Before we get any further into 2016, I wanted to share some of our 2015 Christmas vacation with you! We visited family down in the Bay Area, and instead of crowding into family members homes, renting a vacation house or staying in a hotel (though we did spend one night at a Hilton Garden Inn), we rented cabins, and camped in a state park about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco.
Truth be told between travel, set-up, clean-up, and packing-up, it was a lot of work, but for me WELL WORTH all the effort. I put together a video that features a tour of the cabins, a little bit of our Christmas celebration, and some snapshots and clips from our hikes around the park.
Notes on Samuel P. Taylor Park & Cabins
- Samuel P. Taylor Park is located about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco near Lagunitas, California.
- The park is 2,882 acres, and features redwood forest, grasslands, and creeks and streams throughout. For views, take the Barnabe Peak trail (5.8 miles)
- 4 cabins are located in the Mardrone Campsite, and over 60 tent campsites are located throughout the park.
- The cabins feature an electric heater, electricity, bunk beds (sleeps up to 5). Restrooms with separate showers (hot & 50 cents for 5 minutes) are located nearby, and potable water and fire pits are just outside each cabin.
- Charming small towns are just a few miles away! During our stay, we explored Olema (dined at Sir and Star), and Point Reyes Station.
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This post is part of the #wkendtravelinspiration link-up at FamiliesGo!
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What an awesome video! Happy belated holidays!
Thank you, Jenny! It was fun to make–Happy Holidays to you & Happy New Year!
What a great vacation! I love renting cabins and that one certainly looks charming! Thanks for linking up with us at Weekend Travel Inspiration!
Thanks, Corinne! The park is such a treasure, and just a short drive from the city making it a great day trip too for those living in the bay area or visiting. Love staying in cabins–so cozy & rustic.
Wow. What a unique way to spend Christmas. Certainly takes the focus away from just buying stuff! Glad it was worth all the effort!
So true–yes, I loved that it was more about spending time with family & enjoying the outdoors (though we did open lots of presents too)…glad you pointed that out, because now that I think about it, Bergen (our 4-year old) was so happy to be hiking & exploring, and the toys he received definitely took a backseat.
I can’t believe your girl is crawling already. What a great looking cabin! This looks like a wonderful place to spend Christmas and a nice alternative to hotels or squeezing in with family. My kids would be fighting over who gets the top bunk. The last time we had bunks, I declared that one kid could sleep in it but another one got to hang out in it during the waking hours. Thanks for linking up with #WkendTravelInspiration.
She’s already one, Michele! Took her a while to get to crawling, so we are SO happy for her, and her “independence” 🙂
Ha! Love your compromise on the bunks–wondering if B & G will be fighting over those kinds of things in a few years–probably!
So glad to know about #WkendTravelInspiration–will definitely be joining in regularly! Thanks for stopping by & saying hi!