Certain beaches are often associated with certain kinds of vacationers---the springbreakers or the honeymooners, for example. If you're traveling with children, particularly with young children, it can be helpful to research ahead of time which beaches are family-friendly and offer activities for children of all ages.
Originally founded in 1888, Hotel Del Coronado is located in San Diego, California, and is proud to be the only true beachfront hotel in the area. The hotel offers its guests an extensive list of beach and non-beach activities to enjoy during their stay, including Kidtopia Camp & Crafts. Kidtopia offers three- and one-hour programs to children between the ages of four and 12. Program activities include beach-themed crafts, performances and playtime. Older children, ages 13 to 17, can spend time in the Vibz Teen Lounge, a contemporary space equipped with darts, billiards, foosball, karaoke and computers. Family activities are also offered and include things like Family S'Mores Night and Dine-in Family Movie Night.
Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118
1-800-468-3533
hoteldel.com
Located on beautiful Captiva Island in Florida, the South Seas Island Resort caters to family vacationers by featuring several programs available to the entire family, children or teens. Family activities offered by the resort include Family Golf at the Captiva Course, Capitva Cruises Family Excursions, and Go! Fish, a program in which participants are able to fish off of the resort's T-Dock. Understanding that parents sometimes need a few hours of vacation of their own, the South Seas Island Resort also offers several child- and/or teen-only activities---parents are not invited! Such activities include Kids Night Out, open to children ages four to 11, the Sanibel Sea School and tennis clinics.
South Seas Island Resort
5400 Plantation Road
Captiva Island, FL 33924
866-565-5089
southseas.com
The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida was voted by "Travel+Leisure" readers as being one of the top 25 hotels in the United States in August 2010. In addition, the 2010 development of the Natures Wonders program for children has been greatly praised by Fortune magazine. The Nature's Wonders program provides children with a nature-themed sanctuary to enjoy, allowing them to experience nature in a very hands-on way. The center features 11 aquariums, a kid-friendly lab complete with microscopes, Petri dishes, and slides and a Nature Vision Theater, which airs Discovery programs, National Geographic specials and Disney movies. In addition, the Nature's Wonders program organizes nature walks, guest speakers and boat rides.
Naples, FL Ritz-Carlton
280 Vanderbilt Beach Road
Naples, FL 34108
239-598-3300
ritzcarlton.com
