Family vacations can be costly, but that doesn’t have to be the case for your next trip to California. Opportunities abound for epic but inexpensive family vacations across the Golden State. From affordable city getaways to coastal and desert trips, there are many budget-friendly ways to visit California.
A few general travel tips will help you save money: First, remember that California destinations are generally less expensive during off-season periods. Consider a spring or autumn trip to places like Lake Tahoe or Big Bear, or plan a winter visit to Yosemite National Park or San Diego’s beaches. Next, book tickets for attractions and events long before your travel dates for the best pricing and availability. And for the biggest savings bundled with maximum fun, plan a vacation in California destinations like the ones listed below. These cities, listed north to south, offer affordable family getaways with surprising attractions and great places to stay, eat, and play.
Redding
This Shasta County city is a unique, budget-friendly vacation spot, especially for families who love exploring the great outdoors. Its proximity to state and national parks makes it an ideal base of operations for exploring the natural wonders of the Shasta Cascade region.
Before you head out beyond the borders of Redding, hop on the Sacramento River Trailand walk or bike to many of the city’s highlights. Along the way, you’ll encounter Turtle Bay Exploration Park, a 300-acre nature complex with a natural history museum, arboretum, sculpture park, and forest camp that’s great for kids. Right next door, the Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River is a great spot for fun family photo ops.
Hop in the car to check out Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark, where you can wander through a 250-million-year-old underground cave system. To get to the caves, you’ll cruise across the glittering waters of Shasta Lake, California’s largest reservoir and a mecca for houseboating and fishing. Pay a visit to Shasta Dam, the second-largest concrete dam in the United States. Redding is also a short drive away from the geothermal marvels of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Top Affordable Family Hotels in Redding:
These five cities are great places to start when you’re looking for an affordable family getaway in California. But there are many ways to get maximum value from your California vacation, no matter where you go. The key is planning ahead and keeping stress to a minimum. And if you’re traveling with a large clan, check out these places where your extended family can spread out.
Sacramento
California’s capital city is packed with memorable family experiences that are more affordable than you’d expect. Historic sites and family-friendly parks and trails are almost everywhere you look in Sacramento, and most are free to explore.
Start your budget-friendly vacation in Sacramento with a stop at the State Capitol, where you can wander around the grand historic building and its grounds for free. Then, head down the Capitol Mall and walk along the Old Sacramento Waterfront, a National Historic Landmark that will transport your family back in time to the mid-1800s Gold Rush. After exploring Old Sacramento’s old-timey sidewalks and shops, walk across the gilded Tower Bridge or tour the railroad exhibits at the California State Railroad Museum (kids ages 5 and under get in free). A collection of steam locomotives dating from 1862 to 1944 are the main attractions, but don’t miss the miniature train layout with more than 1,000 vintage toy train cars.
On Sacramento’s south side, visit Land Park, home to the Sacramento Zoo (book tickets ahead to save money). Nearby, you’ll find enchanting play structures and friendly farm animals at Fairytale Town and the Funderland Amusement Park, a kiddie favorite since 1946. For an outdoor adventure, rent bikes and walk or pedal a stretch of the 32-mile-long Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.
Top Affordable Family Hotels in Sacramento:
Best Western Plus Sutter House
Hilton Garden Inn Sacramento Elk Grove
Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena
Santa Rosa
One hour north of San Francisco, the biggest city in Sonoma County is a hidden gem for budget-conscious vacationers. This wine country destination looks and feels luxurious but offers activities and lodging that are very reasonably priced.
A must-see for any family visiting Santa Rosa is the Charles M. Schulz Museum, where kids and adults can learn about the art of cartooning and how Schulz created Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. Head across the street to Snoopy’s Home Ice (Redwood Empire Ice Arena) and you can ice-skate with Snoopy himself. Be sure to grab a hot chocolate at the Warm Puppy Café while you’re there.
You’ll also want to visit Safari West, aka the “Sonoma Serengeti.” This 400-acre wildlife preserve on the city’s northeast edge is home to hundreds of animals that roam freely. Visitors can take a guided safari ride through the park to see giraffes, cheetah, rhinos, and more. For a special experience, you can even rent a deluxe tent cabin and spend the night.
Other free or low-cost must-sees in Santa Rosa include a stroll back in time through historic Railroad Square—a great spot to grab a meal—or a tour through the impressive flora of Luther Burbank Home & Gardens. Pack a lunch and comfortable walking shoes and take a hike through the big trees of nearby Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve.
Top Affordable Family Hotels in Santa Rosa:
Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country
Ventura
About an hour’s drive north of Los Angeles, Ventura is a seaside city that’s laid back, affordable, and offers a wide range of family-friendly activities. With the historic Mission San Buenaventura as its anchor, downtown Ventura is both compact and pedestrian friendly. Parking is free almost everywhere, including Main Street and city beaches.
While you’re in town, be sure to check out the 1,620-foot-long Ventura Pier, the oldest wooden pier in California. Eat a fresh seafood dinner, rent a stand-up paddleboard or swan boat, or shop for beachy souvenirs at Ventura Harbor Village. Take a spin along one of Ventura’s many bike trails or explore miles of sandy beaches. Harbor Cove Beach is a family favorite for its gentle surf and protected shoreline, but you can also watch pro surfers tackle a world-class point break at Rincon Point.
Ventura is also a gateway to Channel Islands National Park, a five-island wonderland of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and kayaking. It’s also a haven for marine life—the waters surrounding the Channel Islands are a prime location to spot more than two dozen species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Top Affordable Family Hotels in Ventura:
Palm Springs
About 90 minutes east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs has a glamorous reputation thanks to its history as a Hollywood playground with midcentury modern flair. Despite the stylish appeal, it can be a surprisingly affordable place for a family vacation. Many hotels are reasonably priced, and families can take advantage of spectacular hotel pools and lounges without paying for more than an overnight stay.
If you can pull your kids away from the pool, take them for a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It begins with a breathtaking 2.5-mile ride up the slope of Mount San Jacinto in a rotating tram car. Everyone will ooh and aah over the sweeping views of Palm Springs and the surrounding desert. Once you disembark at the upper tram station, choose from a variety of hikes, join a guided nature walk, stop in to the small museum and watch a documentary about the tram’s construction, or have lunch or dinner at Pines Café or Peaks Restaurant. Make sure you bring a jacket or sweatshirt for every family member—it’s often 30 degrees cooler at the upper tram station, elevation 8,516 feet. In the winter months, you might even be able to try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
While in Palm Springs, make sure you visit The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, where you can get up close to desert plants and animals, from cacti to coyotes. Or take a stroll around Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage, a historic midcentury modern estate where hummingbirds flit above extensive plantings of cacti and desert flora. For families who want to hike or camp, Joshua Tree National Park is only about an hour’s drive from Palm Springs.