Central Coast's Friendliest Farm

The Avila Valley Barn is a great stop while travelling up the Central Coast. Not only do they have farm animals that families can pet and feed ($1 bag of lettuce), but they bake delicious and fresh fruit pies daily. The open-air market also sells colorful fruits and vegetables.

Little one's can stretch their legs running through a hay maze or take a tractor pulled hay ride. There are picnic tables and restrooms.

560 Avila Beach Drive • San Luis Obispo CA 93405805.595.2810

Family Friendly Central Coast Escape

Driving up the Central coast and before arriving in San Luis Obispo, is one of the safest beaches in California. Located near Point San Luis in a secluded bay is Avila Beach. Due to its locations, it's sunnier here than other coastal communities.
The Inn at Avila Beach offers oceanfront units with balconies. Upstairs is a rooftop sundeck with BBQs, wet bars, televisions, couches, tables, and hammocks. The sunsets from up here are spectacular.
There are two piers. Harford Pier is a commercial fishing pier with pelicans, sea lions, and tanks filled with oysters, crabs and lobsters. You can purchase the freshest seafood in town and take it back to the Inn to cook on the grill.
Kids love to swing on the beach, play in the whimsical playground with a pirate ship and dolphins, and visit Avila Farm to feed cows, pigs, and donkeys. Don't forget to buy a freshly baked pie and some of their fresh fruit and vegetables. The Inn at Avila Beach - (805) 595-2300, 256 Front Street, Avila Beach.

The RALEIGH Hotel

My FAVORITE hotel in South Beach is the authentic art-deco resort, RALEIGH. One step into this perfectly preserved 1940 masterpiece is like stepping back into an elegant and relaxing lifestyle.

Walking up to the hotel from Collins Street, the lush trees and cruiser bikes near the front door, set the mood. As we walked towards the pool, we walked by the romantic terrace restaurant canopied under old Sea grape trees. Hanging basket lights and nearby orchids growing on trees gives this area a fun, funky, yet elegant feel. The pool is stunningly beautiful. Large black inner tubes floating on the pool allow guests to sit and capture the sun rays. The tubes match the elegant pool design trim. A raised sunning area with daybeds allows guests to view the Atlantic Ocean.
Raleigh – 1775 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, (305) 534-6300,

New Cruise Ships Worth Exploring

Often we are asked which cruise line is our favorite? “All of them!” Each line is unique and offers innovative features to lure passengers onboard.

My article on New Ships Sailing our Seas was just published in the September issue of Not Born Yesterday. To read the article go to: Family Travel Outings - www.familytraveloutings.com.

Learn about the new features on the Carnival Dream, Ruby Princess, Holland America Eurodam, Celebrity Equinox and the much anticipated Cunard Queen Elizabeth. Scheduled to be launched in October 2010, the Queen Elizabeth sold out her maiden cruise in a record 29 minutes.

One of Nature's Spectacular Wonders

The first time we hiked up to the top of Half Dome, we saw the identical view Ansel Adams must have seen when he said, "Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space."

Yosemite is a great family destination to experience the natural beauty of this unique National park. Located in California, about four hours from Los Angeles, the park is about the size of Rhode Island with over 840 miles of hiking trails winding through breathtaking vistas of sculpted mountains and valleys carved from masses of granite.

We enjoy staying at the rustic Curry Village, or the Yosemite Lodge directly below the Yosemite Falls. For those who want to splurge, the Ahwahnee is a world-class resort.

Don't forget to bring your camera. Yosemite provides spectacular photo opportunities of wildlife at every turn. For more information go to http://www.yosemitepark.com/.

Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa

While taking a gondola-style boat tour and gazing at the black and white swans floating by at the Desert Springs, JW Marriott Resort and Spa (74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert) I told my husband and children I felt like I was in Maui. The resort is quite similar to the wonderful family resorts on Kaanapali Beach. In the winter, the air temperature is as warm as Maui.

The dramatic Grand lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooks lakes, fountains, and golf courses. Boats glide smoothly on the waterways delivering guests to four different theme restaurants. Swaying palm trees, flamingos, swans, and colorful parrots can be viewed throughout the property. The only thing missing is the Pacific Ocean. But with two resort size pools, guests can swim, relax with a Pina Coloda and pretend (as I did) to hear a ukulele playing. Call (760) 341-2211 or (888) 538-9459.

Malibu Family Winery

We met some dear friends here for a wonderful Saturday evening outing. Why go to Napa for wine-tasting, when you can enjoy a lovely glass of Chardonnay, Rose, Melot or Cabernet Sauvignon in Malibu.

The winery encourages the public to bring a picnic dinner, drop a blanket and listen to live music during the summer. Admission is purchasing a bottle of their "California in a glass" wine.

Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Saddlerock Ranch is home to Malibu Family Wines with 60,000 vines on 65 acres.

Sept. 13th they will have their 9th Harvest & Crush event from 12:30 to 3:30. Drink wine, taste dishes from local restaurants, and bid on auction items.

MALIBU WINES 31800 Mullholland Highway, CALIFORNIA 90265 http://www.malibuwine.com/

Fun Event in Catalina Island

On September 26, 2009, from 2 pm to 5 pm, the Pavilion Lodge courtyard will be transformed into a celebration of wine, food and live music by guitarist James Moody. Up to 80 notable wineries will offer tastings from some of their finest bottles. There will be a silent auction.

Tickets are $65 per person until August 1, 2009. Afterwards, they are $75 and include a commemorative wine glass for tastings, food, and entertainment. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Catalina Island Chamber Visitor Bureau (310) 510-1520. Or go online at http://www.catalinachamber.com/ and click on Upcoming Events.

The Chamber office on the Green Pleasure Pier is selling tickets too.This special event is sponsored by Catalina Island Women's Forum. The money raised at this event will be dedicated to providing charitable services to women and children on Catalina Island. They provide mentoring and scholarships for junior and senior high school girls, Women's wellness and domestic violence programs.

It's Fun and Free in San Fransicso

Musee Mecanique

Nearby at Pier 45, at the foot of Taylor Street, is a favorite spot for families. Inside is a collection of over 300 mechanically operated musical machines, antique slot, arcade machines, orchestrations and animations. It’s the largest private collection of items.

“Laffing Sal” greets visitors with her boisterous and jolly laugh. This collection used to be housed in the lower level of the Cliff House until 2002. Today, it’s located in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s free to enter, but bring some quarters for your kids to watch “Susie the Can-Can Dancer” or arm wrestle a mechanical man. It’s a trip down memory lane that everyone will enjoy.

The funky side of San Francisco

Haight Ashbury is worth a visit while in San Francisco. It's a bargain shoppers paradise. In the store Ambiance, I found a dress originally priced at $125, marked down to $20. They have Buffalo Exchange (teenage girls love this place), Aardvarks, and other really cool apparel stores. For lunch there are various cafes and restaurants.

Don't be surprised if you see a couple walking two dogs and a baby pig on a leash (75 cents to take a photo). It's funky and fun.

The Wild side of San Francisco

Every visit to San Francisco involves a stroll to Peir 39 to see the California Sea Lions lazing around on the docks.

They invaded this area in 1990 shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Each winter the population can grow up to 900 sea lions, most of them males.

Laguna Beach is worth a visit

Just returned from Laguna Beach. The town is filled with 100 art galleries and studios. Over 20 secluded coves are open to the public to swim, explore tide pools, scuba dive and snorkel. We dined at The Cliff restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. When the sunset sizzled into the water and the air became chilly, waiters brought around warm and cozy blankets to keep us warm. The salmon with a balsamic reduction and strawberries was delicious.