Got school-age kids? Then just like back in high school, you’ve got Spring Break, whether or not your employment situation allows for it. I’ve used these tips to visit Yosemite, Monterey, and Joshua Tree, and there are more Spring Break ideas in each post linked below.
Need some vacation inspiration for family fun on a week-long vacation, a three-day road trip, or a staycation with daily outings? Here are some Spring Break ideas to explore, all within a drive of the Bay Areea.

Vacation Inspiration: Yosemite with Little Kids
Looking for a drivable vacation that's relatively affordable and truly awe-inspiring for all ages? Yosemite National Park should be top on your list! ...

No-Fly Vacation Idea: Seascape Resort in Aptos
Aptos feels like a faraway family getaway without hefty airfares. Hop in the car and your vacation starts in 90 minutes! ...

Vacation Inspiration: Road Trip to Palm Springs
A family road trip to Palm Springs offers an extreme change of scenery and climate. My kids loved the heat and we loved the vibe ...

Now Open: Avengers Campus at Disneyland
What to expect at Disney California Adventure Park's tribute to the Avengers characters. Marvel fans are gonna love it! ...

Vacation Inspiration: Plan a Trip to Avila Beach With Kids
About four hours from Berkeley, Avila Beach is a tiny town on the Central Coast offering plenty to do with kids of all ages ...

Spring Break Inspiration: Joshua Tree and Palm Springs
A family-friendly trip adventure in Southern California, covering Joshua Tree and Palm Springs in one week ...

Waterpark Hotel: Bay Area Great Wolf Lodge
Save 30% on the Bay Area's first and only Great Wolf Lodge, an inclusive hotel and water park for the whole family from tots to teens ...

Renting an Airstream near Monterey — or Camping for Dummies
I rented a stationary Airstream at the KOA campground near Santa Cruz. My family had a fantastic little getaway. Reserve your own Watsonville airstream ...

Vacation Inspiration: Oregon Coast with Kids
A simple itinerary for an Oregon road trip with kids: from the Bay Area to Portland ...

Bay Area Staycation Guide
How many of these day trips and adventures for grade school-age children can you squeeze into one week of your Bay Area staycation? ...

Weekend Road Trip: Railroad Park Resort and Lake Shasta Caverns
Our family of four made a trip North and slept in a real train caboose. By day, we explored a science museum, playground, and the caverns at Lake Shasta! ...

Vacation Inspiration: Farm Stay Less Than 2 Hours From Bay Area
Learn about Long Dream Farm, a working dairy farm in the Sierra foothills where families can stay overnight! ...

San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park
Heading to San Diego? We had a great time at the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park in Escondido ...

Day Trip: Sheep at Mission Ranch, in the Fairytale-esque Carmel-by-the-Sea
If you happen to be headed south down the coast on a Sunday, you must try the Sunday Brunch at Mission Ranch. It’s a quick, yet scenic 15 minute drive ...

Bay Area Road Trip: Monterey Bay
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of California's best indoor tourist attractions, a perfect mission for the long days of holiday school closures ...

Santa Cruz: Vacation meets Staycation
A family-friendly destination that costs a lot less than Hawaii ...