March/April trip with children.

Question

Hi all,

We're hoping to plan a 10 day/two week trip with our 7 and 10 year old boys at the end of March/beginning of April. We'd like too explore San Francisco, Yosemite and LA, hopefully visiting Universal Theme Park during our stay too.

Is this a good time of year to visit? Are we being too ambitious in the time frame? We are traveling from the UK...

Answer

Visiting California in late March and early April can be a wonderful time for a family trip, as the weather is generally mild, spring blooms are starting, and the major tourist sites are less crowded than in summer. However, there are a few things to consider when planning your itinerary with young children.

San Francisco:

Spring weather can be variable—expect some cool mornings/evenings and occasional rain. Layers are essential.
Family-friendly highlights include Golden Gate Park, Exploratorium, Pier 39 (sea lions and shops), Alcatraz tour, and cable car rides. These are all manageable for kids and don’t require strenuous activity.
2–3 full days in San Francisco is usually sufficient for a family to see the main sights at a comfortable pace.

Yosemite National Park:

Late March/early April can still have snow in higher elevations. Some roads, like Tioga Pass, are likely closed, but Yosemite Valley is accessible and offers iconic views like El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls.
Family-friendly walks include Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Cook’s Meadow Loop, and Mirror Lake (if accessible).
1–2 full days in Yosemite is reasonable for young children. Renting a car with a good GPS is essential as shuttle services may be limited early in the season.

Los Angeles and Universal Studios:

Spring is a good time to visit LA; temperatures are warm but not excessively hot.
Universal Studios Hollywood can take a full day, especially with children. Plan to arrive early and consider Express Passes if you want to minimize wait times.
Other family-friendly options: Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier and beach, La Brea Tar Pits, or a short visit to Hollywood Boulevard.

General itinerary considerations:

Your plan to cover San Francisco, Yosemite, and LA in 10–14 days is ambitious but doable. Consider 3 days in SF, 2 days in Yosemite, and 4–5 days in LA, leaving travel days in between.
Keep in mind that travel between SF and Yosemite, and Yosemite to LA, takes significant time (6–7 hours for each drive), so plan breaks or overnight stops accordingly.
Children can get restless on long drives, so plan for snacks, rest stops, and short walks along the way.

Overall, this is a feasible trip for your family, but prioritizing a few key highlights in each location will make the experience more enjoyable and less rushed. Yosemite in early spring is beautiful but prepare for variable conditions and possible snow at higher elevations.

Tips:

Book accommodations early, especially in Yosemite, as lodges fill quickly in spring.
Rent a car that’s comfortable for long drives and check weather/road conditions in advance.
Consider flexible tickets for Universal Studios in case you need to adjust for weather or tired kids.

With careful planning, this trip can balance sightseeing, fun activities for children, and some relaxing downtime.