Thought I'd better start a new thread because I'm having second thoughts about my original "plan". We (husband, 2 kids) planned to spend 3 nights near Santa Rosa, taking day trips from there to explore the area. The more research I do, the more I wonder if we should just stay in the Point Reyes/Inverness /Tomales area? It looks beautiful, and we're definitely into hiking and outdoor activities, in addition to fine dining. It appears that we could easily fill 3 nights/2.5 days in this area alone.

The only problem, we're not at all familiar with lodging in this area (where as we have stayed at Vintner's Inn before). I've seen Casa Olema and Holly Tree Inn on the web, but would love some first hand experience. With kids, not all Inns are appropriate. We're will to spend above average $$ for nice accomodations.

HELP! I really want to maximize our time here without spending too much time in the car. Any thoughts??

THANKS!

Kelly

Get a guide book and quit wasting space with your neverending helpless inquiries.

Manka's Inverness Lodge is a beautiful
and family friendly place. It's alittle pricey but absolutely gorgeous. We stayed in Grizzly lodge with our two kids this past spring and they still talk about it as one of their favorite places. Pt. Reyes National Seashore has
great spots to visit & hike. The nature
center programs are perfect for kids. We
enjoyed some great meals in the surrounding small towns. The guidebooks
help point out some good places to stop. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice, Kerri. I looked at Manka's website and it does look beautiful. Didn't notice a "Grizzly Lodge" listed as one of the options. Was it in the main lodge, or a separate cottage? Would we have a hard time filling 3 nights/2.5 days of activities with a 10 and 8 year old, in your opinion?

I already checked out Barnes & Noble for No. California guidebooks, and was not impressed. Do you have a recommendation?

Thanks again.

Kelly,
My husband, daughter (1 year) and I are traveling to No CA next week.

I found some information on the national/state parks in the north area on discovery.com(like the channel). Click on "travel" then indicate the state, etc. It lists park, rec areas, points of interest, etc. We will be heading to the Redding are where Mount Shasta and Lassen Volcanic Nat' Park. The sights look georgeous.
The Skunk Train leaves from Ft Bragg (on the coast). I am told it is a good time.

Kelly, Manka's is definitely a great suggestion. There's also a little place in Inverness with cabins. Try contacting Coastal Lodgings of West Marin at (415) 663-1351 for lists of cabins. Children under 12 stay free at the Bodega Bay Lodge. Two restaurants to recommend are the Tides Wharf Restaurant and the dining room at the St. Orres Hotel in Gualala. You could also rent a home at Sea Ranch through Rams Head Realty--707 area code, number? For a truly unique experience look into "lunch with a llama" where the llamas carry your picnic into the seashore and then join in eating their alfalfa. You can bring your own picnic or have then cater for you. It's not cheap but the kids will have something to talk about forever. Have a great time and be careful with the kids on this coast, it's quite wild in some areas. A friend of ours had a terrible accident when he slid off a clift up in Menocino so make sure they stay on trails and you know where they are. And, ignore the rude response above--most of us are happy to help.

a cruise through CA Best Places to stay, 4th edition lists the following (Don't know if they have websites):

Olema - Pt. Reyes Seashore Lodge
415-663-9000
kids uner 12 $5 per day, over 12 $15/day

Pt. Reyes Station -
*Gray's Retreat
415-663-1390
This place sounds like it's used to families, they tout the playground across the street and soundproof walls
*Jasmine Cottage
same phone as Gray's run by same people.
They have make-your-own breakfast facilities which might be nicer/easier with kids.

Alli, Kam, cp,

Thanks for your replies. Kam, I'm glad you mentioned the wild coast, I'd been meaning to ask about that. Several years ago my husband and I drove over to the coast from Sonoma (think it was the Bodega Bay area) and there were points when I was too nervous to get out of the car! The wind and waves were impressive. That was in March, is October any calmer? Or are there other areas that may be better suited to kids (i.e. Jenner or Tomales Bay?) Thanks also for the encouragement following the rude post...whew, some people have too much time on there hands.

As for Manka's, I'm going to give them a call, but their prices are pretty steep for the apparent space. Looks beautiful, though. I'll keep exploring all our options and the great recommendations offered on this forum. There are also interesting rentals along the Russian River. Is this a nice river, it looks a little green in pictures? Is it too cold in October to canoe/kayak?

Thanks again!!

Talk about people with too much time on "there" hands! How many long winded messages and responses has Kelly posted here by now? Try researching your own trip instead of coming here and expecting everyone else to do it for you. Better yet, do a search on this forum for SF info, there's plenty of it.
I don't care how many answers this woman receives, she always has MORE questions! Too much time and way too needy.

Bite Me Nomore. I'll help who I want, when I want, so buzz off.

Kelly:

The coastal area is lovely. October is a stellar time of year to be out. The weather is often at it's nicest, and yes it will usually be better than March, especially early in the month.

Russian River is a very nice and placid river, very good for canoeing.

One thing your kids might like if you are on the road up towards Mendocino is the Lighthouse at Pt. Arena. They let you climb the stairs up into the highthouse, and you can look at the Fresnel lens they have there.

Kelly, no in October the coast should be wonderful and fairly calm. Our friend's accident was in the spring when the ground was rain saturated and the cliff just gave out from under him. He fell about 400 yards, almost into the ocean and took about a year of rehab to come most of the way back. So, not to scare you, just to remind you that it's not a Disney set! I want to say the little cabins in Inverness are something like Dancing Caoyote Beach? Maybe someone else can help. And, I for one, appreciate a parent who is taking the time and effort to seek out lodging and activities that are appropriate for her kids rather than finding inappropriate ones, having the kids get bored and tormenting all of us. Ask all the questions you can think of, Kelly, and have a great trip.