Getting out of town with kids
The trips that actually worked for our family: a yurt in Joshua Tree, Carpinteria, Bolinas and amusement parks.
Not my usual hyperlocal content, but these are the getaways I get asked about most. Each one was worth the drive with kids, for different reasons.
Yurt camping, Joshua Tree
10/10. We love our tent, but this was the perfect alternative to bringing all of our gear with us. It would also be great for someone who isn’t sure about camping, because I have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t like to camp.
Carpinteria
Truly the loveliest getaway from LA whether you have kids, are traveling solo or with your love and friends. About 1.5 hours away, amazing air quality with temps 20 degrees cooler, views of the ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and a charming downtown with tons of restaurants, California’s oldest branch library and a community garden, all within walking distance of the beach.
Bolinas
A famously reclusive coastal community in Marin. The drive into town through the forest and above the waves is magical. The kids got to explore the town their dad grew up in and had some much-needed time with the grandparents. It felt so good to slow down for a bit in our favorite home away from home.
Disneyland
My four-year-old’s first time ever and my first time in over 20 years. I realized I can’t do fast and spinning rides like I used to, and that my four-year-old is so much braver than I thought. A last-minute leg injury almost cancelled the trip, but the scooter rentals saved it. It was magical.
Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty, Westfield Century City
A simple one-on-one outing that became so much more. Getting to spend time together and explore somewhere we hadn’t been before was enough, but we were both in heaven when we came across the Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends workshop. I had a huge Sanrio collection as a kid and now regret not holding onto it.
About the author
Jean shares local Foothills notes because she is always trying new places and doesn’t gatekeep. She is also a local real estate agent.
About Jean
