Family Things to Do in California

Travelling to California and looking for some fun experiences that can make your family trip unforgettable? There are several family things to do in California that include exciting visits to adventure parks, zoos, gardens and much more. In Anaheim, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure offer parades, thrilling rides, and familiar characters like Donald Duck, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse that make kids light up. In Los Angeles, Universal Studios Hollywood adds movie magic with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you can sip Butterbeer, explore Hogwarts-style details, and hop on the Harry Potter ride experiences. In San Diego, the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park give you the chance to see wild animals, walk beautiful gardens, and explore museums in one day.

If you wish to experience the top things to do in California with family, you can start by watching sea otters and jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Then you can move on to ride the San Francisco Cable Car and explore Pier 39 in San Francisco. Afterwards, visit a photo stop at the Golden Gate Bridge to top off your tour with a majestic view.

You can also add a San Francisco Bay ferry ride while enjoying waterfront snacks, because these small breaks make family trips smoother. Beach activities like tide pooling at La Jolla Cove or building sandcastles near Coronado Beach are also some popular things to do in California with family. In Los Angeles, watching Griffith Observatory sunsets and the Hollywood Sign viewpoints can create that classic California energy that uplift any family trip.

When you are selecting which things to do with family you should add to your California tour package, the best choices are the ones that feel suitable for all age groups. Examples include taking a Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ride for breathing the mountain air, going for whale watching from Newport Beach, or spending a slow afternoon at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. For escapes into nature that feel right for kids as well as seniors, visiting Yosemite Valley viewpoints and the General Sherman Tree area in Sequoia National Park can be good choices of best family things to do in California.
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Top 10 Things To Do In California With Family

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Step into the heart of Hollywood entertainment with a half-day visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. Enjoy a mix of action-packed rides, immersive themed worlds, and attractions inspired by some of the biggest films and TV shows ever made. Go behind the scenes on the famous studio tour and see how real movie sets come to life. Ideal for travellers with limited time, this experience packs plenty of thrills, fun, and cinematic moments into one exciting visit.

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Spend an unforgettable day at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, where classic Disney magic meets world-class entertainment. With access to two iconic theme parks, explore a mix of timeless attractions, thrilling rides, themed lands, and joyful character meet-and-greets. From colourful parades to spectacular fireworks lighting up the California sky, every moment feels straight out of a storybook. Perfect for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who still enjoys a little magic without pretending they’ve outgrown it.

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Soar above the sparkling waters of Lake Tahoe on the Heavenly Gondola Ride, taking you up to Adventure Peak at over 9,000 feet. Enjoy sweeping 360° views of the lake, surrounding mountains, and alpine landscapes as you ascend in comfort. Once at the top, switch gears with a ride on the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster, where twists, turns, and downhill drops add a dose of excitement. This experience blends peaceful mountain scenery with just the right amount of adventure, making it a great pick for both view-lovers and thrill-seekers.

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Activity Location: Legoland California, Carlsbad, California

Activity Timings: 

  • Sunday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

(Timings may vary depending on season and operational days.)

Activity Duration: 8 Hours (recommended)

About Legoland California:

Get ready for a day of family fun and adventure at LEGOLAND® California! Enjoy over 60 exciting rides, engaging live shows, character meet-and-greets, and visit to iconic attractions like Miniland USA. Go to the LEGO CITY: Deep Sea Adventure, train as a ninja on LEGO® NINJAGO®: The Ride, and marvel at incredible LEGO creations in Miniland USA. Book your tickets for Legoland California and enjoy your visit to the newest addition, LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD where you can watch a movie.

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SeaWorld San Diego Location: 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109, USA

Activity Timing:

Sea World San Diego:

  • Saturday - Thursday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Sea World San Diego Howl-O-Scream:

  • Thursday - Saturday: 07:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Sunday: 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Activity Days: Monday - Sunday

About the SeaWorld San Diego Tickets:

Enjoy this weekend in SeaWorld San Diego in the U.S. with your family and friends and experience the animal theme park, oceanarium, outside the aquarium, and marine mammal park altogether. Witness numerous lovable marine creature aquatic animals like Penguins, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Walruses, Sharks, Flamingoes, and Orcas. Make reels and have fun watching the delightful live Dolphin show.

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Watch sea otters at Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey)

Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best places in California to watch sea otters up close, especially during the daily Sea Otter Feeding section at the Sea Otters exhibit. You can see rescued otters crack shellfish, groom their fur, and indulge in their natural behaviour during a short and informative session. Families love the viewing of the otters and feeding them the easy pacing between exhibits for kids and grandparents. The aquarium sits on Cannery Row, so you can step outside for coastal views and snacks without disrupting the itinerary, making it a fun thing to do in California.

Cost: Approx. $65/adult and $50/child or seniors

Best timing: Sea Otter Feeding (10:30); General timings are 10 AM to 5 PM (or 6 PM depending on the season)

Location: Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Monterey.

07

See sea lions at Pier 39 (San Francisco)

Seeing the California sea lions at PIER 39 is a free, lively family stop to take on San Francisco’s waterfront. The sea lions come up on K-Dock in the West Marina, so kids can watch them barking, posturing, and playfully splashing at each other. PIER 39 notes they first arrived in October 1989 and took over the docks by January 1990. The number of sea lions you can see on the deck may vary, yet the dock hit a record of over 2,100 sea lions in May–June 2024. Keep a respectful distance because they are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

Cost: Free

Where to stand: K-Dock (West Marina) for the closest viewing experience.

Best timing: August though May

Rules: Do not feed or approach; sea lion harassment is illegal under federal protection.
08

Take the Tahoe cruise (Lake Tahoe)

Taking a Lake Tahoe cruise on the Emerald Bay is one of the must things to do in California for families. Cruises depart from Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina on U.S. Highway 50, with both open decks and climate controlled indoor seating. The narrated sightseeing route heads to Emerald Bay, passes Fannette Island and offers views of Vikingsholm Castle, giving kids and adults a great time to remember. You can also watch the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains on the way. There is a restroom on board and the boat format works well for mixed ages.

Cost: $30 for basic sightseeing; $100-$130 per person for wine tasting/dinner sunset cruises (pricing varies by date and availability).

Duration: Commonly 2-3 hours

Starting point: South Lake Tahoe

Parking: Some bookings note self-parking at the meeting point.
09

Spot the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles)

Spotting the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory turns a regular Los Angeles afternoon into a real postcard moment for families. The Observatory sits on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, with wide terraces where you can witness this iconic Sign, Downtown Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles coastal basin all in one sweep. Admission to the building is free, so you can pop into the exhibits and then step back outside for photos without pressure. Planetarium shows cost extra, and the Samuel Oschin Planetarium runs live-presented programs daily.

Cost: Free entry to the Observatory building and grounds.

Hours: Tue–Fri 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., Sat–Sun 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., closed Monday.

Planetarium tickets: Around $10 for adults

Photo spot: Use the outdoor terraces for the clearest Hollywood Sign framing.
10

Ride the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica)

Riding the ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier is a simple way to enjoy a mesmerising view of the Pacific Coast. The wheel is known as the Pacific Wheel located at the Pacific Park, an amusement park built on the Santa Monica Pier. Interestingly, it is known as the first solar-powered Ferris wheel. From the ferris wheel, you get sweeping views over the shoreline, with Malibu to the north and the open ocean straight ahead. The pier itself is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., while Pacific Park ride hours vary day to day. 

Cost: Pacific Park notes rides are priced individually, roughly $8–$20 depending on the attraction.

Pier timing: Santa Monica Pier is open daily 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

Ride timing: Pacific Park ride hours vary daily and rides generally start around 12 noon (weather and conditions apply).

People Also Ask About California

  1. What are the must family things to do in California?

    The best family things to do in California are visiting the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and admiring wildlife at the San Diego Zoo. You can also marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge from the iconic viewpoints and go to Pier 39 in San Francisco to witness sea lions.

  2. What counts as top 10 things to do in California for families in one trip?

    The top 10 things to do in California for families are as follows-

    • Visit Disneyland Resort (Anaheim) and Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City)
    • See wildlife at San Diego Zoo (San Diego)
    • Watch sea otters at Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey)
    • Ride the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica)
    • Spot the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles)
    • Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco)
    • See sea lions at Pier 39 (San Francisco)
    • Explore tide pools at La Jolla Cove (San Diego)
    • Catch Tunnel View in Yosemite Valley (Yosemite National Park)
    • Stand by the General Sherman Tree (Sequoia National Park)
  3. Which California things to do with family work are best for a relaxed day?

    For a relaxed day,you can pick experiences that are located near your stay. Visiting parks and gardens like Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, or Santa Monica Pier with the beach can also be ideal for a laid back family getaway.

  4. What are the best things to do with family in California at the beach?

    The best beach things to do with family in California are tide pooling at La Jolla Cove, sand time at Coronado Beach, and rides at Santa Monica Pier. Families can also enjoy coastal walks at places like Point Lobos State Natural Reserve near Carmel.For a relaxed day,you can pick experiences that are located near your stay. Visiting parks and gardens like Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, or Santa Monica Pier with the beach can also be ideal for a laid back family getaway.

  5. What are the best family things to do in California that include nature?

    The best family things to do in California that include nature are visiting Yosemite Valley viewpoints, witnessing the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park, and exploring Lake Tahoe’s shoreline. You can also add a Point Lobos coastal walk for mesmerising ocean views and visit tide pools that feel wild yet accessible today.

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