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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Very tasty.
Dubai is a glorious city in the world but the desert safari is most thrilling tour in Dubai since 1980 . This is a great post and great team work .
When I was reading this I realize that this is the best blog as compare to others. Its really appreciated.
Don’t stop keep posting this type of posts
Good address for ski. My daughter loves skiing very much. It will be a good option for us for the next winter holiday.
Good to know as I have a daughter at 10 YOD and she loves skiing very much.
Seems there are lots of fun for kids in Las Vegas. I have never though about a such thing there. It will be a good option to consider for our next family holiday. Thank you.
What’s a wonderful & luxury holiday. I am dreaming about it.
It’s Fantastic And Useful Blog About World Heritage Sites and There information is very informative and useful.
Thanks for sharing.
I love reading your blogs, there are many useful information for travelers. Thank you very much for sharing.
Good advices when traveling with kids. Thank you very much.
What’s an amazing trip. Thank you for sharing.
Very nice day. We don’t have it in Vietnam 🙁
Amazing hotels. I love eco-resort with nature style instead of modern hotels.
Good to read this before I prepare my family trip in the summer.
Good to know this. Thank you for sharing. I will consider this for my children.
Thank you for these tips on how to plan a family safari! I’d like to be able to take my whole family and show them the beauty of Africa. But it always seemed so daunting to plan a whole trip that everyone would enjoy. I mean there’s always the age differences, and differences in interest as well to think about. Just thinking of ensuring that everything goes well planned is stressing me out. That’s why I turned to the internet in search of tips! Definitely will use your tips on how to choose a safari.
Very good tips. We all should follow these tips for a safe road trip. Thanks for the great help.
Thankyou Mr Ralph S for giving precise information on the overland.
i will be travelling for the 1st time from adelaide to melbourne this month end. it will be of grt help.
Soon I’ll be planning a trip to Dubai. Thanks for the information about what’s worth visiting.
Hello Lansdell family! This is a great place for a long weekend of outdoors exploration and a beautiful park. In late May, a new business is opening = https://www.floattheriver.net/ = which will run float trips on inner tubes on portions of the river. I asked some locals and they suggested that after biking and hiking and riding the train, your kids might enjoy day trips to nearby Canton, Akron or Cleveland. Each has lots of Metroparks (the public system of urban parks) and museums, etc to do and see. With some planning, all your days can be as full of variety as you would like. We hope you have a wonderful trip.
How did you get around the Darien Gap?
Very good
Thank you for sharing these warm and touching thoughts of yours! I’ve only been the Belarus once, but I wish I read it before going, something in my experience would definitely be different then. I did use some advise – from the telegram channel for foreigners https://t.me/Belanews but I guess your opinion would be great to consider and embrace too.
Thanks for all the info. We are planning on going in August, and are trying to find a nature-centered vacation for our family of 4, kids ages 7 and 4. We are from Southern Ontario, Canada and we came across this national park. Would you recommend this place for 3-4 days? Is there enough to do (hiking, train rides, exploring etc)? Somewhere else? We also looked at the Smoky Mountains but its about a 11-12 hours vs the 5-6 hours to Cuyohoga. Any advice would be helpful.
That place is really amazing. I want to spend my vacations on this beautiful place. Thanks for sharing this nice information.
I've been there last year. If someone is looking for a nice hotel I can highly recommend to take a look at the Hotel Rappen Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Such a good information.Nice work.Very useful for us.
The gardens of Suzhou are absolutely beautiful and something that you don’t want to miss while you are there.
Traveling with your children in s Suzhou is super easy and safe. My family had a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed there time there. One thing they really loved was going down all of the canals. Here is some great information on all the beautiful canals that you can explore.
It looks like a beautiful experience. Turkey is a wonderful country -and the fact that it’s not that expensive compared to other countries makes a visit there even more tempting. Thanks for sharing.
good tips, safety comes first so that our trip may be remembered as a happy memoir when we went to see and explore new places and have fun. and not as a terrifying night in the ER. god bless you all , be safe
Thanks for your insight for your fantastic posting. I’m glad I have taken the time to see this.
Great tips for road trips!
Thanks for posting, very valuable information .
Being visiting is one of the best experiences of my life. Being there and enjoying every bit of time is wonderful. Personally, my best experience is an underground aquarium and desert safari. One visited Dubai must go for these two activities.
Would love this for our family!
We’ve always wanted to go and now they are old enough to enjoy it.
Thanks so much for doing this!
The beaches, the weather, the food, the attractions and the activities- everything was perfect.
I think parents should focus more on preparing or educating their children about the proper etiquette and behaviors before the flight to avoid being a nuisance to others. I don’t know much about kids but as a first-time mom, that’s what I will do.
Hi,
You have explained the timeshare information for Spain country very well.Share more blogs which will we helpful for people like us in future.
Thanks
Seeking for your positive reply.
Hi,
I would like to travel out of the US with my son. I understand that I would need his father to sign and notarize a letter. He had not been a stand up dad to take care of his responsibilities so he left and I can’t find him. What can I do in a situation like that to travel with my son?
happy you enjoyed the story. This park is in Ohio where the climate can be capricious! It’s hottest between late April and November, however even April has the danger of some snow. In case you’re enjoying the great outdoors with children, the most secure wager is June to August, since it’s hotter and there’s little downpour. Make the most of your trek.
Wonderfully informative article!
I want to go travel with kids but I was not decided where we go. Your post is helpful for me. Thanks for sharing.
Tenerife is SO stunning! I love this volcanic landscape, sometimes you feel like you traveled to the Moon. This place has it all – great views, pleasant weather, awesome food, wine and laid-back people. Thanks for sharing ideas, I’ll use some of them on my next trip 🙂
Very nice article and msg we likes so much
I automatically think the word “gumbling” when I heard Las Vegas. I never knew that Las Vegas has something to offer for youngsters. Will bring my children here soon.
Nice Article, it is very helpful to me.
There is no Doubt, Dubai is most popular destination among tourists from across the world and have gained high popularity in last decade. If you are in Dubai and dhow go for dhow cruise, there is some thing missing on your list. There are Dubai dhow cruise, Musandam Dibba dhow cruise and Khasab Musandam dhow cruise. Try some of them and you will love.
Istanbul layover tour is a great service to use the best of your time in Istanbul Airport. However if you like to have a private attention and flexibility, you can check private tour services of ISTANBUL LAYOVER TOURS. They are offering the layover tours from Istanbul International Airport.
Great article! Wanted for Christmas again. Do you know anything about this place ? It is very interesting to know the opinions. How much advance it is necessary to book a hotel and various entertainment before the holidays?