Traveling with Kids in California // Muir Beach

There's something magical about the beach in the summer when it's foggy. It's warm, but the light is soft and it's perfect for hours of playing, without having to worry about getting a sunburn :) Juniper ran all the way to the sand, excited to use her new electric green bucket and shovel. On the beach more fun awaited -- a gorgeous horse, pelican feathers to collect and an intricate mandala, left by past beachcombers, waiting for us to add our own treasures. And there was hardly anyone else there... our own private paradise. 

A big thanks to our great fashion partners included in this blog post!

Ariel's dress + Sam's pants: notPerfectLinen

Juni's pants: Stall 65 

xoxo,

Juniper, Wilder, Ariel + Sam

Traveling with Kids in California // The Inkwells in West Marin

Last summer, we first discovered The Inkwells. It's a magical spot. Along Sir Frances Drake Blvd., on your way to Pt. Reyes or Samuel P. Taylor, there's an unremarkable bridge; however, underneath lies the most luxurious collection of stone basin swimming holes, one after the other. Here, dare-devils and cliff divers abound. At the bottom of the cascade of pools, is a perfect mini beach, where we like to camp out with our little babes, so they can squish their toes into gravel beach and practice skipping rocks. Time stops in this place (don't bother bringing a watch) and even if you arrived in the morning, you'll find yourself leaving only because you've run out of food and actually, now it's time for dinner. Not to be missed. The Inkwells are enchanting. 

A big thanks to our great fashion partners included in this blog post!

Juni's Lemonade Dress: Girls & Mimosas Boutique

Ariel's Romper: Silk & More

xoxo,

Juniper + Wilder + Ariel + Sam

Traveling with Kids in California // Cavallo Point in Sausalito

Every night, after the babes are slumbering, we discuss whether we have time to watch a program together or read a book. This segues into a meandering and whispered conversation as we lie in bed, recounting our day and then inevitably expressing gratitude for each other, our littles, and the gorgeous place where we live. Then one of us asks, "what time is it anyway... is it midnight already? Shall we tuck in?" We slip into sleep, soaked with gratitude.

This post is a small ode to the place we call home. Our closeness to both nature and the city, and our loving neighborhood community, have provided the fertile ground for our roots to extend deeply.  Cavallo Point is just seven minutes from our house, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a chance to splash in the briny (as Juni would say). There's a long fishing pier, which is a great spot to bring kiddos, to watch the crabs being reeled in and count the seal heads bobbing on the ocean surface. There's often a nice layer of cool fog, especially in the summer, lending a romantic and eerie sensibility, and a perfect escape from the Marin heat. We hope you go check it out :)

A big thanks to our great fashion partners included in this sponsored blog post!

Knock Knock Linen - Sam's jacket and pants; Ariel's pants and top

Stall 65 - Juni's pants

Mayaya Kids - Juni's white sweater

Mae Davis Designs - Wilder's knit sweater

xoxo,

Juniper + Wilder + Ariel + Sam

Traveling with Kids in California // Point Reyes National Seashore

Sweet baby Wilder joined our family in May (on our wedding anniversary no less!) and we are over the moon to have this little man in our family! He is incredible and Juniper is so excited to be a big sister, and especially loves to announce when "he is awake!" so she can cover him with cuddles and kisses. The summer has been filled with lots of time outdoors and now have double the reason to blog about all our favorite places to visit in California with our little ones. Some are day trips and others overnights. Hope you'll join us for the fun! 

Besides an overnight in Tahoe for his parents' work, Wilder's first road trip was to Point Reyes National Seashore. This is one of our most dear nature spots and we try to make the journey out there as much as possible. The fun part (once we embrace it) about traveling with kids is that everything slows down. It take a little more time to get there in the car (potty + breastfeeding stops), and when we finally arrived, it felt like we spent most of the time at the same picnic spot (next to an EPIC bay laurel tree, why would you want to leave?). Then a half mile hike to a magical re-created Miwok Village, Kule Loklo, filled with underground sweat lodges and teepees, and it's almost time for dinner! On the way home, we stopped to say "hi" to some cows and then had "dinner" at the Scoop in Fairfax, we recommend their strawberry -  best on the planet.

We hope you get the chance to visit Pt. Reyes with your kiddos as well, and draw some inspiration from our photo diary! Also, if you and your family ever want to go on a day trip and have us capture some stellar, candid memories, that's our thing. We'd love to tag along - especially if we stop for ice cream. 

A big thanks to our great fashion partners included in this blog post!

Daddy/Daughter Shirts: TinyTotsKids

Handmade Sweaters: MaeDavisDesigns

Dress: Silk & More

xoxo,

JAWS - Juniper, Ariel, Wilder + Sam ;)

Tahoe Winter Family Travel Guide // Cedar Crest Cottages

Juniper had never seen snow before, and since we have been having a wonderfully wet winter here in California, we decided to seize upon the opportunity to visit Tahoe, blanketed in over ten feet of fluff. Cedar Crest Cottages, in West Lake Tahoe, invited us to stay with them, and put us up in their gorgeous, newly renovated, Eagle Cottage for three nights. The cottage had three bedrooms, heated floors, a cozy fireplace and beautiful natural details throughout, like natural wood coat racks and custom block prints, with the namesake cottage bird printed on it. It had everything we needed for a luxurious home base from the cold, but was also wonderful for a toddler because there was so much to explore and enjoy. With a fully equipped kitchen to get midnight "nummies", a laundry room to make wet sweaters all cozy again, and gas fire to sit next to and read children's books - it had all the amenities you could want. In addition to window views of sunsets over Lake Tahoe, Sam and Babo spent considerable time just walking through the place and oohing and aahing over the superior craftsmanship.

Once we got settled in, we were able to really enjoy the snow with two nearby hikes (as in a 5 to 7 minute drive!) to Eagle Rock Hiking Trail and also Sugar Pine Point State Park. Juniper rode in the carrier, and we strapped on our snowshoes to venture out into the forest. It was magical. Babo (what Juniper calls her grandfather) joined us for the trip. He likes to say he was born for the cold, especially since his mom gave birth to him in a blizzard. We had been prepping Juniper for the trip for several weeks, and read countless stories that take place in the snow. Nevertheless, when the time came to venture out, she just as rather ride along in the carrier than walk on the snow. We recently asked if she liked visiting the snow, and she responded that she liked to "eat it!" Such the gourmand. She did enjoy sticking her finger out and taking a sample here and there. We even brought some inside and made homemade, fresh squeezed snow cones, that were delish! 

We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather and for a more fantastic place to stay on this trip! Thanks for having us Cedar Crest Cottages!

A big thanks to our great fashion partners included in this blog post!

Juniper's Outfits: La Lovie

Ariel's Outfits: Greenmoss, designer Joanne Jiain

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam + Juniper