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.
   • 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.
   • Disney California Adventure Theme park
     Rides and themed lands celebrating California fill this park, opened in 2001 as part of the Disneyland Resort.
   • 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.
   • Pacific Park Amusement park
     A Ferris wheel and other rides line the Santa Monica Pier, extending out over the Pacific Ocean.

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.
   • Belmont Park Amusement park
     An amusement park right on Mission Beach, featuring a wooden roller coaster and ocean views.
   • Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
   • 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.
   • Gilroy Gardens Amusement park
     This family amusement and nature park in California combines rides with gardens and mature trees.
   • Pfeiffer Beach Beach
   • Sand Dollar Beach Beach
   • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement park

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.
   • 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.
   • Point Reyes National Seashore National seashore
     A protected stretch of California coastline with rugged cliffs, open beaches and grazing land, preserved since 1962.
   • Baker Beach Beach
     This sandy stretch runs along the Pacific coast of San Francisco with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
   • Oakland Zoo Zoo
     Since 1922, this hillside park above Oakland has housed animals from around the world in naturalistic habitats.
   • California's Great America Amusement park
     Roller coasters and rides fill this theme park in Santa Clara, open since 1976.

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.
   • Fresno Chaffee Zoo Zoo
     A zoo in California showcasing animals from around the world, established in 1929.
   • Roeding Park Amusement park
   • Pixley National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
   • Merced National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
   • Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge

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.
   • Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Zoo
     A zoo and botanical garden founded in 1970, showcasing desert landscapes and their wildlife.
   • Big Bear Alpine Zoo Zoo
   • Santa's Village Amusement park
   • Castle Park Amusement park
   • Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge

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.

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