Category Name

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California>Bay Area|City|How To|Indoor Activities|Lifestyle|Outdoors|Travel Tips

11 Black-Owned Eateries to Support During Oakland Restaurant Week 2023, and Beyond

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About Us

Our Blog is Three?!

Reflections from our second year of blogging.

Lifestyle|Travel Tips

Alaska Souvenirs and Gifts Highlighting Native-Owned Brands & Natural Sources

Saife Shanto

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December 12, 2025

11 Black-Owned Eateries to Support During Oakland Restaurant Week 2023, and Beyond

Oakland Restaurant Week is March 16-26, 2023—happy eating!

Why I Feel “All the Rage” Before Every Trip with My Family

My partner and I experience the uneven distribution of labor discussed in Darcy Lockman’s book about “mothers, fathers, and the myth of equal partnership.”

How To|Lifestyle>Parenting

Encanto – How to Answer Your Kids’ Endless Questions

Has the Disney movie Encanto been playing on repeat in your house and wake up with the soundtrack stuck in your head? Read on for more.

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|City|Outdoors>Hiking|U.S.

How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Eugene with your Kids

Spend a weekend in Eugene eating good food, drinking good beer, and enjoying the outdoors with your kiddos.

How to Bring the Sounds of Music Along on Every Adventure with Your Kid

Musician-extraordinaire Ukulenny shares his tips for keeping the tunes flowing.

How to Camp in the Desert of Joshua Tree National Park with Your Toddler

Read on for details of our trip to one of California’s most iconic parks.

5 Tips for Successful Potty Training While Traveling – For Families On The Go

Ever wonder how to potty train while traveling? Read on for more.

Lifestyle>Parenting

New Year, New Resolutions for Family Travel

Sometimes I wonder if I am really into this whole “traveling with kids” thing.

How To|Lifestyle>Parenting|Travel Tips

How to Be An Anti-Racist Traveler – Our Thoughts on Raising Anti-Racist Traveling Kids

Are you interested in raising your kids to be anti-racist? So are we! Read on to find how we implement these ideas in our travel with our kids.

2025-26 Gift Guide for Families Who Love to Travel

Our gift guide for families who travel – a list of everything you need to keep your kids happy and you sane while you explore the world.

8 Tips for Visiting Glowfari with Kids at the Oakland Zoo this Winter Season

This seasonal nighttime exhibit features bright animal lanterns that are larger-than-life and great for the whole family!

A Perfect Day in Downtown Oakland Edition (no car needed!)

Check out our favorite walkable spots in Downtown Oakland!

How to Visit Santa Rosa with Kids – Breweries, Hiking, and the Children’s Museum of Sonoma

Only an hour away from the East Bay is a warm and kid-friendly destination!

Bodega Bay with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide to Coastal Fun

Enjoy long, wind-swept beaches, goats, and all the crab you could eat!

Welcome to Beautiful Brown Adventures!

Meet Angel & Angelica, the co-founders of Beautiful Brown Adventures!

Our Favorite POC-Owned Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Alameda

Add these kid-friendly restaurants to your bucket list!

How to Visit Hohokam Stadium and see the Oakland Athletics at Spring Training with your Kids

Here’s why you might consider visiting Arizona to catch a bit of Spring Training and more!

Best Places to Eat with your kids in Watsonville

Watsonville – breweries, sausages, helicopters – so much to do and eat!

How to Visit the Oakland Zoo with Kids – 8 Tips for Surviving in the Wild

The Oakland Zoo has rides, animals, and a gondola.

Why is Motherhood so hard? Reflections on Kid Travel and Parenting Stress

Motherhood/parenthood is seriously the most “terrible wonderful” thing in the world.

Lifestyle|Travel Tips

Why it is Important to Research Native Tribes When you Travel with your Kids

Why is it important to do Native American land acknowledgments?

Our Complete Toddler-Friendly National Park Road Trip Itinerary to Zion, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and More!

Here’s how we survived 2,500+ miles across four states with our toddler–and each other!

Pajaro Dunes Resort: A Family Paradise by the Beach – Kid-Friendly Fun Awaits!

Why your family needs to add Pajaro Dunes as your next weekend adventure.

How to Experience Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend with Your Toddler

And enjoy some Navajo frybread, while you’re at it!

Paying Homage to the Grape Strike Labor Organizers of the 1960s in Delano, California

Visit the historic backdrop of one of the most important labor movements in American history.

How to Throw a Kid-Friendly Backyard Halloween Party During a Pandemic

Sigh. Another pandemic Halloween. Here’s how to throw a still-awesome COVID-safe backyard party!

Top Kid-Friendly Hiking, Beaches, and Seafood in Moss Landing (for families with big and little kids)

What to do? Visit the Elkhorn Slough! Don’t just drive by – pull over at the power plant off HWY 1 to explore Moss Landing.

How to take your Little Kids to Children’s Fairyland in Oakland this Year

Visit the classic Children’s Fairyland in the heart of Oakland’s Lake Merritt District.

California>Bay Area|Outdoors

How to Visit Smith Family Farm – the Best Pumpkin Patch in the Bay Area

Pumpkins, banjos, peacocks, oh my! All within a short drive from the SF Bay Area

How to Spend a Perfect Day at Stinson Beach with Kids

Take a windy road down to Stinson Beach with your brown babies. Just keep the windows open to avoid car sickness…

Here’s How We Spent a Long Weekend Car-Camping and Playing at the Beach with Four Families in Sunny Nisenan Territory (aka Folsom Lake)

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers a chill campground and beach potential.

Lifestyle>Parenting|Travel Tips

Must-Have Breastfeeding Clothes for Traveling Parents and Families

I’ve been nursing a baby/toddler over the last 5 years. Here are my top recommendations for nursing clothes.

Everything You Need to Know to Breastfeed in Public (Tips for Nursing While Traveling)

Nursing a baby while traveling can be a challenge. Click to read 5 tips to feed your baby on the go.

Lifestyle

How to throw a kid-friendly Hamilton and Schulyer Sister Party (Costumes Included)

Hamilton fans rejoice! Here is how to throw the best Schuyler Sisters Birthday Party-you won’t be helpless with this tutorial!

How to Visit Lisbon – Best Kid-Friendly Activities

Portugal’s capital city is full of ruins and great food for the whole family to enjoy!

The Best Cargo Trike – A Review of the Ferla Family Cargo Bike and Babboe Curve

Looking for a front-loading cargo trike? Read on for a review of the electric Ferla Family Cargo Bike and the non-electric Babboe curve.

Top 10 Unique and Toddler-Friendly Activities for Your Family Trip to O‘ahu

After multiple trips to O‘ahu with our toddler, here are our favorite activities!

“Wait, I’m Pregnant?” How I found out I was pregnant after being told that I could never have kids

My doctor told me I could never have kids. Then I was pregnant. Surprise!

It Took a Nordic Miracle to Get Pregnant – A Journey through Early Menopause and Infertility

My doctor told me I could never have kids. Then I went to Iceland.

How to visit Porto – Best Kid-Friendly Activities

Porto is a great place to take your families with kids of any age. We travelled with kids ages 0-10 and grandparents!

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: 7 Tips for a Perfect Day Out with Little Kids

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is crazy and fun with kids.

Tips on How to Visit La Tour Eiffel with Your Kids (Eiffel Tower)

There is no wrong way to see and experience the Eiffel Tower!

BBA’s Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Your Family to Paris, France

This was our first international trip with our kiddo and it did not disappoint!

Lifestyle|Travel Tips

What We Mean by “Brown” & “BIPOC” and Why it is Important

What do these terms actually mean to us?

Outdoors>Family Bike Rides

Why A Family Cargo Bike Is The Best Purchase You Can Make This Year

I got a family cargo bike this year and it is the best.

BIPOC-Owned Eateries to Support During San Francisco Restaurant Week 2022

SFRW is April 1-10, 2022, with numerous BIPOC-owned restaurants to choose from!

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|City|U.S.

How to Explore Salem, Oregon with your Kids

Take your kids to Salem, Oregon to explore parks, a children’s museum, and delicious food.

Teach Your Kid How to Ride a Bike in a Day (woom 3 Bike Review)

Get your kid on a pedal bike in one day with the woom bike 3. See our review and best plan of action here.

Explore Berkeley’s Tilden Regional Park with Toddlers – Trains, Farm Animals, and an Amazing Carousel

In the Eastern Foothills of Berkeley you’ll find a child (and adult) nature paradise.

How to Experience the Grand Canyon’s South Rim with Your Toddler

Hint: don’t get stuck in a thunderstorm!

California>California Coast|Outdoors>Hiking

How to Visit the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse with Kids

Take your kids to the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse – a short walk to a sweet little lighthouse along the Mendocino coast.

Mendocino Getaway with Kids: Coastal Adventures and Family Fun

Explore the Mendocino Coast just north of the San Francisco Bay Area with your kids for the best fish and chips ever!

California>Bay Area|City|Outdoors

Experience the Best East Bay Holiday Lights in Alameda – Bring your Kids to Christmas Tree Lane

Come see Alameda’s very own Christmas Tree Lane with your littles and bring your hot cocoa.

Our Complete Guide to Traveling on an Airplane with Babies and Toddlers

It CAN be done! Use these tips to ease your air travel woes.

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|California>Bay Area|City|Outdoors>Hiking

How to Hike for Blackberries in the Corteva Wetlands with your Kids

The Corteva Wetlands Preserve is an East Bay Area hidden gem and lined with blackberries.

Top 4 Kid-Friendly Breweries on the Island of Alameda

Alameda Island in the East Bay Area has some of the best kid-friendly adult-beverage drinking spots around.

Top 3 Family-Friendly and Fun Bike Rides in Alameda

Explore the island city of Alameda by bike with your kids for safe and flat bike routes with the best Bay views.

How to Visit the Grand Canyon’s North Rim with Kids

This less frequented National Park destination is worthy of a visit!

Top 7 Playgrounds to Visit with Your Kids in Alameda

Visit the family-friendly city of Alameda to explore the many safe, clean, and fun parks throughout the island.

The Best Alameda Beaches for Families with Little Kids

The south shore of Alameda Island in the East Bay Area is lined with beaches that are perfect for little kids.

Antiracist travel guide For Families

Download our free Antiracist Travel with Kids Tip Sheet with reflective exercises and practical tools for conscious exploration.

Your first step to inclusive travel starts now!

How to Visit the Palace of Versailles with Kids

This optional day-trip from Paris makes for a stunning addition to your itinerary.

9 Camping Activities with Kids: Fun and Educational Outdoor Adventures

Keep camping exciting with some toys to help enhance nature. No screens required!

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|California>Bay Area|Outdoors>Camping|Outdoors>Hiking

Dive into Spring Lake Regional Park Campground with your Kids

Camping in Santa Rosa’s Spring Lake Campground is the best for family camping newbies.

Our Favorite Toddler-Friendly Eateries for A Family Trip to O‘ahu

It was a tough call, but we’ve narrowed down our favorite restaurants for your next trip to O‘ahu!

Lifestyle>Parenting>Birth Stories

What You Need to Know About Home Birth

I had a homebirth, two actually! Here is what you need to know.

Lifestyle>Parenting>Birth Stories

How I Delivered My First Baby Safely At Home With A Midwife

I had a home birth. It was hella long. Somehow, I made it through 28 hours of labor and delivered my baby at home.

How I became a Birth Believer and delivered my baby at home in Hawaii

I Didn’t know that a homebirth was an option for me. I learned about my options at a labor and delivery class, made a decision to have a homebirth, and then gave birth to my son with the support

Lifestyle>Parenting>Birth Stories

Curious about Home Birth? Here is Why I Had One.

I had a homebirth, two actually! Here is why.

How to Spend a Blissful Day Full of Bike Rides, Beaches, and BBQ in Half Moon Bay

Come for the tide pools, stay for the BBQ!

O‘ahu’s Tastiest Sweet Treats—and Where to Find Them

I’m not usually a sweets person, but I would definitely go for seconds of these treats!

Our Favorite Family-Friendly Restaurants in London

Here’s how we ate our way through London with our tot-in-tow!

The Beautiful Brown Adventures Guide to Visiting London with Kids

Here’s what you need to know about visiting England’s capital city.

Trip Recap: 3 Days in London with Our Toddler and Extended Family

We enjoyed a short-but-sweet trip to England’s capital city.

California>California Coast|Outdoors

How to Spend an Exciting Weekend in Watsonville with your Kids

We love Watsonville. It is a great day-trip destination for families with young kids. Read on to find out why!

How We Spent 3 Days in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand with Kids

We spent 3 days in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the capital of New Zealand’s South Island with our toddler and found playgrounds, parks, trolleys, and so much more!

How to Visit the Pigeon Point Lighthouse with Kids

Take your kids to the Pigeon Point Lighthouse to see whales, birds, tide pools, and beaches.

Lifestyle>Parenting>Birth Stories

We Don’t Talk About Miscarriages – But I Had One

Miscarriage – why is it taboo? It feels that way when it happens to you.

The Ultimate Guide to Bringing Your Kids Under-4 to a Cal Football Game

Get into Cal spirit and follow these tips for a smooth adventure to Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium!

Where to Eat with Kids in Mexico City

Here are our favorite kid-friendly restaurants in Mexico’s capital!

Everything you need to know about backpacking with kids

A short 0.7 miles along the kid-friendly Tennessee Valley trail is the easiest backpacking campground even a beginner with a wagon would enjoy.

How to Backpack with Kids to the Haypress Campground in Tennessee Valley

A short 0.7 miles along the kid-friendly Tennessee Valley trail is the easiest backpacking campground even a beginner with a wagon would enjoy.

7 Tips to Hike the Tennessee Valley Trail with Kids

The kid-friendly Tennessee Valley hike takes you along a flat trail to a beautiful beach cove.

The Best Kids Museum in Mexico City

The Papalote Museo del Niño offers hands-on activities and play areas (both indoor and outdoor) for various age groups.

How to Sleep Under the Redwoods at Samuel P. Taylor Campground with your Kids

Sleep under the redwoods at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground with your kids.

Why You Should Stay at Hotel Casa Jacinta During Your Next Visit to Mexico City

For a visit to Coyoacán, consider staying at this quaint and quiet guest house on the outskirts of Mexico City.

Best Family-Friendly Day Trips from the East Bay Area

Visit these exciting destinations within a short drive from the East Bay Area!

About Us

Happy Birthday to Us!

The Beautiful Brown Adventures blog is officially a year old!

How Our Family Got Ripped Off in Mexico City so You Don’t Have To

Avoid this tourist trap at Mercado Centro at all costs!

Trip Recap: Here’s How Our Family of Three Spent A Week in Mexico City

And how you can, too!

A Kid-Friendly Walking Tour of Park Street in Alameda

Explore Alameda Island’s historic Park Street district with your kids: food, parks, and shops.

Lifestyle

In the Heights Birthday Bash: A Vibrant Celebration of Music, Culture, and Fun for the Whole Family

In the Heights fans rejoice! Our party tips will keep you singing and dancing to the Carnival all day.

California>California Coast|Outdoors

How to Visit Watsonville – Top 8 Kid-Friendly and Fun Activities

Watsonville – fruit picking, hiking, sculpture gardens, parks, beaches…what more could you ask for?

A Family Trip to Portugal: 10 Days with Kids and Grandparents

Visit Portugal with your kids to see amazing ruins, castles, gardens, and eat good food.

How to Nurse your Infant at Walt Disney World

You can bring your infant to the happiest place on earth and nurse, breastfeed, chestfeed her too! Here’s how.

A Family-Friendly Guide to Mexico City: Top 10 Activities with Sample Itineraries

Everything we wish we knew about visiting Mexico’s capital with kids!

What It Was Like to Ride a Hot Air Balloon with My Kid and Family

Two words: SO FUN! Read about our family’s first-ever hot air balloon ride.

California>Bay Area|Outdoors

How to Visit Columbia Historic State Park in California with Kids

Columbia State Historic Park is full of gold rush history. Part cosplay, part living museum, part small town, come and make candles and drink sarsaparilla with your kids!

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|California>Bay Area|Outdoors>Camping|Outdoors>Hiking

Yurt Camping in Mount Madonna: Family Adventure Guide to Kid-Friendly Fun

Sleep under the redwoods at Mt. Madonna County Park with your kids in a YURT!

How to Visit the Ancient City of Teotihuacan with Your Kids

Read on for tips on how to visit the site of the world’s third-largest pyramid and the largest first-century city in Mexico!

Top Things to Do in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand with your Kids

Christchurch is the capital of New Zealand’s South Island and a great place to visit with your family.

How to Visit the Elephant Seals of Año Nuevo with Your Kids

This state park and nature preserve—home to one of the world’s largest mainland breeding colonies for the northern elephant seal—gives visitors an up close and personal look at these unique sea mammals.

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|Outdoors>Beaches & Sun|California>California Coast|Outdoors>Hiking

The BBA Guide to Visiting Pescadero with Kids

For being such a small town, Pescadero is home to numerous nature-based activities for the whole family!

How to Stay at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel with Kids

Spend the night at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse hostel to see whales, birds, tide pools, and beaches.

Olema Campground is the Best Last-Minute Campground to Book in the Bay Area with Kids

Olema Campground near Pt. Reyes Station is awesome and often has space when you’re booking last minute!

What My Family’s First Hot Air Balloon Ride Taught Me About Supporting My Child

Our hot air balloon experience was a lesson on parenting during difficult moments. Here’s how.

What to do in Alameda Point with your Kids

Alameda Point is located on the west end of the island of Alameda and full of kid-fun with epic views of the San Francisco city skyline.

Smooth Sailing: A Guide to Taking your Toddler on the Doubtful Sound Cruise in New Zealand

The Doubtful Sound is probably as remote as you’re ever going to get – on a boat, in the far south-west corner of NZ…with a kid?

Visit Otago – How to Explore the Adventure Capital of New Zealand with your Kids

Otago is the self-proclaimed “Adventure Capital of the World” and is a good place to visit for adventurous families as well.

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|International>Oceania

Queenstown with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide to Adventure in New Zealand’s Playground

Queenstown is known as “Adventure Capital of the World” and is a good place to visit for adventurous families as well.

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|International>Oceania

Smooth Sailing: Is the Doubtful Sound Cruise Suitable for Toddlers?

I took my toddler on the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise and I’m not sure it was a good idea. Here are a few things to consider.

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|International>Oceania

Arrowtown Adventures with Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide to New Zealand’s Charming Gold Rush Town

Escape the bustle of Queenstown by taking a side trip to the cute mining town of Haehaenui Arrowtown located just 20 minutes away.

Te Anau Treasures: A Perfect Day with Your Toddler in New Zealand’s Gateway to Fiordland

Te Anau is the “gateway to Fiordland” in the South Island of New Zealand.

Hiking in Mt. Cook, New Zealand with a Toddler: Tips for Scenic Family Adventures

At the foot of Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, Lake Pukaki and the Mt. Cook village are beautiful sites to see with your family.

How a Roof Top Tent Can Up Your Family’s Camping Game

We love camping in our roof top tent (RTT). Here’s why you should consider getting one for your family.

California Home Sweet Home: Our Fast and Amazing Water Birth Experience

I gave birth in a tub in my living room with the help of a midwife and my family, and with my toddler there!

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|California>Central California|Outdoors

How to Visit Murphys with Kids – Top 3 Fun and Family-Friendly Activities

A historic gold mining town in the Sierra Mountains with wine tasting, hiking, and a cute downtown.

By Age Group>Ages 0-2|By Age Group>Ages 2-5|California>Central California|Outdoors

Main Street Magic: Family-Friendly Activities in Murphys, California – A Kid’s Guide to Fun

Downtown Murphys has one street with a playground, wineries, and great food!

Felton Family Fun: Kid-Friendly Activities to Explore in This Charming Town

Felton has hiking, Roaring Camp Railroads steam trains, and a cool Covered Bridge.

How to Spend a Weekend in Mariposa With Extended Family

Nestled in the shadow of Yosemite National Park and all that goes with it is the quaint Gold Rush town of Mariposa.

How to Visit Phoenix with your Kids – Where to Eat & Play

Phoenix, Arizona offers fun kid-friendly breweries, hiking, cactus gardens, and more.