From Sea to Snow: Kid-Friendly Bay Area Getaways for Fall and Winter
Winter in the Bay Area doesn’t mean hibernation; it means adventure! Join us for our Nothing But Fun Mini Winter Camp, December 22–23, 2025, for epic snow and ocean fun. But if you can’t make it, don’t worry, here are some kid-friendly adventures to enjoy this Thanksgiving and winter break!
Coastal Adventures
Head to one of our local beaches for sand play, beach bonfires, or a little boogie boarding. Here are some of my favorite kid-friendly beaches are:
Muir Beach-Dog and kid-friendly, with delicious coffee and food nearby.
Dillon Beach-Also dog and kid-friendly, with camping available at Lawson’s Landing or a cozy coastal cabin stay at the Dillon Beach Resort.
Pacific State Beach-Great for surfing and eating at the world’s most famous and beautiful Taco Bell
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge for a perfect photo-op!
Visit the California Academy of Sciences, and say hello to Claude, the famous white alligator.
Don’t forget to stay warm with some hot cocoa!
And if you’re up for a longer adventure (about a four-hour drive), head down to Morro Bay! Watch sea otters floating in the harbor, stroll by the giant Morro Rock, and catch the monarch butterflies as they migrate through Morro Bay State Park in the winter.
Sea Otters at Morro Bay
Snow Adventures
There are tons of spots to sled, tube, and play in the snow, just a few hours from the Bay Area. Here are some kid-approved favorites:
California SNO-Parks – Pack your sleds, snow play gear, and plenty of hot cocoa, then grab a parking permit and explore any of the many SNO-Parks around the Sierra, like Spicer and Round Valley off Highway 4, Donner Summit off Highway 80, and Echo Lake off Highway 50.
Adventure Mountain (Hwy 50)-Zoom down the tubing lanes, build a giant snow fort, or launch into an epic family snowball battle.
Bear Valley Adventure Company (Hwy 4)-Cross-country ski, snowshoe through a winter wonderland, or hit the tubing hill!
Tube Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe)-Home to some of the longest tubing runs around—500 feet of pure downhill joy.
Spooner Summit Snow Play Area (Hwy 50/28)-A free, low-key sledding hill where you bring your own gear and get a built-in workout climbing back up the hill for another thrilling ride.
Of course, I’d love your student to join our Nothing But Fun Mini Winter Camp this December 22-23, but even more, I hope you feel excited and inspired to get out and explore!
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