10 best things to do in California with kids
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is a huge zoo located in Balboa Park. There are over 3,500 animals here. This zoo pioneered the open-air, cageless exhibits that re-create natural animal habitats. These habitats have been so successful that this is one of the few places that have been able to breed Giant Pandas in captivity. You could spend an entire day exploring this zoo. But if you still have energy afterwards, you can see the rest of Balboa Park. Here there are beautiful buildings, gardens, and museums.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a beachside community in the Los Angeles area. One of the best places to visit here is the Santa Monica Pier. The pier is over 100 years old. Today, so much fun can be found here. There is an amusement park (Pacific Park) with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, an aquarium (Heal the Bay), carousel, shops, restaurants, and places to fish. If you need a break from all the fun, walk down to the beach to relax and play by the ocean.
Griffith Park and Observatory
Griffith Park is located in the Los Feliz neighborhood in Los Angeles. It is one of the largest urban parks in the country (about 4,310 acres). It is very rugged and there are many hiking trails to explore. The Hollywood Sign is located on the southern side of Mount Lee in the park. There is also the Griffith Observatory. Here you can see an amazing view of downtown and the Hollywood sign from here. There is also a museum and a theatre in the park.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is about 2 hours north of Los Angeles and is known as the American Riviera. The weather is almost always perfect (maybe a little foggy in the mornings) and there are beautiful beaches and cliffs along the coast. After you’ve had your fill of the beach and hiking along the beautiful coastline, visit the Wharf, MOXI kids museum, State Street, the Mission, and the Natural History museum.
Big Sur
Big Sur is a long stretch of undeveloped coastline in central California. Highway 1 winds along the coastline and offers dramatic views around every turn. There are many places along the road to stop and hike into the mountains or down to the beach. There are a few hotels and many places to camp along the way. It truly is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Unites States, and the world.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a beautiful aquarium located on Monterey Bay. A large part of the aquarium’s focus is on conservation and science programs. There are so many exhibits to see here, and you could easily spend the entire day looking at everything. Near the aquarium is Cannary Row, with lots of restaurants and shops to explore. There is also the nearby Dennis the Menace playground!
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is located in the eastern potion of the state. It was designated as a national park in 1890 and spans 1,169 square miles. Here you will find breathtaking waterfalls, scenic views, meadows, and giant ancient sequoia trees, and many places to hike and explore. There are also giant granite rock formations shaped tens of thousands of years ago by moving glaciers. Some of the biggest landmarks here are Half Dome and El Capitan.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is iconic and a must-see for people of all ages. You can walk or drive across the bridge, or just admire it from the land. There are also so many amazing things to do on both sides of the bridge. On the San Francisco side, you can see the Presidio or take a walk down to Golden Gate Park. On the north side of the bridge, drive through the Marin Headlands, walk around Sausalito, or go to Muir Beach.
See the Redwoods
Coast Redwood trees are magnificent. On average these redwoods live 500-700 years. But some can live to more than 2,000 years and grow to over 360 feet in height! You can see these amazing trees at parks throughout Northern California. Some of the best places to see them are in Redwood National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Sequoia National Park.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains that straddles the California and Nevada border. Come here in the winter if you want to ski or snowboard. And come in the summer to play on the crystal blue water. Get out on a kayak or stand up paddle board! There is also lots of hiking to do during the summer.