3 Days · Solo
Pinnacles NP (Soledad), California
Spires, Shadows & Sky: 3 Days Alone in Pinnacles
6 stops
2 Days · Active Retirees
Pinnacles NP (Soledad), California
Spires, Shade, and Sky: Two Days Among the Condors at Pinnacles
3 stops
3 Days · Solo
San Diego, California
Sun, Sand, and Solo Freedom: 3 Days in San Diego
6 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
San Diego, California
Sun, Sand, and Sea Lions: 3 Days in San Diego with Teens
8 stops
3 Days · Solo
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Salt Air & Solitude: 3 Days Along the Ventura Waterfront
6 stops
2 Days · Active Retirees
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Pier, Pacific & Pathways: Two Easy Days in Ventura
4 stops
2 Days · Active Retirees
San Diego, California
Salt Air & Sea Lions: Two Easy Days Along San Diego's Shoreline
5 stops
3 Days · Solo
Channel Islands NP (Ventura), California
Salt Wind & Sea Stone: 3 Days Alone in the Channel Islands
7 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Pier, Islands & Salt Air: 3 Days in Ventura & Oxnard
6 stops
2 Days · Active Retirees
Channel Islands NP (Ventura), California
Arch Rock & Island Light: Two Slow Days in the Channel Islands
4 stops
2 Days · Young Families
Channel Islands NP (Ventura), California
Sea Lions, Sea Caves & Small Feet: 2 Days in Channel Islands NP
3 stops
3 Days · Active Retirees
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Pier, Petals & Pacific Light: 3 Days in Ventura
4 stops
2 Days · Young Families
San Diego, California
Sand, Sea Lions & Sunset Sundaes: 2 Days in San Diego with Little Ones
3 stops
2 Days · Couples
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Salt Air & Slow Hours: Two Days on the Ventura Waterfront
4 stops
3 Days · Active Retirees
San Diego, California
Golden Coves & Garden Light: 3 Days in San Diego
6 stops
3 Days · Active Retirees
Pinnacles NP (Soledad), California
Spires, Shadows & Soaring Wings: 3 Days in Pinnacles
6 stops
2 Days · Couples
Pinnacles NP (Soledad), California
Volcanic Spires & Condor Skies: Two Days in Pinnacles
6 stops
2 Days · Young Families
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Pier Planks & Tide Pools: Two Easy Days in Ventura
3 stops
2 Days · Young Families
Pinnacles NP (Soledad), California
Spires, Shade & Small Steps: Two Summer Days in Pinnacles
3 stops
2 Days · Couples
San Diego, California
Cliffs, Coves & Coronado Light: A San Diego Escape for Two
4 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Pier Planks & Garden Paths: 3 Easy Days in Ventura
4 stops
3 Days · Couples
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Salt Air & Slow Time: 3 Days in Ventura
6 stops
3 Days · Couples
San Diego, California
Salt Air & Golden Hour: 3 Days in San Diego
8 stops
3 Days · Couples
Pinnacles NP (Soledad), California
Spires, Shadow, and Sky: 3 Days in Pinnacles
8 stops
3 Days · Couples
Channel Islands NP (Ventura), California
Sea Stacks & Sage Light: 3 Days Among the Channel Islands
5 stops
3 Days · Young Families
San Diego, California
Sand, Sea Lions & Sunscreen: 3 Days in San Diego with Little Ones
6 stops
1 Day · Young Families
Los Angeles, California
Tide Pools, Pier Lights & Nap-Time Ease: A Family Day in Santa Monica
2 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
Los Angeles, California
Sun, Sand, and Sign: 3 Days in Los Angeles for Teen Families
9 stops
4 Days · Young Families
Los Angeles, California
Sunlight, Tide Pools & Sticky Hands: 4 Days in LA with Little Ones
6 stops
1 Day · Young Families
Channel Islands NP (Ventura), California
Arch Rock & Tide Pools: A Family Day on Anacapa Island
1 stops
1 Day · Teen Families
Channel Islands NP (Ventura), California
Arch Rock & Ocean Air: A Family Day on Anacapa Island
3 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Sacramento area, California
Boardwalks & Riverbanks: A Slow Sacramento Summer with Little Ones
4 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
San Francisco Bay Area (day trips), California
Redwoods, Ridgelines & Rugged Coast: 3 Days Beyond the Golden Gate
6 stops
4 Days · Teen Families
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Salt Air & Island Dreams: 4 Days in Ventura & Oxnard
9 stops
4 Days · Young Families
San Francisco Bay Area (day trips), California
Redwoods, Tide Pools & Nap-Time Windows: 4 Days of Bay Area Wonder for Little Explorers
8 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Modesto area, California
Arches, Bridges & River Light: A Slow Summer in Modesto Country
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Pinnacles NP (Soledad), California
Spires, Shade, and Small Steps: 3 Days in Pinnacles with Kids
6 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
Channel Islands NP (Ventura), California
Sea Stacks & Salt Wind: 3 Days in the Channel Islands
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Chico area, California
Creek Days & Downtown Ways: 3 Days in Chico with Little Ones
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
San Bernardino, California, California
Route 66 Depots & Desert Foothills: 3 Days in San Bernardino with Kids
5 stops
3 Days · Teen Families
Pinnacles NP (Soledad), California
Spires, Shadows & Sky: 3 Days Among the Volcanic Pinnacles
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Channel Islands NP (Ventura), California
Sea Spray & Small Steps: 3 Days in Channel Islands National Park
5 stops
4 Days · Couples
Oxnard/Ventura area, California
Salt Air & Slow Mornings: 4 Days Along the Ventura Coast
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Redding area, California
Sundials, Shallow Waters & Slow Family Days in Redding
6 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Eureka, California, California
Foggy Mornings & Gingerbread Turrets: 3 Days in Eureka with Little Ones
6 stops
4 Days · Teen Families
San Diego, California
Sun, Sand & Sea Lions: 4 Days in San Diego with Teens
9 stops
4 Days · Couples
San Diego, California
Salt Air & Golden Hours: 4 Days in San Diego
9 stops
5 Days · Young Families
San Diego, California
Sandy Toes & Sea Lions: 5 Days of San Diego with the Little Ones
9 stops
3 Days · Young Families
Salinas area, California
Fog, Fields & Ford Otters: 3 Days in Steinbeck Country with Little Ones
5 stops
California's summer travel landscape offers diverse experiences for families of all sizes, from coastal adventures to mountain retreats. This collection features 13 distinct destinations across the state, from San Diego in the south to Eureka in the north, complemented by 23 carefully curated itineraries. Whether exploring tide pools in Santa Monica, discovering redwoods beyond the Golden Gate, or experiencing the volcanic pinnacles near Soledad, travelers can find multi-day journeys tailored to various group compositions and interests. Each itinerary balances relaxation with exploration, making summer travel in California accessible and memorable for families with young children, teens, and everyone in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of destinations are covered in this summer travel guide?⌄
The guide covers 13 California destinations including major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, as well as national parks and regional areas like Channel Islands National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and smaller towns such as Eureka, Chico, and Salinas area. This mix provides coastal, mountain, and river-based experiences across northern and southern California.
How long are the itineraries available, and who are they designed for?⌄
The 23 itineraries range from 1-day trips to 5-day journeys. Many are specifically designed for families with little ones, while others cater to teen families or mixed-age groups. Examples include family day trips to Santa Monica's tide pools and multi-day explorations of the Bay Area and Channel Islands.
What activities and natural features are highlighted in these itineraries?⌄
The itineraries feature diverse experiences including tide pools, beaches, redwoods, island exploration, river activities, volcanic formations, and coastal scenery. Activities range from relaxed boardwalk strolls to more active adventures like hiking among pinnacles and discovering small towns and their local attractions.
Are there itineraries for both short getaways and longer family trips?⌄
Yes, the collection includes both quick escapes and extended journeys. One-day itineraries offer focused experiences like visiting Anacapa Island or Santa Monica, while 4- and 5-day options provide deeper exploration of regions like San Diego, Ventura, and the Bay Area for families wanting to immerse themselves in an area.
More Collections
Or see Summer Trips nationwide or browse every California destination.