California in a nut shell
Hotels:
San Francisco
Hotel Diva - www.hoteldiva.com
440 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
T: 415 885 0200
The best family hotel option in San Francisco
Lake Tahoe
PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn - www.plumpjacksquawvalleyinn.com
1920 Squaw Valley Road
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
T: 530 583 1576
Superb hotel in superb surroundings
Route 1
Post Ranch Inn - www.postranchinn.com
47900 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
T: 831 667 2200
One of the nicest places you will ever visit
Los Angeles
Shutters on the Beach - www.shuttersonthebeach.com
1 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
T: 310 458 4589
Luxury hotel perfectly placed on Santa Monica beach
San Diego
Tower 23 Hotel - www.tower23hotel.com
4551 Ocean Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92109
T: 858 270 2323
Modern luxury hotel with large rooms and a superb restaurant
Restaurants and cafés:
San Francisco
Colibri Mexican Restaurant - www.colibrimexicanbistro.com
438 Geary Street (Between Mason and Taylor)
San Francisco, CA 94102
T: 415 440 2737
Delicious mexican food and frozen margaritas
The Buena Vista Café - www.thebuenavista.com
2765 Hyde Street (at Beach)
San Francisco, CA 94109
T: 415 474 5044
The best place in San Francisco for irish coffee (some even say the best in the world)
Boudin's Bakery - www.boudinbakery.com
Pier 39, Space 5-Q
San Francisco, CA 94133
T: 415 421 0185
Sourdough shapes and delicious chowders
Eddie's Café
800 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
T: 415 563 9780
Traditional american diner complete with working jukebox
Puccini & Pinetti Italian Restaurant & Bar - www.pucciniandpinetti.com
129 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
T: 415 392 5500
Fantastic italian restaurant where the kids can create their own pizza masterpieces
Swensen's Grill & Ice Cream - www.swensensicecream.com
1999 Hyde Street (Between union Street and Warner Place)
San Francisco, CA 94109
T: 415 775 6818
Iconic long standing ice cream bar serving the best ice cream in delicious yet original flavours
Lake Tahoe
PlumpJack Cafe - www.plumpjacksquawvalleyinn.com/plumpjacksquawvalleyinn/restaurant.aspx
1920 Squaw Valley Road
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
T: 530 583 1578
Fantastic food and wine served in a cosy restaurant at the foot of Squaw Valley resort, gorgeous
Route 1
Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn - www.postranchinn.com/dining/
47900 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
T: 831 667 2200
The floor to ceiling glass walls at this amazing restaurant allow a seamless vision of the Pacific Ocean for as far as the eye can see. The kids will not forget this place as they look out on stunning views whilst they eat delicious pizzas
Los Angeles
The Farm (at The Grove Mall) - www.thefarmofbeverlyhills.com
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
T: 323 525 1699
Smoothies, brownies, pancakes and coffees, great brunch spot
San Diego
JRDN Restaurant - www.jrdn.com
723 Felspar Street
San Diego, CA 92109
T: 858 270 5736
Fresh fish and delicious salads in this stylish, cool ocean front restaurant
Restaurant at the Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla - www.mcasd.org
700 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
T: 858 456 6427
Child friendly cafe serving delicious food under canopies in a leafy museum garden
Places of Interest:
San Francisco
Point Reyes National Park - www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm
Whale watching, lighthouses and stunning scenery
Muir Woods National Monument - www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
An amazing national monument which has to be seen to be believed, expect huge trees and beautiful walks
Alcatraz Island - www.nps.gov/alca/index.htm
Famous for it's escape attempts this prison is well worth a visit. Guided tours help you imagine what life on the rock was really like. The boat trip to the island is stunning too, look over the edge and imagine swimming to your freedom
Golden Gate Park - www.golden-gate-park.com
Amazing park with a huge diversity of themed areas to explore. We loved the Japanese tea garden, look out for the bridge
Cycle Hire - www.blazingsaddles.com
Hire a bicycle and explore San Francisco. Many locations around the city to collect and drop your bike up from so visit the website to find your nearest
The Great Mall in Milpitas - www.greatmallbayarea.com
Discount shopping for all, Converse, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and many many more
'Kid Robot' Shop - www.kidrobot.eu/
1512 Haight Street, CA 94117
T: 415 487 9000
Fantastic shop for the kids/teenagers
'Behind the Post Office' shop - www.behindthepostoffice.com
1510 Haight Street, CA 94117
T: 415 861 2507
Cool innovative fashion in this delightful store
Lake Tahoe
Swimming Lagoon at High Camp - www.squaw.com/swimming-lagoon-and-spa
Swim in the hot pool whilst the cold mountain air bites at your nose and ears. Stunning scenery at the top of the mountain with views over Lake Tahoe
Monterey
Monterey Bay Aquarium - www.montereybayaquarium.org
17 Mile Drive - www.pebblebeach.com/activities/explore-the-monterey-peninsula/17-mile-drive
Superb scenic drive thorough 17 mile drive, so many things to see and do, there will be something for everyone
Route 1
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - www.pointlobos.org/nature/wildlife
See seals and otters swimming in the wild, amazing coastline walks too
Los Angeles
The Grove Shopping Mall - www.thegrovela.com
Huge outdoor Mall with great restaurants, cafes and of course shops
Universal Studios - www.universalstudioshollywood.com
For all thrill seekers out there
San Diego
Seaworld - www.seaworld.com
Dolphins, turtles, killer whales...
San Diego Zoo - www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - www.mcasd.org
La Jolla's museum of contemporary art
Outside Santa Barbara
Solvang Traditional Danish Town - www.solvangusa.com
Traditional Danish town situated just outside of Santa Barbara
Other useful sources of information:
www.snozoneuk.com - Preparing for the snow before you go
www.goop.com - for more restaurants and shops in San Francisco especially, very good
www.lonelyplanet.com - California book especially good
www.timeout.com - San Francisco Book especially good
