Dear Family Travelers:

 

Now's the time!

 

Now's the time to plan your Spring Break, whether you have a long weekend or want to head to the beach, a snow resort or to Europe.

 

Wherever you go, get the kids involved in the planning. They'll be happier campers and are guaranteed to lead you in new and unexpected directions.  (My Kid's City Guide series to nine American cities can help!)

 

Here are some of the places Family Travel Forum and Taking the Kids recommend:

• Mission Bay in San Diego is a popular beach area for sun and surfing, but there's a lot more to do after you pack up your beach umbrella. This spring, the nearby San Diego Zoo is opening a new habitat for critically endangered snow leopards and Amir leopards. The 16,500-square-foot area includes multi-level feline living space with outcroppings, trees, and shrubs.
• Choose one of the dozen Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark resorts.  These close-to-home resorts are the way to introduce little ones to the fun of water play in a safe setting, and once you've got a room key, all ages can play at the pool, day and night, at, even if snow is piling up outside. The New England Great Wolf Lodge in Massachusetts, their newest, is the perfect place to enjoy the change of seasons, too. 
• Spring is a terrific time to visit Washington, DC where some of the nation's finest museums and annual festivals are totally free. March 20 through April 12, 2015 is the period for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which even includes a special Blossom Kite Festival. There is lots of commemorative programming planned for "Ford's 150: Remembering the Lincoln Assassination," events marking 150 years since the assassination of Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Don't forget that the tips in my "Kids Guide to Washington DC" will help kids lead the way.
• Spring is the perfect weather to turn your littlest ones, who are so susceptible to the cold, into lifelong snow sports lovers. The online resources at Ski.com make planning easy, because their site is searchable by "family" so you can easily find deals and "kids ski free" options for your small group.  See our annual roundup of the Top Family Snow Sports Resorts for more reviews and destination ideas.
• London may be on the top of family traveler lists because of Paddington, the original teddy bear whose film debut is playing at U.S. theaters this spring. If you're going, be sure to check out VisitLondon.com's guide to budget family activities all around the city.
• Cruises are always a good bet for relaxing reunions because meals and accommodations are pre-arranged and paid for, and there's no worrying about getting to the next destination.  It's even easier with the number of ports where you can cruise close to your home. If grandparents are along, the supervised programs for infants, tots, kids and teens - not to mention the scheduled bridge games - keep everyone in the family busy. In our Family Cruise Section you'll find many reviews of the major cruise lines. 
• Two and a half million visitors make Orlando, Florida one of the country's top Spring Break destinations.  Plan ahead and avoid lines with Undercover Tourist by purchasing discounted theme park tickets shipped directly to your door. Their site has tips on how to make the lines seem shorter and their Wait Times App steers you to easiest ones to get on. Getting up to 50% off car rental rates is another perk. If you can, go to Orlando after the few weeks of spring and Easter break, and before mid-June, for the best deals

Now comes the hard part-deciding where to go! 

 

SAN FRANCISCO'S HIDDEN GEM - THE PRESIDIO