Southern California Day Trips

Fun Things to do with Kids in Southern California

Southern California has plenty of fun things to do with kids. Most of these kid-friendly places are free or low cost and will take up about a half day of your time depending on your starting point. You don't need to spend a lot of money to enjoy the day with your kids especially the young ones. For a special treat take your family to a Southern California Amusement Park. If your are searching for something a little different, listed here you will find hands on museums, kids birthday party places, train rides, kids zoos, science centers and play grounds. Whatever you decide to do spending the day with your kids will create memories that will last a life time. You and your kids will love visiting all of these fun Southern California places.



Newport Landing Whale Watching - Year around whale watching cruises multiple trips daily. Sightings guaranteed or get a free trip. 96% success rate of viewing whales and/or dolphin on each trip.
Santa Barbara Zoo - Fun drive for mom and dad and a fun place for the kids. They have a really nice train here that takes you around the zoo and out over the lagoon. Medium size zoo perfect for children.
So Cal's Best kids Birthday Party
Find the perfect place to celebrate your kids birthday. Make your child's party one to remember by having it at one of these unique and fun party places.
Adventure City - Theme park for kids; rides, petting zoo, children's theater, puppet shows and a train ride. The little theme park is expanding services and attractions and ready for a full summer of fun.
Santa Ana Zoo - 20 acres of fun for children. Petting zoo, playground, and a miniature train ride make for a fun day. The Elephant rides are a favorite for everyone who visits. This zoo is the perfect size for small children and us very kid friendly. Discovery Science Center - 120 hands-on exhibits, live science shows, and a 3D laser show. Kids participate in live science and more. One of the best places to take kids in Southern California. Discount print at home tickets available.
Palm Springs Tram - Looking for an adventure your kids will never forget then head to the desert. Climb over two miles up Mount San Jacinto aboard the World's Largest Rotating Tram cars. 
Calico Ghost Town - This old west mining town is alive and kicking. Weekends the sheriff rounds up the bad guys on main street. Ride the old mine train or go for a tour in a real silver mine.
Centennial Heritage Museum - Nature center, blacksmith shop and historic kellogg house. birthday parties, summer activity programs, and more. Weddings and school outings.
Orange County Zoo - The zoo has animals and plants from the southwestern United States. 1 Irvine Park Road Orange, California. Plan on visiting next time your at Irvine Regional Park.
Atlantis Play Center Garden Grove
Features include a walk-in whale, a Viking long ship and a sea-serpent slide. 9301 Westminster Blvd Garden Grove, CA No adults admitted without children.
Ocean Institute - Located in Dana Point harbor. Open weekends to the public for a sneak peek into how ocean science, history, and literature are used to inspire life-long learners. Summer camp for kids.
Zoomars Petting Zoo - Over 100 friendly animals to feed and pet. Pony and train rides for kids of all ages. Located in the historic district near the train station San Juan Capistrano.
The Reuben H. Fleet Science - Features more than 100 interactive science exhibits in five galleries. Younger children will enjoy Kid City. rated a top ten family attraction in San Diego. Print at home tickets available.
Children's Museum of La Habra - Located in an historic 1923 train depot. With 14 hands on exhibits including Buster the Bus and Kids on Stage. The museum can host birthday parties for up to 40 children. Fun family destination.
California Science Center - The west coast's largest hands-on science center. located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Admission to the main exhibition galleries is free. More than enough things to do here to keep your family busy all day long.
Griffith Observatory - The Observatory is a fun place for a family outing. Admission and parking is free. Inside there are three floors of exhibits, mahy of then are hands on. The view of Los Angeles is amazing.
Los Angeles Zoo - When you think of Zoo San Diego comes to mind but LA has quite a nice Zoo also. The Zoo is located in Griffith Park so plan on spending a full day if you are going to check out other attractions.
Tanaka Farms - Kids will enjoy the the tractor pulled farm tours. U-Pick strawberries during season. This is a fun learning experience for all ages. Tanaka Organic Farms University Dr Irvine.
Anaheim ICE - Offers Learn To Skate classes for all ages and abilities. Sessions for advanced skaters to further develop their skills. Cool summer fun for kids. Located in the new downtown Anaheim.
Birch Aquarium - This excellent aquarium in La Jolla is just the right size fro kids. Huge displays of fish inside and outside they have a tide pool area where you can get up close to some of the creatures.
Old Town Trolley Tour - One of the best ways to see San Diego. Park your car and board the trolley as many times as you like all day long. Kids will have a blast riding the San Diego trolly around town.
Seeds of Wonder @ Quail Gardens
The West Coast's first interactive children's garden. Grassy "rolling hill," a Baby Dinosaur Forest and a Farmyard area. This ia really fun place for kids to play.
Goat Hill Junction - Free train rides every third weekend of the month. Over 20,000 feet of track to ride. Fun for kids of all ages. Children's birthday party's available Costa Mesa, California.
Pirates Dinner Adventure - This unique, interactive, pirate-themed dinner show that is now open in Buena Park. Spanish Galleon is set afloat in a 250.000 gallon lagoon. A classic story of good versus evil.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Knight, jousting on horseback in a European style castle. Buena Park
.For 3 Full priced admissions get the birthday person in for free during the month of their birthday
Orange Empire Railway Museum - This very afforadble train museum has train and trolley rides every weekend. One ticket lets you ride all day long. The museum is a facinating place for the entire family.
Bowers Kids Kidseum - 11,000 square foot children's museum. Story telling, classes, and exhibits. Birthday party's and summer art camp. Santa Ana. Fun and educational place to take your kids.
Rancho Del Rio Stable - Fun With Horses, Cow-Poke Campfire Sleep-Over's, Birthday Parties and Pony Rides. A real ranch in the middle of Anaheim. Miles of trail to ride along the Santa Ana river.
Chula Vista Nature Center - Interactive exhibits at the Nature Center describe the history, geology, ecology, natural history and bio-diversity of Sweetwater Marsh and San Diego Bay.
Sea Life Aquarium - Sea Life is a second attraction at Legoland, California. The two-story aquarium has over 36,000 square feet filled with ocean displays. See both attractions with a Legoland hopper ticket.
San Diego Zoo - The largest Zoo in California located in Balboa Park San Diego. Plan on spending the entire day exploring the Zoo. One of the most affordable family attractions in Southern California.
 
Aquarium of the Pacific - Located in Long Beach this is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. It has nearly 1,000 species filling 19 major habitats. Half Price Tickets.
 
 
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