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Popular
California Attractions
Explore some great family vacation ideas below then Search California Tours, Plan Your California Vacation or find Fast and Easy Hotel Reservation Services.
San Francisco: The City by the Bay is filled with unexpected pleasures for every member of the family. Ride the cable cars that "climb halfway to the stars" and visit the Exploratorium, the California Academy of Sciences (which includes the Steinhart Aquarium), the zoo, the ships at the National Maritime Museum, Golden Gate Park, Sony's Metreon Entertainment Center, and much more.
Hearst Castle: Building a castle?? See what you can do with an unlimited budget while visiting the most popular landmark in California.
Big Sur: Rock-strewn beaches, towering cliffs, and redwood forests combine to form what may be the world's most dramatic coastal panorama. Our favorite vantage point for taking it all in is Garrapata State Park, a 2,879-acre preserve that lords over 4 spectacular miles of coastline.
Lake Tahoe: California's Disneyland of outdoor adventure, Lake Tahoe has loads of family-fun things to do. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, tobogganing, swimming, fishing, boating, water-skiing, mountain biking--the list is nearly endless.
Yosemite National Park: Camping or staying in a cabin in Yosemite is a premier family attraction in California. Sites are scattered over 17 different campgrounds, and the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains surrounds you. During the day, the family calendar is packed with hiking, bicycling, white-water rafting, and even mountaineering to rugged, snowy peaks.
Santa Cruz: Surfing, sea kayaking, hiking, fishing, and great shopping, not to mention those fantastic beaches and the legendary amusement park on the boardwalk--this wonderfully funky bayside town has everything you need for the perfect family vacation.
Monterey: It's been called "Disneyland-by-the-Sea" due to its wealth of family-friendly activities, including those on Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf. Be sure to check out the state-of-the-art aquarium.
Redwood National & State Parks: Come see the world's largest and most majestic trees at this arboreal Eden. More than 300 bird species and 100 mammals can also be seen, many of them year-round. Howland Hill Road is a must-do.
Big Bear Lake: Families flock year-round to this lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, and not just for the skiing. Horseback riding, miniature golf, watersports, and the Alpine Slide (kind of a snowless bobsled) are fun alternatives, and you can see and learn about native wildlife at the Moonridge Animal Park. The recently expanded village has a movie theater, arcade, and dozens of cutesy bear-themed businesses. The area's woodsy cabins are perfect for families.
Disneyland: The "Happiest Place on Earth" is family entertainment at its best, further enhanced by its sister theme park, California Adventure. Whether you're wowed by Disney animation, thrilled by the roller-coaster rides, or interested in the history and hidden secrets of this pop-culture icon, you won't walk away disappointed. Be sure to get a Fast Pass to skip those long lines.
San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, & SeaWorld: San Diego boasts three of the world's best animal attractions. At the zoo, animals live in creatively designed habitats such as Tiger River and Hippo Beach. At the Wild Animal Park, 3,000 animals roam freely over 2,200 acres. And SeaWorld, with its ever-changing animal shows and exhibits, is an aquatic wonderland.
Mount Shasta: One of the most spectacular sights in all of California is the mighty volcano Mount Shasta, a solitary tower of rock and snow rising thousands of feet above the valley floor. And if you're in good shape, it makes for an exhilarating climb as well.
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