Top California Cities for a Family Vacation

Finding the perfect destination for your next family vacation isn’t always easy. On top of having literally thousands of places to choose from, you must find a spot that encompasses a little of something for everyone to enjoy. Whether that’s relaxing by the pool, building sand castles at the beach, experiencing the thrill of theme-park rides, or exploring museums, malls, and local shops, finding it all in one place isn’t always easy. That is unless you head to sunny California. With family-friendly destinations like San Diego, Carlsbad, San Francisco, and more, the opportunities for family fun are endless. Take a look at some of the most popular cities in California for your next getaway with the kids.

Long Beach, CA

Long beach California cities
Image credit-by George Miquilena

If you’re looking for a quiet and more tranquil place to travel to, then Long Beach, CA is a great place to visit. A lot less crowded than nearby Los Angeles, the beach town is the ideal place to relax and explore. There is a 5-acre Aquarium where children can view more than 10,000 ocean creatures with the otters being the most popular attraction. There’s also the Long Beach Museum of Art, Museum of Latin Art, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, and more. Positioned just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Disneyland, there’s a lot to see and do.

Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad, California cities
Carlsbad Flower Fields

If there’s any city you need to travel to in California, it’s Carlsbad. Though most families visit Carlsbad for its closeness to Legoland (an awesome theme park and museum worth checking out by the way), there are a ton of other exciting things for you to get into. There are beaches to explore, a seaside village filled with mini shops and eateries, an interactive music museum, and a breathtaking field of flowers worth gazing at.

San Diego, CA

San Diego, California cities
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If it’s adventure you’re after than San Diego is exactly where you want to be. As the second largest city in California, there is no shortage of things to do there. The city has more than 75 miles of beaches. Black beach is great for surfing, while Mission beach always has a ton of family-friendly activities and laid back restaurants for your dining pleasure. Obviously, you can’t talk about this city without bringing up the awesome San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld. The whole family will have fun viewing exhibits of animals from all over the world on land and sea.

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, California cities
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Another popular California city worth taking the family to is San Francisco. Packed with playgrounds, recreational centres, coffee shops, and more, there’s something for kids (and their parents) to enjoy. You can take a walk down memory lane by visiting The Walt Disney Museum, catch of glimpse of sea lions and public performers at Pier 39, explore the world of science at the Exploratorium, or simply explore the natural wonders and sites at the Golden Gate Park.

Lake Tahoe, CA

Lake tahoe, California cities
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Last, but certainly not least on the list of family-friendly destinations to travel in California is Lake Tahoe. If you’re a family who enjoys the great outdoors, camping, and wildlife, you’ll love this scene. In the winter, the kids can have fun learning cool winter sports like skiing on Heavenly Mountain, one of the area’s tallest mountaintops. There’s also zip lining, tubing, a gondola, and rope courses for the perfect outdoor experience. The area also has more than 75 miles of shorelines so there’s no shortage of beaches for those awesome summer getaways.

As you can see, there are a lot of places you can take your family to the great state of California. From winter sports and campgrounds with scenic views to miles of shorelines and amazing beaches and outdoor theme parks and zoos packed with wildlife, there’s something for everyone. Hopefully, the above ideas have helped you to narrow down your options. Whether you plan on taking the trip next summer or you’re reserving a mini getaway for the winter break and holiday season, there’s a lot of fun to be had in Sunny California.

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