The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
12 stops to make on your Southern California family road trip
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
The article outlines a family-friendly road trip itinerary through Southern California, covering destinations from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
Highlights include beaches, amusement parks, cultural sites and scenic coastal drives, with recommendations for activities and attractions suited for various age groups.
It suggests planning at least five nights to fully experience the region without feeling rushed, and offers practical tips for managing logistics like car rentals and hotel stays.
Hotel recommendations focus on one major chain, noting the potential to maximize loyalty program benefits and points redemption for accommodations.
What to consider
Some attractions require advance reservations and have specific age or height restrictions for certain activities.
Admission prices, parking and extra experiences (such as safaris or food tours) can add up, so budgeting for these is important.
Hotel award rates vary widely by location and season, and some offers mentioned may no longer be available.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed day-by-day recommendations, local dining tips and insights on maximizing hotel loyalty benefits along the route.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
We’re all California dreamin’ once in a while. So when the Golden State calls you, bring along this handy list of hot spots for a family road trip that stretches from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
There is so much to do in Southern California that it can be overwhelming. Take it from a local: Don’t make yourself crazy trying to hit everything in one trip. Plan for at least five nights, so your family can properly enjoy the sights and avoid being stuck in the car the whole time.
The view at sunrise from Santa Barbara’s East Beach. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
San Diego
Start with flying into the super easy San Diego International Airport (SAN), and hop the shuttle to its rental car facility. Once settled into your vehicle, you and your family will be ready to cruise to some of the great attractions San Diego has to offer.
La Jolla Shores Beach
Visit La Jolla Shores Beach for warm sand, clean beaches and family-friendly waters. You can bring a picnic lunch and spread out on the grass, or walk into the nearby village for sandwiches or tacos. Up the road a bit is the stunning Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Advance reservations are required for all guests. (Entrance to the aquarium is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for kids ages 3-17 and free for kids two and under.)
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego is famous for its zoo, but if you have a car, consider visiting the San Diego Zoo Safari Park instead for a less crowded and equally exciting experience. (A one-day pass is $65 for adults and $55 for kids ages 3-11.) The safari park is about 32 miles from downtown San Diego, and it's well worth the drive to see wild animals in environments more similar to their natural habitats. Giraffes, gazelle, rhinos and more all graze on open acres of hilly grasslands. For an extra fee, consider the Wildlife Safari package, that allows families even closer views of the animals. (Tickets cost $89 and up per person; participants must be three or older.) Get up close and personal with the animals at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Legoland California
If your kids are younger, Legoland California is an all-time favorite Southern California amusement park. Exhibits and characters made entirely of Lego bricks dot the park landscape. Rides and shows are geared to an audience of 12 and under, but parents and older siblings will have a pretty great time here, too. For an amusement park, the food is good, and there's plenty to keep you busy for the whole day. Legoland is in Carlsbad, about a 40-minute drive from downtown San Diego. (If purchased online in advance, admission is $75 for kids and $81 for adults.)
Just over an hour up the coast from San Diego, Anaheim is home to the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, among other attractions. It would be hard to drive past the Matterhorn and Space Mountain without stopping. Always a favorite — everyone loves the Mad Tea Party ride at Disneyland (except Dad — ugh). (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park
Anaheim would be a sleepy orange grove without the dreams of Walt Disney. His Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park are magical legacies. The parks, just down the road from Disney Studios, are a little more quaint than Florida’s Disney World. I recommend buying the two-day Park Hopper Pass, because you simply cannot do it all in one day (though three days might be too many unless this is your only destination). Admission to Disneyland parks varies, and you’ll need a reservation to enter the parks, even after you purchase tickets.
Amusement park junkies should consider including a quick visit to Knott’s Berry Farm. Just 10 minutes from Disneyland in Buena Park, Knott’s is one of our kids’ favorite spots for straight-up thrill rides. Without all the Disney hoopla, this park does a great job with crowd management and plenty of entertainment. Plus, it offers some stomach-dropping rides that had us all in laughing fits. Plus, the berry pie a la mode here is legendary. (Daily admission for ages three and up starts at $69 per person.) Rides for both daredevils and littles are easy to access at Knott’s Berry Farm. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Anaheim Packing District
When you grow weary of amusement park food, drive 10 minutes to the Anaheim Packing District for decent grub. A converted orange-packing warehouse, this collective is a group of interesting food vendors spread across two large floors. We love this place because the food is fresh, healthy and diverse, so we can all get different things and still sit together in the center court. Lots of great food choices at Anaheim Packing District. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Los Angeles
Broadly known as “LA,” the Los Angeles area is vast. It’s comprised of many cities and neighborhoods that run together in a jumble. A car and much patience are necessary for getting around this area, and a good mapping app on your smartphone will help you gauge traffic flow. (Don’t make these mistakes that travelers make in Los Angeles.) The rides on Santa Monica Pier. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier and surrounding beach, often used for TV and movie scenes, are a must-see. On the sand near the pier, locals and visitors can show off their skills bouncing on a springy tightrope, rolling across the sand in giant inflatable “hamster balls” and swinging on giant monkey bars. On the pier, enjoy the rides at Pacific Park throughout the day and into the night. Restaurants and shops help entertain those who might be less ride-inclined. Rides are priced individually and range from $5–$12. Admission to the park itself is free.
Griffith Observatory
At the famous Griffith Observatory, our solar system and galaxy are on display in various entertaining and scientific ways. Exhibits feature discoveries about the planets, space and our views of them throughout human history. The huge telescope was not in operation when we visited, but good timing might allow guests a peep into the stars. Along with an excellent planetarium and various shows throughout the day, this is a different kind of star-struck Hollywood experience. By the way, the Hollywood sign is directly adjacent and looks enormous up close. The first telescope Griffith J. Griffith used to view the stars, on display at Griffith Observatory. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Santa Barbara
One of our favorite cities in California, Santa Barbara, is about two hours up the coast from LA. The view as you hit Ventura and drive up along the oceanfront is one of the most beautiful highway vistas on the West Coast. (You could plan to fly out of Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) or choose to drive back to Los Angeles and depart from LAX.)
Santa Barbara Mission
Built in 1786, the Santa Barbara Mission is the 10th of 21 missions constructed as part of Father Junipero Serra’s sojourn from Mexico to Northern California. Every California fourth grader learns about the missions of California, which means our kids could recite interesting facts about how adobe bricks are made and the fine art of basket weaving. This stunning mission is so well preserved, it provides an authentic feel for mission life in early California. Time your spring visit to coincide with Santa Barbara’s I Madonnari Italian street painting festival, during which renowned artists paint masterpieces on the pavement outside the mission steps. Visiting the Santa Barbara Mission on the right day, we enjoyed the chalk painting festival. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Stearns Wharf
On the waterfront near Stearns Wharf, you can rent a variety of two- and four-wheeled cycles by the hour (prices vary). The ride along the paved boardwalk is one of the most beautiful in California, with wide beaches, waving palms and gorgeous ocean views. For families with younger kids, the four-wheel buggies might be the best bet. On our last visit, we left our kids asleep in the hotel room and rented bikes for an early morning view of the local fishing boats heading out for the day’s catch. A ride along the Santa Barbara beach boardwalk is a great way to enjoy this city. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Funk Zone
Near the wharf, a once-blighted warehouse district has been reclaimed as the Funk Zone. Wine-tasting rooms, trendy restaurants and fun art exhibits have given this area a lot of character. We explored the Funk Zone by taking a great food tour called “Eat This, Shoot That!,” a combination of a walking eat-a-thon and food photo class. Our tour guide instructed us on how to take great pictures of food with our smartphones while we tasted and sipped our way through the streets. (The tour costs $135 for adults and $125 for non-drinkers and kids ages 6–21.) On the Eat This, Shoot That! walking food tour, we sample great dishes. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
Where to Stay
We’ve done this drive a few times now, discovering new things to do each time we visit. Along the way, we’ve stayed at some great hotels. If you’re planning your own Southern California road trip with kids, you may want to choose one hotel group for the entire vacation to consolidate using elite status or earning points via various promotions. We chose Hilton, largely because of its extensive Hilton Honors program, that allowed our family to cash in points for some stays while amassing new points at other properties. Every view is fantastic from the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. (Photo by Jon Bailey for The Points Guy)
San Diego
Hilton San Diego Bayfront: Downtown on the waterfront, this high-rise hotel is centrally located with all the conveniences. Award rates from 60,000-409,000 points per night.
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines: Overlooking the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course and ocean beyond, this hotel is near beaches and a fun hang glider port. Award rates range from 50,000-353,000 points per night.
Anaheim
Hilton Anaheim: Across the street from Disneyland, the Hilton Anaheim is in the midst of it all, and slightly removed from the bustle of Disneymania. (Here’s some information if you’re debating staying on-site at Disneyland or at an off-site property.) Award rates range from 44,000–120,000 points per night.
Los Angeles
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City: Literally walking distance to Universal Studios and Universal Citywalk, this large hotel is also very close to Hollywood. Award rates range from 55,000-158,000 points per night.
The Beverly Hilton: Steeped in Hollywood history, the Beverly Hilton is an original grand dame and host to the Golden Globe Awards each year. Award rates range from 155,000-200,000 points per night.
The Beverly Hilton Hotel has been host to many celebrities over the years.
Santa Barbara
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort: This hotel is right across from the city’s main beach and is a short walk to the wharf, Funk Zone and more. From 59,000–80,000 Hilton award points per night.
If you’d like to stay at Hilton properties on your Southern California road trip, there are some good welcome bonuses available for the hotel chain’s co-branded credit cards.
Credit Card
Welcome Bonus
TPG Bonus Valuation*
Annual Fee
Elite Status
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership. Terms Apply.
*Based on TPG valuation and not provided by the issuer.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Business Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Amex Card, click here.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
