We are considering a famiy trip to California this summer. We are a family of 4, the kids are 16 and 12. We are hoping to travel for about 3 weeks. We thought California was a good choice since it seemed to have everything ie. beach fun, great cities, amusement parks, wineries, beautiful scenery, etc. We were hoping to have a home base maybe even 1 per week as opposed to staying at hotels. We don't mind driving. I am early in the plannig stages, so not sure we specifically want to see/do other than Disneyland or Universal Studios. We would also like to go to Hollywood (the kids do!). Not sure if we should start north and head south? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

I'm going to put this out there:

Of all the US states, California may be the one that indeed offers everything that anyone might want in a travel destination. LITERALLY everything.

Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood are only three things that one might seek out on the Los Angeles metropolitan area-- out of hundreds, maybe thousands. Ninety miles to the south is the San Diego Zoo, arguably one of the very best zoos in the WORLD; and San Diego itself is a great tourist destination. Southern California has its own vibe and character, and you could spend three weeks just in that area and never run out of things to see and do.

If you head north to San Francisco, you're in one of the most beautiful, Arcadian cities in the world with a fascinating history and its own cool vibe and character. You're an hour out of the Wine Country, across the Bay from Oakland (with its own history), with other cities like Monterey, San José, Santa Cruz, etc. nearby. You can head to the Redwoods, venture even farther north to those rugged parts of the state. You can head south to the Central Coast, checking out Hearst Castle on the way; the wineries down there are just about as great as the more fabled facilities in Napa and Sonoma, and there are unique towns like Solvang and San Luis Obispo to check out.

California is a true melting pot and amalgam of history and ethnicities, with some 100 languages spoken within its borders. You'll see everything.

What I'm getting at: We need more information as to what interests your family. Do you like museums? Despite its reputation for lazy intellect and disinterest in cultural pursuits, California has absolutely first-rate museums and art galleries. Do you like fine dining? San Francisco is a world destination for upper-class restaurants, while the LA area offers great food in much, much more relaxed venues (it's a point of pride that LA doesn't have a lot of Michelin-starred restaurants, since that implies uptight, overstarched haute cuisine rather than just Good Eating in Comfortable Surroundings). Let us know what you'd like to spend three weeks doing. We'll try to narrow the list down for you!

If you decide to include the San Franciso area too, your family might enjoy the boardwalk and beach scene in Santa Monica and even the quirky Winchester House in San Jose. Sounds like a great trip-- with three weeks you can really do a lot!

I think you mean Santa CRUZ, not Santa Monica, Jayne. But you are right-- the kids would love that.

In fact, three weeks exploring the northern part of the state-- and southward through Hearst Castle/Cambria-- might be just about the PERFECT way to spend three perfect weeks.

There is no better choice for three weeks than to start in San Francisco and drive down along the Ocean to the Los Angeles Area... we did the trip with stops in Big Sur, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica and several scenic areas...

heading South allows you to drive on the Ocean side of the highway making it even more dramatic... have fun!

If you REALLY want something kind of unique and interesting, may I suggest another cool attraction down here in the southern half of the state?

Catalina Island.

The boat ride across the channel is very cool (and only one hour each way)-- and if you're lucky (like we were in early October last year), you'll find yourself being accompanied into Avalon Harbor by a dancing pod of porpoises (I didn't even know that was on my Bucket List-- now I can die happy). The island itself combines charming-yet-touristy Avalon with quite a bit of rugged California natural beauty (herds of wild buffalo!), and outsiders tend to ignore it. I LOVE Catalina; if you can fit it in, you won't regret it.

However, I'm a huge fan of the northern part of this unique, wonderful state, so I think you need to look at all of the discussions on the Forum concerning San Francisco and environs, as well as the main site's San Francisco section, and start planning some quality time up there. Again-- you won't regret it!

Arrgh, yeah I definitely meant Santa Cruz. Santa Monica pier is fun, too, of course.

We also liked Catalina, but the ride over and back might be a little pricey for four people. If you spend the night there, the flying fish boat tour is fun. Also we enjoyed touring the casino, which is NOT a gambling hall.

Wow! Thanks for the replies. We were talking a bit more about this tonight. We were thinking of arriving in San Fran and heading south and perhaps leaving from San Diego. Of course the kids want to do the parks ( Disney, Universal,etc). I am thinking that we would like to select 3 home bases each one a little further south. I think day tips from the home base would be best for us. I am also thinking I would like a mix of city and beach vacation. The kids ( 16 &12) would be fine with the more adult stuff like wineries if we are doing something a little more active like biking. Catalina sounds good, I will look into that.
Which beaches would people suggest? We prefer beaches that are moderately busy, we don't want to be alone, but neither a packed beach.

Does anyone have any suggestions for accomodation rentals for a family of 4. What do you think would be the best locations to stay?
Thanks again!

I'd arrive into San Francisco - you can do the touristy stuff in the City, then drive out to Napa or Sonoma for the day or overnight to see the wineries if that's a must do.

Then I'd drive down the coast (get an early start) an go to Monterey to see the aquarium, and maybe the mission (if you like that). Continue to drive south along the coast route into Santa Barbara (maybe spend the night and walk through the town square and see the beautiful Mission).

I'd make my next "home" base Los Angeles because you want to see Hollywood, Universal Studios, Disneyland.

My last base would be San Diego. We have wonderful beaches in La Jolla (the La Jolla Shores, Windansea) and Coronado. You can spend a day at Balboa Park seeing the wonderful museums (I recommend the Aero Space Museum), art galleries, Shakespeare Theatre, the SD Zoo, etc. Downtown you can take a tour of the original old town area, go to the embarcadero to see the sailing ship the Star of India, and the naval ship permanently docked - The Midway. Take a passenger ferry boat over to Coronado and spend the day biking around the island and have lunch at the famous Hotel Del Coronado. You can spend an afternoon looking at tide pools at the LJ Shores or the La Jolla Cove.

We also have some of the best craft beer breweries in the US along the highway 78 corridor in Escondido, Vista, area.

Beaches for a family:

Windansea, La Jolla
The La Jolla Shores
Coronado
Del Mar
Pacific Beach

Just a side note, you do not want to come to southern California in June or July as I consider that to be our "winter months." We have June Gloom meaning the fog and marine layer make the climate cool and overcast. June Gloom often rolls over into July. I would recommend August and into Sept (if you don't have kids in school).

That is a long drive from SF to Santa Barbara, nana, I'd stay a little further north like Cambria or maybe Pismo Beach.

I like nearly all of the ideas presented, but I have to respectfully disagree with Jayne. The Winchester House is infamous in our family as being the worst tourist trap we've ever paid for. In my opinion, there are so many better things to do in California.

We are currently considering flying into San Fran and spend about 3 or 4 days there. Fly to the LA area which we would use as a base for 5-6 days and then head to San Diego for another 5-6 days. We thought about driving from San Fran to LA, but the premium for dropping a rental car off in a different city is really high. We are looking for house rentals in both LA and San Diego. Our budget is about $1800 per week.
Tell me about Alamitos Beach (LongBeach). We are looking at a beach rental there. Nice beach? Is the area nice, safe?

Thanks

Alamitos Beach is a pretty nice neighborhood per se-- my husband and I almost bought a very nice condo there a few years back (instead, we remodeled our house a few miles away). I would simply state that the beaches we have in Long Beach aren't the best in the region (long story short: Breakwater keeps waves wells out to sea-- great for ships going into the huge LA/Long Beach Harbor, not so hot for surfers and swimmers). If you have sun, the beaches are OK for sunning, but not good for body- or board-surfing (NOTE: Wetsuits are a really good idea year-round-- this part of the Pacific never really gets super-warm).

The neighborhood is safe and a mix of residential and commercial interests. You should know that it also encompasses the area of Broadway known as the "Gay Ghetto", a stretch of popular bars, clubs and restaurants frequented by LB's large LGBTQ community, as well as the fun collection of antique, vintage and consignment stores on 4th Street known as Retro Row. It's a little bit family, a little bit funky-- a real mix. There are drug stores and supermarkets close by, and you're only a couple of miles away from freeway access and Long Beach Airport (my favorite in the US).

I'm a big fan of Seal Beach, the next city on the coast heading south into north Orange County. Its beaches aren't saddled with the hassles of our breakwater, and it's still a little beach town with a fun downtown area (its Main Street), just a few miles from Long Beach's great Belmont Shore and Naples areas (great restaurants and quirky shopping). Freeway access is good, and you're up PCH from lovely beach cities like Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

If you want to stay in LA County, you might start by looking at beach rentals in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach-- real SoCal beach communities with lots to recommend. Just know that getting in and out of the beach cities can take a bit of time (they tend to be far from freeways), so plan sightseeing accordingly.

Bottom line: Alamitos Beach is fine, but if you're looking for "great" beach time, I'd keep looking for alternatives.

My kids weren't wild about the Winchester Mystery House. They did LOVE Santa Cruz! The boardwalk is fun, there are some great tidepools at Natural Bridges State Park, several good beaches, and the redwoods in Henry Cowell State park are beautiful

Are you saying that four airline tickets are less expensive than a car drop-off fee???? Look around more. You & the kids would probably love Carmel, Pt Lobos, and the fantastic drive along the Big Sur coast to Cambria - where you could visit Hearst Castle.

This drive along the Big Sur Coast is one of the most scenic drives you'll likely encounter (or miss) in your lifetime.

Stu Dudley

Fly to Oakland (or SFO if you must). Rent a car and drive as far as Big Sur and then return the car where you rented it.
Take the Amtrak shuttle bus from Fisherman's Wharf to Oakland (about 7:25AM) Take the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Oakland Jack London station to Santa Barbara. If you buy the tickets soon enough you get 2 adults and two children to Santa Barbara by 6PM for about $160. Rent another car for the Santa Barbara and LA area and then return it and take the Pacific Surfliner south to San Diego. There is some scenery to see from the train that you would miss if you flew.

Thanks for the replies. Also considering a place in Oxnard. We would like to do a beach house for a 5-7 days. We would like a clean beach, good for swimming. We have never surfed, but I'm sure the kids wouldn't mind trying it. Anything near LA or San Diego seems to be out of our budget. Any suggestions?

Do you really need a house? There are some nice condos closer to the beach that are probably less, and offer kitchens, etc.