When it comes to a family-friendly destination, the Golden State is one of the most popular. And why not? There are glittering coastlines, mountains to hike, and plenty of theme parks.
Before you start packing your bags and dreaming of a Southern California family vacation full of sunny beach days, hold on!
There are a few things you need to know, so you don’t get surprised after the trip begins. We’ll share them here.
1. Southern California Is Huge, so Plan Your Stops Wisely
Scenic deserts? Check. Frothy coastlines? Check. Expansive mountain ranges? Check.
California’s vast north-to-south reach and diverse offerings provide limitless exploration possibilities. But you can’t explore everything in one trip, thanks to massive distances and unbelievable traffic. What might look like a quick 30-minute drive on Google Maps can easily turn into two hours.
So, what’s the game plan? Group your activities by location. Want Disneyland magic? Focus on Anaheim. Dreaming of beaches and tacos? Stick to San Diego.
Last year, Nomadic Matt shared a seven-day Southern California trip itinerary on his travel blog, for travelers to soak up and enjoy SoCal:
- Days 1–2: Los Angeles
- Days 2–3: San Diego
- Days 3–5: Joshua Tree National Park
- Days 5–7: Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park
- Day 7: Head back to Los Angeles
While Nomadic Matt’s itinerary is solid, we think you should tweak it to include activities that everyone will enjoy. Sure, Joshua Tree may be good for road trips, but if you have little ones, you might want to skip the long national park drives and focus on family-friendly spots like Legoland and the San Diego Zoo.
There are even more options available for older kids and teens. Maybe they’re fascinated by history and would love exploring the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, where they can step aboard a real aircraft carrier and even try out flight simulators. Or perhaps they’re thrill-seekers who would adore the adrenaline rush of Universal Studios Hollywood or Six Flags Magic Mountain. For beach lovers, spots like Huntington Beach, La Jolla Shores, or Crystal Cove State Park offer a mix of surfing, swimming, and scenic views.
Whatever your family’s interests, tailor your trip to create unforgettable memories for everyone. Just remember to plan around SoCal’s insane traffic to keep the fun flowing!
2. Budget Wisely. Everything Costs More Than You Think
Did you know that California is one of the most expensive states in the U.S.? The price of theme park tickets alone can drain your wallet. Hotels are pricey, and food can be shockingly expensive. So here are our best tips for saving money when you travel:
Plan ahead and do some research. To keep costs in check, buy theme park tickets in advance. Look for bundle deals and multi-day passes; they can save you a good chunk of change.
Don’t stay in central locations. Opt for accommodations a short distance from major sights. You’ll often find significantly lower prices a few miles away, especially in high-demand areas like Disneyland.
Look for free or low-cost activities. Not everything in Southern California has to break the bank. Beaches, hiking trails, and places like Balboa Park and Griffith Observatory are all free and absolutely worth your time.
Eat smart. Grab breakfast at your hotel, pack snacks, and maybe hit up a grocery store instead of dining out for every meal.
Watch the incidentals, like bottled water. Disneyland charges $4.37 for a single bottle of water. Multiply that by a family of four, and boom—you just spent nearly 20 bucks on water!
Pro Tip: Save cash by bringing reusable bottles, and make sure they have built-in filters, because firefighting foam (AFFF) used in wildfires has left toxic PFAS chemicals in groundwater. Despite growing awareness and the AFFF lawsuit, these ‘forever chemicals’ remain a concern. A reusable filter is a compact, affordable fix—just sip through it to avoid contaminants.
3. Legoland is a Gem for Younger Kids
Visit Disneyland, but don’t forget to hit up Legoland in Carlsbad. It’s smaller and less crowded compared to Disneyland.
The rides are perfect for little ones—no terrifying drops, 90-minute waits, or height requirements. There are interactive Lego play areas, which give kids a break from nonstop lines.
Legoland also has a water park and two hotels where everything is Lego-themed. There are play and build opportunities at every corner.
Your kids can set sail in search of treasure in a pirate-themed room or play princesses and knights at the castle in the lobby. They will be a fun place for your little ones to stay.
Best of all, they serve apple fries. That is, slices of apple fried and coated with cinnamon sugar. Definitely get them; you and your kids will love them.
What makes Legoland extra special is its hands-on, play-first approach. Have a kid who loves to tinker? There are building zones everywhere where they can create their own Lego cars, race them, and even program simple robots.
💡 PRO TIP: Skip Legoland if your kids are older than 10. It’s primarily designed for younger children, with many rides being too mild for older kids seeking more thrilling experiences.
4. San Diego Zoo Deserves a Full Day
If you’re planning to visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo, do NOT treat it like a quick stop!
This place is massive—around100 acres—and has over 12,000 rare and endangered animals. If you rush through, you’ll miss the best parts, like the Skyfari aerial tram, the treetop walkways, and behind-the-scenes animal encounters.
Oh, and there is also a little-known gem: the Urban Jungle area is where you’ll get the closest giraffe and rhino encounters. Plus, the Reptile Walk is way cooler than you’d expect. Your kids will get to see some creatures up close.
Need a break? There’s a hidden escalator near the Polar Bear Plunge that saves your legs from a brutal uphill climb. And yes, there is excellent coffee—head to Jungle Java near the front entrance.
As the zoo is giant, plan your day beforehand. Else, you’ll waste precious time backtracking across it.
Take the Skyfari tram at the start to enjoy a spectacular view of the zoo and conserve your energy for the rest of your visit. Then, head on to Lost Forest. You’ll come across rare and most endangered monkeys, babirusas, tigers, and gorillas.
Stop at Elephant Odyssey next. You will see the world’s largest mammals munching on various vegetation, including leaves, grasses, trees, and shrubs. And if you’re lucky enough, you may even see wildlife experts scrubbing an elephant’s foot.
Whether you have small or big children, don’t skip the Children’s Zoo. It has interactive exhibits, a playground, and a petting area, which is perfect for burning off extra energy.
Final Thoughts
So, is a trip to Southern California with your family worth it? Absolutely, yes.
The region has too much to see in one trip, and trying to cram it all in will leave everyone exhausted. Pick a few must-do spots, leave some downtime, and know that you can plan another trip for all that you miss on this trip. Now go make some memories!
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