Less than three hours south of the Oregon Border, the Coffee Creek Ranch offers a dude ranch experience for the whole family. The ranch, nestled near the Trinity Alps wilderness in the northern California town of Trinity Center, features a variety of horseback rides as well as opportunities for hunting and fishing.
The ranch has specific activities for kids as well. Kids, age three to five, can try panning for gold, do arts and crafts and put on a talent show. Kids age six to twelve will ride horses and fish in the pond while teens, age 13 to 17, can take lessons in roping and proper rifle use or opt to a take a hike.
Families will stay in their own private cabins and have the opportunity to use the rifle range, pan for gold in the creek, pedal boat in the pond, or take a horse-drawn hayride. Coffee Creek Ranch is open from Easter to Thanksgiving.
Coffee Creek Ranch
HC2 Box 4940
Trinity Center, CA 96091
800-624-4480
coffeecreekranch.com
For year-round outdoor recreation, head to Northstar-at-Tahoe in Truckee, less than six hours south of Trinity Center. Families can mountain bike the hundred miles of trails, try fly fishing, explore the property via horseback, try the “Apex Ropes Challenge” course or drive six miles south to explore Lake Tahoe. Parents can hit the golf course while the kids, age four to twelve, attend the “Kid's Adventure Day Camp.” The camp, separated into two age groups, ages four to six and ages seven to twelve, offers nature hikes and outdoor games. End the night with an outdoor movie in the center of the Village, the resort's center of shopping, dining and entertainment options.
Don't forget the family fun to be had in winter. Try snow tubing, cross-country and downhill skiing, ice skating or making s'mores over a toasty fire. Children, age two to six, that don't ski can take part in the fun activities offered by the “Child Care Minors' Camp.”
Families can stay in hotel rooms, condominiums that range in size from studios to a four-bedroom, or a mountain home with three to six bedrooms.
Northstar-at-Tahoe
P.O. Box 129
Truckee, CA 96160
800-4666784
northstarattahoe.com
Head five hours south of Truckee for outdoor adventure at the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Situated just two miles from the southern gate entrance to Yosemite National Park in Fish Camp, the lodge offers summer fun like river rafting and rock climbing and winter fun such as snowmobiling and downhill skiing at the Badger Pass ski area in Yosemite. Don't forget the expert guided tours, either the warm weather excursions into Yosemite or the snowshoe hikes through the neighboring Sierra National Forest.
Kids can take part in the year-round half-day programs that teach archery, fishing or rock wall climbing. Families can choose to stay in newly-remodeled guest rooms, suites or private cottages.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
1122 Highway 41
Fish Camp, CA 93623
888-514-2167
tenayalodge.com
For a round of golf on a championship course head to the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, less than five hours south of Fish Camp, in Ojai. Parents can hit the links or the spa while the kids have fun at the year-round “Camp Ojai.” Kids, age five to twelve, can choose half or full-day sessions that include arts and craft activities, playing tennis, challenging others to a board game or performing skits. Teens can head to the “Nest,” a section of the resort strictly for teens, for video games, volleyball, pool or art classes.
Families can swim in one of the four outdoor pools, play a game of tennis, take a walk through the herb garden or rent a bike and explore the property and the town of Ojai. Families can choose to learn rock climbing or kayaking, take a guided bike tour or visit the nearby Channel Islands National Park.
Families can spend their nights in their choice of guest rooms or suites.
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
905 Country Club Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
800-422-6524
ojairesort.com
