It’s the New Year and time to get out and have an adventure with your family!  We know all about tight budgets, pinching pennies, and sometimes the cost of travel can be very immobilizing but if you will consider traveling on just one tank of gas and finding adventures for cheap, it can make for a day filled with fun memories with your kids.  Here are some ideas for places to enjoy by traveling on one tank of gas from the San Diego area.

Palomar Mountain

Photo courtest Flickr uaer Abraxas3d

Any time our family can get away, our favorite places to visit are outdoor areas that have spaces to run, sticks to pick up, and fresh air to breathe.  Our family loves to play “Base Tag” anytime we are in a forest.  My kids hide behind rocks and trees and try to make it back to “base” before daddy can tag them.  Approximately 70 miles from downtown San Diego is Palomar Mountain State Park, a pine-forested mountain area at 6,000 feet in elevation, with picnicking, hiking, camping, fishing, biking, and more. The highlight of this area is the Palomar Mountain Observatory where families can look at the 200-inch Hale Telescope and watch a video on its inner workings.   On your way up or down the mountain, be sure to stop at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center for some delicious farm treats, or see living history at Mission San Antonio de Pala on Highway 76.

Julian

Photo courtesy Flickr user Mandaroo

This little town is known for its pies, antique stores, and fresh-grown, crisp apples.  An hour drive from downtown San Diego will take families to this quaint and cute village.  Train rides, mining tours, and panning for gold will have kids searching for that elusive treasure and talking about it for years to come.  My boys quickly learned to swirl the gold pan just the right way to make the heavy gold flakes stick to the bottom while the lighter stuff washed away.  They talked about their treasures all the way home.  If you want to find some fun adventure mining, visit the Julian Train & Gold Mine, Eagle Mining Company, the Julian Mining Company, or the Julian Pioneer Museum.  Make sure to finish  day by devouring a delicious slice of pie!

Cabrillo National Monument

Families on Trekaroo are singing the praises of the Cabrillo National Monument because of the incredible views of the San Diego Harbor, downtown buildings, and the glittering Pacific Ocean.  The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is like a beacon for children who love running to it and viewing the historical facts and replicas.  Families can climb the steep spiral staircase to the viewing platform above. Check the tide charts before going and enjoy the sea life in the tide pools below the lighthouse or take a stroll along the steep wave-weathered cliffs and enjoy the wild views of a seemingly never ending Pacific.

Torrey Pines State Park and Beach

There are too many gorgeous beaches in the San Diego area to list, but the beach below Torrey Pines State Park derves special mention. It is extra beautiful because the cliffs and hills above it is home to the rarest pine tree on the planet,the Torrey Pine.  Families love exploring the hiking trails which feature sweeping vistas of Torrey Pines State Park which hug the Pacific and have spenting time in the visitor center.  After exploring the “hill” where the Torrey Pines are, head down to the beach to enjoy some time in the sun and play in the water.

Escondido

Photo courtesy Flickr user Nicmcc

This North County city has several claims to fame, such as being home to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (a 4.5 star activity for Trekaroo families) and the EscondidoChildren’s Museum.  My husband grew up in this city and eagerly took me to Dixon Lake while we were dating.  Located just north of Escondido, but unknown to many residents, this man-made small lake boasts great bass fishing.  Families will enjoy picnicking on the grass, getting out some energy on the playgrounds, and even renting a rowboat for a cruise around the lake.  Camping, rock-climbing, and bike riding are other fun activities for families to enjoy.  Many people enjoy parties and get-togethers at this outdoor park on the weekends, so if you want a less crowded experience, visit on a weekday.

Carlsbad

The beach town of Carlsbad boasts so many activities for families, that one day here might not be enough.  My kids recently spent a couple of hours touring the Museum of Making Music where they got to play real instruments and learn about the history of music.  When we visited the Flower Fields last May (open seasonally) my parents were just as delighted in the gorgeous blooms as my kids were, when they weren’t running through the Sweet Pea Maze.  LEGOLAND is the biggest pull for families, and I must say that the Star Wars section of MiniLand is not to be missed. If your day-trip turns into an overnighter, consider a stay at the  West Inn & Suites. My family recently had the opportunity to stay at this family friendly property and really enjoyed our visit. You can read my full review of the West Inn & Suites on Trekaroo.

Coronado Island

Photo courtesy Flickr user Funcrunch

The thrill of driving over the large, iconic bridge to Coronado Island is just the start to a great day of family fun.  Trekaroo families have called Coronado City Beach the “Best Beach in Southern California.”  That is saying a lot considering there are  hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline in California!  I guess the soft sand, free parking, and pretty shells go a long way in making a beach great. The Coronado Ferry Landing is a fun shopping and eating destination.  Trekaroo user sunnysd365 recently shared her family’s favorite activities on Coronado Island.  Their highlights included biking and scootering on the beach boardwalk, walking down Orange Avenue, visiting the historic Hotel Del Coronado, playing at Spreckels Park, and enjoying delicious treats at MooTime Creamery and Café 1134.

Wherever you decide to go on one tank of gas this year, let it lead you to great adventure and fun with your family.  We’d love to hear about it!

Want more San Diego fun? Check out

San Diego Must See With Kids in 5 Days

Family Fun in San Diego

5 Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in San Diego

Fun Activities For Toddlers in San Diego

Michelle McCoy (aka Mcfam) is Trekaroo’s Southern California Destination Guroo. She and her husband, Matt, have 3 boys and a girl ages 2 to 10.  They love traveling to National Parks and going camping, but when life with young kids keeps them home, they find their fun in traveling to the local beaches in Orange County and hiking in the wilderness areas nearby.

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In this economy, money is tight but families still want to travel. If your restless children are climbing the walls you may want to consider a cost effective road trip. It may not be the island vacation you’ve been dreaming of, but road trips are a fun way to enjoy the day with your family, a “quickie” you might say. Or, as Mick Jagger would say: ‘You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.’ Here are Trekaroo’s top picks for places your family can visit on one tank of gas from Sacramento.

 Tour Moaning Cavern & Mercer Cavern in Calaveras County

Under the gently rolling hills of Calaveras County, are hundreds of limestone caverns, an ideal family vacation activity. Visitors of all ages have the opportunity to learn about cavern geology at Moaning Caverns and Mercer Caverns. Moaning Cavern is the largest single chamber public cavern in California. The main room is large enough to fit the Statue of Liberty inside. Moaning Caverns offers a holiday ‘Caroling in the Cave’ concert featuring a rappelling Santa and local high school choirs singing a cappella.

Read Trekaroo user reviews of Mercer Caverns

Auburn is known for its California Gold Rush history

Gold panning is a favorite tourist attraction. Kids in particular will love panning for specks and flakes like the thousands of miners who flocked to California in the mid-19th century. You might even sneak some history in, and there’s a (microscopic) chance you’ll come out of the experience with your very own gold nugget! Direction and free brochures to popular panning spots are available at Auburn California Welcome Center.

What Auburn’s less known for, but is of equal importance to tweens, is the Skateboard Park at Overlook Park. The Skate Park has ample parking and offers a beautiful view of the canyon. The park also connects to walking trails that access the canyon. Bring your lunch, park your car, and enjoy a wonderful relaxing view.

Step into the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield

Smell the aroma of chocolate, peach, cinnamon, pineapple, or whatever is being cooked up that day. Fairfield is located about 45 minutes west of Sacramento. Participate in the free 40-minute walking tour in which Jelly Belly tour guides show you a real working factory where over 150 different sweet treats are cooked up. Swing by the gift shop and buy the BeanBoozled Game.  BeanBoozled jelly beans are a collection of 20 lookalike flavors, some so crazy you can’t believe it, while others are the delicious Jelly Belly beans you love. New this year are Canned Dog Food and Centipede flavors. Take the dare with the spinner wheel, then pick and eat the jelly bean in the color the spinner lands on. Is the black jelly bean Licorice, or is it Skunk Spray?

Read Trekaroo user reviews of the Jelly Belly Factory

 Visit Vallejo Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Nothing provides more lasting memories for children than a great day shared with family at an amusement park. At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom you’ll find thrilling rides, a wide variety of entertainment, and huggable cartoon characters. That’s why I took my 3 yr old son here for his birthday on a Wednesday morning in August. The park was practically empty. No lines for rides, no lines for anything WOOOOO!! Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is an animal theme park and includes a variety of roller coasters and other amusement rides, along with a collection of animal exhibits and shows. Families can even get in the water and swim with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins!  The Dolphin Discovery program is available seven days a week throughout the year. 

Read reviews of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Trekaroo.

 The waterfront Children’s Museum of Stockton is amazing

The Children’s Museum of Stockton ‘Where Every Touch is a Know-Know!’ opened in 1994 as a memorial to the elementary students killed in a 1989 massacre at Cleveland Elementary School. The museum was the brainchild of a teacher at the school who was wounded in the attack, Janet Geng, Founding Director of The Children’s Museum of Stockton.  Each year, more than 55,000 children play in its little grocery store, climb inside its ambulance and peer inside the mouth of a larger-than-life Delta bass. KIDSWORLD is a permanent exhibit in the museum. KIDSWORLD which occupies three-fourths of the 22,000 square foot structure is a child’s version of a miniature city. Over 40 exhibits including a bank, hospital, grocery store, recycling, art center, and a post office engage children in a hands-on exploration of a functioning city. The new exhibit, “Healthier Ever After,” is an interactive feature highlighting exercise, nutrition and smart food choices and will be on display through mid-January

Read reviews of the Children’s Museum of Stockton on Trekaroo.

 Walk among roaring, stomping, realistic-looking dinosaurs at – Lawrence Hall of Science- UC Berkeley

Explore the prehistoric world like never before in Dinosaurs Unearthed. Scientists, engineers, and artists designed these creatures to be as lifelike as possible. The gigantic animals open their jaws, blink their eyes, and move their limbs. See the Hall’s dinos spring to life — if you dare! Dinosaurs Unearthed features amazingly real animatronic dinosaurs, a hands-on fossil dig site, articulated full-size skeletons, actual dinosaur fossils, and interactive multimedia stations. Younger visitors will have fun in the Young Explorers’ Experience. This special exhibition area features activities designed for visitors aged 2–7 years.

Visitors to Lawrence Hall of Science can also explore the skies in an interactive planetarium, where questions and activities are part of the program! The geodesic dome is installed with a state-of-the-art projection system. The 50-seat planetarium’s Public Planetarium Program is presented every Saturday and Sunday. Daily programs are also offered Monday-Friday during the summer. Saturday Night Stargazing, weather permitting, is held every 3rd Saturday of the month, year-round.

Read Trekaroo user reviews of Lawrence Hall of Science.

 Apple Hill growers such as #1 High Hill Ranch and #14 Denver Dan’s Apple Patch offer many kid-specific activities and fun for the whole family

One of the oldest ranches on Apple Hill, High Hill Ranch, offers daily fishing and you’re almost guaranteed to catch something there. Fishing is priced per pound and you have to keep your catch so unless you want to walk around all day carrying a dead fish I’d save this activity for last! On the weekends the ranch offers pony rides, face painting, and hay rides.

At #14 Denver Dan’s Apple Patch children will have a tour of the orchard, will be shown how to pick an apple (correctly) & will have a container which will hold about 3 apples. They will return to the barn and have a demonstration of an apple peeler (it will make apple slinkies!)  Next they will have a treat of apple cookies and glass of apple cider, and apple stickers to take home with the apples they have picked.  Also at Denver Dan’s is Cookin’ Kids, a pie making class for kids age 3 & up. Kids get to roll their own dough, place in 6” pie pan, and fill the crust with pie makins’. Then they learn to roll the top crust, place it on the pie, and crimp the edges. Any leftover dough goes into cookies that they can top with decorations! Their pies and cookies are baked and placed into individual containers for the kids to take home and share!

Photo by: Trekaroo/MissBirdieMFGS

Read Trekaroo user reviews of #1 High Hill Ranch

Be on the lookout for more “One  Tank Road Trips” heading your way as we launch this fun series across the US. 

Can’t hardly wait??  Tell us, what are your favorite places to go on one tank of gas from your city!

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Pensacola, Florida, is located on the Gulf Coast, which probably makes you start dreaming about summer vacations at the beach.  In actuality, Pensacola is a great place to visit at any time of the year!

Winter in Pensacola – Just Cold Enough to Want to Stay Inside

In the past week or two, the temperatures have finally dipped down below the 70s.  This is the time for us to dig out our sweaters and head downtown to take a trolley ride for Winterfest.  There are 12 stops where local performers act out holiday favorites that everyone will recognize like Rudolph and the Polar Express.  There is a free musical performance and you can visit Santa while you are there.

If it is too cold for you outside, you can stay warm in one of the great museums around town.  The National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola is one of the largest Naval Aviation museums in the world.  Everybody loves climbing in and out of the plane and helicopter cockpits where you can pretend to fly.  See an IMAX movie or take a spin on the simulators.  The TT Wentworth Discovery Gallery is a great place to let the kids run around indoors.  The children can learn more about colonial life in Pensacola through interactive play and hands-on activities.  There is a general store, a fort with costumes, a pirate ship and more.

Spring in Pensacola – My Favorite Time of Year 

Spring is my favorite time of year in Pensacola.  It is the perfect time to spend the weekends hiking the many different trails around town.  When I let them choose, my children always pick the Edward Ball Nature Trail on the University of West Florida campus.  There is a short boardwalk where your kids will spy turtles, fish, and maybe even a snake or alligator.  The Arcadia Mill Archeological Site is another great boardwalk to explore.  As you wander along the boardwalk, read the signs describing the different areas of this former industrial complex.  There is also a small swinging bridge to walk across.

We take full advantage of the spring weather and check out some of our favorite parks in the area.  Parents will enjoy the peaceful view at the Sanders Beach-Corrine Johnson Park.  The park overlooks the water, much of the playground equipment is covered, and there are benches and picnic areas to enjoy a snack.  Though there isn’t much by way of playground equipment, Aviation Park sits right on the Pensacola International Airport flight line.  There is a pretend air traffic control tower that you can sit in and listen to the real air traffic controllers.  The speakers are linked to the Pensacola International Airport tower.

Summer in Pensacola – Build castles in powdery white sand

Our summers are humid and hot so we spend a lot of time at the beach.  After a long day of splashing in the waves and playing in the sand, we always have to make a trip to Ft. Pickens on the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  This pre-Civil War fort has lots of walkways and nooks to check out.  Bring your flashlights because some of the halls are dark.  We leave a pair of headlamps in our car for the kids just in case we make an impromptu stop at the fort.  Our family beach trip wouldn’t be complete without an early dinner at Peg Leg Pete’s.  The kid’s meal comes with a pirate eye patch in a bright blue sand bucket.Plaza de Luna Park

If the beach isn’t your thing, visit Plaza de Luna in Downtown Pensacola.  There is a small splash pad, a great concession stand, and a pretty view.  This is a favorite spot for fishermen so you just might see them pulling up their catch.  Wander in and out of the shops along Palafox when you are finished.

The summertime is when the farms open for U-pick and the blueberries are perfectly plump and sweet.  Pick pounds of blueberries as a family.  Of course, if your children are anything like mine you will probably find them hiding in a bush eating all their freshly picked blueberries.  A& N Blueberries is a family friendly farm that offers inexpensive U-pick berries and is a great family outing.

Fall in Pensacola –Festivals Every Week

For me, fall has officially arrived when we attend the annual Pensacola Seafood Festival.  There are hundreds of arts and crafts vendors and lots of new seafood to try.  There is a children’s area with arts and crafts.  Santa Rosa County’s Beaches to Rivers offers all sorts of great fall events, too.  There are corn mazes to get lost in and pumpkin patches to visit.

Whenever we want to get out of the house but can’t seem to come up with a plan, we head to one of Florida’s state parks.  There are a five state parks within a 45 minute radius of Pensacola.  See the endangered pitcher plants at Tarkiln Bayou or Yellow Marsh River Preserve State Park.  Big Lagoon State Park has lots of walking trails by the beach.  There is an observation tower that you can climb up to get a great view of the water or you can canoe or tube down the river at Blackwater River State Park.

You will be sure to find plenty of family friendly activities no matter when you visit Pensacola, Florida!

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Trekaroo is proud to launch our new series: One Tank Road Trips!  This year we invite you to hop in the car, bust out some fun traveling tunes, and drive to a new family vacation spot:  close enough not to break the bank, and yet still overflowing with family fun!

Photo by: flickr/Chovee

The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is not only one of the largest and most visited cities in the nation, but it’s rich in cultural history, inundated with several large lakes, filled with museums of all types, and is a mecca for family entertainment.  Below are a few of the best places for families to visit from the DFW Metroplex on a tank of gas.

North Of The Metroplex

Lake Murray State Park, Ardmore, OK
From Denton to the S. Entrance: 63 miles or 1 Hour, 12 minutes one way.
Get out of the city and surround yourself in lush greenery for a weekend!  Lake Murray State Park has activities for all ages including boating, children’s programs, golf, mini-golf, tennis courts, swimming, picnicking, a playground, camping, and more.  If camping’s not your style, cozy up in one of their vintage hotel rooms or a remodeled historic cabin, and grab a meal at The Apple Bin Restaurant.  Be sure to head to the marina and feed the fish, hike on the maintained trails, and visit Tucker Tower for some incredible photo ops!

Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch   Pilot Point, TX
From Denton, TX: 21 miles or a 30 minute drive one way.  $10/adults; $8/kids
Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch is a relatively inexpensive, hands-on wildlife experience that everyone must do!  On the tram ride, they hang feed buckets on the outside of the tram and allow you to pet the baby camel and zebras as they’re eating.  Near the entrance, they have a hands-on show and tell with the smaller animals like lemurs and kangaroos.  There is also a small bucket train ride for kids and many other educational experiences!

In The Heart Of Dallas

Dallas Arts District
-Crow Collection of Asian Art  (Admission is Free)  Get immersed in Asian culture past and present through The Crow’s contemporary and historic art collections.  For families, the 1st Saturday of the month is children’s day from 10am-2pm where kids can have their face painted, listen to stories, watch relevant performances, and participate in art activities.

-Nasher Sculpture Center  Kid’s will love running on the manicured lawns, walking along the garden’s paths, and gazing at the towering steel sculptures in front of them.  One of my favorites is Jonathan Borofsky’s Walking To The Sky, a steel and painted sculpture that stands 100 feet tall!  The 1st Saturday of each month Target Sponsor’s a free day from 10am-2pm, where kids can participate in an art scavenger hunt, do an art activity, watch a demonstration, or take a family tour.

-Texas Discovery Gardens & Butterfly House    The Texas Discovery Garden is the first public garden in the state of Texas to be certified as 100% organic and boasts a large 7.5 acres in the popular Fair Park Complex.  Be sure to walk through the scent garden, especially with kids, as well as the native wildlife pond.  The Butterfly House is another favorite with butterfly releases at noon, and an insect collection in the lobby.  Family events are offered throughout the year, but our favorite time to visit is on Tuesday when the gardens are free (butterfly house is regular admission)!

Central

Irving Art’s Center
Irving Art’s Center is centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth, which makes for an easy commute from anywhere within the DFW Metroplex.  A meca for performing and fine arts, Irving Art’s Center offers free and low cost family programs throughout the year.  Because it’s an affiliate of the Smithsonian, the Art’s Center can borrow artifacts from the Smithsonian’s 136 million object collection for future installments.  Be sure to check the calendar and plan on spending a day exploring the museum and taking part in the free classes, workshops, storytimes, and fundays.

Near Fort Worth

Grapevine, TX
Grapevine is one of my favorite cities in the DFW Metroplex!  Not only is there a gigantic mall (Grapevine Mills) that houses Legoland, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and the Rainforest Cafe, but the city is situated beside Grapevine Lake, has it’s own Vintage Railroad, and some of the best family hotels in the Metroplex!  If you’re on a budget, spend the morning hiking under the trees along Grapevine Lake, or fishing next to the shore.  Then, take the kiddos over to Bass Pro Shop and identify the various fish inside their aquarium.  Grab a bite to eat at the food court in the mall and walk the indoor mile-long path past the interesting retailers and activities.  My kids loved walking inside the giant bubble on water and watching the “alligator” outside of the Rainforest Cafe!

Fort Worth Stockyards
Giddyup Cowboys and Cowgirls and head on over to the Fort Worth Stockyards for a day of historical fun.  Ride the Vintage Railroad, take a walk through the Cattlepen Maze, watch the Texas Cowhands drive a herd of Longhorn Cattle down the road (11:30am & 4pm daily), visit the petting zoo, and watch a real rodeo (Friday and Saturday at 8pm).  Different activities cost different prices, so be sure to check in advance before moseying on over.

West Of The Metroplex

Granbury, TX

From Fort Worth, it’s approximately 41 miles or 50 minutes.

According to Granbury’s Convention & Visitor’s Bureau website, Granbury is rich in Texas History, with a few of it’s famous and infamous guests or residences including Davy Crockett, John Wilkes-Booth, and Jesse James.  For a fun family day in Granbury, start your morning off at Windmill Farms and drive or walk past the 40+ windmills that have been restored and are proudly displayed on the property.  Then, head on over to the U.S. Veteran’s Museum with real airplane displays outside, reenactments, and artifacts from every war up to date.  To satisfy those rumbling tummies, families will love grabbing lunch at the Groggy Dawg Grill and Marina, a floating restaurant right on Lake Granbury.  At City Beach, families can make large sand sculptures with the fine white sand found on Lake Granbury’s shores and then head over to The Art of Chocolate Shoppe for a quick treat.  Before settling in for the night, be sure to catch a movie at Brazo’s Drive-In Theater, an authentic 1950’s theater for only $18 a carload!

*All mileage and times are based on a Mapquest search

Be on the lookout for more “One  Tank Road Trips” heading your way as we launch this fun series across the US.

We would LOVE to hear from you!  If you’ve been to  someplace family friendly in Dallas/Ft. Worth  and have something to share about it,  please visit Trekaroo.com, sign up for a free account, and write a review!  We’d love to hear about your family’s favorite places.

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Trekaroo is excited to begin a new series where we highlight our picks of the top ten things for families to do in each of the 50 states. We decided to kick off the series with our home state of California. Limiting the list to just ten activities was incredibly difficult, but we think families seeking the ultimate California experience will find it!

I love California. I have been lucky enough to travel all over the country and experience some truly incredible parks, museums, and vistas, but my heart always leads me back to my home state and its incredible beauty, diversity and culture. Creating a top ten list for families to experience in California was both a joy and heart wrenching experience- I could have easily made it a top 100! After many hours of deliberation, I feel that this list will give families seeking the ultimate California experience just that.  Without further ado, here are Trekaroo’s top ten things for families to do in California.

10. Roam the desert

Over 15% of California’s total area is desert, so a trip to the Golden State wouldn’t be complete without some time discovering it’s often overlooked beauty. Families will have a blast climbing on the massive boulders surrounded by grotesque and Dr. Seuss-like Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park, watching the desert bloom during an early and short-lived spring in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and standing at the lowest point in North America inside of Death Valley National Park before climbing up the massive Eureka Sand Dunes.

Read family reviews of things to do in California’s desert.

9. Experience San Francisco

I have yet to see a city more beautiful then San Francisco with it’s row-house-lined rolling hills, expansive Golden Gate Park, and iconic bridges. Families could spend weeks exploring “The City” (locals would never call it San Fran) and still not see everything worth seeing. Touring Alcatraz, buying fresh produce at the Farmers Market on the Embarcadero, visiting the sea lions at Pier 39, having clam chowder inside a bread bowl from Boudin’s near Fisherman’s Wharf, flying a kite at Crissy Field, and taking in the Golden Gate Bridge views from Baker Beach are just a few of the water front experiences families will love. Of course dining in the city’s many ethnic neighborhoods, exploring all the incredible museums (including the California Academy of Sciences, MoMA, and the Exploratorium), watching free concerts in Golden Gate Park, shopping in Union Square, and catching a ballgame at AT&T Park are all essential as well.  Bottom line: go see the City by the Bay!

Find family-friendly activities in San Francisco.

8. See San Diego’s wild side

San Diego is an animal lover’s vacation destination. It is home to the world famous San Diego Zoo and its 4,000 animals representing 800 species from around the world on 100 acres of immaculately landscaped grounds.  SeaWorld, an aquatic theme park home to Shamu and all his marine life friends, is located on the calm waters of San Diego’s Mission Bay.  Sea stars, limpets, and anemones living inside the tide pools of Cabrillo National Monument’s are always fun to discover as well as migrating grey whales offshore. For a safari experience without the hassle of leaving the continent, head to the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park which houses 3,000 African and Asian species over 1800 acres, many of which are comingling on a recreated savannah that guests can tour from the comfort of a narrated safari tram.

Read reviews of family friendly hotels in San Diego.

7. Stand at the base of the tallest living things on earth

Tucked up in the northwestern corner of the state is a fog shrouded coastline thick with a forest filled with Redwoods. The tallest Redwood stands at a dizzying 379.1 feet, but looking up at any of the old growth giants is sure to make your head spin. A walk through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park’s Jurassic feeling Fern Canyon followed by some time on the beach with the resident heard of Roosevelt elk is an experience that every member of the family won’t soon forget.

Find reviews of kids friendly activities along the Redwood Coast.

6. Spots stars in Hollywood

It seems like whenever I talk to people who are dreaming about their first vacation in California, a trip to Hollywood is normally towards the top of their list. Celebrity dominates our culture and Hollywood is the center of the celebrity universe. Head to Universal Studios or the Warner Brothers lot and take the fascinating studio tours, get free tickets to watch one of your favorite television shows tape, rub elbows with wax representations of your favorite stars at Madame Tussauds, put your hands in the celebrity prints in front of Mann’s Chinese Theater, stroll the Walk of Fame, and get your picture taken in front of the Hollywood sign. You know you want to!

Find more family friendly fun near Hollywood.

5. Experience the deep blue beauty of Lake Tahoe

California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range is filled with azure alpine lakes, evergreen forests, and granite mountainsides but Lake Tahoe is truly the crown jewel. The largest alpine lake in North America and amazingly clear with a 1,645 foot depth, the Lake Tahoe and its surrounding wilderness are a wonderful all-season destination. During the winter months, alpine sports such as skiing and snowboarding are family favorites, while during the summer, boating, hiking, and swimming in the frigid waters are amongst the most popular activities.

Read reviews of family friendly lodging at Lake Tahoe.

4. See Central California’s jaw-dropping Big Sur Coast

Imagine walking through a forest and suddenly reaching an opening in the trees which leads you to cliff’s edge and the crashing Pacific below. Then imagine peering over the edge and discovering a waterfall plunging down onto the deserted beach below. Sound like paradise? I think so! You can find this slice of heaven at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and many more like it up and down the winding Big Sur coast.  Monterey and Carmel lie at the top of this stretch of coastline and these charming towns offer plenty of low key fun for families, including Point Lobos State Reserve and Monterey’s famous aquarium.

Read reviews of kid friendly activities along the Central Coast.

3. Visit the happiest place on earth

Magical down to the very last detail, a trip to the Disneyland Resort is most definitely an essential California experience. Sure there are parks in Florida, Japan, and Europe, but Disneyland is the original. California Adventure, once overshadowed by Disneyland, is quickly stepping into its own spotlight with a $1 billion renovation which when finished will include a re-themed entrance featuring 1920’s and 30’s Hollywoodland nostalgia and Carsland. The immensely popular (and absolutely incredible) World of Color and long anticipated Little Mermaid ride are already successful aspects of this transformation. A splurge to stay at one of the Disney hotels is definitely recommended whether it be the more budget conscious Paradise Pier Hotel, stunning Grand Californian, or hip and newly remodeled Disneyland Hotel.

Read reviews of kid friendly lodging near Disneyland.

2. Fall in love with Yosemite

John Muir once said of Yosemite “but no temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite. Every rock in its walls seems to glow with life…as if into this one mountain mansion Nature had gathered her choicest treasures…”.  Standing in the middle of Yosemite Valley, surrounded but sheer granite monoliths, rushing waterfalls, and lush meadows, it is hard not to agree. But Yosemite is much more than that small 7miles long and 1mile wide valley, it is Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Vernal Falls, Mariposa Grove, Hetch Hetchy, and 761,268 acres of pristine and protected wilderness.  Every family needs to see it.

Find reviews of family friendly things to do in Yosemite.

1. Watch a sunset on the beach

California has 840 miles of coastline and hundreds of diverse beaches just waiting to be explored. Wide sandy beaches like Santa Monica or Huntington are popular with families looking for a classic day in the warm California sun while animal enthusiasts will love spotting elephant seals at Año Nuevo and sea otters off Avila Beach.  The lonely windswept beaches of Point Reyes are just as beautiful as the sun-kissed surfing spots at San Onofre. So whether it is on white sand at Laguna, black sand in Marin, or rocky tidelands along the Lost Coast, make sure to take time to sit down together and stare out into Pacific while watching those last moments of light slip away. Isn’t California grand?

Sharlene Earnshaw is the blog editor for Trekaroo.

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