Summer is here, and we are excited and looking forward to the months ahead! Many of our clients, families, and nannies are busy planning trips and adventures. We couldn’t help but consider how great our state is for family-friendly road trips! Whether you have visited an area or have never been, there is always something fun and beautiful to discover. Join us as we highlight our favorite family-friendly destinations in California!
San Diego: San Diego is vast, with various family-friendly activities spanning from North to South County! While San Diego is known for big attractions such as Legoland, Seaworld, and The San Diego Zoo, we also love some smaller and more approachable destinations! Check out The Birch Aquarium at Scripps with younger children. We also like to explore the Gaslamp district during the day and attend a Padres Game at Petco Stadium. Kids under 36 inches attend for free! Don’t forget to head across to Coronado Island to explore!
Santa Barbara: There are a lot of small and hidden gems in Santa Barbara! You cannot beat the beaches and family-friendly dining options in Santa Barbara. Some of our team’s favorites are The Padaro Beach Grill and Brass Bear! The Santa Barbara Zoo is exceptional for a quick day trip with its approachable size and fun nature play space. The Moxi Museum is a great adventure on hot days, with many indoor exhibits and a water feature on the rooftop to play in. The Natural History Museum also features a fun butterfly pavilion through summer! Do your kids love to meet smaller farm animals? Head to the Santa Ynez Valley and stop at Folded Hills or Vega Vineyard for a family-friendly time with animal feeding and wine tasting!
San Luis Obispo: SLO is another great county to explore with small and quaint adventures! We love a true California beach day and ice cream at Avila Beach Village. Beat the midday heat and head to the Central Coast Aquarium nearby! Summer is also the perfect season to visit the U-Pick patches at Avila Valley Barn! Another favorite is visiting Downtown SLO for the Children’s Museum, and lunch eats at the Public Market! Lastly, do not forget to stop at MoonStone Beach in Cambria and visit the Elephant Seals in San Simeon before you leave!
Santa Cruz: There is something special about Santa Cruz in the summer! Head to the BoardWalk during the week to avoid the crowds, ride the rides, and enjoy some cool soft serve! Head up to the Henry Cowell State Park during the morning and enjoy the peace and splendor of the forest! While at Henry Cowell, don’t forget to ride the historic steam engine through the Redwoods. As you head back towards the coast, cruise along East Cliff or West Cliff drive and watch everyone from beginners and world-class surfers catch a wave. Lastly, enjoy quaint shops in Capitola Village and a waterfront meal to unwind!
San Francisco: San Francisco is such an iconic city with many sites! Head to Fisherman’s Wharf for some fresh seafood and sourdough, but be sure to leave room for some sweets at Ghirardelli Square! Ride the cable cars and stop at Lombard Street and Chinatown! When you are ready to slow down, head across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, where one of our favorite children’s museums is located: The Bay Area Discovery Museum! Head across the bridge to Alamo Square Park and enjoy the evening sunset over the iconic Painted Ladies and the city skyline!
Tag us in your summer adventures, and tell us your favorite places to roadtrip in sunny California!
