West Coast Trip Ideas
 

Hi All,

My husband and I (and baby) would like to plan a trip for our 5-year anniversary which is coming up in August. We are looking for suggestions of places that would be relatively easy to get to from Seattle since we will have our baby with us (who will be about 10 months old at the time). We are thinking of the early September timeframe for the trip.

Any suggestions for a place (2-3 hours max by plane from here) that would be baby-friendly, fun for us too, and have nice weather at that time? We have been to LA, San Diego and Hawaii already. A beach would be nice but any suggestions are welcome! We just want someplace we can relax, not have to do alot of running around, with easy nearby things that can be done with a baby.

Thanks!

San Francisco and the coast above San Francisco, such as the Point Reyes, Gualala and a little town called Elk, which is just above Gualala would be nice. The water views in these areas are fantastic.
You could also do a San Francisco/Napa
trip.

The two- to three-hour flight stumps me.

If you drive rather than fly--Cannon Beach, Oregon, comes to mind. Check out Schooner's Cove Motel on the beach and near shops and restaurants.

Coure D'Alene Idaho

Lake Chelan, Winthrop, and Lake Crescent are other possibilities.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

happytrails - the only reason I said 2-3 hours max is because any longer with the baby tends to be REALLY tiring on us and on him! So I am just not interested in a really long trip and even prefer a nonstop flight.

For the same reason, I prefer to fly than drive cuz I am not quite sure the baby will sit in his carseat for a long period of time! At least while flying, I can hold him, walk around, etc.

I understand.

However, what about the pain infants sometimes experience in their ears due to change of altitude?

Also, I can't think of any place one would go in a two- to three-hour flight that wouldn't be followed by car ride.
San Franciso, Las Vegas, Butte, and Calgary fit the plane requirement, but then what?

How about taking the train to Portland, renting a car, and driving to Cannon Beach--an 80-mile drive?

My husband and I just did celebrated our 5th anniversary from Seattle. We went up to Vancouver and explored the city. My trip report is posted on the Canada board.

We had a blast! Congrats!

People come to San Francisco with babies of all ages. I see tourists with babies on parents' bellies, in the "backpacks", in all kinds of strollers.

We do have plenty of beaches, but very seldom swim - the water is too cold.

I'd love to find a beach we could go to. I am thinking that is something my husband and I would enjoy and the baby would have fun too.

What is the weather like in Cannon Beach in September?

Has anyone been to Lake Tahoe? Would that be fun?

For weather, see:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Cannon-Beach
-Oregon.html

This place has the right facilities and convenient location for vacationing with an infant:

http://www.schoonerscove.com/

Santa Barbara is usually very beautiful and warm in the summer. Lovely zoo to walk around, nice parks, great restaurant choices. (I live here and no, I'm not in the tourism industry!)

Lake Tahoe is fun and scenic. There are casinos along the south shore and in Reno. Hiking is also great and there are paths that fit all ages. I think there may be a direct flight from Seattle to Reno. For hotels, do not stay in Reno (unless you wanna do a lot of gambling), but clost to the lake shores. You don't have to stay at a hotel--there are plenty of cabins and private rentals.

h0b0 - any recommendations for hotels or resorts in Santa Barbara?

How about a lake? Fly to Denver and rent a condo on Lake Dillon. Early September is a beautiful time up there with the colors beginning to change.

hey catbert - I actually have a business trip to Denver in a couple of weeks and my husband and baby will be coming with me. How far is the lake from the city? Is that something we should plan to go see?

If you have a full day, or an overnight, absolutely. It's a beautiful area.

Lke Taho is lovely in September; the crowds are (mostly) gone, and the weather is still very nice. The flight from Seattle on Southwest Air is easy and not long---less than 2 hours, I beleive. Pick up a car in the Reno airport and it's a 45-minute drive to most parts of Lake Tahoe.

Last time I stayed near the south shore (but outside the town) at Camp Richarson, which has motel units and cabins on or very near a nice beach:
http://www.camprichardson.com/

It's not fancy, rather an old family-style resort that has been around a long time. There's a restaurant on-site (at the marina) and many more within a short drive.

Of course, there are many other nice choices on Lake Tahoe; I suggested this one because it is right on the beach but out of the city areas.

Vancouver is easy. Carmel/Monterey is wonderful, and there are plenty of beaches. Tahoe is great. Santa Barbara has warmer water...but harder to get to.

Does anyone recall the name of the old time resort in Santa Barbara - very fifties style motel - with train car on the property? We loved it when the kids were small.

No wrong decision here, I would guess!

You could fly into San Jose (SJC), rent a car then split your time between San Francisco (1 hour non rush hour) and Monterey/ Carmel/ Pacific Grove area. Which is just under an hour and a half. We usually have really nice weather in this region in September.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I am having a hard time choosing now. trying to narrow it down between Cannon Beach, Lake Tahoe, Monterey, Santa Barbara and San Francisco! Way too many options now ... :-)

Carmel sounds like it would fit your requirements perfectly. We rent a quaint cottage there for about $250/night and enjoy walking to the beach or into town. You could drive down the coast to Big Sur where the coastline is rugged and beautiful, there are more beaches, and some short (or long) hikes that would be perfect with a baby in a backpack.

Any tips on where in Carmel to stay? Are there any ocean front properties that anyone recommends?

cleo, what price are you willing to pay per night? That might make a difference as Santa Barbara and Carmel are pricey during high season, although both are wonderful!! Lake Tahoe is very nice to but don't plan on swimming in the lake unless you can stand frigid temps! How about Pismo Beach? You can get a direct flight from Seattle to San Luis Obispo, which is just 15 min. away.

laurenzo - hmmmm ... it kind of depends on how much the flight will cost or if I end up using frequent flier mileage than we can afford even more for the hotel. I don't want to spend more than $2000 total for airfare, rental car (assuming we need one?) and hotel for 4-5 nights.

Where is Pismo Beach? I'll have to research that one ... :-)

Another question for all you experts! What kind of weather can I expect in each of these places at the end of August/early September? I have narrowed it down to Carmel, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara and Cannon Beach (if you can consider that narrowing it down!). Upper 70s and lower 80s is what I would love to find. What do you all think?