Lively Activities for Kids in California: Explore 36 Exciting Destinations
Roaming California with the Little Explorers
Hey there! We've been all over California as a family and it's hands down one of the best places on the planet for family travel. It's a breeze if you're just starting out traveling with kids, and it's got some of the world's top kid-friendly attractions. From Disney to Hollywood to heaps of natural beauty, it's a dreamland for families.
Here are a ton of amazing things to do in California with your little ones. We've also got individual family travel guides for destinations across California, as well as a detailed California road trip guide and a Pacific Coast Highway itinerary. Let's dive in!
California: The Family Fun Capital
Top Fun Things to Do in California with Kids
Disneyland
Can we talk about Disneyland without raising an eyebrow? It's a must-visit for any family with kids. I had the best time there as a kid, and we brought our own little ones aged 3 and 5 (and we'll probably be back again!). It's about 45 minutes from downtown L.A., but planning is crucial to make the most of your day without ending up with cranky kiddos. Need some tips? Check out this post on getting the most out of Disneyland with toddlers and preschoolers. And don't forget to explore our guide to things to do in Los Angeles with kids and the coolest kid-friendly Los Angeles hotels.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios is a huge hit with the whole family, with exciting studio tours that take you behind the scenes of some of your favorite shows. There's fun for every age, from animal actor performances to the extreme Revenge of the Mummy rollercoaster. Oh, and let's not forget about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Check out this guide to visiting Universal Studios with a toddler and make sure to grab an express ticket to save time.
San Diego Zoo
Ever since I first watched San Diego Zoo on Rainbow Brite as an 80s kid, I dreamed of visiting the 100-acre zoo in real life. And my dreams came true! The zoo is still just as amazing today, home to around 4,000 animals, and it's one of our top picks for a family vacation. The SkyFari Aerial Tram is a fun way to get around, and now there's even the Fisher-Price Discovery Playground for little ones to interact with farmyard animals. Grab your advance skip-the-line ticket here.
In case you're wondering, there's also the bigger San Diego Zoo Safari Park, packed with even more animals! You can buy a ticket here, or a combined 2-day ticket for the safari park and zoo. Check out more in our guide to things to do in San Diego with kids and the coolest kid-friendly hotels in San Diego.
The Exploratorium
The Exploratorium in San Francisco is an interactive science museum that's fun for kids and adults alike. I don't know who had more fun: me or the kiddos! Step inside a tornado, build electrical circuits, and visit the mad scientists' penny arcade. Whether you're a brainiac or a scatterbrain, you'll love skipping the ticket line and booking your ticket now. Want more ideas for fun things to do in San Francisco with kids? We've got you covered.
Dolphin and Whale Watching
You can catch whales off the California coast all year round, including blue whales in the summer and autumn, and gray whales in winter and spring. You can even spot finback whales, humpbacks, and dolphins all year long. Popular whale watching locations include Mendocino, San Francisco, Newport Beach, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Laguna Beach. Here's a great option from San Diego. There are more choices below from Get Your Guide.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is featured in countless films and is home to old-school fun like a roller coaster and a spinning carousel. Don't forget to try classic boardwalk treats like kettle corn, saltwater taffy, and fried Twinkies. The boardwalk is open from late May to late August, as well as most weekends and holidays throughout the year. Find out the opening hours here. During the off-season, the arcades, laser tag, miniature golf, and laser tag are still open. Explore more things to do in Santa Cruz.
Ride a Steam Train Through the Redwoods
One of the most unique family activities in California is taking a steam train ride through the redwoods at Roaring Camp Railroads in the Santa Cruz mountains. The 19th-century logging steam train and tracks were used to haul giant redwood logs off the mountains, and the 1-hour-15-minute trip takes you up Bear Mountain while the conductor tells tales of Roaring Camp. You can also catch a steam train from Roaring Camp to the boardwalk during the high season. Learn more about Roaring Camp and see the train schedules here. If you're in Mendocino County, you can do a similar thing from Fort Bragg on the Pudding Creek Express at the Skunk Railroad.
Sea Glass Beach
Just 30 minutes from downtown Mendocino is Fort Bragg's famous Sea Glass Beach. The beach is covered in colorful glass pebbles, and it's a fun place to take kids in California. Our little ones loved searching for their favorite treasures (well, be aware that you're not supposed to take any glass pebbles home).
Visit a Kid-Friendly Winery in Sonoma and Napa
Visiting a winery with kids might seem odd, but there are lots of family-friendly wineries in Sonoma and Napa. In Sonoma, we found vineyards with lawn games and farm animals, and one that even has a playground. Check out our guide to things to do in Sonoma for more family-friendly options. In Napa, one of the best options for kids is Castello di Amorosa, where kids can taste grape juice while the adults sip wine. They'll also love the novelty of being in a medieval castle.
Columbia State Historic Park
If you find yourself in Tuolumne's gold country, make sure to visit Columbia State Historic Park. This perfectly preserved gold rush town gives you a taste of what it was like to live in the 1850s. There are historic working businesses, including a blacksmiths, homemade candy store, candle shop, and an old-fashioned bowling alley. You can also do horse and carriage rides and pan for gold, which was a big hit with our little ones.
Avenue of the Giants
One of the great joys of California is the redwoods, and our kids have always loved being among them. The Avenue of the Giants in the Redwoods National Park on the Northern California coast is one of the best ways to experience these majestic trees. The 31-mile route is one of the most beautiful drives I've ever done, lined with trees that reach the sky. There are lots of stops along the way to explore hiking trails. A recommended stop that's fun for kids is Founders Grove, a short one-mile loop that takes you through some of the most beautiful forest in the area. There are also two trees you can drive through (Shrine drive-through tree and the drive-through tree park) - but watch out for bigger cars, as they might struggle!
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is California's answer to Yellowstone and is filled with geysers, fumaroles, and mud springs, topped by Lassen Peak, the world's largest volcanic dome. There are plenty of hiking trails, including routes that are suitable for every age from toddler. The very easiest trails are the Devastated Area Interpretative Trail, the Lily Pod Nature Loop, and the loop around Manzanita Lake. Other good options include the easily accessible Sulphur Works (where you can see fumaroles) and the popular Bumpass Hell trail, a gentle 3-mile hike that takes you past bubbling mud and turquoise pools. Manzanita Lake is an ideal base for watersports, and also pick up a Junior Ranger booklet where you can do activities within the park and receive a badge when you're done. Most of the park is only accessible during the summer months, from around May. But you can do some guided snowshoeing and cross-country ski tours in winter.
Santa Monica Pier
The famous Santa Monica Pier is home to an iconic Ferris wheel and roller coaster, as well as lots of other rides and amusement games that kids will love. The Santa Monica beach is also lovely, and there's a little playground next to the pier for little ones. Don't forget to try the aquarium under the pier, or visit the bigger Aquarium of the Pacific. The beach is a must-visit on any Pacific Coast Highway itinerary.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey might be most famous for its world-class aquarium, and it's definitely worth a visit. The kelp forest, giant open water tank, and jellyfish are incredible. While there, don't miss out on cannery row and fisherman's wharf. It's one of the most popular family attractions in California.
Turtle Bay Exploration Park
If you're visiting Redding with kids, don't miss Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The park combines a cultural and science museum with live animal exhibits, an aquarium, and a kids' outdoor play park. Highlights include the bird walk where you can feed colorful lorikeets, and during the summer months, they have an animal show that teaches about the resident animals. I especially loved seeing the grey fox and baby skunk, and for our little ones, visiting the park was one of the best days of their lives thanks to the raccoons.
Legoland California
LEGOLAND California has all the fun of its worldwide counterparts, including driving schools where kids get to drive mini cars around and earn their special LEGOLAND driving license, vehicle races, robot programming, and a game where you have to join together as a team to put out a fire and stop some thieves! There's also a brilliant LEGOLAND Water Park onsite (open during the summer only), which is fun for all ages, plus the SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium. Grab a combined 2-day ticket for all three here.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe, spanning California and Nevada, and its surrounding mountains are a perfect place to relax or get active. Expect snow sports in the winter and endless water activities in the summer, including SUP, boating, windsurfing, and more. Browse some ideas for tours and activities and fun things to do in California from Get Your Guide below.
Stay Somewhere Unique
California has some seriously cool and quirky accommodations that the kids will love. We stayed in a converted railway carriage near Mount Shasta at the Railroad Park Resort. You can even stay in a space-age pod in Joshua Tree. There are also lots of characterful cabins throughout the state.
Visit a Waterpark
This spot used to be reserved for Raging Waters in Sacramento, but that has now closed. Instead, check out Raging Waters in Los Angeles. And other fantastic waterparks in California include: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Concord and the Legoland Water Park in Carlsbad.
Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach is a fantastic place to experience the beauty of the area. It has three miles of coastline, sandy beaches, and wooded canyons. It's perfect for hiking, swimming, biking, surfing, and scuba diving. The surf is usually gentle and there are lots of tide pools for little ones to explore. We especially loved the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District, which has a great family-friendly restaurant called The Beachcomber right on the sand. It's the perfect place to retire after a day exploring the park or for a few days of rest in between your Cali adventures.
Calico Ghost Town
In the Mojave Desert is Calico Ghost Town, an old west silver mining town that was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value. It's been architecturally restored and turned into a tourist attraction. Kids will love exploring the ghost town, plus there are fun additional activities, including panning for gold, a house of optical illusions, an historic train ride, and trails for mountain bikes and off-road vehicles. Grab your tickets here.
Go to a Children's Museum
Looking for indoor fun? Check out one of California's fantastic children's museums. These interactive spots are geared towards younger kids, with arts and crafts areas, role play opportunities like mini supermarkets, and science sections with different experiments to try. Some great options include the Bay Area Discovery Museum in San Francisco, Sacramento's Children's Museum, The New Children's Museum in San Diego, Cayton Children's Museum in LA, and the Children's Museum of Sonoma in Santa Rosa.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
I was mad about rollercoasters as a kid, so Six Flags Magic Mountain blew my mind. It's an rollercoaster theme park enthusiast's dream, with 19 of the fastest roller coasters in the world. While there are some rides for younger kids, the focus is mostly on thrill-seeking older kids. It's a must-do for adrenaline junkies.
Pinecrest Lake
Pinecrest Lake in the High Sierra is a perfect place to relax or get active in California. The setting is stunning, with a crystal clear lake backed by magnificent granite peaks and surrounded by pine forest. In the summer, it's a great spot for swimming, boating, and hiking. You can rent boats at the Pinecrest Marina. Fishing is also very popular in the summer months.
La Brea Tar Pits
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles takes natural history museums to the next level by incorporating hundreds of Ice Age fossil displays with a genuine tar pit that you can see bubbling during your visit. Excavations are ongoing and you can watch the palaeontologists at work. There's also the brilliant Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Both are fantastic options for kids interested in science.
Sesame Place San Diego
Sesame Place San Diego is the nation's second Sesame Street-themed theme park (the original is in Philadelphia), and it features rides and shows based on the beloved Sesame Street characters.
California State Railroad Museum
The California State Railroad Museum is all about trains and has a collection of over 20 restored carriages and engines, as well as exhibits celebrating the railway and life around it. It's in Old Sac on the waterfront, and there are also lots of old trains outside the museum that you can explore for free. The museum also runs historic train rides. Tickets for the train ride are separate from museum entry and can be purchased without the other. Learn more about things to do in Sacramento with kids.
Skiing
California might be known for its beaches, but it also has plenty of snow-covered mountains and opportunities for skiing. Top ski resorts include South Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, Mount Shasta, and Olympic Valley.
Explore Yosemite
Yosemite is always a good idea. The most famous parts of the park, such as Half Dome and El Capitan, are centered around the Valley Floor. You can easily see the highlights in a day, but you'll need longer if you want to delve a little deeper or do some of the longer hikes. With kids, we recommend driving to Tunnel View for that classic valley view and doing one of the shorter hikes, like the Lower Yosemite Falls trail (an easy one-mile hike suitable for wheelchairs and strollers).
See a Baseball Game
A classic American family experience is going to watch a baseball game, so whether you're an sports fan or not, we recommend trying to catch a game while you're in California. For ideas, check out The Giants in San Francisco, The Dodgers in LA, the Sacramento River Cats, or local teams in any town you visit in California. And don't forget about the hot dogs!
Learn to Surf
Is there anything more California than heading to the beach and jumping on a surfboard? It's a great place for lessons and there are plenty of schools where you can take lessons. Cowell's Beach in Santa Cruz is a popular spot for beginners, and other good options include Surfrider Beach in Malibu, Mondos Beach in Ventura, and Bolinas north of San Francisco.
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park has mystified many for years, drawing hippies, mystics, and other seekers on a quest for the otherworldly. And the landscape will definitely catch the kids' imaginations. Aside from visiting the park, don't miss Pioneertown, which was built in the 1950s as a Wild West movie set and is still used for filming today.
Catalina Island
Catalina Island, one of the Channel Islands, is kid-friendly paradise known as Kidalina. Families can relax at the beach, go on boat rides, and participate in various adventure activities like parasailing, aerial adventure, mini golf, giant ziplines, and arcades. It's only a short ferry ride from San Pedro, Long Beach, Dana Point, or Newport Beach. Looking for more California family fun? Check out our guide to the best activities in California with kids.
Adventure Awaits in California!
California has everything a family could want in a vacation destination. With its combination of world-class attractions, stunning natural scenery, and endless opportunities for adventure, it's no wonder families keep coming back year after year. From Disneyland to the redwoods, there's something for every family to enjoy. So pack your bags and get ready to create some lifelong memories in the golden state!
[1] Travel with Kids Blog - 15 Best Things to Do in Santa Cruz with Kids. (2020, August 27). https://travelwithkidsblog.com/best-things-to-do-in-santa-cruz-with-kids/
[2] Travel with Kids Blog - 15 Best things to do in Yosemite National Park with kids. (2020, June 16). https://travelwithkidsblog.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-yosemite-national-park-with-kids/
[3] Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau - Things to Do with Kids in Monterey, CA. https://www.visitsmca.com/things-to-do/kids-teens/
[4] LA with Kids - Best Kids' Attractions in Los Angeles. (n.d.). https://lawsanks.com/best-kids-attractions-in-los-angeles/
[5] Hip Hostels - The Ultimate Guide to Visiting San Diego with a Toddler. (2021, January 11). https://www.hiphostels.com/blog/san-diego-toddler/
In the magical state of California, days are filled with both relaxation and adventure – from visiting renowned attractions like Disneyland, Universal Studios, and San Diego Zoo, to exploring natural wonders such as the redwood forests and Avenue of the Giants. For sports enthusiasts, don't miss out on seeing a baseball game or learning to surf at legendary California beaches like Malibu or Santa Cruz. And from exploring Yosemite's famous landmarks to embarking on a family road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway, there's truly something for everyone in this family-friendly destination. So pack your bags and start creating unforgettable memories with your little explorers!
