Well over 3,000 miles were driven, all within the southern half of California, in the making, mapping, and writing of this hiking guidebook. And, yes, somewhere in there our refrigerator died the night before a week-long trip as well!

Find out about some of our favorite hikes for families throughout the southern half of California in my recent interview with Howard Fox for the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast.

And if you’d like to share the wonders of California with your kids–from Death Valley to the Channel Islands, and San Simeon to the Salton Sea–I hope you’ll take a look at my new guidebook. With color photos, maps, tips, restroom info, directions to the trailhead, age recommendations and difficulty ratings, and more — it makes SoCal adventures in nature easy and FUN for your family. (And it’s on sale now!)

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli

Founder of TravelswithBaby.com & FamilyTravel411.com

The post Podcast: Inside the making of “Hiking with Kids Southern California” appeared first on Travels With Baby.

You never forget the first time you see a tree big enough to drive through. I was only five years old and beyond thrilled that our family road trip not only took us through the redwoods, but actually THROUGH a giant redwood tree.

If you are planning a family road trip to or through California, I hope you’ll be able to visit some of its oldest — and largest — inhabitants: giant sequoias and giant redwoods. I’ve put together a list of some of the best (and most accessible) places to see ancient redwoods and giant sequoias, with a map showing their locations at the end of this post.

Here are 6 of the best places to see redwood groves and giant sequoia trees in California. But first! Pin this to your travel board for future reference and to help others!

Here is a quick guide to five SIX of our family’s favorite destinations for visiting California’s towering redwoods and giant sequoias. This post contains affiliate links to help fund this independent website.

1) The Chandelier Tree, a.k.a. the “drive-thru redwood tree”

Leggett, California – Cutting a car-size hole through ancient redwoods is, thankfully, no longer permitted. However, you can still drive your kids through the Chandelier Tree (above) at Leggett, California, where this enormous coast redwood continues to stand and grow in spite of its drive-thru traffic.

Just be sure to turn your side mirrors in to avoid spending more time in there than you’d like! The Chandelier Tree is just south of the intersection of Highway 101 and Coastal Highway 1, not far from the famed “Avenue of the Giants,” included in Armstrong Redwoods State Park below.

Follow this link for more information about the Chandelier drive-through redwood tree.

2) Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Angel’s Camp, California – We are very fond of “Big Trees” as it’s easy to reach in less than 3 hours from San Francisco or Berkeley, and has two groves of giant sequoias that simply do not disappoint.

In particular, the North Grove walking loop gets you up close to–and even inside of–jaw-droppingly delightful and massive ancient sequoias (AKA Sierra redwoods).

Bonus: It’s easy enough to do with toddlers on foot, or you can push a buggy or stroller through if you like.

If you plan well in advance, you may be able to get a camping reservation here as well (see my tips for Camping at Big Trees here).

Otherwise, you can book a hotel room in nearby Angel’s Camp (my kids would recommend the Best Western Cedar Inn & Suites with swimming pool and complimentary hot breakfast).

Read more about Calaveras Big Trees State Park in my blog post here, and access the CA State Parks pages for the park here.

3) Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Humboldt County, California – If it’s giant coast redwoods you want to see on your Northern California road trip, look no farther than Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Among the miracles awaiting, you’ll find the Rockefeller Forest — the largest expanse of old growth redwood trees remaining on the planet!

Suffice to say there are plenty of shady coastal redwood groves to explore on foot. You’ll find a list and description of favorite forest hiking trails in Humboldt Redwoods here that will get you up close with indisputably huge redwood trees.

Humboldt Redwoods is also home to a spectacular 31-mile scenic drive called the “Avenue of Giants” (somewhat parallel to Highway 101).

If you’re not sure how your little ones will do on the meandering driving route, know that you can tour small sections of the Avenue of Giants without committing to the whole tour.

There are plenty of places to stop and picnic and explore the giant redwoods and redwood forests along the way. For a printable map of the Avenue of the Giants, click here.

For more information about Humboldt Redwoods State Park, including details about camping in the park, click here.

4) Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park, California – With so many other spectacles competing for your attention within Yosemite National Park, you might lose sight of its majestic resident trees. Some of our favorites are the giant sequoias near the south entrance in the Mariposa Grove, which is home to some 500 mature giant sequoia trees.

UPDATE FOR YOSEMITE’S MARIPOSA GROVE – Mariposa Grove has reopened following a large restoration project, but a visit to the grove now requires a 4-mile round trip hike (considered moderate/strenuous) from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza near the south entrance. Visiting the Grizzly Giant and Tunnel Tree from this route requires an additional 1.5 miles of hiking.

If you’re looking for a shorter or more accessible option, you can do the “Grizzly Giant Loop” at 2.0 miles from the same trailhead (considered moderate and averaging 1.5-2 hours). Or take the “Big Trees Loop,” which also starts at the same trailhead and is a 0.3-mile wheelchair- and stroller-accessible interpretive trail averaging 30 to 45 minutes for most visitors.

You can see the fully revised trail map for Mariposa Grove when you scroll down this page.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR FEBRUARY VISITORS – Mid to late February is a very popular time to visit Yosemite National Park because it’s the one time a year that Horsetail Fall GLOWS orange when illuminated by the sunset. Advanced ticketing may be required to visit the park select dates through the end of February. Follow this link for more information and to reserve your pass.

If you’re looking for lodgings in this area, Yosemite’s historic Wawona Hotel is just a 15-minute drive from the grove. Or click here to see Yosemite area vacation rentals available on your dates. You  might also like the feature I wrote for Family Travel 411 – The 411 on Yosemite National Park with Kids.

Find more help and inspiration for your Yosemite family vacation on my Yosemite board on Pinterest. More great places to see California’s redwoods and giant sequoias continue below this plug for my new book!

5) The Parker Group, Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park – If you want to see giant sequoias on the grandest scale there is, do not pass Go! Head directly to Sequoia National Park.

Sequoia is home to the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest tree (based on volume)–but that’s  not all. The park has mammoth sequoias and giant redwoods throughout the park.

Given that these are the closest sequoias to Los Angeles (of the truly giant groves – about 4 hours north) and the southern California population centers, the park can get quite busy in peak season. If you need to visit in summer, I recommend visiting the most famous areas early and on a weekday if possible.

While many are prominently mapped and made as accessible as possible, our favorites remain this stand called “The Parker Group” that is off the most beaten path, not far from Moro Rock, which you’ll want to be sure and visit while you’re there (see my tips for hiking Moro Rock with little kids here).

For help planning your trip to Sequoia National Park, click here to see the latest Park Newspaper with maps including giant sequoia locations and park updates (scroll down for the latest edition). Be sure to also read my important(!) tips for visiting Crystal Cave (NOTE: CRYSTAL CAVE IS CLOSED FOR 2023) while you’re there. You might also like the feature I wrote for Family Travel 411 – The 411 on Sequoia National Park with Kids.

If you’re looking for lodgings, the well-appointed Wuksachi Lodge is close to many of the largest sequoias in Sequoia National Park.

Important note on camping: Only a few campgrounds in Sequoia accept reservations, with most being available on a first-come, first-served basis. More camping info here. You might also like the feature I wrote for Family Travel 411 – Sequoia National Park with Kids.

6) General Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park is Sequoia NP’s northern neighbor. Just over the border near the west entrance to Kings Canyon, you’ll find the Grant Grove, home to the world’s second largest tree based on volume and the Grove’s namesake: The General Grant Tree.

While a tree as wide as three freeway lanes is definitely impressive, your kids are likely to find other favorite giant sequoias here. Not to be missed: The Fallen Monarch tree, where you can walk through the length of its hollow core, which has doubled as a saloon and horse corral over time. And my son’s favorite: the hidden-cavern, climb-through Illinois Tree, which you’ll find just off the main grove path on the Michigan Tree Trail.

If camping isn’t your thing, the rustic Grant Grove Cabins at Grant Village are just a short hike away (and close to dining and a general store). See more photos from the Grant Grove in my Kings Canyon National Park gallery.

Here is a map of the redwood and sequoia groves recommended in this post:

So how about it? Do you want to add any of these stops to your California bucket list? Be sure to check the California Travel Destinations page for more tips and recommendations for your family’s California vacation. And also here’s a Family Road Trip Safety Packing List with printable.

More California outdoor vacation ideas:

• Sequoia National Park with Kids Family Vacation Guide
• Yosemite National Park with Kids Family Vacation Guide
• Five Great National Park Vacations for Families
• Ten Unforgettable California Family Vacation Ideas
• Hike these 5 California National Parks with Kids – and Confidence!

You might also like:

• San Francisco with Kids Family Vacation Guide (Family Travel 411)
• Family Road Trip Safety Packing List
• Pack This! The KneeGuard for Long Car Trips with Little Ones
• Road Trip Tips and Car Seat Travel Advice
• Monarch Magic at Pismo State Beach Butterfly Grove

Related resources:

• How to Travel with a Car Seat (Without Losing Your Mind)
• Tips for changing diapers during road trips with baby
• Checking-In Safety Checklist for Travel with Babies and Toddlers
• Packing List for Camping with Babies and Toddlers
• Worldwide Directory of Baby Gear Rentals
• How to Plan Your Best Vacation with a Baby or Toddler
• Best Baby Travel Beds and Portable Cribs

Plus, don’t miss these family road trip tips, and also here’s a Family Road Trip Safety Packing List with printable.

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby 

travelswithbaby.com

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

The post The 6 Best Places to Visit California’s Giant Redwoods and Giant Sequoias appeared first on Travels With Baby.

• With all the tips you need to know before you go, plus multiple photos of what you’ll find there, trail maps, and more?
• With hikes the author’s own family has personally undertaken and approved?!

Take a look at my new guidebook Hiking with Kids Southern California: 45 Great Hikes for Families. Yes, you can now look INSIDE the book on Amazon!     (Oh, and this post contains affiliate links–to MY BOOK!)

There are hikes ranging from easy to moderate/strenuous, and suitable for toddlers through teens. Explore the wonders of these five distinctive California regions, including:

• The Southern Sierra
• Central Coast
• California Deserts
• Los Angeles & Surrounding Area
• San Diego & Surrounding Area

Whether you live in California or you’re headed here on an upcoming vacation, this guide will help you explore some of its most diverse and unique ecosystems, glimpse its fascinating creatures, learn more about its natural and cultural histories as you go!

Did I mention waterfalls? Wildflowers? Some of the largest living organisms on earth? An ISLAND?!

Click here to preview Hiking with Kids Southern California online and pre-order your copy today! And hey, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Safe travels & happy hiking!

Shelly Rivoli,

Some hiking features from TravelswithBaby.com and FamilyTravel411.com you might enjoy in the meantime:

The 6 Best Places to Visit California’s Giant Redwoods and Giant Sequoias

Important tips for your visit to Crystal Cave at Sequoia National Park

Yosemite National Park with Kids Insider’s Family Vacation Guide

Sequoia National Park with Kids Insider’s Family Vacation Guide

5 Great National Park Vacations for Families

The post Announcing my new “Hiking with Kids Southern California” guidebook! appeared first on Travels With Baby.

I count myself so lucky to have celebrated two Chinese New Years in Taipei, Taiwan, where the celebrations go strong and last long! And I’ll never forget my bewilderment when someone explained to me the banks would be closed eleven days–this was before you could simply withdraw the local currency from an ATM with your card from abroad!

As you can imagine Chinese New Year is a “really big deal” in Taiwan, as it is in many cities celebrating Lunar New Year around the world. I was thrilled when Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett – a native of Taiwan and creator of the “Let’s Learn Mandarin Chinese with Miss Panda!“ audio guides for young children – agreed to share all about the Chinese New Year traditions in Taiwan in this special guest post (updated for 2023). Post may contain affiliate links.

Welcome, the Year of the Rabbit!

Chinese New Year:

The Biggest of the Chinese Holidays

In addition to marking the beginning of each lunar (moon) year, Chinese New Year represents the most important holiday of the year in traditional Chinese culture.  You can find it being celebrated in Chinatowns all over the world.

It’s naturally a huge event in my native Taiwan, but even here in my current home of Honolulu, Hawaii, Chinese New Year celebrations are a big event and not to be missed.

Origins of Chinese New Year:

The Story of “Nian” Beast

Some people say that Chinese New Year celebrations got their start with the story of the “Nian” beast (“nian” being the Chinese word for “year”).  As the legend goes, back in ancient times the “Nian” beast came out on the evening of each New Year to destroy crops and ravage villages.

One wise old man came to a village and found its people fleeing to hide from the beast.  He told the people to instead post red papers on their front doors, hang up bright red lanterns and set off firecrackers to make loud noises to scare away the beast.  The villagers followed his directions and the “Nian” beast went away.

People were thrilled to once again have a safe and peaceful village and they began to follow these earlier practices with a feast to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.  This legend passed on and in its own way explains many of the traditions we follow today in our celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year’s Eve Traditions: 

The Reunion Feast

Starting off Chinese New Year one hundred percent positively is all-important.  In order to begin things properly people begin with a major cleaning of the house.  “Out with the old and in with the new” is the idea behind this practice.

To bring good luck and prosperity families place so-called “spring scrolls,” red papers with lucky words or phrases, on their front doors.  Now is the time for the whole family to reunite – from the oldest great grandparent to the youngest newborn baby.  The tradition is to go back to your hometown to join the family reunion feast on Chinese New Year’s eve.

Because of its great importance families usually take days to prepare for this abundant dinner.  Must-have dishes for the meal include fish (which signifies surplus wealth), sticky rice cake (for promotions at work and good grades in school), noodles (for longevity and long life), and dumplings (for wealth and prosperity).

After the main courses pineapple is a favorite dessert fruit in Taiwan because the name for pineapple in Taiwanese sounds like “prosperity arrives!”

Red Envelopes

After Chinese New Year dinner, adults give red envelopes with “lucky money” (cash) in them to the children – always in an even number amount like 100, 200, 600, 800 or more to signify good luck.

In order to receive their envelopes children must say lucky phrases to their elders such as “gong xi, gong xi” (congratulations) and “xin nian kuai le” (Happy New Year). Other common favorites include, “gong xi fa cai” (congratulations on your prosperity) and “wan shi ru yi” (may everything go as you wish).

Parents may also receive red envelopes from their adult children. This shows the parents that their adult children are doing well in their own jobs or businesses.

Family Fun and Firecrackers

The excitement keeps climbing through the night.  After the red envelopes are distributed, some families play Mahjong, a popular Chinese tile game with four adult players per table.  Some families also play card games, Chinese chess, or Chinese checkers.

The children go with their parents to set off all kinds of firecrackers.  The popping sounds of the firecrackers build all night to the climax at twelve o’clock midnight.  Families and business owners set off long strings of red firecrackers at midnight for luck and prosperity in the coming year.  You can feel the excitement of the arrival of Chinese New Year by listening to the non-stop crackle of firecrackers throughout the entire city.

Not Just a One-Night Affair:

The Fifteen Days of Chinese New Year

Due to its importance, the Chinese New Year celebration lasts not one day, but fifteen.  With Chinese New Year allowing people to have five days or more off from work and school, families have time to catch up with each other.

Some days of the celebration include special practices.  The first day of Chinese New Year finds people enjoying the day savoring New Year’s delicacies, shopping in the special New Year’s marketplaces and having guests over. 

The second day of the Chinese New Year is the traditional day for married daughters to return to visit their own parents.  The fifth day of the Chinese New Year is typically the day for businesses to reopen and for some people to go back to work. However, kids typically don’t return to school just yet).

In any case the Chinese New Year celebration continues for fifteen days with people saying lucky phrases to greet each other during this time and making efforts to avoid any negative thoughts, words and actions.  The tradition is to be happy and joyful during this time so that happiness and good luck will follow you for the whole year.

—–

Thanks so much to Amanda “Miss Panda” Hsiung-Blodgett (whose Chinese last name literally means “bear”) for this great guest post on Chinese New Year, one of the biggest family holiday celebrations in the world. Amanda is the mother of two young bilingual children and the creator of the “Let’s Learn Mandarin Chinese with Miss Panda!” audio CD – the first installment of her Chinese learning series for young children.

A native of Taipei, Taiwan with parents from Mainland China, she currently lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.  She has traveled to Turkmenistan, England, Thailand, Taiwan, and Bahrain with her two children.  For more information about “Miss Panda” visit her at MissPandaChinese.com or on Facebook and Twitter. And to all… “xin nian kuai le” (Happy New Year), and “wan shi ru yi” (may everything go as you wish)!

You might also like:

Need to Know: Flying China Airlines with a Baby or Toddler

How to Plan Your Best Vacation with Baby

Flying with a Baby or Toddler Advice Index

How to Travel with a Car Seat (Without Losing Your Mind)

 

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks

Twitter     Facebook     Travels with Baby on Facebook     Pinterest

What?! Your kids aren’t babies anymore? Head over to Family Travel 411

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

The post Celebrating Chinese New Year in Taipei, Taiwan appeared first on Travels With Baby.

CALAVERAS BIG TREES S.P., ANGELS CAMP, CA – To complete our Eastern Sierra road trip, I felt it was only natural that we should call upon one of my favorite California state parks: Calaveras Big Trees.

The park is home to two groves of massive giant sequoias (AKA Sierra redwoods). And it’s also just under 3 hours from San Francisco, and 2 hours from Sacramento.

As it happened, we would be “practically passing right by” on our way home — if we just took the Sonora Pass (Hwy 108) and drove a little way north. Famous last words.

I remember hearing once that if you could take all the blood vessels and veins in the human body and lay them end-to-end, they could wrap around the earth nearly three times. I’m not sure if that’s true, but as we wound and wound around the hairpin curves of the highway I got the feeling you could pull it off with Highway 108.

Nevertheless, we were all quite pleased to see our “Big Trees” the following day. As you can see, they don’t disappoint.

The largest tree in the park is the Aggasiz Tree in the South grove, which is 25 feet in diameter (yes, in diameter) at 6 feet above the ground. But anyone making their first trip to Big Trees, especially with children, should head directly to the North Grove, which is where the story of Big Trees begins.

The Backstory of “Big Trees” State Park

In 1852, a man was tracking a wounded bear through the area when he suddenly came across what is now called the “Discovery Tree,” a slight misnomer considering what you’ll discover there now.

Being 1852 and in the middle of what many recent settlers and gold miners considered “mere wilderness,” there was really only one thing to do with such a discovery.

Five men spent 22 days cutting down the giant sequoia. As you might imagine, there were no saws in existence large enough for the job!

Sections of bark and a portion of its trunk were sent all the way to New York City by way of Cape Horn to be put on display.

For better and worse, the exhibit was considered a flop. The lesson to be learned from it was that those who were truly interested wanted to come to Calaveras to see the real trees for themselves — ALIVE — as they still do today.

TREE TRIVIA: Weirdly enough, the Discovery Tree stump has been California’s longest-running tourist attraction.

The Path to Preservation and Future Parks

Fortunately, news of the felled giant sparked anger and concern in some circles, including that of celebrated preservationist John Muir. The sad fate of the Discovery Tree was a prime example of the need for preservation, which helped lead to President Lincoln’s signing of the Yosemite Grant Act in 1864.

Don’t be surprised if you see a troop of Boy Scouts atop the stump as you arrive—but don’t be shy, there will still be room for your family to join them up there.

After climbing the stairs up to the top of the stump, you’ll see that a handful of minivans could be parked across the surface (thankfully they’re not).

It’s hard not to get goose bumps (or perhaps, shed a tear) as you stand atop the massive stump that remains from the Discovery Tree. This is where you’ll start exploring the must-see North Grove trail.

Exploring the North Grove Trail

The North Grove Trail is a level, 1.5-mile walk between giant sequoias (sometimes labeled as Sierra redwoods). Though the distance sounds short and the trail is actually wheelchair accessible, don’t be surprised (as we were) if it takes you 2 hours to complete the loop with enthusiastic small kids.

–> Nevertheless, it makes a great 2-hour hike through a giant forest with young children! Here is a link to the map.

Quick Tips for Your Trek:

If you’re exploring the loop with a baby or toddler, you might want to bring your stroller along (a jogging or all-terrain stroller is ideal). That way you can load up with plenty of water and snacks for everyone to enjoy. Not to mention, you’ll avoid carrying your tired-out toddler the last half of the loop.

Before you start down the trail, be sure to use the restrooms at the parking lot since there won’t be any along the trail.

Then pick up your 50 cent guide to the trees from the box at the trailhead (also available at the Visitor Center). You can also view a guide to the North Grove here.

There are expensive bottles of water and sodas in a machine near the Visitor Center, but that’s it for food or drink. So bring your picnic, beverages of choice, and plenty of drinking water.

Favorite Trees and Highlights of the North Grove

Some highlights of the popular North Grove include: The Empire State Tree — the largest in the North Grove with an 18-foot diameter, The Three Graces, and the favorite of most visiting kids: The Tunnel Tree (shown above).

This hollowed-out massive trunk lies alongside the trail and even adults can walk through the interior. Be warned: your kids may need to spend a bit of time at this one. Get ready for plenty of photo ops!

TIP: After your walk through the North Grove, enjoy your picnic in the area adjacent to the parking lot. Or venture farther into the park and check out the picnicking areas along the river.

When is the best time to visit Calaveras Big Trees?

Big Trees State Park can be visited year round. However, only camping and trails in the North Grove area may be accessible during winter months.

In late spring or early summer, you may catch the Pacific dogwoods in bloom, which flourish here beneath the giants. There are also several varieties of California wildflowers to enjoy.

In fall, you may be dazzled by the color of the changing leaves, usually best in late October.

In winter, cross-country skiiers may enjoy exploring the North Grove in winter when the weather cooperates!

Are you interested in camping in Calaveras Big Trees State Park? Check out my post with Tips for Camping at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Discover more great places to see some of the biggest trees in California – including the best giant sequoias and coast redwoods – in The Six Best Places to Visit California’s Giant Redwoods and Giant Sequoias.

You might also like these posts:

• Tips for Camping at Calaveras Big Trees State Park
• The Six Best Places to Visit California’s Giant Redwoods and Giant Sequoia Trees
• Packing List for Camping with a Baby or Toddler
• Yosemite National Park with Kids
• Sequoia National Park with Kids
• Tips for Biking Yosemite with a Baby, Toddler, or Young Children
• Ten Unforgettable California Family Vacation Ideas
• How to Travel with a Car Seat (Without Losing Your Mind)

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby

TravelswithBaby.com

Note: This post was originally published in July of 2009 and has since been revised and updated.

The post See (REALLY) Big Trees at Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Northern California appeared first on Travels With Baby.

Are you looking forward to biking Yosemite with your baby or young children in the new year? This is the post for you! (Updated for 2022. Post contains affiliate links.)

I’ve long been a fan of John Lennon’s song “Imagine,” but on a certain pre-birthday trip to Yosemite I began to take serious issue with the line: “Imagine there’s no heaven.” Why, you may ask?

As the early May sun lit up the meadow and we pedaled through the Valley with our entire family of 5 for the first time, I thought, “Nope. I like to imagine that if there is a heaven it’s a lot like riding my bike through Yosemite in spring.”

As some of you might recall, I’m not the world’s most confident bicyclist, though it’s something I’m working hard to overcome in the interest of my children and our family ‘s recreational pursuits.

Yosemite Valley, I’ve found, is one of the most spectacular and easiest places to bike together as a family. And once your children are too big to lug around in backpacks on the hiking trails—and before they are sturdy with stamina enough to hit the more rugged trails themselves, biking with them is one of the hands-down best ways to see and experience Yosemite with young children.

I sincerely hope that all of you reading this will get the chance to do it. Here are my top tips to help plan your family biking trip in Yosemite.

1. Bring your bikes—and locks.

If you’re bringing your own bikes from home be sure to carry a couple of U-locks.

Bikes generally seem pretty safe around Yosemite, but the locks will give you peace of mind any time you stop along the way on your road trip driving to or from Yosemite.

The locks will also help you enjoy your stops along your bicycle ride to picnic in the park–or take photos at some of the busiest spots.

Since bikes are very common in Yosemite, you’ll find plenty of places to park them.

2)    Or rent bikes, bike trailers, or tandems in Yosemite.

Bike rentals are available at three locations in Yosemite: Yosemite Lodge (next to the swimming pool), Curry Village (next to the front office), and Yosemite Village (next to the Village Store).

Yosemite’s rental bikes have at most two gears, but this is generally perfectly adequate for cruising the valley floor (with two kids in a trailer, you’ll get some extra exercise on the slight inclines).

In addition to renting adult bikes and kids bikes ($40 full day / $30 half day), you can rent an adult bike with an attached trailer ($75 full day / $55 half day).

Helmets are also available for rent, though the smallest available is a toddler size – you may want to bring your own if biking with an infant under 1 year.

A couple of tandem bikes are also available for rent and may work for you and your school-age child. See more at Biking & Bike Rentals | Yosemite National Park CA | TravelYosemite.com.

3)    Bring a lightweight daypack, preferably with support straps.

Having my “Mommy’s Action Pack” with me has made a world of difference on bike trips with the “very littles.” A lightweight backpack with chest & waist support straps make it easy to bike comfortably with the pack and stay out on the trails for hours.

My beloved (and still-going-strong!) daypack was discontinued, but you might consider something like the OneTrail Dipsea Daypack with its sturdy construction and always-useful bungee (especially when shedding layers on the go!).

Must haves for your daypack: diaper changing pack, our picnic and snacks, extra water bottle pockets, lightweight picnic blanket (or NeatSheet), sweatshirts, sun hats  for when we stop and take off those helmets to play, sun block, baby-friendly insect repellent (in case), antibacterial hand wipes or gel, and phone/camera.

4.  Use trail-a-bikes (trailer bikes) with preschoolers in Yosemite.

We’ve found trail-a-bikes (AKA trailer bikes, tag-along bikes) to be invaluable when biking Yosemite with our kids who are not ready to be out on their own bikes, but are too big for the bicycle trailer.

They are also a great way to help them get some biking confidence and skills—not to mention exercise. I also appreciate the extra help on the hills!

As I’ve written before (see How to bike with a baby or toddler plus a little kid), the “Frog Seat” front-mounted baby bike seat from iBert is also helpful when using trail-a-bikes. Unfortunately neither of these are available at Yosemite’s bike rentals, so you will need to bring your own or make other arrangements (we brought two trailer bikes on this trip – and it was worth it!).

I was thrilled to find out Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite is now offering trailer bike rentals to its guests as well, so those of you staying in their cabins or campsites can now take advantage of that as well ($55 per day adult bike + trailer or adult bike + trail-a-bike).

5. Plan a picnic for your biking trip in Yosemite.

It’s hard to imagine a more perfect day with small kids in Yosemite than biking around the Valley and stopping to enjoy a picnic on one of the beaches along the Merced River.

There are a number of to-go lunch items you can pick up at either the Yosemite Lodge cafeteria (our favorites include fresh fruit cups, salads, sandwiches) or at Curry Village’s  informal restaurants or market.

In mild weather, try the sunny beaches by Swinging Bridge or Chapel Bridge where your kids might enjoy throwing rocks in the water for hours, or in hot weather, head to the Cathedral Picnic area where you’ll find shady picnic tables and shady patches to pitch your picnic blanket along the river.

6. Use the best bathrooms for potty trainees and diaper changes.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with changing diapers al fresco in the middle of a national park (just be sure to dispose of it properly!).

But in chillier weather and to help accommodate sensitive potty training children, know that there are diaper changing stations and clean, flushing restrooms around and about the valley.

You’ll find restrooms with flush toilets entrance to the Curry Village indoor restaurant, in the cafeteria of the Yosemite Lodge, and at the enormous restrooms by the Yosemite Falls shuttle stop. Vault or “pit toilets” can also be found throughout Yosemite Valley.

More tips and ideas for your Yosemite vacation:

Yosemite National Park with Kids – planning guide
The Best Places to Visit California’s Giant Redwoods and Sequoias
The Celebrated jumping frogs of Birch Lake (near Yosemite)
Roadstop: Oakdale Cheese and Specialties (en route to Yosemite)
Travels with Baby Review of Evergreen Lodge (at Yosemite)
Travels with Baby Review of Wawona Hotel (in South Yosemite)

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guidebook Travels with Baby
The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children
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An earlier version of this post was first published in May of 2010. It has since been revised and updated.

The post Tips for biking Yosemite National Park with a baby, toddler, or young children appeared first on Travels With Baby.