California is a popular travel destination for families with children. There are beaches and mountains, theme parks and famous landmarks, and best of all, the weather is usually sunny and warm. With so much to do, though, narrowing down an itinerary is a challenge. Sticking with destinations iconic to California is a good place to start for first-time visitors, a plan that should leave toddlers, teens and even adults with memories of the perfect trip.
California has theme parks and thrill rides near every major city. San Diego is home to Legoland, where kids see a favorite toy come to life, and SeaWorld, home to exciting marine attractions such as whale and dolphin shows and opportunities to feed sea lions. In and around Las Angeles, kids can meet Mickey Mouse at Disneyland, get an adrenalin rush on Six Flags Magic Mountain's record number of roller coasters or pretend they're in the movies on Universal Studios' action-packed rides and movie studio tours. Just outside of San Francisco, California's Great America offers something for all ages, from Nickelodeon characters to thrill rides to a water park.
From behind-the-scenes studio tours to "where the stars live" bus trips, families can plan entire vacations around movies and film stars. Make sure to stop at the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater and its famous footprints and the Hollywood Walk of Fame for photo opportunities with your stars bearing the names of your favorite movie and television stars. Both Warner Brothers and Universal Studios offer studio tours where visitors can visit working production sets, eat in the studio commissary with real actors and crew and visit the backlots and sets of the movie-making greats.
Rich in flora and fauna, California's natural attractions are among its best features. Visit the world-famous 100-acre San Diego Zoo in Southern California. Northern California's Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey offers a three-floor kelp forest, a million-gallon tank with sharks and viewing platforms where you might even spot a whale. The Redwood National Park lacks thrill rides, but even the most cynical teenager will be impressed by the giant towering trees. Adventurous families will want to hike, camp or kayak in the park, while others might be satisfied with a scenic drive through the area.
