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Top Wilderness Camp

Montecito Sequoia Lodge, High Sierra Family Vacation Camp
63410 General's Hwy
Kings Canyon Nat'l Park, CA 93633
650/967-9502, 800/227-9900
In 1998, the Montecito-Sequoia Lodge boasted that its year-round family programming had a "do your own thing" motto. Ten years later, the resort still maintains that everyone can enjoy their vacation no matter what they wish to do. Judy Vincent, the Office Manager, asserts, "It's a place where every family member gets to choose what he or she wants to do. Everyone has fun either individually and/or as a family." Vincent also notes that throughout its 60-year history, the Montecito has heard from many families that traditional camp activities have helped build a stronger family bond and create friendships with other guests.

Ten years ago and still today, some family-favorites include boating, waterskiing and fishing (on the Montecito's private lake), tennis, horseback riding, hiking and biking, rock-climbing, or cross-country skiing and ice skating, as well a crafts shop, heated swimming pool, and hot tub. There is sports instruction for ages 5 to 11 and supervised group activities for kids 2-18, with a heavier emphasis on teen programs since 1998. Although there is no organized childcare for infants and toddlers from 6- to 23-months, Montecito Sequoia is known for its great team of teen babysitters, who can be hired to take tinies to the special Infant Play Yard full of toys and infant paraphenalia, with our without parents, so babies can play and make friends.

Not much has changed in the activities or programming at this rustic camp. However, despite being aware of many new trends in family travel, Vincent notes that most families who choose this getaway actually desire the simple and traditional fun of yesteryear, with campfire songs, variety shows and friendly counselors being the focus. Having completed a new physical plant renovation in 2007, the Montecito believes that the most important thing for vacationing families is that they get the best value with less stress. To meet this need, Vincent states they have simplified the details of all-inclusive packages, making the vacation planning and booking easier. Another change necessitated by family demand -- the resort can now accommodate larger families of up to eight people in their cabins.

Top Spa

The Peaks Resort and Golden Door Spa
136 Country Club Drive
Telluride, Colorado 81435
970/728-6800, 866/282-4557
Over the past 10 years, and through a variety of ownership, The Peaks has maintained its standard for luxury wellness services in a resort setting. And families continue to benefit, with special treatments including skin care, a variety of massage techniques and saunas available to guests whose offspring, ages 8-weeks to 11-years-old, are cared for by expert staff. New to the resort? Guests 16-years and older can immerse themselves in the Golden Door Spa "Kivas" (ceremonial shelters in native American lore) for a complimentary Peaks Purification Ritual, including use of the steam room infused with Colorado aromatic herbs and the use of a cedar-filled sauna and mineral-water whirlpool -- about the only free pampering teens can expect.

The Peaks has also responded to the latest trends in healthy family travel with their "family fitness" programs tailored to the family dynamic. The Peaks Family Yoga and Family Walk classes are the perfect way for families to work out and stay fit together. Additionally, to meet an increased demand for more adventure activities, The Peaks, located outside the Telluride mountain resort, has its own ski school and snowboarding lessons for kids 3-years and up. At our 1998 visit, the resort featured an unusually wide variety of year-round children's camp options including Pioneers, Explorers and private babysitting to accommodate both a child's need for age-appropriate fun and parents looking for a relaxing and renewing break. While those popular clubs still exist today, a new Base Camp welcomes infants from 12-weeks through 5-years for half or full days of playing, swimming, arts-n-crafts and other fun activities under the care of a trained staff.

Amy Campbell, Area Director of The Peaks, notes that today's families are looking to connect with each other, and has seen an growing influx of travelers with children since 9/11. Therefore, in addition to 174 luxury rooms and suites with ski-in/ski-out access (many only partially renovated due to a recent change of ownership) and 12 penthouse condominiums, The Peaks Resort now offers 15 cabins to meet the increased lodging demand being made by multi-generational families and family reunions. Built of logs and stone, these three- to six-bedroom lodges, decorated in a mountain style, are luxurious getaways with private whirlpool tubs and other amenities. Still catering to a special fitness and wellness oriented crowd, the cabins are within walking distance of the brand new Telluride Gondola, the Golden Door Spa, and the village's fine restaurants and golf, and are connected to each other (and perhaps to guests' relatives) by a heated cobblestone walkway.