14 Unmissable Family Things to Do in California (Fun Guaranteed!)

Are you planning a family trip to California?

If you are, you’ve come to the right place! This list includes some of the best things to do in California with kids. From astonishing water parks to mesmerizing museums, the Golden State has something for every family, no matter your kids’ ages or tastes. 

Although going to the beach and enjoying the peaceful sound of waves isn’t so bad, there are many other options available for families who’d rather enjoy a more captivating experience. Do you tend to feel that touristy places are all the same and have nothing interesting to offer? We’ve been there too! 

To save you time and effort, we’ve created a simple guide with a wide selection of fun destinations and activities you can do in Northern and Southern California. Let’s dive right into them!

Best family activities in Southern California

Raging Waters Los Angeles

When it comes to top summer destinations to visit with kids, Raging Waters can provide more captivating experiences than any other park in southern California; after all, it’s the largest water park in the state! That’s got to count for something, right? Let’s see what they have to offer.

As one of the best places to visit with kids in California, the park has 50+ world-class attractions for all ages. This amazing park also features a variety of tube and body slides for every taste, a one million-gallon wave pool, a lazy river, and a 30,000-square-foot water playground. What else could we ask for? 

For kids between the ages of 2 and 5, that is, toddlers or preschoolers, we strongly recommend Splash Island, a colorful play area featuring sprays, mini slides, and interactive elements such as water cannons and tipping buckets. 

Now, if your children are in their teenage years, they can have the best time enjoying the rides and slides this awesome park has to offer. One of the best is Dark Hole, an exciting tube ride that goes through a dark tunnel with sudden twists and drops, giving an adrenaline rush to teens who are seeking excitement.

Finally, if your group is made up of adventurous adults, we assure you that High Extreme won’t disappoint you. This unique experience includes a whole new thrill level, as you’ll begin your descent on head-first mats. Then, you’ll go down one of two 600-foot-long flumes, rocking off turns for a delightful ride of up to 35 miles per hour! That’s something to remember, for sure.

In terms of prices, Raging Waters offers a wide variety of discounts and promotions that suit any type of family. And don’t worry if your gang includes more than 15 people—there are group tickets at affordable prices, too! If you’d like to know more, go check the tickets page!

Boomers! 

If you’d like to visit a fun place with a variety of attractions such as mini-golf, go-karts, and bumper boats, you should definitely go to Boomers! Park.

This fantastic park not only offers great opportunities for family fun, but it also features private events such as birthday parties, graduations, company parties, and even weddings!  

• Best ages: kids aged 6 to 12 years old.

• How long to stay: staying 6 to 8 hours is ideal to enjoy all the attractions.

• Price: general admission ranges from $20 to $40, depending on the package. Individual attractions can range from $5 to $10.

Castle Park

When it comes to exploring fun things to do with family in southern California, we couldn’t leave Castle Park out of the list! This awesome park offers a wide range of activities for all kinds of families to enjoy. 

Founded in 1976, this amusement park hasn’t stopped growing since opening its doors! That’s amazing, don’t you think? In fact, it features 27 rides suitable for all ages, four championship miniature golf courses, a water playground, and much more!

• Best ages: kids aged 3 to 12 can enjoy most rides and attractions, while teenagers (13 to 18) go on more thrilling rides.

• How long to stay: 6 to 8 hours is enough time to enjoy all the rides, multiple rounds of mini-golf, and arcade games.

• Price: general admission costs $20, and the mini-golf area costs $13. Parking is $10.

Irvine Regional Park

If you’d like to experience other family activities to do with kids in southern California, you should definitely visit Irvine Regional Park. It is great for visitors of all ages, ranging from toddlers to adults. 

On the one hand, the little ones can enjoy train rides, playgrounds, and nature activities specially tailored for their curious brains. And, on the other, teenagers and adults can play sports in open fields, have picnics and barbecues, and take different walks or hikes. There’s something for everyone! 

• Best ages: kids aged 6 to 12 will enjoy it the most.

• How long to stay: visits usually last from 4 to 6 hours.

• Price: the train ride costs $7 per person. Parking fees are $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends.

California Science Center

If you and your kids are a little nerdy, you cannot miss the chance to visit the California Science Center, a perfect destination to enjoy family activities in California. Designed to entertain a wide range of age groups, this science center offers interactive exhibits, hands-on science experiments, and educational demonstrations that can entertain children and adults alike.

• Best ages: kids between the ages of 6 and 10 will enjoy the ecosystems and habitat sections, while older children (12+) will love the more complex exhibits.

• How long to stay: visits durations can vary, but if you’re looking to avoid big crowds, we recommend arriving a little early, especially on weekends or holidays. 

• Price: although general admission is free, other special exhibits and services may have additional fees.

Surfing classes in Santa Monica

Have you ever dreamed of surfing the waves without any other worries in the world? We certainly have! Surfing is one of those activities that makes you feel like a free spirit. So, is there any better way to take advantage of California’s beaches? We don’t think so!

Taking surfing classes in Santa Monica is bound to entertain kids and adults alike, and learning how to do it at an early age can lead to many adventurous opportunities for children in the future.

• Best ages: children aged 7 and above can start learning.

• How long to stay: beginners usually start with one-hour sessions. With time, they may want longer sessions, typically ranging from 1 to 2 hours per class.

• Price: around $50 to $100 per hour for group lessons and $75 to $150 per hour for private lessons. 

Great Park Balloon Ride

If you are looking to enjoy a ride that takes you and your family to new heights, we have just the perfect one! The Great Park Balloon Ride is an exciting activity to do with kids in southern California. 

So, when deciding where to go when you visit California, we strongly recommend including this one on your list. This ride soars 400 feet above the surrounding landscape, making it perfect to have a 360° view that spans 40 miles on a clear day. That’s awesome!

• Best ages: children must be at least 18 months old to ride the balloon and always be accompanied by an adult.

• How long to stay: the ride lasts about 10 minutes. We recommend booking your place in advance, especially during peak seasons.

• Price: $10 per person.

The New Children’s Museum

Some might believe that museums are best for adults, right? Well, we’ve come to present a great option if you want your kids to be excited about a museum: The New Children’s Museum! Located in San Diego, this awesome place offers various imaginative and interactive experiences to enjoy.

• Best ages: between the ages of 3 and 10.

• How long to stay: 2 to 4 hours, depending on your interests.

• Price: children over 1 pay a $20 fee, while adults over 18 must pay $24. 

Fun things to do with kids in Northern California

Yosemite National Park

Now, we’ll explore some of the best things to do with kids in northern California. To start off, we have Yosemite National Park, a green and versatile destination that offers interesting activities for all ages, such as hiking, sightseeing, and rock climbing. The best time to visit this park is from the end of May until the end of October; that’s when all the trails are open. 

• Best ages: kids aged 4 to 12 can enjoy easy hikes, while older children (12+) will love doing more challenging activities like rock climbing and rafting.

• How long to stay: you can choose to stay for a few hours or for more than four days! Long hikes and overnight backpacking trips are among the favorite activities to enjoy. 

• Price: there’s a $35-per-car entrance fee upon arrival.

Exploratorium

The Exploratorium, located in San Francisco, offers an interactive experience for those who enjoy learning and being amazed by science. As an interactive museum, it is great for kids to engage in hands-on exhibits, explore sensory experiences, and participate in educational workshops and entertaining demonstrations. When it comes to choosing family activities in northern California, this one is definitely on the top!

• Best ages: some exhibits and programs are best appreciated by adults, while others are very popular with kids and toddlers. 

• How long to stay: the average visit lasts from 3 to 4 hours.

• Price: the adult fee is $40, while the children's (4 to 17) fee is $30. 

Hiking among the redwoods

A guide of family things to do in California with kids wouldn’t be complete without the majestic redwoods! Hiking among these miracles of nature is an unforgettable experience that offers fun for everyone, no matter their age and physical condition. 

You’ll find 0,5-mile loops perfect for toddlers and their short little legs, moderate 2,5-mile loops with stunning views, and a more challenging 5,2-mile out-and-back trial with a waterfall. And, if you would rather enjoy a longer adventure, you can take a strenuous 4-mile round-trip hike that will lead you to one of the tallest tree groves in the world. 

• Best ages: easy hikes are recommended for kids aged 3 to 8, while more difficult trails are great for kids over 9.

• How long to stay: some trails take one or two hours to complete, and others could be full-day excursions.

• Price: although entrance is free, parking fees per vehicle range from $5 to $15.

California Academy of Sciences

As one of the best places to visit in northern California, the California Academy of Sciences offers a wide range of exhibits for families to marvel at. From an aquarium to a planetarium, this museum has something for every taste! 

• Best Ages: kids aged 3 to 12.

• How long to stay: given the number of exhibits, we recommend spending all day in the museum.

• Price: adults pay fees ranging from $40 to $45, while children aged 4 to 11 pay $25 to $35.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Are you ready to embark on an outdoorsy adventure in northern California? We’ve got the perfect place for you! This mesmerizing park offers a variety of landscapes such as meadows with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and many volcanoes. You and your family won’t be disappointed, that’s for sure.

Do you have a family pet and would like to bring them with you? You can certainly do so. Pets are more than welcome in this park!

• Best Ages: kids aged 5 to 12 will enjoy moderate hikes and educational programs offered by the park rangers.

• How long to stay: you can stay one or several days for a more in-depth exploration.

• Price: the standard pass costs $10 to $30, while the annual pass costs $55.

Sacramento River Cruise

Enjoying a Sacramento River cruise can be a delightful experience for a family holiday in California since it offers historical insights, scenic views, and a relaxing atmosphere. You can learn about local history and spot wildlife along the riverbanks.

If you’re into this type of activity, we recommend checking the options available—which are plenty—to ensure you’re choosing the best cruise for your family or group. 

• Best ages: kids over 7 years old and adults.

• How long to stay: one to two hours. Some cruises offer longer excursions.

• Price: typically ranging from $20 to $40 per person.

Do you already know what you will visit in the Golden State?

From intellectual adventures to nature wonders and astonishing parks, we have covered the best things to do in California with kids. Whether you like visiting unique museums and science centers, hiking among natural parks and woods, or enjoying an unforgettable and out-of-this-world aquatic experience, there’s sure to be something for everyone on this list. 

No matter your preference—going from chill to thrill—, we think that Raging Waters is an amazing opportunity to live your best life this summer, making a family holiday feel like a one-of-a-kind experience! With special discounts and promotions, Raging Waters Los Angeles offers the kind of Cali fun you’re looking for! 

FAQs

Is California good for kids?

Absolutely! With its wide variety of attractions, natural landscapes, and family-friendly destinations, the state of California is great for kids and families to have fun and enjoy their time together. Also, the state’s nice weather allows visitors to perform fun activities all year round. Whether it’s having fun in waterparks such as Ranging Waters, hiking among the redwoods, or learning about science in museums, California offers countless opportunities for adventure for kids of all ages.

What city in California is kid-friendly?

San Diego is super kid-friendly. With the abundance of family attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and outdoor parks, this city offers great opportunities for parents to enjoy the outdoors and for kids to run free! 

What part of California is good for families?

In general terms, the best option for families is San Franciso Bay. It offers diverse family-friendly destinations and close proximity to outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, and exploring the coast. Plus, the region is home to world-class museums, which makes it even more appealing to families who want to foster intellectual and cultural knowledge in their children.