Family Fun

California is packed with family-friendly destinations, from its stunning coast and scenic mountains to world-class theme parks and buzzing cities, offering endless activities for families to explore and enjoy together.

Family fun in the great outdoors

The state’s beaches—like those in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego—are great for swimming, surfing, or just relaxing in the sun. For families who love the outdoors, California’s national and state parks provide excellent camping and hiking opportunities: Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park, for instance, offer plenty of wildlife viewing and easygoing trails. Families can also enjoy coastal hikes in destinations like Big Sur or Point Reyes National Seashore, or take in the otherworldly terrain of places like Joshua Tree or Death Valley. For more kid-friendly outdoor fun ideas check out Surf, Skate, Climb: Cool Kid-Friendly Sports, 12 Kid-Friendly Beaches in California, and Free Kid-Friendly Things to Do in California.

Family fun on the slopes

During the winter months, California’s mountains provide fantastic all-ages skiing and snowboarding. The state’s many ski resorts are great destinations for families because they offer a variety of slopes for all skill levels, from beginner to expert. With nearly a dozen world-class resorts, the Lake Tahoe region is the biggest ski destination in the state, but Mammoth Mountain, which is about three hours away, the close-to-L.A. Big Bear, and several slopes in the Shasta Cascade region provide family-friendly accommodations, ski schools, and lessons for kids, making it easy for children to learn and enjoy the sport. Beyond skiing, many resorts offer additional activities like snow tubing (Wooly’s Adventure Summit at Mammoth is a standout), sledding, and ice skating, ensuring a good time is had even by those not bitten by the ski bug.

Family fun at theme parks

Theme parks, of course, are another big draw for families in California. Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles have all-ages appeal, whether your kids love Mickey and the Disney princesses, Pixar characters, or Marvel superheroes (Disneyland) or Harry Potter, the Minions, and the Super Mario Bros. (Universal Studios).  

More distinctive theme parks are scattered around the state too. In the Bay Area, you can explore two classic parks—Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo and California’s Great America in Santa Clara—as well as the classic boardwalk with rides and treats in Santa Cruz. Not far away, Gilroy Gardens in Gilroy celebrates the area’s agricultural bounty with exotic trees and little-kid-friendly rides shaped like strawberries, artichokes, and garlic bulbs. Los Angeles County has Six Flags Magic Mountain (with the most thrill rides of any theme park on the planet) along with Universal Studios Hollywood and the old-school rides at the beachside Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier.

Besides Disneyland, Orange County has Knott’s Berry Farm, whose rides, restaurant, and Old West fun grew out of a family boysenberry farm and fried chicken restaurant. You could even build a whole trip out of the theme parks of San Diego County: LEGOLAND California, SeaWorld San Diego, the old-fashioned Belmont Park, and Sesame Place San Diego.

Family fun at museums

California museums offer engaging, educational, and fun experiences for families. The Exploratorium in San Francisco features interactive exhibits on science and art, sparking curiosity in kids of all ages. The Tech Interactive in San Jose offers hands-on experiences in technology and innovation, perfect for young inventors. The Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose focuses on creative learning through play, making it a favorite for younger children. In Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum captivates visitors with its impressive train exhibits and history of railroads, offering an adventure steeped in history for families. And though you might think it's an adult-oriented museum, even the Getty Center has kid-friendly offerings. For more on these and other museums that your kids will love, check out 10 Family-Friendly Museums for All Ages.

Family-friendly dining in California

Everyone knows that when it comes to dinner time—or lunch time, or breakfast time—kids can be picky. Luckily, satisfying fussy little ones in California isn’t a problem. There’s always that Golden State burger-shake-and-fries institution In-N-Out—it’s never too early to introduce a kid to going “animal-style”—and the state also has a Taco Trail and an Ice Cream Trail, and even a Vegan Trail where you can sample such plant-based treats as pizza, burgers, and pies. For more ideas on where to dine with your tots, check out Kid-Foodie Guide to California; if you’re in L.A., you can find plenty of appropriate spots (Hot dogs! Donuts! Food trucks!) at Dining in Los Angeles.