This August, we went to visit family and friends in California and then Maine. We rode trains, petted alpacas and ate all the tacos. Here are a few photos, if you’d like to see…
This photo is blurry, but I was so happy to visit my twin sister, Lucy, outside San Francisco.
At my sister’s house, the cousins went swimming at the neighborhood pool and played with their sweet cat. (For Anton, it’s not a vacation without a cat.)
We then drove up to Sonoma, where the boys’ favorite part was Train Town, a small, old-school amusement park that felt right out of the 1950s. (For example, the guy who ran the roller coaster also ran the ferris wheel, so if he was at the other one, you just waited. It was so charming and had the effect of mellowing everyone out.) Side note: Anton’s expression here makes me laugh — he always brings his A game for photos!
They also had a petting zoo with goats and alpacas…
…and this terrifyingly fast plane ride.
While at Train Town, a local family tipped us off to El Molino Central, a Mexican spot nearby with a cult following. We wolfed the beer-battered fish tacos and the mole chicken enchiladas.
Another day, we joined my friend Kendra and her kids for lunch at the AMAZING Scribe Winery with views of vineyards and the best hummus toast, green olives and dry rosé. The winery felt so transporting (and not at all touristy) — and the boys couldn’t get over that we were in a real vineyard, just like The Parent Trap.
After Sonoma, we headed to Indian Springs, a Calistoga hotel we’d heard about for years. Their claim to fame is their giant mineral pool fed by geysers. The boys went bananas, and we loved swimming after dinner when the sun was setting. How gorgeous is that sky?
We also met up with old friends and went to Hog Island Oyster Co. The vibe was windswept and laid-back, and you can sit outside, eat oysters and drink sparkling wine. I have to say, though, our particular lunch was a little rough — the kids were melting down (like, way down) and our nerves were shot. It looks so pretty in the photos, but I was gulping my rosé! I’d love to return, maybe grown-ups only:)
Luckily, all moods picked up when we stopped by the grocery and stumbled upon buffalo milk soft serve.
Finally, we headed back to the east coast. The plan was to spend a final three days in Maine — just six hours north of Brooklyn — with my mom, although at the last minute, my mom wasn’t able to come. (We missed her!)
We stayed at Migis Lodge, a family camp on Sebago Lake. (Here’s our little cabin.) They have hiking, kayaking, tennis, swimming, playgrounds and s’mores.
Another sweet part is that everyone dressed up for dinner at the lodge. Kids don’t have to get too fancy, but the boys wanted to borrow jackets (or “tuxes,” as Toby called them) from the front desk.
One evening, there was a bingo night — the boys couldn’t have been more excited. It felt like the family camp from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Of course, as always, not pictured were jet-lag meltdowns, sibling squabbles, traffic jams, long travel days, etc., but we felt really lucky and grateful to get to spend this time with family and friends in such beautiful places. How was the end of your summer? Are you glad to be heading into the fall? xo
P.S. The weird thing we do on vacations, and what not to pack for a trip.
94 COMMENTS
Hi! migis is indeed lovely but just note that for a family, it comes out to $1k PER NIGHT. At least. It’s insanely luxurious. I just wish Jo had spelled that out… this is a 1 per center vacation. No judgment, just honesty.
Where was the grocery with the soft serve?
Omggg, it is sooo like the Mrs. Maisel camp! :) Ha! Too fun!
What a fun end of summer!
Travel with kids is always worth the craziness but sometimes right in the middle of the trip I wonder why on earth I thought leaving home was a good idea! Thank you for ALWAYS acknowledging that travel with kids includes insanity, whining, meltdowns and (my personal favorite) gulped wine for a hasty exit.
Ah, what a lovely trip. Look at Sweet Anton downing an oyster!
I took my 9yo daughter to the South of France for a girls trip this summer. We rented bikes in St Remy, lounged on the beach in Nice and ate cheese everywhere.
It was so much fun to let her take the reins once in awhile – she figured out the insanely confusing GPS in our rental, doled out change for the endless tolls and picked out restaurants (using a mysterious but effective method). She was a wonderful co-pilot.
It also felt like a real holiday, swimming every chance we got, ice cream two times a day and reading books in bed while a warm breeze came through the window. Low pressure, less planned and great bonding.
My partner and I toured Portugal for the first time and it was basically a cycle of eat, wander, relax, repeat! Before we met up in Lisbon, I flew in early to walk a few days along the Camino de Santiago route from Porto (Vilar do Pinheiro) to Ponte de Lima. Good to get my mind in the zone and . . . not really be thinking about anything. Also happy to begin realizing the dream of completing at least one Camino someday!
Just flew back on Monday and now back to work (whew), but we’re headed up to Sonoma this weekend to visit family and, as usual, El Molino Central will likely be involved. ;) My favorite thing to order there is the chicken enchiladas suizas.
After a lot of deliberation we bought a tiny used camper called a wolf pup, that our mini van hauls. We took 3 kids camping for 3 weeks including Episcopal family camp in central Ohio and then up to Michigan. Everyone in Ohio vacations in Michigan and now we know why! 75 degrees, sunny and mosquito free, the weather was a perfect backdrop for this questionable venture. We visited Detroit (loved), Frankenmuth (weird) took a Macs dune tour (worth it) but probably the highlight was campground playgrounds. We were pleasantly surprised that we really had a great time in tiny spaces with our children, limited screens, lots of (camp) fire, and handwashing dishes every night. Here’s to trying new things that take a lot of work and planning — I think we’ll do it again ?
So happy to hear you and the fam had a great trip! I passed by Anton, Toby, and a sitter in Hayes Valley and felt a little starstruck, ha! Toby is SO tall.
Love the confession that it looks so pretty in the photos but you were gulping your rosé as kids had meltdowns…since becoming a mom this could caption at least half my photos!
My young kids also had epic meltdowns at Hog Island! There was some kind of seasonal wasp flare-up that day, so we were all gulping down oysters and wine and taking turns attempting to soothe children until we could get out of there ASAP. We’ve been too traumatized by the memory to return! Since then I’ve heard enough similar stories that I now have a theory that all those idyllic photos at Hog Island of adults chilling out and laughing have children crying just out of frame…
I LOVE Indian Springs. Hoping to take my mom there for her 60th.
Really appreciate the sharing of the meltdowns and the gulped wine as well as the picture perfect moments :)
We’ve had both on holiday this year and it’s so nice to know that it’s normal haha!
That first picture reminds me of the Las Vegas airport tram ?. Once I had a six hour delay with my three boys in that airport, and we rode that train back and forth for hours ?. Your pictures are great! It looks like such a fun trip! I always love reading your blog!
This is the “tram” from BART to the Oakland Airport. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coliseum%E2%80%93Oakland_International_Airport_line#/media/File:Oakland_Airport_Connector_cable_car_crossing_Airport_Access_Road,_March_2018.JPG
I like sitting exactly where the boys are sitting! For some reason, it makes this 65 year old feel like she’s on the old-school PeopleMover at Disneyland. :)
So thrilled to be heading into the fall. Swimming in an empty pool on a rare warm summer night as the sun sets is one of my fondest memories of growing up in northern california, thank you for sharing!
I remember those days….we spent a week on the Oregon Coast with our two young adult kids last month, and as I watched families with young kids struggle for calm at restaurants and the aquarium, my thought was, I am so glad we are done with that stage! On one grey, drippy afternoon we all found a corner of the house to read in….it was lovely! I am at the point though, that a true vacation is one where I don’t have to cook, plan, clean up!
I’m so glad you had a great trip. The amusement park looks like fun! Kids are going to have meltdowns because they are hungry or tired or whatever. It’s a part of life.
We basically did this same itinerary a month ago! So much fun, Hog Island what a dream!
You did all of the best Bay Area things!! Tomales Bay is such a gem. What a wonderful family trip before the fall begins. xo
Train Town is the best! Except my husband almost barfed after that ride.
I tip my hat to the photographer.
Thoroughly enjoyed all the pictures.
May I ask, please…is your Alex in a current running Ikea tv commercial? There’s a fellow who is the image of Alex in it. Big smile and enjoying himself. I hope you can see it. Amazing how much he resembles Alex. He appears early in the commercial.
Thank you.
oh my gosh, that’s so funny! i’m going to try to google it now! :)
Did the cabin you stayed in at Migis happen to be wheelchair accessible? I think I see a ramp to the front door but can’t be sure. My husband uses a wheelchair and we’re always looking for vacation spots other than cities (which will usually have hotels with accessible rooms). Tucked away places can be tough to find. Thank you!
yes it was! :)
What a sweet sensory joyful vibe from your time! I like so many I’m so thankful for you mention what’s not picture. Makes me feel more connected and human and normal and a lovely reminder that of course we take pictures of the happy times but life is all of the times (Like that wonderful wholeness vs. happiness post you did a while ago Joanna!)
As far as your boys going nuts for a big mineral pool, may I recommend Banff, and Jasper Canada – we went as a family when I was a little girl and I will never forget the epic joy of all those big hot springs pools up there. Totally gorgeous surroundings too. Glen Ivy in California is pretty amazing too – mud baths, massages. I think that one might be adults only though (great girlfriend or couple getaway!). Gosh I love thinking of planning more wonderful hot spring vacations…
Hot springs all over western Montana, just to the south of Banff, as well. We love a nice soak, especially in the winter. It’s just a delight.
I love the pic of you and Alex through the glass window. Something so very natural about it.
And I hope your sister is well. I read “When Breath becomes Air” earlier this year (I couldn’t read it when it was first recommended on your blog bc my dad had just died, but I finally had the courage/strength to this year) and it was beautiful.
Tracy, I’m so sorry you lost your father. Sending you so much love!
I thought maybe I saw Alex and Anton heading out of the restaurant at Two Lights Lobster Shack the final week of August. I was reading your city guide for Portland, ME. It was a bit kismety. But also my mind could have been playing tricks on me.
Ah this looks amazing! I’d love to take my baby when she’s older. What do you think would be the best age for kiddos to enjoy it?
Looks like you hit all of the spots!
Joanna – Thank you for always keeping it real and being honest that travel and life with kids is not always glamorous or picture perfect. I always like to add the meltdown picture on the back of my Christmas cards ;)
It looks like a wonderful family vacation! Cheers!
This makes me so nostalgic for my home state!
Joanna, how in the world did you get your boys to eat raw oysters??
hahaha toby hates them, but anton does anything daddy does :)
“he always brings his A game for photos!“ I don’t know why but I laughed so hard at that part. His little hand wave! Hahahaha
omg it makes me laugh so much. sometimes he waves like a little politician, other times he strikes a pose and stares off into the middle distance. he always nails it hahaha.
My family has been going to Migis Lodge 15 years, since my high school freshman was an infant and my younger daughter was only 3 weeks old for her first visit! Such a special place. (I love the typo calling it “Migi’s”…I want to call it that from now on!)
wow, what an amazing family tradition!
I had the privilege of doing childcare for this wonderful family while they were in California. Spending time with the boys was a great experience. They were very nice, polite and thoughtful children. Charming at every turn. Thanks family fir the experience! Chris
hi chris!!! what a sweet note, thank you :) we were so grateful to have you babysit so we could take a date night!
Couple of things:
1) I live in the Bay Area and clearly need to get out more. Thanks for the great ideas! September and October have great summer weather out here so lots of warm and sunny weekends ahead.
2) Our end of summer trip was a roadtrip from SF to Seattle. Stopped on the Oregon coast for a night and spent some busy/lazy days with friends and family and showed our son where he was born! He’s still recovering from all the travel – if you sleep in Mom and Dad’s bed for a week it’s a hard habit to quit!
3) I love Lucy updates – I root for her from afar!
Isn’t Scribe magical? It just feels different and special. I love it so much!
yes, so beautiful!
Too funny to see you mention Scribe. That is my bff and her wife’s spot! They got engaged there and are members. I am lucky enough to be gifted a bottle of their delicious Rose’ occasionally. Also, loving that you call it a “family trip” instead of vacation because let’s be real- it isn’t a real vacation with kids involved. Thanks for sharing and keeping it real about the ups and the downs of traveling young ones.
hahahaha do you remember this hilarious post about family trips vs vacations?
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vacation-or-trip-a-helpful-guide-for-parents_b_7789310
You went to all my favorite places, including Scribe Winery and Maine!
Ahh all the camp feels! It does remind me of Mrs. Maisel! So fun. I feel like this summer wasn’t much of a summer. I always travel early which happened but the rest of the summer felt like a blur of dog sitting, doing grown up things, and trying to figure out some job stuff. Grateful to feel like I’ve landed from all of these things as we head into fall. One wedding last weekend, a cabin trip this weekend, another wedding next weekend, a trip to Cape May this month and a trip to Savannah next month.
oooh your upcoming trips sound so wonderful. i’ve always wanted to go to savannah. have a wonderful time xx