Flying Cross-Country with an 8-Month Old: Our California Adventure Begins
When our daughter was eight months old, we packed our bags and headed west for a week-long adventure exploring Northern California with the grandparents in tow. From the rugged coastline of Pacifica to the towering granite cliffs of Yosemite National Park, this trip quickly became one of our favorite family travel memories.
Over the next four posts, I'm sharing the highlights of our California itinerary, including what it was really like flying cross-country with a baby, our stay at AutoCamp Yosemite, exploring Yosemite National Park as a family, and the charming coastal towns that made the perfect home base for our adventure.
First up: getting there! Here's how we tackled a cross-country flight, navigated a three-hour time change, and started our California vacation on the right foot.
If it's 5:00 a.m. and we're smiling, there's a very good chance we're headed somewhere new. ✈️
Choosing a Direct Flight
We were fortunate enough to find a direct flight from North Carolina to San Francisco, which made the travel logistics much simpler for our little family.
A direct flight with kids definitely has its pros and cons. Yes, you're committed to a longer stretch on the plane without the opportunity to get off and reset between flights. But for us, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. Eliminating a layover meant reducing the risk of delays, missed connections, and unexpected disruptions to our daughter's schedule. Sometimes the easiest travel day is simply the one with fewer moving pieces.
Packing for a Long Travel Day
Preparing for a long flight with a baby doesn't have to be complicated, but it does require realistic packing. Over the last year, I've learned that it's always better to have a little too much than not enough when it comes to travel days.
My go-to diaper bag checklist includes nearly double the number of diapers I think we'll need from the moment we leave the house until we reach baggage claim. Surprisingly, I have yet to find diapers for sale at the airport.
I also pack three bottles for a baby (or two drink cups for a toddler) since there isn't always an opportunity to wash them right away. Plenty of water, formula, milk, or juice is essential, and one of the best travel perks for parents is that TSA allows liquids for small children that exceed the standard carry-on limits with little hassle.
I also make sure to pack mess-free snacks, an extra outfit, plenty of wipes, a few favorite toys, and a small portable fan to help keep everyone comfortable. The goal isn't perfection—it's simply having enough supplies to handle the unexpected once you are through the security checkpoint.
Managing Jet Lag with a Baby
One of the questions I hear most often about traveling across the country with a baby is how we handle jet lag. Jumping three time zones with an eight-month-old who already has her own strong opinions about sleep can feel intimidating. While we like to think we're in control of the schedule, the reality is that successful family travel requires a healthy dose of flexibility from everyone involved.
What worked well for us on this trip was booking an early 6:00 a.m. flight and doing our best to maintain our daughter's normal routine while we traveled. Once we landed, we gradually shifted her schedule to Pacific Time by stretching wake windows slightly and adding a short extra nap and feeding. That flexibility helped us push bedtime later without creating an overtired baby meltdown. By the end of the first day, she was ready for a full night's sleep on local time, which set us up for a much smoother week.
We also found that being flexible with snacks and feedings helped ease the transition. In our experience, trying too hard to maintain your home schedule upon arrival only extends the adjustment period.
Lean into the new time zone. The first day may feel exhausting, and everyone will probably be a little sleepy, hungry, and out of sorts. That's completely normal. The sooner your family settles into a full night's sleep, the sooner you can start fully enjoying the adventure.
Our First Taste of California
The view from Mori Point after a short hike.
After landing in San Francisco, we made our way south to Pacifica for lunch. If I'm being completely honest, we were exhausted and not interested in waiting for a table anywhere. While waiting to check into our Airbnb, we ended up at the Taco Bell Cantina overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Fast food and cocktails with an oceanfront view wasn't exactly what I had envisioned for our first California meal, but it was surprisingly perfect for the moment.
The California coast has such a different feel from the East Coast. The surf culture is everywhere, and there's an easygoing energy that immediately makes you want to slow down. One of my favorite things about Pacifica was watching neighborhoods climb the hillsides, with so many homes enjoying incredible views of the ocean below. It felt like something out of a postcard.
Sunset view from our Airbnb jacuzzi
A Perfect First Evening in Pacifica
We spent our first evening settling into a beautiful Airbnb tucked into a quiet neighborhood. After ordering pizza from a local restaurant, we relaxed in the backyard jacuzzi and watched the sun begin to set over the Pacific. It was the perfect slow start to our week-long adventure—unhurried, peaceful, and exactly what we needed after a cross-country travel day.
As the sky turned shades of pink and gold over the water, I remember thinking that California was already living up to every expectation.
And this was only day one.
Next up, I'll share why Pacifica quickly became one of our favorite unexpected stops in California—and why this charming coastal town deserves a spot on your Northern California itinerary.
