Family Vacations in California

The kids will relish a chance to hop onto a ferry going to Alcatraz or taking the red cable car going up and down the hills. Head to San Francisco Zoo, the Aquarium of the Bay or the Children’s Creativity Museum for more fun.

Visit Humboldt County and explore the magnificent coastal redwoods. The tall canopy of sequoias offers a unique setting for camping, horseback riding, and biking.

Stop in Santa Barbara and enjoy its panoramic views and numerous performing arts venues. Visit the Sea Center at the Museum of Natural History or Santa Barbara Maritime Museum to enrich your knowledge of the local marine life.

This desert park has a range of fascinating landscapes with different geological formations. Explore the saltpans of hills covered in minerals of various shades and the slopes of super-fine sand.

San Diego is famous for its numerous theme parks such as Legoland, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo. Beautiful beaches, nature trails, and fine dining await.

California has a wide range of amazing places to camp. Spend a weekend in a tent at the Crystal Cove State Park and marvel at views of the Pacific Ocean. Explore the mountains at the Sequoia National Forest to have a close encounter with wildlife.

If you love hiking, then California is your paradise. Put on your sturdy shoes and stray off the busy city streets into the diverse landscapes. From the mountainous coastline in Big Sur to the magnificent glacier-carved valley of Yosemite National Park, the trails are as breathtaking as the terrains are varied.

Pedal up and down Mt. Tamalpais or along the King Ridge loop in Santa Rosa. Natural beauty, varied landscapes, and year-round mild temperatures beckon a large number of bikers. The Iowa Hill loop in Auburn offers gorgeous views of valleys and riverbeds.

Put on your wetsuit, grab your board, and head down to the glorious stretch of California coastline to hit the waves. Some of the best surfing spots include Rincon, Santa Barbara, Malibu, and Los Angeles. If you’re a beginner, numerous surf camps offer guidance.

Beyond beaches and hiking, California also offers some prime skiing locations. Head east to visit California's ski resorts like Northstar or Squaw Valley.

Stroll through city centers in some comfortable flats and hike in sturdy boots. Bring light clothing and a jacket for cool evenings as well as swimwear for watersports and beach excursions.

If you’re visiting cities such as San Francisco or Los Angeles where it can be challenging to find parking, you wouldn’t want to move your car once you’ve parked it. So, bring a bag or backpack for storing necessities like phones, cameras, and water. It saves you the hassle of going back to the car.

Bring the following essentials for your outdoor adventures: bug spray, flashlight, sleeping bags, sunglasses, beach towel, insect repellant, and camping stove.

It's always recommended to travel with cash in case you venture into places without ATMs.