California offers a range of family vacation activities. Whether you want to relax on the beach, visit museums or go on an adventure, there is something for everyone.
Affordable Camping
El Capitan Canyon provides an easy way for families to experience nature in upscale cabins surrounded by a beautiful forest. This family vacation getaway is only a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. Cabins and tents are surrounded by 3,500 acres of hiking trails and a state beach. During the summer months, try ocean kayaking or take a surfing lesson.
All cabins have outdoor picnic table, wireless Internet access and direct dial telephones in case you need to keep in touch with your boss while on vacation. Upgrades such as fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs and sleeping lofts are also available. Cabin rates start at $225 in the summer, and tents are $145. Find out more about El Capitan Canyon and plan your family vacation.
A Coastal Family Trip Idea in California
The Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Southern California has a year-round heated swimming pool, ideal for a family getaway. Guests of the hotel have easy access to the Santa Monica State Beach. Enjoy a family picnic, visit the Santa Monica Pier, or go out for an afternoon of shopping. Choose from rooms and suites in two towers, or splurge on one of the 32 garden bungalows with private patios. Room rates start at $339 in the summer, bungalows from $459 per night.
Take Kids to a Desert Resort and Explore the Surrounding Nature
Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort provides a great starting point for exploring Death Valley National Park. Families can choose from activities such as tennis, horseback riding, horse-drawn carriage rides, golf and spa treatments. There is a children's playground and spring-fed swimming pools. The 224 room Furnace Creek Ranch is usually a better option for families than the historic 66 room Furnace Creek Inn. Deluxe rooms at Furnace Creek Ranch have small patios or balconies. Deluxe room rates start at $146 per night.
Laguna Beach
Montage Resort & Spa, located in Laguna Beach, offers vacation activities for all ages. Whether your family enjoys swimming, kayaking or hiking, the area offers something for everyone.
For the younger guests, Montage has a children's club designed for children 5-12 years old where kids can engage in arts, crafts, games and activities such as cooking, hiking, and fishing in the kids pool. On Saturday evenings, the resort organizes the Kids Night Out, giving you the opportunity to enjoy that romantic dinner you've been planning. During the holidays, special events are organized by the resort, including the Kids Spa Day, Kids Cooking Corner, Garden Tea Party, Wiggle Workouts and Sandcastles Extravaganza.
Three water slides and a water play zone
La Costa Resort and Spa features new splash Landing pools and waterslides, including three pools, three waterslides, a waterplay zone and the Splash Cafe. The height requirement for the two large waterslides is 48" and the height requirement for the smaller waterslide is 36." However, small children have their own sandy beach pool.
Visit Carlsbad Beach, just five minutes from the resort. This is one of the top beaches in California, great for swimming and surfing. The resort offers a shuttle to the beach in the summer. Kids ages 6-12 can take their first surfing lesson at the Half-Day Surf Camp, offered seasonally by La Costa. Room rates start at $300 per night (plus tax and $21 daily resort charge).
Safari West Lets Kids See Rare Animals
Plan a family vacation to Safari West, a wildlife preserve in Napa Valley and watch 400 animal species such as zebras, giraffes and cheetahs. Safari West offers daily safari tours as well as private safaris on the 400-acre wildlife preserve. Sleep in one of the upscale safari tents imported from Africa. Tents start at $225 per night.
Take Your Family to San Francisco
The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco is a first class hotel for families. Kids can play in the hotel's indoor pool and order from the children's menu at The Terrace Restaurant. Visit Fisherman's Wharf, ride in a cable car and take a family photo at the Golden Gate Park.
The hotel provides family vacationers with the "Nanny Survival Kit" and the "POLO" Program which provides young guests with a night-light, tub spout cover and electrical outlet plugs. Rooms from around $459 per night, depending on the season. Browse more family vacation ideas.
