Top 10 Things to Do in California for Families

Top 10 Things to Do in California for Families: California is surely a fun place to visit with kids. There are numerous things to do with your kids. As a place having beautiful beaches, beautiful landmarks, historic sites, parks, and lots of family places for your whole family, California will surely give you a memorable vacation.

Our list of Top 10 Things to Do in California for Families is based on experience, rating, and customer satisfaction from these places.

Top 10 Things to Do in California for Families

Legoland California

The fun in Legoland is indescribable, you have to experience it to believe it. In Legoland, you will find all sorts of fun for your family including 60 rides each designed uniquely. Since your kids have interacted with Lego at some point, this place will exhibit good memory for them. It is a place that provides ceaseless colorful events for all ages.

Fun Things to do:

One of the interesting things to do is take a boat ride in Fairy Tale Brook. This riverboat cruise has famous monuments from the common kid’s story books like Cinderella, Aladdin, Jack beanstalk, and many more. Your kids will surely love each monument for each story

Emmet’s Supe suite is a stop that allows you to meet your favorite characters in Lego movies

Cole’s Rock Climb will teach your kids about balance and endurance

A Coast Cruise which presents plenty of replica sights including the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, etc.

Build watevra You Wa’Na Build that allows your kids to create anything they want

Driving School where you will get to pass your Lego driving test as you drive around the mini-town in your Lego car

Another fun thing in Legoland that is a must-experience is the ride through the Lost Kingdom Adventure.

There is also an aquarium and a water park.

You can also play underwater instruments.

Suitable for:

Kids 12 years and below

Recommended Hotel Nearby:

Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, A Hilton Resort & Spa

Find: Fun Things to Do in California for Couples

Santa Monica Pier

If you want to experience the history and have fun at the time visit Santa Monica Pier. This Pier has been in existence since 1909 and it is currently one of the National Historic Landmarks. People come from different destinations to connect with the pier and enjoy the culture around the area.

There is a Ferris wheel extending a few meters into the ocean and their lots of activities for your whole family.

Fun things to do

Take rides in the Pacific Park, which is the only amusement park located on a pier on the West coast. There are 12 exciting rides, including an unbelievable solar-powered Ferris wheel

Not away from the pier, you can visit Dogtown Coffee which has lots of history of skateboarding from the 1970s Dogtown Skate Crew.

Play beach volley which is a common sport on the south side of the pier

Walk down the Pier

You can go for a swim or relax on the beach.

Across the streets, you can also get to see street performers.

Suitable for:

Ages 3 and above

Recommended Hotel Nearby:

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Yosemite National Park

If you are looking for the most remarkable experience with nature, a visit to Yosemite National Park is a must thing to do for your family. This park has been awarded World Heritage Site status due to its breathtaking location.

You can expect a lot of exploration from this park. The hike in Yosemite National Park is a one-day-long hike to the top of Half Dome. On the way, you will see breathtaking views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, High Sierra, Yosemite Valley, and finally, get to the Half dome.

The 14 miles hiking trail is 14 miles is the most scenic trail and has its own incomparable beauty.

Things to do

Hike on the trails with an attractive view of waterfalls and wildlife.

Rent bikes and cycle along 12 miles of the flat road while taking in the spectacular views

You can book a camping site

Fishing at the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

Nature photography

Climbing the Half Dome

For more adventure, you can take out a raft on the Merced River

A wild swim at Merced River, or swimming pools Yosemite Lodge.

Suitable for:

All ages although, some activities may be tough for younger kids

San Diego Zoo

A visit to San Diego Zoo will be fun because you will be able to see lots of animals and experience nature at its best. Some of the things to do in San Diego Zoo include Botanical Tours, Guided Bus Tour, 4D Theater, Play Areas, Learn about polar bear care and conservation efforts, Wildlife Presentations, Kangaroo Bus, Skyfari Aerial Tram, Balboa Park Miniature Train.

There is something unique about each activity mentioned above. For example, the Balboa Park Miniature Train is a four minutes tour in Balboa Park. This tour is so enjoyable for the young kids. The Kangaroo Bus allows you to hop on and off at four stops around the Zoo grounds.

The activities at San Diego Zoo will be a fun activity for your whole family

Suitable for:

Kids 3 years and above

Accommodation nearby:

The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego

Fun Things for Families to Do In California

Disneyland California

Most kids have wished to visit Disney land. It is a place so synonymous with kids’ entertainment that most would be thrilled to visit the place. Disneyland in California is an attraction that would provide several things to do on your vacation. You can visit Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney District, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Disneyland California has more than 50 rides and attractions that will leave your kids engaged and cheerful. It is one of the best fun attractions in California

Things to do

In Disneyland Park, you can enjoy the big thunder mountain railroad, enjoy the fireworks spectacular, ride on the original 1955 Autopia, and many more.

Ride on one of the most iconic attractions at Disneyland, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

A visit to Disney California Adventure Park will give you an opportunity to get into the Ancient Sanctum, Animation Academy, Avengers headquarters, and even a bakery tour.

There are plenty of rides that we cannot exhaust in this article, first-hand experience is the best.

You can also dine at the best restaurants.

Have a 4D experience with your favorite characters.

Suitable for:

All ages although some rides have restrictions.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is another attraction that cannot fail to be on the list of top 10 things to do in California. This Lake is not only the second deepest lake in United State, it is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at a height of more than 6,000 ft. Moreover, this beautiful, Lake Tahoe is also the largest alpine lake in North America. With a 72-mile of shoreline and a surrounding snowcapped mountain.  the lakes offer lots of activities for your family.

Things to do

In winter your family can enjoy skiing in the surrounding mountains or enjoy snowboarding.

During summer you can swim in the warm and clear blue waters

If your family loves, Kayaking, Lake Tahoe will provide an opportunity for you to test your paddling skills

Other activities include hiking, mountain biking, wakeboarding

Suitable for:

5 years and above (Further may apply for water sports)

Nearby Accommodation:

The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa

USS Midway Museum

Another interesting place to take kids is USS Midway Museum. The museum has a story to tell in regard to the history of war aircraft. In this place, you will experience over 60 exhibits through the historic aircraft carrier. Additionally, there are 29 restored aircraft that you have a look at.

Things to do

Inspect the restored World II-era aircraft and climb aboard.

You will be able to discover the spaces where the crew lived and operated

Taking an exclusive warship journey that engages the sights, sounds, and aromas of what contributed to American freedom.

Your family can spend the night aboard the legendary USS Midway. Imagine having a sleepover at the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Your sleeping bag will be all you need as you will be served breakfast.

Suitable for:

All ages

Monterey Bay Aquarium

If your family loves watching and learning more about marine life, this aquarium is the best to visit. Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the world. Over 2 million tourists visit the aquarium each year to experience the beauty of marine animals which are not easy to find in any other aquarium.  Since 1984, the place has been dedicated to providing the best experiences for all its visitors. Although the visit may be expensive as a family event, it is surely worth it.

Some of the animals you can expect to find include abalone, abyssal comb, African penguin, Arbiter snail fish, balloon worm, barrel amphipod, bat ray, basket star a,and many interesting marine animals

Things to do

You can get aboard the Monterey Trolley to get a fast and free ride to the Aquarium. With three stopovers at Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, and downtown Monterey you will still enjoy the views on your way to the aquarium.

Or check out the Ocean View Decks and see if you can spot any sea life in their natural habitat, such as dolphins or sea lions and, if you are really lucky, humpback whales.

On the decks you can look out for the floating sea otters, humpback whales splashing, dolphins, and others.

Inside the aquarium, you will encounter captivating deep-sea animals in the aquarium exhibition

Enjoy your meal at the café on site.

Learn about the human history of the aquarium.

Suitable for:

3 years and above

Nearby Accommodation:

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa

Raging Waters

Another thing that you can do in California, is visit the Raging waters. This water park is large (60 acres) and it has been listed as one of the top 10 best waterparks in the US.

It has over 50 rides, water park attractions, and several slides. Their most outstanding attraction is the Aqua Rocket. It is the only hydromagnetic water coaster.

Things to do

Take rides like Aqua Rocket

The youngest kids have the little dipper, a remarkable bubble pol with mini slides

The older kids can be thrilled by the shotgun fall, which is a fast drop into a 10-ft pool

Other attractions comprise activities such as relaxing on a rubber ring around the lazy river or jumping the waves in the wave pool or riding the double ring down the ‘Barracuda Blaster’ etc.

Suitable for:

5 years and older. Restrictions may be imposed on certain rides.

Accommodation nearby:

Hotel West Hollywood

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Your whole family will love the experience at Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Your 2.5 miles ride on the world’s largest rotating tramcars will allow you to enjoy the beautiful sight of the Chino Canyon cliffs, and the pristine wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The 10 minutes’ ride is fun and unforgettable as the tram cars rotate allowing you to have a clear360-degree view of the valley and the surroundings.

The ride ends at Tram’s Mountain Station which is at an elevation of over 8500 feet. Interesting the station is 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor.

Things to do

Enjoy the ride in the tram cars

Dine at one of the two restaurants

Enjoy the scenic views

Watch two documentaries

Hiking

Visit the natural history museum

With advance booking, you can be able to have an overnight camp.

In winter enjoy snowshoeing or cross-country skiing

Suitable:

7 years and above

Conclusion: Top 10 Things to Do in California for Families

California is a fun place to take your kids and your whole family. You cannot exhaust all the fun that comes from California’s beautiful sites like the parks, beaches, museums, nature trails, and more. Although we have listed the Top 10 best family places in California, you can be assured there are numerous others. If you often visit this state, you could have a better chance to visit other places like Pacific Coast Highway, La Jolla Cove, Pfeiffer beach, Point Lobos, and many others