Best California Vacation Spots for Families

One of the highlights of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay State Park. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

As a top vacation destination for families, travelers flock to California. With a wide array of acitivites, both outdoor and indoor, families can splash at the beach, stand under towering trees or see world-class museums during their visit. Kids can learn to surf, take a hike or stare at dinosaurs. From the largest trees to the lowest point in the U.S. there’s lots to see in California. Here are the best California Vacation Spots for Families.

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Best National Park Trips

Load up, especially if you are in Southern California for a National Parks Road Trip. Find a diverse landscape from the driest deserts to the lushest forests in the National Parks of California. In Northern California, visitors will find volcanoes and the towering redwood trees.

Best Beaches in California

California Beaches have sprouted a whole culture. With an immense shoreline, there is a beach for all, from shelling to surfing to castle making. And some of the best beaches are state parks.

Top Places to Explore in Northern California

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Find all the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains of Southern California with the power of volcanoes. With less visitors than other national parks in California, it’s worth the trek.

Lake Tahoe

It’s equally a summer and winter destination. Lake Tahoe offers mulitudes of outdoor recreation from hiking, mountain biking, boating, kayaking and more.

Sacramento

It’s the California state capitol and a hub of historical sites dedicated to Gold Rush history. Find museums along with capitol grounds to explore.

Redwood National and State Parks

See the magestic wonder that is the Coastal Redwoods of California, a different species of redwoods than Sequoias. This park offers hiking trails, biking along with stretchs of beach to explore.

Alcatraz Island

It’s one of the top destinations in San Francisco and tickets sell out months in advance. Get all the details on what you see on the tours of the infamous prison.

Top Places to Explore in Southern California

San Diego

It’s a top family travel destination with amusement parks, beaches and one of the top zoos in the U.S. Also find whale watching, tide pools and a National Park site.

Joshua Tree National Park

Learn about the desert in Southern California along with the Joshua Trees. This park offers interesting rock formations along with hiking and camping.

Death Valley National Park

It’s home to the lowest place on earth. Find a luxury hotel, golf course along with spring-fed pools along with star-gazing, hiking and more.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

See the Sequoia trees, a type of redwood, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It’s also a great area to escape the heat of Southern California.

Santa Barbara

With several straw-colored beaches to explore, Santa Barbara is one of the best California vacation spots for families. In addtion to beach time, find a children’s museum and a zoo.

Solvang

Originally setted by Danes escaping the cold winters of the Midwest, stroll the quaint streets of Solvang with thatched roofs and replicas of Danish landmarks. Since it’s California, find lots of tasting rooms and European-inspired bakeries along with boutique hotels.

Mojave Desert

The deserts of Southern California are more diverse than most realize. The Mojave Desert offers Joshua Trees along with some unique rock formations including a lava tube. It’s also a top off-roading destination.

Palm Springs

As a destination for mid-century modern architecture along with some top spas, Palm Springs is also a top destination for families. Find deserts to explore and even a forest to hike.