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Home | 3 Fun Summer Vacation Family Road Trips in California

3 Fun Summer Vacation Family Road Trips in California

It's already June, and summer vacation is here! If you feel like you and your family need to get away this summer without traveling too far, now's the time to plan your trip. With that in mind, we put together 3 fun California family road trip ideas, so pack up the kids and head out for some summer vacation adventures.

Experience California History in Sacramento & the Gold Country

Columbia State Historic Park

Families, especially those with fourth graders, can have a great time exploring our state's history in Sacramento and the Gold Country.

Sutter's Fort Sacramento

  • After Sacramento, head east on Highway 50 to Placerville and head south on historic Highway 49 to check out the Gold Country towns and sights along the way.

Gold Country gold panning

  • Explore geological wonders and pan for gemstones at Moaning Caverns near Murphys.
  • End your trip at Columbia State Historic Park, where you can get hands-on with Gold Rush history in an authentic 1850s mining town. Try your hand at gold panning and ride in a stagecoach!

Railtown 1897 Jamestown

  • If you didn't get enough trains in Sacramento, make sure you stop by Railtown 1897 in nearby Jamestown for a ride on a steam locomotive.
  • Head back to the Bay Area via Highway 120. Stop in the little town of Knights Ferry to walk across the 1857 covered bridge and get ice cream at Knights Ferry Creamery.

Have a Whale of a Time in Santa Cruz & the Monterey Bay Area

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay is only about three hours away from the San Francisco Bay Area, and there's so much for families to do there. It's one of our favorite getaway destinations.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Asilomar State Beach

  • Take the kiddos an eco-adventure: go kayaking or whale watching on Monterey Bay.
  • We love the neighboring town of Pacific Grove, famous for its beaches, butterflies, and old-fashioned atmosphere.
  • Asilomar State Beach is one of our favorite places to relax and play and the adjacent Asilomar Conference Grounds is a fantastic place for families to stay.

Carmel Mission San Carlos Borromeo

  • Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for shops, galleries, restaurants, and the beautiful Carmel Beach.
  • Make sure you check out the 18th-century Carmel Mission for even more California history. You can stop at Mission San Juan Bautista on the way back to the Bay Area, too — it's a short drive off 101.

Hooray for Hollywood!

Universal Studios Hollywood

Southern California and Los Angeles are closer than you think thanks to I-5. Explore the world of moviemaking and Hollywood on a fun family trip to the Southland.

  • Our favorite place to stay is the Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood. It has spacious apartment-sized rooms, wonderful service, and cool amenities like a poolside popsicle hotline, free snacks, free laundry, and breakfast is included, too. Plus, guests can get reservations to the legendary Magic Castle next door for dinner, brunch, and magic shows. 
  • Take the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood for a fascinating behind-the-scenes movie experience (for kids 8 and older). Try on the Sorting Hat at the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" exhibit!

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Burbank

  • Have breakfast or lunch at the original Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. If you're lucky you can sit in the Beatles Booth where the Fab Four dined in 1965.
  • Watch a movie at the fabulous El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. This restored 1926 movie palace is run by Disney and features their latest cinematic hits in unforgettable surroundings.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

  • Grab dinner before or after the movie at Miceli's Italian restaurant around the corner. A favorite of stars and celebrities since 1946, its talented waiters sing show tunes and opera arias while you dine.
  • While you're down there, a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood is mandatory. Enjoy Hollywood fun at the theme park and don't forget to take the famous tram tour of the historic Universal back lot.

Disneyland

  • End your movie-themed visit with … a trip to Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth! It's always crowded, so don't worry about going during the summer — just enjoy it.
  • Disneyland pro tip: get there early so you're in line when it opens at 8 am and you'll have the run of the park for an hour or two.
  • If you still have time, take a trip to LA's Miracle Mile and visit the La Brea Tarpits for a fascinating prehistoric adventure.

La Brea Tarpits museum Los Angeles