Southern California is one of those destinations where you’ll never run out of things to do. On our family trip, we based ourselves in Los Angeles, explored San Diego, and even crossed the border into Tijuana, Mexico. It was an action-packed adventure filled with beaches, theme parks, museums, and unforgettable moments.

Staying in Los Angeles

We stayed downtown at the Hilton DoubleTree, famous for greeting guests with a warm cookie at check-in, something our son loved!

We originally booked a one-bedroom suite, but the first night, there was a wedding at the hotel with music blasting late into the night. After reaching out to the front desk with no luck, I contacted Hilton headquarters. The next day, our room was upgraded to the Presidential Suite. From then on, the stay was much smoother.

Adventures in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Zoo

Our first stop was the LA Zoo, located near Griffith Park. It’s large, with plenty to see, so plan to spend the whole day exploring. If you have little ones, a stroller is a must because they’ll tire quickly with all the walking.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is always buzzing with energy. Parking can be tricky, so I parked in a garage on a side street. Beyond spotting the stars on the ground, we got creative photos of the Hollywood sign. The highlight? Having a personalized Hollywood star made for our son, complete with pictures, for only $10. It looked so real and made the experience extra special.

Disneyland California

No trip to LA is complete without Disneyland in Anaheim. It was our son’s first visit, and he loved every minute, the parades, rides, and meeting characters. Plan to spend the entire day here to soak it all in. Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles, a local favorite.

Santa Monica Beach & Pier

Santa Monica was a family favorite. We strolled the pier, enjoyed the live music, and watched the waves crash against the shore. The Pacific Ocean was a bit too rough for us to swim, but the atmosphere made up for it. The pier has rides and attractions for kids, making it a perfect family stop.

Coastal Drive

Driving up the California coast is an adventure of its own. The views of the mountains and ocean are breathtaking, and I highly recommend setting aside time just to enjoy the drive.

Children’s Museum

Whenever we travel, we like to visit children’s museums. In LA, we visited the Southern California Children’s Museum. It was the perfect indoor stop for our son — full of interactive learning opportunities and fun play spaces.

Beverly Hills

We also squeezed in a quick trip to Beverly Hills for photos, though our son was napping through the entire visit — a reminder that sometimes kids set the pace no matter where you are!

South to San Diego

After exploring LA, we headed about two hours south to San Diego. On the way, we stopped at Legoland California in Carlsbad. It’s perfect for kids 8 and under, and our son absolutely loved it.

In San Diego, we stayed at the Residence Inn Downtown near the Bay Area. The hotel was clean, modern, and walkable to many attractions.

San Diego Zoo & SeaWorld

Both the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld were must-do stops. We visited them on the same day, but I’d recommend separating them into two days; it’s too much for one stretch, especially with kids.

Crossing Into Mexico

From San Diego, we couldn’t resist experiencing a walk across the border into Tijuana. We parked near the shopping area by the border, then walked into Mexico.

The process was simple, and while we didn’t explore far into the city, the experience of walking across an international border was memorable. Taxis are available if you want to go deeper into Tijuana, just confirm the fare before leaving.

Final Thoughts

Our Southern California trip was packed with activities, from theme parks and beaches to museums and even a quick international adventure. We spent two weeks exploring and still didn’t see everything.

Family Travel Tip: If you’re visiting SoCal, plan your days strategically. Balance big attractions like Disneyland or the zoo with more relaxed experiences like Santa Monica Pier or a coastal drive. It makes the trip less overwhelming for kids (and parents).

Overall, this trip was amazing and full of variety. If you’re planning a family getaway, Southern California (with a side trip to Tijuana) is a destination that has it all.