Pictured: Crystal Springs Trail - Sawyer Camp Segment
Planning is an integral part of successful outdoor adventures with kids. This is especially true when it comes to babies and toddlers with odd schedules and needs. Sometimes all the planning in the world can't make for an ideal adventure, but there are several things I've learned along the way that certainly won't hurt. Here are some tips for successful outdoor family adventures:
Make sure you have the safety gear necessary: basic first aid, helmets, jackets, sunscreen, etc.
Food: Pack food for kids and for husbands/partners!! Have more food on hand than you would on a normal day. Kids who exercise get hungry. Bring special treats to use as bribery when necessary (example: lollipops).
Bring diapers, bottles and all necessary infant/baby supplies with you in a comfortable backpack. For formula-fed babies, a trick we used is to bring bottles with formula powder already poured in the bottle. We would bring a thermos with hot water so a warm bottle can be prepared on-the-go.
Have all children use the bathroom at the trailhead prior to starting on the trail.
Maintain a 1-to-1 adult-to-child ratio if at all possible. Managing multiple kids on your own is hard.
For babies and toddlers plan adventures around naps. For small babies (less than a year), you can plan to hike during a naptime if they are in a comfy carrier. For toddlers, plan to hike before naptime and go as early as possible for best behavior.
Coerce your children thoughtfully! The objective of this guide is to help you find trails that have great features for kids. Sell the features of the trail to your kids: playgrounds, trains, streams, sand, trees to go inside, etc. Motivate them by getting them excited about the unique parts of each trail.
Turn around before toddler tantrums begin, if you can predict them. Or just know when not to go at all (maybe your two-year-old is going through a rough patch).
Bring appropriate clothing for the forecasted weather, and bring extra clothing. Plan a change of clothes for when your kids go in the streams. Let them get dirty. Be aware that in the dense redwood forests, it is MUCH colder than in the sunshine. Bring extra coats, hats, gloves, etc. Warm kids are happier kids.
Consider purchasing kids hydration backpacks. Both our kids got hydration packs around their second birthday. A little pricey, but a quality brand like Camelpak or Osprey will last for years and years. Kids really do drink water a lot more often when it is attached to them, so you don't have to nag. Plus, letting them carry their own water might teach a little bit of responsibility (maybe...).
Consider that there is a rainy season in the Bay Area (December through March). Be smart and check both road and trail status before going.