West Coast Summer Travel Hot List

With summer right around the corner, we compiled a list of the best West Coast family destinations to visit this summer. From Mexico to Hawaii, here are a few resorts topic our list of summer travel:

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, San Diego, CA

Spanning 45 lush acres of gardens, trails, olive groves, casitas and more, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is a Mediterranean inspired, all-suite property that offers the finest accommodations, service and programming that San Diego has to offer. In fall 2012, Rancho Valencia—Southern California’s only Relais & Châteaux property— reopened to guests after a 10-month, $30 million property-wide renovation. Rancho Valencia is located 90 miles south of Los Angeles, 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego and a short drive from the warm and sunny beaches of Del Mar and La Jolla. With its prime location in sunny San Diego, Rancho Valencia is the perfect destination for the whole family to enjoy.

Stay & Play Spa Package includes:

• $175 spa credit per person, to use as you please
• Fresh orange juice, milk and morning paper delivered to your suite daily
• Complimentary use of the tennis courts, fitness center, yoga pavilion and all fitness classes

In addition, amenities and fun for Rancho Valencia’s children’s offerings include:

• Kids welcome gift at check in - (Burlap backpack, RV Activity Book with crayons, Chukker the Horse)
• Kids welcome amenity upon arrival - (Chocolate Chip Cookies and Milk with kids name written in chocolate syrup on plate)
• Tennis Clinics and a variety of fitness classes can be set up for families to enjoy. Rancho Valencia just launched their new Five Star Junior Tennis program, a brand new offering created for young, bright tennis stars at Rancho Valencia! Combining their award-winning tennis facilities, a staff of experienced USPTA & USPTR certified professionals and plenty of fun, it’s the perfect place for stars both big and small to learn and grow. Developed by Tennis Director Robin White, Five Star Junior Tennis offers specialized programming for Little Twinklers (ages 4-6) all the way up to Competitive Players over age 12.
• In addition, children at Rancho Valencia can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, surfing lessons, and more.

Arizona

The Wigwam, Litchfield Park, AZ

Families have been creating memories at The Wigwam for decades and the fun continues with interactive family friendly activities for kids of all ages. Children enjoy barreling down dual 25-foot water slides and have a splashing good time with seasonal water activities like underwater treasure hunts, frozen duck races, Pirate & Princess PJ Party, “winter fun” in the summer with ice cube floating races to keep cool and much more. In addition, kids are able to enjoy their own *new* in-room teepees for sleeping and entertainment for $25 per night. Adults can unwind with live entertainment, happy hour, golf, spa and a variety of dining options. Families enjoy testing their skills with games of cornhole, Bocce, ping-pong and volleyball.

Tanque Verde Ranch | Tucson, AZ

Located on 60,000 desert acres within the Saguaro National Park of Tucson, Ariz., Tanque Verde Ranch offers a dude ranch experience with a resort-like feel that both adults and children can enjoy. With no TVs in the spacious, Southwestern-styled guest rooms, the Ranch is the perfect setting for families to unplug and reconnect with one another while also reconnecting with the great outdoors. Tanque Verde Ranch offers a highly regarded supervised kids program for children ages 4-12, that allows parents to join in an array of fun-filled kids activities with their children or go enjoy adult-time knowing their kids are having an amazing time in a safe environment. Meanwhile, adults can chose to participate in daily scheduled activities that are part of all-inclusive rates, including horseback riding lessons and activities, trail rides, guided mountain bike and hiking tours, nature walks, educational seminars at the ranch’s Nature Center, fishing, tennis and more. The Ranch also has an on-property spa, which offers several rejuvenating treatments or in-room massages.

Perhaps the best part of the ranch experience is the value included in each stay. The ranch is all-inclusive so each guest receives accommodations, three daily meals and free access to all of the ranch activities listed above, including the kids program. Special activities the whole family can enjoy together that are also part of all-inclusive rates include Cowboy Cookouts under the stars and Breakfast Rides to score the Ranch’s famous Blueberry Pancakes.

 Hawaii

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa | Ko’Olina, HI

From energizing, fun adventures to soothing relaxation at Laniwai, there’s something for the entire ‘ohana (family) at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina. While visiting Aulani, guests can surf in crystalline waters, ride horseback through lush valleys or kayak through protected offshore islets. Each excursion is entertaining, educational and fun, so the entire family can take home a greater appreciation and understanding of the Aloha State—along with unforgettable vacation memories. Families make magical memories together—or apart—with experiences designed for every age and interest.

• ‘MENEHUNE ADVENTURE TRAIL

This high-tech scavenger hunt leads you through Aulani as you solve riddles, search for hidden statues and discover surprises left by the Menehune—mischievous little people with magical powers. Interactive elements— with special effects involving fire, water, light and animation—offer fun for all ages.

• LANIWAI

The Hawaiian word laniwai (lah-nee-vai) means “freshwater heaven,” and the spa lives up to its name with more than 150 treatments, including the only outdoor hydrotherapy garden on the island of Oahu. Also exclusive to Aulani is the Painted Sky youth spa, featuring relaxing treatments created especially for teens.

• WAIKOLOHE VALLEY

Located between the 2 towers of Aulani, Waikolohe Valley is brimming with fun. With its crystalline waters, winding streams, interactive play features and private snorkeling lagoon Rainbow Reef, this imaginative pool area offers something to delight every age and interest. Rainbow Reef offers an up-close look at aquatic life. Snorkel amongst hundreds of fish or view the beautiful aquaculture through glass.

• IMI LOA NA HOKU (EXPLORE THE STARS)

Guests of all ages enjoy an in-depth look at the stars. Learn how the ancient Hawaiians navigated through the Polynesian Islands using only the stars to guide them to Hawai‘i.

• AUNTY’S BEACH HOUSE

A lifelong resident of O‘ahu, Aunty is considered by locals to be a true expert on Hawaiian history and cultural traditions. Aunty invites you to become a part of her extended ‘ohana and make yourself at home at Aunty’s Beach House. This 5,200-square-foot, state-of-the-art features enhanced storytelling and special souvenirs, a movie room showing Disney favorites, Wii™ and Sony PlayStation® video games, game tables, Hawaiian arts and crafts, and you can even play dress-up with fun finds from the costumes closet.

Mexico

The iconic five-star property, The Resort at Pedregal offers a variety of unique and exciting family friendly activities including an action-packed Teen Guide program and a Tortuguitas (“Little Turtles”) Kids Club, both of which cater to providing younger guests with endless opportunities for fun while vacationing with their families in Cabo.

RAP’s Teen Guide consults and creates a personalized adventure itinerary for each teenager who participates in the program and offers packages within the categories of Ocean Adventure, Desert Adventure, Extreme Desert Adventure, Ocean, Desert & Mountain Adventure and Customized Adventure. Teens can choose from an a la carte menu of activities ranging from zip lining, bungee jumping, sling-swinging, surfing, standup paddle boarding, horseback riding and more.

The Tortuguitas Kids Club is perfect for those guests who are not quite old enough to enjoy the teen adventures and encourages children to interact with the unique cultural qualities of Los Cabos through activities that are both fun and educational in nature such as piñata making, outdoor games and story-telling, movie nights complete with snacks, tons of arts and crafts projects and interactive Scavenger Hunts.

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