I want to take my family to California next summer - but not sure if we should visit northern california or southern california. We have two children ages 18 and 14 - they would like at least one day to spend at the beach - although they would also enjoy a pro baseball game? Which would you recommend and what sites?
Thanks,

Tough question. I live in southern California, and the chances of getting good, warm beach weather are a little better down here (plan to visit after mid-July after the June Gloom blows away). There are great amusement parks down here, lots of stuff to see, bla bla bla.

Having said that, northern California is absolutely worth a visit as well. San Francisco doesn't need to have a sales pitch-- it's a beautiful city with lots and lots of things to interest teens. Santa Cruz is a good beach town. You have Wine Country to check out, the redwoods.... The weather is a bit cooler up there.

Both regions have pro baseball, obviously....

It's like choosing between your kids! Once I say "xxx is the better choice", I can think of reasons to say "No, yyy is the better choice"! And there are thousands of interesting things in both regions. It's too difficult.

Why don't you let your kids do a little research themselves? Have them start with the guides here on Fodor's, then expand their searches, then let them decide.

No doubt about it. Southern California.

The ocean's warmer, beaches are warmer (and far more numerous), Dodger Stadium is warmer, etc etc.

20 or 30 years ago there was a distinct advantage to northern CA with regard to traffic and crowds, but that advantage is completely gone now. In fact some areas in and around the Bay Area are far worse than anything LA can muster up.

Between the food, wine country etc northern CA is more of an adult vacation destination.

I think your teens might prefer southern Cal., but maybe if you get them to choose, it will eliminate complaints after the fact!

For beaches, I'd go to southern Cal, too. Zuma Beach is a good beginners' beach for surfing, with a good surf shop across the road to rent equipment and get tips. Or go to Newport and Huntington. So many things for teens to do there.

I agree that northern Cal. might be more adult-oriented. Southern Cal. is wilder; northern Cal. more sedate (a gross oversimplification!).

We just got back from an awesome family vacation to Northern CA. Spent 3 days doing the SF stuff- Alcatraz, Cable cars, Fishermans Wharf, Muir Woods, Exploratorium, and my son and husband went to a Giants game. Then we drove down to San Jose and went to the Raging Waters water park - great fun! We stayed a night in Monterey, hiked a bit around Big Sur (McWay Falls is gorgeous), then headed over to Yosemite.

This was one of our most diverse and fun family vacations. We spent spring break in St. John, which is gorgeous, and we had fun, but it was great in CA to have all the different stuff to do.

I grew up in southern california and went to college in northern california. Currently live right by Salt Creek Beach in southern california. (Salt Creek Beach is between dana point and laguna beach). I walk there several times a week typically and it is a great beach for teenagers. There are tons of teens there around the age of your kids. There are also adults. Lots of surfers, some boogie boarders. There is a huge grass/lawn area on the hill down to the beach---many people will also sit there and some barbecue. It is an absolutely stunning beach and Laguna Beach (the town and the actual beach) are both just short drives up the Pacific Coast Highway. Newport Beach and Huntington Beach both also tend to have a lot of teenagers. Northern California is great as well. You may not be quite as likely to be assured to good weather, and the "beach vibe" is a little different (not to mean in a bad way) than southern california beaches. Salt Creek Beach tends to have a kinda "OC" (the tv show) vibe to it, lol. Not sure if that makes sense but if your kids watch the show they may understand what I mean.

For a first trip, I say southern California, for sure! The entire state is lovely but I think the greater Los Angeles area and coastline is more what people expect to see when you say beach, ballgames, or "California".

If you do decide on No. California, your kids would have fun in Santa Cruz. The Beach Boardwalk has every kind of ride and while the water is colder than So. Calif. it's swimable. Friday night free concerts on the beach are fun. Last night we enjoyed Eddie Money.

Hi midwestto, once again I agree with Suze (it seems to be a habit of mine, lol) and the other posters that think S.CA would be the best for your two teens.

And you can think about another trip sometime later to enjoy N.CA. as it is so beautiful in a different way.

Having your children do some research and being part of the decision making is a great idea IMO.

But whatever you decide welcome to California and sure hope you all have a beautiful trip.

I'd go with Suze and LoveItaly - So. Cal. for the first trip. I think the kids would find more to do (having them look up stuff is a great suggestion).

We lived in So. Cal. almost 20 years and loved it. But also visited No. Cal. many many times and loved it, also. I don't think you can go wrong!

Start in San Francisco and drive down Highway 1 to Santa Monica, checking out what there is to see and do along the way. The AAA Guidebook and Fodor's or Frommer's would provide all the help you need to plan a great vacation.