2 weeks in California with kids

Question

Hi everyone, need some help in planning a holiday please. We are a family of 4 - me, wifey, 1yr old daughter and 7yr old daughter.

Travelling akl to san fransico 29jun to 16jul this year. I have multiple cousins and uncle aunties in san fransico, so there will be no accommodation cost when we are in san francisco.

But my 7yo wants to see disneyland. She is not very adventurous and is scared of thrill rides. we will be doing san diego zoo as well. Apart from disneyland and san diego zoo, what all do u guys recommend please?

Is there any point of doing universal studios if we are not into rides? Is the sea world san diego pretty much similar to the one in gold coast which we did last year anyways?

Is there much to do with kids in LA and vegas?

When we went to USA 4-5yrs ago we did disneyland, san diego, and LA but obviously my elder daughter was only about 2-3yr old back then and she doesn’t remember anything which is why we doing disneyland again for her.

Also, how many days do u recommend for disneyland? I will be renting a car when i go disneyland and san diego as its cheaper to stay outside of disneyland in a nice 4star hotel.

Im thinking not to do any scenic attractions beaches national parks etc as those things we do in NZ anyways and they are better lol.

Thanks heaps

Answer

For a two-week family trip to California with kids aged 1 and 7, and with your priorities being Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo, you can plan a balanced itinerary focusing on kid-friendly activities and avoiding thrill rides or adventure-heavy attractions.

Here’s a detailed suggestion for your trip:

San Francisco (first part of the trip): Since you have family here, you can balance visits to family with light sightseeing. Consider:

Exploratorium – interactive science museum that’s fun for both kids.
California Academy of Sciences – includes an aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest exhibit.
San Francisco Zoo – smaller than San Diego Zoo but good for your 1-year-old and 7-year-old.
Ferry Building Marketplace & Pier 39 – for easy strolling and kid-friendly attractions like sea lions.

Since you’re skipping beaches and scenic nature, you can focus on museums, aquariums, and gentle city attractions.

Disneyland in Anaheim:

For a 7-year-old who isn’t into thrill rides, 2 full days are ideal – one day for Disneyland Park and one day for Disney California Adventure Park.
Stay in a nearby 4-star hotel outside the park with good parking to reduce costs. Morning arrival is easier if you’re staying close.
Use Genie+ or Lightning Lane for character meet-and-greets and gentle rides to minimize wait times.

San Diego:

San Diego Zoo – 1 full day is enough; focus on kid-friendly exhibits.
Balboa Park – adjacent to the zoo; several museums and playgrounds suitable for young kids.
SeaWorld – can skip if you’ve already been to Gold Coast SeaWorld, but if your kids love marine shows, it’s a fun 4-hour visit without rides.
La Jolla Cove or Mission Bay – optional quick stops if you want some waterfront views.

Los Angeles / Vegas:

Universal Studios can be skipped since your daughter isn’t into thrill rides; most attractions are ride-based.
In LA, consider kid-friendly options like the Natural History Museum, California Science Center, or Griffith Observatory for short visits.
Las Vegas – if passing through, stick to hotel attractions (like the Bellagio fountains, indoor aquariums, or themed hotels) rather than rides or casinos.

Other planning tips:

Renting a car for Disneyland and San Diego is a good idea; you can stay outside the parks in a comfortable hotel.
Prioritize 1-2 main attractions per day to avoid overtiring the kids, especially the 1-year-old.
Meal planning: bring snacks and plan breaks; parks and city attractions can be tiring for small children.

Summary suggestion:

San Francisco: 4–5 days with family and kid-friendly city attractions.
Drive to Anaheim: 2 full days for Disneyland and California Adventure.
Drive to San Diego: 2–3 days for San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and optional SeaWorld.
Optional light stop in LA for museums or short sightseeing if en route back.

This plan gives a relaxed pace with enough time for Disneyland, the zoo, and low-stress kid-friendly activities without repeating experiences your kids have already had.

2 weeks in California with kids

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