Creative Things to Spend Time With Your Kids

to 4:30 p.m. 505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92707 Free For more details, contact the center at (714) 647-5358 Hikers stroll along designated Plaster Canyon Wilderness trails in September 2024. Credit: FASHION CASTILLO, Voice of OC Check out six miles of tracks in the Plaster Canyon Wilderness on a wilderness access day.

Although no registration is required, access is first-come, first-served until parking capability is reached. March 14, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 390 South Plaster Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA 92887 Free For more information, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at or check out [500 Acres of Sweeping Views in the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness] Bring 1-4 books to exchange at the Placentia Library during a book exchange. to 4:00 p.m. 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870 Free For more details, call the library at (714) 528-1906 All ages are welcomed to check out the Cypress Library for a performance by bagpiper John McLean Allan. March 14, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630 Free For more information, contact the library at (714) 826-0350 Commemorate Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, with a multilingual English-Persian storytime.

March 14, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 Free For more information, contact the library at (949) 459-6094 Adults and elders can learn email setup, USB navigation and other computer abilities every other Sunday at the Objective Viejo Library. Participants are motivated to bring individual devices, but library laptop computers will be available during program hours.

Must-See Family Support Networks for Modern Parents

March 8, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 100 Civic Ctr., Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Free For more details, call the library at (949) 452-8343 Enjoy math and science activities during a Pi Day event at the El Toro Library. Pie will likewise be offered while supplies last. No registration needed.

to 3:30 p.m. 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630 Free For more information, get in touch with the library at (949) 855-8173 If you understand of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC need to be aware of, send an email to For more occasions, please describe the Voice of OC Calendar.

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The Pacific Coast in California (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) Looking for the very best family trips in California? As a mom and longtime Californian who has explored much of the Golden State, I have actually got you covered! Discover this beautiful state's coasts, theme parks, national forests, and cities with this list of 16 fantastic places to visit in California with kids in 2026.

Planning for Costumed Art Sessions in 2026

Sunset in San Diego (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) This website in some cases receives compensation, hosted travel, or products related to blog site posts. This article might include affiliate links at no extra cost to consumers. As an Amazon Partner, I make money from certifying purchases. View moreView less San Diego is the best place for a California family trip.

, the always entertaining Balboa Park, and loads of other tourist attractions.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) Obviously, no list of the very best locations to check out in California with kids would be total without Disneyland Resort. With unforgettable character meals, thrilling trips, and imaginative tourist attractions, you're never ever too old or young for a Disney holiday. Located in Orange County, this getaway location includes Disneyland and its sister theme park, Disney California Experience.

Checking out with little kids? Headed to the Happiest Place on Earth with older kids? Beach cruisers in Huntington Beach, California (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) If your ideal California family trip focuses on ocean waves, sandy beaches, and hanging 10 book a trip to Huntington Beach!

Preparing for Thematic Photo Sessions in 2026

San Francisco's Pier 39 (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) What's not to like about this Northern California city by the sea?, from the massive Golden Gate Park and Pier 39 to Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz Island, and the crookedest street in the world.

Plus, San Francisco Bay is also home to the second-largest Chinatown in the country. Go see the ornate Dragon's Gate and roam through the location's lots of vibrant shops. Then take pleasure in some tasty, authentic Chinese cuisine. Fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco, so make sure to check out the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, where you can watch the production process and buy freshly made cookies.

The popular Monterey Bay Aquarium wows kids with exhibits filled with tuxedoed penguins, playful sea otters, and fish of all sorts. Hiking chances offer households a possibility to connect with nature and each other.

Monterey is just 4 miles (6.5 km) from Carmel, a darling destination worth a day journey or a few additional days in California with kids. (Or without offspring at the romantic Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea!) Lake Tahoe in winter (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) Snow in California? Oh yes, undoubtedly! Skiing may not be the very first thing that occurs when you envision a California holiday, however maybe it needs to be.

Capturing High-End Wall Displays of Your Family

Snowshoeing, ice skating, s'mores, and more keep kids content during a California winter season trip to Lake Tahoe. In summertime, head to Lake Tahoe for jet snowboarding, paddle boarding, hiking, kayaking, and more My household at the Carlsbad Flower Fields (Picture credit: Colleen Travels In between) Found just over 30 miles north of downtown San Diego and less than an hour's drive south of Orange County's Irvine, you might quickly spend your whole California family vacation in Carlsbad.