Disneyland® Resort
Before you head to the Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, purchase your Park Hopper® tickets online to skip ticket lines and maximize your time in the parks. Arriving early gives families a huge advantage, shorter wait times, cooler morning temperatures, and more opportunities to experience favorite attractions together.
Start your day at the original Disneyland® Park, where classic rides like “it’s a small world,” Peter Pan’s Flight, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters are perfect for all ages. Once you’ve explored Main Street, U.S.A.® and Fantasyland, stroll across the esplanade to Disney California Adventure® Park for thrilling rides like WEB SLINGERS, family-friendly Pixar fun, and interactive play areas.
Knott's Berry Farm®
Just minutes from Anaheim, Knott’s Berry Farm® in Buena Park is California’s first theme park and a must-visit for families looking to mix thrills with classic charm. Knott’s offers everything from high-energy rides to laid-back attractions perfect for younger guests. Families with little ones will love Camp Snoopy®, where pint-sized coasters, character meet-and-greets, and interactive play areas keep kids smiling all day. Foodies won’t want to miss Knott’s claim to fame, the boysenberry, featured in everything from pies and funnel cakes to refreshing drinks and seasonal treats.
Visiting during warmer months? Cool off next door at Knott’s Soak City® Water Park, packed with water slides, lazy rivers, and splash zones that make it an easy all-day adventure.
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove is a family favorite for year-round fun, featuring a massive indoor water park with slides, splash zones, and lazy rivers plus an arcade and game room that keeps kids entertained beyond the pool. It’s a perfect stay for families looking to mix waterpark thrills with cozy, lodge-style relaxation.
Adventure City
Adventure City in Anaheim is a charming, kid-sized theme park designed especially for younger children, with gentle rides, interactive attractions, and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe that’s perfect for first-time thrill seekers.
Aquarium of the Pacific
Just outside the Orange County line in Long Beach is the Aquarium of the Pacific, where you can get up close and personal with a variety of sea animals. Grab a quick bite at the aquarium, or have lunch at one of the many waterfront restaurants in the nearby Shoreline Village.
Bowers Museum of Cultural Art
The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art is a place where children and adults can immerse themselves in world-class exhibits and a bit of Californian history, too. And in the adjacent Kidseum, little ones can create their own masterpieces and touch hands-on exhibits from all over the world.
Discovery Science Center
At the Discovery Cube Science Center, children have a blast with the interactive exhibits and don’t even realize they’re learning about science. Traveling exhibits and annual events such as Bug Invasion and Bubblefest throughout the year ensure there is always something new to discover.
Huntington Beach
Dive into Southern California surf culture in Huntington Beach, or better known as Surf City USA®. Explore the beach with a private surf lesson or walk along the pier and watch the locals tackle the big waves. Relax under a beach umbrella, build sandcastles, hunt for seashells and sand crabs, or play in the water. Stroll down the Surfing Walk of Fame and stop by the free International Surfing Museum.
Newport Beach
Discover the Balboa Fun Zone on the Balboa Peninsula, a Newport Beach nook featuring quaint shops and ice cream stands. Grab a donut or breakfast croissant at the famed Dad’s Donut Shop & Bakery, then rent a wave runner, go parasailing, head out on a whale watching tour or take a spin on the Ferris wheel before heading out to dinner at Back Bay Cafe or Mama D’s Italian Kitchen.
