2 weeks California first time with kids

Question

Hi!

We want to travel to the US this summer (July/Aug) for the first time with our 3 kids (14,12,10). We want to visit these places:

San Francisco (3 days)

Yosemite park (3 days)

Lake Tahoe

Partial Coastal road (Big Sur / Monterey/Santa Barbara/Santa Monica)

Las Vegas

LA ( 6 days) : theme parks, museum , etc

We are really looking for a nice mix of city seeing, nature and theme parks but not spending too much time in the car because of the kids. We have approximately 17 days in total.

What would be the beste route to do this?

Answer

For a 17-day California trip with kids, balancing cities, nature, and theme parks, it’s best to minimize long drives between destinations while still hitting your key highlights. Here's a suggested route and approach:

Day 1–3: San Francisco

Explore Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz.
Visit kid-friendly spots like Exploratorium, California Academy of Sciences, and ride the historic cable cars.
Stay central (Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf) for easy access to attractions.

Day 4–6: Yosemite National Park

Drive from San Francisco to Yosemite (approx. 4–5 hours). Consider leaving early to avoid traffic and maximize afternoon in the park.
Focus on Yosemite Valley highlights: Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, Mirror Lake, and short kid-friendly hikes like Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or Cook’s Meadow Loop.
Stay inside or near the park if possible (El Portal, Groveland, or Mariposa) to reduce driving time.

Day 7–8: Lake Tahoe

Drive from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe (~3–4 hours via Tioga Pass if open, otherwise around 5 hours south and east).
Choose family-friendly activities: gondola rides, easy trails, lakefront beaches, or a paddleboat rental.
Stay South Lake Tahoe or Tahoe City depending on preferred scenery and amenities.

Day 9–11: Coastal Route / Monterey / Santa Barbara

Drive from Lake Tahoe to Monterey (~6–7 hours, consider breaking into two days if desired; otherwise skip Tahoe if driving time is too long).
Explore Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Drive down Highway 1 along Big Sur, stopping at scenic spots like Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, and McWay Falls.
Continue to Santa Barbara (overnight stop) to enjoy beaches and kid-friendly exploration.

Day 12–13: Los Angeles (start of theme parks)

Arrive in LA and base near Anaheim if doing Disneyland first, or near Hollywood/West LA for city attractions.
Activities for kids: Disneyland, Universal Studios, La Brea Tar Pits, Griffith Observatory, California Science Center, Santa Monica Pier.

Day 14–15: Las Vegas

Drive from LA to Las Vegas (~4–5 hours). Spend a couple of nights for a manageable experience.
Kid-friendly options: Bellagio Fountains, Mirage Volcano, High Roller Observation Wheel, Discovery Children’s Museum.
Keep hotel central on the Strip for easy walking access.

Day 16–17: Return to LA or departure

Drive back to LA if needed for your departure flight or spend final days in LA to explore any remaining museums or beaches.
Consider breaking up the drive back to LA from Las Vegas with a stop at Mojave Desert or Calico Ghost Town for a fun mini adventure for the kids.

Additional Tips:

Plan early morning departures to minimize traffic and maximize sightseeing time, especially in SF, Yosemite, LA, and Las Vegas.
Book accommodations well in advance, particularly in Yosemite and coastal towns.
Balance city and nature days so kids don’t get burned out on long drives or crowded attractions.
Consider alternating longer travel days with shorter, relaxed days near beaches, lakes, or parks.

This route gives a mix of urban sightseeing, natural wonders, coastal views, and theme park fun, while keeping drives mostly manageable for the family.

2 weeks California first time with kids

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