8 Day California Road Trip with Kids

California is one of the largest states in the US. It offers a little bit of everything. If you're traveling with kids, it's easy to find something to do! From exciting cities to beautiful national parks, captivating museums and historic landmarks to world-famous amusement parks, you'll have your pick of fun things to do. If you’re planning a road trip through California with the kids, here are some of the top spots to visit.

In 2021, we visited California road-trip style with our two teen boys, and this is our 8-day itinerary and the places we stopped along the way. Because many things were still closed because of Covid, we had to cherry-pick the sites we would see on this trip. We were lucky to be able to find so many outdoor activities that allowed us to stay safe and away from indoor crowded areas at the time, while still having a wonderful trip.

If you like road trips with the kids, make sure to check out these similar road trip itineraries: Western States 9 Day Road Trip with Kids and Southwest States 8 Day Road Trip with Kids.

California Attractions Map

An interactive map to all the best things to do with kids in California

Click for the interactive map here.

8 Day Road Trip Through California

Day 1 - Travel to San Francisco

Arrive in San Francisco International Airport and rent a car. (To make the most of travel day one, plan to arrive early in San Francisco, so that you still have at least a half day left to explore.)

Head to Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf to explore and have lunch. While you're there, check out the Sea Lion Center and see the sea lions sunning themselves.

Notice how we're all wearing jackets in these photos? That's because even though it's California (and you would think it would be warm when we were traveling - in July), they experience the warmest temperatures in the fall. So if you're also traveling in this area in the summertime, make sure to pack a jacket. The bay area isn't all that warm!

Take a tour of Alcatraz if time allows. We took a guided boat tour around Alcatraz because visits inside of Alcatraz were not available until right before we were leaving for our trip, and by that time, we had already purchased the guided tour tickets. The boat tour around Alcatraz also takes you underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

Day 2 - San Francisco

Head to Golden Gate Park to explore the museums and gardens. We visited in mid-July and there were so many flowers in bloom!

We visited the California Academy of Sciences Museum while we were in Golden Gate Park, and I would highly recommend this museum if you're traveling with kids. Among their many exhibits were original Andy Warhol artwork and a rainforest dome that included live birds and butterflies. The café in this museum was pretty good as far as museum café fare goes, so it makes a nice place for lunch before the next stop on the list.

After lunch, make your way to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. Parking is limited at both ends of the Golden Gate Bridge, but the end with the Welcome Center has a few more amenities in addition to parking, including the Welcome Center, gift shop, gardens, and several scenic overlooks. If you are able to stop and park, then I would recommend walking across at least part of the bridge. It is an opportunity not to be missed!

From there, drive about 45 minutes to Alameda, CA, to visit the USS Hornet Museum, a US Navy Aircraft Carrier that is now set as a museum in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution. The USS Hornet played a major role in World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Apollo program. If your kids are interested in history, they'll love seeing the artifacts at this museum, on a real ship!

Before you leave San Francisco, make sure you stop by Ghirardelli Square, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This landmark public square has shops and restaurants, and if you have chocolate or ice cream lovers in your group, it's the perfect spot for an after-dinner treat too.

Day 3 - Santa Rosa

Depart for Santa Rosa, CA, and visit the Charles M. Shulz Museum. This little museum is somewhat off the beaten path, but it was such a fun find! Charlie Brown and Peanuts fans will enjoy visiting this gem!

If you get a chance to eat lunch in their downtown area, you'll find various Peanuts character statues along the streets and sidewalks.

After visiting the museum and eating lunch, depart for your hotel near Yosemite National Park.

Day 4 - Yosemite National Park

Wake up early this day and head out to explore Yosemite National Park. Choose whatever you'd like to see on your adventure in the park. We left at about 8:00AM and saw Tunnel View, Half Dome, Yosemite Lower Falls, and many other breathtaking views along the way. Because we were visiting in July, we were happy to leave around 12:30PM (as temperatures were rising) to cool down, eat lunch, and head to our next destination on our list, our hotel near Sequoia. Make sure to go to sleep early because tomorrow will be another early day.

Day 5 - Sequoia National Park

Wake up early and head out to Sequoia National Park. Now's your chance to see the Giant Redwoods up close, and they ARE GIANT! Some highlights of this particular park are The General Sherman (in the Giant Forest), Tunnel Log (on Crescent Meadow Road), The Sentinel (outside of the the Giant Forest Museum just off the General's Highway), and giant cross sections of redwoods (throughout park).

After your visit and lunch, depart for your hotel in Anahiem.

Day 6 - Disneyland

Now's your chance to really have fun! This entire day will be devoted to an amusement park.

We chose to spend the day at Disneyland California Adventure Park, and it did not disappoint. Perfect for older kids, this theme park had everything we've come to know and love from Disney.

If you've got kids who love amusement parks, then they'll love the ones that California has to offer. From Disneyland to Universal Studios Hollywood to Knott's Berry Farm to LEGOLAND California to Six Flags Magic Mountain, you have your choice of one-of-a-kind theme parks. 

Day 7 - San Diego

Travel to San Diego. This day will be a bit of a "rest day" to allow for some much-needed rest from exploring two national parks followed by a full day in Disneyland. (Once you've rested a bit today, you should be good-to-go for Day 8, your final day.)

Once you arrive, spend the afternoon eating lunch and taking in the shops in Little Italy.

After lunch, visit Coronado Beach. 

For dinner, eat in Old Town and explore the shops and historic area.

Day 8 - San Diego

Head out to visit the San Diego Zoo. This will be the main attraction for today. Spend as much time as your family would like at the zoo. There's so much to see and a lot of area to cover.

Once you're finished with the zoo, walk over to visit some of the gardens and museums in Balboa Park. We visited the Natural History Museum and some of the gardens.

Day 9 - Travel Home

Fly out of San Diego International Airport. 

Note: If you truly want to do this California itinerary in 8 days, you could easily fly out on the evening of Day 8. We just opted to fly out the morning of Day 9 because we live all the way across the country (so it takes quite a bit of flying to get back home).

Planning Your Own California Road Trip with Kids

And that marks the end of our 8 Day California Itinerary! As you’re putting together your own itinerary for a California road trip with kids, I hope our experience helps you with your planning.

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