Things to do in California with kids
50 attractions • Updated May 2026
Looking for things to do in California with kids? You are spoiled for choice. From Disneyland Park to family days out in Anaheim and the best theme parks in California, California packs more family days out into one trip than almost any other state. We have pulled together 50 of the best places to visit in California, each with addresses, opening times and what to expect with kids in tow. Filter by category or browse by city below.
Published May 2026. Editorial oversight by James Morgan. AI-assisted, human-edited. Our editorial standards
Cities in California
- Anaheim(2 attractions)
- Buena Park(2 attractions)
- Carlsbad(1 attraction)
- Escondido(1 attraction)
- Felton(1 attraction)
- Irvine(2 attractions)
- La Jolla(1 attraction)
- Long Beach(1 attraction)
- Los Angeles(10 attractions)
- Monterey(1 attraction)
- Oakland(2 attractions)
- Orange(1 attraction)
- Pasadena(1 attraction)
- San Diego(7 attractions)
- San Francisco(7 attractions)
- San Jose(1 attraction)
- Santa Ana(1 attraction)
- Santa Barbara(2 attractions)
- Santa Clarita(1 attraction)
- Santa Cruz(1 attraction)
- Santa Monica(1 attraction)
- Sausalito(1 attraction)
- Universal City(1 attraction)
- Ventura(1 attraction)
Things to do by category in California
Reading for your California trip
Top attractions in California
Theme Parks
Disneyland Park
Anaheim, California
The original 1955 Disney park, where Sleeping Beauty Castle, themed lands, and nightly fireworks create the Happiest Place On Earth.
Theme Parks
Disney California Adventure Park
Anaheim, California
Disney's California park where Pixar and Hollywood worlds come to life next door to Disneyland.
Theme Parks
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal City, California
Race through SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and ride the famous Studio Tour in one LA park.
Theme Parks
Knott's Berry Farm
Buena Park, California
Roar through an authentic 1800s Ghost Town and ride mammoth coasters near Anaheim.
Zoos Wildlife
San Diego Zoo
San Diego, California
A world-famous Balboa Park zoo where giant pandas are back on view.
Theme Parks
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Santa Clarita, California
Some of the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coasters on the planet, plus a Looney Tunes land for the kids.
Theme Parks
LEGOLAND California Resort
Carlsbad, California
A LEGO theme park, water park, and aquarium rolled into one multi-day Carlsbad resort.
Aquariums
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey, California
Stand inside a towering Kelp Forest and watch playful sea otters off Monterey Bay.
Science Museums
California Science Center
Los Angeles, California
Explore free hands-on science galleries, from GAME ON! to a living LA ecosystems garden, plus a giant-screen IMAX.
Theme Parks
SeaWorld San Diego
San Diego, California
Meet orcas, dolphins, and sea lions, then plunge down Emperor, California's tallest and fastest dive coaster.
Art Museums
The Getty Center
Los Angeles, California
A hilltop LA art campus pairing Old Masters with sweeping city and ocean views.
Aquariums
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, California
Drift past glowing jellies and head out on a whale-watching boat to meet the Pacific up close in Long Beach.
Working out when you can actually go? Our California school holiday calendar lists first day, last day and every break for the state's biggest districts.
Where to find family attractions in California
Tap a pin or scroll the list to see top picks across the state.
More about days out in California
California has 50 family attractions we would happily take our own kids to. Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing) is the one most families start with. Board a ferry across the bay to walk the cell blocks of America's most infamous federal prison, perched on a windswept island. Aquarium of the Pacific is the other name that comes up again and again. Drift past glowing jellies and head out on a whale-watching boat to meet the Pacific up close in Long Beach. Balboa Park rounds out the pick of the bunch. Pack museums, gardens, and theaters into one sprawling San Diego cultural park. Also worth your time: Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott's Berry Farm.
Published prices run from $2 at Orange County Zoo (Irvine Regional Park) up to $114 at Disneyland Park. 12 of the 50 listed here quote a starting price. The others vary by season or by what you add on, so check before you travel. Age guidance is worth reading first at LEGOLAND California Resort (ages 2-12) and Bay Area Discovery Museum (ages 0-8).
Beyond family attractions, families in California also head for theme parks (10), history museums (7), science museums (7) and zoos & wildlife (7). The family attractions on this page are spread across Anaheim (2), Buena Park (2), Carlsbad (1) and Escondido (1), so it is easy to pair two into one trip.