Hit the slopes! UrbanSitter is now in Tahoe and Reno

lake tahoeWinter has finally arrived here in the Bay Area…in January! It’s time to pack the kids in the AWD and head to Tahoe or Reno for fun in the snow!

Luckily, UrbanSitter has just opened up in the Lake Tahoe area with over 40 local babysitters, many of whom are students at nearby colleges.

Book a sitter and take off for a full day of “adults-only” skiing or a romantic evening out. Here are a few ideas that will get you snowsuited up and ready for fresh powder:

  • Liftopia has great deals on lift tickets and kids packages to lure you into the powder.
  • KidZone Museum in Truckee has a jungle gym and plenty of interactive activities to keep the kids entertained while learning.
  • Sip fine wines at Uncorked in Tahoe City’s charming Cobblestone Center, then catch a movie at the theater.

 

UrbanSitter now available to parents in San Diego

kids with kiteFinding a babysitter in San Diego just became a whole lot easier with the official launch of UrbanSitter!

Families living (or vacationing) in San Diego now have a central hub to find, interview, and book babysitters online, in real time. Best of all, the site enables parents to discover these sitters through friends, school affiliations, and parenting groups they really trust.

So far, over 75 sitters have signed up in the greater San Diego area, including many San Diego State University graduates and students. In addition to education level, parents can search for sitters by years of experience, background checks, reviews, language, experience with special needs, pay rate, and more. Sitters list their schedules online, so parents can easily book a job with the click of a button–even for a last minute babysitter!

UrbanSitter is arriving in San Diego just in time for MLK weekend and Valentine’s Day date nights! Parents planning a family vacation to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld or Legoland can also look forward to a night away from the kids thanks to the growing network of parents and trusted sitters.

UrbanSitter is available across the greater San Diego area including La Jolla, North County, South Bay and East County. To search sitters, log in and enter your city in the location box. 

Top 10 Tips: Visiting Sonoma with the Kids

Wine country vacation WITH the kids? Yes, it can be done! Here are UrbanSitter’s top 10 travel tips for visiting California’s beautiful Sonoma Valley with the family.

1. On the way into town, visit Traintown with the kids. Located one mile south of the Plaza in Sonoma, Traintown features a quarter-scale railroad. Each train ride lasts 20 minutes and makes a stop in Lakeview, a miniature town with petting zoo.

2. Check into The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, a luxurious yet kid-friendly hotel with large rooms and mini suites, kid menus, and an outdoor swimming pool. Or, try the moderately priced Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn, which also has a pool and cribs by request.

3. Hire a babysitter for the afternoon and head out to taste fabulous wines at tucked away vineyards: Gundlach Bundschu and Bartholomew Park.

4. Then, indulge in an early dinner at The Girl and the Fig near the Sonoma Square. Taste from an award-winning wine list, seasonal local menu, and relax outdoors on the patio.

5. Pack lots of snacks and equally fun beverages for the kids to enjoy (juice boxes). If you run out, the historic Dry Creek General Store is a fun place to stock up.

6. If bringing the kids along to a winery, choose a kid-friendly location with lots of activities. At Francis Ford Coppola Winery, kids can check out the movie memorabilia, play bocce ball, or even swim at the pool.

7. Sneak in a little education. That’s right, wine country is a wonderful place for kids to learn about farming. Just take them for a ride on the Benziger Family Winery’s vineyard tractor-powered tram to learn about what it means to be green.

8. Grab a set of shatterproof recyclable wine glasses to ward off potential accidents and spills at your picnic.

9. Go on a safari! Believe it or not, wine country is also home to an African safari park called Safari West with roaming cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and more! You and the kids can observe safely from your open-hatch 4×4.

10. Head outdoors for a hike at Shiloh Ranch Park just off of 101. The easy, 3.7-mile loop trail is flat and not very crowded, plus there are picnic areas, restrooms and parking.

Did we mention UrbanSitter is now in Sonoma and Napa?  It’s easier than ever to find & book a sitter you trust — even for a vacation in wine country!