Family trip LA/SD/SFO

Question

Hi everyone, we are family of 4 (5&7yo) and are planning to go to California from 5th April to 20th April. We fly to LA and then would like to stay one day in LA, go to San Diego( I read it’s a nice area for families) from San Diego go for one more day to LA (maybe channel islands trip?) and continue from there to Seuoia park,where we want to stay two nights, go to Yosemite for two nights and from there Monterey (do whales watching,kayaking) and maybe big sur? And go to San Francisco,where we want to explore golden bridge park, trip to Alcatraz and maybe exploratorium? I am quite overwhelmed tbh (surprise!:-D) and struggle to make sure we won’t miss the highlights but have relaxing time as well. Although I would like to go to Universal,it’s not ideal for kids. We are definitely going to skip Disney and huge theme parks. We like a bit of adventure and our kids love nature,beach and my son is completely into science, museums etc. so we would like to visit some museums,something we can learn about the culture/history, spend some time on the beach. Im not sure how to plan sequoia and yosemite. We would like to do some hikes,but doable with kids. Also not sure whether 3days in SFO is enough, 2 days in LA… we are spending 4days in SD mostly to chill out and see some museums &beach time. Does this sound like a good itinerary? We would like to see some main sights but at the same time we love not so known places that has something special even though they are not that popular. Any suggestions for museums, places to visit with kids ,accommodation welcome! I would be really grateful! Also we think about going from LA to SD by train? We would like to rent a car,but probably from LA when we go to SFO via parks

Answer

Your proposed California itinerary from LA to San Diego, Sequoia, Yosemite, Monterey/Big Sur, and San Francisco sounds ambitious but manageable with careful planning. Since you are traveling with young kids (5 & 7 years old), balancing sightseeing, nature, and downtime is key.

Los Angeles (1–2 days)

Stay central, e.g., Hollywood or Santa Monica, for easier access to sightseeing and dining.
For your interests, consider a visit to the California Science Center (space shuttle exhibit), Natural History Museum, or La Brea Tar Pits, all kid-friendly and educational.
Skip large theme parks if your kids are not into them; instead, a short boat trip to Catalina or a Channel Islands tour could be fun if time permits.

San Diego (4 days)

Travel from LA to SD: Train (Amtrak Pacific Surfliner) is a relaxing option and avoids traffic. It takes about 2.5–3 hours. You can rent a car locally in SD if needed for excursions.
Kid-friendly activities: San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park (museums, gardens, playgrounds), USS Midway Museum, Seaport Village, La Jolla Cove for sea lions.
Beach time: Coronado Beach or La Jolla Shores are great for kids.
Science and exploration: Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park is excellent for interactive exhibits.

Sequoia National Park (2 nights)

Drive from San Diego: Approx. 7–8 hours; consider breaking it up with an overnight stop along the way if needed.
Kid-friendly hikes: Big Trees Trail (easy, loop), General Sherman Tree trail.
Stay inside the park for convenience, e.g., Wuksachi Lodge or nearby lodges outside the park like Three Rivers.

Yosemite National Park (2 nights)

Drive from Sequoia: ~4–5 hours. Stay in Yosemite Valley if possible for easy access to sights.
Kid-friendly hikes: Lower Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, Bridalveil Fall; for a longer adventure, Mist Trail to Vernal Fall (shorten as needed for kids).
Check road status: In April, Tioga Pass and some higher elevation roads may still be closed due to snow.
Staying inside the park is convenient but requires early booking; otherwise, Mariposa or Groveland are good alternatives for access to the park's western side.

Monterey & Big Sur (1–2 days)

Drive from Yosemite: ~4–5 hours to Monterey. Stay in Monterey or Carmel for easy access to activities.
Activities: Monterey Bay Aquarium, whale watching tours, kayaking in Monterey Bay, or tidepool exploring at Point Lobos.
Big Sur: Scenic drive along Highway 1; stop at Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Pfeiffer Beach for easy walks and viewpoints.

San Francisco (2–3 days)

Drive from Monterey: ~2 hours. Stay near Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf for easy access to major sights.
Highlights for kids and adults: Golden Gate Park (California Academy of Sciences), Exploratorium, Alcatraz tour, Pier 39 sea lions, Ferry Building Marketplace, and a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Consider a less touristy spot for a special experience: Lands End trail, Baker Beach, or the Wave Organ for a fun adventure.

Additional Tips:

Rent a car from LA after your initial day to simplify travel to Sequoia, Yosemite, and Monterey.
Reserve accommodations early, especially in national parks, as April can still be busy for spring break.
Balance driving days with easier days: Consider spending extra nights in Yosemite or Monterey to reduce the number of long drives back-to-back.
Keep snacks, water, and activities handy for kids during drives.

Overall, your itinerary captures the main highlights while providing a mix of nature, science, and cultural experiences for your family. Three days in San Francisco and two days each in Sequoia and Yosemite are sufficient if you plan the must-see sites and easy hikes. The inclusion of Monterey and Big Sur is worthwhile for a contrast in landscapes and outdoor activities.

Family trip LA/SD/SFO

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