With a writer mom, my kids never had a chance: They had to love reading from the minute they were born. Luckily, they took to books like a pig takes to mud, and now a lot of our family time consists of sitting together on our family room sectional, each absorbed in our own book.

So how can you get your kids addicted to books? Travel’s a perfect vehicle (please forgive the pun) – or at least, so I’ve found with my two. Given the amount that we travel (often several weeks a year, and at least a couple of weekends a month), the reading bug has come in super-handy for my girls, both because they have a way to entertain themselves in transit and because they can learn all about the places we’re going before we ever get there. Read More >

It’s true…when traveling, calories are still calories. Unfortunately, the increase in temptation, long days and lack of routine can push you to make poor food and exercise choices. Here are some tips to help keep you healthy and fit on your next vacation.

Pack the goods. Having healthy snacks like fruit, veggies and nuts on hand can go a long way and they are a much better choice than the street vendor or fast food joint on the corner.

Snack often. There are times when traveling that it’s easy to lose track of time and forget to eat, which means your blood sugar can suffer and open a world of other problems. Don’t let yourself get hungry and have a snack. Read More >

Whether you’re jammed into the 25^th row of a jetliner, sitting in a nice restaurant, or relaxing in your hotel room, there comes a time on every family vacation when you really need your kids to be quiet.

While it’s occasionally fine to let them watch a DVD or play on your iPhone, sometimes it’s good to offer them something a little more low-tech too (as long as it’s quiet, compact, and non-messy).  Here are some of our favorite toys for keeping the peace when traveling with kids:

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San Diego is a wonderful city for a family vacation. The San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and SeaWorld are famous local attractions that draw tourists by the thousands every summer. For families looking to venture beyond the boundaries of San Diego, there are a few nearby destinations worthy of a day trip. Downtown San Diego is fun, of course, but adding something less common to a San Diego County will make a family vacation more unique. These three coastal towns are recommended as early pit stops for any family traveling up the California coast from San Diego.

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