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California With Kids

California has long been my favorite state to visit. Before we had children, my husband and I loved visiting Napa and Sonoma Valleys - visiting the various wineries and eating delicious food every day. After having kids, we continued traveling to California on vacation, but chose different destinations and attractions.

Visiting California with kids? You have so many fabulous options. In San Francisco, you'll find cooler weather, and attractions such as Alcatraz and the Golden State Bridge.

Venture down further to the Los Angeles area, where there are countless things to do, including Disneyland.

Or, you could head to the south of the state, to San Diego. There, you'll find perfect weather year round, wonderful family attractions (like Legoland and SeaWorld), and beautiful beaches.

Check out our California with kids posts below.

Note that we've experienced some of the destinations/attractions below at no cost for purposes for review in the past.

In early 2020, I had the opportunity to stay at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground, located across the street from Disneyland on South Harbor Boulevard. This family-friendly hotel is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a convenient, reasonably-priced hotel for a Disneyland vacation. In the summer of 2022, the Howard Johnson …

Read More about Inside the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel’s New House of the Retro Future Suite

I have always been intrigued by Disney’s California Adventure. While it does have some similarities to the Orlando theme parks at Walt Disney World, it is a different Disney theme park from the others. Featuring several iconic areas like Pixar Pier and Cars Land, Disney’s California Adventure offers something for the entire family. There are …

Read More about The Best Disneyland California Adventure Rides

Living on the east coast, I always have romantic notions of California. I’ve generally pretty envious of their beautiful weather, palm trees, relaxed lifestyle, gorgeous Southern California beaches, and fabulous family-friendly activities. While I usually visit the Orlando theme parks, there are some fantastic Southern California theme parks as well. Even if you live closer …

Read More about Exploring the Southern California Theme Parks

I’ve traveled to the greater San Diego several times for work events and conferences but hadn’t been there with my family. I knew they’d love it – the laid-back atmosphere, the sandy, and salty air, the near-perfect temperatures, and the fun kid-friendly activities. After experiencing a long winter in Boston, we were eager to board …

Read More about 13+ Things to Do in San Diego With Kids

In a region known for world-class theme parks, Knott’s Berry Farm stands out in Southern California as the oldest California theme park. Owned and operated by Cedar Fair (which operates many other parks in the US), Knott’s Berry Farm offers thrill rides, Camp Snoopy, delicious food, festivals, a ghost town, a separately ticketed water park, …

Read More about Guide to Knott’s Berry Farm Rides and Visiting the Theme Park