In Anaheim, the second theme park at Disneyland -- right next to Magic Kingdom-- is Disney's California Adventure, with 55 acres and three "lands": The Golden State; Paradise Pier, modeled on seaside amusement parks; and Hollywood Pictures Backlot which celebrates moviemaking.
Not everyone, however, wants to join the crownds in a theme park. 110 miles south of Anaheim, San Diego (in southern California, stone's throw from Mexico) has plenty to please families. For example: Seaworld; the famous San Diego Zoo, (a forerunner in providing large and pleasant habitats for animals; and Balboa Park, an "urban cultural park" with gardens, restaurants, free concerts and fifteen museums.
About's website for California for Visitors hits the sightseeing highlights in Visiting San Diego With Kids, and Balboa Park Best Museums With Kids (--Children's Discover Center, Model Railroad Museum, Puppet Theater, Science Center, and more.) With Also, California's Legoland is just a short drive away from San Diego.
San Francisco
Meanwhile, 400 miles north of Anaheim, springtime-- and especially April-- is a choice season for visiting spectacular San Francisco: there's no fog, no crowds, and the weather's warm.
Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park (with kid-friendly Aquarium, Natural History Museum, and Planetarium), the Exploratorium, Children's Zoo at the San Francisco Zoo... Read about these attractions and more at California for Visitors' San Francisco With Kids, which also covers restaurants and accommodation. Another good resource is San Francisco Family Vacation Guide at Family Travel Network, with sections on sightseeing, where to stay, and where to eat.
more spring vacation ideas:
