The dream of a family African Safari takes a tremendous amount of work and planning. If you’re one of the many families like mine, who dream of an family safari in Africa like Amie’s, keep planning and saving. If you find you need a little inspiration along the way, consider an easily arranged safari adventure in the open space of Monterey County, California.

amous for its world class aquarium, there’s a wilder side to Monterey that many don’t know exists. Wild Things was created in 1983. At first the animals …

It’s good to be a kid on a family vacation in Napa. That’s right. Northern California Wine Country is scoring points with milk drinkers and more importantly, their wine-loving parents. Visiting Napa Valley with kids is more the norm than the exception to the rule here.

I am a huge Disney fan. The Disney brand consistently delivers high quality entertainment whether it’s a Disneyland vacation with kids or a Disney Cruise with grandparents. I have yet to meet a Disney experience that I don’t like – except Space Mountain which I ride only to be brave in front of my kids.

I was speechless however when I was shown to my “room” at the Disneyland Hotel a few weeks ago. When the Disneyland Hotel …

One thing I love about trip planning is finding the unexpected. While researching my first vacation to Yosemite with kids this past summer, I discovered California’s Gold Country. It’s the region made famous by the California Gold Rush which began in 1848 with the discovery of gold in Sutter’s Mill and lured thousands of fortune seekers west to California.

The area is a California gem; rarely do you find an off-the-beaten-path destination that has so much to offer in terms of historical significance, culinary diversions and active adventures.

Spring is coming. This is about the time of year many families start replacing trips to the snow with trips to the beach. If you’re ready to reach into the closet for flip flops instead of ski boots, think about a family vacation in Santa Cruz.

There’s plenty of great things to do with kids of all ages in Santa Cruz, but its location sets it apart from other Northern California beachside areas.

In many families, a typical visit to Disneyland with kids is about packing in the most rides and attractions in a day and not wasting one precious moment of park time. By the end of the day the family is exhausted; the race is over and everyone is content but no one has seen much of the scenery along the way. Sound familiar?

The “one day and done” visit to Disneyland is challenging now that Cars Land and Buena Vista Street have arrived at California Adventure.

When it comes to picking a spot for a family vacation, Southern California has a lot going for it. Along with the ever popular Disneyland and mile after mile of sunny beaches, it’s harder to think of a reason not to go. One of my favorite reasons to take the family to Southern California is to getaway to Santa Catalina Island.

My family just returned from Squaw Valley and discovered why families love skiing here. Mother Nature provided perfect conditions with good snow and beautiful blue skies. My kids, seven and nine, found their ski legs and my husband and I discovered why we like skiing as adults – it’s exercise in a gorgeous setting. We’ve caught the ski bug and there’s no going back.

California is a year-round destination. Families know San Diego, San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Los Angeles are fabulous with kids. Add Central California cities and attractions to this list; Monterey, Carmel, Cambria, Pismo Beach and Santa Barbara offer all kinds of fun for families in every season.

What families don’t know is that there’s more than these coastal destinations to explore!. We enjoyed a getaway with kids in Paso Robles this fall. Located just 45-minutes inland …

Do you dread thinking about long-haul flights with infants and children in tow? Well, say hello to All Nippon Airways (ANA) Dreamliner flight service to Japan. The Boeing 787 has landed in Northern California at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.

I was on hand for Ciao Bambino to welcome ANA’s Dreamliner to the Silicon Valley …