https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:38:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1717143 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 17:45:07 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1717143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: I think you said you were planning on skipping SF entirely, but if you are going to spend any time there just be aware the summers in SF can be COLD so bring layers. August in Healdsburg will be warm/hot and Mendo will be cool, so layers are probably smart. People tend to forget how much the temperature varies around here :-)</p> <p>In case you need restaurant recs in Healdsburg.... check out Willi's (Wine Bar is in Santa Rosa, Seafood is in Healdsburg), Matteo's Cocina Latina, Spoonbar is a cool little open air bar on the square, Bear Republic Brewery, oh and they have an Oakville Grocery now in Healdsburg too (great sandwiches, you can take to go and eat at the park or at the winery) :heart: </p> <p>Have fun! You're making me want to take a trip up there :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1717082 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:47:59 +0000 Raindrop 1717082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NorCalWayfarer: oh fairfield. Yes there. Good for the clarification. I haven't been there in forever but it was fun when I did go, sorry I had no idea how out of the way it was... I just knew it was northish. :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1716937 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:35:23 +0000 travellingbee 1716937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds fabulous, ladies! Thanks so much for the suggestions! I think we decided on renting a house in Healdsburg for 3 nights and staying at Shoreline cottages near Mendo for 4. I am excited about all of these options for activites! Y'all are awesome! I can't wait to do some relaxing in Cali!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1716899 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:18:37 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 1716899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: Are you thinking of the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield? If so, it's between SF and Sacramento, so out of the way for this trip.</p> <p>I don't have LOs yet, but we love Healdsburg for wine tasting. And the Russian River area in general is beautiful. There's also the Charles Schueltz (Peanuts) museum in Santa Rosa -- but I haven't been. Bodega Bay and Tomales Bay are also great areas on the coast. You can do picnics and get fresh oysters at a couple places in Tomales Bay and let the kiddos play out there.</p> <p>Have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1716892 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:14:54 +0000 brownie 1716892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mrs Grossman's sticker factory is pretty cool. And Santa Rosa is where the Peanuts guy is from. So there is a peanuts park and I believe something in the mall there.</p> <p>I second the Skunk Train north for fun. And the beaches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1716883 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:09:16 +0000 Raindrop 1716883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Muir Woods is a must. It's pretty kid friendly. :) Not sure if you are interesting factory tours but the jelly bean factory in fairwoods (I think) is pretty fun for kids too. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1716861 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:56:14 +0000 Corduroy 1716861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: If you're going to be spending time in Sonoma I think Traintown would be a fun stop. I haven't been since I was a kid but I see lots of pics on my FB feed from friends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1716812 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:39:05 +0000 travellingbee 1716812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for the input. If you think of anything else, let me know! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1715473 Mon, 23 Jun 2014 00:03:11 +0000 birdofafeather 1715473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we stayed at the petaluma KOA in an RV and then drove and rode bikes around sonoma downtown. there is a big park to play and then cute shops around the square. we went wine tasting and people were happy to see our little 1 year old. :)</p> <p>have fun! it's beautiful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1715251 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 19:47:52 +0000 deerylou 1715251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: In general, Santa Rosa is nice, yes! I think if I had a preference, I'd choose Healdsburg as my home base, in wine country. It's my favorite. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1715208 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 19:29:26 +0000 nana87 1715208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've stayed at the silverado before and it'd be good with kids-- all the rooms have little kitchens and there's a pool </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1715174 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 18:58:01 +0000 travellingbee 1715174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: Is Santa Rosa nice in general? We found a condo rental there that looks nice but didn't know if Santa Rosa would make a good home base for a few days... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1715129 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 18:03:07 +0000 JessKas 1715129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The discovery museum in Sausalito is AWESOME for kids. I heard Sonoma has a new children's museum that is good, but I've never been. The main square in Sonoma has a good playground, a pond with ducks, and lots of grass. I also heard there is a good pool up that way that has a daily entrance deal. I'll link when I get home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714993 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 15:08:53 +0000 travellingbee 1714993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deerylou: perfect! Thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714975 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 14:51:00 +0000 deerylou 1714975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you do make a stop in Santa Rosa, spend an afternoon in Howarth Park. Carousel, pony rides, splash pad, lake, and lots of room to run around or have a picnic. </p> <p>We spent a few nights at the Shoreline Cottages, right on the edge of Mendocino, in Fort Bragg. Really great experience, and affordable prices. </p> <p>Ride the Skunk Train through the redwoods, in Mendocino! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714899 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:52:07 +0000 travellingbee 1714899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: we'd be going with my parents so that sounds like a good idea... Do you have a link to where you stayed?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714896 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:45:17 +0000 KayKay 1714896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee oh, and the beds were reasonably comfy and even had a pnp. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714893 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:44:34 +0000 KayKay 1714893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee we were in Sonoma, a little ways north of town. We also spent an afternoon in Santa Rosa, and that's big enough that I'm sure there would be stuff to do with kids. It's close-ish. </p> <p>Thinking....I really wanted to get to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach, both of which would be easy to do on your way to or from SF and probably fun with kids. We were there for a wedding and just didn't have enough time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714884 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:34:57 +0000 travellingbee 1714884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: we were thinking about doing that. What town did you rent in? Were the beds comfy? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714880 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:31:46 +0000 KayKay 1714880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were just in Sonoma last weekend. Didn't take 2yo LO but were with a couple who had one. Sonoma Square is an awesome place to walk around, shop, and take breaks in the square that has a really nice park and play structure. </p> <p>Also recommend doing a vrbo-type place if you can. We shared a house with some other couples, and having the kitchen and pool were great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714876 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:26:42 +0000 travellingbee 1714876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Walks on beaches and gardens sounds like a good time for my toddler. He loves running around. :) I heard about a place called Traintown in Sonoma... Worth going to? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714860 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 12:15:12 +0000 simplyfelicity 1714860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How about Glass Beach? It's pretty iconic. Most of the area is made up of foggy, sleepy beach towns. It's beautiful but not a ton to actually do.</p> <p>Oh and the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is a must-see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714838 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 11:58:56 +0000 travellingbee 1714838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: where is that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714730 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:07:22 +0000 spaniellove 1714730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: Maybe they'll be on in another hour or two! I loved Mendocino as a kid. And this is off your path a bit but I've always loved the Point Reyes area! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714715 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 09:51:36 +0000 travellingbee 1714715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No CA bees? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/northern-california-with-a-toddler#post-1714659 Sun, 22 Jun 2014 08:43:37 +0000 travellingbee 1714659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are flying to San Francisco in August with plans to head north to Sonoma and then Mendocino. Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do/see and places to stay with a LO? We don't plan on staying in San Fran as we've done that several times. Thanks, Bees! </p>