Left Coast Family Vacation (cross-country, ideas, flights, location)

[5FLgirls]

Okay, we're living in southern California and I need to think about summer vacation. We're a family of six and I don't want to spend $10k on a vacation this summer. We like low-key beachy type places. Our children are real small so lots of activities are out for us such as hiking and water sports. A friend mentioned the Hood Canal in Washington state. Any ideas on the "left" west coast for us that won't involve expensive flights?

[Shopaholic]

Once you decide on a location, check out GoCityKids.com. You can look up child and family friendly activities by city and many of them are not expensive! It is a great resource. Hope you have a wonderful time!

[cleosmom]

Must there be a paln in stone? Why not hop in the car, drive up the west coast and play it by ear?

[5FLgirls]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

Must there be a paln in stone? Why not hop in the car, drive up the west coast and play it by ear?

I'm assuming you meant "plan in stone"? If that's the case, my answer is that I have four children under the age of 6. You need a plan with this many and these ages. I can't expect them to sit in a car while we "figure" out where we're staying and what we're doing. If it were just me and my husband or even us and one child (we did this plan when we traveled through Oregon six years ago), it would be great. We've driven cross-country twice (once with the kids) and I don't think my husband's up for a vacation spent in the car.

Any other ideas out there?

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by 5FLgirls

I'm assuming you meant "plan in stone"? If that's the case, my answer is that I have four children under the age of 6. You need a plan with this many and these ages. I can't expect them to sit in a car while we "figure" out where we're staying and what we're doing. If it were just me and my husband or even us and one child (we did this plan when we traveled through Oregon six years ago), it would be great. We've driven cross-country twice (once with the kids) and I don't think my husband's up for a vacation spent in the car.

Any other ideas out there?

You're correct, that was a typo. My apologies, I didn't realize the ages of your kids.