Already thinking of summer 2022? Yeah, us too. You are in luck as our top adventure from summer 2021 is back for another year and you can get in on the action. We checked out Camp Navarro’s Weekend in the Woods and it was quite possibly our favorite camping experience, ever! Gourmet meals cooked for you, a massive property for exploring, archery, rope swinging into the river and so much more. Read on for the full scoop on how you can add this to your summer 2022 must-do list.
Everything You Love about Camping & MORE
Kate Loweth
This former Boy Scout camp typically welcomes corporate groups, weddings and wellness retreats but COVID changed everything. For the first time in Camp Navarro's 100-year history, they opened the camp up to families for a few select summer weekends. Camp Navarro introduced their Weekend in the Woods protram and families in attendance got to explore the property's 200+ acres from Thursday through Sunday. Here's what the weekends brought:
The friendly and helpful staff was there to welcome you the minute you arrived on the property. What you'll love about Camp Navarro's Weekend in the Woods is that there are just enough planned activities to keep the kids from jumping on the (super fast) WiFi, but not so much that you have flashbacks to family camps of yesteryear with mandatory crafting and skits.
During our weekend, activity highlights included an amazing stargazing night hike, trying our hands at archery and scurrying up the rock wall. Everything was optional and all could participate! There was a crafting station if you wanted to paint some rocks and there were hiking trails for exploring. Everyone enjoyed picking blackberries that grew along the creekbed and watching the deer visit in the meadow.
Water Play
Kate Loweth
While the summer of 2021 brought low water levels at Camp Navarro, there was still plenty at the rope swing area to keep the kids busy. Parents set up their camp chairs on the rocky creekbed while kids climbed trees, swung from the rope swing and tried to catch minnows. The rope swing was just a 10-minute walk from the main camp area and super easy to access along the property's trails.
The Best Part of Camp Navarro: The Food!
Kate Loweth
What's your least favorite part of camping? If you said cooking then this is the camp for you! Weekend in the Woods come with a delicious breakfast and dinner service and it's way beyond any family camp meal service you might have had before. Scrambled eggs with goat cheese and chives, fresh berry yogurt parfaits and hot coffee topped the breakfast menu. When the staff overheard my son ask about cereal, homemade granola magically appeared. They really were there to make your experience the best it could be.
Everyone's favorite dinner was definitely the night they made TONS of pizzas on the woodfire oven. Each kid pretty much got their own along with grilled peaches and a number of salads.
During the evening hours, you could order up a bottle of local wine or a pint of beer to go along with your meal. Exactly what you wanted after a day in the sun!
S'mores were offered in the evenings (a kid highlight, for sure!).
The Sleeping Options
Kate Loweth
When you come to a Weekend in the Woods, the big decision is whether you want to sleep in a cabin, teepee or Adirondack. There are options for families up to six or you can snag two neighboring cabins for bigger groups. The cabins and Adrinodacks have bunk beds for sleeping and you bring your own sleeping bags, pillows and linens.
You'll find hammocks and picnic tables scattered throughout the property and there are gathering areas near the cabins if you come with a group. While none of the sleeping options have their own bathrooms, the communal bathrooms were large and exceptionally clean throughout the weekend. You can even choose the outdoor shower if you want to shower under the redwoods!
Nearby Adventures
Kate Loweth
Located in Navarro, the camp is 2.5 hours north of San Francisco just past Booneville in Mendocino County. A 20-minute drive will get you to the coast. Navarro Beach is a great spot to set up your gear and enjoy the water. Temps are often significantly cooler here so definitely bring layers.
If wine tasting is more your style, there are plenty of options in Navarro and Booneville. Then swing by the farm stand at the Philo Apple Farm to snag some apple cider and dried apples to take home.
Pennyroyal Farm is another fun stop along the road to Camp Navarro. Here you can do wine tasting (they have a grape juice flight for the kids!), see the resident goats and try their delicious goat cheese.
How to Sign Up for Weekend in the Woods 2022
Kate Loweth
The good news: Weekend in the Woods will be back for summer 2022! While the dates have not yet been released, you can sign up on the Camp Navarro website to be the first notified when the dates are announced. You definitely won't want to miss it!
It’s hard to believe that crisp fall days and sweater weather are lurking around the corner. Resist the urge to mourn another summer in the books and look ahead to those sweet-spot autumn temps that are perfection for outdoor exploring. Over half of Wisconsin is covered in forest, making it an ideal place to view the stunning colors of the harvest season. Take a quick day or weekend trip to partake in the beauty of Wisconsin and enjoy everything from pumpkin patches to train rides.
Orange or white, short and squatty or tall and slender, pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. You'll have your pick at one of Wisconsin's numerous pumpkin farms.
Waldvogel Farm starts its season Sep. 18 and being the biggest in the state, you won't be at a loss for activities. You'll find more than 60 attractions, including the world's largest inflatable pumpkin. Have you ever tried pumpkin bowling? If that's a no, here's your chance. Burch Barn lets you try your hand at knocking down some pins before you start searching for your take-home pumpkin. And at Mommsen's Harvel Hills in Rice Lake, you can catapult pumpkins 300 feet into the air with their medieval trebuchet catapult.
After pumpkin-picking, wind your way through a corn maze and then rest up at one of the rented bone fire areas at Schuster Farm in Deerfield. For those who prefer to do their corn-maze-conquering in the dark, the farm keeps the 20-acre maze open until 11 p.m.
In a mash-up of art, outdoor game and social experiment, Treinen Farm's unique corn mazes have a specific theme each year, with an entire experience built around that theme. Once you enter the maze, you'll be handed a map with missing pieces that are gathered as you make your way to different stages that take you to the finish line. This year's theme is Cat and Other Thought Experiments.
It doesn't get any more midwest-fall than picking apples. Eau Claire's The Glass Orchardis a combo orchard and glass blowing studio. After picking apples, take a peek at their shop where customers can find glass-blown pumpkins and ornaments. While you're in the area, stop by Dixon's Autumn Harvest Orchard and Winery that offers free hayrides and mazes for kids on the weekends.
If you're looking for something more than apples, Ecker's Apple Farm grows Wisconsin peaches in the fall and offers local brews at Hog's Back Brew Farms, a unique beer garden nestled among the apple trees.
Make your harvesting fun uniquely special and view the fall foliage aboard a historic train ride with Mid-Continent Railway. They offer a Pumpkin Special ride that lets riders hop off to pick their pumpkins halfway through at Quartzite Lake.
You can also ditch your four wheels and sit back with East Troy Railroad, which stops at the Elegant Farmer, a popular apple orchard know for its paper bag-baked apple pie.
Press your own apple cider using historic traditional equipment from the Washington Island Farm Museum at the Fall Fun Fest & Cider Pressing Party. While you're there, sip on local cider while the kids snack on freshly dipped caramel apples.
Did you know Wisconsin has a state fruit? Yep, it's cranberries. The Warrens Cranberry Festival, Sep. 24-26, includes a guided tour of the surrounding cranberry marshes that provide fresh local cranberries.
Cedarburg's Wine and Harvest Festival, Sep. 18-19, will delight the adult palates in the group, but kids will be entertained watching the pumpkin carving demonstration, pumpkin regatta, grape stomping contests and the giant pumpkin weigh-in.
Orchards from across the county come together for the Bayfield AppleFest, Oct. 1-3 as a celebration of fall, nature and agriculture. The apple peeling contest is always a highlight, as is the crowning of the Apple Queen. There are more than 15 apple orchards within a few miles of the city limits, making it the perfect place for an orchard visit. Be sure to stop by Superior View Farm, a 100-year-old orchard that is home to the one-of-a-kind Merlot apple that was started right there on the farm.
What delights them at four causes nightmares for the two year old, and many of the things a toddler enjoys best bore your 8 year old to tears. We’ve sorted the best of the best activities to determine what you can’t miss for each age and stage, so everyone had a spooky-but-not-scary, memorable, monstrous and Happy Halloween!
Best for Baby
While baby isn’t all that aware of the Halloween hullabaloo, they sure enjoy animals, colors and cute costumes. And you can’t resist the baby album snaps that commemorate your wee ones first Halloween.
Boo! at the Zoo
Babies love looking at the animals, and bringing your adorable costumed little monkey for a photo op with the real monkeys is a memory you’ll treasure always. There are activities for kids of all ages, and you can always just watch animals munching on their Halloween treats. Daily through Oct. 31. Griffith Park. $15-$20. All ages. Event details.
Mickey’s Halloween
It’s not like your 3 month old is into the Disney craze. So why bring baby? Because they’re free! Kids under 3 don’t require a ticket, and Mickey’s Halloween Party is less expensive for adults, so you all get to dress up, have a blast and save some cash. Then when they’re older and beg to go, you can show them pictures and prove they’ve already been. Select dates in October. Anaheim. $69-84; kids under 3 are free. All ages. Event details.
Descanso Autumn Festival
Escape the hullabaloo of Halloween at a quiet nature filled Autumn festival with your wee one; there’s a costume parade, pumpkin carving demonstration, great fall treats from Patina and picture-perfect autumnal scenery to serve as backdrops to Halloween portraits. Plus, kids under 5 are free. Oct. 17 & 18 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. La Cañada. Free-$9. All ages. Event details.
Riley’s Apple Farm
Nope, they can’t pick apples or eat ‘em either, but we recommend starting off baby’s first fall with a trip to Oak Glen to go apple picking because it’s a wonderful family tradition to put in place. Plus, Riley’s Farm is a spectacular setting for (you guessed it) pictures! Open Monday-Saturday all fall. Oak Glen. $1 to enter the orchard, then pay for what you pick. All ages. Event details.
Montana Halloween Hop
Montana Avenue in Santa Monica hosts a Halloween Trick-or-Treat in the trendy stores (including Giggle, for all your baby needs). It’s an easy, safe, early and non-scary first Trick-or-Treat experience for babies. And after popping into Giggle, you can grab a relaxing dinner along the street as your baby naps. Oct. 31 from 3 -6 p.m. Santa Monica. Free. All ages. Event details.
photo: A Faery Hunt
Tops for Toddlers
Your toddling tot loves hands-on outings, and these interactive scare-free adventures are just right.
Pumpkin Races at Manhattan Beach Pier
Your little one loves things that go, and pumpkins on wheels are a spectacular sight. Cheer on the kookiest pumpkin! Oct. 25 from noon-5 p.m. Manhattan Beach. Free. All ages. Event details.
Underwood Farms Pumpkin Festival
While practically every preschool makes the pilgrimage to Underwood’s pumpkin patch, it’s fun for you to be the one to introduce your pre-preschooler to the madness that is the Underwood Farm yearly October festival. With animals, pumpkins and loads of entertainment (not to mention plenty of photo ops on the hay pyramid or on the tractors), this is a can’t miss for the youngest celebrants. Saturdays & Sundays in October (weekdays too, but the entertainment is on the weekends) from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Moorpark. $15. All ages. Event details.
Malibu Bluffs Halloween Party
With carnival games, bounce houses, a costume parade, prizes and a safe and gorgeous Trick-or-Treat Trail that wanders the bluffs above the ocean, this Halloween party is our favorite spot for youngsters. And if you need more, there’s the Pudding Truck, a garbage truck and playgrounds for those that need a break from festivities. Oct. 30 from 3 -5:30 p.m. Malibu. Free admission. Ages 1-10. Event details.
Halloween Faery Party
Following the morning performance of the beloved Faery Hunt show is the Faery Halloween party with a magician, storytelling, dancing, games, fairy unicorn readings, fairy face painting, one-on-one time with the fairies, food and fun. It’s a great party for little fairy worshipers. Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Griffith Park. $15-$25. Ages 2-8. Event details.
Boo at the Teaching Zoo
Kids that can’t resist touching everything will want to get up-close and personal with all the animals who are out to celebrate and show off at the Teaching Zoo. It’s also less crowded than the LA Zoo’s Boo. Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Moorpark. $6-$8. All ages. Event details.
photo: Irvine Park Railroad
Perfect for Preschoolers
Ahhh, they’ve discovered the joys of trick-or-treating! They’re also ready for a slightly spooky Halloween story (that won’t keep them up at night) and a pumpkin patch that includes a dark but not haunted train ride…
Bob Baker’s Halloween Spooktacular
Sitting right next to these amazing marionettes brings Halloween to life and allows your kid to start life off as an Angeleno native should: watching a piece of history at the country’s oldest ongoing puppet theater. (Though kids as young as 2 are welcome, we find that the puppets can be a little scary for those under 4 or 5.) Friday-Sunday in October at various times. Echo Park. $15. Ages 2 & up. Event details.
Creatures at the Arboretum
Wander in your costume with the peacocks at this celebration in the beautiful Arboretum (one of our favorite spots for fall leaf viewing, too) where the celebration for kids includes pumpkin decorating, creepy science projects and other autumn crafts. Oct.31 from 9 a.m.-noon. Arcadia. $5 plus admission for kids. All ages. Event details.
Theatricum Boo!-tanicum
There are two Halloween shows at the gorgeous Theatricum Botanicum. The annual Boo-Tanicum is great for the whole family with games, inprov silliness and lots of haunted fun in the woods and takes place on Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10-15, and kids under 5 are free. But for those who are still easily scared in the dark, on Oct. 25 at 11 a.m., there is a show filled with non-spooky Halloween tales. It’s perfect for kids 3-6, and tickets are $9.
Scarariums Making at Purple Twig
Arty tots (and their big siblings) will love getting crafty at Purple Twig to make some amazing eerie worlds in a jar. And you’ll love these original Halloween decorations to keep for years and years at home. Oct. 24 from 3 -4 p.m. Eagle Rock. $35. Ages 4-10. Event details.
Irvine Pumpkin Train
This small train is perfect for Thomas lovers, as it chugs around Irvine Park, making a quick visit through a totally non-scary “haunted” tunnel at the end of the journey. Then you can take part in a variety of activities from cookie decorating to panning for gold and then go home with a pumpkin to carve and some tasty pumpkin bread for breakfast. Daily through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m -5 p.m. Irvine. Free admission, train is $5. All ages. Event details.
Now you can add a twist with science spooks, nighttime adventures and even a little, tiny, controlled “eek.”
Eek! at the Greek
This is a nice mix of fun, spooky and culture! Start the night with a Trick-or-Treat Village, then the concert has some atmospheric classical music and ends with a reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Make this a Halloween tradition, and each year your kids can stay a little later (that first year you may want to skip the Poe!). Sat., Oct 24 at 4:30 p.m. Griffith Park. $8-$55. Ages 5 & up. Event details.
Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns
Though there’s nothing overtly scary at the Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns exhibit, we’ve found that since viewing the lit gourds requires absolute darkness, it can be a little scary for the small set. Plus, the intricacies in the carving and building of the amazing pumpkins is best appreciated by bigger kids. But if you’ve also got younger kids, the paths are fine for strollers. Thursday-Sunday through Nov. 1 at Descsanso Gardens and Friday-Sunday through Nov.1 at Santa Anita Park. $14-$28. All ages.
Spooky Science
Science gets creepy and crawly at the Discovery Cube LA, where kids can explore bugs of all colors and sizes in over-sized sets and hands-on learning stations. Daily through Nov. 2. Los Angeles. $10. Ages 3 & up. Event details.
A FarmTastic Jurassic Maze
Forneris Farms has next level harvest fun for bigger kids who can get “lost” in the Corn Maze that has a Tyranno-twist (it takes about an hour to complete, but isn’t haunted). Plus they can visit the pumpkin patch to pick out a home-grown pumpkin that was freshly picked. Daily through Nov.1 from 2-5 p.m on weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. $10-$15. All ages. Event details.
See Ichabod in the Huntington Gardens
Get into the spirit of Halloween with a screening of Walt Disney’s animated classic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; pre-show activities and entertainment add to the family fun in this spectacular garden setting. Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. San Marino. $20. All ages. Event details.
Ride on the Ghost Train
LA Live Steamers turns their train into a ghostly chug on weekends in October. The 20-minute ride features a series of spooky settings and creepy displays. But you know your kids best—if they scare easily, this may not be for them. We know 3 year-olds who love it and 8 year-olds who are terrified, so it’s more kid-dependent than age-dependent. Select dates in October from 7-10 p.m. Griffith Park. $15. Riders must be at least 34 inches tall. Event details.
photo: Front Porch Cinema
A ‘Wrap Up’ of Events that Delight ‘Mummy’ (And Daddy, Too…)
In between your costume making, treat baking and party planning duties, take time to remember that you love this holiday just as much as the kids do. These events will “leaf” you feeling festive and are also perfectly appropriate (and enjoyable) for the while family.
Scarecrows in Wine Country
You can’t wait to head up to Santa Ynez for a fabulous day of fall wine tasting. Er, we mean to bring the kids to check out all the amazing scarecrows. The Valley will boast more than 200 scarecrows this year, most of which are available for public viewing and voting, so you can find and pick your favorites in the ‘field.’ Oct. 9-Nov.9. Santa Ynez Valley. Free. All ages. Event details.
The Do-Good Halloween Bus
Halloween can be about giving as well as taking (candy). The Do Good Bus promises brings people together to help the community in a fun and social environment. It’s a great way to kick off your holiday weekend. Oct. 31 from 9:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Universal City. $20-$45. All ages. Event details.
Tim Burton’s Nightmare Live with Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl to perform his role of Jack Skellington, singing live to the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Bowl will transform into Halloween Town with special pre-show activities. It’s a Halloween event kids and parents alike will adore. Oct. 31 at 8:15 p.m. & Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Hollywood. $41 & up. All ages. Event details.
Who You Gonna Call?
See a thematically fitting movie (Ghostbusters, in case you weren’t sure) that you love and your kids will, too! Bring chairs and blankets and friends, so you can take turns watching the kids and ducking into the Cinema Lounge for an adult beverage. Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Santa Monica. Free. Rated PG. Event details.
Halloween Rock and Roll Half-Marathon
Get your tutus and super hero outfits ready to hit the street for the world’s largest Halloween half marathon. Run off the Peanut Butter Cups you’re totally going to sneak out of the trick or treat bags, in advance… And if you’re not running, come out and support those that are and laugh at all the silly costumed runners. There’s also a 5 K for parents or big kids ready to hit the streets, but not ready for a full half marathon. Oct. 25 from 7:15 a.m.-noon. Downtown LA. Free to watch, Registration fee to run. All ages. Event details.
What Halloween adventures did you like best for your kids at each age? We’d love to hear about your family haunted traditions in the comment sections below!
In sunny Southern California finding ways to celebrate the changing seasons can be tricky. With kids going back to school in triple digit weather and utter lack of changing foliage, we all have to work a little harder to manufacture that fall feeling. So even though it’s not quiet sweater weather, why not take a day trip to an apple orchard? These u-pick orchards may be a bit of a trek, but once your munchkins take that first crisp bite, you’ll know it was worth every mile. Apple picking season generally runs September through October, but check with the orchard you plan to visit first as crop density and ripening vary season to season.
Oak Glen
The best places for apple picking in Southern California are centered on a six-mile area known as Oak Glen. Here you’ll find a general store, hand pressed apple cider and several orchards that offer a variety of apples. It’s a bit of a hike, about a two-hour drive from the Westside, but worth it for the complete orchard experience.
Riley’s Apple Farm, Oak Glen
12201 South Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, Ca 92399
909-797-4061
An Oak Glen favorite, Riley’s is open for u-pick on the weekends only, but call them before you head out. You can schedule an appointment to pick on weekdays. They have fourteen different varieties of apple, including some hard-to-find heirloom varieties. Your little ones will love running from tree to tree filling their bushel.
Los Rios Rancho, Oak Glen
39611 Oak Glen Road #13
Oak Glen, Ca 92399
909-797-1005
At Rios you and your family will find apple trees heavy with fruit, some of the best apple pie you have ever tasted, and a beautiful spot for lunch. The orchards here are pretty hilly, so small toddlers may be better off in a carrier or a rugged jogging stroller. On weekends during apple season, this place gets crowded fast. Plan to arrive early. The lines for food tend to get long in the afternoon, so if you want to buy your lunch you may want to plan to eat early. They are open for apple picking Friday through Sunday, but hours may change as the season progresses so give them a call before you head out.
Raven Hill Orchard, Julian
1284 Julian Orchards Drive
Julian, Ca 92036
760-765-2431
This beautiful orchard, located outside of San Diego, is home to 8,000 dwarf trees, which should allow even your littlest apple picker a shot at some action. Bring cash and call before you head out. This orchard is also dog friendly, so be prepared for some furry friends joining you between the trees.
Know any other great spots for apples this fall? Share your favorite u-picks in a comment below.
Summer may be gone, but the weather is just warming up here in the Bay Area, and your kids will be running home from school begging for a cool, juicy snack. Instead of digging out the usual cherry popsicle from the back of the fridge, why not jazz things up with some super creative popsicle inventions that will not only excite the young ones, but satisfy your cravings as well. Thanks to our friends at 7×7, your excursion to find the best popsicle in town is sure to be a memorable one!
From a Truck
Twirl and Dip
You may know this colorful truck for its soft serve, but they also have seasonal fruitsicles in flavors like watermelon white pepper and cantaloupe gewurztraminer. Find them in Golden Gate Park from Wednesday through Sun (1 pm – 6:30 pm). Check their website for location specs and updates.
On a Tricycle
LickPops
The Family that owns LickPops also has an apple farm in Sebastopol, so you’re likely to find flavors like Pink Pearl apple on their menu. Also: veggie pops such as Sweet Corn and legume pops like Adzuki Bean. Follow Twitter to see where their tricycle is rolling —it’s often in the Mission—and know that LickPops caters private parties too.
In Markets
Bar Gelato
In May of this year, local scoop shop Gelateria Naia got into the game with Bar Gelato, a line of popsicles that uses the very same gelato they scoop at their 18 Northern California scoop shops. Many of their flavors are compilation projects with other local businesses. There’s TCHO Chocolate, St. George Spirits Single Malt, Numi Jasmine, and Blue Bottle Coffee. Find them at the Academy of Sciences, the TCHO Chocolate Beta Store, and the Whole Foods locations listed out here.
Ciao Bella
Another local gelateria-cum-popsicle maker, Ciao Bella sells its Blueberry Passion and Blood Orange Sorbet Bars at Whole Foods nationwide. For what it’s worth, the blueberry flavor, in particular, has been recognized by both Self and this month’s Health magazines as a good-tasting low calorie treat.
At a Stand
SF Pops
Marin’sRebecca Rouas founded SF Pops in May of this year with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ice pops. Although her tangerine beet flavor is a personal favorite, creations like chocolate avocado and lavender lemonade are crowd-pleasers, too. Rouas goes into hibernation for the fall and winter, but will be back in action at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in May of next year. In the meantime, you can commission her for custom orders. Find information on her Facebook page.
Developing
Queen of Pops
Former Top Chef contestant Josie Malave has recently arrived on the local scene with plans to release a rock and roll themed seasonal popsicle line. Her totally natural, and slightly irreverent flavors like Stoned Habanero and Dirty Chocolate Pig should start showing up at music festivals and record release parties around spring of next year. She’s also working out the logistics of “Design-a-Pop,” allowing customers to create thier own popsicles at whim.
This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.
For a camping trip that combines NorCal roughing it with a dose of Bay Area-style indulgence, we’re big fans of the Anderson Valley. Located northwest of Healdsburg, and east of Mendocino (about a 2.5-to-3-hour drive from the Bay Area), this wine-growing region along the Navarro River provides a respite from the fog found at the socked-in coast, but mornings amongst big the trees are still cool and shaded.
WHERE TO STAY:
There are a few popular places to camp in these parts, but the biggest sites, least road noise and best facilities are found at Hendy Woods State Park. There are tent sites, RV sites, even rustic cabins (great if you go during the rainier months). You wouldn’t want to miss out on visiting this park anyway, with its groves of magnificent redwoods. The trails through these groves are flat and windy, perfect for wearing out little legs, and you can take the kids down for some wading in the mellow Navarro River (bring good water shoes, as the bottom is rocky).
There are also campsites at Paul M. Dimmick campground (part of Navarro River Redwoods State Park), located further west on Hwy 128, and at Indian Creek County Park, located in the town of Philo, just east of Hendy Woods. Dimmick provides access to the river for those interested in swimming, and there are also swimming holes at Indian Wells, along the creek that runs through the campground. There are also hikes that extend from the trails at Indian Creek, though locals caution against any off-trail hiking–you don’t want to end up on someone’s “farm” (grapes aren’t the only cash crop grown around these parts).
WHAT TO DO:
A must-stop for those with kids is the Philo Apple Farm, located just before the entrance to Hendy Woods. Even if there’s no one manning the stand in front, feel free to wander the grounds, visiting with the resident hens, roosters, ponies and more, and meandering along the orchard’s rows. Year-round you can pick up delicious apple juice, jams, and chutneys, and in the fall you can stock up on varieties of heirloom apples that’ll ruin you on Red Delicious forever. You may also want to inquire about the cabins for rent available at the farm for your next getaway: the stylish A-frames boast big bathrooms, queen beds, and expansive orchard and valley views.
Parentals, we know that a good glass of wine in front of the campfire at the end of a long day of hiking can be the best muscle relaxant, so we recommend you make a stop at one of the local wineries for a tour, tasting, and to pick up a bottle of grapey goodness for yourselves (leave the apple juice for the kiddies). Though this region is most famed for its pinot noirs, there are also some great gewurtzraminer and muscat grapes grown up here as well. Toulouse winery is kid- and dog-friendly, and offers up a sampling of interesting wines, including muscat, vin gris, and of course the pinots. Husch and Navarro also offer room for kids to roam and a family-friendly atmosphere while you sip, and Goldeneye has a more formal, sit-down pinot tasting, with nibbles for pairing (Just keep your littles out of the tempting fountain).
WHAT TO EAT: Stop in the town of Boonville on the way up north. This former one-horse town is still teeny and quaint, but recent changes include downtown tasting rooms, a spiffed-up hotel (with a family suite), and several places to grab good grub.
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, the Boonville Hotel’s restaurant offers up fresh and seasonal choices on a family-style, prix fixe menu. Check the website for the daily specials like local rabbit with creamy polenta, or roast Fulton Farms chicken.’
The tiny Mosswood Market offers up satisfying café fare, like soups and sandwiches, in a casual setting. Either eat in, or grab stuff for a picnic in one of the parks or the nearby Anderson Valley Brewing Company.
For camping supplies, sandwiches and more, Boonville General Store has a tempting deli case and plenty of Anderson Valley beers by the bottle.
