Family travel planner at Little Voyageurs and mama of 4, Charlotte, rounds up her best California family vacations, from North to South.
Foodies, nature lovers, city junkies… California is an extremely versatile state that will, literally, fit everyone’s desires. It also works perfectly for kids of all ages, from babies to teens.
The weather is lovely year-round, and you can easily drive between the state’s major attractions designed for families. Distances are not too long, and you’ll always find a ideal family friendly vacation home to stop at, as lots of families make this state their home.
Here’s a round up of my 5 best family vacation ideas in California: you could easily hit all of them in a three-week road trip, or just choose one or two locations to avoid too much travel.
1. San Francisco & Bay Area
If it’s your first time in San Francisco, there are a few classic must-dos you should not skip if you’re traveling with the kids:
- Pier 39 – an iconic outdoor mall and food court where you can grab a cruise to the bay or Alcatraz
- The Embarcadero – a gorgeous boardwalk ideal for nap time in a stroller
- The Ferry building – a market for a lunch on the go
- De Young Museum or the Academy of Sciences in the Golden Gate Park, followed by playtime at the nearby playground
- A walk from Castro to Mission district with a stop at the Dolores Park playground
- A picnic in Alamo Square park with the famous ‘painted ladies’ Victorian houses in the background.
If you’re looking for something out-of-the-ordinary, then I’d recommend heading to the Sutro Baths, followed by a walk along Ocean Beach and spending some time in the trendy Outer Sunset neighborhood. Don’t miss: Mollusk surg shop and lunch at Outerland, a local family favorite (reservations recommended). Crissy Field is another lovely spot for lovely family walks with incredible views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Where to Eat:
- Flour + water – for handmade pastas that should please all the family members
- Tartine – the king of cinnamon buns, ideal for brunch
- Blue plate – a local family favorite for dinner
Best For: City, culture, all ages, foodies
Stay At: The Amber Drive Residence
2. Napa
Napa Valley is not all about wine tastings. There is a lot more to do for families in addition to sampling some of the country’s best wines. You could make your way around the vineyards by bike with Napa Bike Valley Tours or spend few hours in air with Napa Valley Balloons, flying over the gorgeous countryside with San Francisco bay in the background.
If you’re keen to visit the famous vineyards and wineries, here are some kid friendly options:
- Hoopes Vineyard – an animal farm and farmers market with an outdoor eating space where you can book a table and sample their wine sold in mini bottles.
- Cakebread – the best kid-friendly vineyard tours around with a wine tasting made for families!
- Frogsleap – a winery with huge grassy areas, a pond with fishes and an animal farm. Families can visit before 12pm, with prior booking via their website.
- Tres sabores – an intimate property where you will feel at home. You can bring your own picnic, or order charcuterie and cheese board while sampling the property’s wines. Booking mandatory before your visit.
Best For: Wine fans and foodies! Don’t miss burgers at Gott’s roadside, the Oxbow public Market food court, and breakfast donuts at Boon Fly Cafe.
Stay At: The Hayes Street Residence
3. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a fantastic option all year round. In the summer months, the lake offers many fun options for families. One of them is paddleboarding: I love this low intensity sport as it can bring together kids of different ages – teens might be able to take younger siblings with them, sitting leisurely on the front or back of the board. You could explore the lake’s best beaches with South Tahoe Sup from Dorado beach.
Another family favorite around Lake Tahoe is a day cruise on a historical paddle wheeler: the MS Dixie II, or the Tahoe Gal. For kid-friendly beaches around the lake, try: Pope Beach, Kiva Beach, Baldwin Beach, or Timber Cove Beach, where you can also rent kayaks.
If hiking is your vibe, then you won’t want to miss these gorgeous kid-friendly walks offering pretty vistas on the lake: Fallen Leaf, WaterFalls Trail, Van Sickle Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail. With your days packed with adventure, you will likely need a restful family meal. Head to Beacon Lakeside restaurant, a local favorite by the water, to try their famous cocktails and enjoy the live music in the afternoon.
Best For: Nature, hiking, babies, toddlers, teens,
Stay At: The South Yuba Residence
4. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is massive and there is lots to do all around town. It’s one of the best places in California to play, learn, stroll and have fun with the kids. (Read our full guide to the city: Los Angeles with kids).
Want to introduce the kids to art? Go into the Financial District, where a creative bubble for families has formed. The Broad is a contemporary art museum offering guided visits for families, as well as workshops for kids and families on the weekends. Nearby you will also find the MOCA, another family-friendly modern art museum. After your culture-packed morning, grab a bite at the Grand Central Market food hall and head to Echo Park lake to spend the afternoon in the nature. Surprise the kids by renting a swan shaped paddle boat on the lake!
Best For: Culture, city life, museums, attractions
Stay At: The Queens Road West Hollywood Residence
5. Santa Monica & Venice
Let’s start at the beach – a universal favorite for children of all ages. We love the beach in Santa Monica, near the pier. You could easily spend your entire day here, exploring the Heal The Bay aquarium, playing in the amazing Tongva Park and its futuristic playground, and ending the day on the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel at sunset.
Another option nearby could be spending a day at the Annenberg Community Beach house, a beach club offering great amenities for families, including a pool, playground, kids activities and umbrellas and beach chairs. You will need to book your spots before visiting.
On the other side of the Santa Monica Pier, you’ll find Venice, with its famous skatepark and canals inspired by the ones in Venice, Italy. It’s a very peaceful neighborhood to walk around with the kids, with some pedestrianised streets. This part of town also offers incredible restaurants, including: Tasting Kitchen, The Rose Venice, The Butchers’ Daughter and Firestone Walker Brewing Company.
Best For: Foodies, skating, beaches, playgrounds
Stay At: The Rustic Canyon Residence
6. Palm Springs
A little less than 2 hours from Los Angeles, Palm Springs offers a lovely escape for parents with an eye for design, or those looking for amazing nature. Start your day at King’s highway, a restaurant nestled in the hottest hotel of Palm Spring, the ACE (need to book in advance). Then drive to Palm Canyon Drive, the historical center of Palm Springs, filled with art galleries and shops. In the meantime, you might want to send dad and the kids to the amazing Air Museum where you can walk around war aircrafts.
Spend the afternoon with Modern Tours Palm Springs offering the best curated visits in town, by bike, with a guide or with your own car. For dinner, head to the trendy Workshop kitchen and bar. The next day, head to the nearby Joshua Tree National park famous for its photogenic cactus and sceneries. We like the Hidden Valley Loop trail and the Keys View viewpoint at sunset. For food, try Copine or Pappy’s + Harriet.
Best For: Hiking, design, shopping, foodies, all ages
Stay At: The Sandpiper Street Residence
Book Your California Stay With Kid & Coe
It’s time to book your trip to California family vacations! A great place to start is our California destinations page where you will find all the different regions in the state, from San Diego to the San Bernardino mountains.
If you need help designing your itinerary, deciding when to go, or finding out to do with the kids, ask Charlotte Burgoyne, family travel planner at Little Voyageurs to help organize your trip.
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/palm-desert/the-sandpiper-street-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/santa-monica/the-rustic-canyon-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/west-hollywood/the-queens-road-west-hollywood-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/lake-tahoe-and-truckee/the-south-yuba-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/napa/the-hayes-street-residence
