If you are planning a trip to California with a young family, it may be a good idea to avoid the hustle and bustle of a large, crowded city like Los Angeles. Although the City of Angels has its charms, let’s explore five California spots that are great options for families with young children.
Newport Beach
Newport Beach is well known for its many beaches, its proximity to famous spots like Huntington and Laguna, and its shopping and cuisine choices. The coastal city is fairly close to Los Angeles (and the Disneyland Resort), so it could be a great place to consider vacation home rentals Newport Beach CA as your central point of touring Southern California.
San Diego
San Diego may be the second largest city in California, but it is still half the size of Los Angeles. The well-known city has a never-ending amount of places to go, things to see, and geographical beauty to explore. Families with young children will love exploring the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, Legoland, Sea World, Pacific Beach, and so much more.
Carmel-By-The-Sea
A much smaller beachside town is Carmel-by-the-Sea, a charming, beautiful coastal town nestled between San Jose and San Francisco. Between the beaches and the incredible number of restaurants and shops to explore, you are sure to be busy all day. Take a short drive to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium where you can watch rescued sea otters play, count jellyfish, and be in awe of the amazing life found in the Pacific Ocean.
Yosemite National Park
Moving away from the many beach destinations found in California, Yosemite National Park is a wonderful and different choice for a nature loving family. Camping in Yosemite is an eye-opening experience for children of any age, as they marvel at massive (and massively old) Giant Sequoia trees, hike Glacier Point, play in the rivers or under a waterfall, and learn how to be a park ranger. There is nothing like the joy of seeing young children connect to nature.
Mammoth Lakes
If you’re planning a winter visit to California, you can always plan a trip to the mountains to teach children how to ski or snowboard. Mammoth Lakes is the small mountainside town nestled below Mammoth Mountain, a popular and enormous ski resort located on an active volcano. It sounds more ominous than it is. Playing in the snow for the first time is a wonderful memory to give to your children, so consider visiting during the early months of the year when the snow is thickest.
There are no shortages of places to visit in California, so choose one (or many) that your young family can enjoy together.