The neighboring Pacific Ocean, lush farmland, arid desert and snow-capped mountains give southern California families plenty of options for weekends away.
“California, Here I Come!” may be the cry of millions of vacationers around the world, but in southern California itself, locals like to get out and explore on long family weekends and short school breaks. And since residents of the densely populated state are affluent, adventurous and sports-minded, hundreds of hotels, resorts, RV campgrounds, country cabins, wellness retreats and other accommodations accommodate them.
That’s why within 200 miles of Los Angeles and its suburbs you’ll find a rich variety of weekend getaways. You’ll need a car to get around but this is the state that invented the road trip, so enjoy!
Short Breaks & Weekend Getaway Ideas from Los Angeles & Environs
Whether your family is looking for a short break holiday, a cheap vacation package, a fun last minute excursion to break up a road trip, or a weekend getaway from everyday routines, there are lots of options within a short radius of southern California’s major cities.
The following weekend getaway roundup includes some of our family’s favorite kids’ destinations, for those who want big city action, surfing beaches, snowsports, or a country experience. There are, of course, many other choices for spending your time and money on a short break, so we’ll just highlight some of the top local attractions, kid-friendly festivals and events that suit all ages.
Top Family Resorts for a Weekend Getaway from Los Angeles
Picture Perfect Family Getaway in Marina del Rey
Picture your family tucked into the Ritz Carlton at the Marina for a quick and easy getaway close to home.
Newport Beach for a Five Generation Reunion
When you have to entertain pre-schoolers and matriarchs in the same reunion weekend, you need a posh resort that anticipates all and delivers even more as your homebase.
Rancho Bernardo Inn
For horseback riders, golf lovers, tennis players, spa-goers and multi-generational families, this classic family resort near San Diego makes being together so much fun.
A Delightful Family Weekend at the Del Coronado
Five generations gather to share family fun near San Diego, California, at the Hotel Del Coronado, one of the country’s most famous seaside resort hotels.
Living the Hollywood LIfestyle at the Sheraton Universal Resort
Rides and attractions, backlot tours, movie stars and a great hotel make this resort getaway within sight of Los Angeles a fun and good value weekend away.
Ojai Valley Inn
Where do California families go for wellness treatments, a spa, fresh air and fun kids’ activities with no muss or fuss? For generations, it’s been the luxury mountain resort area of Ojai.
Hyat Beach Resort & Spa in Surf City: Huntington Beach
If everybody’s gone surfing, it may be because of this hip Orange County beach resort and how easy they make it to Hang Ten on the Surf City beachfront!
San Diego’s Many Family Beach Getaway Resorts
It’s a great city for history, the arts, even SeaWorld, so here’s the inside scoop on San Diego’s best places to stay for beautiful beaches and great kids clubs.
Palm Springs Family-Friendly Resorts
It’s trendy, old-fashioned, beloved by gays and grandparents — it’s Palm Springs, and it’s got great resorts with Kid’s Clubs, water slides, golf courses and more in the heart of the desert.
Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells Resort
Five generations came together for fun and relaxation in the prestigious desert enclave of Indian Wells, near Palm Springs.
Weekend Getaways at Southern California Themeparks
Disneyland & California Adventure Theme Parks
A guide to what’s new at the classic Disneyland Resort, including on-site accommodations and favorite rides, shows and attractions at both themeparks — our pick for holidays with your tiny travelers.
Hollywood
Learn about the iconic Hollywood sign, visit musuems, and be in the footsetps of legends. It doesn’t have to be as pricey as it looks, read to find out about cheap hotels to stay in.
Anaheim’s Top Family Hotels for a Themepark Weekend
You don’t have to do Disneyland to appreciate just how many great family attractions and other themeparks exist in the Anaheim – Orange County region. Here’s a hotel guide.
Weekend Getaways That Provide a Different Pace
Free Travel Fun in Santa Monica
Feeling super cheap? FTF’s guide to everything free in sunny Santa Monica, LA’s own beach town, makes for a bargain getaway.
Santa Barbara: Paradise California Style
Two California natives recommend the hotels and restaurants they enjoy when they head to Santa Barbara for its cultural attractions, museums, Mediterranean lifestyle and sophisticated scene.
A Catalina Island Outing
The sailors’ favorite Catalina Island — a car-free retreat just a ferry ride away — makes a great day trip from Long Beach or a fun, old-fashoined beach weekend with the kids.
Made for Babies: Long Beach
This southern California getaway is designed with little travelers in mind: small towns, animals, beach fun, and gentle surf. It embraces the charm of a bustling waterfront with an upbeat ambience of urban chic.
Las Vegas for Family Fun
It’s closer than you think, so here’s an age-appropriate rundown of the best attractions for kids, teens and families together in adult-oriented Las Vegas.
Rosarito Beach, Over the Border in Mexico
Visit Rosarito Beach across the border from San Diego for an old-fashioned beach vacation, a cool movie-making theme park and amazing arts and handicrafts.
Carnival Cruise With Grandkids
Thinking of taking the grandkids on a Pacific Coast cruise, without the soothing buffer of having their parents onboard? If so, you’ll need this savvy sailor’s advice. (Check the latest Carnival Cruise rates here and save).
Need a discount car rental for your Los Angeles getaway?
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hope you all like it!
The Paramount Hotel- http://www.nycparamount.com
BDC- Broadway Dance Center- http://www.broadwaydancecenter.com
Ellen's Stardust Diner- http://www.ellensstardustdiner.com
Capezio store- http://www.capeziodance.com
Amy's Bakery- http://www.amysbread.com
Junior's in Times Square- http://www.juniorscheesecake.com
The Ambassador Theater (Chicago)- http://www.ambassadortheater.com
Al Hirschfeld Theater- http://www.hirschfeldtheater.org
I was the same way. I had my Bat Mitzvah on top of Masadah and was complaining of the heat. I didn't truly recognize what an amazing place I was in. I was fortunate enough to return last summer and had the time of my life. I look forward to seeing your post for when you get to return. I wish you all the best!
one of my all time favorite vacations.
This was one of the best trips I have ever been on.
I am ecstatic that I was able to participate in learning my heritage, history, and my parents past.
My trip to Africa was really an extraordinary experience, and I fell in love with the country Nigeria. I am so happy that my father allowed me to see my heritage and my family.
Truly humbling
I hope you enjoy learning about my experiences in Paris, France!
Thank you so much for this information. Multi-generational travel is an area that I am interested in, but it is not easy to navigate various ages, levels of mobility and interests. These tips are super useful!
This was seriously such a life-changing trip for me. I got to see a whole other way that people live life. It really opened my eyes and made me EVEN MORE eager to learn German and to adopt a more frugal lifestyle.
My experience with traveling to a foreign nation, in the form of a blog.
Going on that trip was the best thing I have done in my life. I learned so much, and experienced many different things, such as food, culture, and people. It was a great opportunity for me, and I highly advise others to travel as well. You will not be disappointed.
I recommend this or a similar trip for any future paleontologists. I have since been to the Field Museum in Chicago and the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and am pleased to have visited all the major paleontological museums in North America.
I hope you have fun on your trips, too!
This is my submission to the young travel writer scholarship
My trip to South Africa transformed my life. I grew closer to my best friend, as well as experience a culture very different from my own. As a result, my knowledge of the world has grown.
I quite enjoy I can feel the passion.
I hope you enjoy the lessons i learned over seas in Spain! I know I will take them with me as I move forward in life. Thank you for reading!
-Rebecca Krivitsky
enjoy my story, i pray it will reveal a new cultural avenue while still providing a humorous tale
This trip was truly life changing. It was the first time I realized that there is a whole other world outside the United States!
Thank you very much for your post! I love it very much! I will bring my family to Florida soon!
Thanks and support
Here is the website documenting my trip: http://madisongoestonewyork.blog.com/
My time in El Salvador changed my life. It is my dream that one day I will be able to return there. I can honestly tell you that my love for the people in El Salvador has remained with me. And I hope the best for that nation.
The summer of my sophmore year in high school I spent a week in El Salvador. This one week changed my life. As I volunteered in El Salvador I gained an amazing view of different cultures and life styles. I developed a love for El Salvador and its people. And my memories there will remain with me through out my life. It is my dream that one day I will be able to return their and give more of my time to those amazing people.
My freshman year of high school I spent a week of my summer in El Salvador. It was a remarkable week that literally changed my outlook on life. I have a huge heart for the people of El Salvador and the country itself. It is my dream that one day I will be able to go back.
My amazing trip
It was definitely a trip to remember that I'd do any day! 🙂
A trip to remember that I'd do again any day
It was a trip to remember. Every spect of it was interesting and something I would do again!
I enjoy traviling with my family and creating new memories.
I enjoy traviling and spending time with my family.
– By Ciara Bri'd Frisbie
Thank you for reading my essay.
-Nathan Shaw
Thank you for taking the time to read my essay I really appreciate it.
-Nathan Shaw.
This trip was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. From the Great Wall to the hospitals of Beijing, I learned so much about myself and other cultures.
I just love traveling. Disney World is my favourite destination. Above all 10 sposts are my favourite. I would love to visit all that destination.
Reading this story has been a stroll down memory lane. I stayed at the Diplomat as a little girl in the 1970's, and still remember how impressed I was with it. So glad to hear that the resort has bounced back to its original glory.
I am very glad to know that Disney Cruise Line is taking health so seriously, yet making cleanliness palatable for kids. These suggestions are also great for air travel, another germy breeding ground. Thanks for the info!
My family loves Cancun, and we have had good stays at the Oasis and the Sol Melia and the Sheraton too. Nice to see a new list of recommendations from you. Thanks
This is a really fun outing, but if you can't get out to the countryside, just visit one of those urban tree sellers. A lot of them in the northeast are staffed by college kids from Canada, who take a break, get into a rental trailer and drive it south, then re-sell trees they have bought on consignment to pay for the next semester.
I always ask (nicely) and I always get (with a smile), the extra boughs that they take off to make the trees look even all around. With some ribbon, maybe the wire from a coat hanger and lots of creativity, it's easy to get the kids helping you turn old boughts into beautiful wreaths for around the house.
Love the photos in this article!
Thanks for having this contest; my family loves Snowmass and it would be great to go back there. We took our son when he was about 7 and it was a great learning adventure for all of us. The instructors are terrific and we had fun, but it's not something we could afford to do right now.
Thanks for giving us another chance to go back!
When Jean Carlisle of Menomonie, Wisconsin heard she won a family of four Galapagos Adventure Cruise, she wrote us:
"YES YES YES!!!!!!!! THIS IS MY DREAM DREAM DREAM VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN you tell I’m excited??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"A Galapagos vacation has always been on my DREAM list!!…add it to a cruise vacation makes it even more special. I accept!!!"
Jean explained that she'd enjoyed playing along the scavenger hunt but was anxious about the random drawing for a winner.
"I didn’t sleep well last night because I was so excited!! LOL I entered the contest because I had seen many publications and shows on national geographic on the Galapagos Islands and always thought that would be a place I’d like to visit. I was first drawn to the beautiful pictures on the website and when I saw the contest, I knew that I just had to enter and would love to win!
"I’d like to thank TakingtheKids.com, TravelingMom.com and Family Travel Forum for this once in a life opportunity!! We are excited to make arrangements and show off photos when we return!"
So glad it's helpful to you with your teens, I've already given the Primland brochure to my own mom and her girlfriend who want to tour the Blue Ridge Parkway and look at the Appalachian handcrafts. This is a great base for lots of exploration. If you go, I know you'll enjoy it!
This sounds like a real find and perfect for my own family. I ma always looking for resorts that will work as destinations with lots to do for my two teens, and Primland sounds excellent. Thanks for spreading the word!
Thanks so much for sharing your dreams about the Galapagos; that's the way we all felt when we learned that the terrific Lindblad team wanted to work on this project. so excited to know that someone's dream will reallyl come true! And a 6th grader is the perfect travel companion.
Don't forget to post your a link to your comment here :
http://www.travelingmom.com/freebies/contests/3917-galapagos-giveaway-contest-entries.html
so you're sure to be recorded as an entry into the grand prize drawing. Hope to see you on Twitter too @familytravel4um @travelingmoms @takingthekids @LindbladEXP
If there are no comments on our blog, does this mean that our blog has been rejected, or that it has not been reviewed yet? thanks!
As noted, thanks to your enthusiasm, there are several thousand posts to read, so the judges will be done by mid October. Check back after that to see your status!
I tried following the steps above for finding out about the scholarship judging, but I'm still lost. Does it show up at the bottom of your blog? Or is it just off to the side when you have the option of clicking on your blog? Like, is it next to the name of your blog, the date it was published and then the word scholarship with either a yes or no? Thanks!
Crystal – you get an email