SoCal road trip with 2 kids for Xmas/NYE

Question

Hi,

Family of 4 here from NC. Our kids are 14 and 10. We've never been to SoCal and wanted to do a roadtrip of it for our kid's Xmas break. We'd likely leave on 12/19 or 12/20 and return on 1/2.

Things we've love to do....

Disneyland (I heard it might be less busy on Xmas day so that could be an option)

See the beach (Our 14 year old is obsessed with the old show The O.C. so would love to see Newport Beach)

Good hiking

If we could get one day where we could get into elevation and do some sledding in the snow (obviously can't predict the weather)

Resorts with good heated pools (slides are a bonus)

Joshua Tree/Desert Areas

An area that has fun holiday events... saw Palm Springs has some

Be at a resort with good visibility for a fireworks show on NYE

We don't love big cities. I'm fine if we don't see downtown LA. We like smaller cities/bigger towns. We like a good airbnb as long as it isn't isolated. Our kids like to be on the move and be active. So it isn't necessary to plop down somewhere for 4 nights. We like to travel at a decent clip.

Given our goals, how would you map out a roadtrip itinerary? I need to figure out a backbone of a plan so I can fill in the details. Obviously with it being Xmas and NYE, things will book out quickly so I'm trying to get a jump on this as soon as possible.

Thanks!

Answer

For a family road trip in Southern California over the Christmas and New Year’s break, you can create a mix of theme parks, beaches, desert adventures, snow play, and festive activities while avoiding big city congestion. Given your interests, here’s a suggested backbone itinerary that balances activity, travel, and downtime.

Day 1-2 (Dec 19-20): Arrival & Orange County / Disneyland Area

Fly into or start in Orange County (John Wayne Airport or LAX).
Stay near Anaheim or Buena Park to access Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.
Option to visit Disneyland on Dec 25 for potentially lower crowd levels or pick another day depending on crowd predictions.
Evening: Enjoy hotel resort with heated pool and slides if available.

Day 3 (Dec 21): Beaches & Outdoor Exploration

Visit Newport Beach to see locations from “The O.C.”
Take a bike ride along the boardwalk or beach promenade.
Check out Laguna Beach for tide pools and coastal hiking trails.
Optional sunset at Crystal Cove State Park.

Day 4 (Dec 22): Drive Inland / Snow Play

Drive 1.5–2 hours to Big Bear Lake or Mountain High for potential snow and sledding.
Spend the day in snow activities: tubing, sledding, snowball fights.
Stay overnight at a lodge or Airbnb near the mountains with cozy amenities.

Day 5-6 (Dec 23-24): Joshua Tree / Desert Exploration

Drive 2-3 hours to Joshua Tree National Park.
Hike family-friendly trails like Hidden Valley or Barker Dam (1-3 hours).
Optional rock climbing introduction or nature walk.
Stay in a small desert town like Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms; consider a unique Airbnb or resort with desert views.
Evening: Enjoy stargazing, especially in Joshua Tree’s dark skies.

Day 7-8 (Dec 25-26): Palm Springs & Holiday Events

Drive ~1 hour to Palm Springs.
Visit Living Desert Zoo or take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for light hiking and panoramic views.
Explore local holiday lights and events; some resorts have festive activities for families.
Stay at a resort with heated pools and slides.

Day 9-11 (Dec 27-29): Coastal Southern California & Leisure

Head back toward the coast, staying in a resort near San Diego or La Jolla to enjoy beaches and active water sports.
Option to visit LEGOLAND or SeaWorld if interested in additional theme parks.
Hike in Torrey Pines State Reserve or nearby coastal trails.

Day 12-14 (Dec 30-Jan 1): Sedona/Fireworks & New Year’s Eve

Depending on preference, stay near a resort with good visibility for fireworks (Newport Beach or a resort with a pool and view in coastal OC or San Diego area).
Participate in local NYE celebrations or resort activities.
Take a final day for light beach hiking or relaxation at the resort.

Day 15 (Jan 2): Departure

Return rental car if needed and fly home from LAX or SAN.

Tips & Considerations:

Book all resorts and activities as early as possible for the holiday period.
Check current snow conditions in Big Bear or Mountain High before committing to that day.
Consider a flexible approach to Disneyland or theme parks, as crowd levels fluctuate on holidays.
Apps like Google Maps, Waze, and AllTrails are great for real-time traffic, parking, and hiking trail information.
Try to balance long drives with shorter days to avoid fatigue for the kids.

This itinerary gives a mix of theme parks, beaches, snow, desert, hiking, and festive events while keeping travel manageable and active for your children.

SoCal road trip with 2 kids for Xmas/NYE

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