Are you planning a trip to California with the family, but have NO idea where even to start? You’ve come to the right place! On this page, you’ll find a lot of information to plan the best trip to California with kids (or without them).
We’ve had the chance to explore California a lot in the past few years, from Northern California to Southern California and many places in between. We had the privilege of discovering some amazing places all across California.
This guide will provide all the information you need to plan a fun family vacation in California. Plus, I’m giving you some of my secrets and honest opinions on some places in California.
Note: You can read this page or find all our California-related articles here.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO CALIFORNIA
Below is all the information you’ll need to plan a trip to California with kids (or without kids). I’m also giving you my favorite places to visit in California.
▶️ Read more: Top 19 Hidden Gems in California You Must Visit
▶️ Read more: Unique Things to Do in California With Kids: Add Them to Your List
▶️ Read more: Family Hike: Where to Hike in California
Need Help Planning Your California trip?
Let me help you plan your custom itinerary.
How to get to California?
The easiest and most convenient way to get to California is by air. California has multiple international airports, including:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX),
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and
- San Diego International Airport (SAN).
You can also fly to smaller airports like John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County or Sacramento International Airport (SMF), but options will be more limited both for flight schedules and car rentals.
I recommend flying to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
You can find cheap flight options using Google Flights or Skyscanner. Those two search engine search for different airlines deserving SFO and LAX, including some low-cost ones.
Note:
LAX is the fourth busiest airport in the world and the second most active in the United States. It took me more than an hour just to pick up my husband from the airport, waiting in traffic at LAX.
How to get around in California?
California is the perfect state for road trips. But remember that traffic can be heavy in some areas, especially during rush hour. I’ll never forget the first time we drove from Los Angeles to San Diego. It took us more than 5 hours (yes! 5 hours) to drive the 112 miles.
Insane!
If you need to rent a car, DiscoverCars is a good search engine for car rentals. They will give you the best rental options for your dates and renting location.
▶️ Read more: Road Trip Planning: Is Discover Cars Legit for Car Rentals?
If you prefer to rent an RV, check out Outdoorsy or Escape Campervans. They have many options in California, especially in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
▶️ Read more: Escape Campervans Review for an Adventure Family
What is the best month to visit California?
California is a year-round destination.
My favorite time to visit is in the spring or fall when the weather is still great, but the crowds are gone.
Summer (June, July, and August) is popular for warm weather and water activities. Summer is the busiest season, with warm weather and longer days. But it also comes with higher prices, crowds and the risk of wildfires.
If you want to avoid the crowds and save money, consider visiting in the shoulder season, in:
- April,
- May,
- September, or
- October.
These months offer mild weather and fewer crowds. It’s thus easier to enjoy popular attractions without the hustle and bustle of peak season. Plus, you’ll be able to be more spontaneous.
Then, if you’re interested in skiing or snowboarding, the winter months of December through March are ideal for visiting California’s mountain resorts, such as South Lake Tahoe or Mammoth.
How many days should you spend in California? (+ Itineraries)
California is a big state filled with SO many to do. The state’s diversity is one of the things that surprised me the most when visiting for the first time. What came to my mind before visiting were palm trees and sandy beaches.
But California is so much more than that.
The number of days you should spend in California will depend on:
- the specific places you want to visit
- the activities you want to do
- your budget
- the time off you have
For example, if you want to explore major cities like San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego, you can stay 2 to 4 days in each city. You could spend several days exploring each park if you plan to visit California’s famous national parks like Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Mojave Desert, or Sequoia.
I recommend at least 10 days to explore the California coast, from San Francisco to San Diego. Then add a few extra days if you want to visit some national parks.
However, if you have less time, you can still have an enjoyable trip by focusing on a few key destinations.
▶️ Read more: Death Valley Itinerary for a Fun Getaway from Las Vegas
▶️ Read more: An Epic California Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary: 7 Days
▶️ Read more: The Perfect San Francisco 2-Day Itinerary for Families
▶️ Read more: A 2-Day Itinerary in Yosemite National Park With Kids
▶️ Read more: 10 Day California Road Trip with Kids: San Diego to San Francisco
▶️ Read more: 5 California Gold Rush Field Trips Not to Miss
What are the best cities to visit with kids in California
California is a diverse state with many cities and attractions, but some are particularly kid-friendly. Here are some of the best cities to visit with kids:
San Diego
San Diego is a great destination for families with young kids. It has beautiful beaches, the famous San Diego Zoo, and Legoland California. You can also visit the USS Midway Museum or tour the city on a trolley.
Balboa Park is also a great place to go with the kids. You could spend an entire day. Plus, kids will love to look at the sky and see the planes in the sky. The airport is pretty close, so the airplanes are low in the sky.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is known for its movie stars and Hollywood glam, but it also has many family-friendly attractions. Kids will love the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, the California Science Center, and the Griffith Observatory.
You can also take a stroll along the famous Santa Monica Pier and spend the day at Manhattan beach.
I’ll be honest here, though: I didn’t really like Los Angeles.
We didn’t feel particularly safe, and it’s not a super clean city. Plus, there is so much traffic. We loved the surrounding areas, such as:
- Newport Beach in Orange County
- Will Rogers State Beach in Santa Monica
- Disneyland 😉 in Anaheim
- Manhattan Beach
▶️ Read more: 12 Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids
▶️ Read more: Disneyland With Toddlers: Our Experience & Tips
San Francisco and the Bay Area
San Francisco has a unique charm and is a great destination for families with older kids. You’ll want to admire the Golden Gate Bridge, take a tour of Alcatraz Island, or explore the chocolate factory at Ghirardelli Square.
Plus, the Bay Area is stunning and the perfect city escape. We love visiting Muir Woods, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, and Mount Tampalais.
▶️ Read more: 19 Things to Do in San Francisco With Kids
▶️ Read more: 10 of the Best Family Tours in San Francisco
Anaheim
Anaheim is the home of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. Kids will love meeting their favorite Disney characters and going on thrilling rides. You can also visit Knott’s Berry Farm, a popular theme park with a Wild West theme.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of my favourite places in California.
Lake Tahoe is a great destination if you are looking for a scenic escape. The crystal-clear lake, surrounded by mountains, offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. We love visiting Emerald Bay and hiking to the hidden beach and Vikingsholm Castle.
▶️ Read more: Things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids (California side)
Yosemite National Park
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park is a must-see for nature lovers. The park has stunning waterfalls, towering granite cliffs, and abundant wildlife. It was named one of the best national parks in the USA to visit with kids.
These are just a few of the many fantastic destinations to visit in California. Ultimately, the best place to visit for the first time depends on your interests.
Is California expensive to visit?
California can be an expensive state to visit, especially in popular tourist destinations. In fact, the hotel and accommodation budget in California is, on average 31% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Of course, the cost of a trip to California will depend on several factors, such as:
- the time of year you visit,
- your travel style, and
- your itinerary.
For example, visiting California during the peak travel season can expect higher prices for accommodations, flights, and activities. Can you believe we had to pay $130 for a night in an RV park near Carmel-by-the-Sea?
But I also paid around $30 for a campsite, which can vary greatly.
Plus, gas is more expensive than in other states. It can impact the cost of a California road trip.
Overall, California is an expensive state to visit. With careful planning and budgeting, it’s possible to have an enjoyable trip without breaking the bank.
How can you vacation in California on a budget?
The best way to visit California on a budget is by camping and/or RVing. You can find many different campgrounds (some are free) on The Dyrt app. You can also find unique stays using Harvest Hosts.
If you’re not a camping family, you can find a home exchange in a central location and explore from there. In summer of 2022, we found a home swap near Lake Tahoe for 10 days. We didn’t have to pay anything (except our yearly Home Exchange membership) for this amazing stay.
Then, you’ll want to limit the expensive attractions and restaurants.
