A working farm since 1908, on 1,000 acres in Mendocino County. Three and a half miles of riverfront. Nonstructured activities (lie in a hammock) and optional farm chores (milk a cow, harvest veggies, collect eggs). Lodging: Nineteen cabins (sleeping up to 10) with queen beds, single beds, and bunks, with electricity, cold water, and shared bathhouse; two farmhouse rooms with private bath. Food: Three family-style meals daily with food from the garden; most lunches picnic-style. Dates: June 21-25; July 19-Sept. 4. Price: $2,650. 707/459-5439, emandal.com.
Family Camp On The Bar 717 Ranch, Hayfork
|
In the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Overnights on horseback to the ranch's original homestead. Swimming in Hayfork Creek. Feed rabbits and pigs in the barn, or milk a cow. Square dancing, silk-screening, wine tastings. "Untalent" show, arts and crafts, pottery. ACA accredited. Lodging: Wooden cabins, without electricity and open on one side, have sink, toilet, and shared bathhouse, and sleep 10; hotel-style rooms sleep two to six; tent sites. Food: Three family-style meals daily in indoor/outdoor dining area; farm-raised meat, most vegetables come from garden. Dates: Aug. 13-19; Aug. 20- 26. Price: $2,200. 530/628-5992, bar717.com.
Idyllwild Arts Summer Program, Idyllwild
At 5,000 feet in the San Jacinto Mountains, on 205 acres. Focus is on creativity: ceramics, painting, photography, writing, choir, batik. Make your own teddy bear. Music class including banjo, mandolin, and bass. Staff performance, folk music and dance, luaus, improv night, family talent show. Lodging: Dorm rooms sleep four on two sets of bunks with private bathroom and shower. Food: Buffet breakfast and lunch in dining hall; buffet dinner outside. Dates: July 1-7. Price: $2,775. 951/659-2171 ext. 2365, idyllwildarts.org.
Lair Of The Golden Bear, Pinecrest
Three camps in Stanislaus National Forest in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Affiliated with University of California at Berkeley. Three pools, 18-hole golf course nearby, outdoor theater by the lake, fishing, speakers weekly, hikes for all abilities. Lodging: Wooden cabins with canvas roofs and electricity sleep two to eight; shared bathhouse. Food: Three family-style meals daily in dining hall; burger shack open nightly. Dates: June 2-Oct. 1. Price: $2,100. 510/642-0221, alumni.berkeley.edu/lair.
Lark Camp, Mendocino
In Mendocino Woodlands State Park, in the middle of a redwood forest. Focus is on world music and dance: Learn Spanish bagpipes, Japanese flute, Celtic drumming, English country dancing, square dancing, and tango. Lodging: Redwood cabins without electricity sleep four, with decks and shared bathhouse; RV and tent sites. Food: Three cafeteria-style meals daily (costs extra); 24-hour coffeehouse. Dates: July 28-Aug. 5. Price: $1,820. 707/964-4826, larkcamp.com.
Montecito Sequoia Family Vacation Camp, Giant Sequoia National Forest
At 7,500 feet between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Equestrian center. Guided hike to waterfalls. Canoeing, sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and paddleboating on Homavalo Lake. Rock-climbing wall, gymnastics, biking; casino and open-mike nights. ACA accredited. Lodging: Thirty-six lodge rooms with private bath sleep eight; 13 wooden cabins (with electricity and shared bathhouse) sleep eight on king- and queen-size beds and bunks. Food: Three buffets daily in dining hall, including prime rib and king crab; full bar; kitchen open 24 hours. Dates: June 19-Sept. 4. Price: $3,450. 800/227-9900, mslodge.com.
Shady Creek Family Camp, Nevada City
|
SUBSCRIBE to BUDGET TRAVEL
The world's most useful travel magazine costs just $12 for 10 issues--or $20 for 20 issues!
|
REAL DEALS
St. Maarten Air/Resort, 4 Nights, From $615A limited-time sale for an extended weekend getaway to this tiny half-Dutch, half-French isle, known for its beautiful colonial architecture, 37 beaches, and one of the largest lagoons in the Caribbean. |
MOST POPULAR
From bohemian to luxe, here are five boutique properties with atmosphere to spare. More…
|
