When looking at California, it’s almost impossible to look at what the state has to offer without dividing it up into various sections. Even high school sports are divided up geographically and there is never one true “state champion”:

Southern California has a lot to offer, especially for those who are looking for a family trip. Plus, there’s such a variety of trips to take. When planning your trip, you can be looking at day-passes to Legoland while also checking out Big Bear lakefront cabin rentals. It can be quite hard to choose the ideal trip because of so many options.

We’ve picked out a few that you should absolutely check out when planning your next trip.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal town that has a little bit of everything. Ideal for a weekend trip, the small town has lovely beaches and a zoo to check out. This means you can get plenty of variety on your trip by tanning one day and checking out the penguins the next.

If your family has an adventurous side, then you should check out the Channel Islands. This national park has a few islands that are filled with wildlife, such as elephant seals.

San Diego

Often referred to as the city with the world’s most perfect climate, San Diego is the ideal place for many kids. The San Diego Zoo is among the top zoos in the world and is worth a visit while you’d probably regret skipping Legoland California as well.

There are also some great beaches in the area as well as plenty of fun educational activities, such as museums, marine research centers, and more.

Dana Point

While it’s not quite as well known as Santa Barbara or San Diego, Dana Point is a cheaper option to the big cities as it offers the same spectacular beaches and lush resorts.

The aptly named Baby Beach is ideal for small kids who are learning to swim or want to take their chances at paddleboarding or even kayaking. You will also have to make sure and check out Pine Park which is full of places and things to climb on and play around with.

Big Bear

Despite being an area filled with natural beauty, Big Bear seems to have been created with families in mind. Perfect for a summer getaway, Big Bear has it all. You can find everything like mountain biking, hiking, ziplining, mini-golf, fishing, swimming and more.

Top off your stay by checking out Big Bear lakefront cabin rentals and give your family a wonderful getaway that they’re sure to never forget.

Los Angeles

It’s impossible to talk about Southern California without talking about one of the country’s most visited cities, Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, plain and simple, has just about everything. You can go visit Disneyland one day, check out the homes in Beverly Hills the next, and take a stroll along the Walk of Fame during the afternoon.

Besides those main attractions, there are countless museums and free activities in the area that will keep everyone in your family entertained for days on end.

Palm Springs

While it’s known for its golf courses, Palm Springs is a little desert paradise that is just a few hours away from Los Angeles and San Diego.

One of the top activities is the Living Desert Zoo, an interactive zoo filled with all kinds of animals to check out. There are plenty of hiking trails as well as horseback riding in the area. If you want to teach your kids golf, then you could try and get a tee time at one of the courses.