Sunriver Resort
In an ancient lakebed turned peaceful valley nestled in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, the sky is blue and the sun is bright 300 days of the year. An astounding setting for golf, the Sunriver Resort is also family friendly. You can even bring the dog.
Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon is a 20-minute drive southwest of Bend (or roughly three and a half hours from Portland). There’s even an airstrip for the jetset—the only private airport in the Pacific Northwest.
The obvious draws for us are the three 18-hole courses and a 9-hole Caldera Links course. Crosswater is a magnificent heathland-style track that meanders along the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers, which can come into play up to seven times in a round. Meadows is an exciting and challenging run that also offers a 9-hole putting course. Woodlands is like playing through an enchanted forest of Ponderosa and Lodgepole Pines, where outcroppings of lava rock and an abundance of water add challenging elements. And the 9-hole Caldera Links course is family-friendly, with holes ranging from 60 to 185 yards so even the youngest golfers have fun. There is top golf instruction available for the kids and also the option of a one-, two- or three-day family golf school where you can hone your skills together.
Off course there’s The Cove, an amazing pool complex with a zero-entry pool, separate wading pool, waterslide, private cabanas, a nature walk and discovery area, and plenty of lakeside trails to explore. Another option is the Sunriver Fitness and Aquatics Center which boasts a huge indoor lap pool, a wading pool and kids’ splash area, plus an indoor Surf Wave machine (the FlowRider) and a rock climbing wall.
If want a little break, drop the kids at Fort Funnigan and head to the Sage Springs Club and Spa for a Sports Enthusiast Salt Scrub and signature massage. Alternatively, rent a kayak, canoe, raft or paddle board and float downstream on the gentle Deschutes River (after which a resort shuttle will pick you up and whisk you back in time for dinner) or rent one of more than 400 bikes available, covering all ages and abilities. There’s also tennis, horseback riding and the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory, making this a family-friendly resort of the highest order, and one sure to provide plenty of great memories to last a lifetime.
Kids on the move
JBL Kids
Great wireless sound with a kid-safe maximum volume of 85dB. Ultra portable, so they’re good for trips, padded ear cushions mean a comfortable fit, and easy controls make them a breeze for your child to operate.jbl.com
Travel Tot Bags
Each two-piece set from quality company Heys comes with a backpack and matching wheeled bag that will fit everything your child wants to bring.heysamerica.com
Travel Journal
This travel journal from Mudpuppy is a great mix of activities and blank pages. It offers prompts to help children get past writer’s block and to start chronicling their adventures, and when it’s full it will be the most treasured souvenir you bring home.mudpuppy.com