Offbeat Adventures

Kid-Friendly Museums

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Kid Friendly MuseumsSome of my favorite family road trips as a kid were to places like the Exploratorium in San Francisco or Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley to play with all the hands-on science and technology exhibits. My dad was all for it because the tickets were cheap, and my sisters and I always came home with great mind-expanding toys from the museum gift shop.

So if y’all are looking for something fun, warm, and affordable to do during the rainy season, this week’s theme is all about where to take the kids (or the kid in you) for a getaway adventure that’s both fun and educational—the best kid-friendly museums in Northern California. Read full article »

Posted in Kid-Friendly, Offbeat Adventures by Getaway Guru | 6 Comments »

The Top 5 Road Trips

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Top 5 Road Trips - Avenue of the GiantsSome of the best memories I have as a kid growing up in Sacramento include piling into the Country Squire station wagon with my sisters (Seatbelts? What seatbelts?) and taking family road trips to the mountains or coast. Every trip was a mini-adventure filled with discovery and danger (Don’t make me pull this car over!). Even now I still get that tingle of anticipation as I load up the car with luggage and hit the open road to anywhere but my office. So in the spirit of good times and grand adventures, I’d like to share with you five of my favorite road trips in Northern California. Read full article »

Posted in Offbeat Adventures, Parks & Wildlife, Thrills & Adventure by Getaway Guru | 5 Comments »

The 7 Man-Made Wonders of Northern California

Sunday, July 26th, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - The 7 Man-Made Wonders of Northern California

Sometimes you have to go see something simply because somebody was crazy or determined enough to build it. Take the Winchester Mystery House for example: If someone spends 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for 38 years building a nuthouse, people will line up to see it (and they do). So this week’s getaway theme is a tribute to the top seven man-made wonders that people said couldn’t (or shouldn’t) be built, all of which are a fantastic excuse to get away for fun-filled weekend of exploring Northern California. Read full article »

Posted in Historical California, Offbeat Adventures by Getaway Guru | 2 Comments »

The 7 Natural Wonders of Northern California

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - 7 Natural Wonders of Northern California
Sometime we need to remind ourselves how lucky we are to be living in Northern California. We have it all: beaches, mountains, volcanoes, coastal forests, and a host of natural wonders—the world’s tallest and largest trees; the country’s highest peak, tallest waterfalls, and largest alpine lake; and even the continent’s deepest submarine canyon. So consider this week’s theme a wakeup-call to everyone who loves the outdoors but has yet to explore all of The 7 Natural Wonders of Northern California. Read full article »

Posted in Offbeat Adventures, Parks & Wildlife by Getaway Guru | 1 Comment »