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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A destiny I will never forget.
This was by far, the best vacation I have ever been on. I hope be awarded the scholarship so that I can go on to college, graduate with honors, and get a great job so that one day I can show my family what a great place Yellowstone National Park is. Thank you for considering my application!
I hope you enjoy my essay. Thank you for your time.
My favorite city so far!
It's such a beautiful place!
my trip.
Hey Everyone,
Thanks for checking out my blog. 🙂 I hope you enjoy.
With Much Appreciation,
– Zoe McDowell
hello
I have run short on space, yet I managed to squeeze in about 3/4ths of my trip.
Lordsburg and Demming are in New Mexico (I guess I should have edited that), and there are numerous other details I would have liked to have included….
If you're interested in traveling in my footsteps, I highly recommend the Togwotee Lodge and Resort, which is where we stayed during our trip.
While visiting Paris the summer I was fourteen, I was captivated my by its beauty. The city's rich culture, diverse people, and turbulent history fascinated me and captured my imagination. It was there that I discovered the wonder of adventure, and my never-ending love of Paris.
this is my actual scholarship submission. PLEASE DO NOT JUDGE THE PREVIOUS ENTRY. THIS IS MY SUBMISSION. THANK YOU.
This was the most incredible vacation ever! All my classmates who attended agreed and have remembered every memory from Washington D.C. Thank you School Tours of America and my special sponsors Mrs. Nobel and Mr. Fitch.
My trip to new york was wonderful. I even c reated a website to prove it.
http://nothinglikenewyork.shutterfly.com/
I almost did not go on this trip, worrying about what could go wrong, that summer would nearly be over when I returned, and how much it cost. But, I decided to take this trip to see a few of my German friends and their families, not knowing when, otherwise, I would see them again if I didn't take this opportunity. Now that I have returned home, I am very happy to have taken this trip.
My name is Inemesit Effiong.I am an avid reader and an ardent Colin Firth fan. I love outdoor activities, writing poetry, and volunteering. I have had the privilege of volunteering with several clubs like National Honor Society, Rotary Club, Interact Volunteer Club, and The Bridge Run. I enjoy watching Jeopardy with my father (mostly because of Alex Trebek) and I hope to pursue Nursing as a major. I entered this contest because I love exploring and I fell that my experience is very relatable, especially to teenagers my age, who would like to travel abroad, but lack the means or opportunity to do so.
This is a blog about my trip with my mother to New York City
I encourage you, go on a mission trip! You will never regret it. If anything it can help you to figure out your place in this world.
I raised money for this trip during the course of my Freshman year, first by a Bake Sale, which raised over $700, then by giving out poetry that I had written in exchange for donations. They expereince broadened me as a leader and created lasting friendships with other cultures.
This was my Italian experience. It was extremely fun and I can’t wait for the time when I get the chance to return.
Hope you enjoyed my essay! Just wanted to share my beliefs and personal experience. 🙂
Hopefully you can enjoy my post! It's what I believe and is my own personal experience. 🙂
My scholarship entry!
Im glad to share my families trip with you. I hope this inspires you to go on a trip with your family to Hawaii.
My vacation to Spain in general was one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. The culture was rich and the archetecture was far more ornate than anything I've ever seen in the United States. I will defenately go back there some day if I am fortunate enough.
This particular blog was submitted as a scholarship essay to myfamilytravels.com, enjoy!
I truly am grateful for the wonderful opportunity I had to travel to Hong Kong for a month! I'll definitely think about living in Hong Kong in the future!
I hope people can read this travel blog and see for themselves how great the aftermath of war is. Because of war, these children have to suffer every single day. ):
This blog was very fun to write, it let me reevaluate what had happened during the trip and laugh about it once again. Maybe it will inspire someone else to do what what my family did and go through the indescribable little horrors that we all went through. Happy traveling!
If you have ever wondered what a BIG city is, than New York City is the place for you to go! i had a blast there! Check it out!!
I had alot of fun writing this essay.
Europe is a great place to visit!
it looks cool!
Here is my scholarship for the Teen Travel Writing Scholarship of my journey to Alaska!
My trip to London.
I discovered that I was a pretty good photographer while on this trip. I now take all the family vacation pictures!
My trip to Yellowstone was truly amazing! Yellowstone is a must-see for all nature lovers and hikers!
The wedding took place on August 6, 2011.
this was a wonerful trip with friends & family
My experience was amazing here!
My essay describes the emotional connection to the effects of a storm which would seemingly ruins a trip to Lake Michigan.
I wish I could have written more about Germany, but summing up a vacation such as that in only 600 words seemed impossible to me. I would have never guessed I would have learned so much about myself there. We did activitivities I would never seen myself doing in a million years. Many of the students that went on the trip I would not normally be friends with, but at the end of the day no matter how different we were from one another, we were all friends and family to eachother and still keep in touch till this day. I don't know when I will be able to go on such an amazing adventure again, but my advice to whoever comes across this is, if you have the oppritunity, take it. Even if you are apprehensive, take the risk because I'm willing to bet you will learn so much more.
Thank you all for reading this and best of luck to everyone who entered this contest!
We love going to the Hawaiian Islands. Maui was one of our favorites. Molokini Crater is just off of the Maui coast. I couldn't believe at the variety of fish we snorkeled with–we even glimpsed a reef shark! Snorkeling at Molokini Crater was a great experience and was the inspiration for this short essay.
This is my scholarship essay, please confirm that it has been entered. Thank you!
The reason for my visit to Nigeria was because of a death in my family. In the attatched picture, I am in the middle, surrounded by my family members as we walked toward the area where the ceremony was to be held. The whole experience of visiting Nigeria a third time (but as a teenager) opened my eyes and made me realize that there are things in the world bigger than just me and my problems, and it's my job to find a way to give back before time runs out.
This was my family trip to Missouri…never forget how important learning and family is.
I am a young international traveler interested in seeing the dynamics between different cultures acted out out not only through travel but through international relations on a global stage. Trips to Belize and across the world have cemented my belief that nations working together is for the good of everyone on earth.
I wrote this for the Scholarship writing contest.
This is my entry for the FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholorship!
I hope that everyone can learn a little about this unique country from my blog. There are so many more things I wish I could say, but space is limited!