Epic 500-Mile California Road Trip: A Family of Five Plus Dog Explores the Coast (Part 1)
Connectivity makes bleisure seamless—we stay productive on the go. Employers increasingly recognize that personal experiences like travel boost performance. Yet, U.S. workers lag globally in time off. Project: Time Off reports Americans left 662 million vacation days unused in 2016, down from an average of 20.3 days in 2000 to 16.8 in 2016.
Bleisure offers essential breaks and their well-being benefits, even in short bursts.
As summer ended and school loomed, we turned a work trip into our family's big vacation. Using San Diego and San Francisco business stops as anchors, we drove 500 miles along California's stunning coastline.
We've road-tripped California before, but this was our longest with kids—sons aged 11 and 9, daughter 2—and our 5-year-old golden retriever, Milo.
- Tip: Involve kids in planning to build excitement and ownership.
- Tip: Kimpton provides free essentials like toothbrushes, lint rollers, nail clippers, fashion tape, and contact solution.
Starting Line: San Diego (1 Night)
We checked into Hotel Palomar San Diego in the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, near 200+ restaurants, bars, shops, and the waterfront. Milo loved the nearby grassy areas at Horton Plaza and Petco Park with poop bag stations.
- Tip: 2017 marked the Gaslamp Quarter's 150th anniversary—check for events if visiting around then.
Next morning, we hit the fourth-floor rooftop pool with street views, a bar, underwater music, and a DJ.
Next: Part 2—Huntington Beach!
See more from our trip via #saglieadventures. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter for tips. Join Travelzoo for road trip deals!
