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Dawn Alva is a dedicated community member, small business owner, passionate mom, and ardent outdoors enthusiast. She thrives most when fostering connections with her kids and nature in order to make a meaningful impact in her community. Dawn received several awards from Parenting Media Association for 2024 including Gold Awards for Family Fun Article and Interior Photography and a silver award for her series on national parks in California.

Articles by Dawn Alva

The Girl Scouts Trek Wild Program Empowers Girls Through Adventure

Middle & high school girls discover independence, resilience, and leadership on the trail There’s something truly magical about watching girls grow stronger with every step...

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Letting GO to Let Them GROW

From being hesitant in sending her kids to “Nana Camp” to watching young climbers find their own way in Joshua Tree, our writer learns that...

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The Ultimate Monterey Bay Bucket List

As a longtime resident of Monterey and a mom with a deep love for the outdoors, I’ve spent the past decade+ seeking out the best...

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A Family Road Trip to Shelter Cove

SOMETIMES, YOU JUST NEED TO PACK UP THE CAR, HIT THE ROAD, AND ESCAPE THE EVERYDAY. For our family, there’s no better place to do...

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Pickleball for Monterey Families

If you’ve been to a local park recently and thought, “Why are the tennis courts so loud?” and, “Those are weird balls?” you’re not alone....

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STEM in the Park: The Surprising Benefits of Disc Golf

As a child, I visited my grandparents in San Diego multiple times a year. They loved to golf, and I spent my childhood getting up...

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Bocce By the Bay

The Perfect Outdoor Game for the Whole Family! If your family is anything like mine, finding an outdoor activity that works for everyone can be...

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Snow Play Within Four Hours of Monterey

I still laugh the first time I took my kids to the snow. We still joke about that day. My ten-year-old son, all energy and...

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STEAM for Success

One of my fondest childhood memories is baking cookies with my mom. I will forever connect the sweet smell of Nestlé Toll House cookies with...

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Who is Haunting Monterey?

My daughter and I have been reading Shadow School, a thrilling book about an 11-year-old navigating a haunted school and helping the restless spirits. This...

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A Weekend in Yosemite

I love Yosemite any time of the year! My husband introduced me to Yosemite decades ago when we used to rock climb. Our climbing days...

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Visiting Point Reyes

Living in our area, we have endless options for incredible coastal adventures. If your family is like mine, we rarely venture outside our gorgeous Monterey...

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Visiting Pinnacles National Park

In part one of a three-part series on national parks, we explore Pinnacles National Park. It’s the closest national park and a great hiking destination for your family.

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Tide Pool Time!

Tidepooling in the Monterey Bay is easy, and with just a few essential tips to ensure safety for your kiddos, yourself, and our marine friends, you’ll embark on a journey of discovery that will leave lasting memories for the whole family.

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Take a Hike, Monterey Families

Hiking is a great family activity and the California Central Coast is the perfect place for exploring. Here are some tips to get your family started on hiking.

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