I was reminded the other day in South San Francisco how much the “little stuff” matters when traveling with kids. We were staying at a hotel a bit south of the airport and my 4 year old and I were admiring the planes taking off and landing. One thing about San Francisco in the summer -it can be COLD, especially if the fog rolls in or you are near the Bay.
Since I had not planned on this stop in San Francisco – and the rest of California was blazing hot, I did not have my son dressed in layered clothing – nor did I have anything packed that had long sleeves! I tried to “warm” him with loving arms – but this 4 year old was not buying it. He also was hungry and not in the mood to be outside and cold.
So even though he occasionally was impressed as a 747 took off in front of us, mostly he just complained – and the complaining got LOUDER. We didn’t stay there long – as the moment was ruined for both of us. Important to consider when planning a trip – the best planned trip can easily be ruined by overlooking the practical side!
However, it did remind me how it is important to always be prepared – even for those unexpected events. And when traveling, how layering clothes is a MUST.
This is true especially when flying. It can be hot outside- humid, sweaty hot – and the air conditioning so cold on the plane that you and your family are miserable. Toss in an extra layer.
This also applies in the opposite direction. Overheating is no fun either – so having options is the key.
In our case it wasn’t a big deal to go inside and watch the planes take off from the inside of the Elephant Bar (great place to take kids, eat a good meal and watch the planes at SFO!) But what if we were visiting and had a full day of sightseeing planned?
I remember when I first moved to California, I was excited for those sunny days! What I didn’t realize was that when living anywhere near the ocean, it is common for the fog to be present in the morning and to cool temperatures down to the point of chilly.
My advice to you? Pack layers – and bring that sweater on the plane – better to just sit on it and have extra cushioning than to be miserable. However, if you are prepared with PlaneComfort this really wouldn’t be an issue! (Where was my PlaneComfort that day in San Francisco??? I could’ve used that soft, warm blanket!)
Pack smart and pack light – just don’t forget the layers! (and check the weather)
Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe to receive FREE updates!
Comments on this entry are closed.