One of my favorite types of travel is beach travel. The beach is just ideal for any type of travel – a solo trip, a family vacation, a honeymoon or even a reunion trip. The beach can suit any mood from calming to invigorating. Previously on this blog I’ve done my research into some of the best beaches in San Diego and North Carolina. Right now the beaches that interest me most are the ones that are in Texas.

Texas beaches are wonderful for me because the water is warm. I know it’s hot out in the summer but I still prefer a warm ocean to a cold one. The Gulf of Mexico provides water that is just the right temperature. And, of course, the beaches themselves are also nice. The top beaches to visit in Texas are:

• Stewart Beach. This Galveston, Texas beach is a popular place with families. It offers picnic areas, children’s playgrounds and other fun things that make it great for people of all ages. There is an admission fee to get into this beach, unfortunately, but it’s a low per-car price that is reportedly worth the charge.
• Port Aransas. This beach is a fun one because you need to take a ferry ride to get there. That’s always a nice little experience for a vacation. This one tends to have lower-key activities like fishing and sunbathing so I’d say it’s better for couples traveling without the kids but definitely one to put on the list.
• Boca Chica Beach. I just love the sound of the name of this beach although I find it a little odd because my rusty Spanish says that it translates to “mouth girl beach”. In any case, it’s supposed to be the most beautiful beach in Texas and one I’d love to get a chance to explore. If I was going to do a solo trip to Texas then I might check this one out!
• Padre Island National Seashore. This area of beach stretches for over seventy miles. (Gosh, things are so big in Texas!) It offers everything from fishing to surfing depending on where you decide to stop. It also obviously offers a great opportunity for a beach-side scenic drive.
• South Padre Island Beach. This is probably the beach than most people already know about in Texas. It is tourist-friendly and offers everything that you could possibly want from a beach. Dolphin watching and boat rentals are some of the things I’d splurge on here. The one thing I would say, though, is that it’s known as a Spring Break destination so if you’re going with young kids then you might want to skip traveling there during that time of year.

What is your favorite Texas beach?

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Capitol Reef National Park in Utah

I recently came across a Yahoo! Travel article about the least-visited national parks in the United States. I had never thought too much before about how many national parks there are and how few of them I had visited. I also never considered the fact that some of the least-visited national parks may also be the cheapest to visit. They are still amazing to see but they are much more affordable than places like Yellowstone and Yosemite.

The ten parks listed in the article were:

1. Biscayne National Park in Florida.
2. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado.
3. Capitol Reef National Park in Utah.
4. Channel Islands National Park in California.
5. Congaree National Park in South Carolina.
6. Great Basin National Park in Nevada.
7. Isle Royale National Park in Michigan.
8. North Cascades National Park in Washington.
9. Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.
10. Wrangell-St.Elias National Park in Alaska.

These national parks seem to be much more affordable than the most popular parks that people visit. For example, the entrance fee for Capitol Reef National Park in Utah is only $3 per person or $5 per vehicle (and the vehicle pass is good for a full week). In contrast, many of the nation’s most popular national parks costs $20 per vehicle for single-day-use only.

It’s understandable why the big national parks cost so much. With hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, they have to charge fees to keep the area clean and pristine. Plus the prices deter some people from visiting which is sad but does help control the problem of overcrowding. It’s nice to know, though, that there are some really amazing parks to visit that are still very affordable for families on a budget.

Of course, some of these are going to be more affordable than others for families to visit. For example, a family living on the East Coast may find it much cheaper to travel to Florida or South Carolina than to get to Alaska. Also, lodging may be cheaper in some areas than others if you’re going to need to find a hotel near the parks. Nevertheless, these are all stunning places that really seem worth looking into more carefully.

Have you ever been to any of these national parks? Would you recommend them for family travel?

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North Carolina is one of my favorite states. It’s kind of a surprising state to people who haven’t been there because it offers so much in the way of entertainment and yet you never hear that much about it. Because it’s not a big tourist attraction, it’s fairly cheap to travel there. And you can enjoy a day full of cheap fun by taking advantages of the state’s beaches.

Some of the best beaches in North Carolina have got to be:

• Okracoke. This is the most luxurious beach in North Carolina. It’s at the very southern tip of the state and actually requires that you take a ferry from another southern beach to reach it. It’s certainly worth the beautiful ferry ride to get this really relaxing white sand beach where your whole family can just chill out together.
• Hatteras. This beach is also located in the southern part of the state and also has beautiful beaches. The main thing that you would do here, though, is go fishing. Kids who haven’t done so always kind of find it to be a neat vacation novelty to fish in the ocean. You may also get to see marine life, like whales, from the coast of this North Carolina beach.
• Bofort. This is a historic town on the coast with a white sandy beach that is definitely family-friendly. There are numerous summer festivals here including costumed events that relay the history of North Carolina. It’s always a lot of fun and the weather here is great.
• Emerald Isle. How could you not enjoy a beach with a name as pretty as this one? And yes, the waters are as pretty as the name itself. This beach is comfortable and fun with long stretches of sand that make it idyllic for pitching a daytime tent or playing a game of Frisbee.
• Holden. This beach is one of the most popular beaches for families in North Carolina so you can expect it to be busy when you go to visit. That makes it even more fun, though, as there are a lot of activities for tourists. At night you can take the kids out and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see turtles hatching on this beach!

What other North Carolina beaches would you recommend to someone who wants to travel there with the family this summer?

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Scroll down to the post I wrote a few days ago about budget travel alternatives and you’ll see that I mentioned some alternatives to expensive water parks. I just think that water parks tend to be way more costly than is worth it for most families. Sure, you’ll have a day of great fun with your family. However, you’ll pay a big price for admission, snacks and extras while you’re there. I believe that you can have just as much fun in the water elsewhere and spend little to nothing to enjoy the day.

Here are four examples of water park alternatives that my kids have enjoyed just as much as they might like wave pools and plastic water slides:

1. Big Chico River in Chico, California. Located in north central California there is a river called Big Chico that has a number of different swimming holes that the kids will love. A favorite is one that has a rope swing. However any of the options is a good one because they’re all ensconced in a beautiful canyon riverbed. You can start at one end and float down slippery lava tubes to the next swimming hole. There are places to dive and spots to sunbathe. There are no lifeguards on duty so you do have to be careful to watch the kids but this is a great family fun hot spot. There’s no charge to swim here. Plus the surrounding area isn’t a tourist destination so hotels are cheap.

2. Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, Texas. There is a cold spring in a small park in Santa Rosa, Texas that was a favorite of my family when we would do road trips in the summer. It’s still a favorite with my family even though we’ve got new generations now. It’s massively deep and the appeal about it is that it’s ice cold. The adults usually skip going in but the kids love daring each other to jump safely off the sides into the cold water. Sometimes you can see scuba divers practicing here. There is no cost since it’s in a public park.

3. Slide Rock in Sedona, Arizona. This is a beautiful river area in the red rock canyons of Arizona. It does cost a modest entrance fee and the hotels in the area aren’t cheap. However, it’s a lot cheaper than going to a famous water park and the natural rock slides here are a lot more fun for everyone! There are also great hiking trails for the whole family as well as some historic markers to check out.

4. Salt River in Mesa, Arizona. The top activity to enjoy here is tubing down the river. Wouldn’t you rather create memories of that with your kids than memories of sliding down water tubes at a pricey park? I sure would!

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However, if you don’t have a waterfall in your area, then you might want to plan a trip around visiting one. Here are 5 amazing waterfalls that I’d love to visit and I think that you might as well:

1. Niagara Falls. This goes without saying, doesn’t it? Niagara Falls is an amazing place that rushes with stunning water. And it’s a destination in and of itself. Cross over to the Canadian side for a better vacation!

2. Alamere Falls. This is a small waterfall off the Pacific Coast just north of San Francisco. However, it’s an amazing waterfall worth seeing. That’s because it cascades right into the Pacific Ocean, one of only two waterfalls that do that. It’s really stunning to see a waterfall crashing into the ocean. The hike is fairly easy and you can always enjoy a San Francisco vacation along with this waterfall hike.

3. Lower Falls at Yellowstone River. This is a breathtaking scenic set of waterfalls that you absolutely must see at least once in your lifetime. It’s great as a travel destination since its part of Yellowstone State Park. Camp out to save some money or get a cheap hotel nearby.

4. Little Moss Glen Falls. This isn’t a stunning waterfall in terms of size. However, it’s located in a very beautiful scenic area of Vermont. The entire experience of hiking here is one worth having. Plus this is a budget travel location compared to some of the more popular waterfall destinations.

5. Seven Falls. This Colorado waterfall is lit up with colored lights during the evening. However, that’s not the only reason to go see it. A chance to see local wildlife, enjoy educational tours and hike on some great family-friendly trails are additional reasons.

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Hawaii is an ideal summer vacation destination, isn’t it? It’s a place where you can go to enjoy wonderful beaches and activities on the water. That’s what everyone wants to indulge in during the summer months. However, that’s the problem. Everyone wants to take their Hawaiian vacation during the summer. The crowds and popularity mean that it’s expensive to travel to Hawaii in the summer. Smart frugal travelers will skip Hawaii summer travel and choose a cheaper alternative instead.

What are some good alternatives to a Hawaii vacation? Here’s a few:

• Galveston Island, Texas. The beach here is wonderfully warm since it’s on the Gulf of Mexico. Getting here is much more affordable than getting to Hawaii, especially if you live close enough to drive. Plus you can get terrific Houston hotel deals and Houston is only a short drive away from this beach.
• The Outer Banks of North Carolina. The beaches of North Carolina often get overlooked by travelers. People who head to the warm Atlantic waters of this region often choose to go to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina instead. However, North Carolina has amazing beaches. Compared to other beach destinations, this is a really affordable place for a terrific summer vacation.
• San Luis Obispo, California. The water here isn’t quite as nice as some of the other places you can visit but you can enjoy affordable activities on the water (such as boating). You can get great ocean views from cheap hotels here, too.
• Local lakes throughout the United States. Lakes are warm enough to swim in. They often have boat rentals or jet ski rentals. You can enjoy some fishing. Larger lakes even have some waves to enjoy. And since these lakes are often not in high-tourist-traffic areas, they are very affordable to visit.

I definitely think Hawaii is a place you should visit. However, go in spring, fall or even winter. The weather is still nice there, the beaches are still wonderful and the cost is a lot lower!

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Do you enjoy checking out farmers’ markets during your travels? This is one of my favorite things to do. Visiting the markets is free. It’s a great way to get outdoors, meet local people in the area that you are visiting and enjoy the weather. It’s also a great way to find out what the local foods are in an area. Usually we buy something for lunch while we are there or we purchase some grocery items to take back to our hotel and eat throughout our trip. The food is always great but it’s really more about the experience that we get to have.

If I were to plan a vacation based just on an area’s farmers’ market, I’d go to one of the following 10 places:

1. San Francisco Bay Area. There is an amazing farmers’ market at this city’s historic Ferry Building three times throughout the week plus multiple other farmers’ markets throughout the city and the surrounding area.
2. Portland. This is another place that is known specifically for great farmers’ markets. The one at the university is a favorite destination.
3. Chicago. This culinary city has some wonderful opportunities to visit award-winning farmers’ markets.
4. Madison. This Wisconsin town is home to the Dane County Farmer’s Market, the largest producer-only farmer’s market in the entire country.
5. Tucson. Surprisingly, this desert city has several great farmers’ markets. It’s a bit warm to go during the summer but late spring and early fall are terrific.
6. Salt Lake City. There aren’t too many attractions that I’m interested in here but the large farmers’ market which includes handmade crafts is a reason to plan a trip.
7. New York City. I don’t typically think of this as a farmers’ market kind of place but I’ve heard that the Union Square Greenmarket is where New York City chefs get fresh meat and produce so I kind of want to check it out one day.
8. Los Angeles Beach Towns. The towns along the beach here, such as Santa Monica and Venice Beach, have their own little farmers’ markets that provide a little slice of small town life in this bustling big area.
9. Seattle. I actually don’t know much about local farmers’ markets here but there’s always the established Pike Place Market to check out.
10. Small Midwest towns. It’s not as easy to find information about these markets but you often get to actually visit the farms that the food is from as well.

Is there a good farmers’ market in your area?

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Here is a look at the top five San Diego beaches:

1. Mission Beach. This is one of the best San Diego beaches for kids. It has an old amusement park. It has a boardwalk that you can walk along. It is full of life and activity and fun things to do. It’s pretty and clean. And it’s even got places where older kids can play volleyball.

2. Imperial Beach. I know about this beach because I love sandcastles. It happens to be a place where there is a big annual sandcastle competition. I’d love to see that in person. And even if that’s not going on, the beach has a special place in my heart because it’s home to such a cool event.

3. La Jolla Cove and Beach. You can take the kids here to check out tide pools. This is also a good place to launch a family water adventure such as kayaking through the La Jolla coves. What a fun place to spend your San Diego vacation! There’s also a children’s swimming pool in this area.

4. Moonlight Beach. This beach in nearby Encinitas tricks a lot of people with its name. You would think it’s a place for romantic couples to spend a San Diego vacation. Actually, there are a bunch of fire pits and picnic tables here so it’s an ideal place to take the whole family for an afternoon at the beach.

5. Coronado Silver Strand. A lot of people like this beach because of the fact that it is a shallow beach with an easy slope to the sand. This makes it very safe for children compared to some of the other beaches in San Diego. Hotels in this area are expensive, though, so unless you can find good San Diego hotel deals in the area, you might want to stick to one of the other four beaches.

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Unfortunately, though, the problem with online relationships is that they’re as easy to lose track of as they are to form. It’s easy to go a long time without answering someone’s email even though you don’t mean to put it off. That’s what’s happened with me and my Houston friend. I keep meaning to write to her and I keep putting it off for no good reason. It’s frustrating, too, because I do want to know what she’s been up to but I can’t seem to gather myself together to write to her to find out.

I thought maybe I’d write about that here because I figure it will motivate me to go ahead and write that email. After all, I know that she’s going to see this post and that she’s going to know that I have no good excuse for not writing. Sometimes we have to do little things to hold ourselves accountable to do the things that we want to do.

Anyway, none of this has much to do with why you read this blog but it did get me thinking about Houston travel again. In fact, because it’s nagging at the back of my mind that I need to write that email, I’ve been thinking about Houston travel quite a bit lately.

One of my favorite sites for travel daydreams is YouTube. You can use general searches on YouTube to find out lots of different travel information. You can get travel news from clips posted on YouTube. You can watch beautiful slideshows of other people’s trips to a destination. You can learn detailed information about an area’s budget hotels or best restaurants. These videos are a great place to explore the idea of traveling somewhere new.

So, yes, I’ve been watching Houston travel videos on YouTube and yes I wanted to share a few of them with you here:

Enjoy! Now I’ve got an email to go write!

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San Diego is a destination that I keep trying to learn more and more about. It just seems like such a great place for families and yet a place that’s hip and cool (as compared to, say, Disneyland). Right now I’m interested in the best hotels in San Diego for families that are interested in traveling on a budget.

Here are seven of the most family-friendly San Diego budget hotels that I have found so far:

1. Quality Inn Airport Seaworld Area. This isn’t the cheapest of the budget hotels on my list but it’s one of my favorites because it is located so close to Sea World. That’s an attraction I really love even though it’s kind of pricey. This is one of the most affordable hotels in the area so I think staying here would be a great choice.
2. Comfort Inn and Suites Zoo and SeaWorld. This is another one that I’d choose for the location.
3. Comfort Inn Airport at Old Town. Old Town San Diego provides so much entertainment and a lot of it is free. Staying at this affordable hotel would be good, too.
4. Quality Suites I-5 Miramar. What I love about this hotel is that there are a lot of deals offered by budget hotel sites for perks that can be added during your stay.
5. Comfort Inn at the Harbor. If you couldn’t tell, yet, I am a fan of the Comfort Inn. This is one of the most affordable locations of this chain if you’re traveling to San Diego.
6. Rodeway Inn and Suites Downtown. I don’t know for sure if I’d stay downtown with my family or not. It seems like more of a nightlife area. But people have told me that it’s family-friendly. This hotel is pricier than the rest because of the location but it looks like a good one if I did decide to stay downtown.
7. Porto Vista Hotel and Suites. I don’t get the chance to stay in boutique hotels too often but this is one that I think I could afford.

Do you have any experience with any of these hotels? Do you recommend them?

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