If you’re craving some crisp mountain air this summer, Big Bear Lake is a convenient, picturesque vacation spot for families, couples and solo nature lovers looking for adventure.

You can get there in just two hours, and other than the scenic switchbacks during the last few miles before town, the route is relatively easy — especially in the warmer seasons when snow- and ice-covered roads aren’t a factor — as long as you’re a confident mountain driver.

The confident driver in our mother-daughter trip up to Big Bear Lake was Mirabel, a 19-year-old who enjoys new challenges. Under the watchful eye of her mother, Michele, she drove us from our home in the suburbs of L.A. to the low-key, family- and pet-friendly Noon Lodge, where we checked in for the first part of our stay.

Settling into charm

On the first floor of our cabin stood a quaint kitchen, a small full bathroom with a shower and a living room decorated in a western and Native American style that accentuated the mountain environment without feeling kitschy.

Up a flight of stairs, we were delighted to find a master bedroom and a larger full bathroom with eco-friendly Terra Pure green tea-scented amenities, plus a second bedroom with two twin beds. On the wall above each twin bed hung small lamps that could be turned on and off by pulling a metal cord, which felt charming, old-fashioned and perfect for lovers of nighttime reading (Dear reader: That’s us).

After touring our cabin, we went outside and found ourselves only steps away from the pool, fire pits, picnic tables and an outdoor play area where families can indulge in bocce, cornhole and shuffleboard.

Two Adirondack chairs, sitting dockside in the shade of a pine tree and overlooking Noon Lodge’s tethered canoes (bikes are also available for guests), promised a relaxing afternoon if we would give them some of our time. However, we had competing priorities — namely, making it to the marina before the Get Boards rental shop closed — so we set off on our first adventure with a promise to return to the chairs later.

Kayaking and candle making

With Michele ensconced in a kayak and Mirabel comfortably set up on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), we made our foray onto dazzling Big Bear Lake by mid-afternoon. After a few hundred meters, the waves picked up, but Mirabel was determined to have a real adventure, so we kept paddling out for about an hour.

Close to the marina, the lake revealed splendid sights like the silver arc of a fish leaping out of the water and a family of ducks slowly trailing their way around. Farther out, the lake was even more clear and sparkling, but we soon realized the ducks had the right idea with their slow approach. We returned to the shallow end to spend time chatting while savoring how the current gently swayed our fiberglass “boats.”

When our two-hour rental was up, we checked out Big Bear Village, perusing gift shops, restaurants and flower beds. We sat down for a quick snack at Barrel 33 (we recommend the Twisted Tasting Tray, an artisan cheese and cured meats sampler served in a huge, soft Bavarian pretzel), before heading to our next activity  — candle making at Mystic Moto’s Ritual Provisions Candle Bar. Neither of us had made candles before, and at first glance, the motorcycle-themed shop didn’t seem conducive to crafting a gently scented, sparkly candle. Yet somehow the edgy glam began to make sense, and our candle-making process completely made sense after the shop’s co-owner Molly Williams gave us instructions.

First, we chose our glass vessels and two scents from a variety of tiny, amber-colored bottles. Intoxicating options included rose and oud, burnt umber and sea minerals. Williams gave us larger bottles, and, using long, golden spoons, we measured out our preferred ratio of scents, then mixed the scented liquid with molten wax inside our vessels.

While we waited for our candles to harden, we explored the rest of the shop. Michele picked out a couple of candles — expertly handcrafted by Williams on nights of the full moon — as gifts for friends. For herself, she bought a delicate gold necklace with an upward-facing horseshoe charm for luck. And for Mirabel: a box of celestial-themed, reprinted vintage postcards.

When our candles were almost set, we pressed crystals and sprinkled mica glitter on top to complete the luxurious look.

Good food and a good night

Tired and hungry (but relaxed and happy!), we walked to the nearby scratch kitchen Stella Luna for dinner. We shared the butter board, which was loaded with thick slices of toasted focaccia bread baked daily at the neighboring Sister My Sister Bake Shop. The crusty goodness was accompanied by thin petals of honeyed, spiced butter. Our meal included a well-balanced prosciutto and burrata salad, a perfectly seared steak with broccolini, crispy smashed potatoes and a slice of gluten-free, flourless vegan chocolate cake that was light yet rich.

As we made our way back to the cabin, the sky was dark and full of glittering stars. The outdoor communal fireplace created a cozy scene. But our beds beckoned, and we settled deeply into the serenity of mountain rest.

From leisure to adrenaline-fueled fun

The next day, we woke up refreshed and ate breakfast in the sunlight at a wooden picnic table decorated with chunky candles in glass votives. 

After breakfast, we joined a nature walk at the Big Bear Discovery Center. Sand, our enthusiastic, seasoned guide, led our group of about a dozen or so curious walkers, made up of families, couples and one puppy, through a peaceful path surrounded by California’s native plants and trees. We smelled the vanilla-like perfume of a Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) and learned that the purple, yellow and red flowers dotting the terrain were mountain phlox, wild wallflower and Indian paintbrush, and that the San Gabriel Mountain range contains seven ecosystems, more than any other mountain range in the world. Once we understood the elements of Big Bear Lake’s ecosystem — the flowers, the trees, the woodrat dens, the overturned, hollow logs full of beetles — we saw them repeating across the hillside in a poetic elaboration of natural beauty.

Next, we headed to The Bowling Barn for a friendly family faceoff. Three takeaways:

1. The Bowling Barn, a pristine and state-of-the-art 16-lane bowling alley and arcade tucked inside a red, country barn-like building, is extra fun even when it’s broad daylight outside (or for glow bowling at night!). This is thanks to the animated electronic scoreboard, which features playful clips with photos of bowlers’ faces performing a variety of gags on screen after each shot. After bowling a seven, Mirabel’s face was attached to a wolf who shaved the wool off sheep-faced Michele. When Michele bowled a nine, the roles were reversed.

2. Mirabel discovered that she needed to bowl lower to the ground for her shots to be successful — and that she was in the habit of bowling upside down in a manner best described by Michele as “overhand.” Fixing her technique allowed her to win one game before resoundingly losing the following two games to Michele.

3. No matter how questionable your overall performance, you will walk away happy if your last shot was a good one. Case in point: Our last shots were both strikes, the memories of which overshadowed our recollections of the more-than-zero gutter balls we each bowled. 

Surprise hellos, inevitable goodbyes

Still savoring the dopamine released by light exercise, the exhilaration of our strikes and near-constant laughter from our ribbing of each other, we made our way to Pine Knot Marina to board the Miss Liberty, a patriotically decorated 2-story paddlewheel boat (and former ice breaker) that took us for a two-hour tour of the lake.

The charismatic Captain John narrated Big Bear history and lore, pointing out impressive lakeside homes with equally impressive owners, including the late cowboy actor Roy Rogers, recording superstar Olivia Newton-John and Mel Blanc, best known as the iconic voice of “Looney Tunes” characters. To our surprise, Captain John called out Mel’s son, Noel Blanc, a voiceover actor who lives in the family home. Noel came out on his deck and performed a Bugs Bunny impression over his own megaphone.

To commemorate our trip, we bought Big Bear baseball caps at the Big Bear Marina shop before going to Sweet Basil Bistro for our last dinner in Big Bear Lake. We enjoyed a plate of focaccia and olive oil and split a lobster lasagna creatively accompanied with vanilla beurre blanc, which did, in fact, taste like vanilla. Luckily, we had scored an early reservation, so we beat the dinner rush that we could see building at the popular restaurant toward the end of our meal.

After dinner, we made it to our final lodging, Olive Wren Den, a tasteful, modern-yet-rustic, spacious three-bedroom cabin (sleeps eight) with a chef’s kitchen, two full bathrooms (with shower-bathtubs) and an outdoor hot tub and barbecue in the pine-tree-lined backyard (ideal for hosting parties and for family dogs and kids to play). We relaxed on the plush couches in front of the living room’s large gas fireplace, which warmed us before we headed to our rooms and bath-obsessed Michele took a luxurious soak to induce another restful sleep.

The next morning, we made our way down the mountain, witnessing the steady stream of cars heading up for Big Bear Lake’s Memorial Day weekend festivities, including a 5K run and family events. As we continued, we observed that we were above the breathtaking marshmallow-like, white cloud layer. We drove through the mist of the clouds, a dreamy experience to cap off our getaway.

Though we had each visited Big Bear Lake separately — Michele with Mirabel’s dad for her 30th birthday in snowy January, when they focused on a Bald Eagle count, and Mirabel with her dad, stepmother and siblings when she was younger, we had not returned in years. After trying so many shops, restaurants and activities in town and on the shoreline, we appreciated how much this fun, down-to-earth SoCal gem has to offer. We also agreed that Big Bear Lake is most special when you travel there with loved ones.

Mirabel Raphael is a rising sophomore at Yale University, where she studies global affairs, competes as a member of the Yale Debate Team, writes for Yale Daily News and hikes as much as possible.

Michele Raphael is an L.A.- based culture, health, lifestyle and travel writer and editor and proud mom of Mirabel and Leo, a rising high school senior. Find her at @michelebraphael.

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The first step in camping with kids is to bury the notion that you’ll get a good night’s sleep on the trip. Your kids will crawl over you, walk around the tent half asleep and pepper you with “What’s that?” a thousand times over.

And even if they manage to sleep soundly, you will wake up every 30 minutes to make sure they are still tucked into their sleeping bags (they won’t be). Every rustle outside will have you peeking through the mesh, ensuring a bear isn’t lurking outside your tent. While my family was camping in Joshua Tree National Park one night, the wind whipped so fiercely that the tent walls pressed down on our heads. I stayed awake for hours, convinced we’d blow away while my kids slept through it all.

But if you embrace the reality of these less-than-restful nights, you’ll unlock an unforgettable family adventure. Camping builds resilience — not just in your children, but within your entire family unit. You’ll learn to collaborate with fewer comforts and resources, putting electronic devices aside to spend truly present, undistracted time together. You might find yourselves captivated for an hour by a family of turkeys wandering the campground, finally be inspired to learn a few constellations and perhaps even embrace a little dirt.

Sometimes people ask me, “Should our first camping trip be in the backyard?” No. The temptation of the house is too great — not for the kids, but for you. Inside are your soft bed, Netflix and a carton of Häagen-Dazs in the freezer. Save backyard camping for after you have completed your first campground excursion. 

Getting started camping with kids can feel daunting even for experienced campers, but the adventure is far more accessible than it may seem. 

Where to go

Los Angeles is full of campsites within a one- to two-hour drive. Try these options for a good time:

Leo Carillo and Sycamore Canyon Campground. These are two separate campgrounds about 10 minutes apart, located right off Pacific Coast Highway. Both are excellent spots to introduce new campers. They are a close drive from most parts of Los Angeles, campsites are shaded under oaks and sycamores, you can walk to the beach and Leo Carillo even has a small general store. Both campgrounds can be reserved up to six months in advance, and for spring and summer months, you will need to book that far out. However, you can also check back for last-minute cancellations. Book sites through reservecalifornia.com.

Wheeler Gorge. Wheeler Gorge is eight miles north of Ojai, which is convenient if you need to pick up forgotten hot dog buns! The campground is shaded and has a creek running through it with some great swimming holes. Weekends fill up fast for the summer months, so reserve in advance at recreation.gov.

Black Rock Campground (Joshua Tree National Park). If you are willing to drive a little farther and already have a one-night camping trip under your belt, head out to Joshua Tree National Park. This campground sits within the park’s boundaries, but you will have to drive about eight miles before the park’s main entrance. This is a family-friendly campground with a ranger station. Stop into the ranger station to get your Junior Ranger Handbook and participate in the activities. At the end of your trip, stop back in to be sworn in as a Junior Ranger. Learn more at nps.gov.

What to bring

Here’s the essential gear you need for successful camping:

Shelter. Tents are usually classified by how many people they sleep (e.g. four-person tent). If your family does not want to be too cozy, size up. For example, get the six-person tent if you are a family of four). Coleman makes good starter tents that are sturdy and affordable. Make sure to practice setting it up at home before your trip. You don’t want to be fumbling with tent poles while the sun sets. 

Air mattresses. You’ll rest more comfortably on an air mattress.If you use an electric pump, make sure you have extra batteries or that it is fully charged. I avoid this by using a hand pump and having my 5-year-old pump it up. Young kids are fine on roll-out foam sleeping pads, but you might want something nicer for older kids. When choosing sleeping bags, pay attention to their temperature ratings, which indicate the lowest temperature at which the bag should be used. For Southern California’s warm season, you won’t need anything extreme; a 30-degree-Fahrenheit-rated bag should provide ample warmth.

Food and cooking essentials. Two-burner portable camp stoves work great for keeping the family fed. You will want to bring a couple of small propane tanks for fuel. Use a storage bin to hold all cookware, pots and pans, cutting boards, lightweight plates, utensils, salt, pepper, cooking oil, paper towels, plastic cups, trash bags, etc. A cooler packed with ice for perishables is essential. For one- or two-night trips, there’s no need to replenish ice. But if you’re staying longer than that, you will have to head into town for a fresh supply.

Food is truly one of the great joys of camping! Simple classics like hot dogs are perfect for beginners, but as you get more comfortable, experiment with tacos, pasta dishes and even steaks. In the mornings, instant coffee for the adults and hot chocolate for the kids will be much appreciated. Bring lots of snacks and lots of water. They go fast while camping.

Safety essentials. Always pack a well-stocked first-aid kit, including plenty of Band-Aids and wipes. 

What to do

Setting up the tent, cooking and cleaning take up a lot of time when camping, so you don’t need to overpack your activities. Simply allowing kids to explore and connect with nature is often the most valuable activity. However, here are a few ideas to enhance the adventure:

Biking. Bicycling around the campground is consistently a top favorite for kids. It offers a sense of independence, allows them to explore their temporary neighborhood and burns off that boundless energy. My kids often rate the quality of a campsite on how many good bicycling hills there are. 

Scavenger hunt. Grab a folding guide on local trees, birds, reptiles, animal tracks and wildflowers of Southern California (Sibley makes excellent ones). Challenge your family to see how many items they can find and identify. If you’re feeling ambitious, do a little research beforehand and create your own customized scavenger hunt tailored to your specific campground’s ecosystem. 

Build campfires. The campfire is the heart of any camping trip. Involve the kids in the entire process, from safely gathering kindling to carefully stacking logs. This is also the perfect opportunity for a conversation about campfire safety. Once the fire is going, see where the conversation takes you. 

Create a family tradition. Create a tradition unique to your family that you will do on every trip. You can designate a s’mores master to oversee the marshmallow roasting. (Consider rotating the position each night.) Everyone can bring a poem or song lyric to share on each trip. I have my boys pick up five to 10 pieces of trash as the last thing we do before leaving the campsite. They find a lot of beer bottle caps and learn “leave no trace” principles at the same time.

Camping will take you and your family out of your comfort zone, unexpected moments will arise (changing diapers in a tent is much trickier than at home) and sleep may be at a premium. But your family will strengthen its bonds through shared challenges and connect on a level that the outdoors is best at facilitating. Less than two hours from home, Angelenos can camp in the mountains, the beach or the desert. Make it a goal to try all three.

Happy camping. 

Rick Perillo is the seed-to-table manager at MUSE Global Schools in Calabasas.  

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Since before our son could toddle, he’s been traveling alongside my husband and me. We’ve bundled him, backpacked him, and “Bijorned” him on boats, planes and automobiles. 

We’ve trekked together across many continents, and explored cities and deserts nearer home, instilling in all of us, a love of exploration and renewal.

Our family odyssey has taught us invaluable lessons — some profound, some hilarious, and some that smelled suspiciously like goat. Here are seven big takeaways from our travels that extend far beyond the school gates.

Curiosity creates lifelong learners

Young people sometimes show a premature weariness with life — it’s all algorithms and eye rolls. But the world outside WiFi is endlessly fascinating.

Our son’s curiosity exploded in the best way possible once he saw how kids lived around the world. We’ve watched pre-teens hunting for food with their parents in Africa, seen children clean their classrooms in Japan, and youngsters fish at dawn, in the Amazon.

In Fiji, we looked on in awe as children made music with found objects, showing a deep resourcefulness and creativity we rarely see at home. My son learned an invaluable lesson that day; when there’s no toy shop, you must make the toys. 

All our minds have been opened many times — and honestly, if my son ever loses interest in TikTok, I’ll credit the children of the Andes.

Confidence comes from climbing, not clicking

True confidence stems from real achievements and a sense of being capable. While American society often promotes confidence, it sometimes leans into a “fake it till you make it” mentality. The idea of posing in front of someone else’s Maserati doesn’t build genuine self-esteem.

True, hands-on experiences create a deeper sense of accomplishment and identity, and travel is a short-cut to that. It’s important your kids, partner, and family see you trying new things, solving problems, and having fun — whether it’s figuring out where to buy sunscreen, replacing lost contact lenses, or picking the perfect picnic spot.

Our family has learned this first hand during our travels. We’ve all faced moments of uncertainty and confusion — wondering where to catch a bus, deciphering signs to find waterfalls, or trying to figure out opening hours in another language. Tackling these challenges together has given us a “we’ve got this” attitude. 

Empathy needs no translation

In this digital world, connecting both to nature and to people has never been more important. I’ve watched our son connect to a Masai tribe in Tanzania and to a woman carrying a small goat in Peru. I’ve looked on as a beautiful lady served our son soda in Japan and admired our son’s gratitude in receiving it. 

I’ll never forget the time, high up in the Andes, a group of women grabbed him as he ran up the stairs to greet them at 12,000 feet altitude, and then nearly fainted in their arms as the lack of oxygen hit. They wrapped him in blankets and made him a cup of cocoa. 

It was extraordinary to see him give himself over to this tribe of mothers without a word of English being spoken. It takes a village, sure — but sometimes it also takes an Andean auntie with a flask and a good sense of humor.

Think outside the goldfish bowl

Fixed perspectives can suffocate potential and understanding but shopping at a busy weekly market, doing laundry at a local laundromat, or trying a food that might be considered a pet (side order of guinea pig anyone?), creates not just curiosity but also empathy. 

We’ve been to a cat park in Lima, Peru, and there was a shared sense of joy, peace and play with every human and creature in the area, and, in Madrid, a history-filled whole roast suckling pig dining, remains a family highlight.

In transit, we’ve had to visit a local eye doctor (Austria and Spain), a tailor for to fix a camera bag (Zimbabwe), and a local electronics shop to fix an iPad (Japan), which were all adventures of their own. 

And it’s not just kids who can learn. Camping is not my first choice of a vacation but when my son wanted to go, I rented an RV and it turns out, that for a few days, I can enjoy life in a mobile home. And yes, I brought half my house for a three-day camping trip. And yes, I used all of it. Don’t judge.

When the plan becomes cereal in bed

Life doesn’t always play out as it should and neither will your vacation. Things screw up, everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes things are less than the photo presented. We learned as a family how to research, leap, pivot and that sometimes it’s okay to go back to your room to sleep and wait to get out to the next place. 

On a walking trip through Japan, after a day that saw us hike at a high elevation for 7.5 miles, from Matsuzaki to Hiroshima, the three of us ended the day snuggled in our room, enjoying bowls of cereal in bed, instead of a group dinner. 

While exploring the Dolomites, a magical hiking day turned into a mad dash down the mountain when torrential rain clouds arrived with lightening. It felt like an episode of The Amazing Race to return to the tram to hitch a ride down before it closed for the day. Travel is chaos with a sense of direction, and learning to pivot is part of the package.

Adventures lead to smarter choices

Many people often have an unrealistic understanding of what’s safe and what’s risky but travel can teach us valuable lessons about making sound decisions and clearly navigating through life.

In Africa, when our son asked if he could stand and put his head out of the roof of our Jeep, our guide responded: “There are few rules out here in the Bush, so do what you want. I’ll tell you this however, the nearest doctor is six hours away and he is a shaman. The nearest doctor the way you are used to it is a plane ride away, so choose your actions carefully.” He sat down.

On a Japanese commuter train, we watched everyone clean up before they departed, and now we’re just as committed to always leaving our public areas just as tidy when leaving.

You can tell your kid to watch their phone until you’re blue in the face, but it may take being in a group when an adult is pickpocketed, such as happened to us in Spain, for them to take notice. 

Coming home with new eyes — and heated toilet seats

There’s a huge amount of joy in budgeting for a trip and anticipating the adventures that lay ahead – but mistakes happen. 

I once had to return a bunch of scarves to a Japanese museum gift shop because I’d wrongly calculated the exchange rate. And that’s fine because we also found joy in unexpected places; for example, we learned that the Japanese use heated toilet seats, and so my husband purchased one as a souvenir!

Returning home after traveling makes us fully appreciate the comfort and security of our everyday lives. These moments of gratitude, mixed with the excitement of our adventures, inspire us to value what we have and think about how we can protect and share these experiences for future generations.

From the peaks of Patagonia to the canyons of California, our journey continues. But the real treasures? Curiosity, resilience, empathy and an unshakable belief that cereal in bed sometimes beats fine dining.

Pack light. Laugh often. The world is waiting — with snacks.

Margot Black is a Los Angeles-based travel writer, mom and founder of Black Ink PR.

The post 7 Life Lessons Kids Learn from Traveling the World appeared first on L.A. Parent.

My family and I have not stepped inside a zoo for many years, but when we had a collective slice of time last Saturday morning, we headed to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to take a safari excursion and get a peek at the park’s new features.

In L.A., we charged up our car and let our newly licensed 17-year-old son, Sol, take the wheel for the 2 1/2-hour drive. On the navigation screen, he punched in the address — 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido — but before he pulled off, I handed him a foldable, laminated Rand McNally map of Southern California so that he could visually grasp where he was going. We live so much on the inside of our screens that our sense of spatial awareness continues to slip away.

Sol opened up the flaps of the map. “Wow, how much did this thing cost?” he asked, incredulous.

“It’s not an ancient relic,” I said. “It was $9.99 and I got it from Staples.”

“Wow,” he said again, his eyes wildly scanning the spread-out map, not knowing where to land.

“Find Los Angeles first,” I said. “Then, go south to find San Diego and Escondido, but take a look at all the towns we’ll pass through first before we get there. It’s like a preview of the drive, and it helps you get your bearings, I think.”

This quick exploration of our route was a prelude to our day of learning through excursion.

Jurassic Park vibes

We had not visited the San Diego Zoo Safari Park since Sol was in elementary school, but driving into the the park, with its jungle-like canopies of trees, elicited a refreshing familiarity. “It makes me want to watch “Jurassic Park” when we get back home,” my husband, Marcus, said.

“Well, Steven Spielberg was influenced by the Safari Park,” our guide, Delaney, told us. The entrance to the fictional Jurassic Park in the movie echoes the entrance to Safari Park, which was opened in 1972 and serves as the sister location to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. The Escondido-based park, which mostly houses animals from arid environments, spans more than 1,800 acres that dip and rise like the savannas in Africa and Southeast Asia. It is home to more than 3,100 animals representing over 340 species.

Safari Excursions

While visitors have always been able to enjoy watching the animals by boarding a tram, Safari Excursions is the newest structure at Safari Park. Arriving a little early for our “cart safari” tour, my family and I lounged in the open-air, immersive gathering spot designed with a nod to a Kenyan safari camp, with exposed wood beams, lush greenery, wooden stools, rich textiles and bright wall paintings and textiles.

We listened to the sounds of birds and insects float in and out of the cool, airy space, allowed the photographer to take a family photo of us and discussed which animals we each were excited to see. While we were just a party of three, the lounge area can easily fit large groups of people at one time.

The safari excursions are an additional cost after the paying for park entrance. Options include:

Cart Safari – guided 1-hour cart tour of park highlights for $82 per person

Wildlife Safari – guided 1-hour tour in the back of an open-air truck that rides inside a savanna wildlife habitat for $118 per person (ages 3 and up).

Deluxe Wildlife Safari – For 90 minutes, guests get to venture into habitats representing Africa and/or Asia for up-close views of wildlife for $143 per person (ages 6 and up).

Behind-the-Scenes Safari – This guided 90-minute tour takes you to areas not available to the public, with opportunities to get up close to wildlife for $118 per person (ages 3 and up).

Behind-the-Scenes: Elite Adventure Safari – Here, guests can explore the park on a 3.5-hour tour to learn about how staff cares for wildlife, then hop onto a safari truck and tour the savanna. Some walking required. Cost: $80 per person (ages 3 and up).

We opted for the cart safari, hopping on the cart with a chatty and extremely knowledgeable Delaney as she drove us first around the “Asia” savanna before looping around the outskirts of “Africa.” We marveled at the massiveness of the rhinos and elephants, envied the lions lounging across fields of grass, waved at Frank the gorilla as he rested his foot on a tree stump and watched us watching him.

I asked Delaney how animal activists in recent years have responded to the safari park. While some activists believe that all animals should only live in the wild, in their original habitats, others — after taking a more intimate safari tour — develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the park’s role in conserving endangered species and extending the life of vulnerable animals through extensive healthcare even while aiming to replicate the animals’ natural environments.

One such success story is Msituni,a four-year old giraffe born at the park who was unable to walk. After months of critical care that included giraffe-sized orthotic leg braces, she gained the strength to walk around 11 months old. We watched Msituni and her older and taller fellow giraffes munch on twigs while Delaney explained that their enviably long eyelashes help keep flies and gnats out of their eyes.

Another source of great pride is that park is home to the rarest breed of horse in the world: the Przewalski’s horse — a critically endangered species of wild horse that was categorized as extinct in the wild until 1996. In recent years, scientists have used tools such as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Biodiversity Bank to expand the strength of the species’ population. 

Roar & Snore: Glamping with Wildlife

Speaking of eyes, if you love the parks so much you’d like to close your own eyes and spend the night our in the wild, consider checking out the new “Roar & Snore” glamping option. The premium tents feature a queen-sized bed and two portable cots to comfortably sleep four.

The tents overlook the savanna habitat where rhinos, giraffes and other wildlife roam freely. The adults-only option allows guests to explore the park after dark, enjoy classic camp activities and hear stories about San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work around the globe. Cost: $245/person

Unique Safaris

If you like wine or beer with your safari, you’ll want to check out these features:

Sips on the Savanna: Wine Wildlife Safari, Mimosa Wildlife Safari and Craft Beer Wildlife Safari. Enjoy sipping a delicious beverage among the wildlife of the African savanna. Begin with a meet and greet mingle and your first drink in a souvenir aluminum glass. Next, board a covered, open-air safari truck and venture into an expansive habitat for up-close views of giraffe, antelope and more. Then it’s off to a breathtaking viewpoint for more drinks and savory snacks while taking in the sights and sounds of African wildlife.

Note that Wine Wildlife Safari is offered in the winter, Mimosa Wildlife Safari is offered in the summer and Craft Beer Wildlife Saffari is offered in the fall.  

Another unique option is the Behind the Scenes: Wild Cat Adventure. Guests can spend the morning visiting the wild cats of the Safari Park. See the park’s wild cats, peek into some of the wildlife care areas to learn what it takes to look after these diverse cats and hear stories about the park’s current conservation projects while traveling in a tour cart with a personal guide. 

Cassandra Lane is Editor in Chief of L.A. Parent.

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In our 2025 “Beyond L.A.” travel guide, find the best road trips and day trips that are just a few hours outside of Los Angeles. From exploring Santa Ynez to relaxing in a La Quinta resort, we hope you get some ideas for your next family adventure beyond L.A.

The post Travel Beyond L.A. appeared first on L.A. Parent.

For years I dreamed of visiting Lake Louise, a hamlet nestled within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. I would pore over photographs of the lake’s turquoise, glacier-fed waters surrounded by towering peaks and think to myself: “One day.”

My “one day” came last September when my husband and I arrived in the Canadian wonderland for our anniversary. And I can honestly tell you that no photo can capture its true essence. You must see it, feel it, experience it. This fairytale location visited by tourists from all over the world is the ancient home of the Stoney Nakota First Nations, who considered Lake Louise a sacred place where the earth’s energy gathers into a vortex.

When we mention Banff to friends, most aren’t exactly sure where it is, but getting to Banff from L.A. is like going to Seattle or Denver — super easy and just a little over three hours. We took the 7 a.m. flight from LAX into Calgary, picked up our rental car and cruised the scenic Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) to Banff — a beautiful and straightforward 1½-hour drive.  

By 3 p.m., we were munching on cheesy waffle fries, roasted cauliflower and margherita pizza at the Three Bears Brewery in downtown Banff.

We wanted to celebrate our anniversary day in Lake Louise, but since the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a grand alpine resort overlooking the lake’s serene waters, gets pricy during the summer and early fall peak season, we stayed in downtown Banff the first night, spent our anniversary night at the Chateau, then came back to Banff for another two nights.

When we were putting our itinerary together, it sounded like we’d have to endure a lot of driving back and forth, but because the highway is easy to navigate and the views are nonstop, our plan was perfect.

Downtown Banff: A charming base

Banff is a charming town nestled in the Rockies (Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade). The downtown area is walkable and filled with restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, boutiques, art galleries, a grocery store, hotels and two spots to enjoy the famous Beaver Tails (we loved the cinnamon sugar ones).

We made downtown our base, drove to different locations after breakfast and came back in the late afternoon. (There are also public shuttles and buses to take you to various spots in Banff.) In the mornings, we picked up coffee and croissants from Wild Flour Bakery, took a 10-minute walk to the Bow River, found a bench and enjoyed our breakfast to the sound of the river flowing. We strolled the Art in Nature Trail, admiring the unique sculptures and wood carvings by local artists as we made our way to Bow Falls.

When you arrive at the stairs, walk up for even more incredible views. One afternoon, we took a relaxing river float here. If you want a little more exhilaration, rafting is also available.

Lake Louise: A fairytale setting

This glacial lake is a showstopper, but getting here takes a little advance planning during the peak season. There are public shuttles from downtown, but you have to reserve your spot in advance. The drive here is an easy, scenic 50 minutes, but there is only one public parking lot, and it fills up early in the morning.

We chose the fairytale option and spent one night at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, located at the edge of the water. The beauty of this lake will take your breath away. The rock flour carried in the glacial melt that trickles into the lake is what creates the jewel-like, crystal-clear, blue-green color that shimmers in the sun. And when you walk into this historic luxury hotel with the large picture windows framing this magnificent view, you, too, will feel like a prince or princess in a castle.

We spent our day on the lake canoeing the serene, glass-like waters, followed by hiking, dining lakeside and sipping champagne while watching the sunset. We woke up early to catch the sunrise the next morning, but our eyes were drawn again to the lake. Because of the glacial melt, the lake water is always freezing, even in the summer, so swimming is not an option.

After waking up to Lake Louise, Fairmont guests can take the hotel’s private shuttle to Moraine Lake, located in the Valley of Ten Peaks and only accessible by park shuttles. This gem has a unique beauty of its own, with an intense azure-blue color that’s most spectacular when you climb the Rockpile Trail and see the lake from above. The climb is easy with steps that gently take you to the peak. The unique color is thanks to the rock sediment deposited in the lake by the surrounding glaciers throughout the summer.

Johnston Canyon Hike: Immersed in nature

Jut 30 minutes from downtown, you’ll find a hike that literally immerses you in the canyon with a rushing creek below you, lush trees towering on your right and the polished limestone canyon rock on your left — an incredibly unique experience.

What’s wonderful about this hike is how accessible it is. The suspended catwalks guide you to the lower falls and the upper falls. As I made the gentle climb up, I was in awe of the fact that we were suspended above the water and the treetops of the forest. The metal railings and the paved paths allow all abilities and ages to enjoy this stunning scenery. We saw families with babies, young kids and older couples.

There are benches and viewpoints along the way to savor the scenery even more. There is a store and café at the base if you want to pick up snacks and drinks. We brought our own nuts, fruit and water and found a quiet spot with a great view.

Emerald Lake: Serenity in the Yoho Valley

This serene beauty lies deep in the Yoho Valley and is so worth the hour drive from downtown. The two-hour hiking trail encircles the lake and takes you up close to the effects of a receding glacier. The first half of the hike is filled with dry vegetation, but the second half feels like a tropical island where you’re walking on ancient tree trunks protruding from the ground. Even though there were lots of other hikers, there were moments that felt like we were in our own secluded paradise with glistening water, blue skies and glaciers.

My cousin Tina and her family had visited Banff and the surrounding lakes during the summer, and when I called her to get some insider tips, she had the best description of her trip: “There were times that I looked out and I thought to myself: ‘This is what heaven must look like.’”

My thoughts exactly.

Good to Know

• Take comfortable, casual clothes that you can layer. Evenings and early mornings are cold, even in the summer months. Take two pairs of shoes. I took my Brooks sneakers that I usually walk in and my Brooks trail running shoes for the hikes. You’ll go through mud and dirt, and most likely there will be some rain.
• You’ll need a Park Pass for Banff National Park. It’ll be easier to buy online before you go so that you can bypass the line at the park gate.
• Canoe on at least one lake. Each one is spectacular.
• Reserve your spot early for Parks Canada Shuttles.
• Check out Roam Public Transit for tips on getting around Banff.

Elena Epstein is Creative Director of L.A. Parent and mom of two daughters.

The post Basking in the Beauty of Banff and Lake Louise appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Family getaways are an essential part of my summer planning. As a single mom working in the sports industry, my year is often packed with travel for work, leaving little time to unwind with my two boys. But when summer rolls around, I prioritize stress-free vacations that align with their school break.

Building memorable moments for my children to look back on is always top of mind for me. Planning family trips isn’t always easy, especially because our vacations often include our extended family. Coming from a big family that loves spending time together — including my oldest brother and his three kids — means accommodating a large group with individual interests. So how can group travel with kids — whether with extended family or your favorite friends — truly succeed? I spoke with parents and experts to uncover the best tips for planning your dream family vacation.

Not all travel budgets are equal

“Fundamentals are the building blocks of fun,” actor Mikhail Baryshnikov once said, and part of those fundamentals involve discussing finances — even if it is a touchy subject. Elizabeth Amezcua, who is a mom to three daughters and a part-time travel agent, says her job can get complicated when her traveling hopefuls haven’t discussed travel costs as a group.

“Don’t come to a travel agent if your entire group hasn’t agreed on a price range,” she shares. “It’s impossible to ask someone to plan a trip for [five] families and each family has their own budget but wants the same things. Don’t be inflexible unless you have the money to be so.”

A conversation surrounding budget-friendly group travel is especially crucial when it comes to lodging, and in her experience, there’s a better option than what people initially choose.

“They think they want houses — until they realize all the work [required]: shopping, cooking, cleaning,” Amezcua says. “I try to get families into suites in resorts. Much less work. Better activities and accommodations for everyone.” 

Consider the nuanced art of travel planning

When it comes to multifamily vacation planning, “multi” and “planning” are doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Understanding those two elements for what they are and how they apply to every group that’s part of the vacation allows plans to flow as they need.

For Marilyn Lopez, mom of 4-year-old Mila, has gone on several multifamily vacations, and it’s helped to have someone else take initiative when it comes to laying out the game plan.

“We’re usually traveling every other month on short weekend getaways with close friends and almost always someone is the leader,” Lopez says. “We are heading out to Palm Springs soon with five adults and four kids, and one of the neighbors organized all of it. We all get along, so it’s good synergy.”

Lopez says these trips are typically planned close to when the trip is going to take place because the “multi” aspect of it is limited to a small number of children within the overall group.

This doesn’t work for bigger groups like Amezcua’s that require lots of prep beforehand. “In June 2024, we went to Portland for a family wedding and had to plan daily activities (zoo, river, children’s museum) for 10 kids and 12 adults,” she says. “We plan those pretty far in advance — maybe two to three months.”

And keep smaller logistical items in mind. Jennifer Silvers, a mom of three and a development psychology professor at UCLA, travels with her family throughout the country — New York, Florida and Portland — to go spend time with loved ones. She prepares by ordering essential items to be shipped to those locations.

“Sometimes, if we’re going someplace where we know we’re going to stay at someone’s house, we will order things like diapers to be delivered there ahead of time,” Silvers says. This eases their packing burdens.

Navigating boundaries and balance

“Building community is always a positive, but I think it’s important to sit down ahead of [time] and talk about what everyone’s limits are,” says Laura Dotson, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Hermosa Beach.

The adults are running the show, and for Dotson, that means having a group understanding on everything from bedtime routines to eating habits and conflict resolution. Increasing the number of children means increasing the possibilities of conflicts to arise.

“When it’s just the adult relationships initiating it, it wouldn’t even come up. But now that children are involved, [conflict] needs to be talked about ahead of time,” she says.

This also applies to balancing activities for all ages. While some families mentioned older children helping with babysitting duties for adults to have date nights during these trips, Dotson advises that unless the older children have consented, pressing them to babysit can be manipulative.

Victoria Marin, a New York-based single co-parent of a daughter, says that during her trip to Connecticut with a close friend who has two daughters, they integrated adult time into their beach vacation, thanks to her friend’s family nanny.

“We were able to watch our children enjoy themselves from a distance, have the nanny help out and enjoy our alone time catching up with each other,” she says.

Still, mixing ages has its advantages on these types of trips because it allows for more creative collaborations — from playing together to older children teaching younger ones how to tie their shoes. “As we’re learning social skills and other skills as well, the best people to learn that from are those who recently mastered them,” Dotson says.

Adapt as necessary

This touch point feels particularly personal to me. My oldest son has autism, and many of the family trips we plan alongside my brother’s family and children require me to be aware of how the environment we are visiting will impact him.

When we planned a visit to Disneyland, I needed to call ahead of time to understand exactly how the disability access services (DAS) pass worked to explain to my nephews how we would handle going on rides as a group. Thankfully, it worked seamlessly, and we had a wonderful time. The kids were very happy to be able to go straight to the front of lines.

We’ll also typically add a trip to Dave & Buster’s to our itinerary because it’s a place my son tolerates quite well and the neurotypical children in our group equally enjoy.

Silvers’ eldest daughter, 7-year-old Eloise, is visually impaired, which causes her to have disruptive sleep patterns, so her family now travels with an inflatable tent that she sleeps in wherever they go.  

“It’s the best investment we’ve ever made, but it’s another thing we have to think about,” Silvers says. “It’s heavy; we have to bring it on the plane. [The tent] reduces the stress, but it means she can’t just sleep anywhere. But we’ve made it work.”

Whether it’s accommodating disabilities or ensuring everyone is comfortable with the itinerary, flexibility is key. Another critical aspect of this adaptability is food. Keeping everyone fueled and happy requires careful preparation, especially when traveling with multiple kids. Always have snacks ready. For the flights. During activities. Even for when you’re preparing meals or on your way out to eat.

Also, accept that you’re going to stop to eat and use the bathroom a lot.

 “If my husband and I are traveling by ourselves, we’ll see five things a day, but with the kids, we’re going to do one, maybe two,” Silvers says.

Trust the process and just have fun

That “dream vacation” I mentioned earlier? At the end of the day, parents and experts agree: Just let that fantasy go. Rather, strive for a flexible vacation. Planning and tips are nice, but the main goal is to lose yourself in the-more-the-merrier experience that is multifamily vacationing.

“Relax and let it all go. Let go of the schedule, the food, the bed and nap times. Everyone is here to have fun and let loose,” Amezcua says.

“There’s a joy we get in just being together,” Marin says.

Lopez, agrees, pushing it a bit further. Ditch the itinerary, she says. “As long as there’s good weather and a pool or beach nearby, you’re set.” 

Amelia Lopez is a Hawthorne-based communications and PR manager for TMJ and ThinkFuera. She’s been featured on Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports and the Premier League for her knowledge and passion about soccer. She is also mother to two boys and an advocate for children and adults with autism.

The post How to Plan a Successful Multifamily Vacation appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Summer is nearly here — have you planned your family’s getaway? Experience Oxnard, the perfect beach town where OX Marks the Spot for your budget-friendly escape with beautiful beaches and immaculate SoCal vibes.

Best Oxnard Beaches

Nestled a beat past Los Angeles up Highway 101 lies Oxnard, equal parts vibrant and laid back. The city offers seven miles of uncrowded beaches, waterfront dining, and tons of budget-friendly fun for everyone.

Silver Strand Beach is a local favorite for good reason. This mile-long stretch is tucked between the Port Hueneme Naval Base and the Channel Islands Harbor, making it a prime spot for surfing, sunbathing, kayaking or fishing! 

Did you know Oxnard is home to Hollywood Beach? Well, it is! Legends like Clark Gable and Rudolph Valentino were known to hang out in the area and add to this beach’s historic charm. Now open to the public, it’s perfect for days of sun and surf.

‘Rocks’nard – For the Music Lovers

Yep, you heard that right! Oxnard strikes the right chord with its music scene. While you’re hear, kick back and enjoy the sounds of summer.

Start with the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series in historic downtown Oxnard. Bring a blanket, a picnic and catch live R&B, Latin jazz and classic rock under the stars. Then catch the summer Concerts by the Sea on Saturdays and The Collection at Riverpark on Thursday nights for live sets by the shore. 

Throughout the year, Oxnard keeps the party going with the Jazz Festival, California Strawberry Festival and Salsa Festival.

Free and Affordable Oxnard Activities

Drums Tour: DW Drums’ world headquarters opens its doors to give visitors a peek into crafting their renowned drums. The tour even includes a quick tuning lesson. Call (805) 485-6999, ext. 450, to secure a spot before your visit.

Channel Island Kayak Wildlife Tour: Explore the Channel Islands Harbor by kayak, meet “Chippy” the life-sized pygmy mammoth and keep an eye out for sea lions, starfish and pirate treasure!

Channel Islands Maritime Museum: Collections of maritime paintings, ship models and artifacts, including one of the largest ship models made of bones, await museum visitors. Admission is free for kids under 18.

Classic Car Shows: Cruise into nostalgia with Downtown Oxnard’s Summer Car Show and Cruise Nights on second Fridays from May through July.

Best Eats in Oxnard

 The Strandwich: The perfect spot to grab a bite by the beach, surrounded by “Nardcore” punk memorabilia.

Cafe Dolce Vita: If you need coffee before you can have thoughts, try this cafe in Downtown Oxnard. Get your coffee fix and a sandwich or a macaroon! Who says a SoCal beach vacation can’t have international vibes??

Fisherman’s Catch: Fisherman’s Catch is the best place to get coconut shrimp, calamari, lobster and more — all caught daily and at prices that make the food taste that much better.

The Annex Food Hall: The ultimate “something-for-everyone” dining destination, with 13 food vendors and shops nearby!

Honeycup Coffeehouse & Creamery: Coffee, smoothies and ice cream, oh my! At Honeycup, you can have it all, including ice cream handmade by a master chef!

Where to Stay

Whether you’re planning a laid-back beach weekend or a luxury escape with the whole crew, Oxnard has just the place to rest your sandy feet.

Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach was named the No. 1 Best New Hotel in the U.S. by USA Today’s 2024 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. This all-suite beachfront resort rivals spots like Terranea in Palos Verdes and the Ritz Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara. If you want luxury with kid-friendly amenities, more room to breathe and less of the price tag, Zachari Dunes delivers. It’s where oceanfront elegance meets relaxed family fun.

Hampton Inn Channel Islands Harbor brings the waterfront vibes. It sits on the scenic boardwalk, between the beloved Toppers Pizza and Peninsula Park (home of the Concerts by the Sea series). With two easily accessible public docks just steps away, it’s a breeze to launch a kayak or paddleboard and enjoy a fun, family-friendly day out on the water.

For the sporty family, Staybridge Suites features Dallas Cowboys Training Camp memorabilia in the lobby and gives fans of America’s Team something to brag about. River Ridge Golf Club is conveniently next door.

Prefer something with homier comfort? Homewood Suites is perfect for longer stays with apartment-style living, basketball courts, BBQ grills and freeway convenience.

Book Your Stay in Oxnard Today!

Angelenos looking to escape the heat and crowded beaches will find cool ocean breezes and laid-back vibes right up the coast. Why shell out more elsewhere when you can soak up the sun for less in Oxnard? Plan your stay at https://visitoxnard.com. Then pack your sunscreen, grab the kids and get ready to discover where OX Marks the Spoton a memorable family vacation.

The post Escape to Oxnard This Summer to Explore These Activities, Best Eats and Places to Stay appeared first on L.A. Parent.

Looking for an easy escape from L.A. for spring break? Las Vegas is a quick road trip or flight away. With temperate springtime weather, Vegas is a perfect getaway for families seeking indoor and outdoor fun. 

Here are five of our favorite family-friendly Vegas picks this spring:

1. Shark Reef Aquarium: Dive Into Underwater Adventures

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino will celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer with special events and activations. For now, visitors can view displays with more than 3,400 creatures from 140 species, including 14 types of sharks within 1.6 million gallons of water and 14 exhibits. Guests also can “dive” into the ocean depths through the immersive Undersea Explorer Virtual Reality theater. For an extra fee, kids (and adults) can feed sharks, sea turtles and stingrays. Tickets: $24 and up.

2. Sphere Experience: Futuristic Fun for the Whole Family

If it’s in your budget, Sphere is worth the splurge. At The Sphere Experience, guests can chat and even crack jokes with the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, Aura, and marvel at a 50-foot holographic wall. Included in the experience is a screening of “Postcard from Earth” from Academy Award-nominated director Darren Aronofsky.

The sci-fi-meets-nature, 4D film features seat haptics with active movement sensations, flashing lights, visual and sound effects and atmospheric simulations of fog, scents and wind. (Pregnant women and those with sensory sensitivities should consider whether it’s for them. Accessible seating is available upon request.).

Word to the wise: Lower seats are best if you tend to get queasy. In addition, Sphere’s spectacular spring lineup of multi-sensory entertainment features immersive concert film V-U2, plus shows by Dead & Company with John Mayer, the Eagles and Kenny Chesney. (Backstreet Boys will take the stage in July.) Tickets: $95 and up, depending on the type of event.

3. Family Pools and Movie Nights

Las Vegas resorts are renowned for their lavish pools, and poolside time is a fun way for families to spend Vegas downtime together. Non-gaming (aka no casino) resort Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas offers a high-class, low-key vibe for its hotel guests, with chaise lounges, cabanas and two pools (one for families, one for adults). Bonus: Parents can indulge in a range of restorative poolside massages while staying within earshot of splashing kids, including chair massage, chaise-lounge massage and traditional table massage in an open-air or private cabana. Try the signature Relaxation Massage, the Cabana Cool Stone Massage or the Lounging Around Focus Massage. 

For extra relaxation or should the temps soar, cooling collagen masks are applied, along with nourishing massage oils and tropical scrubs to create an aroma sensory experience by the resort’s expert therapists (Dear reader: The massage I experienced on a scorching day last July from Alexandra was one of the best of my life). Guests come away refreshed — and with a small gift. “Our pool therapists always add a special touch by giving guests a little wellness takeaway so they can remember their massage experience they had at the pool,” says the resort’s spa director, Michelle Wilkos. Pricing: $200 and up. 

MGM Grand Pool, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., features 6.5 acres of elaborate water fun, including four swimming pools, three whirlpools, cascading waterfalls and a lazy river (until 5 p.m.). Pool bars serve tropical drinks and poolside fare (and massage) is available. Cost: $50/all-day access per person; additional fees for food/drinks, poolside seating and cabanas. Free entry and seating for MGM Grand guests, depending on availability.

Resorts World’s Family Pool at its mega pool complex features a playful water attraction to cool off younger kids amid giggles. Reopens in May. Free for hotel guests.

To kick off pool season, Fontainebleau Las Vegas is offering Dive Into Bleau rates, with up to a 20% discount on hotel stays and a $50 daily resort credit. The Oasis Cinema Club at Oasis Pool is back every Friday starting May 2, featuring favorite family flicks such as “Barbie,” “Inside Out 2,” “Toy Story,” “Avengers: Endgame” and “The Incredibles” projected on a poolside screen. Enjoy a menu serving tasty takes on concession classics. Admission: $10 for non-hotel guests; free for Fontainebleau Rewards members, hotel guests and kids 5 and under. Daybeds and cabanas available for a fee. Tickets here.

Dive In Movies at The Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool, the Strip’s rooftop poolside (or in-pool) movie night, returns weekly on Mondays beginning May 19, inviting families to enjoy classic and recent blockbusters on the resort’s 65-foot screen, along with stellar views of the spectacular Las Vegas skyline. Premium daybeds and cabanas can be reserved with a food/beverage minimum. Admission: $15 for non-hotel guests, $10 for locals. Free for MGM Rewards members, hotel guests, first responders and military. Tickets here.

4. Beachy Vibes

At Mandalay Bay Beach, an 11-acre aquatic playground on the Strip, families can ride tides in the wave pool, play in the sand, flow along the lazy river under refreshing waterfalls, lounge in a lagoon, chill in a cabana and more. The Beach Bar and Grill offers bites and drinks at three bars. Cost: $30/weekdays; $40/weekends all-day access per person; additional fees for food/drinks, seating and cabanas; free for hotel guests.

5. Top Thrills: High Roller, Zip Line and Iconic Vegas Rides

Thrill-seeking kids and parents who want adrenalin-pumping fun can enjoy breezy aerial views while experiencing the highest amusements in Las Vegas (and even in the world).

High Roller Observation Wheel & Fly LINQ Zipline

The High Roller Observation Wheel is 550 feet high and is the tallest Ferris wheel in North America. The experience features 28 spherical (and, yes, air-conditioned!) cabins for up to 40 guests, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows for 360-degree Las Vegas views Extra fun: At night, the wheel glows, with changing colored lighting synced to hit songs. The full-rotation ride lasts 30 minutes. Tickets: $10 and up, free for kids 3 and under.

Bold ones can soar on the Strip’s only zipline, Fly LINQ. Riders launch from a 12-story tower and fly 1,121 feet from Las Vegas Boulevard, down The LINQ Promenade and finish at the High Roller at up to 35 miles per hour. Tickets: $49 and up; some discounts apply.

The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade

The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York is the first in the world to include a 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive. The heart-pounding ride speeds up to over 67 mph — with twists, turns and loops, whizzing by Strip views. Catch your breath (or wait out the ride) at The Big Apple Arcade for family-friendly games. Tickets: $25 and up.

The Strat Tower

Four of the world’s highest rides are located in one place at The Strat in Las Vegas. The Tower (at 1,149 feet tall) is the highest observation tower in the U.S. Your bravest family members (at least 4 feet tall) can free fall 855 feet at 40 mph on the SkyJump or catapult 1,081 feet up — and down — on the Big Shot. Riders beware: G forces are real. (The X-Scream dangling teeter-totter is currently down for maintenance.) For a more mellow, but still breathtaking experience, you can enjoy unparalleled views of Las Vegas and beyond at the sky-high indoor and outdoor observation decks, plus food and drinks at the highest dining spot and bar in Vegas. Tickets: $21.95 and up.

Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck

If you’re in Vegas, but your heart’s in Paris (oui, c’est moi!) or you just want to take in an iconic, high-altitude experience with your family, you won’t want to miss out on the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck at the Paris Las Vegas resort on the Strip. A half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower landmark in Paris, France, the tower takes guests 46 stories (541 feet) high for 360-degree views. Mirroring the nightly, glittery illuminations of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Las Vegas attraction also offers a synchronized twinkling, colored lights event for all visitors to see for free on the Strip. The light show happens every night for 30 minutes from sunset to midnight. Tower tickets: $19 and up; some discounts apply.

There’s so much for families to enjoy in Las Vegas, aka “Disneyland East.” For more family-friendly ideas, including deals, visit Visit Las Vegas for the latest and greatest.

The post Best Family-Friendly Things to Do in Las Vegas This Spring appeared first on L.A. Parent.

My husband and I spent a night at this Indian Wells resort in early December and it was the perfect getaway to help us reconnect and recharge.

The resort features 215 guest rooms and villa suites designed with the signature Tommy Bahama tropical feel and set on 11 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. There are three saltwater pools and the resort’s Spa Rosa featuring desert-inspired treatments. The surrounding Santa Rosa Mountains is your stunning backdrop.

We left L.A. around 8:30 a.m.and by 10:30 a.m. we were sitting under a canopy of olive trees sipping an ice latte at the resort’s signature restaurant and bar, Grapefruit Basil. The relaxation begins quickly here.

Unique Features: Lots of outdoor pathways, gardens, fire pits and cozy nooks. The wonderful fragrance of citrus trees accompanies you throughout the resort. We took several long walks, read by the pool and had coffee in a quiet nook above Grapefruit Basil.

The Fun: I typically head to the desert to relax. There is something about being surrounded by the mountains and the warm sun that calms all my senses. Spending 24 hours at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort and Spa was a mini sabbatical from my life of work and family responsibilities.

I found a quiet spot by the pool with an actual book (not a device) and simply savored the tranquility and beauty all around me. I walked around the resort amongst the citrus grooves and flower beds. My husband and I grabbed a drink and sat by one of the fire pits and just talked with no interruptions. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you need a getaway until you find yourself under an olive tree watching the sun set.

While I was looking for complete relaxation, there are lots of other fun activities in and around the resort—bocce ball, golf and a 24-hour fitness center. You can also venture a little further to catch the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway, visit the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, shop at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, go hiking or rock climbing.

Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort and Spa is located at 45000 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, CA 92210. For more information, visit tommybahamamiramonte.com

The post Hotel Spotlight: Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa appeared first on L.A. Parent.