Kids love California as much as adults do — it's sort of like a giant playground with all the latest toys. Anyone traveling with kids won't have a problem finding things to do; the trick is how to fit it all in.
Itinerary #1
On Day 1, fly the brood into San Diego. Spend Day 2 and Day 3 enjoying San Diego and SeaWorld.
 | San Diego's three main family attractions offer combo ticket deals that reward you with big savings. Here's how it works: You get to visit both the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park (deluxe zoo package, Wild Animal Park admission) for $38.35 adults and $23.15 for kids 3 to 11. The two-park ticket includes one visit to each attraction, which you must use within five days of purchase. What's that? You say you want more? Add SeaWorld to your plans with a three-park ticket (deluxe zoo package, Wild Animal Park admission, SeaWorld admission) for $73.95 adults, $50.95 kids 3 to 11. With this one, you get unlimited use at all three parks for five days from date of purchase — wow! |
Check out of your San Diego hotel on the morning of Day 4 and head north with the little ones to Carlsbad and LEGOLAND, which is very cool. Attractions include hands-on interactive displays; a life-size menagerie of tigers, giraffes, and other animals; scale models of international landmarks (the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, and so on) — all constructed out of real LEGO bricks. Although the official guidelines imply that the park is geared toward children of all ages, the average MTV- and Playstation-seasoned kid over 10 will find it kind of a snooze. With older kids, take in the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Both parks make easy stops along the way to Anaheim, where you should check in to your hotel, have an early dinner, and rest up for your big day tomorrow at Disneyland. Spread your park time over two days, Day 5 and Day 6, to avoid burnout — your own and the kids'.
On the morning of Day 7, head north to Los Angeles and base yourself at the beach for maximum fun. Visit Universal Studios on Day 8.
On Day 9, make the short (two-hour) drive north to cutesy, Danish-themed Solvang, which your younger kids are bound to enjoy.
On Day 10, head north to Monterey, stopping in San Luis Obispo for a pleasant lunch break (it's just about exactly at the midpoint of the four-hour drive). The peninsula features plenty to entertain you and the kids on Day 11 and Day 12; the aquarium, of course, is a must.
Spend Day 13 on the beach and boardwalk at Santa Cruz, California's historic seaside amusement park. It's a real joy, and a must-do for families. Spend the night at Santa Cruz so that you can enjoy the neon-lit rides and lively arcades after dark, especially fun in summer.
Only a half-hour or so from Santa Cruz, San Jose makes the perfect departure point for your homebound flight on Day 14.
Itinerary #2
Fly into San Francisco on Day 1. The City by the Bay has plenty of kid appeal — in fact, more than enough to occupy Day 2 and Day 3.
On Day 4, drive to Yosemite National Park. It's an ideal place for kids to learn about and enjoy the natural world on Day 5 and Day 6. (If the weather's warm, consider staying in the tent cabins, which offer both creature comforts and a kid-friendly resemblance to camping.)
On Day 7, head back to the coast, basing yourself in Monterey or Santa Cruz for area exploring on Day 8 and Day 9. Leave in the afternoon of Day 9 and base yourself in the Hearst Castle area before heading south on Day 10. In fact, you'll even have time to catch a castle tour in the morning before you set out, if you wish.
Drive south on Day 10, spending the night in Solvang. If you choose to spend the day at Los Angeles's Universal Studios, leave this mini-Denmark early on Day 11 and drive to L.A.
Head to Anaheim on the evening of Day 11 to spend Day 12 at Disneyland. Depart Anaheim early in the day on Day 13 to make the hour's drive south to San Diego with plenty of time to enjoy LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, or Sea World — pick one for your pleasure. Schedule a late flight out on Day 14 to finish up at another park — and the kids will sleep on the way home like the angels they are.
| If you'd like to spend more time in San Diego without adding another day to your trip, consider cutting back a day in San Francisco; leave the city on the afternoon of Day 3, arriving at Yosemite in time for dinner. Or skip Universal Studios. |
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