With its iconic landmarks, theme parks, and wide-open spaces, California was made for family vacations. Wherever you plan to travel across the Golden State, the diversity of cities, cultures, outdoor activities, and amazing weather offers a wealth of experiences for kids and parents.
To get started, first think about what kind of trip is best for your family: You could, for instance, spend days on the beaches, ride roller coasters at theme parks, explore history in Gold Country, learn about science in the Bay Area, or hit the slopes in the Sierra Nevada. Or, you could combine a few—or all of them—in one massive trip.
So start making memories: Here are seven cities that make for great launching pads for your family vacation in California.
San Diego
For Families That Like: Beaches, theme parks, and wildlife
San Diego's year-round perfect weather and wealth of epic attractions make it a serious crowd-pleaser. After all, the town nicknamed “America's Finest City” has sandy beaches, iconic theme parks, Major League Baseball, and a plethora of kid-friendly experiences.
Certainly, any family can enjoy a day at the renowned San Diego Zoo or its sister property in Escondido, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Other great ways to spend a day in San Diego include catching a Padres game at Petco Park, or hopping the ferry to Coronado. You can spend a day (or three) at a theme park: You have your pick of SeaWorld San Diego, LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, and Sesame Place San Diego, all within easy driving distance of downtown. If the family is craving some time at the beach, head to La Jolla Shores or North Pacific Beach. At the Children’s Pool area off La Jolla Cove, you can watch sea lions and seals romp on the sand.
There are plenty of family-friendly accommodations throughout the county. If you want to stay near both the water and big attractions, check out the San Diego Mission Bay Resort or Paradise Point Resort and Spa. For a lot of brand-name options and convenience, look at hotels in the Hotel Circle area north of downtown, home to the retro-style Town & Country Resort. For a luxury stay, consider the Fairmont Grand Del Mar and the Hotel Del Coronado, which both offer amenities for kids and families.
Anaheim
For Families That Like: Theme parks
The Orange County hub of Anaheim is a natural for family vacations: It’s located between Los Angeles and San Diego, but most important, it’s home to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” While the two theme parks of Disneyland Resort—Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park—are a huge draw, Anaheim has other enticements too.
For one thing, it’s not far from several other deserving theme parks. If you are traveling with little kids, be sure to visit Adventure City, also in Anaheim. Foodies and roller coaster fans will love Knott's Berry Farm in neighboring Buena Park. If you're theme-parked out, head to Angel Stadium for a baseball game, cool off at a water park like Great Wolf Lodge or The Adventure Lagoon, or go for a walk in the Oak Canyon Nature Center. For a unique thrill, take a flight lesson at the Flightdeck Simulation Center (no experience required), or just take advantage of classic activities around the area like bowling, go-karts, minigolf, escape rooms, and movies. For a creative spin on a classic food court, don’t miss the Anaheim Packing District, a gourmet food hall that will please kids with its ice cream, fried chicken, and more.
Anaheim offers an abundance of family-friendly lodging options too. Many Anaheim hotels include suites and other amenities like bunk beds, connecting rooms, and onsite water parks. Disneyland Resort’s three onsite hotels are great choices, of course, but also check out the nearby “Good Neighbor Hotels,” a collection of brand-name and independent hotels and motels that offer shuttles to the parks. These include Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel, Clementine Hotel & Suites, and the Grand Legacy at the Park. Or consider staying at one of the luxury hotels that offer rooftop views of Disneyland’s fireworks, like the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort.
Los Angeles
For Families That Like: Movies, museums, and more theme parks
It’s the home of Hollywood, but Los Angeles County is such a big metropolitan area that you can create a family vacation out of almost any interest—including beaches, shopping, and museums, along with endless options for kid-friendly cuisine.
To soak up the local lore, start with a drive to see the Hollywood Sign or a stroll down the Walk of Fame. For educational fun, visit the space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center, check out the dinos on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, and see archaeology in action at the La Brea Tar Pits. For theme park thrills, venture over to Universal Studios Hollywood—which is packed with more Hollywood fun, since it’s attached to a working studio—or head up to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita to hop on some of the world's biggest and fastest roller coasters. Other great family experiences await at Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, and Malibu.
Hotel options abound, from mainstream brand hotels to luxury resorts. For a memorable splurge, book a stay in Beverly Hills at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, which is both posh and kid-friendly. If you want to stay downtown, check out the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, and if you want to keep a base near Universal Studios Hollywood, consider the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.
Santa Barbara
For Families That Like: Low-key luxury
This Central Coast city has a relaxed and charming vibe that is perfect for families looking for a low-stress, high-fun vacation.
For starters, Santa Barbara has excellent city beaches—picturesque, with gentle waves perfect for little surfers and water sports enthusiasts. Be sure to take a family bike or surrey ride along the flat, paved bike path that traces the Santa Barbara waterfront. Pedal to the far end of the path and hop off at Stearns Wharf for a bite to eat and some shopping.
Head to the Santa Barbara Zoo for a relaxing afternoon with animals, check out the super-kid-friendly MOXI: The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation for hands-on fun, or try to spot some humpback or blue whales on a tour of the Santa Barbara Channel. Make a full day of wildlife watching by taking a day trip from Santa Barbara Harbor to Channel Islands National Park.
For a high-end hotel experience, stay at the Hilton Beachfront Resort, Ritz-Carlton Bacara or the oceanfront Mar Monte. For a classic beachfront motel vibe, try the Brisas del Mar or the Castillo Inn at the Beach. To immerse yourself in nature, go glamping in the fully equipped yurts and cabins at El Capitan Canyon.
San Francisco
For Families That Like: Edu-tourism
Rich with both history and culture, San Francisco is a great destination for families looking for education-themed fun. Indeed, the whole Bay Area is chock full of world-renowned art, science, history, and cultural institutions that offer hands-on experiences geared toward kids.
In San Francisco, don’t miss museums such as The Exploratorium, California Academy of Sciences, and the Walt Disney Family Museum. Farther afield, two don’t-miss museums are the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito and The Tech Interactive in San Jose. If aquariums are more your style, check out San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39, or take a day trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a two-hour drive down the coast.
For outdoor fun, head to Golden Gate Park and get the wiggles out at the Koret Children's Quarter, which boasts of being the country's first public playground. Or take in the epic Golden Gate Bridge views from the Presidio and Crissy Field, where you and the little ones can explore the green spaces and food trucks of the Tunnel Tops. Of course, no San Francisco family trip is complete without a ride in a cable car, a walk along crooked Lombard Street, and a stroll along Fisherman's Wharf, topped off with a giant ice cream sundae at Ghirardelli Square.
For a classic, centrally located hotel, consider options such as The Palace Hotel, JW Marriott Union Square, and the Fairmont San Francisco–Nob Hill, which offer both family-friendly amenities and lots of personality, like the Pied Piper mural inside The Palace.
Sacramento
For Families That Like: Affordability and History
While California’s capital is not the state's biggest city, it is full of amazing family experiences that are both memorable and nicely affordable. Sacramento has also revitalized itself in recent years to become a Farm-to-Fork Capital, focusing on locally sourced cuisine.
Start with a stop at the State Capitol, where you can wander around the historic building and grounds for free. Afterward, head down the Capitol Mall to the Old Sacramento Waterfront, a National Historic Landmark where you can grab a bite to eat, shop, and pretend you are transported back to the Gold Rush era that began in 1849. Then, walk across the gilded Tower Bridge and check out restored train cars—or go for a ride on the Sacramento Southern Railroad scenic train—at the California State Railroad Museum.
While you're downtown, head south to Land Park, where you’ll find the Sacramento Zoo and family-friendly gems Fairytale Town and the Funderland Amusement Park. For an outdoor adventure, walk or cycle the nearby American River Parkway Trail.
You’ll find plenty of kid-friendly accommodations in downtown and Old Town, including the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade, the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena, and Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Sacramento.
Lake Tahoe
For Families That Like: Outdoor sports and adventure
The Lake Tahoe region offers families a year-round outdoor playground. Whether you're coming here in the winter for a family ski trip, or during the summer to hike, bike, and enjoy some #lakelife, Tahoe is a delight. The region is divided between North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe: the North tends to be a little quieter, while the South is a little more active with abundant nightlife and shopping. As far as accommodations go, there are myriad options, from luxury alpine resorts to suite-style hotels to RV campgrounds.
Many of California's top ski resorts are situated here in the Sierra Nevada, including Heavenly, Palisades Tahoe (which hosted the 1960 Olympics), Northstar California, and Kirkwood. Known for sunny days and excellent powder, these resorts offer some of the best skiing conditions in the world. To plan the ideal trip, check out these five tips for a perfect California ski vacation.
If hiking is more your thing, there are nearly infinite options. Hikes range in difficulty from the paved Rainbow Trail, a moderate hike to see Monkey Rock, or a challenging stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, going through Desolation Wilderness to scenic Emerald Bay.
And of course, there is Lake Tahoe itself, which offers a great place for water sports in the summer. Rent gear around the lake to paddleboard, kayak, parasail, and more.
Plan Your Trip
California’s top vacation spots for families make great standalone vacations, but this list is just a start. There are more regions across the state that are well worth exploring as a family, like Sonoma County, Palm Springs, and the Inland Empire. Brainstorm for your vacation with these great stops for science-lovers and attractions for young children. Check out these family road trips, too, with themes like Family Learning Adventure, Theme Park Thrills, and Cool Ghost Towns.