We are planning a family trip to California and would love some suggestions. We are traveling from the east coast and both my husband and I have never been before. We would love to see as much as we can but we will be traveling with all 3 kids, our twin 3 year olds and 10 month old. So family friendly ideas would be great. California is so big do we just focus on one city and if so which one? Sights, dining and hotel recommendations appreciated! We only have about 6 days in ca. Thanks.
-
San Diego is great for families! There's tons of family friendly things to do. Orange county is also fun, there are tons of cute towns and beaches to play at. My DH and I went to LA/orange county/San Diego last year and really loved it. The drive between LA and San Diego wasn't too bad, so you could split it if you wanted to do more than one city. Have fun!!
-
If recommend Truckee/ Tahoe! It's home for me and it's beautiful. If you decide to go there I'd have further recommendations for you.
-
I haven't been since I was 5 years old - but Mendocino is on my list to visit! They have beautiful B&B's and it's so gorgeous out there.
I also want to visit San Fran.
-
I agree with @Bookworm:! Southern California is a great place for young families and you could easily drive between la and san Diego. San Diego has legoland, sea world and the zoo - which three year olds love. Also nice beaches and easy hikes. Orange county is only an hour north and they have Disneyland, which I think three year olds can also appreciate! La is just north of that., and they have lots in the form of sightseeing.
-
SF/Bay Area is a good way to see a lot in one city or area, although I think the suggestions already given are great too!
@Mrs. Jacks: I didn't know you're from there! I grew up an hour away!
-
@spaniellove: Reno direction or grass valley auburn direction. I lived in Northern California from the time I was 7 until I was in my 30s.
-
@Mrs. Jacks: Sacramento direction - heading down 50, not 80. Not a whole lot to do right there but it's convenient to everything for quick trips!
-
@spaniellove: ah like placerville? My cousin lives there.
-
I second SoCal (San Diego and/or LA). There are a lot of amusement parks but also thinks like the San Diego zoo and sold animal park, la zoo, santa Monica pier, the beach (just in general), Hollywood area, downtown San Diego, Mexico if you have passports.
My second choice would be San Francisco. Pier 39, the exploratorium, the California science museum, Alcatraz, beaches (though they aren't as nice as la beaches)
I've loved in Cali most of my life and love it here. Do you want a busy vacation or a lazy one?
-
@threeplusme: If you want to do cities I would recommend San Diego and LA beach cities. I love San Francisco, and it's home, the weather can be unpredictable and parking is awful so you'd be taking your crew on public transit or walking a lot.
-
I second @Mrs. Jacks rec of Truckee/Tahoe too! I'm there right now. Tahoe Donner is a great family friendly little area -- you can rent cabins and use the guest passes to access the pool/rec center, private beach down at Donner Lake, etc. There's also hiking, biking, horseback riding. this weekend there's a Waterpalooza up here -- they make the gold driving range a giant slip and slide. Truckee and the West Shore of Lake Tahoe are really chill and family friendly. Eat at Sunnyside on Lake Tahoe.
If you do Tahoe/Truckee, you could fly in/out of SF (or Oakland) and do a couple days in SF as well. The Marina in SF is gorg and super family friendly (Chrissy Field/presidio). There's also a new Exploritorium in the City that's supposed to be fun.Message me if you want details. I grew up in NorCal and still live there. Love it.
Disneyland/San Diego/Santa Barbara would be nice as well
Have fun!!!
-
I live in Orange County, so of course I vote for Southern California. You can easily do Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Venice, Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Dinseyland, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and San Diego (some combination of those) in 6 days.
San Francisco is amazing though. I just don't think I could do 6 days there. You could drive down into Half Moon Bay or Carmel. (Ummm.... Two of my most favorite cities of all time ever.)
Lake Tahoe is awesome and you could definitely do 6 days there.
-
I also second, triple, vote Southern California. I'm not sure your budget but they have that Southern California fun pass that can get you into Disneyland, Califonia Adventure, universal studios and sea wold. That would cover Anaheim to San Diego. Plenty of fun beaches and sight seeing along the way.
-
I say San Diego (I live here) because of the kids. I love San Fran and the Bay Area, but San Diego has so many things to do! I'll add Balboa Park and The Children's Museum to the items listed above.
I'd probably spend 3-4 days here, then go to LA for a couple, but you could easily stay here the whole time. Let me know if you want more details!
-
San Diego and Santa Barbara would definitely be my choices if you were going to be staying down south.
However, if you head north, Big Sur and San Francisco are both wonderful! Wine Country could be surprisingly family friendly, as well.
-
We have decided on San diego. I came across the go san duehocard, has anyone used this? Would you recommend it? What hotels would you recommend?
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
16 comments