16 Best Places to Visit in California with Kids (2026)

Looking for the best family trips in California? As a mom and longtime Californian who has explored much of the Golden State, I’ve got you covered! Discover this beautiful state’s shores, theme parks, national parks, and cities with this list of 16 amazing places to visit in California with kids in 2026.

This story is brought to you in partnership with Visit California.

This website sometimes receives compensation, hosted travel, or products related to blog posts. This article may include affiliate links at no extra cost to consumers. As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases.

1. San Diego

San Diego is the perfect place for a California family vacation. Since I lived in San Diego for 15 years, I admit I’m partial to this coastal city. San Diego pleases all ages with the renowned San Diego Zoo, oodles of beautiful beaches, fascinating marine life at SeaWorld San Diego, the always entertaining Balboa Park, and loads of other attractions.

Read about the best things to do in San Diego with kids, plus my picks for the top restaurants in San Diego for families. You can also get comfy with this list of the best family hotels in San Diego.

2. Disneyland Resort in Orange County

Of course, no list of the best places to visit in California with kids would be complete without Disneyland Resort. With memorable character meals, thrilling rides, and imaginative attractions, you’re never too old or young for a Disney vacation.

Located in Orange County, this vacation destination consists of Disneyland and its sister theme park, Disney California Adventure. Three themed Disneyland hotels, along with the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district, round out the experience.

Visiting with little kids? Check out my picks for the best Disneyland attractions for babies and toddlers.

Headed to the Happiest Place on Earth with older kids? Take a peek at the best thrill rides at Disneyland.

3. Huntington Beach

If your ideal California family vacation focuses on ocean waves, sandy beaches, and hanging ten — book a trip to Huntington Beach! Also known as Surf City USA, family surf lessons and a trip to the Surfer Hall of Fame are musts during your visit. Nighttime beach bonfires are mainstays in this walkable small town, too.

Read more about what to expect in Huntington Beach with kids.

4. San Francisco

What’s not to love about this Northern California city by the sea? There’s much to explore in San Francisco, from the massive Golden Gate Park and Pier 39 to Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island, and the crookedest street in the world. Kids will especially get a kick from riding on one of the city’s famous cable cars.

Plus, San Francisco Bay is also home to the second-largest Chinatown in the country. Go see the ornate Dragon’s Gate and wander through the area’s many lively shops. Then enjoy some delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine. Fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco, so be sure to visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, where you can watch the production process and buy freshly made cookies. 

Got a Star Wars fan or comics lover in the family? Then, you’ll want to read our geek’s guide to San Francisco before you go!

5. Monterey

Along California’s Central Coast lies the picturesque city of Monterey. The renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium wows kids with exhibits filled with tuxedoed penguins, playful sea otters, and fish of all sorts. Seafood lovers rejoice in Monterey for its abundance of fresh-caught selections.

Active families will especially appreciate Monterey. Hiking opportunities give families a chance to connect with nature and each other. If your family golfs (and even if you don’t), a scenic drive to Pebble Beach Golf Links is a must.

Monterey is just four miles (6.5 km) from Carmel, a darling destination worth a day trip or a few additional days in California with kids. (Or without offspring at the romantic Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea!)

6. Lake Tahoe

Snow in California? Oh yes, indeed! Skiing may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you picture a California vacation, but maybe it should be.

Northstar California at Lake Tahoe offers a wintry wonderland for the whole family. This resort boasts over 3,000 skiable acres (12+ sq km). There are trails for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Snowshoeing, ice skating, s’mores, and more keep kids content during a California winter trip to Lake Tahoe.

The play doesn’t end when the snow melts, either. In summer, head to Lake Tahoe for jet skiing, paddle boarding, hiking, kayaking, and more

7. Carlsbad and Legoland California

Located just over 30 miles north of downtown San Diego and less than an hour’s drive south of Orange County’s Irvine, you could easily spend your entire California family vacation in Carlsbad.

Besides its seven miles (11+ km) of beaches, Legoland California is the star of the show in Carlsbad. This amusement park offers mellow roller coasters, interactive rides, colorful play areas, and other fun for kids. Also on-site is Legoland Water Park, which has lots of slides and water rides for summer visitors. Open year-round, Legoland’s SeaLife Aquarium is filled with a fascinating assortment of marine life.

The famous Carlsbad Flower Fields and a local music museum add to the fun. Learn about all there is to do in Carlsbad with kids.

8. Los Angeles

The second biggest city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. In fact, Los Angeles is home to over 90 museums, and the metropolitan area boasts around 15,000 restaurants. No wonder L.A. is one of the best places to visit in California with kids!

Los Angeles also offers 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast. One of the most well-known beaches is Venice Beach. Take in its unique SoCal vibe, an expansive skate park, and an outdoor gym with musclebound locals lifting weights under the California sun.

Los Angeles Family Attractions

Families feel like they’ve crossed the border into Mexico on Olvera Street, also known as El Pueblo Historic Monument. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. It features 27 historic buildings and a central Mexican plaza. Stroll through the shops for handicrafts and enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine.

The Getty Center is among the most popular attractions in the Los Angeles area. The museum is filled with artwork by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne. The surrounding gardens are stunning as well.

Located on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory wows visitors with its planetarium, high-powered telescopes for public use, and space exhibits.

Then, step way back in time at La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum. Kids might wonder if they’ve entered Jurassic Park as they stare at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, massive sloths, and other extinct animals in pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth.

A personal favorite, The Huntington Botanical Gardens stretches across 130 visitable acres (half a square kilometer). Escape the hectic pace of the city in favor of a wide array of plants and fountains set in 16 themed gardens. Kids especially enjoy Helen and Peter Bing Children’s Garden, which features playful, hands-on elements such as tunnels, splash areas, fairy doors, and more.

Cover a lot of ground with a Los Angeles Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 40+ Attractions, including the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott’s Berry Farm in nearby Buena Park, and much more.

9. Burbank and Hollywood

If your family goes gaga for glitz and glamour, plan a trip to the Media Capital of the World. A suburb of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of major film and television studios.

Burbank is home to around 100,00 residents and three powerhouse studios: Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Warner Bros Studio. For an immersive look at sets and memorabilia from favorite shows and movies, book a Warner Bros. Studio Tour in advance.

For a delicious serving of movies and TV shows with a side of roller coasters and live shows, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. This is especially true for Harry Potter fans, who will adore the Wizarding World at this theme park.

Of course, you will also want to view the iconic Hollywood Sign and stroll along the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Learn more about this impressive suburb with this list of fun things to do in Burbank.

10. Yosemite National Park

Resplendent with hiking trails, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural wonder. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this beloved national park. It spans nearly 750,000 acres (3,035 sq km) and is home to wildlife like foxes, deer, cougars, and black bears. Adventurous families will also be pleased to know that Yosemite is known as one of the best places in North America for rock climbing.

Yosemite opened in 1890 and remains one of the country’s finest examples of land conservation. Carved by glaciers over tens of thousands of years, Yosemite Valley features granite giants El Capitan and Half Dome.

Families seeking to explore California’s natural beauty will love visiting Yosemite. Plan your trip with these Yosemite National Park tips.

11. Palm Springs

Palm Springs lures vacationers to its desert locale with its vast golf courses and sparkling hotel swimming pools. While in this desert oasis, don’t miss a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area’s plentiful palm trees.

Families are enamored with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This impressive zoo and botanical garden offers innovative play spaces for kids and a fun model train exhibit.

Giant spinning wind turbines in the Palm Springs area produce an electrifying 1.5 million megawatt-hours. They also provide stunning photo ops.

Soar from the desert valley to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The car’s floor rotates throughout the ride, so passengers get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley.

Intrigued? Discover more things to do in Palm Springs with kids.

12. Ventura County

For a unique array of family activities, consider a Ventura County vacation. Think gondola rides through canals, whale watching, spying on wild foxes on an uninhabited Channel Island, and piloting a battery-operated boat. Families also enjoy strolling Ventura Harbor Village for ice cream and waterfront views, or spending a relaxed afternoon on the wide, uncrowded beaches that define this coastal region. Discover more unique things to do in Ventura County with kids.

13. Santa Monica

Santa Monica epitomizes Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements. This Los Angeles suburb is best known for the Santa Monica Pier, with its iconic Ferris wheel spinning beside the Pacific Ocean on Santa Monica Beach, one of the best beaches in California.

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a dozen rides, including the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller coaster. You’ll also find every treat your sweet teeth could crave and a plethora of arcade games with prizes.

Families also enjoy strolling the Third Street Promenade for shopping, street performers, and easy dining just a few blocks from the beach.

14. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

Located in Central California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sequoia National Park is home to gorgeous groves of the world’s largest trees. Adults and kids of all ages can’t help but feel awestruck by the massive sequoias in the Giant Forest.

This national park boasts the world’s largest tree, General Sherman. You can even drive through another impressive giant sequoia called the Tunnel Log. This beautiful place provides an assortment of great things to do in nature, like hiking, mountain biking, camping, and horseback riding.

Sister park, Kings Canyon National Park, is less than 30 miles (48 km) away and makes a great addition to a nature-focused family holiday. Known for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the deepest in North America. This park offers dramatic rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote hiking trails.

Learn more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national parks in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best national parks in the U.S.

15. Joshua Tree National Park

Situated about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is essential for families who want to explore natural wonders in California. This is the best place to spot unique-looking Joshua trees with their outstretched arms and spiky leaves. These unusual trees grow only in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will enjoy scrambling over the park’s giant boulders and exploring short, easy trails that showcase the desert’s otherworldly landscape.

Book a guided Joshua Tree National Park tour with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide.

16. Buena Park and Knott’s Berry Farm

Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for families who love amusement parks, themed adventures, and easy vacation fun. Knott’s Berry Farm is the star attraction, with coasters, shows, and lands that appeal to everyone from toddlers to thrill‑seeking teens and adults. Summer visitors can cool off at Soak City Water Park, while year‑round entertainment includes Medieval Times and Pirates Dinner Adventure. It’s an easy add‑on to any Southern California trip and a great home base for exploring nearby beaches, Orange County, and LA.

Explore more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.

Explore More of California

For a laid-back vibe, sweet walkable downtown, and one of the prettiest California missions, visit San Juan Capistrano with kids.

Discover SoCal’s best-kept secret (shh!) with my La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club review.

Learn about a hidden gem desert vacation spot with these things to do in Borrego Springs.

For even more California bucket list ideas, check out this California road trip itinerary, a list of national parks in California, and my extensive catalog of California vacations and tips.

Save These Places to Visit in California with Kids

For future reference, save this list of California family vacation destinations. Simply pin the graphic above to Pinterest. Follow Colleen Travels Between on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Which of these kid-friendly California vacation spots would your family enjoy most? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

Disclosure: This guide to California with kids was created in partnership with Visit California. It’s updated annually to ensure readers get the most accurate and helpful information. All opinions are my own.

Sharing is caring!