Top Picks for Family-friendly Activities in Sonoma – From exploring local parks to strolling along nature trails to Sonoma has many family-friendly activities that can cater to just about any age.
To review our top picks for family activities, please scroll down the page.
Covering Destinations Around the Bay Area & Beyond
Explorer1.com provides travel information on some of the most popular tourists destinations in the Bay Area and beyond. We also pen special reports and articles to inform locals and tourists on some of the most pressing issues of the Bay Area & Beyond. [bscolumns...
Extreme Fire Danger
Please be safe… August 2020 saw some of the biggest wildfires in California's history. Massive losses of forest acreage, homes and businesses. And, unfortunately, we are just now entering the peak fire season. Please be extremely careful and stay safe. Those that...
Cornerstone Gardens — Cornerstone Sonoma
Nestled at the gateway to the Sonoma Valley wine country, the gardens are absolutely beautiful, sometimes thought provoking, ever-evolving, and always a pleasure to visit. The Cornerstone Gardens showcase innovative designs from international and local landscape...
Top Theme and Water Parks
Six Flags – Vallejo The park is a 135-acre park featuring awesome rides, great shows, and incredible attractions. More >> Great America – San Jose Great America was recently voted the Bay Area's most exciting theme park! More >> Santa Cruz Beach...
Top Ski Resorts
Here is our list of some of the top snow ski resorts in Northern California: Palisades Tahoe (formally Squaw Valley) Alpine Meadows: This resort is located near Lake Tahoe and is known for its challenging terrain and Olympic history. It offers over 6,000 skiable acres...
Bay Area’s Top Hikes & Backpacking
Tuolomne Meadows Yosemite, CA – Tuolumne Meadows serves as a hub for summer backpacking opportunities in the park. Temperatures average 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than in Yosemite Valley, and, at 8,600 feet in elevation, the air is crisp, invigorating, and...
Bay Area’s Top Surf Locations
Steamer Lane Santa Cruz' Most Famous Surf Spot – Steamer Lane (also known as Steamer's Lane or Steamer's) is probably the most famous surf spot in Santa Cruz. It's definitely for the more skilled and adventurous surfer. Because this is such a prized surf location,...
Bay Area’s Top Mountain Biking
The following are serious off-road rides; although, most can be broken up into smaller – more manageable – segments. The Flume Trail Lake Tahoe, CA – One of Lake Tahoe's premier mountain bike trails, it has amazing views of the Tahoe Basin and the surrounding Sierra...
Top Scenic and Dinner Train Rides
Roaring Camp Railroad Santa Cruz Mountains – The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway Company operates the train between the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp. Although, the beach train ride is enjoyable, our favorite train is the narrow-gage steam...
Elephant Seals
Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent. The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly...