Sandra Lee

Latest posts by Sandra

Oakland with Kids: 35 Best Things To Do in Oakland, CA

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 08/27/2023 - 3:30am

Admire the hundreds of animals at the Oakland Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Zoo

Oakland is a vibrant, family-friendly, diverse city full of culture and hidden nature gems, making it an excellent urban escape for a day or weekend of exploring with kids.

Less crowded than its famous neighbor of San Francisco, Oakland is packed with beautiful hikes, kid-friendly museums, and over-the-top ice cream sundaes, making it worthy of a destination on its own. Keep reading below for the best things to do in Oakland with kids.

Seek more adventure with the top day trips from San Francisco, and the best urban hikes for families in the Bay Area. Pack up the car and hit the road with the help of our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips Guide for San Francisco.

Civic Center Carnival, Lebanese Festival, and More Things To Do in San Francisco This Weekend

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Wed, 08/23/2023 - 11:00am

Close out the last weekend of August at the Civic Center Carnival. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

August is almost over, and school is underway. With summer wrapping up, have a little Bay Area fun this weekend before fully reverting to back-to-school routines.

Arts and culture take hold of the Bay this weekend. Let the creativity flow at the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, a two-day event featuring street painters, local vendors, and a kid art studio for your budding artist. Pack a picnic and spend the day at Drake's beach while you watch locals build giant sculptures and compete for the top spot in sand art at their Annual Sand Sculpture Contest. Or get a dose of culture at the 12th Annual Lebanese Festival with music, food, and fun for the whole family.

Close out the last weekend of August at Civic Center with a four-day carnival full of food, games, and amusement rides like the 100-ft. super slide!

There's still time to enjoy summer with the best beaches in the Bay Area, awesome family-friendly urban hikes in San Francisco, and more adventure to discover in our Ultimate San Francisco Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Puerto Vallarta with Kids: 21 Best Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sat, 08/19/2023 - 12:51pm

Paddleboarding is even more fun when you do it with a sea lion. Photo courtesy Vallarta Adventures

Puerto Vallarta has everything that makes Mexico such a popular family vacation destination: warm and sunny weather, beautiful beaches, loads of outdoor activities, delicious cuisine, and family-friendly all-inclusive resorts. The city's manageable size and affordability are added bonuses that ensure everyone, from curious toddlers to uber-cool teens to adults in need of a little R&R, has a great time.

Whether you're swimming in the turquoise ocean water, learning to cook a new dish, or relaxing on a hammock while the kids play in the pool, you're bound to make lasting memories in Puerto Vallarta, as my family has over the years.

Here are the 21 top things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids, including great Puerto Vallarta hotels and Puerto Vallarta restaurant options for families. Visit our Best Mexican Family Travel Guide for more great places to visit in Mexico, as well as our list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for kids.

Free and Cheap After-School Programs for San Francisco Area Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 08/13/2023 - 7:05am

Kiddos can keep the learning going strong with after-school STEM activities. Photo courtesy of the Bay Area After- School All-Stars program..

After-school programs keep the kids engaged and looked after while you finish working, go grocery shopping, or cross off those last-minute errands. They are also great for socialization and keep the kiddos entertained. Don't wait for these programs—popular ones tend to fill up quickly.

From after-school programs at the always accessible (and affordable) Parks and Rec programs to STEM activities and homework help, there is something for every kid's interests and hobbies, from pre-k to pre-teen. Keep reading below for favorite after-school programs in the San Francisco Bay Area that are not only fun and engaging for the kids but easy on your wallet.

While school might be top of mind, summer camp planning will follow suit, so plan with these free and cheap summer camps in San Francisco.

Best Splash Pads for Kids in San Francisco

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Fri, 07/28/2023 - 9:15am

Jump into summer fun at our favorite splash pads in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the City of Castro Calley

Splash pads are such an excellent way to cool off during the summer. Most are at kid playgrounds, and parents love these free and easy spots where it's almost guaranteed for little ones to have a blast without going to one of their favorite beaches. Splash pads are perfect for toddlers that aren't quite swim-ready yet, not to say that kids of all ages can't have fun.

We've rounded up our favorite splash pads and parks where kids can jump, splash, and beat the heat all for free, and also included some not-to-be-missed water parks for when everyone needs a day in the pool to cool off. Don't forget to pack a change of clothes and some snacks for an afternoon of serious water fun!

For more summer fun on a budget, explore awesome free things to do in San Francisco this summer with kids, and dive into our Ultimate San Francisco Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

4th of July Weekend in San Francisco: Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things to Do with Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 9:00am

Rock your red, white, and blue. Parade photo courtesy of the City of Alameda Local Government

4th of July weekend in San Francisco and the Bay Area is alight with fireworks, fun runs, parades, and more family-friendly events.

Independence Day weekend is here! Spend the 4th of July at Great America's 4th of July Celebration to enjoy food and rides, or participate in the Firecracker Run in Santa Cruz. The Bay Area's ever-popular 4th of July Parade and Fireworks takes place in Redwood City, where you can have festive family fun without spending a dime.

Before the rockets' red glare and fireworks blast off, celebrate Independence Day with the best 4th of July activities for kids that aren't fireworks, and soak in the summer holiday with our Ultimate San Francisco Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach towel. Plus, each entry also counts as an extra entry into our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

51 Awesome Free Things To Do in San Francisco This Summer With Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Sun, 06/18/2023 - 9:00am

Ready for free summer fun! Photo by Maria Durana courtesy of the Habitot Mobile Museum

There are so many free things to do in San Francisco this summer that the season might not be long enough to do them all!

The kids are out of school, the weather is warming up, and the Bay Area is sprawling with things to do every day of the week. Free outdoor movie nights and free museum days are a great way to spend an afternoon that won't cost you a penny (if you steer clear of the gift shop). Summer is also the best excuse to take a day off from work and go on a day trip to one of the many beautiful places just a short drive away.

Whether you've got a summer filled with summer camps and travel or prefer to enjoy the days as they come, we've got 51 free things to do in San Francisco with those kiddos this summer.

Have the best summer ever in San Francisco at summer festivals and fairs, and find more summer fun in Ultimate San Francisco Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Father's Day Weekend Things To Do in San Francisco: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth and More

Submitted by Sandra Lee on Wed, 06/14/2023 - 1:15am

Let Dad rock out for Father's Day. Photo courtesy of the Stern Grove Festival

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this Father's Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Father's Day is this Sunday, and the Bay Area has no shortage of fun ways to celebrate Dad. LEGO-loving dads will enjoy those beloved bricks and a much-needed break from building Ikea furniture at Brick Fest Live in San Jose. Dads are real-life superheroes, so aviation events flying high in the sky might suit Dad, like The Biggest Little Airshow in San Carlos, or Open Cockpit Day at the Oakland Aviation Museum.

For dads who prefer to stay low to the ground, families can see classic rides at the Tiburon Car Show or take an actual ride on a Father's Day Brew Train. If Dad always wears old band tees, then he'll probably appreciate Stern Grove Festival, which starts on Friday. There are endless ways to treat Dads or soon-to-be dads preparing for fatherhood. Find even more ideas for things to do in San Francisco this weekend in our Ultimate San Francisco Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach tote, plus each entry also counts as an extra entry into our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!