Epic Adventure

States Explored: CA, NV, UT

The first few trips we took as a family focused on extended family and ensuring we made it through their area to see our cousins and friends over vast reaches of this great country. From there, I went on to connect the dots poring over lists either on the internet or looking up the path on my Large Scale Atlas and seeing what was literally between here and yon, I made an itinerary. We found ourselves on an "Epic Adventure" over the hill and through to Grandma’s with two kids two and under!

Residing in the San Francisco Bay Area makes for a convenient start for treks as both 80 and The 101 are accessible from the North Bay.

Jumping on The 101, we made our way across the San Francisco Bay toward Monterey Bay, home to one of the best aquariums in the country. With many shops and eateries bayside, endless recommendations abound for this quaint, yet lively coastal alcove of what was once warehouses for canning the local catch is now headquarters for whale sightings and other marine life.

Take the morning to gaze in wonder at the multitudes of environments represented at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It's quite a vast display for this densely thriving marine environment. Many of the exhibits are breathtaking and in almost utter darkness, while others are more tactile and kid-friendly. This aquarium suits all levels and tastes.

Our family loves octopuses and their tentacles. So imagine our toddler’s excitement when we enter an exhibit dedicated to these cephalopods who also dwell in the crisp, cool waters outside!

After working up an appetite, treat yourself to a sundae at the Ghirardelli ice cream parlor nearby or another local eating establishment.

We stayed at a budget motel in town and, while that worked well, we opted to stay closer to the action when we made a return trip a few years later. We enjoyed the walkability of the hidden gem Wave Street Inn for both the proximity to the cafe for brunch before heading back to explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium again during our Disneyland trip.

Next, we headed south to visit a colleague of my partner in Temecula. We stayed near the quaint Old Town not far from my partner’s colleague’s family, our local hosts. Old Town features an Old West meets wine tasting rooms feel. Explore more about Old Town Temecula here.

Our host’s mother made dinner for all of us at their home which was so generous. Wonderful Indian dishes and aromatic rice and buttery naan filled our bellies. This sweet family gave us respite on the road for which we are ever thankful!

The next day, it was over 100 degrees again, so we ducked into some air conditioning. The local mall had a very cute play area for the littles. So, we hung out there for a while during the day before checking out the local Yardbirds. Very decent fare for even the pickiest eaters and cold beers on tap. Can’t beat it!

The next morning, before we headed to our next destination, I was introduced to a new food. Hot, fresh paranthas, something between a quesadilla and a crepe, is a typical Indian breakfast with thin sautéed dough usually stuffed with anything from cheese to potatoes to veggies. They can be topped with sauces called chutney, butter, or any other topping of your choice. One of the yummiest and heartiest home breakfasts I’ve ever had! Their hospitality was welcome, because as we all know traveling with two kiddos two and under can take a lot out of you!

Onward we passed through the outskirts of LA before landing outside Las Vegas in Henderson at another budget hotel. We found some great Hawaiian BBQ to pick up for dinner on the way in. The toddler loves Chicken Katsu, so a win-win for this stopover. Unfortunately, the AC was not providing any relief that night. So, after a sweaty stopover, we headed toward Grandmas of UT.

We kept it local with the littles on the outskirts of Salt Lake City visiting with family.

We later headed to see other relatives in the Vernal area which is a few hours East of SLC. One thing Vernal is known for is dinosaurs. So, we could not miss showing our toddler what all this the stepping stone of a National Monument has to offer!

Dinah the Dinosaur and the T-Rex greet you depending on which way you enter the town of Vernal on the highway. We highly recommend staying at the Dinosaur Inn & Suites in Downtown Vernal.

Both the Uintah County Heritage Museum and the Utah Field House of Dinosaur History State Park Museum are down the street.

Gas up at this station on Hwy 40 W and be greeted by a T-Rex next door. See on Google Maps here.

Drive approximately 17 miles outside Vernal city limits to the Dinosaur National Monument. Make sure to fill up on gas before you head out of town and to check the weather conditions from the Monument’s site since the cooler seasons can lead to closures. Visit the Dinosaur National Monument site for updates here.

Catch the tram from the building up to the Quarry Exhibit Hall . This special site has a large wall with intact dinosaur skeletons still embedded in the earth for viewing! The Park Rangers run informative sessions daily so be sure to check out the times.

As we zoomed down 80 through the deserts of Nevada, back to The SF Bay, we knew we’d return later to the Uintah Basin for more dinosaur fun!