Sane Traveling ~ Cocoa Beach

For our spring vacation this year, we decided to explore an area of Florida that is new to us.  We live in Miami, a stone's throw to Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.  We've been to Naples and are always in Orlando.  This time we chose to visit Cocoa Beach. 

Despite the fact that a tornado came through the area and kept us in our hotel room for a day; and then the weather turned really cold, so we couldn't spend as much time at the beach as we wanted; we had a great time exploring the area.

Things to do in Cocoa Beach:

Beach
Well, this is just a given.  The sand is so different from the beaches here in South Florida.  It's so soft.  Since it was windy, the waves were great as well.  (My boys love jumping the waves.)  We actually parked at Ron Jon's Surf Shop for free and walked the short walk to the beach.  

  
Ron Jon's Surf Shop
Ron Jon Surf Shop is recognized world-wide as an icon of the surf and beach lifestyle.  The location in Cocoa Beach is the World's Largest Surf Shop and is Ron Jon’s "One of a Kind" flagship facility.  The best part: it's open 24 hours a day!  Not only can you buy your favorite beach essentials, but they rent them too.  
 

Golf 'n Gator Mini Golf
Golf 'n Gator is a 36 hole mini golf course.  The kids had so much fun competing against each other.  (The hubby & I also had our own competition.)  Not only did they practice their putting skills, but they were vying for the coveted "hole in one."  Golf 'n Gator also has live alligators that you can feed and pose with.  Yeah, I skipped that part!
 

Kennedy Space Center

Well, this goes without saying.  Kennedy Space Center is NASA's launch headquarters and the only place on Earth where you can tour launch areas, meet a veteran astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators, and even view a launch.  Now there's a new Angry Birds Space play area where kids can create their own Angry Bird, shoot pigs using a lifesized slingshot, and even make it through a laser maze.
 

Cocoa Beach Pier

This historic Cocoa Beach Pier was built in 1962 and stands 800ft. above the ocean.  It has 5 restaurants, 4 bars, and a gift shop.  You can rent fishing equipment and catch the varied fish in the ocean.  We actually saw a group catch a baby hammerhead shark...the boys were AMAZED! 







We had a great time visiting a new spot in our Sunshine State!  Have you ever traveled to Cocoa Beach?  Do you have any recommendations for the next time we visit?

  Alexis

South Florida Finds ~ The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club

For Father's Day weekend, we decided to take a last minute mini-vacation to the west coast of Florida to Naples.   My aunt and uncle had just returned from The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club and couldn't stop talking about it, so we decided to go.  

WHAT AN AMAZING TIME WE HAD!!!

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is nestled along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Naples, Florida.  It has an on-site golf course, tennis courts, a spa and fitness center, family & adult only pools, and 7 miles of soft sandy beaches.  Are you intrigued?   


There were different styles of buildings to stay in on the resort property.  We stayed in the Watkins building.  Our room was on the bottom floor and had a balcony that walked right out to the pool and beach.  It was HEAVEN!  Perfect for leaving our sand toys and shoes outside when we came in for the day.

Did I mention the awesome beach?!  The sand was so soft.  And since it's the Gulf, the water was so calm.  The boys had a ball searching for sea creatures.  We found many fighting conch and collected a whole bucket full of shells.

How can you not feel relaxed with this beach??

The resort thought of everything!  There was a "shell wash" station to clean your shells before taking them home and a sign letting us know what kinds of shells and animals that can be found on the "Paradise Coast."  The boys really wanted to find a star fish...just to say they've touched one, but we didn't have any luck. 

We had such a wonderful time at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club that we already want to go back!  Next time we want to go with more friends and family to share in the fun!

We had an amazing time!!

Until our next visit, we will have our pictures and memories to keep us relaxed!  If you ever find yourself in Naples, Florida, you need to check this place out...you WON'T be disappointed!

And the sunsets on the west coast of Florida are AMAZING!

Alexis

Naples on Dwellable

LA Through a Child's Eyes

Los Angeles.  Some call it "La-la Land" others claim it's the town of "fruits and nuts."  I call it amazing!  Not only was the weather perfect...not a cloud in the sky...but it was 6 days of the best hair that I have ever had!  LOVE the dry weather...sure beats the 100% humidity here in Miami!

Now I've been to LA many times...had amazing meals at some of the world's best restaurants, shopped in trendy stores, and enjoyed the nightlife in packed bars and clubs.  But this trip was a little different...this trip was with my husband and two kids.  In my own eyes, I am that "cool and trendy mom" who can take my boys shopping and to outside cafes for cocktails, but my kids are the normal "I'm bored" kind of kids, so none of that will be happening!


Here is a list of some of the kids' favorite locations that kept their attention and still had something for the adults:

1)  The Annenberg Community Beach House at Santa Monica State Beach 
Located on the Pacific Coast Highway just north of The Santa Monica Pier, The Annenberg Community Beach House is a fun mix of ocean, sand, pool, and fitness (yes, I said it, fitness.  There is a fitness room that overlooks the pool and ocean...not that I used it!).  For just $24 for a family of four, we spent the whole day moving from the ocean to the pool and back again.  There is also the Back on the Beach Cafe that has an amazing menu for the adults and kids alike.
This was definitely an adventure that exhausted the whole family!

2)  Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
 I have to say, I was a little leery when entering this museum with two young boys.  I really thought that within minutes, they would be complaining, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well the museum made the history and artifacts appealing to all ages.  The mammal displays were eye catching and allowed the kids to tell stories about the many animals.  The insect exhibit was understandably a "home run" with my boys.  The fossil remains of the many prehistoric dinosaurs and current animals were abundant and in my kids' words, "very cool."  The museum also incorporated a Discovery Center with many hands on exhibits for little hands.  The biggest hit was a dinosaur "puzzle" where you had to put the T-Rex bones in place to recreate the giant.

3)  El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
I can honestly say, it will be VERY hard to go see a movie in a regular theater!  We took the boys to see Cars 2 in 3D at the El Capitan Theatre located on Hollywood Blvd.  This Disney owned theater provided an old school feel with a modern twist...VIP passes!  Let me tell you, this is the ONLY way to see a movie.  For an extra expense, we had reserved seats in a sold out theater, walked up to a VIP concession stand and were each handed a Cars bucket filled with popcorn and a drink of our choice (even after our ice cream sundaes and milkshakes that we had at Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store located next door to the theater).  For this particular showing, there was an added Cars 2 World Grand Prix outdoor attraction behind the theater.  It was a mini amusement park dedicated to the adorable movie.
Like I said, it's going to be very hard to go see a movie in a regular theater!

4)  Disneyland
What trip to the west coast would be complete without a visit to Disneyland?!  This is the ultimate kids' attraction spot...not to mention my kids are now able to compare the two major Disney parks.  Although I was not present for this trip (my husband and I took a mini vacation to Vegas for an adults only getaway...but that's another post altogether!), my kids were so excited to share with me their favorite parts of California's rendition of their favorite theme park.  Despite the heat and long lines, the boys came home raving about such classics as Space Mountain and The Haunted Mansion, as well as the new The Little Mermaid-Ariel's Undersea Adventure in Disney California Adventure Park.  My sister, the rookie babysitter, did an awesome job at exhausting the little buggers!

5)  The Original Farmers Market and The Grove
The Farmers Market is an eclectic place full of every type of food imaginable...my favorite!  The kids were able to get pizza and hot dogs, while we ate award winning Mexican food.  And I can't leave out the beignets!  Although I couldn't shop in the abundant mall in The Grove due to my husband's presence, the kids took a train ride around the vast mall.  A definite must visit!

So, the next time you're in LA with your kids...or on an adults only trip...check out some of these amazing locations.  Not to mention, they will all help to exhaust your kids and leave you happy!