family travel

Family Travel Itinerary: One Week in Kauai with Kids

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When my husband suggested that we take a weeklong family vacation to Kauai, I was more than thrilled — I was ecstatic! With our family’s busy schedule, it’s extremely rare for us to take a full week off from work and personal responsibilities for leisure travel. In fact, I don’t think we’ve ever vacationed for a full week together – not even on our honeymoon! We travel a lot, but it’s usually over long weekends or we’ll attach some vacation days to a work trip. That being said, we were more than ready for a vacation where we could spend some real quality time together relaxing, going on adventures and creating memories. And, I knew Kauai would be a fabulous destination for this!

If you’re not already familiar with Kauai, it is Hawaii’s fourth largest island and the furthest from the mainland that you can visit. It’s easy to see why Kauai is nicknamed “the Garden Isle” with its plethora of tropical green beauty covering the entire island. So far in my Hawaiian travels, I’ve visited Maui twice, Oahu twice, and now this was my second time to visit Kauai. It was a very meaningful visit, because Kauai was where my husband and I spent our “babymoon,” so it was really special bringing both of our kids with us to explore the place where mommy and daddy spent our last vacation before becoming a family.

On the beach in front of our resort in Kauai

At the time I’m writing this, our children are 4 and 2 years old. Some people might think we’re crazy for spending a whole week on vacation with our toddler-aged children in a different time zone and out of their routine. But, in my opinion, a whole week away was actually easier than a few days! By day three, we all had settled into a routine and finally felt that we could relax. Yes, RELAX! It is possible to relax with toddler aged children, and we did it! We also had many memorable adventures and fabulous dining experiences. I’ve outlined our full 8-night and 7-day Kauai itinerary with kids below!

But, first!! Do you know what makes a weeklong family vacation easy? Having the right kids’ travel gear!

My Must-Have Travel Products for Kids:

  1. Best Packing Cube: This Portable Hanging Organizer

Packing and unpacking your family is so easy with this four-tier packing cube that acts as a carry-on closet to keep your belongings organized and in plain view. You will no longer have to dig in your suitcase to locate your 2-year-old’s tiny socks! What makes this luggage organizer stand out among other packing cubes out there is the fact that it has four compartments — three shelves to store folded clothes and one zip-up container at the bottom that’s great for stashing toiletries, shoes or dirty laundry — and two hooks so that it can hang, making it easy to unpack and repack at your destination. This packing cube is durable and lightweight, in addition to coming in two different sizes and multiple different colors. I purchased the large and extra large in grey earlier this year, and it has been such a game changer to keep mine and my children’s belongings organized. I typically put pajamas, socks and underwear in the top compartment, my son’s clothes in the middle compartment and my daughter’s clothes in the third compartment. I’ll put shoes in the bottom zip-up compartment. In the large size, I was able to pack 4 days worth of clothes for the kids, who are ages 4 and 2 as I’m writing this. I love that I simply hang it up in the closet when we arrive, so we’re no longer living out of disorganized suitcases or accidentally leaving a shirt or sock behind in a hotel drawer! Do yourself a favor and get this portable hanging organizer before your next trip!

2. Best Portable “Car Seat” for Toddlers and Older: RideSafer Travel Vest

Car seats are a huge pain to schlep through the airport, especially if you have more than one child, like me! I also dislike taking them with us to a destination where we’re not renting a car. Constantly installing the car seat in Ubers then carrying it into a restaurant or museum can be really annoying. Enter: The RideSafer Vest!!! This is a safe, legal and convenient device that makes it easy to travel in taxis or ride shares when you get to your family’s destination. The vest lightweight (less than 2 pounds) and comes with a small backpack that children can easily carry themselves. Most importantly, it’s crash tested and safety certified – it meets or exceeds Federal safety standards! The RideSafer Vest features a unique, 3-clip design that positions the car’s seat belt comfortably and correctly on your child. Just slip it on like an article of clothing, fasten in the front and place the seat belt through the metal belt guides. Most children can do all of that themselves if you teach them and practice a few times. It also comes with a shoulder tether for a consistent sitting position and increased security. The tether also makes it possible for kids to ride safely in the middle seat without a shoulder strap! RideSafer offers four different sizes of the Vest, so this device is an option for parents with children ages 2 and up.

3. Best Travel Booster Seat: TravelSmarter Booster Seat

The same company that makes the RideSafer Travel Vest also makes an extremely lightweight TravelSmarter Booster Seat. This seat can be used with the vest, and they both fit into a backpack weighing less than 3 pounds. My kids have no trouble carrying it! The TravelSmarter Booster Seat is great for smaller children who may enjoy looking out the window, but it is not required to use with the vest. You can use the booster alone or with the vest or you can use the vest without the booster. 

4. Best Kids’ Headphones: Puro Sound Labs Volume Limiting Kids Headphones

There’s a growing concern over the rise of noise-induced hearing loss from headphones and earphones, leaving parents alarmed and looking for solutions to protect their children’s ears. Thankfully, I found Puro Sound Labs Junior Jams bluetooth headphones, which help keep little ones entertained on long flights while limiting volume to 85 decibels (the recommended listening level). What sets these volume-limiting headphones apart is their 22 hours of battery life, superior sound quality and fold-up feature, making them easy to store in little kids backpacks. These headphones also boast a sophisticated design, bright color options and durability. We have gone through a couple of headphones in the last 3 years that simply couldn’t hold up to travel or stopped working shortly after purchasing, but Puro Sound Labs creates quality headphones with a 1-year warranty! These headphones are perfect for children ages 3 to tween.

Puro Sound Labs also has developed PuroQuiet, which features active noise cancelling for little ones to tune out the loud world around them without having to increase their headphones volume. PuroQuiet bluetooth headphones have a volume limit of 85 decibels, 35 hours of battery life without the active noise canceling on, and 23 hours with it, and blocks out 78% of background noise. The PuroQuiets cost a bit more than the Junior Jams, but they’re so worth it for the active noise cancelling feature!

5. Best Way to Keep Kids Busy While Traveling: Melissa & Doug Take Along Activities

Our favorite toy brand Melissa & Doug is fantastic at developing toys and activities to keep babies and toddlers engaged through screen-free open-ended play. The Water Wow! reusable travel painting sets have been a staple in our house since my firstborn was around 18 months old. I love to throw these in my diaper bag and surprise the kids with them once we get on the plane or when they need to keep busy at a restaurant. Simply fill the pen with water, and your kids can paint the pages in the book to reveal colorful, educational scenes. The color disappears when the pages dry, so kids can paint them again and again. The best is that there’s no mess (besides maybe a little bit of water)!

For babies under 1 year old, Melissa & Doug just launched the Take Along Ice Cream Toy that clips to strollers, diaper bags, high chairs, car seats, and more to keep the fun close to little hands. Babies love pulling the cone to reveal four adorable ice cream scoops with friendly faces. When expanded, the toy vibrates and plays chiming sounds as it shrinks again. This toy helps kids develop fine motor and sensory skills with its multi-textured features, vibration and sounds. If I had a baby again, I’d definitely bring this cute little toy with me! Make sure you check out all of Melissa & Doug’s awesome travel-friendly toys on their website!

6. Best Kids’ Backpacks: The North Face Kids Backpacks

Mini Explorer by The North Face

One of the best things a family can do when traveling together is have each person responsible for their own stuff! Traveling got so much easier once my toddlers were able to wear a backpack filled with their favorite snacks and toys. Plus, it’s fun for them! They love the sense of purpose and responsibility, and my kids enjoy packing their own backpack, too! The North Face has been a trusted brand for family adventures for years and makes three different sized backpacks to fit your child’s travel needs at every age. The Mini Explorer is perfect for preschoolers, the Youth Mini Recon is great for elementary school age children and the Youth Court Jester is a solid choice for tweens and high schoolers. I love The North Face, you get a lifetime guarantee with free returns, durability and high functionality. These are high quality backpacks that your kids can use for everything!

Youth Mini Recon by The North Face
Youth Court Jester by The North Face

Now, on to our one week in Hawaii. Check out our entire itinerary, below!

FAMILY TRAVEL ITINERARY: ONE WEEK IN KAUAI WITH KIDS

Day 1: Travel Day

Everyone is a combination of tired and excited on travel days, so we take this day to settle in and get organized. We arrived at Kauai’s airport in Lihue just before noon, picked up our rental car (rental cars are a must if you want to conveniently explore the island at your leisure), and went straight to our resort, Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club, which was also located in Lihue. My in-laws are Marriott Vacation Club timeshare owners, so that made choosing our accommodations easy. Marriott has two properties on Kauai (one in Lihue and one in Poipu), and we chose the location in Lihue, because we had never stayed there before. For our babymoon, we enjoyed staying in Poipu, which is a very popular resort location, but wanted to try something different for this trip.

Our villa wasn’t quite ready when we arrived, so we left our bags with concierge and headed to Duke’s Kauai for lunch. Duke’s is an iconic restaurant in Hawaii, and it was a nice way to kick off our vacation with Mai Tai’s, fish tacos and an ahi poke bowl while watching surfers and stand-up paddle boarders ride waves into Kalapaki Beach.

Checking out the grounds of the Kauai Marriott Vacation Beach Club

Once our villa was ready, we unpacked our bags, and the kids and I went down to enjoy the pool while my husband went to the local market to get breakfast, lunch and snack items for us for the week. Our 2-bedroom villa had a kitchenette, which made it convenient to save money and let our little kids relax for breakfast and lunch every day. I also really loved that the kids and adults each had their own room joined together by a common living space. A couple years ago, the four of us stayed in a hotel room on Maui with double queens, and I’ll probably never do that again with little kids! It’s way too challenging with nap schedules, the kids needing to spread out and play, along with mom and dad needing some alone time on vacation!

Example of villa room; photo courtesy of Kauai Marriott Beach Vacation Club

That evening, we were all worn out from the time change and still full from our massive lunch at Duke’s, so we had small snacks and went to bed early so we could be ready for our next adventure tomorrow!

Side note: If you’re looking for tips for traveling with kids, check out some of my favorite kid-friendly travel products here.

Birdseye view of resort; photo courtesy of Kauai Marriott Beach Vacation Club

Day 2: Resort Orientation Day

On any big vacation, I always like to take the first full day to get completely acclimated to our new short-term home. We had a big day exploring the Kauai Marriott Vacation Beach Club. Since we were awake so early with the 3-hour time difference, I started the day with a run around the resort. There were lots of golf paths which provided beautiful views. Our family then headed to the beach, where my husband rented a surf board and boogie board for the day from the resort’s on-site beach rental hut. The kids enjoyed jumping over waves and simply digging in the sand while dad surfed. Then, daddy helped them learn to boogie board. I also purchased a ball from the resort, so we spent a bit of time kicking the ball back and forth on the beach before it was time to head up to our room for lunch. After lunch and naptime, we spent the afternoon at the pool, which had an awesome kids pool with a slide! The resort sold child-size pool floats at the pool hut, and our kids loved splashing around in those all afternoon. For dinner, we did poolside dining at the resort’s Kukui’s Restaurant, which served classic Pacific Rim fare. It was convenient and tasty, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here if you’re not staying at Marriott’s Beach Club.

Kauai Marriott Vacation Beach Club Pool

Day 3: Daddy Golf Day!

If you have a golfer in the family, don’t miss The Ocean Course at Hokuala — Kauai’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature course and the longest stretch of oceanfront golf in Hawaii! Our 4-year-old son tagged along with daddy (for a fee) on this spectacular course where they enjoyed amazing scenery and challenging golf. Our son’s favorite parts were the wild roosters and hot dogs, of course. Our 2-year-old daughter and I enjoyed a relaxing morning in our room before spending time at the resort pool together. The whole family met up for lunch at the room, then did more pool time in the afternoon.

Golfing in Kauai

For dinner, we went to Hualani’s at Timbers Ocean Club & Residences, which was one of the very best meals we had in Kauai! The view on a cliff overlooking the ocean and a lighthouse is breathtaking, the ambiance with live music is so pleasant, and the food is top-notch. The restaurant uses ingredients predominately sourced from local farmers and purveyors, so everything is fresh, and it was all cooked to perfection. They had a special mango and prosciutto appetizer on the menu that night, and it was the best mango I’ve ever had in my life! So fresh, soft and sweet! I need to note that Hualani’s is a bit more upscale, but they were very welcoming to our children. If we do go to a fancy as a family, we always try to dine on the earlier side and bring lots of activities to entertain our children while waiting for our food. Luckily, there was a spacious lawn area where our children were able to get some of their wiggles out before dinner arrived. We 10/10 recommend this restaurant if you can get a reservation!

Wearing our red, white and blue for Memorial Day dinner at Hualani’s at Timbers Resort in Kauai
Fabulous dinner at Hualani’s

Day 4: Poipu Beach & Gaylord Plantation Adventure

By our fourth day, we were all settled in, adjusted to the time change and ready for a big day!

First, I got a massage at the resort’s spa. To be honest, it wasn’t the most luxurious spa I’ve been to, but my masseuse was very good and I felt relaxed afterward. Then, we headed to Poipu which has a great beach for kids where you can swim and snorkel in shallow lagoons. There’s also lifeguards! This was an incredible experience for the kids, because we got to see three large sea turtles on the beach and one swam right next to us! We got to see some seals swimming next to us, too. It was really cool to be so close to nature!

For lunch, we ate at the famous Puka Dog which serves Hawaiian style hot dogs. To be honest, I’m not sure what all the fuss is about, as I thought the bread was dry and there wasn’t enough sauce, but my kids absolutely loved it! The shop also sold Hawaiian Shaved Ice, so this is all around a fun family-friendly spot to grab lunch. We took our hot dogs and shaved ice over to a picnic table at Poipu Beach Park to enjoy watching the waves.

After lunch, we went back to our resort where we spent an hour at the pool before cleaning up and getting ready for our evening at Gaylord Plantation, a famous large estate on Kauai. We did the Plantation Train Tour, which included a 2.5-mile ride aboard an old-fashioned train around the plantation where we saw a working farm and got to feed farm animals. This was a huge hit with the kids! Afterwards, we ate dinner at The Plantation House, which had a really cool ambiance in a historic home. We had the Hamachi and Ahi Crudo to start, my husband tried the Kurabuta Pork Osso Bucco Island Style and I ordered the Plantation House Signature Oscar, which is the day’s fresh catch encrusted with parmesan cheese, pan roasted and topped with crab meat, truffleyaki and Hollandaise. Everything was really decadent!

Gaylord Plantation Train Tour

Day 5: Hike & Luau

This was one of my favorite days of the whole trip. We got up bright and early to drive to Waimea Canyon to hike the Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls. This 3.6-mile “moderate” hike was definitely challenging with a 4- and 2-year-old, but we made it work with the Piggy Back Rider which is a ergonomically designed standing child backpack carrier. The Piggy Back Rider is convenient for travel, because it can fold up to fit inside a backpack. Our busy kids loved that they could hop on and off the carrier as they were exploring on our hike. I’m so happy we did this trail, because the views are incredible. You’ll definitely get some great pictures! Fun fact: My husband and I did this hike together on our “babymoon” when I was pregnant with our first baby. That made this hike all the more special to show our kids what mommy and daddy loved doing before we became a family.

Fantastic views on our Waimea Canyon hike!

Check out our tips for doing this Waimea Canyon hike in Kauai with kids at the Instagram Reel video below!

Hiking Waimea Canyon made easy with the Piggy Back Rider

After the hike, we were all starving, so we hit up Island Taco in Waimea on our way back to Lihue. This place was so cute, and the staff really took pride in their food while sharing excellent recommendations and suggestions for different combos and sauces based on how they personally like to eat their tacos. My husband got the Kalua Pork Taco, and I got a Coconut Crusted Shrimp Quesadilla that was on special for the day, and it was SO GOOD! Island Taco’s tortilla chips are amazing, too. You can tell they’re freshly made in house. This place really hit the spot after a big hike!

By time we got back to our resort, we only had a few minutes to rest before getting ready to go to the Aulii Luau in Poipu. There are a few Luau’s to choose from in Kauai, but we chose the Aulii Luau, because its the only oceanfront celebration. Being by the ocean is one of the whole reasons we came to Hawaii! This was the third authentic luau I’ve been to in my life and probably the best. The setting on Poipu Beach was stunning as the sun set in the background while watching the talented Hawaiian dancers and musicians. Our kids had so much engaging with the performers before the show started, and we were all mesmerized by the talented fire dancers! The host of the show did a great job being very interactive, too. This luau definitely had the best food compared to the two ones I’ve been to on Maui. Warning – this luau is not cheap! But, we thought it would be one of the most memorable and authentically Hawaiian moments of our trip, so it felt worth it to us!

Loved their coordinated Hawaiian outfits
At the Aulii Luau in Poipu

Day 6: Resort Day – Again!

The last two days were so jam-packed with excursions and activities around the island that we decided to take it easy at our resort. My husband went surfing while the kids jumped over waves in the morning, then we spent the afternoon by the pool. For dinner, we popped over to Duke’s Kauai (located on property). Afterwards, we walked to a little ice cream shop in Lihue, then sat on the beach watching the sunset while eating our frozen treats.

The resort sold kids floats

Day 7: Last Chance For Tourist Attractions!

In our opinion, Kauai’s land and ocean are the most magical of all the Hawaiian islands, so it was important for us to share its natural beauty with our kids. We decided to take the morning to visit Spouting Horn Park, which is a scenic viewpoint featuring a blowhole spouting water high in the air. The kids got a huge kick out of watching the blowhole, but the attraction didn’t take longer than 15-20 minutes to explore so our morning activity was over quick.

Sprouting Horn; photo courtesy of Kauai.com

We drove past the McBride & Allerton Gardens National Tropical Botanical Gardens, so we decided to stop in and see what it was about. We were visiting on a Friday, and according to all the signs we saw, Thursday evening was the best time to go during the summer with a farmers’ market, live music and family movie projected in the gardens. There was an option for a guided tour, but at $60 per adult and $30 per child, we decided to skip and tour ourselves around the preliminary grounds close to the parking lot and gift shop. As I looked back through photos of the tour on Google reviews, I wish we would have tried it! Kauai has some of the most extraordinary fauna, so it would have been cool to see some of its magical trees and plants in person!

It was starting to get close to lunchtime, so we headed over to Poipu Shopping Village to walk around, shop and grab a bite. We hadn’t purchased any souvenirs during the week, so we grabbed a couple of fun t-shirts for the kids at Crazy Shirts. I love that the shirts are dyed with natural substances, like crater dust, cinnamon and apricot. We lunched at Bubba Burger, which has the best hamburgers on Kauai! We also treated ourselves to onion rings and truffle fries! The treats continued with ice cream at Lappert’s, which is the best local ice cream in Hawaii and made in Kauai! I wanted a flavor that felt Hawaiian, so I got the Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut, and it was creamy and delicious!

Hawaiian rainbow cone!
Caramel Coconut Macadamia Nut — Best ice cream in Hawaii is Lappert’s!

The rest of the afternoon was spent by our resort pool before we got ready to go to a sunset dinner at The Beach House, which is arguably one of the best restaurants in all of Hawaii with a spectacular oceanfront setting. I love that the restaurant felt very upscale but they still had a kids menu that included a scoop of ice cream. I ordered the seared ahi steak which came with jalapeño mashed potatoes, local grilled broccoli and soy sesame maui onion sauce, and it was divine!

Aloha from Beach House Kauai!
Sunset at Beach House restaurant

Day 8: Goodbye Kauai!

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 1:10 p.m., and since we were located close to the airport, we had a little bit of time in the morning to enjoy the resort one last time. I got up really early to be the first one on the beach and in the ocean as the sun was rising, and it was magical. I had only been to the beach with the kids (which we all know isn’t so “relaxing”), so it was really special to have a peaceful swim out by myself and look back at the island. When I came back to the hotel room, my husband had the kids dressed to go swimming at the pool one last time.

Then, it was time to go home. We felt a little sad leaving, but we also were so grateful to be able to spend a whole week on Kauai that there wasn’t much room to be upset about it. We got everything out of this vacation that we wanted: quality time as a family, new adventures, relaxation and priceless memories.

What would you like to know about visiting Kauai with kids? Was there anything we didn’t do on Kauai that we should try next time? Let me know in the comments below, or I’d love to connect with you on Instagram! Follow me @maggiehjackson.

XO Maggie

Last-Minute Affordable Labor Day Getaways from Los Angeles

Travel

It’s currently early August, and the back-to-school commercials have started and stores are putting out pumpkins and fall decor… Wait, what?! It feels like my summer just got started! If you’re like me, you may not want summer to end. Or, maybe you want the heat to end but still want the free and joyful feeling of one last summer vacation.

Labor Day weekend is traditionally the “last summer hurrah” for most people before school starts and the fall season begins. But, because it’s such a popular holiday weekend, travel prices can be outrageously expensive. Nothing bothers me more than paying double the price for a hotel that I know was much less the weekend before! Maybe it seems that one last holiday weekend escape is out of budget for your family this year, but have no fear, I got you!

After working in travel public relations for over a decade, I’ve become an expert at finding quality hotels in great destinations at prices that make sense. Here, I’ve compiled a list of the best hotels in places that are easy to get to from Los Angeles for your final summer vacation over Labor Day weekend. Whether you’re looking for a beach vacation, a mountain escape, to get out-of-state or a camping experience, I have something for every budget and taste!

Pst… I also shared this list on KCAL-TV (CBS; Los Angeles) Morning News on August 12, so be sure to check it out below!

Hold up! Before we get into my list of travel destinations, you need to check out my must-have travel products for kids. From portable carseat solutions to in-flight entertainment, I have everything to prep you for your next family vacation!

6 Affordable Labor Day Getaways from LA

SAN DIEGO – Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina

A waterfront Best Western?! Yes, please! The best part of Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina is the views, as it overlooks Point Loma and a private marina which welcomes sailboats, super yachts and cruisers. This budget hotel has a private resort setting with two waterfront swimming pools, a pickleball court, a tennis court, a delicious onsite restaurant, free WiFi, complimentary bike rentals, pier fishing options and boating activity, along with cheap parking at $10 per night. It’s full-service restaurant and bar features breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner featuring delicious California coastal cuisine. When you’re ready to venture out with the fam, the hotel is a short drive to SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and Ocean Beach.

Labor Day Weekend Rates: A king bedroom starts at $211 over Labor Day Weekend, which is an amazing price for a waterfront hotel over a holiday weekend! Click here to book!

MAMMOTH LAKES – Sierra Nevada Resort

Take a road trip north for a scenic mountain vacation at Sierra Nevada Resort, which is soon to rebrand as Outbound Mammoth, in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. Sierra Nevada Resort opened in November 2022 as Mammoth’s newest resort in nearly a decade with 179 accommodations including deluxe rooms, fireplace suites, and chalets with an inviting lobby, dining concept, and wine bar.

Occupying a historic 1967 building that was once a preferred getaway for Hollywood elite, the newly reimagined Sierra Nevada Resort welcomes guests to a western classic reborn as a modern mountain retreat in the heart of Mammoth Lakes, California. Widely regarded as California’s best ski destination, Mammoth Lakes is an unsung gem in the summer, when the snow melts and gives way to lush green terrain for epic mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and hiking, as well as water activities like kayaking and stand-up paddling. In addition to the town of Mammoth Lakes, the resort’s central location offers access to the region’s most prized landmarks including the nearby Devils Postpile National Monument; Bodie State Historic Park; Ancient Bristlecone Pinecone Forest; Yosemite National Park; and Death Valley. 

Labor Day Weekend Rates: Rooms start at $209 Labor Day Weekend. The resort is offering a special 20% off the best available rate if you tuned into my KCAL-TV (CBS; Los Angeles) segment that aired on August 19, 2023. Stay dates for this offer are now through December 31, 2023 (blackouts may apply, and there’s 24-hour cancellation policy. Use code CBSLA when booking here.

SANTA BARBARA – The Leta Santa Barbara Goleta

In a destination known for pricey hotel rooms, The Leta Santa Barbara Goleta, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, offers approachable rates for families looking to soak up the sun in this quaint coastal town. The Leta hotel in Santa Barbara is a chic, stylish hotel with a retro vibe in Goleta, California, the perfect basecamp to hit the local beaches, explore the vibrant culinary scene, or enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, surfing, paragliding, sailing – or just relaxing by The Leta’s pool. The Leta offers a welcome local craft beer upon check in, along with a complimentary wine hour serving coastal California wines. The hotel also has a secret gem restaurant that locals love called CAYA, as well as the Leta Bar with both classic and signature cocktails. The hotel is dog friendly and offers your furry friends dog bowls, beds & pet waste bags upon request.

Labor Day Weekend Rates: The Leta is offering a special package: Stay 3 nights and get 1 free with rates starting at $234 per night with a waived destination fee. The offer includes self-parking, Wifi, morning coffee, evening reception, a Gold’s Gym pass, electronic newspaper (cannot be combined with any other offer, free night must be part of a booked stay, free night has no cash value). Book this offer here. Considering that the median rate for hotels in the Santa Barbara area are at least double this (and in many cases into the thousands per night) – this is an amazing deal!

SANTA MARGARITA – Santa Margarita KOA Holiday

If you’re looking for a memorable camping experience, try the Santa Margarita KOA Holiday! This campsite is an ideal Central Coast escape, situated right near San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles wine country and the 101, and just 30-minutes to coastal towns like Avila Beach. You can experience wineries, hiking in oak lined pastures and lowkey beaches – all in one trip. The campground features more than 70 acres of lush outdoor beauty carved into a hill with a variety of sites available for Labor Day Weekend, including Deluxe Cabins (featuring full indoor kitchens and bathrooms), Camping Cabins, RV sites, and tent sites, plus the high-quality customer service and guest experience that KOA is known for. Experience epic stargazing at the campground, due to its variety of hilly vista points and dark skies year-round. During the day, dig into the campground’s exciting amenities including its swimming pool, jumping pillow, family games like disc golf, Kamp K9 for pets and even a “Party Yurt” with arts and crafts for kids on Saturdays at 10 a.m. through Labor Day Weekend. Santa Margarita Lake is also just down the road, where visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, biking, boat rentals and horse trails.

Labor Day Weekend Rates: Deluxe Cabins start at $300/night; Yurts start at $185/night; RV sites start at $144/night; Camping Cabins start at $140/night; Tent sites start at $66/night. Book on KOA’s website here.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown-University

If you’re looking to get out of California, Austin, Texas is one of the USA’s hottest booming destinations and it’s less than 3 hours away from LAX by air! Experience all the “Keep Austin Weird” vibes at Hotel Indigo Austin Downtown-University, a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Austin, right in the center of the Red River Cultural District on the famed 6th Street. It’s the perfect location to explore all the exciting live music, restaurants and bars in the area – though if you prefer, you can just lounge at the hotel’s beautiful rooftop pool, which has a view of the city. It also has a cool poolside bar and stylish terrace to beat the heat under the scorching Texas sun. Amenities include a great fitness center as well as LadyBird Kitchen + Bar, serving American cuisine and signature craft cocktails (they just launched an incredible weekend brunch).

Labor Day Weekend Rates: Beginning Friday night, rates start at $199 – not bad for a hotel stay in the midst of the hottest part of Austin, Texas! Book your room here.

LOS ANGELES STAYCATION – Hotel Amarano

Get luxury for less in Burbank, as Hotel Amarano has everything for both kids and adults at an affordable price. Hotel Amarano is a secret gem luxury boutique hotel tucked between film studios and the leafy equestrian center neighborhood in Burbank. Inspired by the glamour of old Hollywood, Hotel Amarano’s upscale design with a beautiful courtyard pool and onsite bar and restaurant will feel like a relaxing retreat for parents. Kids and parents alike will love Amarano’s location in the “Media Captial of the World,” as it’s within walking distance to iconic studios to tour, like Warner Brothers, Disney and NBC, in addition to being a close drive to Universal Studios Hollywood and the scenic tree-lined streets Downtown Burbank. The hotel features a fitness center and bikes for guests to cruise around. It’s also pet-friendly and offers dog bowls on request. Their signature restaurant, FYC Bar + Kitchen, offers a modern take on California fresh contemporary cuisine and craft cocktails and is a local and entertainment industry favorite. Designed with rustic details and the glamorous drama of Hollywood.

Labor Day Weekend Rates: Hotel Amarano is offering a special advance purchase rate starting at $258 per night – a great deal for a luxury hotel in Los Angeles! Book your holiday weekend staycation here.

Which of these destinations would you like to visit for Labor Day? Let me know in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram @maggiehjackson!

XO Maggie

Hotel Review: The Seabird Resort in Oceanside is the perfect family-friendly escape!

Travel

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and think you will, too. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.

This Mothers’ Day, my family and I felt so fortunate to visit The Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California, which is located in North San Diego County, a little more than a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles. I’m excited to give you the full review of the resort, but first, I have a confession…

I ALWAYS plan my own Mothers’ Day, Valentine’s Day and birthday… And, I like it that way! I usually have a vision for how I’d like to spend those holidays, so rather than getting disappointed when someone else’s plans don’t meet my expectations, I plan the holidays myself!

This year, my vision for a perfect Mothers’ Day was a nearby family beach vacation. Here were my requirements:

  • Great for the whole family
  • A beach resort that’s driving distance from Los Angeles (but not located in LA)
  • A room with a view
  • Quality hotel service

The destination needed to appeal to the whole family, because we’d be bringing my 2- and 4-year old, but I still wanted it to feel very adult. I’m not interested in doing a theme park for Mothers’ Day, okay? I wanted a beach destination that was driving distance from LA, but I was not interested any of the LA beaches that I’ve been to hundreds of times. I also desired a room with a beautiful view. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen that our home has a beautiful view of the San Gabriel Mountains. We’re so lucky that hanging out at our home’s pool with a mountain view already feels like a vacation, so I don’t want to go to a destination that’s less impressive than where we live. Lastly, the quality of hotel service is major to me for a couple reasons. First, I spent over 10 years working in public relations representing luxury hotels where I was spoiled with top-notch hospitality at some of the most prestigious hotels in the world. Once you experience that lifestyle, it’s really hard to bunk up at a motel, if ya know what I mean. Second, the increase in hotel room prices with inflation over the last couple of years has been insane, but I still expect the service to match the price we’re paying. As an experienced traveler, it pains me spending double the amount on a hotel room that I paid much less for pre-pandemic. If you’re going to charge a lot for a hotel room, make it worth it with exceptional personalized service, right?!

After a bit of research, The Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California fit all these requirements! I was thrilled to experience this new-ish resort that opened only a couple years ago with my family!

Pool at The Seabird Resort; Courtesy of The Seabird Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel

Design

The Seabird Resort’s design was reminiscent of a quintessential California oceanfront estate. The aesthetic was timeless with its blue and white hues, but it felt fresh and modern with pops of yellow and contemporary art and furniture. The unique artwork was curated by the Oceanside Museum of Art, and it was fun perusing all the sea and beach inspired pieces. I loved that the lobby felt like an elevated yet cozy living room. It reminded me of a wealthy family’s seaside home, and I envisioned them sitting around the fireplace with cocktails after a day of surfing, sharing stories of their day on the water. What’s cool is that we got to live out this vision with our own family!

The Seabird Resort lobby; Courtesy of The Seabird Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel

Check-In

We pulled up to the hotel where the bellmen were extremely friendly and helpful. They took our bags while we went to the registration desk. The resort was bustling but there was no wait at registration. The receptionist shared information about the resort, dining and activities for the weekend. She said, “please wait here while I grab something for the kids,” and came back with an adorable yellow wagon filled with toys! The children each chose a special toy to take with them. They were already won over on The Seabird!

Side note: If you take a road trip or any kind of vacation this summer, check out my Must-Have Travel Products for Kids! I shared my top 5 essential products on KTLA Morning News, from the best packing cubes to activities that keep you kiddos entertained on long car and plane rides!

Our Room

We stayed in a 2 Queen Beds with Ocean View Room on the 6th floor — the top floor of the resort. This was the way to go, as we had gorgeous views of the resort’s pool and ocean. If you have children, you know they can get stir crazy in a hotel room, but our kids loved sitting on the balcony watching the surfers — and, adults enjoyed this, too! Once we got the kids tucked into bed for the night, my husband and I enjoyed sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.

Upon entering our room, we saw the Seabird staff once again surprised our children with gifts waiting for them on their bed – a seabird stuffy and a branded beach ball. The kids were thrilled! The room was about the average size for a typical hotel room, which can feel crowded for a family of four, but it was manageable since our kids are young. When they’re older, I’d love to come back and stay in one of The Seabird’s suites. Their Grand Estate Suite is the resort’s largest suite and like a true home away from home with one king bed, two queen beds, two spacious bathrooms, and an expansive furnished private balcony — with the iconic ocean views, of course!

The bathroom in our room was a good size and really modern, but it only had a large shower and no bathtub. Our kids are still very little and typically take baths, but the huge shower wasn’t too challenging. It was perfect for rinsing off after pool, beach and surfing.

See a full tour of our room on Instagram, below!

Dining

We ate at the resort’s restaurant, Piper, three times during our two-night visit — that’s how delicious and convenient it was! Piper had an elegant Mediterranean meets casual Californian vibe that made me feel fancy but also comfortable enough to bring my kids. Like everywhere else throughout this resort, Piper keeps kids in mind and brought out a coloring sheet and crayons to keep our children busy while waiting for food. We had an upscale dinner there on Friday night where I absolutely loved the Duck Confit A L’Orange made with sprouting cauliflower and celery root puree. As an avid at-home cook, I love ordering dishes I normally don’t make at home, and this meal knocked my socks off. My husband, however, sticks to the classics and got the Housemade Spaghetti and Meatball. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised he ordered that because I consider spaghetti a children’s dish, but let me tell you… that spaghetti was GOOD! And it was good for all ages! Not only did my husband and I enjoy the fresh housemade spaghetti pasta, but my 2-year-old-daughter ended up stealing a large portion of his meal! The kids enjoyed the flatbread with tomato sauce and cheese (basically a cheese pizza) and ordered a chocolate cake slice for dessert. We were on vacation, so, why not! They were in heaven. I also really loved Piper’s brunch buffet. It was filled with elevated classics, like avocado toast but with a variety of toppings you could add yourself, like salmon, a poached egg, capers, feta, and so many hot sauce options. Little known fact about me: I collect hot sauce! So the Piper hot sauce options were awesome! Our children loved the yogurt parfaits, bacon and chocolate croissants! We all agreed the brunch buffet deserved a 10/10 rating!

Get the dress I wore to Mother’s Day dinner at Piper here!

Duck Confit A L’Orange at Piper Restaurant at The Seabird Resort

On Saturday night, we ate at The Shore Room, the resort’s oceanfront cocktail bar that’s located just off the lobby. An upscale yet relaxed venue like The Shore Room is one of my favorite ways to dine on vacation. I loved that it felt like we were in a beautifully designed living room with views of the ocean; yet, we had a waiter taking care of our every need. Our family was able to sit back, relax and order as we felt like it. My husband and I ordered a bottle of Whispering Angel and talked while the kids drank milk and doodled in their Water Wow books (a must-have with kids on vacation!). We then shared the ahi stack, french fries, margarita flatbread and Seabird classic burger. Don’t let your stay at the Seabird go by without getting the Seabird classic burger made with two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, thousand island, American cheese — so good!!

The Shore Room; Courtesy of The Seabird Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel

We didn’t get a chance to order food from the resort’s third dining venue, The Shelter Club, which serves drinks and snacks poolside. We did get to enjoy the space for a Little Seabird activity (more on that below) and poolside wine, though! The Shelter Club is a nice place to hang out when you want reprieve from the sun, as the room hosts quite a few games, like a pool table, chess, checkers and other board games.

Resort Amenities & Activities

Beach Rentals: The Seabird Resort has everything you could want for a family vacation, so you really don’t have to leave the property except for walking across the street to access the beach! Speaking of which… If you want to spend a day at the beach, The Seabird has an adorable Beach Rambler located on The Strand where you can rent complimentary chairs and umbrellas, in addition to purchasing retail, sundries and locally-sourced snacks to ensure you’re family is prepared for a full day in the sun!

Beach Playground: While it’s not officially associated with the resort, an adorable beach playground is easily accessible right in front of the resort. This was a favorite activity of our kiddos and perfect for kids under the age of 5.

Enjoying the beach playground with The Seabird’s Beach Rambler in the background

Little Seabirds: One of my favorite perks of staying at this resort was the Little Seabirds program, which offered curated activities for kids to explore, play and learn about the ocean every day. During our visit, my 4-year-old son and I participated in the Little Seabirds’ Mommy-and-Me Craft Hour, where we got to make some sweet artwork together that doubled as a nice little Mother’s Day gift. We did this while my youngest child and husband took a nap in the room, and I really loved this rare one-on-one time with him. At the time of our stay, Little Seabirds offered a Kids Club for ages 4-14 on Friday and Saturday nights where parents could enjoy a night out alone while the kids played and did crafts. We didn’t take advantage of the Kids Club this time, because our youngest daughter was too little, but we’ll definitely do this when she’s older! What a nice treat for parents AND kids!

Oceanfront Pool: We spent lots of time at the Seabird Resort’s heated pool, which was great for our stay with overcast weather, also known as “May Gray” to local Californians where the cold Pacific Ocean and lack of sun can make for too chilly beach days. The pool has a hot tub, poolside food and drink service from The Shelter Club, and cabana or daybed rentals. We loved lounging in the pool chairs with iconic ocean views while our kiddos splashed in the pool.

The Seabird Resort Pool; Courtesy of The Seabird Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel

Surfing: The resort’s oceanfront location in front of the pier is perfect for surfers! If you want to learn to surf, the resort offers lessons through partnerships with North County Surf Academy and Whitlock Surf Experience. My husband is an experienced surfer, so we didn’t do lessons, but we found it very convenient that the resort could easily store his surfboard and equipment on site!

Fitness: There’s two types of people on vacation — those who workout and those who don’t. I’m the one who LOVES to workout on vacation. I always feel like I get better workouts in new environments, because I have to be creative with my movements in an unfamiliar space. The first morning we were at The Seabird, I went for a jog along the beach, which was very peaceful. I saw lots of security and police officers around the pier which was a nice change compared to LA beaches. I felt totally safe striking out on my own jogging up and down the beach path. On the second morning, I used the resort’s fitness center, which was awesome! Some hotels have small rinky-dink gyms, but not The Seabird! Tons of cardio machines were available including treadmills, stationary bikes and rowing machines, and the gym offered weight machines and free weights. Lots of space to spread out from your fellow resort guests, too!

Spa: Lastly, there’s Sunny Spa & Beauty Lounge, which I didn’t have an opportunity to check out this time, sadly. The space is so cute and cheerful with its bright yellow and blue hues, but it also feels calming with its ocean views. Did I mention this resort has amazing views yet? I can’t stop talking about it! Cool fact: the spa at Seabird was recently voted the No. 2 Best Hotel Spa in the country by USA Today! I definitely want to experience a treatment the next time we visit this resort — and there will be a next time!

Watch our family vacation vlog at The Seabird below!

Would you vacation with your family at The Seabird in Oceanside? What other great oceanfront resorts have you visited? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about our stay by following me on Instagram and TikTok!

XO Maggie

Must-Have Travel Products for Kids

Lifestyle, Travel

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and think you will, too. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.

We have some fun travel plans coming up, and I’m so looking forward to exploring new destinations with my family! There’s something so magical about being able to share travel experiences with your children. I love seeing the world through their eyes… The way they light up when they see the ocean; how they get so enamored with nature on walks and hikes in new places; the big proud smiles on their faces when they get to try something new, like skiing or boogie boarding. It makes this mama’s heart so happy to see them enjoy our amazing, beautiful world!

You know what doesn’t make me happy, though? The actual traveling with kids. Let’s be honest, long plane and car rides are a bit more challenging with children in tow. Their little busy bodies don’t like sitting still for long periods of time, and it seems like they whine for a new snack, like, every 30 minutes. Oh, and they have so much stuff!! Strollers, car seats, changes of clothes, toys, books, ahhh!!

My husband and I have been determined to make traveling with our kids as simple as possible. Some parents will buy every hot travel gadget, toy or stroller they’ve been influenced on Instagram to feel prepared for long travel days, but take it from me (someone who’s experienced in traveling alone with two young children and also worked in the travel industry for 10+ years), you don’t need more STUFF to lug through the airport to make travel easy. What you need are the easy basics — items that will help keep your luggage at a minimum, things that are simple for kids to carry and will help keep them occupied. So, while I doesn’t necessarily look forward to the travel days with kids, I believe we’ve found ways to make it very tolerable… and sometimes even pleasurable! Heck, sometimes I actually get to take a nap or sip on a glass of champagne! And when that happens, I arrive to our destination cheerful and ready for our family adventure!

Want to know my essential travel items for kids? I shared 5 must-have products with KTLA Morning News, and you can watch by clicking play, below! I also linked all the products we use to make our flights and road trips with kids simple and painless below the video.

Essential Travel Products for Kids:

Portable Hanging Organizer

Packing and unpacking your family is so easy with this four-tier packing cube that acts as a carry-on closet to keep your belongings organized and in plain view. You will no longer have to dig in your suitcase to locate your 2-year-old’s tiny socks! What makes this luggage organizer stand out among other packing cubes out there is the fact that it has four compartments — three shelves to store folded clothes and one zip-up container at the bottom that’s great for stashing toiletries, shoes or dirty laundry — and two hooks so that it can hang, making it easy to unpack and repack at your destination. This packing cube is durable and lightweight, in addition to coming in two different sizes and multiple different colors. I purchased the large and extra large in grey earlier this year, and it has been such a game changer to keep mine and my children’s belongings organized. I typically put pajamas, socks and underwear in the top compartment, my son’s clothes in the middle compartment and my daughter’s clothes in the third compartment. I’ll put shoes in the bottom zip-up compartment. In the large size, I was able to pack 4 days worth of clothes for the kids, who are ages 4 and 2 as I’m writing this. I love that I simply hang it up in the closet when we arrive, so we’re no longer living out of disorganized suitcases or accidentally leaving a shirt or sock behind in a hotel drawer! Do yourself a favor and get this portable hanging organizer before your next trip!

RideSafer Travel Vest

Car seats are a huge pain to schlep through the airport, especially if you have more than one child, like me! I also dislike taking them with us to a destination where we’re not renting a car. Constantly installing the car seat in Ubers then carrying it into a restaurant or museum can be really annoying. Enter: The RideSafer Vest!!! This is a safe, legal and convenient device that makes it easy to travel in taxis or ride shares when you get to your family’s destination. The vest lightweight (less than 2 pounds) and comes with a small backpack that children can easily carry themselves. Most importantly, it’s crash tested and safety certified – it meets or exceeds Federal safety standards! The RideSafer Vest features a unique, 3-clip design that positions the car’s seat belt comfortably and correctly on your child. Just slip it on like an article of clothing, fasten in the front and place the seat belt through the metal belt guides. Most children can do all of that themselves if you teach them and practice a few times. It also comes with a shoulder tether for a consistent sitting position and increased security. The tether also makes it possible for kids to ride safely in the middle seat without a shoulder strap! RideSafer offers four different sizes of the Vest, so this device is an option for parents with children ages 2 and up.

TravelSmarter Booster Seat

The same company that makes the RideSafer Travel Vest also makes an extremely lightweight TravelSmarter Booster Seat. This seat can be used with the vest, and they both fit into a backpack weighing less than 3 pounds. My kids have no trouble carrying it! The TravelSmarter Booster Seat is great for smaller children who may enjoy looking out the window, but it is not required to use with the vest. You can use the booster alone or with the vest or you can use the vest without the booster. 

Puro Sound Labs Volume Limiting Kids Headphones

There’s a growing concern over the rise of noise-induced hearing loss from headphones and earphones, leaving parents alarmed and looking for solutions to protect their children’s ears. Thankfully, I found Puro Sound Labs Junior Jams bluetooth headphones, which help keep little ones entertained on long flights while limiting volume to 85 decibels (the recommended listening level). What sets these volume-limiting headphones apart is their 22 hours of battery life, superior sound quality and fold-up feature, making them easy to store in little kids backpacks. These headphones also boast a sophisticated design, bright color options and durability. We have gone through a couple of headphones in the last 3 years that simply couldn’t hold up to travel or stopped working shortly after purchasing, but Puro Sound Labs creates quality headphones with a 1-year warranty! These headphones are perfect for children ages 3 to tween.

Puro Sound Labs also has developed PuroQuiet, which features active noise cancelling for little ones to tune out the loud world around them without having to increase their headphones volume. PuroQuiet bluetooth headphones have a volume limit of 85 decibels, 35 hours of battery life without the active noise canceling on, and 23 hours with it, and blocks out 78% of background noise. The PuroQuiets cost a bit more than the Junior Jams, but they’re so worth it for the active noise cancelling feature!

Melissa & Doug Take Along Activities

Our favorite toy brand Melissa & Doug is fantastic at developing toys and activities to keep babies and toddlers engaged through screen-free open-ended play. The Water Wow! reusable travel painting sets have been a staple in our house since my firstborn was around 18 months old. I love to throw these in my diaper bag and surprise the kids with them once we get on the plane or when they need to keep busy at a restaurant. Simply fill the pen with water, and your kids can paint the pages in the book to reveal colorful, educational scenes. The color disappears when the pages dry, so kids can paint them again and again. The best is that there’s no mess (besides maybe a little bit of water)!

For babies under 1 year old, Melissa & Doug just launched the Take Along Ice Cream Toy that clips to strollers, diaper bags, high chairs, car seats, and more to keep the fun close to little hands. Babies love pulling the cone to reveal four adorable ice cream scoops with friendly faces. When expanded, the toy vibrates and plays chiming sounds as it shrinks again. This toy helps kids develop fine motor and sensory skills with its multi-textured features, vibration and sounds. If I had a baby again, I’d definitely bring this cute little toy with me! Make sure you check out all of Melissa & Doug’s awesome travel-friendly toys on their website!

The North Face Kids Backpacks

Mini Explorer by The North Face

One of the best things a family can do when traveling together is have each person responsible for their own stuff! Traveling got so much easier once my toddlers were able to wear a backpack filled with their favorite snacks and toys. Plus, it’s fun for them! They love the sense of purpose and responsibility, and my kids enjoy packing their own backpack, too! The North Face has been a trusted brand for family adventures for years and makes three different sized backpacks to fit your child’s travel needs at every age. The Mini Explorer is perfect for preschoolers, the Youth Mini Recon is great for elementary school age children and the Youth Court Jester is a solid choice for tweens and high schoolers. I love The North Face, you get a lifetime guarantee with free returns, durability and high functionality. These are high quality backpacks that your kids can use for everything!

Youth Mini Recon by The North Face
Youth Court Jester by The North Face

I’m always on the lookout for great products, so let me know if you have any favorite travel items we should try in the comments below!

For more family product recommendations, be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok, and shop my favorite fashion and products on http://www.shopLTK.com/explore/maggiehjackson.

5 Kid-Friendly Spring Break Ideas for Los Angeles Families

Holidays, Lifestyle, Travel

Hello, fellow LA families! I don’t know about you, but I’m already over our SoCal’s so-called “winter” and daydreaming about all the fun to be had when the temperatures warm up this 2023 Spring Break! I’m so excited about Spring Break that I’m sharing these 5 kid-friendly Spring Break ideas live on CBS-LA (KCAL; Channel 9) on Saturday, Jan. 28 during the Weekend Morning Show! If you miss it live, check back here after it airs to see the recorded version of the segment!

I know it’s only January, but as a classic Type A personality, I’ve already been planning our family’s activities and road trips for this year’s Spring Break for weeks. I’ve been researching across the internet and chatting with local event and travel experts to find the very best Spring Break ideas in March and April for Los Angeles area families. When planning my family’s Spring Break, I’m always on the lookout for the four E’s — Engaging, Entertaining, Enriching and Educational — and I’ve pulled together a list of five fabulous ideas that meet all of these! From local camps and theme parks to memorable nearby hotel stays, be sure to book one of these adventures for an unforgettable Spring Break!

5 Spring Break Ideas for Los Angeles Families:

1. Super Nintendo World Opening at Universal Studios Hollywood

The newest attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood is Super Nintendo World, opening February 17, just in time for families to explore during their Spring Break! What makes this SUPER (pun intended) exciting is that this is Super Nintendo World’s United States debut! The original is located at Universal Studios Japan, so it’s pretty rad that the first U.S. location is here in our backyard at Universal Studios Hollywood!

The new Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge ride at Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood

According to Universal Studios’ press release, this all-new, dynamic land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood. Super Nintendo World will feature the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” ride complete with augmented reality (AR) goggles, as well as many thrilling and interactive activities designed to engage the entire family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom. Along with themed dining at the Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, Super Nintendo World will be an inspiring, game-changing addition to the world-famous theme park.

Sneak Peek at Super Nintendo World!

When I read about the new Super Nintendo World, I got instantly excited while reminiscing on the old days of playing Super Mario Bros. and Mario Kart with my brothers and friends! The whole family will love exploring this new land within Universal Studios Hollywood!

Super Nintendo World is included with regular admission to Universal Studios. Visit universalstudioshollywood.com to purchase tickets.

2. Spring Break Camps: Kidspace Children’s Museum and YMCA of the Foothills

Camps are perfect for families whose children’s caregivers can’t take off work while their children are out of school or who want their children staying physically and socially active during Spring Break, and I have two outstanding options that will keep your children engaged and learning with their community!

Camp fun at Kidspace Children’s Museum

First, Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena is hosting a garden themed Spring Break Camp, April 3-7 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily, for ages 5-8. Children will explore the world of soil, plants, and the worms, bugs, and other creatures who love them. Price is $575/week for general audiences, $550/week for members (members receive $25 discount plus 2 weeks of priority registration – camps tend to sell out!). Visit kidspacemuseum.org to register and follow @KidspaceMuseum on social media to keep up to date with registration openings.

Playing in the Arroyo Stream at Kidspace Children’s Museum Spring Camp

March and April are also Kidspace’s annual Butterfly Season where families enjoy exploring the lifecycle of butterflies. You can adopt a caterpillar, help nurture the museum’s community garden, go on a bug safari, and costume play with beautiful butterfly wings. There’s so much to explore at Kidspace in the springtime! My kids love Kidspace’s current Muddy Boots Farm exhibit where they pretend to garden with mini hoes and wheelbarrows, then weigh and sell their bounty at the farm stand. We’ve also made lots of great memories in the museum’s Arroyo stream where the kids splash, play and get messy! Don’t forget to bring a spare pair of clothes!

Kidspace’s annual Butterfly Season

Another wonderful camp option is the YMCA of the Foothills, which is hosting two Spring Break Camps: the first for Glendale Unified School District, March 13-17, plus a one-day camp on Monday, March 20, and the second camp for LAUSD, April 3-7. Camp is from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You do not have to be a YMCA member to participate! Campers will be swimming, playing organized games, creating arts and crafts projects, participating in STEM activities and sports such as soccer, dodgeball, basketball and so forth on daily basis. New to camp this year is on-site adventures, like a reptile party, magic show and canvas painting. Camp is held at the Verdugo Hills campus in Tujunga, located at 6840 Foothill Blvd., for grades K-8. Price for Family Memberships is $270 and non-member program participants pay $300. Go to YMCAFoothills.org to register. What I love about the YMCA is that they will never turn away a family because of their circumstances. Financial assistance available, please contact Aazizian@ymcafoothills.org to apply.

Spring Break Camp at YMCA of the Foothills

3. The Seabird Resort in Oceanside

For me, there’s nothing more relaxing than a beach escape, and I love a destination that caters to families like The Seabird Resort in Oceanside. Newly opened in North County San Diego, The Seabird Resort was designed with families in mind, with grand coastal architecture, breezy living spaces, private balconies and stunning Pacific views that give off the vibe of a family beach house. The resort boasts an expansive pool deck, multiple dining options to watch the sunset, Sunny’s Spa for parents to relax and rejuvenate, and the famous Top Gun House right across the street (which my husband is stoked about!).

Surf lessons at The Seabird Resort

The Seabird Resort is ideal for kids with its Little Seabirds programming, offering year-round activities for your smallest travelers to enjoy during their stay, from building stuffed animals to craft hour and an art scavenger hunt, as well as surf lessons. The resort also offers a Little Seabirds Eat Free package that’s ideal for families, including a meal at Piper and a Seabird stuffed animal (for children 12 and under, limit two meals per child). Call the resort 855-413-7573 and mention that you saw this CBS LA segment and they’ll also throw in free parking!

The Seabird Resort Pool

The Seabird Resort is perfect for my beach-loving family, as its set directly on Oceanside Beach – close enough to see the surfers paddling out in the morning and hear the crash of the waves as you sip cocktails with the setting sun. The Seabird also has a vintage Beach Rambler set up right on the Oceanside strand, offering complimentary beach chairs, towels and umbrellas for a relaxing day soaking up the sun.

Making family memories at The Seabird Resort

Oceanside is easily accessible from Los Angeles by both car and train, with rail service from Los Angeles available on Amtrak and Metrolink. The Seabird Resort is conveniently located near the Oceanside Transit Center.  From The Seabird, Spring Breakers can also enjoy accessible attractions across the region, including Disneyland, SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND, Knott’s Berry Farm and more.

Nightly rates start at $299. Visit theseabirdresort.com for more information.

4. Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara

Our family adores the quaint city of Santa Barbara, just a short drive north of LA. My husband and I were actually married there, so it’s a wonderful nearby escape to reminisce on our wedding and create new family memories with our children! I love the beautifully reimagined Mar Monte Hotel because of it’s Spanish-Colonial inspired decor blended with forward design and cutting-edge amenities. But, I think the hotel’s top selling point is it’s location, location, location!! Mar Monte Hotel is a short walk from the award-winning Santa Barbara Zoo, where families can enjoy hundreds of exotic animals, play areas for children, exciting exhibits and more. The hotel also is just steps from East Beach, which offers a beach playground for your little ones to let out their wiggles! If you’re looking for more to explore from Mar Monte, take a short drive or bike ride to the famed Stearns Wharf and Downtown Santa Barbara, where you’ll find the interactive MOXI Museum, dozens of restaurants, diverse shopping options and more.

Mar Monte Hotel’s fabulous location in Santa Barbara

The hotel’s ocean view rooms with balconies are perfect for families, and you’ll enjoy dining at the two on-site restaurants – costa Kitchen & Bar and Café Lido – and spending time in the heated outdoor pool. Families can enjoy the complimentary beach cruiser bikes and resort games, such as backgammon, checkers, chess, tic-tac-toe, bocce ball courts and a giant Jenga. You can also rent beach equipment and toys for an awesome day at the beach.

An ocean view room with balcony at Mar Monte Hotel

For Spring Break, I recommend booking Mar Monte’s Day at the Zoo Package on their website – MarMonteHotel.com – under their special offers page. Book by March 31 to get (4) free zoo admission, train rides, and giraffe feeding which equals a $150.00 value! The hotel’s average nightly rates start at around $350. For booking and more information on Mar Monte Hotel, visit MarMonteHotel.com.

Mar Monte Hotel Pool

5. Ojai Valley Inn

It’s amazing to think that Angelenos have been escaping to the iconic Ojai Valley Inn, located 70 miles north of LA in the secluded and scenic Ojai Valley, for 100 years! That’s right, the world-class luxury resort is celebrating its centennial in 2023, commemorating all the multi-generations who have enjoyed the idyllic retreat! 

Scenic Ojai Valley Inn

I love that Ojai Valley Inn has something for all ages to enjoy. The resort recently reopened Camp Oak, its fabulous kids’ camp that invites young guests (ages 4-12) to participate in outdoor adventure, arts & crafts, and learn about the region’s rich history through storytelling and science projects. Available for full days (9am-4pm), half days (9am-12pm), and night camp (5pm-10pm) Camp Oak kiddos enjoy immersive themed programming curated to the Ojai experience, such as science experiments, scavenger hunts throughout the resort grounds, and daily themed lessons such as Space Camp, Color Wars, Critter Connection, Around the World, and themes surrounding the Chumash Native American traditions and culture that define the region. Lunch, snacks, and dinner are included based on the camp package selected, so parents can sneak away to the spa or enjoy a romantic dinner while the kids are having fun! That’s my kind of vacation!!

Camp Oak at Ojai Valley Inn

The resort has additional family-friendly programming for a memorable Spring Break: Family craft hour at the Artist Cottage, moderate group hikes that are fit for most ages, in-room game night baskets for the whole family to enjoy, including popcorn, a picnic pack, Jacks, a classic card game, charades, Connect 4, Sorry, an in-room movie, and more. There’s also golf and tennis for a day of family sports, or for when mom and dad want to improve their game while the kids have a blast at Camp Oak!

Family s’mores at Ojai Valley Inn

For Spring Break, Ojai Valley Inn is offering a Spring Family Fun package that includes breakfast at The Oak, a picnic lunch from Libbey’s Market, and DIY s’mores roasting around a communal fire table. This package is available during select dates in March, April and May, and book soon before they sell out!

Family pool day at Ojai Valley Inn

Average nightly rates start at $689. For booking and more information visit ojaivalleyinn.com.

…………………………………

Which of these Spring Break activities and/or trips would you like to do with your family? Any guesses what our family will be doing? I’d love to hear what your plans are for Spring Break in the comments below. Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more family and lifestyle ideas!

xo Maggie

Kid-Friendly West Hollywood: The Best Dining, Hotels and Activities for Families in WeHo!

Lifestyle, Travel

I had so much fun speaking with Tracy Paaso and Felicia Terwilliger, hosts of the “We Know WeHo” podcast, about all things family related in West Hollywood! One of my biggest hopes in using this platform is to be a helpful resource to parents with young children. As a mommy with two little ones, I know firsthand how overwhelming and challenging it can be to make the transition from being young, fun and childless to a responsible new parent. I was one of the first of my friends to have kids and had no idea what to expect from parenthood, in addition to having no clue where to take my children in L.A.! Now, after a few years of experience, I’m here to help you find the best for families in Los Angeles – and, in this case, West Hollywood! Read on to learn more about my history with West Hollywood, and I’ll also recap all the kid-friendly restaurants, shops, hotels and activities that I mentioned in my interview on the “We Know WeHo” podcast! Read more about this podcast episode on Wehoville.com!

My West Hollywood Story

I absolutely love West Hollywood. During my 13+ years in Los Angeles (over 10 years living here and 3 years visiting), I have spent lots of time in West Hollywood. When I was single, it was a hotspot for nightlife, dining, and parties. My girlfriends and I used to love going to Skybar at Mondrian Hotel, The Belmont, Rock & Reilly’s, Pink Taco and the now closed Hyde Lounge, Pearl’s Rooftop, Bagatelle, and The Hudson. Once I started dating my now husband, we loved date nights at Laurel Hardware, Eveleigh, Katana Robata & Sushi Bar, Ysabel, and STK Steakhouse (which has now relocated to STK Westwood). Even after kids, date nights and group dinners with friends are always memorable in WeHo, especially at Catch, Cecconi’s, Gracias Madre, Toca Madera, and E.P. & L.P.

Before Kids! My 30th Birthday in West Hollywood at Toca Madera

West Hollywood is a fun destination for live entertainment. The music scene is legendary on the iconic Sunset Strip, and my husband I have spent lots of time there before and after kids watching live music and even playing live music — my husband used to play bass guitar in a local band! I’ve watched my husband play at The Viper Room and The Roxy, and we’ve seen some phenomenal shows at The Troubadour and Whisky A Go-Go. Our favorite date nights involve a comedy show, and there’s always top talent at Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store!

West Hollywood is a fabulous destination for working professionals, too, with its multiple co-working spaces and walking accessibility to so many great restaurants and shops! In 2017, I started my own PR business and bought-in at a co-working space called The Wing, which is the perfect place for working moms. The Wing is dedicated to inclusivity and lifting up women in the workforce, and the West Hollywood location was a great place for me to network with other working mommies and attend inspirational events hosted by top women in their respective industries. I once attended a screening and Q&A with Maggie Gyllenhaal that discussed her show “The Deuce” and focused on women in film and media’s portrayal of women. It was really cool! The Wing also has beautiful pump rooms for breastfeeding moms, and I’ve often seen strollers and children wandering around the space while moms work. I gave up my membership during the pandemic to create my own work-from-home space, but prior to the pandemic, The Wing offered “The Little Wing” which was a playroom and babysitting service. I’m not sure if they still have that now, but it was such an outstanding perk for moms – and kids!

Kid-Friendly West Hollywood

When most people think of West Hollywood, they imagine the very adult version of the city with its sexy dining, nightlife and music scenes, but I’m here to tell you that West Hollywood can be a very fun destination for kids, too! Below are the best restaurants, hotels, parks and activities that I mentioned in my “We Know WeHo” podcast interview with Tracy Paaso and Felicia Terwilliger. For all the juicy details on each business, you’ll have to take a listen to the podcast! Since Felicia is currently pregnant, we also discussed some of the best places for moms for prenatal and postpartum self-care! Check out the best WeHo businesses for families listed below, and take a listen to the podcast here! The podcast is also on Apple, Spotify and Google podcasts. My interview starts around the 35-minute mark.  

Enjoying the patio at Hugo’s while we wait for our food

Restaurants:

  • Hugo’s – Expansive menu for adults and great menu for kids! They provide crayons for coloring while you wait for your food! My kids like the macaroni and cheese and sitting on the patio!
  • Mel’s Drive-In – Fun classic diner! Kids food comes in car boxes!
  • Bottega Louie – Kids love the pastries!
  • Justin Quesos – Not necessarily designed for kids, but Tex-Mex is my favorite and kids live the queso and quesadillas! Go early for a more family-friendly atmosphere.
  • Shake Shack – Kids love the fries and frozen custard! Mommy and daddy love the burgers!
  • Carney’s – Iconic LA restaurant in a train car – so fun for kids!
  • Urth Caffe – We enjoy sitting on the patio. Or, you could get the food to go and make the 10 minute walk to Hollywood Park for a picnic!

Shops:

  • Eggy – Not technically in WeHo city limits, but serves many WeHo families with fashionable kids clothes and accessories.
  • Sunset Kids – High-end kids hop – great for gifts and novelty items!

Hotels:

  • Le Parc Suite Hotel – Recently renovated with colorful, artistic decor. All guest rooms are expansive suites with kitchenettes, fireplaces and sleeper sofas, so it is easy for families to make the hotel feel like home. Rooftop pool and rooftop tennis court are nice places for fun and recreation! While most WeHo hotels aren’t necessarily geared toward younger children, Le Parc Suite Hotel and it’s sister properties, Chamberlain and Montrose, are great for kids with their large suites, rooftop pools, access to house bikes and walkability to some of the best restaurants and shops in the U.S.!
  • Ziggy – Not exactly kid-friendly, but an awesome newly renovated property on the Sunset Strip to have a couples staycation without the kids! 

Classes:

  • BOUNCE LA –  An outdoor soft play gym and obstacle course led by fun coaches! Classes are not currently held at any WeHo parks, but they cater to a lot of West Hollywood families at their Coldwater Canyon location. The amazing coaches also host kids birthday parties in local families’ backyards and offer programs for schools!
  • PLAY Music & Art – A great selection of classes for your little artist or musician. This is another business that’s located on the edge of WeHo but serves many WeHo families. They also offer online classes, so you can utilize their classes anywhere!
  • West Hollywood Library Smarty Pants Class – Wonderful music and storytime class that helps prepare little ones for preschool and kindergarten.

Parks:

  • West Hollywood Park – Undergoing a massive renovation that includes a brand-new playground and aquatics center. This will be a fabulous place to take kids once its complete later this year!
  • Kings Road – Quiet, shaded park with a small play structure. Best suited for toddlers.
  • Plummer Park – Nice, small park for a picnic or to play tennis.
Playtime at Kings Road Park

Estheticians for Prenatal and Postpartum Self-Care:

  • SkinLab – Owner Joshua Ross saved my skin from pregnancy’s hormonal acne! He used to be based in WeHo when I was pregnant, but he’s now is located in West LA and South Bay.
  • Dermalogica – This flagship location recently opened in WeHo and has been a great place for postpartum skincare.

Family-Friendly Day Trips From WeHo:

  • Kidspace Museum – An amazing place for children to play and explore in Pasadena!
  • Exposition Park – The California Science Center is a great place for kids to explore and learn!
  • Griffith Park’s Travel Town – If your children love trains, they’ll get a huge kick out of this museum with several old locomotives to explore! There’s also a mini train ride!

Not Mentioned in the Podcast:

  • Los Angeles County Museum of Art – Just outside WeHo city limits, LACMA’s Boone Children’s Gallery hosts drop-in painting classes where their friendly staff provides tips on brush techniques. They even provide high chairs for our littlest artists! They also offer teen classes and camps that you can sign up for on the website. Kids under 17 can join their youth membership called NexGenLA where they can visit the museum anytime for free with a guest for free admission. Even babies can join!
  • The Grove – One of LA’s most beautiful outdoor shopping destinations, The Grove caters to many West Hollywood families (and all families across the LA!). It’s such a fun place for little ones with its trolley and fountains. My favorite restaurants at The Grove with kids are Blue Ribbon Sushi, Umami Burger and The Cheesecake Factory. Everyone loves a special treat from Sprinkles Cupcakes! The Grove has one of my most favorite children’s stores, Janie & Jack, along with a Nordstrom and Gap that offer clothing for kids of all ages.
  • Yardbird Restaurant – Located on the edge of WeHo at The Beverly Center, this is a tasty restaurant with a great kids menu! They serve elevated American classics like fried chicken, shrimp & grits, St. Louis style ribs and grilled blackened salmon. I love their brunch here!

What did I miss? Tell me your favorite family-friendly West Hollywood spots in the comments below or connect with me on Instagram at @maggiehjackson!

Must-Have Items for Safe and Fun Family Beach Days!

Lifestyle, Mom & Baby, Travel

School’s out and everyone’s ready for fun in the sun! After being in lockdown last summer, I know many families are eager to visit their local beach or travel to a beach destination for vacation!

Living in Southern California, my family goes to the beach all the time. We absolutely love it. My husband surfs, I paddle board, our kiddos dig in the sand and dip their toes in the water. Needless to say, we consider ourselves professional beach goers.

My baby Lucy and me on a recent family beach day

The best part about a family beach day? All the sweet memories playing in the sand and jumping over waves with your little ones!

The worse part? All the STUFF you have to haul to the beach to have a safe, cool and fun beach day. Seriously — why do kids need SO MUCH STUFF?!?! Before kids, my husband and I showed up to the beach on our bikes with two towels and a water bottle. That was it. Man… those were the days!! Nowadays, with two kids under 3 years old, we arrive to the beach with our SUV trunk full!

Let me back up a bit… When my husband and I were kidless, we’d lay in the sand watching all these families struggle hauling all their stuff to the beach, and we swore to each other we would NOT be those people! We’d cringe as we watched dads dragging wagons full of gear back and forth across the sand from their car to their spot on the beach. Moms had their arms full of babies and shoulders weighed down with packed bags. Big kids would drag bags and toys behind them. Watching them go back and forth multiple times in the hot sun looked painful. I always thought, Can’t you just make one trip? The sight itself served as birth control for a few years. We did not want to give up our simple beach days that we loved so much!

Fast forward to today… After a few disastrous beach days with kids (and painfully going back and forth to the car to drag all our stuff to the beach), we finally got it right. We are now SMART about our beach days and have all the best portable gear to keep us cool, safe and, most importantly, have FUN!

While our beach days today aren’t as simple as our lives pre-kiddos, we still love them. And, I want you to love your beach days with your family, too!! Here are my must-have product recommendations to have a great, easy beach day with your family!

SHADE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

CoolCabanas Large CoolCabana 5

First and foremost, shade is a top priority for your family beach days – especially if you have little babies like us! You need a space that is cool and comfortable so your kids can get a break from the sun. I love CoolCabanas because they’re lightweight and easy to setup – even for one person! Plus, they come in a variety of colors and patterns to fit your style. Our family has the medium size in navy stripes and the large size in lemon scarletta – both feel super chic and summery! Use my code MAGGIE10 to get 10% off your order at http://www.coolcabanas.com!

Our CoolCabanas beach set-up! Easy enough for one person to carry and put together!

Here’s the shade mistakes we made before getting CoolCabanas:

  1. Regular beach cabana – The metal frame of a regular beach cabana is SO HEAVY!! And, it takes more than one person to set up. If it’s really windy out, just forget it!
  2. Beach umbrella – Not enough shade for the whole family, especially if you have active kiddos! My 8-month-old is exploring and crawling, and I can’t keep her under a tiny umbrella!
  3. Three-sided beach tent – If it’s really sunny out with little wind, these tents can trap the air inside and get so hot! We were trying to protect ourselves from the sun but ended up sweating nonstop in the shade of this tent!

Do yourself a favor and make family cabana setup easier by getting a CoolCabana! Check out all of CoolCabanas options at http://www.coolcabanas.com, and be sure to use my code MAGGIE10 to get 10% off your order!

STAY HYDRATED AND KEEP COOL!

YETI Hopper Backflip 24 Soft Cooler

Everyone knows YETI makes the most legit durable, high-tech equipment that can withstand all sorts of crazy outdoor adventures worthy of praise from people who live the wildest life. That being said, YETI is our go-to brand for everything we do outdoors because we know we can trust it to last a long time and, most importantly, WORK!

After a few trips to the beach with a couple soft coolers that leaked and didn’t keep our food and drinks cold enough for all day in the sun, we turned to YETI and discovered the YETI Hopper Backflip 24 Soft Cooler… It’s a backpack, y’all! GENIUS! Like, why didn’t I think of this?! Instead of lugging our former coolers on our shoulders (with all our other shoulder bags that we take to the beach), we’re now hands-free with an ergonomically designed backpack that promises superior cold-holding, a 100% leakproof zipper, a tough shell and can hold up to 20 cans of soda or beer! Get with the program and get this cooler!!

YETI Rambler and Rambler Jr. Water Bottles

Keep your water cold all day long with YETI’s amazing Rambler Water Bottles. My favorite is the 26 oz. size with chug cap for easy drinking. I love that YETI has a Rambler Jr. for kids, too! And, as a well-deserved convenience to parents, its straw cap is leak resistant when closed and both the bottle and cap are dishwasher safe. I’m so grateful for one less kid/baby item to hand wash!!

YETI Rambler and Rambler Jr. Water Bottles are durable and keep drinks cold (or hot) all day long!

    PROTECT YOUR SKIN!

    Supergoop! PLAY Sunscreen + Supergoop! Sunnyscreen

    The face sunscreen made popular by celebrities and influencers now has a sunscreen for the whole family! I started using Supergoop! CC Screen years ago and fell in love with the brand for its clean ingredients, non-greasy feel and effectiveness, so I was thrilled when I found out they have a sunscreen for face and body, called PLAY, that our whole family can use. The SPF 50 formula can be used on face and body, it’s water and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes and made with reef-safe, clean, cruelty-free ingredients. It also smells amazing! It comes in a spray, a lotion and a large 18 fl. oz. pump bottle for the whole family to share.

    We like to take Supergoop! PLAY Sunscreen in the spray bottle to the beach for the whole family to use!

    I’m also so happy that Supergoop! has developed a sunscreen safe for little babies called Sunnyscreen. It’s 100% non-nano mineral formula checks all the boxes, meaning it’s pediatrician tested, hypoallergenic, & fragrance & silicone free. Sunnyscreen comes in a spot-on sunscreen spray, stick and lotion. I personally prefer the spray for our family, because its the simplest to use on my little 8-month-old.

    KEEP KIDS SAFE IN THE WATER!

    Splash About’s Go Splash Swim Vest

    Our toddler was gifted this Go Splash Swim Vest for his 2nd birthday, and it has been one of the best items of our summer! It has a built-in float system that helps kids learn to swim as they’re splashing around in the pool or ocean. As a former swim instructor, I love that this swim vest encourages kids to use their arms compared to other floaties that keep arms lifted. I need to note that this is NOT a lifesaving device, and you should still always monitor your child when wearing this swim vest in and around water.

    My son Landon in his Go Splash Swim Vest

    One of the best things about this swim vest is that its lightweight and lays flat, so it’s packable! We brought it with us on vacation to Hawaii recently, and our toddler wore it every day! I was so thankful we packed it with us in our suitcase!

    DON’T BRING THE BEACH HOME WITH YOU!

    Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel

    Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel

    When you go to the beach, sand gets everywhere – especially when you have kids! Luckily, Tesalate has made the ULTIMATE beach towel! Made with AbsorbLite Microfiber, Tesalate’s beach towel is engineered for sand to slip off easily. It’s also ultra-absorbent, retaining up to a liter of water, and it dries in half the time as regular beach towels. I love that its compact and light, so easy to pack – no more bulky towels! Our family has two XL sized towels, which are great to lay next to each other for our whole family to spread out. The towels come in individual and XL size and a variety of beautiful designs. The regular size are $59 and XL are $99 and available at http://www.tesalate.com.

    PROTECT EYES, EARS AND FACE WITH AFFORDABLE, PACKABLE SUN HATS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

    I’m embarrassed to admit that when I was younger, I often purposely left my beach hat at home simply because I didn’t have a place to pack it in my suitcase or didn’t want to have to carry it around all day. Now that I know better about the importance of protecting my skin, I refuse to step out of the house for a day in the sun without a hat. Luckily, there are so many great packable hat options out there nowadays, and tons of options can easily be found on Amazon for an affordable price!

    Lucy and me rocking our packable sun hats on vacation in Hawaii!

    When shopping for sun hats for your family, it’s important to find one that has a wide brim to cover your face, ears and neck. Here’s a few great packable sun hat option for the family:

    For Women: FURTALK Rollup Packable Visor

    I love this visor because, not only is it packable, it’s super cute! It’s especially great for really hot days when I want to wear my hair up off my neck or if I want to swim around without getting my hair wet. It’s rolls up, so it’s compact and easy to stash in your beach bag or suitcase. It comes with an adjustable velcro closure, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing the correct size!

    For Men: Quicksilver Bushmaster Bucket Hat

    Okay, I know bucket hats are coming back around in style, but I have to admit that its been hard for me to jump back on the trend I used to wear in the ’90s. One great thing about bucket hats, though? They’re soft, so they’re easy to pack! I like this Quicksilver option for men, because it’s wide brim will protect the back of guys’ necks – something the usual ball cap or trucker hat does not do!

    For Babies: SimpliKids Wide Brim Sun Hat

    Both of my babies wore this SimpliKids Wide Brim Sun Hat, which offers UPF 50+ UV ray sun protection! I love that it comes in a variety of colors to match their little swimsuits or outfits. My favorite is the white eyelet for little girls!

    WIPE OFF SAND AND KEEP LITTLE HANDS CLEAN!

    Yipes! Wipes

    Keep your littles’ hands clean and sand-free at the beach with Yipes! Wipes!

    How is it that little kids always find the yuckiest things to get their hands into?! With all the digging in the sand at the beach, kiddos hands can get particularly yucky! And that sand sticks! To clean little hands, I’m really excited about this new brand of wipes called Yipes! because they were developed to help foster a culture of hygiene while making it fun and approachable with their mascot, Yolanda the Yipes! Yak. They even created a kids’ board book about hygiene featuring Yolanda! And, it’s a product that parents can feel good about while being 94% biodegradable and made with 99% plant-derived ingredients. Yipes! are available in large canisters, as well as in individual, easy-to-use pocket-sized sachets (sold in pouches of 12), which are ideal for on-the-go—perfect for lunch boxes and beach trips! Find them at http://www.YipesWipes.com.

    Here are some other important tips when taking your family to the beach:

    • Go early! Don’t wait until high noon when the sun is at its strongest. Plus, the earlier you go, the the less crowded it will be, so you’ll have an easier time finding parking and a great spot in the sand. Early evening also is a nice time to go for same reasons.
    • Don’t skimp on water. We always bring more water than we think we’ll need. And, we typically end up drinking all of it!
    • Snacks, snacks, snacks! There’s something about being near water that makes kids (and grown-ups!) extra hungry! Make sure you have enough to go around!
    • Be wary of the ocean, as most waves may not be manageable for little children. Our family is very familiar with SoCal beaches, so we know what to expect with our waves. I recommend watching the ocean for its wave size and take time to understand the strength of the undertow and which direction the current is going.
    • Appropriate shoes! On hot summer days, the sand can get really hot! I recommend buying water shoes so your little ones can run around without burning their feet. Sandals and flip flops are too challenging for little kids to keep on their feet in the sand.
    • Bring some fun beach toys that encourage exploration! For my kids’ ages (an almost 3 year old and 8 month old), we stick to toys that can be used to play on the sand rather than the water. We put all the toys inside one large sand bucket to make carrying them manageable. A blow up beach ball is also a great idea, because its inflatable which makes it easy to pack.
    • Apply sunscreen BEFORE you go to the beach. Little ones get too excited once they arrive to the beach to slow down and put on sunscreen. Plus, you risk giving them an accidental exfoliating massage, because they’re likely to get sand all over them immediately!
    • Remove sticky sand with baby powder. If you don’t want to take your baby into the ocean or under the public showers to rinse off sand, sprinkling baby powder on their skin and hair removes moisture and helps sand dust off easily.

    Do you have any questions or additional family beach day tips? Let me know in the comments below, or follow me on Instagram at @maggiehjackson!

    XO, Maggie

    AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.