12. Catalina Island
This beautiful island off the coast of California is a perfect destination for a family-weekend getaway. It even got the nickname “Kidalina”.
The special thing about Catalina Island is its crystal clear water and one-of-a-kind white sand, but there are more activities than just relaxing on the beach: Watch the bisons, take a zip-line tour, or do a glass-bottom boat tour, to name just a few.
11. Turtle Bay Exploration Park
Way up north in Redding, this 300 acre park has a museum, a nursery, sundial bridge, restaurant, and botanical garden.
The park has lots of wildlife to see, including foxes, bobcats, beavers, badgers, vultures, snakes, and of course, turtles.
10. Joshua Tree National Park
Named after its trees, this park is great for kids, even the littler ones.
There are lots of stroller friendly hikes, and for bigger kids, plenty of rocks and boulders to climb. Keys Ranch offers an interesting tour, and a little further you can see the San Andreas fault, Californias biggest fault line.
9. Lake Shasta
The largest reservoir in the Golden State boasts 370 miles of shoreline, which makes it an outdoor paradise. Swimming, water skiing, paddle boarding, hiking, and much more is possible.
Or just rent a houseboat and explore the many secluded coves.
8. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Sometimes called a mini-Yellowstone, this park has hydrothermal features like bubbling mud pots and hissing fumaroles.
Lassen Volcanic is also home to one of the largest plug dome volcanoes on Earth, Lassen Peak, and Fantastic Lava Beds, which were created by flowing lava.
Add the wide variety of wildlife and your children will want to stay forever!
7. Knotts Berry Farm
The first amusement park on this list has a combination of rides, water slides, and historical exhibits about California. You can even pan for gold!
For the best all-around experience, try to come on a warmer day to enjoy the waterpark.
6. Universal Studios
For all the movie (and book) fans, there are rides and exhibits from Harry Potter, Fast & Furious, Jurassic World, Transformers, and The Simpsons.
With some stuff for younger kids, this park might be most enjoyed by older kids.
5. Yosemite National Park
Great hikes for kids, like Tunnel View or Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, offer a perfect way to get out some energy. Just don’t rush it too much and look out for some of Yosemites wildlife.
Beyond all the nature and outdoors of the park, there are places like Bass Lake and the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
If you wanna learn more about the Golden State’s National Parks, be sure to check out our complete guide to California’s National Parks!
4. Monterey Bay Aquarium
California’s most popular aquarium in Monterey has 200 exhibits and 80,000 plants and animals.
You can spot cuddly otters holding hands, sea turtles, and even a few sharks.
Keep an eye out for visiting Nemo and Dory, as they did make an appearance here in Finding Dory.
This is one of the best things to do in California with kids for sure.
3. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of the classic getaway destinations for families in the state.
It boasts crystal clear water, scenic trails, and countless water activities like stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving, kayaking, and swimming.
When visiting in Winter, there are great ski slopes waiting for you!
2. Disneyland
Without surprise, Disneyland is called the happiest place on earth.
It’s known for its charming characters, classic and exciting rides, and large range of culinary experiences.
Plan at least a couple days to get the full experience, even more if you want to check out California Adventure.
The top spot in our list featuring the best things to do in California with kids is…
1. San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
Spanning 100 acres, this zoo stands as probably the most famous in California.
Its vast array of animals makes it an ideal spot for visitors of all ages. Little ones can explore new creatures, and older kids can take in all the animal information.
Plan at least a full day for the zoo, and another day for the safari park.
Be sure to also read our post featuring the 12 best things to do in San Diego!
If you’re staying in the LA area, be sure to also check out our post featuring 104 things to do in Los Angeles! It’s not just activities for kids, but there are some your little ones will love too!
If you enjoyed reading this list, you’ll LOVE watching it in video-format:
