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Explore California With Kids & Teens
Things To Do In California With Kids and Teens
California with kids and teens is packed with exciting family fun. There is so much interesting history, art and culture to be found in this beautiful US State. Let the landscape, culture, and richness of California inspire you as you explore California with kids and teens.
Your family will be captivated by all of the history of all the best places to explore and learn about in California. These California family travel destinations are great places to add to an exciting family travel itinerary as you explore California. If you want to road trip or learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in California with kids and teens.
California With Kids & Teens – Road Trip!
Are ready to let your family experience everything California has to offer? If that’s the case, then a California with kids & teens road trip is the perfect way to use the world as your classroom. Road-tripping allows you to explore and experience a place just like the locals. That’s the great thing about road trips (and GPS); you can wander wherever you like from the big city attractions of Southern California all the way up to the gorge forests of northern California. Road-tripping can be such an adventure and a great way to learn.
In our family, road-tripping is a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. A 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with fun things like activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of California. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people & places. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore the historical sites in California!
California – Historical Sites & Parks
- Golden Gate Bridge: Bridge in San Francisco, California. Don’t miss these onsite exhibit areas.
- Yosemite National Park: National park in the Sierra Nevada region in California.
- Sequoia National Park: National park in the southern Sierra Nevada region in California.
- Six Flags Magic Mountain: Theme park in Valencia, California.
- Griffith Observatory: Observatory in Los Angeles, California.
- Balboa Park: Park in San Diego, California.
California – Gardens, Zoos & Aquariums
- San Diego Zoo: Zoo in San Diego, California.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: Aquarium in Monterey, California.
- Los Angeles Zoo: Zoo in Los Angeles, California.
California –Add These To Your Itinerary
- Disneyland: Theme park in Anaheim, California.
- Knott’s Berry Farm: Amusement park in Buena Park, California.
- Universal Studios Hollywood: Theme park in Universal City, California.
- Hollywood Bowl: Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California.
- California’s Great America: Amusement park in Santa Clara, California.
- SeaWorld San Diego: Theme park in San Diego, California.
- Hearst Castle: Historic castle in San Simeon, California.
- Santa Monica Pier: Recreational and entertainment center in Santa Monica, California.
- Six Flags Magic Mountain: Theme park in Valencia, California.
- Legoland California: Theme park in Carlsbad, California.
California offers so many exciting things to do! Museums, outdoor activities, and exciting adventures throughout the state. From state parks to theme parks with roller coasters to wandering the tide pools along the Pacific Ocean, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about California.
California Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning
Make the most of learning about California by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the California State Study pack into your pre- and post-visit activities. Kids of all ages will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study Resources
California – Use The World As Your Classroom
The California State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about California at home (virtually) or on the road.
Learn About California’s Famous People
- Robert Frost – Poet
- William Randolph Hearst -Entrepreneur
- Jack London – Author
- George Lucas – Film Producer
- Richard M. Nixon – President
- Sally K. Ride -Astronaut
- George S. Patton, Jr.
- Ansel Adams – Photographer
Learn About California’s Famous Landmarks:
- Cabrillo National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Lava Beds National Monument
- Rosie The Riveter WWII / Home Front National Historical Park.
- San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
- Sequoia And Kings Canyon National Parks
- Yosemite National Park
You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 4th grade to 12th grade.
The California State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.
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California State Study Pack$11.00
Your Questions Answered About Things to Do in California with Kids
California is the perfect place to travel with kids, with its diverse landscape, attractions, and activities. Here are a few of the best places to visit. Details and resources are included in this post and the California State Study Pack.
🌟Disneyland Resort: This world-famous theme park is a must-visit for families with kids of all ages.
🌟Universal Studios Hollywood: This theme park offers rides and attractions based on popular movies and TV shows, such as Harry Potter and Jurassic World.
🌟San Diego Zoo: This world-renowned zoo is home to over 3,500 animals from all over the world.
🌟Golden Gate Park: This iconic park in San Francisco offers a variety of activities for families, including museums, gardens, and playgrounds.
🌟Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: This classic boardwalk amusement park has rides, games, and food for the whole family.
🌟Joshua Tree National Park: This national park offers stunning desert scenery and opportunities for hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
🌟Lake Tahoe: This alpine lake is a great place for swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking.
Here are a few tips for planning a family trip to California:
🌟Choose the right destination. Consider the interests of your family members when choosing a destination. For example, if you have young children, you may want to choose a destination with a lot of family-friendly activities.
🌟Book your accommodations in advance. California is a popular tourist destination, so it’s important to book your accommodations in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
🌟Create a budget. California can be an expensive place to visit, so it’s important to create a budget and stick to it.
🌟Pack for all types of weather. California has a variety of climates, so it’s important to pack for all types of weather.
🌟Be prepared for crowds. California is a populous state, so be prepared for crowds, especially at popular tourist attractions.
There are many family-friendly activities to do in California, depending on your interests and budget. Here are a few ideas:
🌟Visit a theme park: California is home to some of the best theme parks in the world, including Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.
🌟Go to the beach: California has over 800 miles of coastline, so there are plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from. You may even enjoy a scenic drive on the Pacific Coast Highway
🌟Visit a museum: California has a variety of museums, including art museums, science museums, and history museums.
🌟Go hiking: California has many hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
🌟Visit a state park: California has over 300 state parks, offering a variety of activities for families, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming.
Here are a few tips for keeping younger children entertained on a family trip to California:
🌟Plan a mix of activities. Include a variety of activities in your itinerary, such as theme parks, museums, and outdoor activities.
🌟Take breaks. Don’t try to do too much in one day. Take breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge.
🌟Be flexible. If your kids are getting bored, be willing to change your plans.
🌟Have a backup plan. In case of bad weather or other unexpected events, have a backup plan for activities that you can do indoors.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your family has a fun and memorable trip to California.
Homeschool, Travel & Learn With The Let’s Study The Americas, the Caribbean, Australia & Oceania Bundle
No more cobbling your curriculum together and hoping it works! Everything you need is included in these World Geography bundles!
Use The World As Your Classroom
Exploring America’s west?
Colorado, Arizona, & Nevada are exciting stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.
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