Cavallo Point - the Lodge at the Golden Gate

When traveling with two 7 year olds, can a vacation be peaceful or is it just downright chaotic?

We were recently invited to be guests at Cavallo Point – the Lodge at the Golden Gate in Sausalito, Ca where I discovered that yes, vacation can be peaceful!

Here is a little background on Cavallo Point. It is located on the grounds of Fort Baker which began as an Army base in the 1890s and in now managed by the National Park Service at Golden Gate National Park. Cavallo Point opened its doors in 2008.

Located just minutes from San Francisco but in a national park, Cavallo Point gives families the opportunity to take a break from it all but still enjoy city life as a tourist in San Francisco. Families can enjoy Angel Island, Slide Ranch or the Bay Area Discovery Museum just a short distance from Cavallo Point. We headed over to the Bay Area Discovery Museum shortly after we arrived but more on that later.

One thing I loved about Cavallo Point is that cars are not allowed past the main entry area making it very safe for kids to run around and roam the grounds. Furthermore, the property is spaced out well so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. We spent a couple of hours our first day there just walking around, learning about the history of the Cavallo Point and Fort Baker. And yes, there were many great hiding spots for a good game of hide-and-go-seek.

There are many complimentary activities like hiking and walking tours and daily yoga. There is also one of the most beautiful spas you have ever seen. Certain activities, like the spa, are adults only so you might have to save those for your weekend away without the kids or try to sneak away for a bit from the family during your stay. They also offer a complimentary shuttle that can take you into Sausalito or over the bridge into San Francisco throughout the day.

One unique offering is the Cavallo Point Cooking School. This first-class cooking school is located on the premises and offers classes to guests throughout the month. It is a fun and different activity to experience while on vacation. And no, kids aren’t allowed here but if you can find a way to work it into your vacation, it’s worth it. The facilities are beautiful, the staff is knowledgeable and the classes are small.
Cavallo Point is like two hotels in one. They offer two different types of rooms - historic lodging and contemporary lodging. The historic lodging offers you the opportunity to stay in one of the historic buildings that served as officers’ quarters when Fort Baker was a working Army base.  The contemporary rooms have the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge and a modern, sleek look. While the two are very different in style, I can tell you they are both quite roomy which is great for families.

As we were roaming around the property, I realized this would be a perfect spot for a multi-generational vacation. Between the history of the land and buildings, the open space, the many easily accessible gathering areas and the amazing food at Murray Circle, this is a place that every single member of your family would not only enjoy but appreciate. If you have a large group, you could spread out among the hotel rooms or for a smaller group, consider staying at the Frank House. Located on the property, it is an 1100+ sq foot residence with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, living room and an enclosed wrap around porch with insane views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city. In fact, even if you have a larger group, it’s worth having someone stay in the Frank House to serve as a place where family members could meet and catch up.

As I mentioned above, one great spot for families is the Bay Area Discovery Museum located adjacent to the entrance of Cavallo Point. The recommended ages for this museum is 6 months to 8 years olds. My 7 year olds had a blast. The museum is spread out over seven areas, each with its own exhibit:

-    Bay Hall: boats and trains
-    Wave Workshop: tides and waves
-    Art Studio: create and design with various arts and crafts
-    Tot Spot: animal fun for kids under 42”
-    Discovery Hall: houses special exhibits (currently Framed: Step into Art)
-    Outdoor Learning Lab: learn about native plants
-    Lookout Cove: outdoor play area

My kids most enjoyed the Framed: Step into Art exhibit. There they were able to recreate famous pieces of art, make their own masterpieces, “become” Mona Lisa and more. The Bay Area Discovery Museum is definitely a great addition to your stay at Cavallo Point and worth doing if traveling with younger children.

When we visited Cavallo Point, it was just me and my kids. Traveling alone with two kids could be stressful but truthfully, it wasn’t. Cavallo Point is such a place of pure natural beauty and peace that is made it easy to visit!

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Cavallo Point – the Lodge at the Golden Gate
www.cavallopoint.com
601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker, Sausalito, Ca

*My family and I were invited as guests of Cavallo Point for review purposes.