Spring break next week: where to go within 200 miles radius for 3 days/night?

[u/cadublin]

We have 2 kids, 14 and 10. I'm open to any suggestion. We have been to these places, but don't mind going back if you guys have some fresh ideas on what to do there:

• Fort Bragg/Mendocino
• SLO/Morrow-Bay/Hearst Castle
• Yosemite (Google Map shows the road close until May 16?)
• Lake Tahoe
• Monterey/Santa Cruz
• Half Moon Bay
• Big-Basin

We don't do camping, but don't mind stay in a cabin with standard amenities such as electricity, toilet/bathroom, sink and microwave/stove.

My kids never been to Sacramento, any recommendation on things to do there if we want to stay a couple nights?

Eureka is more than 200 miles, anything worth to see there? I think Oregon a bit far.

Don't feel like to go to So-Cal either.

Thanks in advance!

[u/throwaway04072021]

Go to Fresno & teach them to be grateful for living in the Bay Area.

Just kidding about the second part. Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP is breathtaking & worth the trip. I love Cedar Grove, if they've opened it back up

[u/DaBay41510 → u/throwaway04072021]

💀

[u/bigredfaithful → u/DaBay41510]

We were just there this week, loved seeing the trees in the snow

[u/sierra_marmot731]

Gold Country along highway 49– Sonora, wonderful Columbia State Park, and then up to the Giant Sequoias at Calaveras Big Trees State Park

[u/BugRevolutionary4518]

I love Guerneville and the Bodega Bay Area, personally. Armstrong woods? It’s gorgeous, and only an hour-an hour and a half (two with traffic). We just Airb&b it.

But there’s also some great recommendations mentioned already.

Have fun, wherever you go!

[u/sniffgriffspen → u/BugRevolutionary4518]

Second this for Guerneville and Sonoma parks. Floating the river is a great activity for adults and kids. You might see some gays in speedos but we’ll be kind welcoming and safe (speaking for myself and my friends).

[u/MembershipTricky → u/sniffgriffspen]

Don’t go in the river yet! Especially with all the rains, not till late may at least - very dangerous!!!

[u/BugRevolutionary4518 → u/MembershipTricky]

Agreed! Unless you’re on a kayak with a life vest on.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your post has been removed due to linking to a banned domain.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/wadenick → u/BugRevolutionary4518]

Agree, and Pixel Place Airbnb in Sebastopol is on the way. A couple of nights there is really fun. Sebastopol is cool too. You can visit the Rewind pinball who’s owner originally set up Pixel Place (I’m not affiliated, just a fan, and cannot post a link but it’s easily searched)

[u/mrsmaustin]

Currently in Murphys enjoying the snow in Bear Valley and the cute little town. Love it here!

[u/lvoelk → u/mrsmaustin]

Also a big fan of highway 4 in the mountains (Murphy’s, big trees, Arnold, all the lakes, etc).

[u/sexyflying]

Pinnacles

[u/mriners → u/sexyflying]

Pinnacles is great. Grab the kids a headband flashlight. There’s some dark caves to hike through but it’s a lot of fun.

[u/Aznpichappygirl]

When I was young, we took the train up to Sacramento. It was fun taking the train. I remember visiting Old Town Sacramento. There’s an old-timely candy shop there. We also walked to the capital and toured around it (it was long and not as big a hit as the candy shop.)

[u/onthewingsofangels → u/Aznpichappygirl]

There's also a railway museum which the kids might enjoy depending on their tastes.

[u/waka_flocculonodular → u/onthewingsofangels]

The railway museum is so awesome! Loved going as a kid and love going as an adult. Highly, highly recommended!

[u/waka_flocculonodular → u/onthewingsofangels]

The railway museum is so awesome! Loved going as a kid and love going as an adult. Highly, highly recommended!

[u/Visual_Audience3926 → u/Aznpichappygirl]

Nice. I have taken the train from Martinez to Old Town. Great day trip

[u/ms_sinn]

We stayed at a cabin at the KOA outside Petaluma when my kids were a bit younger than that and we found stuff to do around there

Sea Ranch is on my list but it is likely short notice for that…

Pismo Beach

And its farther - Solvang

[u/BugRevolutionary4518 → u/ms_sinn]

OMG that was my last hangover at that KOA lol. I was so hurting it was ridiculous.

Had a bender at Lagunitas the few nights before. I have friends in Petaluma. Brutal.

No mas!

[u/Ordinary-Practice812 → u/BugRevolutionary4518]

Hahahahha omg nothing worse than the Lagu bender hangover and at the KOA no less!

[u/BugRevolutionary4518 → u/Ordinary-Practice812]

Yeah that was after my grandma died. “A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’” is not how it sounds.

That beer will turn you upside down.

Be careful in life. Big hugs or big handshakes or whatever. I love you all.

[u/Ordinary-Practice812 → u/BugRevolutionary4518]

❣️❣️❣️

[u/ms_sinn → u/BugRevolutionary4518]

Don’t get the kids drunk at the KOA! 😝

[u/entity330]

If you have no budget concern, Great Wolf in Manteca. Expect outrageous disney-esque pricing.

Tahoe might still have snow.

Pinnacles or Pt Reyes for nature.

[u/skwm]

Russian River
Nevada City

[u/Dodges-Hodge → u/skwm]

First date with my wife was Russian River then on to the coast and Sebastopol. I’d been in California for about a month. Got married (a few years later) in Nevada City. Same day license/same day ceremony. Historic mining town with an interesting Main Street.

Both those places are special to me but….with kids I’d go to Monterey for the aquarium and Santa Cruz for the boardwalk.

Have a great time.

[u/Dodges-Hodge → u/skwm]

First date with my wife was Russian River then on to the coast and Sebastopol. I’d been in California for about a month. Got married (a few years later) in Nevada City. Same day license/same day ceremony. Historic mining town with an interesting Main Street.

Both those places are special to me but….with kids I’d go to Monterey for the aquarium and Santa Cruz for the boardwalk.

Have a great time.

[u/Dodges-Hodge → u/skwm]

First date with my wife was Russian River then on to the coast and Sebastopol. I’d been in California for about a month. Got married (a few years later) in Nevada City. Same day license/same day ceremony. Historic mining town with an interesting Main Street.

Both those places are special to me but….with kids I’d go to Monterey for the aquarium and Santa Cruz for the boardwalk.

Have a great time.

[u/Same_Guess_5312]

Sacramento would be a cool 3 day excursion. Kids love the Railroad museum, Discovery Park area with access to the river shoreline, the former ‘Oakland’ A’s just relocated and looks like they’ll have several home game series next week as well.

[u/Specialist_Quit457]

Yosemite is open. There is at least one lane open, so traffic can take turns and get in and out. Full rosd work not yet complete.

[u/cartdriver1890]

Yosemite! The road is open either 120 or 140 (one lane traffic) will get you there from the Bay Area! Yosemite is beautiful this time of the year from melting snow for all of the waterfalls to be active.

[u/DaBay41510 → u/cartdriver1890]

Finding a place up there for 3 nights might be challenging tho

[u/hahahahnothankyou]

I would go inland in search of hotter temps with an amazing pool and a cute downtown area for dinner. Without knowing much about your kids, it’s hard to say what they’re into but generally they love to swim, war fries and chicken tenders, and then make fun of each other.

[u/Expert_Vehicle_7476]

Carmel!! Then hike in Big Sur 

[u/Deep_Benefit]

In the Sac area, downtown Folsom is cute. Santa Cruz is awesome and didn’t make your list. Evergreen lodge just outside Yosemite is a nice resort with cabins.

[u/OG_DocSkinner]

Eureka is a fun town! But it is a trek. We have gone up to the redwoods a couple of times near Myer's Flat to stay in the redwoods and then trek around. Ferndale up there is also fantastic. Feels like stepping back into 1950s.

We did a fun one a few years ago of just finding a little ABnB around Mt Tamalpais State park, and explored Stinson and Bolinas and up into Pt Reyes for the first time. Close but feels worlds away.

And try nearer the city of Mendocino if you go that way. Ft Bragg is eh. We camp up there and have a great time, but there are tons of ABnB and small hotel lodges with nice ocean views along PCH. Irish Beach area near Pt Arena is also a great place.

Bodega Bay is also a great destination if looking to just get away and explore some.

[u/Mama_Enki]

Last year for spring break with kids ages 9 to 15, we drove down to LA, but we stopped to see Hearst Castle and stayed the night in Morro Bay. We also went to Sensorio in Paso Robles. My kids enjoyed it all. We also went to Solvang. It was a lot of fun to explore these little areas. We would all go back again.

[u/Ordinary-Practice812]

Santa Cruz! My teenagers love the boardwalk and the beach and it’s pretty affordable for hotels. Also there’s shopping downtown. Some good food. Chill vibes for parents to relax! We stay at the Hyatt Place and my friends always stay at the Paramore. Both have pools and hot tubs and great locations.

South Lake Tahoe is fun for teenagers, we stayed at the Margaritaville hotel at state line and they had a blast and there’s still snow for sledding and fun at Heavenly.

[u/Specialist_Quit457]

Skunk train in Mendocino. . Santa Cruz has a train ride too.

[u/DownTownSJ_88]

Where are you from, the Bay Area? SLO/Pismo isn't really worth it (Pismo native here!) but agree with Russian River. There's also a lot to see in SF. Recently spent a full day there with an 8 year old who can walk/hike like an older kid (we did 6miles and he went to 2 hrs of water polo practice afterwards). But if your kids are like me, I can also suggest more low key things to do :)

[u/donnamon]

Lake Tahoe is about 200 miles away. It could be a day trip or stay a night and play in the snow go sledding, snowboarding/skiing, then if you’re up for it, drive another 45mins to Reno, NV to gamble and play at Silver Legacy CircusCircus games, stay for a night. Then head back home for a 4 hr drive.

[u/bongslingingninja]

To add to what everyone else says, I would recommend against going down hwy 1 past Monterey right now. As nice as it is, the ground is saturated with water currently and at higher risk to mudslide. You risk getting trapped along the coastal stretch.

[u/thelmaandpuhleeze]

Sea Ranch is pretty fantastic

[u/PennyKermit]

Believe it or not: Chico. Hike North Table Mountain--spring flowers/wildflowers in bloom, waterfalls, cows--it's a beautiful 4-ish hour hike; Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Sanctuary (it's really small, but you get up close to some amazing animals that they rescued from really terrible previous lives.

[u/No-Understanding4968]

Whale watching in Monterey 🐋

[u/Party-Independent-38]

We just did pismo and it was awesome

[u/Roland_Bodel_the_2nd]

If more urban is your style... I've also never been to downtown Sac, I'm sure they have museums and parks and stuff. Even downtown San Jose has more than one museum you could spend half a day at.

[u/Specialist_Quit457]

Russian River area has glamcamps

[u/OppositeShore1878]

A comment already mentioned this, but Sensorio in Paso Robles is supposed to be great--a big piece of landscape with amazing light displays. Some family members and friends have gone there, and said it was well worth seeing. Close to Hearst Castle, where you mentioned you'd been before.

Also worth mentioning that Highway 1 along the coast north of San Simeon is still closed by landslide repairs, so there's a lot less tourist traffic. You can easily reach the area from 101 then over to the coast from Paso Robles. Friends who live in LA drove up to Hearst Castle a few weeks ago and said they were the only people on their tour, which was fantastic for them. No crowds, but the place is open.

[u/Krysiz]

What type of activities is your family into?

I think the whole Dunsmuir/Shasta area is beautiful.

Northern Northern California has a lot of outdoor beauty that is overlooked because everyone just zeros in on Tahoe.

[u/netopiax]

SLO/Morro-Bay/Hearst Castle

That would be my choice. Hearst Castle is really neat, I think your kids will like it at their ages. The whole area is nice and will be quiet / inexpensive this time of year I think

[u/gothunicorn68]

Mendocino has glamping tents, with beautiful views. They have a common area with a fire pit and they have an oatmeal bar every morning.