Multigenerational Adventure

One of the challenges of multigenerational travel is finding activities that suit grandparents and kids alike. Cally Dym, a fifth-generation innkeeper at the Little River Inn on the Mendocino Coast of northern California, solved the problem with a Multigenerational Adventure package that mixes grown-up pursuits, like fine dining and wine tasting, with such kid-friendly fun as heritage train rides and even sea kayaking.

Sea Kayaking in Mendocina, California. Photo: Snyfer | Dreamstime

The 65-room, Victorian property boasts an ocean-view location among gardens and expansive lawns in one of the state’s most scenic regions. On-site amenities include fireplaces, private hot tubs and steam showers in select guestrooms and an award-winning restaurant — executive chef Marc Dym regularly wins the annual Crab Cake Cook-off — which serves up fine dining and local wines and beers, as well a kids menu. There also are regulation tennis courts and an Audubon-certified golf course where, if you’re lucky, you might have to stop for deer crossing between putts.

Daytrips include petting the goats at the Pennyroyal Dairy, where handcrafted cheeses are for sale, and ocean kayaking with a guide in and around the nearby sea caves, where you might spot seals, seabirds and maybe an otter or two.

A highlight that the entire family can enjoy is a ride aboard the heritage Skunk Train, which offers a number of scenic routes through the redwoods and along the coast.

Photo: Nataliia Zhekova | Dreamstime

The good news is most of these activities are included in the Multigenerational Adventure package for four, which can, of course, be expanded to include larger family groups. The package features two nights’ accommodations in an ocean-view room, breakfast for four at the inn, tickets for two adults and two children to the Pennyroyal Farmstead dairy tour and two adult and two children’s tickets for the Skunk Train.

The package also includes four tickets for the guided sea kayaking adventure, designated as safe for all ages. All kayaking equipment is also included.

Grandparents and children might also enjoy such optional activities as a walk along the Glass Beach

and Headlands Trail, lunch at Sea-Pal Cove or Saucy in Ukiah and a soak in the nearby Orr Hot Springs.

Adults and kids alike won’t want to miss an exploration of Mendocino, one of northern California’s most charming coastal towns, and parents and grandparents can unwind at the end of the day at the full service on-site spa and salon, although kids are also welcome.

Photo: Snyfer | Dreamstime

Also, if your multigenerational group includes Fido, there are pet-friendly rooms, as long as you follow the house rules.

The package, good through Oct. 31, is priced at $1,500, not counting taxes and gratuities, and can be booked online at MULTIG or call 888 INN LOVE or 707 937 5942.