We Discovered a New Playground
Where the Whole Family Wins!

By Lauren Dena

Some would say that Las Vegas is hardly an “appropriate weekend getaway” for the proverbial American family. After all, slot machines and video games are rather closely paired, you might say, tempting kids to wager their allowance on six cherries or a Royal Flush. The real danger of course; they could end up winning big and beating Mom and Dad to the toy store before Christmas.

Not a good idea! But in keeping with our new Kid-Friendly Travel section, we grabbed the kids, packed the car and headed out to Lake Las Vegas Resort just outside the bright lights of that playground we all know as “sin city”. We’re back and the reviews are in. Lake Las Vegas is indeed a fantastic getaway. Perhaps our son said it best, “this place rocks, you guys.”

Sculpted from the rugged desert terrain of Southern Nevada, Lake Las Vegas Resort lies nestled within the desert mountainside just 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.  In addition to world class hotels and spas, championship golf, and spectacular residential communities, the shimmering jewel of this family oasis is a spectacular privately-owned lake. The lake offers an exquisite sense of peace and tranquility that only the desert can match and when you’re done “chilling at the villa”, there’s lots of family fun including fishing, sailing, kayaking, and swimming. Around the lake and in the desert hills are miles of pathways for walking, hiking and biking.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Casino where your kids can splash around in their own pool! Our son partied at Camp Hyatt (ages 3-12) where he was pampered with attention while we did a little gambling and relaxed at the adult pool with a cool drink and a good book. And Moms, whatever you do, don’t miss the Spa. Wonderful services and great prices!

When it comes to golf my husband was, you might say, a little more than challenged! The truth is Golf Week and Golf Digest both published rave reviews on the two main public courses and for good reason. The Falls Golf Course was very difficult with a lot of beautiful elevation changes and views of the Strip and Lake Las Vegas Resort. He even saw Big Horn Elk strolling through the course without a care in the world!

Make sure you visit on a weekend when you can enjoy their very special Jazz on the Lake concert series or during the winter when the kids can ice skate on a floating stage! Lake Las Vegas is indeed one Vegas get-away where the whole family can play. Visit their website for more details, www.lakelasvegas.com.

 
Going Places and Bringing Home Memories

San Diego Padres and SeaWorld – For a quick getaway, we recommend Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner directly to and from the Padres game at PETCO Park followed by dinner in the Gaslamp Quarter. We had a roaring good time! Or visit SeaWorld where the kids can see Shamu and walk “through the ocean” viewing 200 species of fish including real sharks! Website: www.amtrak.com

Big Bear in Winter – Nothing is quite so memorable for kids as a family holiday in the snowy mountains and nowhere is closer than Big Bear! You can bundle up the kids, grab the gear and be there in a matter of a few hours from the O.C. All you need is a cabin and some mittens to make your snowman and you’ll have a weekend getaway with family photos you’ll cherish for years. Website: www.bigbear-cabin.com

Road Trip to Mammoth – Considered one of the best ski resorts in California, Mammoth is a very cool family getaway. And while your “on the road again”, take time to visit Ridgecrest, Lone Pine, Bishop and the Japanese “relocation center” at Manzanar, a great learning opportunity for the kids. Website: www.visitmammoth.com

Hot Air Ballooning Over Lake Tahoe – Imagine the majesty of viewing Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains from a hot air balloon! That’s just one of the many fun things to do with kids when visiting this magical year-round playground. Website: www.tahoechamber.com

Yosemite -The Highest Water Fall in the U.S. – Another great idea, pick up Highway 99 to Yosemite where the kids can hike and see the highest water fall in the U.S. and the great peaks of Half Dome and El Captain. And don’t forget rafting. We have childhood memories of floating down the Merced River and your kids can still do the same. Website: www.yosemitepark.com