Traveling with children can be challenging. Some places that appeal to adults aren’t kid-friendly or appropriate for children, and some that are kid-friendly bore adults to tears. Then there are different ages to deal with, and balancing the interests of a 6-year-old with those of a 13-year old while making parents happy as well isn’t easy.
In a state with as much to offer as California does, it’s good to know that there are a lot of family-friendly options. Maybe some of those on this list will be a good fit for your next family trip!
San Diego
With great beaches and year-round beautiful weather, San Diego has a lot going for it from the start. Adults can also enjoy wine tasting in Little Italy and touring the historic harbor. For kids, the area has LEGOLAND and the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, as well as much more.
Monterey
With wonderful beaches and more, the entire area is beautiful and has plenty to see and do. People of all ages love the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the world’s best aquariums.
Lake Tahoe
Tahoe isn’t merely stunningly beautiful. It’s also a year-round travel destination. Famous for its skiing, Tahoe in other seasons is popular for hiking, swimming, watersports, hot-air balloon rides, spas and resorts, and more.
Catalina Island
Here, you can experience a taste of the Mediterranean without the time and expense of a cross-ocean flight. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride across from Long Beach, and once there, you can rent a golf cart to visit all the attractions. Don’t worry about a car if you don’t rent a golf cart; everything’s within walking distance.
Disneyland
Kids have always loved Disneyland, but many adults groan at the thought of going. Disneyland has done a lot over the years to improve the experience for grownups. Everyone can enjoy the food, epic roller coasters, and other attractions.
San Francisco
The Mission District, Little Italy, Chinatown, riding a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge: there’s a lot to love here and a lot to do. Don’t miss Fisherman’s Wharf, and before or after enjoying a fresh seafood meal there, go to Pier 39 to see hundreds of sea lions playing on the shore.
Yosemite National Park
The scenery here, especially in Yosemite Valley, is some of the world’s most spectacular. There are trails for all ages and ability levels. You can also do fun things that kids always like such as cooling off in the Merced River or Tenaya Lake or skipping stones at a mountain lake. Pre-teen children will like the Junior Ranger Program.
Pismo Beach
Come here for unspoiled beaches with sand dunes backing them up. You can enjoy all the typical beach activities here, and you can also rent a buggy to ride the dunes. Adults can go to nearby San Luis Obispo for winery tours while kids get soft drinks.
Los Angeles
Everyone will find something to love at the studios for Universal and for Warner Brothers, which also have props from favorite films. If you don’t mind the crowds, tour the Hollywood Walk of Fame and look for everyone’s favorite stars. Head to Santa Monica or Venice Beach to get away from the city streets and enjoy the coast.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Peak, a volcano that last erupted in the early 1900s, dominates its surroundings. You can enjoy scenic views from some of the park’s lakes, or you can hike a moderately challenging trail to the summit, where you’ll see gleaming Mt. Shasta to the north. There’s a geothermal area that’s like a mini-Yellowstone, and you can safely tour it on boardwalks.
Redwood National Park
Everyone can admire the enormousness of the world’s tallest trees here, and keep an eye out for wildlife while you’re at it. But it’s not all trees; head down to the coast to explore beautiful beaches and look for starfish and other marine life in tide pools.
Mendocino
Mendocino has become a big name in wine production, but there’s a lot for the whole family in the region. Its architecture and atmosphere are more like New England than California, and the town serves as a base for hiking, beach time, bike riding and more. You can explore sea caves by kayak, ride the steam-powered Skunk Train through redwood forests, and view the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a collapsed sea cave where waves flow in and then get shot out as if from a whale’s blowhole.
Santa Barbara
Located on the Central Coast, this city has a low-key feel that people not into the bigger cities and busiest places will like. There are excellent beaches, museums, and a zoo. You can also get onto a boat to make a day trip out to Channel Islands National Park.
Joshua Tree National Park
Climbing is something just about all kids love to do, and there are thousands of boulders for them to play around on here. Or hire a rock climbing guide to take them out to do the real thing safely. In the meantime, enjoy all the stunning scenery.
Death Valley National Park
This national park is about the size of the state of Connecticut, which means you’ll never run out of things to see and do here. Explore narrow canyons, wander through colorful badlands, hike to a natural bridge, and– kids really love this– hike up golden sand dunes and then go down them the fast and fun way. If you’re staying at one of the park’s resorts, everyone will appreciate the access to swimming pools.
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