California trip February 2023

These images are from our recent trip to California a couple weeks ago. We stayed in Daly City and enjoyed exploring the coast and stunning redwoods at Muir Woods and thereabouts.

I love to travel. It’s great for fresh content as a photographer and is just fun to step out of the norm— see different places, try new foods, meet interesting people…but traveling with young kids can be challenging and exhausting.

To me, going on a trip with young kids (notice I didn’t say “vacation”) is kind of like life at an accelerated speed all condensed into one big chaotic, messy adventure. And I mean MESSY, like “pull the succor very slowly from your toddler’s hair” “dumping unplanned sea water out of daughter’s boots” “toddler vomit on the way to airport” MESSY. So why do we do it? Why do we knowingly self-inflict such an experience of inevitable pitfalls and even pay good money to do it?

Because with all the tough stuff there are the good moments too and even great ones. Like seeing the awe on my daughter’s face while chasing after a rainbow in a glowing pink sunset, or discovering a seaside cliff covered with furry brillant succulents perfect for exploring, or hearing your girls giggle together at ridiculous jokes, or teaching them about 800 year old trees you’re walking through that fill your soul, or watching them problem solve, and of course all the problem solving we as parents do too, seeing your daughter’s face when she finds seashells on a beach (that had almost none), playing games together and laughing, discussing interesting things we see or hear, having so many kind people reach out to us in the tough moments—thank you sweet lady who held my 5 year old’s hand on the escalator and man who offered help while I was wiping vomit from a car-seat.

Traveling with young kids isn’t for everyone and it’s not something I want to do super de duper often, but I always love it when we do.

I’m no expert, but in case it’s helpful to anyone, I’m going to share my favorite “traveling with young kids” tips. And I think it’s important to note that we are an “exploring lots outdoors” kind of family who like to save sanity and money as much as possible. This is what has worked well for us:

Pre-trip head to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of cheap kid activities like sticker books or fidget toys

Describe to them ahead of time what will happen in the various situations. “Ok we’re going to be walking a lot in the airport and ride fun escalators.” “Now we are going to drive for an hour..”

Have lots of lollipops on hand. If one gets stuck in your toddler’s hair, pull it out slowly ha!

When out exploring in cooler weather, have a bigger pair of waterproof pants over your toddler’s other pants (we actually do this on a daily basis playing outside) and can toss in a bag before going inside

Constantly point out all the good and beautiful and non-coincidental moments

Keep to their sleeping/nap schedule as much as possible and take one too

Use Turo (so much faster!) for car rental

Airbnbs are our fav with multiple rooms and kitchen and can often be cheaper than hotels

Zarbees melatonin works great for our girls

Save loads (money and sanity) by eating some of your meals from simple store-bought food or take-out at the Airbnb. On this trip we got some great quick-meals from Trader Joe’s

Rain ponchos are useful for all sorts of things like putting on the floor of the car for muddy feet, sandwich crumbs, and surprise motion-sickness vomit

Other helpful things to always have with you: water, extra change of clothes, lots of snacks (don’t underestimate this), lots of plastic bags, as many screens as you can, your sense of humor

Roll with the punches cuz they are pretty much a given while traveling (especially with young kids)

“Peppa pig” is a great little show to quickly pull up on your phone on YouTube

Remind yourself you’ll be back to your average also messy, but more predictable life in no time

I’d love to hear any great ideas that have worked for you! Thanks for reading. Cheers!