The goal of going on vacation as a family is to have fun AND expand the things your children can experience. Does that mean it has to be boring? Absolutely not. Rather, make it fun and exciting. To help spark your imagination for your next trip, here’s four kids attractions in California High Sierra that you’ll ALL enjoy.
Anchor’s Away To Kayak Fun
Throughout the summer, Truckee serves as a basecamp for a variety of summer camps. For a fun day outing the whole family can enjoy, book a kayak trip with Tahoe Adventure Company. Whether your kids are under 5 or teenagers, they’ll help find the perfect family adventure, so everyone enjoys the day. Then finish it off with a celebratory dinner at one of Truckee’s 8 family-friendly restaurants.
Saddle Up Yer Cowpokes
For kids who love animals, make a dream come true by getting them on a horse. Bishop and its big backyard are home to pack outfits that cater to young riders. For example, Rock Creek Outfitter offers a three-day outing where you and your child can go riding, fishing, and camping. Or if you’re cowpokes are 6 years of age or under, Rainbow Pack Outfitters has rides as short as a 15 minute “Walk n’ Lead” Trail ride. Looking for more ideas? Here are 6 things to do in Bishop with kids.
Unearth An Archeologist
With the popularity of Jurassic Park movies, you might wonder if any non-dinosaur fossils have been discovered. The answer is YES! Visit the Fossil Discovery Center, just an hour southwest of Yosemite’s southern gateway. You’ll find fossils like bones with dire wolf teeth marks and a replica of a 14-foot Western camel. Kids will love the mock fossil dig, where they can unearth fossils from 22 species. For more fun on your way to Yosemite, check out Visit Yosemite-Madera County’s list of kid-friendly activities.
Go Climb A Mountain… Safely
What does every kid want to do? Climb a mountain! The ability to take in your surroundings from a high vantage point is invigorating. Release that need in a safe environment by heading to Tahoe Via Ferrata in Olympic Valley. Located just above The Village at Palisades Tahoe, you’ll get to scale the iconic rock face that towers above it with a guide. Italian for “iron road”, it’s a great way for beginners and kids to experience rock climbing for the 1st time within a safe environment. Using permanent steel anchors and cables, participants are safely attached to the rock throughout the entire experience as well as guided by professional mountain guides making it one of the best kids attractions in California High Sierra.
Walk Amongst Natural Giants
If the idea of walking high above in the forest canopy is a bit too much, you can still get that sense of wonder from the ground by heading to Sequoia National Park. Starting from the Giant Forest Museum, you have a number of trails to pick from. Each one gives you the opportunity to walk amongst the towering sequoias. The Big Trees Trail is the shortest at ¾ of a mile round trip and is flat making it the perfect stroll for any age. With your child’s imagination running “wild” after seeing such big trees, set aside time to visit ImagineU in Visalia. A hands-on museum filled with activities that will allow your child to “complete the picture” that they may remember just as much as the Sequoias.
Strike It Rich As A “Tike” – oon
When it comes to the best kids attractions in California High Sierra, it’s all about hands on experiences. And there’s no activity better that combines learning about California’s history AND being hands on like gold panning. You can pan for gold in the region that the original 49’ers first discovered back in the mid 19th century at the Columbia State Historic Park.
Get Them Addicted To Mountain Biking
Let’s be honest… mountain biking in the mountains isn’t the easiest sport to get your kids into. There’s typically A LOT of climbing. Most likely there’s going to be massive boulders to roll over. Not really the best way to get them hooked on a new activity. Fortunately, on the south shore of Lake Tahoe is the Bijou Community Park Pump Track. Within the Bike Park section, you’ll find a well-maintained easy pump track that will introduce them to the FUN part of mountain biking. Easy rollers. Smooth dirt tracks. And big smiles at the end.
Make your good family vacation great by setting aside time to explore these kids attractions in California High Sierra. You’ll create lasting memories that your children will be talking about for years to come!
Author: Alex Silgalis
Alex founded Local Freshies® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.
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