Best Things to do in California with Kids

Things to do in California with kids

When most people think of a California trip with kids, the first thing that comes to mind is Disneyland. While Disneyland is an absolute must-do on your California vacation with kids, there are so many more great things to do in California with kids!

If you’re planning a trip to California with the kids and need some inspiration for things to do and places to visit, then this is the perfect guide for you.  In this visit California with kids guide, we cover not just some of the best places to visit in the USA, but some of the very best places to visit in California with kids.

Talk to other families about their tips on visiting California and join our Thrifty Family Travel Facebook Group or be inspired on our Thrifty Family Travel Instagram Feed.

This post may contain compensated links.  Please refer to my disclaimer here for more information.

 

Before you go to the USA – Getting your ESTA 

Before your USA vacation with kids, if you’re not from the USA, make sure you arrange a USA ESTA Visa for every member of your family a few weeks before your trip.  Basically, an ESTA is a mandatory travel authorisation to travel to the USA without a visa.  There is no exception, everyone in your family will need a valid ESTA visa to enter the country, or you will be refused entry.

The ESTA application is completed online and only takes a few minutes to complete.  The cost of the ESTA is minimal and basically consists of consular fees and application costs and can be made online via credit card or PayPal.

Once your application has been granted, you’ll be notified via email, and then you’re good to go!  There is no document required; it is just an electronic travel authorisation for the USA.  The good news is if you are planning multiple trips to the USA, an ESTA is valid for two years.

Ok so now the boring paperwork is taken care of, let’s get back to planning what to do in California with kids!

The Best Things to do in California with Kids 

While there are many wonderful cities to visit in California, the three most popular places to go with kids in California are San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.  Within these three cities, you will find a zillion fun things to do with the kids and tick off a few things from your USA bucket list.  So in this guide, I’m going to be focusing on these cities.   

I’ve also included the below map so you can easily plan your California itinerary.

 

For tips on where to go on the California North Coast click here.

Things to do in San Francisco with Kids

 As you cruise down the Pacific Coast Road, one of the first major cities you’ll hit is San Francisco.  Here are our top tips on things to do in San Fran!

Golden Gate Bridge

Places to visit in California with kids

Did you even go to San Francisco if you didn’t see the Golden Gate Bridge?  The Golden Gate Bridge is the most iconic landmark in San Francisco and a must-see place while touring California with kids.  Either drive over it, walk over it, ride a bike over it, take a cruise under it or for the perfect photo of it head to Hyde Street Pier, Pier 39,  Coit Tower, Marin Headlands or either side of the bridge.

A trip to see the Golden Gate Bridge is a must, whether you’re a first-timer in San Francisco or it’s your fifth visit!  And if you’re on a California road trip – be sure to drive over it. 

As there are loads of ways to experience the wonder that is the Golden Gate Bridge, to help you decide how you want to see it, click here to check out a range of tours and cruises.

Lombard Street – World’s Crookedest Street

California vacation with kids

Another one of the best places to take kids in California is Lombard Street. This street is famous for being the world’s most crooked street.  It is a super steep street with eight hairpin turns and is also a very pretty little street making for a great backdrop for some fun family pics.  Don’t miss it on your California road trip.

Definitely add Lombard Street to your San Francisco itinerary, it is one of the things to visit in California for kids that is just quirky enough to hold their attention… and also perfect if you’re after some of the free things to do in San Francisco! 

Alcatraz Island

What to do in California with kids

One of my personal favourite things to do in San Francisco is to take a trip to Alcatraz Island.  Take the kids across to this fascinating island, where you will experience the gorgeous views of San Francisco Bay as well as learn about the history of the ever so interesting Alcatraz Island.

There are various options for visiting Alcatraz, from a simple cruise around the island to taking a tour through the prison for a behind the scene look into what life in Alcatraz was like.  My tip is to definitely do a tour through the prison! The tour below incorporates Alcatraz admission, ferry ride and the Cellhouse audio tour, along with a guided City Tour visiting key attractions in California for families!

Location: Alcatraz Island & City Tour
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Friday & Sundays | 6.5 hour Tour
Price: USD $150 per adult | USD $115 per child (5-11) | Under 5s are free – Click here to book discounted tickets online.

Children’s Creativity Museum

The title of this museum pretty much sums up what it’s all about… kids getting creative! The great thing is the hands-on experiences across multimedia arts and technology are designed to build creative confidence in kids aged 2 to 12.

The exhibits include an Animation Studio where you create your own movie from Lego and minifigures. The Making Music Studio takes you on a melodic adventure as kids experiment with sound via the Dancing Dots carpet, building their own instrument and recording a song. The Mood Room brings the mood down to chillax… with calm music and digital art projections, it’s the perfect place to have a rest. There are more exhibits to discover along with special events that occur throughout the year offering additional creative experimentation.

If you’re looking for something unique to add to your California family holiday itinerary… the Children’s Creativity Museum could be just the thing!

Location: 221 4th St, San Francisco
Opening Hours: Thursday & Friday 10am to 12.30pm | Saturday & Sunday 10am to 4pm | Closed Mon – Wed
Price: Starting from USD$20 per person – check website for pricing and availability at your time of travel

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom 

Not to be confused with the Six Flags in Los Angeles, the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is in San Francisco and is one of the most fun places for kids in California.  This animal theme park is spread out over 135 acres and features a range of animal attractions, thrill rides and other fun rides for kids of all ages.

If you’re after some fun things to do with kids in California, definitely factor in a visit to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in San Francisco.

If you book the ‘Go San Francisco’ Card you will get access to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – along with over 25+ of the best things to do in California – all for the one discounted price, click on the ticket link below for more details.

Location: 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo
Opening Hours: Park hours change seasonally, check the website for opening hours for your travel dates
Price: USD $67 per adult | USD $56 per child (3-15) – Click here to book tickets online.

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

Another one of the best places for kids in California is the San Francisco Zoo.  This zoo is home to over 2000 exotic animals from all over the world.  The kids will enjoy exploring exhibits such as the African Savanna or the Australian Walkabout.  Animals on display include Red Pandas, Grizzly Bears, Penguins, Chimpanzees, Sea Lions, Big Cats and more!

There are daily animal talks and animal feeding demonstrations as well as a few rides at the zoo for the kids too such as the miniature steam train and the carousel.  There is also a playground for the little ones too.

If you book the ‘Go San Francisco’ Card you will get access to the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens – along with over 25+ fun things to do in California with kids – all for the one discounted price, click on the ticket link below for more details.

Location: Sloat Blvd, The Great Highway, San Francisco
Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm
Price: USD $67 per adult | USD $56 per child (3-15) – Click here to book tickets online.

Exploratorium 

When it comes to some super fun kids’ activities in California – Exploratorium is the place to be!  Said to be one of the world’s most interactive museums, Exploratorium allows kids to explore the world through science, art and human perception.  On display are over 600 exhibits both indoors and outdoors which children are encouraged to touch and play with.

Kids will love creating giant bubbles, experimenting with light and sound while learning about the scientific process of light and sound waves and stacks more.  Exploratorium without a doubt offers some great fun for kids in California. 

The Exploratorium also offers strollers to loan in case little legs get tired, and all bathrooms are equipped with change tables – so if you’re looking for things to do with toddlers in California, the Exploratorium is well equipped!

If you book the ‘Go San Francisco’ Card you will get access to the Exploratorium – along with over 25+ family things to do in California – all for the one discounted price, click on the ticket link below for more details.

Location: Pier 15 (Embarcadero @ Green St.), San Francisco
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm | Sunday 12pm to 5pm
Price: USD $67 per adult | USD $56 per child (3-15) – Click here to book tickets online.

California’s Great America Theme Park 

Another one of the fun places to go with kids in California while in San Francisco is California’s Great America theme park.  Spread out over 100 acres, this is an amusement and water park where you can spend the day riding roller coasters, seeing live shows and cooling off on super fun waterslides.

Older children will love thrill rides such as the Gold Striker, Drop Tower and The Grizzly, while younger ones will enjoy the tiny tot rides such as Planet Snoopy and the Character Carousel.  During the warmer months, the whole family will enjoy spending time at Breakers Bay where you will find a swimming lagoon, wave pool, and various waterslides and water play for the littlies. 

Great America is made for families w

If you book the ‘Go San Francisco’ Card you will get access to California’s Great America – along with over 25+ of the best places to visit in California with family – all for the one discounted price, click on the ticket link below for more details.

Location: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara
Opening Hours: Park opening hours and days vary seasonally, check the website for up to date information
Price: USD $67 per adult | USD $56 per child (3-15) – Click here to book tickets online.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Fun places for kids in California

During your California travel with kids, if you’re doing a drive from San Francisco to LA, do yourself a favour and stop in at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Located just 2 hours south of San Francisco, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is considered one of the most famous Aquariums in the world and is home to over 35,000 sea creatures from over 550 marine species.

Some of the highlights at the aquarium include the three-story living Kelp Forest, million-gallon Open Sea exhibit, and the two-story sea otters home.

Also did you know that the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the inspiration for the setting of the film “Finding Dory”?  The kids will want to go there for this reason alone! 

So if you’re looking for things to do in California for kids… the amazing exhibits, quirky marine life and of course Dory, tick a lot of boxes!

Tickets are USD$49.95 per adult and USD$34.95 per child and can be purchased direct online.

Yosemite National Park

Places to go with kids in California

If you’re up for a big full day trip from San Francisco, then definitely include a trip to the Yosemite National Park.  There are so many great things to do in Yosemite with kids.  During your day trip be sure to check out the Yosemite Valley’s giant sequoias, Half Dome, El Capitan and waterfalls like Bridalveil Falls and Yosemite Falls – North America’s tallest waterfall.  It’s also the perfect place to see California’s Giant Redwood trees.

Either take a hire car out and go exploring on your own or join a day tour operating from San Francisco – this way you all get to have a nap on the long journey home.  If you decide to your own thing, consider this 10 day itinerary which includes Yosemite National Park.

You’ll need to weigh up if Yosemite is where to go in California with kids… they will love it whilst there, however it is a long day so for those kids that get restless you may need some entertainment and lots of snacks!

Location: Tour passes through Sierra Foothills, Merced River and more on the way to Yosemite National Park
Operating Hours: 14-hour tour | Departing approx. 6.20am – Returning approx. 8pm
Price: USD $283 per adult | USD $207 per child (5-15) | Under 5s are free – Click here to book your discounted tickets online.

Click here for tips on the best family hotels in San Francisco.

Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids 

Here are our top tips on where to go in Los Angeles with kids. You can find our full guide on things to do in Los Angeles with kids here and the best family accommodation in LA here.

Universal Studios

One of the fun places to take kids in California is Universal Studios.  Universal Studios is a working movie studio where you will have the opportunity to see some behind the scenes sets from some of the biggest Hollywood movies as well as go on some of the best movie inspired rides.

There are many movie rides here to give you an adrenaline rush, from Revenge of the Mummy, to Jurassic Park and Transformers to name but a few.  From cartoon characters to studio tours there are plenty of other things to see and do if the fast-paced thrill-seeking rides don’t appeal to you.  However without a doubt, the most popular attraction at Universal right now is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a magical display where you can sample butterbeer and shop at Hogsmeade.

Universal Studios is one of the best family things to do in California if you have kids of different ages – as there is something for everyone!

Location: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City which is located just north of downtown Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley.

Opening Hours:  Open every day of the year. With seasonal opening hours, check their website for accurate times when you visit.

Price: Tickets come in a variety of configurations in low season and high season to regular 1 day or 2 day tickets in addition to Universal Express and VIP tickets. Universal Express tickets allow one-time express access to each ride, attraction and show (excluding retail locations and restaurants). Whereas VIP tickets allow unlimited front of line access to each attraction and priority seating at each show, also included in this ticket is a guide, lunch and access to exclusive lounge. Which type of ticket is right for you will depend on how much time you have; how much you want to spend and how much flexibility you need.

Non-Peak Season General Admission ‘Buy A Day, Get a 2nd Day FREE’, tickets: USD $124 per adult | USD $118 per child (3-9) | Under 3s are free – Click here to buy tickets online.

Disneyland

Ok probably one of the top 10 things to do in California with kids is a day trip to the world-famous Disneyland!  Disneyland is about experiencing the fairy-tale and watching all your favourite cartoon characters of Walt Disney come to life. The child in you will enjoy this place as much as your children.

Spend your day at Disneyland going on all the movie inspired rides and explore Cinderella’s Castle.  There are various shows to watch as well as autographs to collect from your favourite Disney characters.  And be sure to hang around until the end of the day for the fantastic nightly fireworks display.  Don’t forget to research the various Disneyland hacks to make the most of your day.

Klook quite often sell discounted tickets to Disneyland, so be sure to check there before purchasing your ticket elsewhere.   You can purchase either one day tickets, or multi day tickets and have the option to choose a combined ticket to both Disneyland and California Adventure Park. 

Or, if you do decide to explore Disneyland over a couple of days, you can click here for family accommodation near Disneyland.

Location:  Disneyland is located in Anaheim at 1313 Disneyland Drive, you can get here by car, bus or train, click here for more information and directions
Opening Hours:  Disneyland is open every day of the year. With opening hours being seasonal, check their website for more accurate times when you visit.
Price: One day tickets start from USD $134 per adult | USD $127 per child (3-9) | Under 3s are free – Click here to buy discounted tickets online. 

Need more help with planning your Disney vacation?  Check out our guide on where to stay in Anaheim and whether the Genie+ is worth the extra money.

Disney California Adventure Park

Right next to Disneyland is Disney California Adventure Park, a completely separate park to Disneyland, which has a focus on the famous Pixar movies.  Here you will find seven themed areas including Cars Land, Pixar Pier and Hollywood Land.

Some of the popular rides at California Adventure Park include Jessie’s Critter Carousel (Toy Story), Emotional Whirlwind (Inside Out), Radiator Spring Racers (Cars) and the Incredicoaster (The Incredibles) just to name a few.

Kids will also love meeting their favourite charters such as Elsa and Ana, Spiderman and a range of other Pixar characters.  California Adventure Park along with Disneyland, are certainly some of the best places to go with kids in California.

Klook quite often sell discounted tickets to California Adventure Park, so be sure to check there before purchasing your ticket elsewhere.   You can purchase either one day tickets, or multi day tickets and have the option to choose a combined ticket to both Disneyland and California Adventure Park. 

Location: California Adventure Park is located in Anaheim at 1313 Disneyland Drive, you can get here by car, bus or train, click here for more information and directions
Opening Hours:  Opening hours can vary, check their website for more accurate times when you visit.
Price: One day tickets start from USD $134 per adult | USD $127 per child (3-9) | Under 3s are free – Click here to buy discounted tickets online. 

Knotts Berry Farm 

Want to know where to take go in California with kids that is not Disneyland?  Well another much-loved California theme park is Knotts Berry Farm.  This theme park is spread out over 160 acres with rides, shows and attractions across four themed areas including Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, The Boardwalk and Camp Snoopy.

For the older kids they will love thrill rides such as Ghostrider, Supreme Scream and Hangtime, while the little ones will appreciate Camp Snoopy which has a range of gentle rides. 

Generally, if you’ve been on a family holiday to California before, you would have visited Disneyland. So, if you still want to take the kids to a theme park, but somewhere different, Knotts Berry Farm could be one of the things to do, California has on offer.

Location:  8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, which is near Anaheim.
Opening Hours:  Check out the website for seasonal operating hours.
Price:  Prices vary depending on the day purchased – they will be approximately USD$75 online and USD$99 at the gate, click here to buy online and see different ticket types.

Six Flags Magic Mountain 

Wondering what to do with kids in California? Yes, another California theme park, this time it’s Six Flags Magic Mountain.  This is a huge theme park spread out over 262 acres and said to have some the craziest rides in all of Los Angeles!  But don’t worry if you have little ones too, as there is plenty here for them also.

For the older kids they will love the crazy rides such as Goliath, Twisted Colossus, Viper and Apocalypse, while the little kids will like Bugs Bunny World where they can enjoy various pint-sized rides.  There is also a range of daily shows and the opportunity to get autographs from your favourite Looney Tunes characters.

Location: 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, in Santa Clarita.
Opening Hours: Open daily, but times are seasonal check out the website for exact times.
Price:  General Admission starts from around USD$65 per person. Click here for more information and to get your tickets online.

Natural History Museum of LA County

The Natural History Museum is the largest natural and historical museum in the western United States, home to over 35 million specimens that go back billions of years. In the Dinosaur exhibit, the kids will love seeing fascinating pre-historic creatures and checking out the T. Rex Growth Series inside the Dino lab where they can see paleontologists work behind the scenes.

This is one of the things to do with kids California has on offer that is reasonably price, they will love and if it’s raining the bonus is – it’s indoors!

Location: 900 Exposition Blvd. in Exposition Park, between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Street
Opening Hours:  Daily 9.30am to 5pm | Closed Tuesdays
Price:  USD $15 per adult | USD $7 per child (3-12) | Under 3s are free – Click here to buy discounted tickets online.

La Brea Tar Pits

So if you’re wondering where to take kids in California – which is not a theme park but still super cool – consider going to the La Brea Tar Pits.  During the ice age, animals fell into the La Brea Tar Pits and were preserved well enough for modern discovery. Today, you can see the remains of a sabre-toothed cat, dire wolves, bison, ground sloths, turtles, and an American lion. The location is still an active dig site and the kids will love watching the scientists at work.

Other things to do at the La Brea Tar Pits include learning about the ice age at the 3D theatre, checking out fossils from over 650 different species, see tar bubbling and seeping through the ground and watch paleontologists at work in the Fossil Lab.

La Brea Tar Pits are one of the things to see in California that are totally unique… and the kids will love it! 

Location: 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
Opening Hours:  Daily 9.30am to 5pm | Closed Tuesdays
Price: USD $15 per adult | USD $7 per child (3-12) | Under 3s are free – Click here to buy discounted tickets online.

Legoland

Legoland must be one of the fun places to visit with kids in California.  Everyone loves Lego, so a day at Legoland is a must for families.  With over 60 rides and attractions, at Legoland there is so much to do.  The kids will love playing with Lego, riding Lego inspired rides, visiting the water park and walking through miniature worlds such as Washington DC, New York and San Francisco where everything is created from Lego.  There are even Star Wars scenes reconstructed entirely out of Lego!

Like most parks, Legoland has themed areas including Ninjago, Star Wars, Miniland, Fun Town, Castle Hill and more. Some of the popular things to do at Legoland include getting your Legoland drivers’ licence and taking to the racetrack, watching live shows and meeting some of your favourite Lego people. 

With Lego seeing a resurgence in popularity of late, with TV shows featuring Lego building, supermarkets giving away Lego and themed Lego bricks available to purchase – this is one of the top 10 things to do in California for families of all ages!

Location:  Legoland is located at One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, which is in between Anaheim and San Diego.
Opening Hours:  Daily 10am to 6pm but park hours are updated periodically, and some days in certain seasons are closed. 
Price:  USD $100 per adult | USD $95 per child (3-12) | Under 3s are free – Click here to buy tickets online.

Santa Monica Pier

One of the best family things to do in LA would have to be a visit to Santa Monica Pier.  This landmark is very popular with locals and tourists alike and home to Pacific Park amusement park. This iconic amusement park is not a big, extravagant theme park like LA’s more renowned attractions; but it has a carousel, ferris wheel, and a roller coaster, along with some tamer rides for the little ones.

With a beach, ice-cream and rides all in one place, you don’t get more kid friendly places to visit in California than at Santa Monica Pier.

Location: 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
Opening Hours: Check Park’s scheduled operating hours here
Price: Whilst entry to Santa Monica Pier and Pacific fair is FREE, rides and attractions are priced individually and start at $5 USD. You can also purchase unlimited ride passes starting at $25 USD for kids 7 years and under or $45 for everyone else.

Things to do in San Diego with Kids 

Below are our top picks on where to go with kids in San Diego.

Sesame Place San Diego

Meet your favourite furry friends on Sesame Street, splash and slide at the water park, and ride the kid-friendly coasters, all at the one theme park – Sesame Place!

This theme park opened in 2022 and is one of the best things to do in California with kids – as there is something for everyone. There are 18 Sesame Street-themed rides such as Cookie Climb, Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets, Sunny Day Carousel and water attractions such as Cookie’s Monster Mixer and The Count’s Splash Castle.

The Sesame Street Neighborhood is set up just like you see on TV and includes Interactive Play, Storytime with Big Bird and Character Photo Ops. And there’s more… Street Party Parades, Theatre Show, loads of eateries and of course shops with iconic Sesame Street merchandise.

And if you’re looking for a kids activity in California that caters to children with any sensory challenges, Sesame Place is a Certified Autism Centre.  With staff-wide training, pre-visit planning resources and designated quiet spaces with comfortable seating at the park.

If you book the ‘Go San Diego’ Card you will get access to Sesame Place San Diego – along with over 40+ of the fun things for families to do in California – all for the one discounted price, click on the ticket link below for more details.

Location: 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista
Opening Hours: Park opening hours and days vary seasonally, check the website for up to date information
Price: USD $109 per adult | USD $99 per child (3-12) – Click here to book discounted tickets online.

Watersports San Diego

Image Credit: Visit California

San Diego has got watersports down to a fine aquatic art! With warm temps year round, San Diego’s beaches, bays and lakes are the watery home for loads of watersports.

On your California holiday with kids why not balance on a Stand Up Paddleboard, or stroke away on a kayak, snorkelling is a great way to get a view under the water, or what about hang ten surfing at La Jolla?!

There are loads of watersports to try and the great thing is if you book the ‘Go San Diego’ Card you will get access to a whole heap of these watersports – along with over 40+ of the best things to do in California with family – all for the one discounted price, click on the ticket link below for more details.

Location: San Diego 
Opening Hours: Check the Go Card Guide for a full list of activities and their opening hours
Price: USD $109 per adult | USD $99 per child (3-12) – Click here to book discounted tickets online.

San Diego Zoo

Things to do in Southern California with kids

Said to be the best zoo in the US and one of the largest zoos in the entire world, a visit to the San Diego Zoo is a must for families looking for things to do in Southern California with kids.  It also makes for a great weekend getaway from Los Angeles.

At San Diego Zoo there is more than 3700 animals from over 650 species to see.  Some of the crowd favourites are koalas, cheetahs, polar bears and pandas.  There is also a range of daily educational shows as well as animal feeding demonstrations.  And don’t forget to take the Skyfari aerial tram for a ride over the treetops.

If you book the ‘Go San Diego’ Card you will get access to San Diego Zoo – along with over 40+ of the best family places to visit in California – all for the one discounted price, click on the ticket link below for more details.

Location: 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego
Opening Hours: Park opening hours and days vary seasonally, check the website for up to date information
Price: USD $109 per adult | USD $99 per child (3-12) – Click here to book discounted tickets online.

Sea World

If one animal park isn’t enough on your Southern California vacation with kids, take the kids to Sea World.  Spread across 190 acres, Sea World San Diego is the biggest Sea World in the entire world.  Here you will find hundreds of marine animals on display, as well as rides and live performances.

Animals on display here include sea lions, polar bears, penguins, bottlenose dolphins and even beluga whales.  There are also daily educational talks too.

The older kids will love rides such as Emperor, Electric Eel, Manta and Tidal Twister and the little ones will enjoy the pint-sized rides in Ocean Explorer land.

Location: Mission Bay Park, 500 Sea World Dr, San Diego
Opening Hours:  Park hours and show schedules are updated periodically. Check out their calendar on SeaWorld’s official website for accurate information.
Price: All tickets are USD $60 | Under 3s are free – Click here to buy tickets online

USS Midway Museum

Another one of the super interesting places to take kids in southern California is to the USS Midway Museum.  The USS Midway Museum was once a working aircraft carrier that served in the US Navy from 1945 to 1992.  Today it’s a museum where you can take an audio tour and learn about its maritime history.

Parents and kids alike will enjoy exploring this floating city which includes over 600 different exhibits, including various planes on display.  Also don’t miss the fabulous views of Coronodo Island, Downtown San Diego and the Harbor from the top of the ship.

Location: 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego
Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm
Price: USD $26 per adult | USD $18 per child (6-12) | Under 6s are free – Click here to buy tickets online.

____________________________________________________________

We hope this guide has got you excited to visit California! Click here if you’re after more things to do in San Diego with kids, or check out our ultimate list of things do with kids in LA here, if you decide to head to the East Coast of the USA our complete guide to NYC with kids is a must read.

2 thoughts on “Best Things to do in California with Kids”

  1. Why take your kids to Sea World? Surely we can all agree in this day and age that there is nothing good for those poor animals there?!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Get our LA with Kids Guide FREE!

Get our free 31 page guide which includes everything you need to know for a stress free trip to LA with the kids.  

It includes the best attractions (including where to get discount tickets), best budget family hotels & how best to get around.

Start planning that LA trip now!

 
 

Thank you! Now check your email to confirm your request.