12 Must See Places on a California Road Trip with Kids

Taking a road trip in California is something everyone should do in their lifetime. A California coast road trip along Highway 1 and the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) will take you through big cities and small towns, crowded beaches and tiny inlets where few have ever explored. A California road trip with kids is sure to be one they’ll never forget.

If you have limited time, we recommend a southern California road trip that includes San Diego, Anaheim, and Los Angeles, or a Northern California road trip that includes Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco. With a couple of weeks or more, you could cover most of this California road trip itinerary. These are some of our favorite places to stop on a California road trip with kids.

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Best Places to Visit on a California Road Trip with Kids

There are so many things to do in California with kids, it can be hard to know where to begin. The state is a nature lover’s delight with the ocean, rugged coastline, and forests coming together for a drive unlike any other. It is home to nine national parks, including Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Death Valley National Park. This itinerary doesn’t cover them as they are all part of inland California and quite a distance from the coast. 

So hop in the car, buckle up, and get ready for a scenic drive. These are some of the best places to visit on a California road trip with kids.

1. San Diego

If you are planning a California road trip with family, it seems obvious to begin in San Diego. The city has endless opportunities for family fun.

If you want to know what to do in San Diego, we recommend starting the day at the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, or the Safari Park. 

After visiting one of these, head to Balboa Park in the heart of the city. Spanning over 1,800 acres, the park has 17 museums, eight major gardens, and is home to the World Famous San Diego Zoo. 

Those looking for the best San Diego beaches for kids will have plenty to choose from along San Diego’s 17 miles of coastline. Favorites include Coronado Island, La Jolla Shores, and Torrey Pines State Beach. There are also some amazing places to go for a hike in San Diego with kids.

La Jolla is a must see for the La Jolla Children’s Pool where families can see seals sunning themselves on the rocks and search for sea life in the tide pools when the water is low. San Diego with kids does not disappoint and it’s easy to start a California road trip with kids from here.

If there’s a sports fan or two in the family, consider seeing a San Diego Padres baseball game. Their stadium is in downtown San Diego and a couple of hotels have views of the ballpark (Omni San Diego Hotel and Hotel Indigo San Diego).

Some of our favorite San Diego hotels include Hotel del Coronado, Lodge at Torrey Pines, and Fairmont Grand Del Mar.

2. Carlsbad

As you drive north along the California coast with kids you will find Carlsbad, home to unique hiking trails, beaches, flower fields, and LEGOLAND California. LEGOLAND is the star attraction here, but there’s also LEGOLAND Water Park and SEA LIFE Aquarium. Families will love stopping here for a break.

The city of Carlsbad has maintained a significant amount of land for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring. Visitors can kayak through one of three Carlsbad lagoons or even fish. 

The Carlsbad flower fields are 50 acres that bloom every March through May. If you time it right, it’s a great place to visit and take some family pictures.

Kids go crazy for Legoland California Hotel, but parents might prefer Park Hyatt Aviara resort, Four Seasons Residence Club or The Seabird in Oceanside.

3. Anaheim

Anaheim is home to Disneyland Resort, California Adventure, and Knott’s Berry Farm. In nearby Universal City is Universal Studios Hollywood. An hour north of Los Angeles in Valencia is Six Flags Magic Mountain. If your family loves theme parks, this is the place to be. 

Disneyland is where families can have the classic Disney experience. Here’s where you find the Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Indiana Jones Adventure, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. 

California Adventure is home to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Cars Land, Pixar Pier, and the Grizzly River Run. 

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Knott’s Berry Farm focuses on shows, rides, and attractions. There’s everything from roller coasters, to family friendly rides, to splash rides and thrill rides. It has a different feel than Disney and that’s what makes it fun. 

Universal Studios has everything from movies and television, including favorites Harry Potter, Despicable Me, Sponge Bob Squarepants, and Shrek. It’s located in Universal City, north of Los Angeles.

Six Flags Magic Mountain is known as the “Thrill Capital of the World”. It has twenty world-class roller coasters which is more than any other park in the world. This is the place to go if you have older kids and teens.

Most family hotels in Anaheim are located near Disneyland. Some of the favorites include Hotel Indigo Anaheim and Disney Grand Californian.

Looking for more US road trip ideas? Check out these family road trip ideas.

4. Los Angeles

​Los Angeles isn’t my favorite city to visit with kids, but it is a good landing point for exploring some local landmarks. Families should consider a stop in Santa Monica where they can spend time at the beach or playing carnival games on Santa Monica pier. If you decide to stay here for the night, we recommend Casa Del Mar and catching the sunset views over Pacific Ocean.

Some of the most popular attractions in the Los Angeles area for families are: Griffith Observatory, the J. Paul Getty Museum, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. And if you’re already thinking about college visits, there are plenty of schools to see and things to do in Los Angeles with teens.

5. Solvang

To break up the long drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco, there are a few places we recommend for a visit. One is Santa Barbara which is good for a lunch stop, but not much there for kids with the exception of the Santa Barbara Zoo. The other is the historic Danish village of Solvang. This town in the Santa Ynez Valley will delight children and adults. 

The village has windmills, a Little Mermaid fountain, a giant wooden clog, and unique shops to explore. Families might enjoy a Segway, trolley, or bike tour through town or a stop at the Hans Christensen Andersen Museum. 

There are so many things to do in Solvang, but don’t miss a peek inside Old Mission Santa Inés which dates to 1804, one of the 21 missions founded by the Franciscan Friars along the California coast. Finish up the day with some Danish pastries at one of the Solvang bakeries.

If you are visiting Solvang with kids, book a stay at The Landsby in the heart of downtown.

Want to stay a little longer? Don’t miss these fun things to do in Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley.

6. San Simeon

A Northern California road trip with kids can start in San Simeon. San Simeon has some of the most beautiful beaches along the Pacific Coast Highway, so make time for a stop at the beach. 

One of the best attractions on the LA to San Francisco drive is Hearst Castle, the fabulous estate built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst in 1919. 

The property is stunning with 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways. It was built to Hearst’s specifications to showcase his legendary art collection. Even younger children will marvel at the estate. 

Nearby is the Piedras Blancas Rookery home to 17,000 elephant seals at different times of the year. It’s definitely a sight to see. 

Don’t miss the Coastal Discovery Center on San Simeon Bay with interactive exhibits and educational programs that highlight the cultural and natural history of the area. Book a room for the night at Cavalier Oceanfront Hotel where you can enjoy ocean views from your balcony.

7. Monterey

While parents know Monterey for Cannery Row and John Steinbeck, kids might recognize its famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium was inspiration for Disney’s “Finding Dory”. 

It is home to thousands of creatures who call the ocean home as well as amphibians, birds, and other animals. Don’t miss the live video cams, hands on exhibits, and the “Open Sea” where visitors feel like part of the ocean! 

Be sure to spend time outdoors at the Dennis the Menace playground with its hedge maze, 9 foot climbing wall, and suspension bridge. Just know the kids will never want to leave because Monterey Bay Aquarium exhibits do not disappoint.

There are plenty of things to do in Monterey with kids. If time allows, plan to take a cruise in Monterey Bay to see the marine life. 

Various species of whales are visible year round, such as humpbacks, blue whales and gray whales. Dolphins, seals, and tortoises have been known to make appearances too. Monterey is a marine life paradise.

​If your family has a National Parks pass, be sure to swing over to Pinnacles National Park which is just about an hour southeast of Monterrey.

Check VRBO for vacation rentals in Monterey and spend a few days exploring the area!

8. Santa Cruz

The admission-free Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California’s oldest seaside amusement park, entertaining visitors for 107 years. It is one of the best things to do in Santa Cruz. Kids will love playing laser tag, miniature golf, riding coasters, and trying the arcade games. 

Nearby is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The park is famous for its giant redwood trees, the tallest of which is 277 feet tall, around 16 feet wide, and 1,500 years old. Kids will love hiking through the trees and families might enjoy packing a picnic to bring along for a fun day out. 

If there’s a train lover in your family, be sure to check out Roaring Camp Railroads. They offer scenic train journeys in the area. One is the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the other is the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Both are spectacular in their own way. 

Look at Beach Street Inn and Suites for a comfortable family friendly hotel in Santa Cruz. 

9. San Francisco

There are many things to do in San Francisco with kids. Start at Fisherman’s Wharf where children will love riding the carousel and watching the sea lions at Pier 39. 

Alcatraz can be a fun attraction if you are visiting San Francisco with teens. Riding bikes or walking across the Golden Gate Bridge for a spectacular view of the city and the bay is one of the quintessential California road trip stops. 

The Exploratorium is a mind blowing science museum with over 600 hands-on exhibits. Kids can walk through a pitch dark tactile dome, play in the tinkering studio, and use scientific tools to learn about living systems. 

Ride the cable car, visit Ghirardelli for treats, feast on chowder at the wharf and you will check off all of the fun things to do in San Francisco with kids.

We recommend the Marriott Marquis in Union Square and Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf for families in San Francisco.

10. Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital of California, so it is fitting that it has a park dedicated to the founding of the state. Old Sacramento is a 28 acre State Historic Park that tells the history of California beginning with the Gold Rush of 1849. 

Located along the beautiful Sacramento River, there are historical attractions and museums here, as well as dining and shopping. It provides a look into life in 19th century California. 

Fairytale Town is perfect for younger children. This park has 25 play sets based on nursery rhymes and fairytales. There are also farm animals, performing arts stages and several gardens. It’s been a Sacramento institution for 50 years! 

Families might also enjoy a visit to the State Capitol building, the California State Railroad Museum, or Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. Grab a room at the Embassy Suites on the river or the Kimpton Sawyer hotel.

11. Gold Country

California Gold Country is quite expansive. It runs along the west side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range all the way to Sacramento. Families would love exploring old mining towns like Nevada City or touring an abandoned mine. 

Try gold panning with kids in Jamestown or rappel 50 meters into Moaning Caverns to see what life is really like underground. California has some family friendly gold rush adventures that shouldn’t be missed!

Families wanting to stay in the area can find some nice accommodations through VRBO. Click here to see vacation rentals in Gold Country.

12. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe may be shared by California and Nevada, but that’s easy to understand because it is so beautiful. It is the largest alpine lake in North America, surrounded by the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

The area averages 300 days of sunshine a year and is an outdoor enthusiasts’ playground. There are so many things to do in Lake Tahoe with endless winter and summer sports. 

Families might enjoy skiing, tubing, or skating at one of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts. When the weather warms up, the lake is the perfect spot for kayaking, hiking, fishing, camping, swimming, and biking. 

Truckee, Tahoe City, and South Lake Tahoe are the perfect spots for dining and shopping when you’ve had enough of the outdoors. We really think a Lake Tahoe family vacation doesn’t disappoint!

There are plenty of houses for rent in North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe. Check out Lake Tahoe rentals on VRBO and find a vacation rental for your family!

As you can see, the Golden State has endless opportunities for adventure. It is the perfect place for a family road trip with everything from state parks to beach towns and amusement parks. Hopefully you found some new California road trip ideas and can start planning your trip! 

Looking for more road trip ideas? Don’t miss these road trip activities for kids and road trip snacks for kids.