Category: California

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California

Monterey Peninsula

California’s coastal route, one of the most beautiful in the world, culminates in the Monterey Peninsula

Why go?

A tour which starts in LA and ends in San Francisco – or vice versa – is highly recommended to experience California’s central coastal route, one of the most beautiful in the world. The gentle stretch, which culminates in the Monterey Peninsula, is packed with family attractions.

Younger kids will love splashing around on the beautiful beaches, which range from wide-sprawling vistas to little bays, while tweens and teens can explore the natural wonders on hikes or horseback.

Activities

Heading north from Los Angeles, stop at Pismo Beach, which has eight miles of towering sand dunes with buggies for hire to explore them, and horseback riding along the sands.

But it’s not all about the beach; not to be missed is Hearst Castle, a fairytale hilltop mansion filled with treasures accumulated by the newspaper magnate who inspired Citizen Kane. There are spectacular pools, home movies featuring Hollywood’s greatest names and so many funny anecdotes, older kids will enjoy a visit as much as adults. Stop over at nearby San Simeon where there’s a good range of accommodation. 

Just south of Monterey is Big Sur, a great place to hike, with some of the best scenery in the area and plenty of trails to follow. There’s a range of lodging, from campsites to luxury hotels, and you can refuel at one of the family-friendly inns.

Next up is Monterey’s famous Cannery Row, which houses a spectacular indoor-outdoor aquarium, while nearby Pacific Beach has great beaches, and there are more in Carmel village, with its elegant little shops.

Here kids will love visiting the Cypress Inn for ‘Yappy Hour’ – Doris Day’s dog-friendly hotel whose owners love to socialise with their pooches over an afternoon cuppa.

Don’t miss: Visiting the vineyards, this area is home to some of California’s first-rate estates and many of the wineries have activities to keep children occupied while you indulge. 

The lowdown

Travel time: Flights from London to San Francisco take 10 hours and 55 minutes, it’s then a 2 hour drive to Monterey Peninsula. Flights from London to Los Angeles take 11 hours and 22 minutes, which is just over 5 hours from Monterey Peninsula. 

How to there: British Airways flies from London Heathrow to San Francisco; from £564 for an adult return, and London Heathrow to Los Angeles; from £564 return. Virgin Atlantic flies from London Heathrow to San Francisco; from £563 for an adult return, and London Heathrow to Lost Angeles; from £563.

Best time to go: Monterey Peninsula has fairly consistently good weather, with a yearly average of 20°C, July to September is peak season, while between December and March you’ll have a chance of seeing the grey whale migration.  

 

Pictures by Andreas Hub/laif, shutterstock.com and Alamy

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California

Palm Springs

Beautifully reclaimed desert and awesome mountains surround this charmingly retro little town.

Why go?

Why go? Head inland from Los Angeles or San Diego to beautifully reclaimed desert around and beyond the charmingly retro little town of Palm Springs, all with awesome mountains as the backdrop.

Palm Springs is all about the great outdoors, so this is a spot for older children; eight and overs. 

Activities

Hit the Aerial Tramway, which brings visitors above 8,000 ft to 54 miles of hiking trails in Mount San Jacinto Wilderness Park – it’s one of the steepest and most thrilling climbs in the world.

See desert fauna and flora in The Living Desert park, then relieve the dry heat with a trip to Knott’s Soak City Water Park, packed with great water rides and slides and featuring a giant wave pool for body surfing.

The lowdown

Travel time: Fly from London to either Los Angeles or San Diego (11 hours); Palm Springs is 2 hours from both.

How to get there: British Airways flies from London Heathrow to San Diego; from £621 return and to LAX; from £564 return. Virgin Atlantic flies from London Heathrow to LAX; from £563 return. 

Best time to visit: Peak season is between January and May when the weather is warm and sunny during the day, and cool and crisp at night, this does mean bigger crowds. It’s less busy from September to November and still warm, while July and August are very hot. 

More information: www.visitpalmsprings.com

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California

San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

San Diego Zoo & Safari Park

One of the world’s best zoos, San Diego’s is a 100-acre tropical garden housing 800 rare and exotic species, including giant pandas.

Why go?

Really superior to most other zoos, the one in San Diego’s Balboa Park is a must-visit for any family on holiday in the city. 

Asides from over 800 rare and exotic species, including giant pandas, the site has a safari park, amusement rides, such as a carousel and steam train, and you can take a hot air balloon ride, 400ft above it all.

But visiting those should only be part of your visit to Balboa Park. Don’t miss the San Diego Air & Space Museum and 14 other museums in the park, as well as the theatre, art galleries and acres of lush gardens.

Top tip: San Diego is a breezy maritime city with a colourful city centre packed with casual family eateries; linger overnight to discover all its charms. 

The lowdown

Travel time: Flights from London to San Diego take 11 hours and 10 minutes. 

How to get there: British Airways flies from London Heathrow to San Diego; from £621 return. 

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November are the best times to visit, the weather is warm and sunnyand there aren’t as many crowds as during the summer.  

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California

San Francisco for Families

San Francisco, the cultural hub of north California has as much to keep children entertained as adults.

Why go?

The city by the bay is the international gateway to the wonders of northern California, with plenty to keep children occupied, from getting their hands dirty cracking into fresh crab at Fisherman’s Wharf, to family-friendly museums and parks.  

Who is it good for? As with so many cities, San Francisco’s sites are best seen on foot, so make sure your kids are old enough to appreciate it and don’t mind walking – we suggest seven and over. It’s also worth noting that the steep hills and cable cars aren’t entirely buggy-friendly. 

Activities

Children will love riding the cable cars (that’s trams to you and me) over its roller-coaster hills, hop off at Lombard Street to walk the ‘crookedest street in the world’ and enjoy a stroll along the waterfront.

Fisherman’s Wharf is punctuated by the enticing shops of Ghirardelli Square with a chocolate factory at its centre, while the Marina is a great place to join locals flying kites and walking dogs on a weekend morning.

There’s also Golden Gate Park, home to the California Academy of Sciences, the greenest museum in the world. It houses an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest and natural history museum under a 2.5 acre living roof.  

Food: Stop for a dim sum lunch in Chinatown, sample the seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf, or there’s a charming Japanese tea house for refreshments with a Pacific flavour at Golden Gate Park. 

The lowdown

Travel time? Flights from London to San Francisco take 10 hours and 55 minutes, it’s then about 20 minutes to the city centre by taxi or you can take the BART to downtown San Francisco in 30 minutes – it departs every 15 minutes and costs $8.25. 

How to get there? British Airways flies from London Heathrow; from £564 for an adult return. Virgin Atlantic also flies from London Heathrow; from £563 for an adult return. 

Best time to go? The days are warm and sunny in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). 

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California

Sacramento, California

There is living history in the string of 19th century mining towns close to Sacramento, many of which still preserve their gold rush atmosphere.

Why go?

There is exciting living history in the string of 19th century mining towns close to Sacramento, many of which still preserve their gold rush atmosphere.  

Children will love playing bandits as they run through ghost towns, sifting for ‘gold’ or whitewater rafting on the Sacramento River. 

Activities

Head to Murphy’s, one of the best preserved towns in the midst of the trail, where the bullet-holes which once reverberated through saloon doors in the wild old days, are still in tact.  

At the heart of the region is Columbia, once, incredibly, the second largest town in California. Now it’s a state historic park where gold rush scenes are re-enacted and shops and restaurants remain faithful to the period. Park at the trailhead just north of Columbia and you can hike to Coyote Creek for a picnic or swim at Natural Bridges, a spectacular limestone formation.

White-water rafting on the Sacramento River is popular, and Shasta Lake, created by a dam built on the river, is a water playground in its own right. A great way to explore its furthest reaches or stunning coves is with a rental kayak or powerboat. Better yet, you can actually stay on the water in a houseboat.

The lowdown

Travel time: Flights from London to Sacramento take 12 hours and 48 minutes, alternatively, fly to San Francisco (10 hours 55 minutes) and drive the 1 hour and 30 minutes on to Sacramento. 

How to get there: United Airlines flies from London Heathrow to Sacramento International, via San Francisco or Los Angeles; from £613 for an adult return. British Airways flies from London Heathrow to San Francisco; from £564 return, and Virgin Atlantic also flies from London Heathrow to San Francisco; from £563 return. 

Best time to go: May to October are the best months, but bear in mind it does get very hot in the summer. 

More information: Whitewater Voyages; Avis Car Hire 

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California

What to do in Los Angeles

The home of Hollywood, families can take a peek in the film studios, eat overlooking Pacific breakers and, of course, visit Disneyland.

Why go?

Los Angeles can’t fail to please families who enjoy sunshine and lush vegetation – not to mention glamour which, after a century of movie-making, the city is steeped in. And though Hollywood’s iconic sights are a must, especially the Walk of Fame collection of stars‘ hand and footprints, there’s more to LA than Hollywood.

Activities

If you like the outdoors try the Hollywood Bowl. The whole family willl enjoy its fun programme of open air concerts, firework displays and picnics (or eat at one of the onsite restaurants) during the summer season.   

Then take the scenic route on Laurel Canyon Boulevard to Universal Studios, for a world of exciting theme rides.  

The Backlot Tour is not to be missed by movie fans – it includes the explosive effects from The Fast and the Furious, a visit to Desperate Housewives Wisteria Lane and a scary 3D experience with King Kong.

Culture lovers will like Wilshire Boulevard, running all the way from the beach to downtown, it’s home to the excellent LA County Art Museum.   

Or, travel into pre-historic times at the exciting La Brea Tar Pits, where mammoths, sabre-tooth tigers and giant sloths became trapped 40,000 years ago. Here, kids will enjoy the Ice Age fossils in the Page Museum as well as the prehistoric footprints.

Shopping: The Grove is a new outdoor shopping mall with designer boutiques.; try Rodeo Drive or funky Melrose Avenue. Also check out the eclectic little shops on Main Street, which runs between Santa Monica and neighbouring Venice, famous for its Muscle Beach and charming canals. 

Where to eat

With so many options, you’ll never be hungry in LA. For sea-view dining go down to the pier and visit The Lobster, or drive up Pacific Coast Highway to lovely Malibu, where eateries like Moonshadows make it possible to dine right on top of the crashing surf.

Excellent Mexican food can be found at Chipotle. Or, if you’re partial to a burger, try superior fast-food outlets Fatburger and In-N-Out or Nate’n’Al’s, a Beverly Hills deli that uses Angus beef and is frequented by the movie crowd. 

For a real Smörgåsbord, visit West Hollywood farmer’s market. The bustling area is divided into kiosks dispensing every kind of food, so each family member can choose their favourite and eat together at a table in the middle of this lovely retro spot.

The lowdown

Where to stay: To avoid busy freeways base yourself in fashionable West Hollywood, smart Beverly Hills or family-friendly Santa Monica. West Hollywood is close to Hollywood proper with attractions including Sunset Strip and the laid-back farmers‘ market. We especially love Santa Monica for its easy public transport system.

Travel time: A flight from London to LAX takes 11 hours.

How to get there: Fly with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic each priced at £563 return.

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California

Yosemite, California

With plunging waterfalls, dramatic granite cliffs and wildlife galore, Yosemite is the perfect natural highlight on a west coast road trip.

Why go?

Yosemite is the most famous of California’s eight national parks and rightly so; with plunging waterfalls, dramatic granite cliffs and a good location (just four hours east of San Francisco) it’s the perfect natural highlight on a west coast trip.    

Who is it good for? Adventurous families who want a holiday that’s free from modern distractions. 

Activities

Ways to connect with nature are plentiful at Yosemite. Try stargazing, freshwater swimming, hiking, biking, and pony-trekking. To really get to grips with nature, and make new friends, children should join Yosemite’s kids’ clubs. Both Little Clubs (3-6 year olds) and Junior Rangers (7-13) are designed to foster environmental awareness by teaching kids all about the black bears, coyotes and other animals who call the park home.

Don’t miss: Yosemite Falls. This cascade is the fifth highest waterfall in the world. Visit in spring to see the water sparkle with the spectacular ‘moonbow’ lunar rainbow. 

The Lowdown

How to get there: Take in the city delights of San Francisco before driving to the park. Flights from London Heathrow to San Francisco with British Airways; from £564 return. 

Travel time: A flight from London to San Francisco takes 11 hours, and the drive from the city to Yosemite is under 4 hours.

Best time to go? May-September is the hottest and busiest time at Yosemite but if you want to see the best of the waterfalls visit during spring, when the temperature is still a pleasant 21°C. 

Where to stay: Yosemite offers a spectrum of accommodation to suit all visitors. Keen campers can choose from the array of purpose-built sites; advanced booking is advised, especially in the busy summer season. If you want a campside feel, without sleeping under canvas, opt for a cabin in Curry Village, or make your stay a real treat by checking into the Ahwahnee, the luxury on-site hotel crafted from granite.