The Dunn Family
Summer 2026

The Dunns Go Somewhere

Where should we take Kinley & Kya this summer? Pick your favorites, add notes, and plan together.

Kid-Friendly 4.5 hr max Cabins preferred Budget-conscious
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Where Should We Go?

Our Options

Tap the heart to vote for your favorites. Expand Tower Park for the full deep-dive. Add notes to any destination.

Tower Park Resort

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Lodi, CA
🐻
🚗 3.5 hrs 💰 $150–350/night ⭐ 3.0/5 🏆 #1 Large Campground

Yogi Bear-branded family camp-resort on the California Delta. Water slides, lazy river, jumping pillows, gem mining, foam parties, character meet-and-greets. Built for kids 3 to 12. Beautiful Delta setting. Not luxury, but nonstop kid entertainment.

Water park10/12 for Kinley7/12 for KyaCabins + AC
Quick Stats
Drive
3.5 hrs
From Templeton
Peak
May 22 – Aug 16
2026
Cabins
$150–350
15+ types
Award
🏆 #1
Campspot 2026
Activities for Kinley (6) & Kya (3)
🌊 Water Playground
Kinley ✓Kya ✓
🏊 Heated Pools
Kinley ✓Kya ✓
🛟 Lazy River
Kinley ✓Kya ⚠️
🤸 Jumping Pillow
Kinley ✓Kya ✗
⛳ Mini Golf
Kinley ✓Kya ✓
💎 Gem Mining
Kinley ✓Kya ✓
🎨 Arts & Crafts
Kinley ✓Kya ⚠️
🐻 Yogi Wagon
Kinley ✓Kya ✓
🛝 Playgrounds
Kinley ✓Kya ✓
🔫 Laser Tag
Too young
🏋 Kayak
Parents only
♨ Spa Tubs
Kinley ✓Kya ✗
Kinley: 10/12 activities. In heaven.
Kya: 7/12 (with help on 2). Pools, playgrounds, characters.
Deals
7NIGHT = 35% off 7 nights  |  5-Night Weekday = 20% off cart/cabana  |  Holiday = up to 50% off
Review Ratings
Kid Activities
4.2
Water Features
3.8
Location
3.5
Value
2.8
Cleanliness
2.5
Staff
2.5
What People Say
"My 8-year-old boys had a blast. So many activities to fill a weekend."Yelp, 2025
"Truly unforgettable memories with your family."Halloween 2025
"Water park is tiny, outdated, nothing like the photos."July 2025
"As the day gets later, playground rules vanish as parents get drunker."2025
When to Go
🟢
Late May / June or September
Best balance of warm, full activities, manageable crowds.
🟡
July / August
Everything open. But 100°F+, max crowds, higher prices.
🟡
October (Halloween)
Reviewers call this the best. Themed, cooler, festive.
🔴
Nov – April
Open but most things seasonal. Not worth the drive.
7 Things to Consider
  • 1
    The Heat
    Lodi = 100°F+ summer. AC cabin + cabana essential.
  • 2
    Quality
    Campground, not resort. Website oversells. Set expectations.
  • 3
    Cost Creep
    Cabin + pass + food + cart + cabana + extras. Use 7NIGHT code.
  • 4
    3.5 hr Drive
    Plan stops. At least 3 nights to justify the drive.
  • 5
    Evening Rowdiness
    Red Carpet area is quieter. Plan early bedtimes.
  • 6
    Kya's Limits
    Misses jumping pillow (4+), spa (6+), some crafts. Still plenty.
  • 7
    Book Early
    Popular weekends sell out. Reserve cart + cabana at booking.
Tower Park Checklist
  • Pick dates (late May/June or September)
  • Check availability at towerparkresort.com
  • Try code 7NIGHT (35% off)
  • Book Cozy Cottage or Red Carpet cabin
  • Reserve golf cart + cabana at booking
  • Plan road trip stops
  • Budget: $1,200–1,800 for 5 nights
Our Notes

Lake Nacimiento

Paso Robles, CA
🏔
🚗 45 min💰 $100–300/night

Lake cabins, swimming coves, boating, fishing. Quieter nature escape. Less structured kid entertainment but peaceful and beautiful for the whole family.

LakeCabinsNatureQuiet

Cambria / San Simeon

SLO County, CA
🌊
🚗 45 min💰 $175–400/night

Coastal charm, tide pools, elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, Hearst Castle. Scenic and educational. Kinley would love the tide pools. Great restaurants in Cambria village.

CoastalTide poolsEducationalScenic

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Santa Cruz, CA
🎢
🚗 3 hrs💰 $150–350/night

Beach + iconic amusement park. Free admission, pay per ride. Classic California vibes with roller coasters, arcade games, cotton candy. Perfect for Kinley's age. Kya does beach, carousel, kiddie rides.

Amusement parkBeachFree admissionClassic

LEGOLAND

Carlsbad, CA
🧱
🚗 4.5 hrs💰 $300–500/night

Theme park + water park + LEGO hotel. The most expensive and longest drive, but purpose-built for ages 2 to 12. Character breakfasts, building workshops, kid-sized everything. The hotel is an experience itself.

Theme parkWater parkAges 2–12Splurge

Big Sur

Monterey County, CA
🌳
🚗 2 hrs💰 $50–600/night⚠️ Mostly booked

Iconic redwoods, dramatic coastline, purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach. State park campsites for July already gone (6-month window). August still opening daily. Day trip from Templeton is doable (2 hrs). Private cabins (Big Sur Lodge, Glen Oaks, Fernwood) have better summer availability.

RedwoodsCoastlineBook ASAPDay trip OK
⚠️ Late Starter Alert: July state park campsites are gone. August windows open NOW on ReserveCalifornia (8 AM daily). Private lodging: Big Sur Lodge $300–600, Glen Oaks $400–600, Fernwood $253+. FCFS backup: Andrew Molera (arrive by 8 AM, 24 walk-in sites). No cell service in Big Sur.

Disneyland (Day Trip)

Anaheim, CA
🏰
🚗 4 hrs💰 $600–930 total🌟 Kids Summer Deal

The happiest place on Earth! Kya (2) is FREE. Kinley (5) gets a Park Hopper for just $50 with the Kids Summer Deal (normally $189+). 24 rides with no height requirement. Fantasyland and Toontown are perfect for this age. Consider 1-night hotel to avoid the 4hr late-night drive home.

Theme parkKya FREE$50 Kinley ticketDay trip possible
💰 Cost Breakdown (Family of 4):
2 adult tickets: $308–358 | Kinley (summer deal): $50 | Kya: FREE | Parking: $40 | Gas: $80 | Food: $100–150
Day trip total: $578–678 | With hotel: $778–928
Pro tips: Skip Lightning Lane (kid rides don't use it). Bring lunch + snacks. Go midweek for lowest crowds. Leave 4 AM to arrive at rope drop.
Side by Side

Quick Compare

DestinationDriveCost/NightKidsRelaxBest ForVotes
Tower Park3.5 hr$150–350★★★★★★★Nonstop kid action
Lake Naci45 min$100–300★★★★★★★★Nature & quiet
Cambria45 min$175–400★★★★★★★Scenic & educational
Santa Cruz3 hr$150–350★★★★★★★★Beach + rides
LEGOLAND4.5 hr$300–500★★★★★★★Ultimate kid trip
Big Sur ⚠2 hr$50–600★★★★★★★★Nature, mostly booked
Disneyland4 hr$600–930*★★★★★★★Kya FREE, $50 Kinley
Money Talk

Budget Estimator

Slide to pick number of nights. Estimates include cabin + food + activities.

4
Don't Miss These

Booking Reminders

We're "late starters" for summer 2026. Here's what to do NOW and when to set reminders.

🚨 This Week (March 6–13)
  • Check ReserveCalifornia NOW for Aug 31–Sept 7 camping (just opened!)
  • Set Campnab alert ($10–20) for Pfeiffer Big Sur cancellations
  • Buy Disneyland Kids Summer Tickets ($50 Park Hopper, on sale now)
  • Browse VRBO/Airbnb for Cayucos or Avila Beach in July
📅 March Deadlines
  • Book VRBO beach rental by March 31 (4–6 month sweet spot for July)
  • Check ReserveCalifornia daily at 8 AM for September cancellations
📌 April + Beyond
  • April 1–15: Book August VRBO if not done
  • April 30: Disneyland hotel bundle deadline (25% off 4+ nights)
  • May 15: Make Disneyland park reservations
  • June 1: Check VRBO "Last Minute" filter for July deals
💡 Late Booker Tips
  • Weekday stays are dramatically easier to book + 20–30% cheaper
  • Campnab.com monitors cancellations and sends SMS alerts
  • StayWatch.ai tracks VRBO/Airbnb price drops (25–80% off)
  • State park cancellations appear daily at 8 AM on ReserveCalifornia
  • Andrew Molera SP (Big Sur) is always first-come-first-served (24 sites)
Get Ready

Family Packing List

The full Dunn family packing list. Check items off as you pack; syncs to the cloud so both phones stay updated.

🍟 Buy: Snacks
🛒 Buy: Groceries
🎲 Entertainment
✅ To Do Before Leaving
🚨 Last Minute Grab
👜 Clothes + Toiletries
🧊 Cold Bag
💤 Past Sean Fails (Don't Forget Again)
🌨️ Winter Gear (If Needed)
🐶 Dog / Benny
Ready to share?

Send your votes and notes to Sean so he can see your picks!