Uncover Jurassic-Era Fossils with a Paleontologist

Spend a thrilling one or two day expedition at an active excavation site in Montana unearthing fossils. You’ll engage in hands-on work alongside experienced paleontologists, contributing to ongoing research projects by discovering and excavating fossilized remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. The Morrison Formation, renowned for preserving the fossils of some of the Earth’s largest animals and iconic dinosaurs like Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Diplodocus, sets the stage for an immersive exploration into the Jurassic Period, approximately 150 million years ago.

Your guide? A field paleontologist, fossil preparator, and adept science communicator. Participants will learn the intricacies of finding, identifying, and excavating dinosaur and fossil remains under her expert guidance. With ongoing excavations and numerous skeletons yet to be unearthed, participants are integral to the continuation of this exciting scientific endeavor for years to come.

S’mores and a Movie on the Beach in San Diego

San Diego is a city known for its beautiful, sandy beaches and laid-back lifestyle, and we’ll be sure that you enjoy both with a private s’mores bonfire and movie screening on the beach. Just steps from your room at Shore House at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, you can enjoy showings of cult classics on the big screen on the hotel’s private beach.

Ranch Life at Colorado’s Smith Fork Ranch

Smith Fork Ranch is a private, luxury guest ranch nestled at the head of a remote valley on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rockies. The entirety of Smith Fork Ranch is yours, as the property now only hosts one group at a time. Perfect for large families of 10-35 people, you can choose to rest your head either in some of the smaller log cabins or the three larger homes. The River House which sits among the cottonwoods and spruce trees on the banks of the West Fork is the perfect option.

All aspects of the stay are customized to your preference. Smith Fork Ranch caters to diverse interests with activities such as swimming in the spring-fed pond, exploring miles of hiking trails leading to the National Forest, and engaging in bespoke experiences like leatherworking workshops, horseback riding, or private helicopter tours. The ranch’s vast 1.6 million acres of national forest offer opportunities for horseback exploration, hiking through wildflower-filled alpine meadows, and fishing for wild cutthroat trout along the ranch’s three-mile private stretch of the Smith Fork of the Gunnison.

New Mexico’s Diverse Culture at Bishop’s Lodge

Just outside Santa Fe, Bishop’s Lodge originally opened in the 1920’s. After several years closed, a thoughtful restoration by Auberge, the resort lodge reopened with a new look but the same beloved atmosphere. The hotel offers the perfect accommodations and activities for families. For a larger, multigenerational group, the Bunkhouse is a standalone residence including twelve rooms with the capacity for 24 adults and up to 12 children. Smaller families have a wide range of choices from the stylish guest rooms to the expansive suites and freestanding casitas.

The property is 317 acres bordering the Santa Fe National Forest and just minutes from downtown, giving guests the option to revel in secluded privacy or dive right into the action. Family members can set out on individual adventures during the day– like horseback riding and white water rafting for more active youth and onsite art classes for older folks– and reconvene for a private meal or stories by the fire each night. 

Inspirational Itinerary: Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota Luxury Road Trip 

Traveling through Wyoming to Montana to South Dakota, this road trip will immerse you in the best of the West. You’ll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Jackson Rodeo and meet the cowboys. There is bountiful wildlife to be seen which you’ll see close up in Yellowstone National Park’s northern reaches with an expert naturalist. In between, there are the fascinating Western towns of Cody, Buffalo and Sheridan to explore.

Itinerary Inspiration: Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota Road Trip

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Every family is different and we have a range of options to suit different group sizes and needs – here are a few of our favorites and please get in touch to speak to a Destination Specialist about designing your own private family escape.

The Inn at Newport Ranch

Encompassing seven microclimates on 2,000 acres of land, 1.5 miles of rugged Mendocino coastline and 20 miles of trails, the Inn at Newport Ranch, is the perfect escape from the bustle of everyday life. The nine-room resort is spread throughout four buildings set high on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Sea Drum, the owners’ oceanside vacation home just a half mile down the road, is perfect for family buyouts. Secluded and intimate, many have said that Sea Drum’s ocean views are among the best on the coast. Offshore, there are huge rock formations with blow holes and when they are active, they sound like drums, thus the name: Sea Drum. With four bedrooms, including a king bed and a bunk room, there is room for up to ten people. 

The Inn at Newport Ranch offers endless outdoor activities in this magical corner of the Northern California coast: go on an epic ATV ride throughout the property’s seemingly endless 2,000 acres, plant a redwood seedling, forage for mushrooms, or even spot whales scrubbing barnacles off their backs on the Mendocino cliffs. 

Pairs well with: Sonoma and Mendocino: A Farm to Table Road Trip

Green Valley Ranch 

Ideal for large family reunions, Green Valley Ranch is a private homestead conveniently located just five miles west of Glacier National Park. The ranch was originally homesteaded by the George Green family when Glacier Park was newly created. In quintessential Montana fashion, the ranch was built in a rustic log style with a 6,000 square foot main lodge and a smaller family cabin, with the ability to accommodate up to 27 guests. 

All the wonders of an iconic national park at your fingertips is just the beginning when it comes to potential activities. The ranch itself also includes miles of open trails, an antique log barn, an open-air pole barn suitable for entertaining, a pond, a small lake, and a grass game court.

Pairs well with: Glacier National Park, Pack Trip and Luxury Ranch

Smith Fork Ranch

A pack trip leaves Smith Fork Ranch

The Smith Fork is a historic Rocky Mountain guest ranch, nestled in a serene river valley where the North and South Smith Forks of the Gunnison meet. All aspects of the stay are customized to your preference. Depending on what you’re looking for, that may include anything from gourmet food and spa treatments to curated pasture picnics and private fly fishing lessons. 

Accommodations include six residences with a total of 18 bedrooms and room for as many as 35 guests. Both cozy and luxurious, each space is thoughtfully designed. Guests can set off on their own to swim in the spring-fed pond or to explore the many miles of hiking trails that start on the ranch and lead to the National Forest. There are also several bespoke guided experiences to choose from, such as a leatherworking workshop, horseback riding, or even a private helicopter tour. 

Pairs well with: Luxury Family Adventure in Colorado

Bishop’s Lodge

Bishop’s Lodge just outside Santa Fe first opened as a resort in the 1920’s when the concept of the ‘great American road trip’ truly began. After being incorporated into the illustrious Auberge Resorts fold and a thoughtful restoration, Bishop’s Lodge reopened with a new look but the same beloved atmosphere. The resort’s decor and activities pay homage to the multicultural heritage of the area, with antique art and workshops led by local artisans.

The Bunkhouse is a standalone residence including twelve rooms with the capacity for 24 adults and up to 12 children. Bishop’s Lodge is perfect for multi-generational families, due to a wide range of activities. Family members can set out on individual adventures, like horseback riding, fly fishing or shopping for artisan goods, and reconvene for a private meal or stories by the fire each night. The property is 317 acres bordering the Santa Fe National Forest and just minutes from downtown, giving guests the option to revel in secluded privacy or dive right into the action. 

Pairs well with: Back to the Future in New Mexico

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