We've rounded up our favorite Bay Area swimming lakes and holes that are great for families, from picturesque swimming holes to serene lakes. Whether looking for sandy beaches, calm waters for young swimmers, or opportunities to explore nature trails and enjoy picnics, the Bay Area has the ideal setting for a dip in nature!

Below you'll find what makes these spots a must-visit, including amenities such as parking availability, entry fees, and much-appreciated facilities like bathrooms.

For more fun, our ultimate Summer Vacation Guide for San Francisco Kids is filled with summer activities like cool splash pads for little ones, the best beaches for a day of sun and sea, day trip ideas, and more.

Among my favorite things to do in Portland, ME, is to simply walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Port district, shopping at the boutiques and strolling along the waterfront. As a kid growing up in Maine, my family biked Back Cove, sledded down the Eastern Prom, and ice skated at Deering Oaks; as a teen, I went into "the city" for live music, the fantastic restaurants, and the many art museums and festivals.

Portland, Maine, is a pretty port city with a strong progressive bent, which some might even call a hippie streak. Now, as a tourist, I love returning with my own kids. It's home to a top-notch children's museum, pretty parks and outdoor activities, plenty of culture, jaw-dropping coastal beauty, and truly great food.

Here are 50 top things to do in Portland, ME with kids. Our New England Family Travel Guide includes even more fun activities in the region, including our list of 100 things to do in New England with kids before they grow up.

Enjoy the hotel pool amenities without a stay.

With ample room to roam around, these flower farms near Boston are a great place to bring kids on a nice spring, summer, or early fall afternoon. The pretty sunflower fields, lavender farms, and rows of tulips ready for picking are also a nice backdrop for a family day trip out of the city.

Check out these top 10 flower farms near Boston for your next excursion, and don't forget to pack your own scissors! You can also likely do some strawberry picking, blueberry picking, or apple picking to add to that custom bouquet. 

Inflatable water parks with floating obstacle courses are the latest summertime craze, popping up in lakes and bays in New Jersey. These installations are a mix of obstacle courses and bouncy houses on the water—and they're incredibly fun, especially for older kids.

Find more ways to beat the heat in our Garden State Guide to Beaches and Lakes. And check out our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide for tons of other dog-day activities.

Blueberry picking near NYC begins in July, and juicy blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are usually in season through the end of August. Some farms even have a second crop of raspberries that ripen later in the summer. So, if you missed the short but sweet strawberry picking season and can't wait for peach picking come August, now is a good time for your family to plan an outing to go blueberry picking near NYC.

Read on for the lowdown on 10 farms for blueberry picking near NYC. These tri-state area farms are all less than 2 hours from NYC and even include one accessible by mass transit. We're also including our helpful been-there-done-that blueberry-picking tips. Check out our comprehensive Guide to Pick-Your-Own Farms for everything from peaches to flowers and veggies.

There's something special about outdoor and indoor batting cages. After all, you can take the kids at any time of year and spend an hour or so watching them swing away at a baseball or softball (or join if you need to blow off steam). You get a taste of America's pastime without the hassle of taking the kids to an actual ballpark and can enjoy a sporting activity without going all in for the day. Perfection, basically, especially for baseball lovers. 

Whether your child is an aspiring ball player or simply enjoys swinging a bat, these 10 outdoor and indoor batting cages in Chicagoland offer a safe and enjoyable environment for kids to hone their abilities. Grab a bat and get ready to hit some balls at these top-notch outdoor and indoor batting cages in Chicago and the suburbs.

Looking for more sporty fun for kids? Check out these awesome bowling alleys, the best laser tag and paintball spots near Chicago, and the best places for extreme sports just for kids.