California with kids

The areas

1. Los Angeles & Anaheim

   Disneyland in Anaheim and Universal Studios Hollywood are each worth a full day. From 13 November 2026 the California Science Center shows the Space Shuttle Endeavour upright in launch position (new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, timed tickets). From Griffith Observatory you can see the Hollywood Sign. To wind down: Santa Monica Pier.

   • Los Angeles Zoo Zoo
     A zoological and botanical garden in the hills of Los Angeles, home to animals from around the world since 1966. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Universal Studios Hollywood Theme park
     A working film studio combined with a theme park, offering rides based on famous movies and behind-the-scenes looks at Hollywood productions. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Disney California Adventure Theme park
     Rides and themed lands celebrating California fill this park, opened in 2001 as part of the Disneyland Resort. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Santa Monica Pier Amusement park
   • Knott's Berry Farm Amusement park
     This Buena Park amusement park combines thrill rides with the atmosphere of a recreated Old West town. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Pacific Park Amusement park
     A Ferris wheel and other rides line the Santa Monica Pier, extending out over the Pacific Ocean. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts

2. San Diego

   San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is one of the best-known zoos in the world. To the north is Legoland California in Carlsbad, in the harbour the aircraft carrier USS Midway museum, and in La Jolla sea lions laze on the rocks.

   • Legoland California Amusement park
     A theme park filled with rides, models and characters built from colorful plastic bricks, designed for families with children. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Belmont Park Amusement park
     An amusement park right on Mission Beach, featuring a wooden roller coaster and ocean views. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Planetarium
     A science museum and planetarium in Balboa Park, known for its domed projection hall. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • The New Children's Museum Children's museum
     An interactive museum in downtown San Diego where kids explore art and creativity hands-on. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
     Wetlands and salt marshes at the mouth of the Tijuana River provide habitat for numerous shorebirds and waterfowl. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Wipeout Beach Beach

3. Highway 1: Big Sur to Monterey

   At Piedras Blancas north of San Simeon, elephant seals lie on the beach all year – visible from a viewpoint right next to the road. Big Sur with its cliffs is open end to end again. In Monterey, the Monterey Bay Aquarium shows the animals of the bay; whale-watching trips leave from there too.

   • Pinnacles National Park National park
   • Monterey Bay Aquarium Public aquarium
     Large tanks showcase the bay's marine life, from sea otters to kelp forests filled with schooling fish. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Gilroy Gardens Amusement park
     This family amusement and nature park in California combines rides with gardens and mature trees. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Pfeiffer Beach Beach
     A beach in Big Sur known for its purple-tinted sand and a striking rock arch that frames the light at low tide. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Sand Dollar Beach Beach
     A remote stretch of the Big Sur coastline with steep cliffs and wild views of the Pacific. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement park
     Beachfront amusement park in Santa Cruz featuring roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and Pacific Ocean views. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts

4. San Francisco

   Ride a cable car, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and touch everything at the Exploratorium. The California Academy of Sciences has a rainforest, aquarium and planetarium under one roof. Ferries to Alcatraz are often booked out weeks ahead.

   • California Academy of Sciences Public aquarium
     A living roof tops this Golden Gate Park institution combining an aquarium, planetarium and rainforest dome. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • San Francisco Zoo Zoo
     Animal enclosures near the Pacific coast house lions, primates and native bird species in spacious grounds on the edge of San Francisco. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Point Reyes National Seashore National seashore
     A protected stretch of California coastline with rugged cliffs, open beaches and grazing land, preserved since 1962. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Baker Beach Beach
     This sandy stretch runs along the Pacific coast of San Francisco with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Oakland Zoo Zoo
     Since 1922, this hillside park above Oakland has housed animals from around the world in naturalistic habitats. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • California's Great America Amusement park
     Roller coasters and rides fill this theme park in Santa Clara, open since 1976. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts

5. Yosemite & Sequoia

   In Yosemite Valley the waterfalls are strongest in early summer. Further south, Sequoia National Park has the largest trees on earth, including the General Sherman Tree. Tioga Pass across the Sierra is usually only open from June to October.

   • Sequoia National Park National park
     Ancient giant sequoias tower over deep canyons and snow-capped peaks in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Fresno Chaffee Zoo Zoo
     A zoo in California showcasing animals from around the world, established in 1929. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Roeding Park Amusement park
     An amusement park with vintage rides and shaded pathways invites a stroll in the heart of Fresno. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Pixley National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
     Established in 1959, this refuge in the San Joaquin Valley preserves wetlands as habitat for migratory birds. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Merced National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
     Wetlands and grasslands in California's Central Valley have provided refuge for migratory birds like sandhill cranes and geese since 1951. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
     A forested wildlife refuge in the California mountains, protecting rare bird species since 1982. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts

6. Desert: Joshua Tree & Mojave

   In Joshua Tree National Park, kids scramble between round granite boulders and the namesake yucca trees. Visit the desert only from autumn to spring – in summer, over 40 °C (104 °F) is normal.

   • Joshua Tree National Park National Park of the United States
     A stark desert landscape of twisted rock formations and the namesake yucca trees, protected as a national park since 1994. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Zoo
     A zoo and botanical garden founded in 1970, showcasing desert landscapes and their wildlife. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Big Bear Alpine Zoo Zoo
     A small mountain zoo in California focused on injured and non-releasable native wildlife. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Santa's Village Amusement park
     A Christmas-themed amusement park with rides and a snowy setting in the middle of California. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Castle Park Amusement park
     An amusement center with rides and mini golf, offering a lively family outing in California. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts
   • Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
     A desert landscape of shifting sand dunes near Palm Desert, protected since 1985 as habitat for rare wildlife. Written by Claude from Wikidata facts

Under each area: the best-known places for families from our collection – theme parks, zoos, aquariums, beaches, national parks and nature reserves. All sights →

When to go

Pleasant in every city: May, Sep–Oct.

The coast is mild all year, often foggy and cool in summer – in San Francisco you need a jacket in July. Inland and in the desert, summers are very hot; Yosemite is easiest to reach from June to September.

pleasant fine so-so (cool or wet) hot cold Number = average daily high (2015–2024)

Good to know with kids

• Car seat: in California children under 8 ride in a car seat or booster in the back seat, under 2 rear-facing (unless 40 lb or 40 in). From 1 January 2027, children aged 8 to 15 must also pass a five-step seat-belt fit test, otherwise they stay in a booster.
• Entry: every child needs their own passport and ESTA authorization – babies included.
• Layers: on the coast it can switch between 15 °C fog and 30 °C sun in a single day – always bring jackets.
• Swimming in the Pacific: only at beaches with lifeguards, watch the flags; the surf is often stronger than it looks.
• Wildfires: in late summer and autumn, fires can close roads and worsen air quality – check Caltrans QuickMap and the park pages before driving.
• Theme parks: buy tickets in advance and be there at opening; take a midday break at the hotel and come back in the evening.

USA trip checklist →

Sample routes

• Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles in 6 days 6 Days · 473 mi

All sample routes →