I'm in the same boat, looking for vacation ideas with a 2-year old. I really want to go to California or any of the National Parks out west, but am worried about the time change... how did that work out for other people with toddlers? I'm worried about 4 am wake-ups and going down at 5 pm for the night...

Southern Utah National Parks. We camped (choose campgrounds where they had tents so we didn't have to take anything). We prefer camping to hotels because there is so much for the kids to do. When my kids were little I took a baby backpack for hiking.

Anonymous wrote:So, what are the loose itineraries for 2 days at a national park? I like the idea, but then think... Ok, get up, walk around for an hour... Then what? What do 2 planned days look like at Yosemite, for example?

I've never been to Yosemite, but generally you'd plan out which parts of the park you want to see and which hikes you want to do. Example from Grand Teton NP: Day 1-- walk around historic area, go to visitor center, swim in Jenny Lake, dinner at lodge. Day 2: take boat across lake, hike for a few hours, return.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:San Diego. Great food, the San Diego Zoo and SD Wild Animal Park are great for kids, amazing weather and beaches, lots of fun shops in La Jolla.

We looked into SD but it was very expensive-- I guess we are spoiled being in DC where everything is free. With small kids (2&4) I wouldn't spend $$$ to do anything that we, as parents, wouldn't also enjoy. Meaning, my 4YO would have been fine at the DC zoo vs. the SD zoo, which was like $30/head.

PP here. This is understandable, plus it is far from here. We went with my parents, who are from SD and have a zoo membership.

yellowstone or the Grand Canyon

We have been to almost every state conus plus Hawaii.

I would have to say the best vacations for that age were Hawaii (stayed at Hilton Hawaian Village on Oahu and did everything we could on the island)

Tied with

Rockefeller National Forest Avenue of the Giants (we have done all of California over several years through a couple of assignments from Humboldt in the north down to San Diego in the south and the giant redwoods were the most memorable and in my opinion, the best park for younger kids. Yosemite is very crowded and feels touristy as does the Grand Canyon and many of the other western national parks. Rockefeller is pristine, expansive, inspiring and much emptier. The trails are also much more walkable for younger kids.)

Third on my list for that age is Acadia (stayed on the Southside and also Bar Harbour)

Runners up for very cool must do experiences:

Driving through the Painted Desert, Utah Salt Flats, the Pacific Coast Hwy, and through the Colorado Rockies pass.
Mount Rushmore is a really cool trip too but more of a day trip if you are ever in the area.

Anonymous wrote:San Diego. Great food, the San Diego Zoo and SD Wild Animal Park are great for kids, amazing weather and beaches, lots of fun shops in La Jolla.

We looked into SD but it was very expensive-- I guess we are spoiled being in DC where everything is free. With small kids (2&4) I wouldn't spend $$$ to do anything that we, as parents, wouldn't also enjoy. Meaning, my 4YO would have been fine at the DC zoo vs. the SD zoo, which was like $30/head.

Anonymous wrote:Seattle! You get the best of city and nature (we went to Olympic National Park for a few days in addition to staying in the city), and there were a lot of things to do in both parts of the trip that my 6yo enjoyed. Search this forum for Seattle - there was a thread about things to do in Seattle that was pretty comprehensive.

+1. Did Seattle and San Juan Islands with just a 3 YO and it was awesome. Fun stuff in the city for both parents and kid, then the islands were amazing. My son loved the ferry rides. Moving around a lot might be more challenging with 2 at those ages though.

US? Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii. Puerto Rico's good too.

So, what are the loose itineraries for 2 days at a national park? I like the idea, but then think... Ok, get up, walk around for an hour... Then what? What do 2 planned days look like at Yosemite, for example?

PP here who posted San Diego. Also baseball, the stadium where the Padres play is really nice and has a beach area with sand and stuff and a lot of things for kids.

San Diego. Great food, the San Diego Zoo and SD Wild Animal Park are great for kids, amazing weather and beaches, lots of fun shops in La Jolla.

Yosemite and San Francisco. We spent about 4 days in both last summer with two kids (7 and 9, so a bit older) and it was amazing. Turns out the kids are really into the great outdoors, so we have just booked our next vacation to Yellowstone and Grand Teton for the summer. Can't wait! SF has a lot of cool, kid friendly things, loke the Aquarium, Exploratorium, the CA Academy of sciences, just walking along the Embarcadero, or hiking out to Muir Woods. Yosemite is breathtaking even on ity worst day, and hikes can be as easy as a stroll on paved paths, or as strenuous as day long hikes at 10,000 feet that leave you breathless.

Seattle! You get the best of city and nature (we went to Olympic National Park for a few days in addition to staying in the city), and there were a lot of things to do in both parts of the trip that my 6yo enjoyed. Search this forum for Seattle - there was a thread about things to do in Seattle that was pretty comprehensive.

Where'd you go? Where'd you stay? What make it so great?

Bonus points if it would be workable with small children (ages 2 and 4)!