The Golden State is as big as some entire countries, stretching 840 miles down the Pacific Coast. Most families head to Southern California, where Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Diego are popular spots. (The San Francisco "Bay Area", just so you know, is some 400 miles north.) Below are some top things to do, on family vacations in southern California.
1. Southern California Family Vacations: LEGOLAND California Theme Park
Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND California.
2. Disneyland California for Families
Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort.
This popular destination in Anaheim has two theme parks: Disneyland Park (the original "Magic Kingdom"), and Disney's California Adventure, which opened in 2001 and is getting a giant renovation. Anaheim is in Orange County, which is south of Los Angeles County; see an overview of the many different Neighborhoods of Los Angeles
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3. Kids Fly Free to Disneyland
Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines.
4. Universal Studios Hollywood
Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood.
5. Knotts Berry Farm
Photo courtesy of Knotts Berry Farm.
This 150-acre theme park has big-time roller coasters for thrill-seekers, and also attractions such as Old-West Ghost Town and Camp Snoopy. Knotts Berry farm was one of the first theme parks to get scary at Halloween, and still stages a top scare-fest. (And yes, there is an original history as a berry farm: it's cute, actually.).
6. Free Things To Do in LA
About.com's Guide for Los Angeles Travel has a bunch of ideas: visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the movie stars' footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre; attend a tv show taping; visit the La Brea Tar Pits, where fossils are excavated; visit the California Science Center; and more.7. Catalina Island - Los Angeles Area
About's guide for California covers this popular getaway that's 22 miles from Los Angeles.
8. Terranea Resort - South of Los Angeles
Photo courtesy of Terranea Resort.
Check prices at Kayak.com
9. Huntington Beach, California
Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Huntingdon Beach.
Check prices
10. Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, Huntington Beach
Another option in the "Surf City U.S.A." area is the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort. This AAA four-diamond resort is 45 minutes south of Los Angeles; location is across the Pacific Coast Highway from the eight-mile beach, and within walking distance from the Huntington Beach Pier and Huntington Beach’s Main Street.
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