Our kayak guide Carlos Michaud tells us locals call the Pacific side beach Divorce Beach because it is so rough. We’ve kayaked from Cabo San Lucas to see the famous arch—the natural rock arch that is surrounded by towering rock walls. It is said this is where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez here on this peninsula but our guide tells us the true spot is probably two hours north of here.
The kids pool at One&Only Palmilla may be nicer than the adult pool. It overlooks the Sea of Cortez. Perch on pint-sized beach chaise and watch the ocean—or the resident Iguana. There are a whole variety of pool toys for the taking— and life guards on hand. Kids and parents congregate at the zero entry area ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, No one cares that there’s no water slide.
There’s plenty for young spa goers too—a Wish Upon a Star facial for $40 a Dancing Feet Pedicure for $30 and an entire array of “family sanctuary” treatments like a massage for mom or dad and head and hand massage for your child ($290) a teen face care and make up lesson ($150) and even a session for a teen with a private trainer.
RVing may not be for die hard backpackers like my grown kids, but it’s still a great way to get kids outdoors and get some R&R. You don’t have to worry about what to do when it rains either. Sure gas prices are high, but some families park their RV in one spot rather than touring the region. What a great way to explore one part of the state or one national park, returning to the camp ground in the evening where you’ll find congenial neighbors, activities, Wi-Fi in many places and even swimming pools.
Cabo—Los Cabos “the capes” is the name generally given to this area –a 20-mile long stretch of white sandy beaches and resorts between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. One&Only is between the two towns at the tip of the Baja Peninsula—the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. It’s a less than two-hour flight from Los Angeles or Phoenix, with non-stops from Chicago, Texas and even Newark. People love it here because winter or summer, the weather is reliable—no rain except in September, I’m told.
Sometimes in our rush to take the kids to see major museums and historic sites, we skip smaller cities like Baltimore — ideally located 40 minutes north of Washington, D.C., and 90 minutes south of Philadelphia — that are not only easily navigable (even free buses) but can be easier on our wallets.
The sheer size of the place can’t help but impress even the most jaded teen. Some of the towers soar more than 100 feet. The massive pillars look like tree trunks, stone chameleons, tortoises and turtles.
This summer, with every electronic accoutrement and despite high gas prices — the current national average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.95, $1.04 more than last year — most of us will still hit the road, according to AAA, though nearly four in 10 of us will adjust our travel plans as a result, suggests a new survey from TripAdvisor
Let’s hear it for the good old American vacation. We deserve it. We need it. And we’re not going to let gas prices keep us home. AAA says nearly 35 million of us will be traveling this Memorial Day holiday weekend, most by car and despite gas prices that are more than $1 higher than last year. The national average price for regular gasoline is $3.91, compared to $2.85 this time last year.
Across the country and even abroad, such small unique hotels are gaining a following among families who appreciate the intimate atmosphere, the service and the fact that they have, well, more personality than big chain hotels. Small hotels don’t necessarily cost any more and in some cases they cost less.
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