Dubai, UAE: -: California has always captivated travelers, specifically drawing young adventurers and families from the Gulf States with its irresistible combination of pleasant weather, breathtaking scenery, and laid-back lifestyle where everyone is welcomed. From its sun-kissed beaches and iconic nature reserves, to its vibrant urban centers, theme parks and Edu-tourism offerings, California stands out as a timeless year-round destination for family exploration, discovery, and play! While the Golden State boasts plenty of mainstream hotel brands and shopping stores, it also offers hundreds of the finest luxury shops and high-end hotels and resorts, that are just perfect for family travelers from the Gulf States. As The Ultimate Playground, California offers something for all family members to thoroughly enjoy and revel in. Here are six iconic Californian cities that truly make the Golden State The Ultimate Playground for Family Adventures.
San Diego: For Families That Like – Beaches, Safari 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, famous attractions, 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. 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.
Los Angeles: For Families That Like – Movies, Hollywood, and Museums
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. 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 the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.
Santa Barbara: For Families That Like – Relaxed 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 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 visiting in the winter for a family ski trip, or during the summer to hike, bike, and enjoy some lake life, 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, Cool Ghost Towns, and Theme Park Thrills.
