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Miami, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Florida… These are some of the destinations that are thrown out during the “family vacation meeting”. I’m not going to be a hypocrite, when planning a vacation the first thoughts in my head are always beaches, resorts, islands or maybe even a cruise, until now. My thoughts were now maps, camping, tours and a few really big parks. We had done the Europe thing the year before and my kids were old enough to appreciate the beauty that Mother Earth has to offer. After a few phone calls and a day or so online, our 2 week summer vacation was planned, we were heading to California’s High Sierra. The plan was to fly to California, rent a mini-van and enjoy the rainbow trimmed waterfalls, alpine lakes, pristine meadows, giant sequoia trees and raging rivers.

It was one of the best vacations we as a family ever had. Below I listed the three National Parks we visited and a few things that you can do while there. If you were looking for a reason to buy that fancy camera at your local camera store, you found one!!

Yosemite National Park is 770,000 acres of geological wonders. There are two “must do things” while at Yosemite. Yosemite Park has two of the tallest free falling waterfalls in the world, a must see. When you are done with the breath taking waterfalls, head up to Glacier Point for an amazing sunset and the stargazing tour. You are surrounded by beauty from day-time to night-time at Yosemite.

Sequoia National Park in my opinion is one of the most mesmerizing places in the world. It’s safe to say that all of us see trees and plants on a daily basis, well not like this.. This is the place for craning your neck and gazing in wonder at the sequoia trees. Yes, there are a lot of gargantuan trees there but you need to pay the General Sherman Tree a visit, it is the largest living tree on earth (taller than a 27-story building and more than 100 feet around. I recommend you head over to the Buckeye Campground, take an easy 1 mile walk on Paradise Creek Trail and enjoy the swimming holes at the base of a few small waterfalls. I need to warn you, the water is cold; don’t worry, you’ll get used to it in a matter of minutes.

Kings Canyon National Park is the canyon of the Kings River, the name alone can be intimidating; it’s the deepest canyon in North America, the Grand Canyon is not so grand when compared to this National Park. I highly recommend the Boyden Cavern tour; the Boyden Cavern hides beneath the 2,000 foot high marble walls of the Kings Gates, take a sweater or jacket, it can get pretty cold down there. To thaw out after your cave tour head to South Fork Kings River for a calm and relaxing raft ride down the river. Kings River’s summer flow is typically so gentle that your raft lazily meanders; you barely have to paddle.

My point to this is, before you simply jump on the next plane to some gorgeous paradise in the sun, consider a well-planned “staycation” . Jump in a mini-van and drive 3 to 5 hours away from home and experience the trip and the “Are we there yet?” moments!

And don’t just settle for the chain motels, there are often incredible deals for exclusive resorts near the hotspots I’ve spoken of. The subscribers to Getaway Gateway know firsthand that they can stay at these resorts for prices that are less than a bargain chain motel.

So the next time you are having the “family vacation meeting” and shouts of Miami, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Los Angeles and Florida enter the conversation just remember why we go on vacation as a family…and maybe think to share the paradise moments with your partner.

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