One common challenge of multigenerational travel is selecting activities that appeal to both grandparents and children. Cally Dym, a fifth-generation innkeeper at the Little River Inn on the Mendocino Coast of northern California, addressed this by creating a Multigenerational Adventure package that blends grown-up experiences—such as fine dining and wine tasting—with kid-friendly activities like heritage train rides and guided sea kayaking.
The 65-room Victorian inn sits on oceanfront grounds with gardens and wide lawns in one of the state’s most scenic regions. Select guestrooms feature fireplaces, private hot tubs and steam showers. On-site amenities include an award-winning restaurant led by executive chef Marc Dym, who frequently earns recognition for his seafood dishes. The restaurant offers a refined menu alongside local wines and beers, plus a children’s menu. Guests can also enjoy regulation tennis courts and an Audubon-certified golf course where deer sometimes cross between putts.
Nearby day-trip options are ideal for multigenerational groups. At Pennyroyal Dairy, families can meet and pet goats and purchase handcrafted cheeses. Guided ocean kayaking departs near sea caves where seals, seabirds and occasionally playful otters are often seen. A ride aboard the heritage Skunk Train is another crowd-pleaser: multiple scenic routes wind through redwood forests and along the coastline, offering memorable views for all ages.
Many of these experiences are bundled in the Multigenerational Adventure package for four, which can be expanded for larger family groups. The package includes two nights’ accommodations in an ocean-view room, breakfast for four at the inn, tickets for two adults and two children to the Pennyroyal Farmstead dairy tour, and tickets for two adults and two children on the Skunk Train.
The package also provides four spots on a guided sea kayaking excursion that is rated safe for a wide range of ages, with all kayaking equipment supplied.
Optional activities suitable for grandparents and grandchildren include strolling along Glass Beach and the Headlands Trail, enjoying lunch at local eateries, or soaking together at nearby Orr Hot Springs. Exploring the town of Mendocino is highly recommended: its coastal charm, galleries and shops offer relaxed wandering for visitors of any age. At day’s end, adults—and children—can take advantage of the inn’s full-service spa and salon.
Traveling with pets is possible as well: the inn offers pet-friendly rooms subject to house rules so families don’t have to leave furry members behind.
The Multigenerational Adventure package is available through Oct. 31 and is priced at $1,500 before taxes and gratuities. Reservations can be made by contacting the inn directly by phone.
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