Sierra Cottages and Cabins Offer the Perfect Family Getaways
By Carmel L. Mooney

The first time I realized the secret to stress-free family travel with children was when I discovered the innumerable benefits of staying in a cabin or cottage rather than a hotel or motel. I'm hooked now and actually seek these types of accommodations when traveling. As most traveling parents will agree, staying in motels and hotels can often lead to frazzled nerves, exhaustion, and the need for a "vacation from your vacation" by the time you get home. For starters, when you stay in a motel or hotel, there's little privacy and great potential for noise disruption. This goes both ways. It's difficult to just get the baby down for the night or the toddler down for a nap when the neighbor next door decides to crank the TV at full blast, or any of a number of other auditory intrusions. Likewise, if your kids begin to get noisy, it's hard to relax wondering if the motel manager may come knocking with a frown.

With motels and hotels, no matter how nice, there seems to be a sterility to the décor and the environment (towels and linens are generally white) that mysteriously keeps the kids on edge. It's not as homey and there's typically not a lot of open space for moving around unless you have a suite---that's pretty pricey. Motel rooms generally don't have much to do except watch TV or venture out to a pool on another floor and when the munchies strike you'll be lucky to find a tiny micro refrigerator. If you do, you may have to pay for any sodas or snacks that you are lucky enough to find on hand. You'll probably have check out around 10 AM. Try ordering in a pizza in a motel. It's okay but you have to eat off napkins and there's no chance of whipping up some cookies or having ice cream on hand for dessert. All this for about $100-$200 per night for a room that sleeps 4. I don't know about you…but that doesn't excite me too much.

Now, cabins and cottages on the other hand are usually roomy. You're likely to have a family room or living area, a kitchenette or full kitchen, comfortable environment with cozy linens and couches, toiletries, lots of books, videos, magazines, games, and snacks to choose from. Breakfast may even be included. Often dessert or snacks are part of the deal. And you almost always have privacy, and room to move around indoors and out. You may even have your own private hot tub, pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and the list goes on. You'll get all this for about $150-200 per night and accommodations are probably adequate for up to 6 with check out around 11 AM or noon. Besides, if mom or dad wants to venture out to a show or a round of golf, how much fun are the older kids really going to have cooped up in a motel room with a TV? Not so with a cabin or cottage.

When you factor in all the valuable extras…you're saving a lot of money, not to mention the relaxation value. Northern California and the Sierra environs have many family friendly cabins and cottages for rent at various destinations but here are a few of my all time favorites, all nearby exciting family excursions, and all well-worth the value for the money.

Tahoe Lake Cottages, Lake Tahoe Tahoma, CA
This is the perfect place to enjoy a friendly, family atmosphere. Located on the quiet West Shore of Lake Tahoe, they offer cozy one and two bedroom cottages w/ fully equipped kitchens, situated on an acre and a half of old growth cedars and sugar pines. There's volleyball, BBQ pits, playground, hot tub, and a pool. Centrally located just 8 miles south of the "Y" in Tahoe City, and 19 miles north of the "Y" in South Lake Tahoe, this haven is minutes from Emerald Bay, Ehrman Mansion, Sugar Pine Point State Park, D.L. Bliss State Park, Chambers Landing, Homewood Ski Area, Meeks Bay, and the Desolation Wilderness. Tahoe Lake Cottages visitors have beach and pier access, discount bike and ski rentals, and plenty of fun choices in countless nearby activities. TAHOE LAKE COTTAGES P.O. Box 126, 7030 Highway 89 Tahoma, CA 96142 (530) 525-4411 (800) 852-8246 mike@tahoelakecottages.com

Sorensen's Resort, Hope Valley, CA
Sorensen's Resort is an all time family favorite for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy cross country skiing, rafting, fishing, hiking, nearby hot springs, or just plain sledding and building snowmen followed by a cup of complimentary cocoa, coffee, or wine. It's a magical all season resort with cabins of all sizes and prices. Less than a half hour from Lake Tahoe, this favorite destination offers the best of both worlds---alpine seclusion or proximity to Tahoe nightlife and daytime activities. SORENSEN'S RESORT 800-423-9949

Pine-Gri-La, Castella, CA
This breathtaking, mile high mountain resort is situated about 25 minutes from Interstate 5, below Mt. Shasta and is the only privately occupied parcel with cabin rentals in the Trinity Divide of the Shasta/Trinity National Forest. The deer and bear frolic amongst the tall fir, pines and wildflowers where fox, and coyote roam and fish jump in dozens of nearby ponds and lakes. It's a wonderful family getaway or the prefect place for a family reunion. PINE-GRI-LA (530) 235-2222 http://www.snowcrest.net/pine/

The Pine Cone Resort, Zephyr Cove, NV
Near horseback riding, The Ponderosa Ranch, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, sledding, boating, golf, movies, and only 10 minutes from Heavenly Valley Ski Area is a comfortable yet rustic and cozy family resort on nearly two acres of pine trees, lawns, and wildlife. In a great location, close to everything including Sand Harbor beach, these charming old Tahoe chalet style attached cabins provide plenty of room for fun with living rooms, brick fireplaces, kitchens, bedrooms, and all the amenities. A private heated pool, hot tub, and cable TV provide everything you'll need to unwind in warmth and privacy after your outdoor adventures nearby. PINE CONE RESORT (800) 624-3887 http://www.tahoevacations.com/PineConeResort/