California Part 2: Why We Loved Staying in Pacifica

When our daughter was born, my husband and I set a goal to visit as many National Parks as possible before she graduates high school. With that dream in mind, we planned our California adventure around a visit to Yosemite National Park, eager to experience its sweeping granite cliffs, towering waterfalls, and unforgettable scenery.

To get there, we flew from North Carolina to Northern California, landing in San Francisco. While there were several airport options to consider—including Fresno, Oakland, and Sacramento—San Francisco ended up being the most cost-effective choice for our family and offered the added benefit of an early morning nonstop flight.

Even with a direct flight, I knew it would already be a long travel day. Between the drive to the airport, a cross-country flight, picking up a rental car, and navigating an unfamiliar area, adding another three-plus-hour drive to Yosemite felt like too much. An eight-hour travel day can be exhausting for anyone, especially an eight-month-old. One of my favorite things about traveling is the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the journey rather than rushing from one destination to the next.

To give everyone a chance to catch their breath, I booked an Airbnb in Pacifica, California. Located just twenty minutes from San Francisco International Airport, it was the perfect place to spend our first night. Since we were traveling with our parents, our group included five adults and a baby. Renting a home was significantly more affordable than booking multiple hotel rooms, and it came with an incredible bonus—a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean and a jacuzzi overlooking the town below.

Our flight landed late in the morning, California time. After picking up our rental car, we headed straight to the coast for lunch. There was something special about hearing the waves crash against the shoreline while enjoying our first meal of the trip. Once everyone had eaten and stretched their legs, we made our way to Mori Point for an afternoon hike.

Stunning views from Mori Point

Hiking Mori Point with a Baby

The trail at Mori Point started out relatively easy for our stroller but became progressively more challenging as we climbed toward the cliffs. Every uphill push was rewarded with breathtaking coastal views. As the terrain became steeper, we transitioned our daughter into our MiniMeis shoulder carrier.

The MiniMeis was actually my husband's Father's Day gift that year, and it has accompanied us on countless adventures ever since. From her perch on Dad's shoulders, our daughter had a bird's-eye view of the Pacific coastline and rolling green hills surrounding us.

I know people often say babies won't remember experiences like these, and maybe that's true. But at eight months old, she was already a little sponge, constantly absorbing the world around her. Every new sight, sound, and experience was helping shape her understanding of the world. And even if she doesn't remember this particular hike years from now, we certainly will. Watching her experience these moments for the first time is one of the greatest joys of traveling as a family.

Our Home Away From Home

After our hike, it was finally time to check into our Airbnb. From the moment we walked through the door, we were impressed by how welcoming and comfortable it felt. The hosts had clearly put a great deal of thought into creating a family-friendly space. They provided everything from a travel crib to a high chair, making it easy to settle in and feel at home.

One item we packed that made our stay especially convenient was our VTech travel monitor. We use the version with the five-inch screen, which operates without Wi-Fi. It gave us the freedom to relax outside on the patio after our daughter fell asleep while still keeping a close eye on her. Small conveniences like that can make a big difference when traveling with a baby.

The Perfect Start to Our California Adventure

Spending our first night in Pacifica turned out to be one of the best decisions we made during the entire trip. Rather than immediately jumping into another long drive, we were able to slow down, unwind, and settle into vacation mode.

That evening, we ordered pizza from a local restaurant, poured glasses of California wine, and watched the sun slowly disappear into the Pacific Ocean. The sky glowed in shades of pink, orange, and gold as the waves rolled onto the shore below.

It was peaceful, unhurried, and exactly what we needed after a long day of travel.

Pacifica gave us the opportunity to ease into our California adventure, and by the time we left the next morning for Yosemite, we felt rested, refreshed, and ready for the next chapter of the journey.

Next up: our unforgettable stay at AutoCamp Yosemite and why it became one of our coolest family travel accommodations to date.