Suggestions where to go with kids for a 4 day weekend?

[Done-it-again]

My kids have a 4 day weekend this weekend and I'm drawing a blank where to go and do. I was thinking San Fran and doing Alcatraz and other site seeing stuff, but haven't been in 25 yrs or so and not sure if the city is as bad as they say, would be staying near Pier 39. Just the weather looks to be shit for the weekend.

We can either drive for a day 6-8hrs or fly. Would like to do Nashville, but again 11yr old kids would be bored. Being cold is fine, but don't want to deal with snow.

Any suggestions????

 

[dread Pirate]

Yosemite
Redwood national park

 

[Mototrig]

Solvang Ca

 

[gqchris]

I would avoid SF sir. We went a few years back and I had to shield my kids from the Drug Use and Naked People. We stayed at the Fairmont which was amazing but we stayed locked in there most of trip.

It was nice crossing over into Sausalito. I enjoyed that!

 

[Ultra...Good]

at that age there are lots of things to do, best of them are usually the least expensive, usually.

mine loved nature walks, walks in general. beaches and the likes, obviously.

I know you are against it, but snow is magic with kids. they have fun, easy to keep an eye on, and when the day is done you just have to get some food in them and they check out for 14 or so hours. win/win.

never too young to teach them how to count cards or look for tells............

 

[Orange Juice]

Washington DC.

Smithsonian museums. Air and Space, American History, Natural Science, etc…..

We took the kids 5 times before they graduated high school. We stayed at hotel within walking distance of the Whitehouse, and spent 5 days each time. Didn’t need a rental car…no place to park it.
Philadelphia has a lot of history too, and the drive to Gettysburg takes you through very early America. You’ll want a rental car out that way.

 

[Done-it-again]

Yosemite
Redwood national park

Yosemite, check...

We talk about the Red Woods and I think I was there as a kids but don't remember... Its a bit to drive, so what would be the best place to fly into?

 

[t&y]

My kids have a 4 day weekend this weekend and I'm drawing a blank where to go and do. I was thinking San Fran and doing Alcatraz and other site seeing stuff, but haven't been in 25 yrs or so and not sure if the city is as bad as they say, would be staying near Pier 39. Just the weather looks to be shit for the weekend.

We can either drive for a day 6-8hrs or fly. Would like to do Nashville, but again 11yr old kids would be bored. Being cold is fine, but don't want to deal with snow.

Any suggestions????

Last year we went to Idaho for a week and were out of electronic devise range for a solid 3 days. It was fucking AWESOME for all of us. I'm not a big city guy, so if I were in your shoes, I'd be looking for a nice nature outing (with or without lodging) and enjoy the world without all the nonsense. It's crazy how keeping things simple seems to be far more beneficial.

 

[Done-it-again]

Solvang Ca

Did Cambria in December for a couple of day, and did the Christmas market and toured Hearst Castle.

Solvang's its pretty much the same sleazy town, think kids would be board....

 

[dread Pirate]

Yosemite, check...

We talk about the Red Woods and I think I was there as a kids but don't remember... Its a bit to drive, so what would be the best place to fly into?

Flights are expensive into Arcata. If you decide to do this get an vacation rental in Trinidad or something. Like many places in California Eureka and Arcata hotel areas are less than friendly.

 

[C-Ya]

Fly to Miami. Take Belarus catamaran to Bimini. Stay at Hilton. Rent golf cart. Cruise around all over Alice Town, Big Game Club, etc. Hang out at the multiple pools at hotel or beach. Take catamaran back to Miami. Fly home.

 

[Done-it-again]

I would avoid SF sir. We went a few years back and I had to shield my kids from the Drug Use and Naked People. We stayed at the Fairmont which was amazing but we stayed locked in there most of trip.

It was nice crossing over into Sausalito. I enjoyed that!

That's what I'm afraid of, but I also use it as a life lesson to my kids to stay in school and don't due drugs, when they walk around Vegas.

We would drive up and park the car the whole time and walk everywhere just font want to deal with "those" people as they are sooooo unpredictable.

at that age there are lots of things to do, best of them are usually the least expensive, usually.

mine loved nature walks, walks in general. beaches and the likes, obviously.

I know you are against it, but snow is magic with kids. they have fun, easy to keep an eye on, and when the day is done you just have to get some food in them and they check out for 14 or so hours. win/win.

never too young to teach them how to count cards or look for tells............

The reason for no snow, is that we don't have any "snow" clothes... lol... We live in socal....ha ha ha

11yr old kids grow out of shit so fast, nothing fits season to season. I do agree that playing in the snow wears you out .

I like to take my kids and show them places to see I'm more of the destination person I cant sit a beach all day, or take long walks.....lol My adult ADD gets to worked up...

 

[Done-it-again]

Flights are expensive into Arcata. If you decide to do this get an vacation rental in Trinidad or something. Like many places in California Eureka and Arcata hotel areas are less than friendly.

Fished out of Trinidad with an old buddy... Killer fishing at least it was some years back.

Would fly into Arcata or drive up from Sac (long) or Santa Rosa.

At least its not harvest season, the towns grow when it is....ha ha ha

Noted on the hotel, I'll check it out.

 

[dread Pirate]

Fished out of Trinidad with an old buddy... Killer fishing at least it was some years back.

Would fly into Arcata or drive up from Sac (long) or Santa Rosa.

At least its not harvest season, the towns grow when it is....ha ha ha

Noted on the hotel, I'll check it out.

Redding may be an option to fly into. The forest is muddy right now so bring appropriate footwear.

 

[SKIDMARC]

Grand Canyon?

 

[dread Pirate]

Branson Missouri could be a fun trip if you're flying. I'd check what shows are open and how much of Silver Dollar City is running.

 

[RitcheyRch]

San Diego and do the zoo, animal park and USS Midway tour.

 

[Done-it-again]

Fly to Miami. Take Belarus catamaran to Bimini. Stay at Hilton. Rent golf cart. Cruise around all over Alice Town, Big Game Club, etc. Hang out at the multiple pools at hotel or beach. Take catamaran back to Miami. Fly home.

This sounds perfect if I had an extra day, as we would burn a day flying and would have to grab the catamaran the following day to head over...

I know my father has been watching videos about taking his boat to Bimini, he watches some you tube people that due it with jet skies. But they are not 73 yrs old.....

 

[Pebo]

Ski or Snowboard in Big bear..

 

[Done-it-again]

Grand Canyon?

Did that the same time we did the petrified forest and meteor crater. Surprising the kids loved the petrified forest.

 

[rivermobster]

Stay in Morro Bay and go check out Hurst Castle?

 

[NicPaus]

Do the kids have dirt bikes? Parker this weekend. Got a mob of kids going there age. Chili cook off at big bend.

 

[RiverDave]

For what it's worth we went to San Fran not that long ago, and we stuck to the touristy spots and didn't really see anything that I had to shield my kids from.

RD

 

[Mikes56]

Catalina Island!

There’s the beach for the kids, they can fish off the pier, rent snorkel gear, a fast boat ride to Two Harbors, rent a golf cart or bicycles, lots of restaurants, ice cream shop, miniature golf, and it’s safe to walk around there at night.

 

[charred1]

Like RiverDave said above, we did San Fran with our kids and had a great time. Fisherman’s wharf, China Town etc. We didn’t see all the garbage the media was showing. I know it’s out there, but we didn’t see it in the areas we were in at least.

 

[BHC Vic]

I would avoid SF sir. We went a few years back and I had to shield my kids from the Drug Use and Naked People. We stayed at the Fairmont which was amazing but we stayed locked in there most of trip.

It was nice crossing over into Sausalito. I enjoyed that!

Damn we are going up for a giants game in june.

 

[Done-it-again]

Branson Missouri could be a fun trip if you're flying. I'd check what shows are open and how much of Silver Dollar City is running.

That sucked.... Silver Dollar is closed till March 9th so is Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

 

[Done-it-again]

Stay in Morro Bay and go check out Hurst Castle?

We did that in December from your Holiday Hearst Castle trip post..

 

[Done-it-again]

For what it's worth we went to San Fran not that long ago, and we stuck to the touristy spots and didn't really see anything that I had to shield my kids from.

RD

Where did you stay, what area? Maybe if it rains all weekend, the street dwellers are hunker down.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Washington D.C was a solid suggestion. I love the museums and history.

If not there, mammoth just got some snow.

 

[Done-it-again]

Like RiverDave said above, we did San Fran with our kids and had a great time. Fisherman’s wharf, China Town etc. We didn’t see all the garbage the media was showing. I know it’s out there, but we didn’t see it in the areas we were in at least.

Was this recent? Where did you stay?

 

[Markus]

New York City is much more enjoyable than San Francisco.

You can fly overnight.

 

[Done-it-again]

Catalina Island!

There’s the beach for the kids, they can fish off the pier, rent snorkel gear, a fast boat ride to Two Harbors, rent a golf cart or bicycles, lots of restaurants, ice cream shop, miniature golf, and it’s safe to walk around there at night.

Good suggestion the kids have never been and I know the the wife hasn't... I used to go Boy Scout camp their all the time.

I'm going to check it out.

 

[Done-it-again]

Washington D.C was a solid suggestion. I love the museums and history.

If not there, mammoth just got some snow.

I can pull of DC on short notice as I did 1/2 day walking around on business some years back..

We are not prepared for snow. I've snowed skied and boarded in my teens and that was the last time, now in my 40's that's not gonna happen...

 

[Done-it-again]

Do the kids have dirt bikes? Parker this weekend. Got a mob of kids going there age. Chili cook off at big bend.

Nope.... We have a Toyhauler just not in the mood to pack it or have the time.

 

[Mikes56]

T

Good suggestion the kids have never been and I know the the wife hasn't... I used to go Boy Scout camp their all the time.

I'm going to check it out.

The Boy Scout Camp is still there. I’m not sure that you can access it without being a current member though. Make sure to go to Two Harbors on the fast boat. If you like Mexican food, the Buffalo Nickel restaurant in Avalon has great food and drinks.

We love it on Catalina and have spent a lot of time there. Two friends of ours worked there for 2 years and just retired.

 

[SoCalDave]

Whay ever you plan keep in mind rain is expected again this weekend.

 

[Done-it-again]

T

The Boy Scout Camp is still there. I’m not sure that you can access it without being a current member though. Make sure to go to Two Harbors on the fast boat. If you like Mexican food, the Buffalo Nickel restaurant in Avalon has great food and drinks.

We love it on Catalina and have spent a lot of time there. Two friends of ours worked there for 2 years and just retired.

Thanks, I fished all round there and camped and did a school trip for 6-8hrs once but never stayed in hotel or B&B. Have a recommendation for a place to stay?

 

[Done-it-again]

Whay ever you plan keep in mind rain is expected again this weekend.

I know..... been watching it, looks like its getting moved back some though.

 

[charred1]

Was this recent? Where did you stay?

Last spring. We stayed at The Argonaut Hotel in the Fisherman’s Wharf district.

 

[Mikes56]

Thanks, I fished all round there and camped and did a school trip for 6-8hrs once but never stayed in hotel or B&B. Have a recommendation for a place to stay?

For a hotel, we love The Metropole. It’s right on the main front street, really modern new rooms upstairs that overlook the water. Not cheap though. You might all fit into one room to keep the cost down. Call and ask, you’ll probably get one of the owners, they are always there.

 

[Riverbottom]

At Christmas we took our 4 & 6 year old grandsons to Newport Beach. Spent one day on a whale watching boat, next day ferry ride and fun zone, then trip on the Catalina Flyer to Avalon. Walked around Avalon, and went on a submarine ( glass bottom boat ) ride. Went south to Crystal Cove had lunch and checked out beach and tide pools. Stayed on Balboa Island so could walk to most everything. Made so many trips on the ferry the captain knew the boys by name. Used up four days pretty easily.

 

[havasujeeper]

I also recommend Catalina Island. A great 4 day getaway.

 

[JFMFG]

4 day cruise to Mexico out of Long Beach?

 

[dread Pirate]

Weather in the redwoods is gonna be brutal for the foreseeable future. Lots of rain coming. If it was still a consideration I'd wait until spring sets in..

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Branson Missouri could be a fun trip if you're flying. I'd check what shows are open and how much of Silver Dollar City is running.

Steal Your Dollar Hollar doesn’t open til the second weekend of march…

It’s also cold as shit there right now this is the time they get ice storms etc.

 

[napanutt]

Las Vegas?
It’s supposedly an adult vacation spot but there is a lot of cool kid friendly stuff there.

 

[dread Pirate]

Steal Your Dollar Hollar doesn’t open til the second weekend of march…

It’s also cold as shit there right now this is the time they get ice storms etc.

View attachment 1334333

Thats a better forecast than here actually.

 

[Done-it-again]

Last spring. We stayed at The Argonaut Hotel in the Fisherman’s Wharf district.

Funny you say Argonaut as my wife was looking at that location over the weekend.

So no issues around the hotel when you stayed? Did you walk everywhere?

 

[samsah33]

Sounds like you're pretty open to a lot of things. Did you ask the kids what they want to do? Get them involved in the decision making and planning, and you all will have a weekend they'll be talking about for years. Planning with them is also quality time that you get to spend with them and teach them about planning and budgeting. Win-Win.