Southern California is a great place to bring kids of all ages for a family vacation. Naturally, just about everyone will want to go to Disneyland [1]. Teens often prefer to bounce over to California Adventure [2] for the roller coasters and thrill rides. Considering buying two- or three-day passes, and spend the whole weekend getting Disneyfied to the max. Cap a long day of fun with dinner and a show at Medieval Times or Pirate’s Dinner Adventure [3].
Continue your theme park adventure by checking out other Southern California amusement parks, such as Knott’s Berry Farm [4] in nearby Buena Park. Cool off on the waterslides at Knott’s Soak City or head for the stars at Universal Studios Hollywood for movie-centric attractions and tours. The La Brea Tar Pits [5] remain a kids’ favorite, with bubbling stinky water and a huge collection of bones.
Equally fun and slightly less commercial entertainment abounds in San Diego [6]. Spend a half-day in SeaWorld [7] taking in killer whale shows and riding the coasters. Stroll the meandering paths at the San Diego Zoo [8] in Balboa Park [9], where you’ll meet lions, elephants, pandas, meerkats, and hundreds of exotic animals. To watch animals live and play in more natural environments, head to North County’s Wild Animal Park [10].
Kids and adults alike love the wide, flat beaches of Southern California. Park your towel at Ocean Beach [11], Coronado [12], Zuma Beach [13], or Malibu Lagoon State Beach [14]. Many hotels keep a store of loaner beach chairs and sand and surf toys that are perfect for a day spent lounging out on the sand.
Got older kids? Sign ’em up for surfing lessons! San Diego [6], coastal Orange County, and even Santa Barbara [15] have surf schools that offer everything from two-hour lessons up to multiday kids’ surf camps.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/disneyland
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/disneyland/california-adventure
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/disneyland/inland-orange-county/food
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/disneyland/inland-orange-county/sights/wild-rivers-water-park
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/sights/downtown/la-brea-tar-pits
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-diego
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-diego/sights/mission-bay/seaworld-san-diego
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-diego/sights/balboa-park-and-hillcrest/san-diego-zoo
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-diego/sights/balboa-park-and-hillcrest
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-diego/sights/north-county/san-diego-wild-animal-park
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-diego/sports-and-recreation/beaches/ocean-beach
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-diego/sports-and-recreation/beaches/coronado-main-beach
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/sports-and-recreation/beaches/zuma-beach
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/los-angeles-and-orange-county/sports-and-recreation/beaches/malibu-lagoon-state-beach
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/central-coast/santa-barbara