California is a great place for the family to visit. That’s especially true of Southern California, a beautiful and diverse area that contains both a ton of people and a ton of entertainment options. Southern California is also an underrated location for family vacations. Sure, most people know about Disneyland in Anaheim, and that’s definitely a great reason to visit, but it’s far from the only reason to visit. That part of the country has beautiful weather and friendly people, and your family doesn’t have to break the bank in order to have a wonderfully fulfilling travel experience.
The Los Angeles area
What to do in the LA area depends a lot on how old your children area. Teens and even pre-teens might like to visit the Hollywood Boulevard, which is known for attractions like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Dolby Theatre. When you see photos and media reports of an actor or musician receiving a “star,†that’s where it’s all happening. You can walk around and view the stars on the Walk of Fame belonging to legendary names like Frank Sinatra and Katharine Hepburn, as well as more contemporary figures like Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pratt. Millions of people visit the Walk of Fame annually. The Dolby Theatre is known for hosting the Academy Awards every year, and the whole area is awash in celebrity culture and memorabilia. There can also be aggressive street vendors and even people with megaphones yelling at tourists and telling them to go to church, so it might not be the best experience for young children.
Hollywood isn’t known for its natural beauty, but other parts of Los Angeles definitely are. Take the family to see beautiful Griffith Park. It offers pony rides, train rides, and more. Echo Park is known for its breathtaking views, but don’t forget the paddle boats. If your want your children to get a bit of education on vacation, check out the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum or the LA County Museum of Art.
The San Diego area San Diego may not get quite as much as attention as its neighbor to the north, but one visit will show you why it’s often considered the best place to live in Southern California. It has traffic and crowds, sure, but not at the level of Los Angeles rush hour. San Diego has a population of 1.4 million. That’s big, but it’s a far cry from the nearly 4 million people who live in Los Angeles. Visit a San Diego family resort and experience some great food, golf, and theatre. Legoland California is located 30 minutes north of San Diego, and it’s a great experience for both toddlers and pre-teens, as well as their parents. Looking to teach kids about nature? Head to the San Diego Zoo and see why its consistently ranked as one of the top zoos in the world. You heard that right; it’s not just one of the best zoos in the nation. Nope, it’s one of the best zoos on all seven continents. Your family will be too busy having fun with the animals to realize just how much they’re learning.