up in the Sierra, you may be content to spend another year away from those moguls. Read more »

t’s no secret why Washington residents love to vacation in Central Oregon…you’re (almost) guaranteed to have nice weather. The Bend/Sunriver area boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year (yep, even in the winter) and is brimming with activities for families. Mt. Bachelor and the winding Deschutes River provide an inspiring backdrop to your outdoorsy excursions. Seattle-ites, looking to escape for a Vitamin D fix, tolerate the long drive (6-8 hours depending on stops) if it means a week of fun, fresh air, and SUN.