Tahoe and San Francisco 2020: Skiing, Sightseeing, and Unseen Storms
What’s better than traveling with a family you love? Traveling with two families you love! As we geared up for an epic year of travel, our eyes were opened to the endless possibilities, and our bucket list of destinations was growing by the minute. To kick things off, we decided to combine adventure, winter weather, and some friendly travel planning. The plan? Create PowerPoint pitches for where we should all go next and share them on a ski trip out west to Lake Tahoe. Because why stick to New York’s small slopes when you can ski some of the most iconic hills in the U.S.?
With a group of little kids who could barely handle the bunny hill, we weren’t exactly Olympic-level skiers. Thankfully, ski school exists, and it’s worth every penny. Watching our kids grow as skiers in such a short time was incredible. By the end of the trip, they were racing down the slopes faster than me (and still are, to this day).
The trip wasn’t all about skiing, though. We found a sitter service so the adults could sneak away for a nice dinner out, explored the towns and the stunning lake views, and managed to get some solid skiing in ourselves. Once we’d had our fill of snowy adventures, we made our way to San Francisco to catch the major sights. The Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, and Fisherman’s Wharf were just a few of the highlights.
But not everything went smoothly. One of the kids was dealing with a brutal combo of elevation sickness and an ear infection—not exactly the vacation vibe we were going for. And then there was the ominous news about a cruise ship docked off the coast of San Francisco due to some new illness: coronavirus. At the time, it was just a headline—something we didn’t think much about beyond casual curiosity.
We still made time to pitch our travel ideas, dreaming up ambitious plans for the year ahead while chalking up our shared sniffles to a typical winter cold. Little did we know, those dreams would be squashed just weeks later. After we got home, the world began to shut down, taking our travel plans and so much more with it.
Looking back, this trip feels like the end of an era. It was the last hurrah before the world changed in ways we couldn’t have imagined. But it was also a reminder of the joy of exploring with people you love, the resilience of kids (even when dealing with ear infections), and the importance of savoring every moment—because you never know what’s around the corner.
Lessons Learned:
Ski School Is a Game-Changer: Watching kids go from the bunny hill to zipping past you is worth every penny.
Flexibility Is Key: Elevation sickness, ear infections, and unexpected news can derail plans—go with the flow.
Plan Time for the Adults: A sitter service or group childcare can make space for much-needed adult time.
Stay Informed but Keep Dreaming: Even in uncertain times, planning and dreaming about future adventures is part of the fun.
Cherish the Moment: You never know when life will throw you a curveball, so soak in every bit of joy while you can.
Practical Tips for a Winter Trip to Tahoe and San Francisco:
Pack for All Weather: Tahoe’s snow and San Francisco’s fog mean layers are essential.
Book Ski School Early: It’s popular for a reason, and spots fill up fast.
Stay Hydrated at Altitude: Elevation sickness is no joke, so keep water on hand for everyone.
Explore Beyond the Slopes: Tahoe’s towns and San Francisco’s iconic sites add variety to the trip.
Have a Backup Plan: Travel hiccups happen, so stay flexible and keep snacks (and patience) at the ready.
Tahoe and San Francisco 2020 wasn’t the start to a year of travel that we expected, but it was a trip full of adventure, laughter, and lessons. It taught us to embrace the moment—and to keep dreaming, even when the world feels uncertain.
