The 15 Best Family Resorts In California

My home state of California. I am often shocked by the beauty of this state and the many different types of vacation to take the family. With 840 miles of beautiful coastline, gorgeous, snow-filled mountains, and some of the best amusement parks in the world, California is one of the best places for families to get away.

The hard part isn’t finding things to do, it is deciding which amazing place to stay. So, we decided to give you a peek at the Best Family Resorts in California.

Over the past 17 years with our kids, we have stayed in over 100 different hotels just in California on som incredible family vacations. Some, stand out far more than others. Here are the best of the best!

Best Family Resorts in Southern California

Southern California has a ton of things to do for families. Whether you want to hit up some of the amazing Malibu or San Diego beaches, visit Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm, or enjoy 1,000 other things to do, there is something for everyone.

We wanted to go ahead and put together a lit of the best family friendly hotels you can visit.

Terranea Resort, Ranchos Palos Verdes

There aren’t many resorts in my opinion that can match up with the beauty of Terranea. It is located on definitely one of the most beautiful parts of the California coastline. The resort is stunning as well with over 100 acres of land.

On our last visit we stayed in one of Terranea’s Casitas. This 3-room casita is perfect for any families looking for a place to get away from it all. You have a living room and kitchen, and outdoor fireplace for s’mores and an indoor one as well. Then, you step out onto your deck for an incredible view of the ocean.

While at the resort, you’ll find four large pools (one of which has a waterslide). We rented a cabana and enjoyed the poolside music while the kids splashed in the pool. There is also a pool strictly for the grown ups that has stunning views of the ocean.

There are six restaurants on the property. I recommend Catalina Kitchen for Breakfast and Nelson’s for Happy Hour for a magnificent view of the sunset. There also nine holes of golf, and tons of fun activities like archery, falconry horseback riding, and more. It is an incredible resort for the whole family.

I think my favorite part of my stay is going for an early morning walk. As you walk around the property you’ll see bunnies hopping around, the water on the ocean is like glass, and it such a peaceful start to the day. Learn more about the resort at Terranea.com

Hotel Del Coronado

Hotel Del Coronado resides in the charming Coronado Village, which sits a few miles from some of the main attractions in San Diego. This massive, family-friendly resort is probably one of the most well-known resorts in the state. Though it was originally built back in 1888, all of the 679 rooms are completely modern.

We stayed at the resort this past July as it was just finishing up another extensive remodel.

The rooms sit right on the beach, allowing you to walk out and enjoy the warm waters and play on the sand. The staff is amazing and will set you up with chairs and umbrellas on the beach (there is a fee, but it’s worth it)

At night, I highly recommend doing their Nightly campfire S’mores. Try to time it around sunset as it makes for an even better experience.

They have a huge kids’ club with tons of activities and two large pools for the whole family to enjoy.

The Seabird Resort – Oceanside

The Seabird Resort is an absolute delight. This is not just another California Coast resort. I absolutely loved the rooms and you cant beat the view. Our room looked over the pool and then directly out to the ocean, it doesn’t get much better than that. Inside the rooms are little touches that make your stay so much more welcoming, like the cozy robe and slippers and the high end Illy coffee maker.

Inside the hotel is also a spa and a library. Miss Ella’s first stop was hitting up the library. Like I said above, the pool is so nice, and the spa looks out directly over the ocean. We stopped by early in the morning on our check out day to enjoy it one last time.

The Waterfront Beach Resort – Huntington

The Waterfront Beach Resort is a Hilton resort situated in gorgeous Huntington Beach, Southern California. It opens up to ten miles of clean sands and crystal-blue waters.

Whether you are looking to lounge on the beach in your own rented cabana or enjoy some water activities, including surfing, kayaking, and more, The Waterfront Beach Resort makes it possible.

There are plenty of firepits sprinkled along the sand for nighttime bonfires as well. Huntington Beach has plenty of cool little shopping centers and top-notch restaurants to enjoy as well. As for the resort, kids under four eat free, which is a pretty big selling point.

Oh, yea! Did we mention they have a small dog policy?

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is rated one of the best luxury resorts for families in California and one of the top five in the United States according to Tripadvisor. Stay here with the kids and you can explore the nearby San Diego Zoo or Legoland.

The hotel sits a bit inland next to a gorgeous golf course and has the perfect California landscape with palm trees abound. The property is huge, making it perfect for hikes and long walks. You could spend the whole day sitting next to one of the grand pools or grab lunch at the wonderful Amaya restaurant. Definitely take time to enjoy the beautiful resort spa for a little me time.

If you’re looking for serious luxury, the Grand Del Mar has you covered after a full day at one of America’s most kid-friendly cities, San Diego

Ranchos Las Palmas – Palm Desert

Out in the desert for the week with the family? Make sure to book your stay at Omni Rancho Las Palmas. Equipped with two large swimming pools and an awesome water park, it is the perfect place to enjoy the heat of the desert. (You can check out my full review here)

Rancho Las Palmas sits adjacent to some of the best restaurants in Palm Springs and the hotel even accommodates small pets, which is not something you get often. If you go in the fall or winter, we recommend taking some hikes around the desert. There are a ton of fun things to do in Palm Springs with the family.

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort

Dana Point is known for its yachting community, which is why it attracts luxury seekers from all over the world. From surfing to golfing to wine tasting, there is plenty to do. The Monarch Beach Resort sits a short walk from the beach, perfect for families who want to enjoy the warm, sunny, Southern California weather.

There are two different pools within the grounds of the resort, both of which are heated for wintertime visitors. One is for families while the other is strictly for adults. If you choose to unwind there for a bit, you’ll be happy to know that Monarch Beach Resort provides a top-rated kids’ club and a wide variety of activities to keep the little ones entertained.

The Cassara, Carlsbad

The Cassara in Carlsbad is a fairly new resort that sits on 12 acres of lush land overlooking the ocean. The best time to visit Cassara is in March and April as it sits just over the beautiful Carlsbad Flower Fields.

The hotel is also located near so many of the many things to do in Carlsbad. It sits next to Carlsbad’s own aquarium and theme park and is just a short drive to some of the best attractions in San Diego, including Sea World, Legoland, and the San Diego Zoo.

Even if you never want to leave the resort, you’ll find some pretty incredible on-site amenities, including an on-site brewery, two large pools, and a family splash pad for some fun in the sun.

Loews Coronado Bay Resort

If you consider your family to be on the active side, then you’ll really enjoy the Loews Coronado Bay Resort down in San Diego Bay. Yes, this is thew 2nd Coronado resort on this list, but it is definitely one of the best in California

The resort is equipped with several pools, including a wading pool, a family pool, a hot tub, and an adults-only area, which features a separate pool and hot tub. The hotel has a wonderful kids’ club too, where your little ones can enjoy up to a full day of activities while you have a drink by the pool.

Coronado has tons of things to do including great beaches nearby for those who want to try their hand at surfing or soak in some sun while enjoying the sounds of crashing waves.

Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica

I am lucky enough to have called Santa Monica my home for a short period time of my life. It is one of the most popular travel destinations in all of California because it is simply lovely. With tons of shopping centers (make sure to visit 3rd St & Promenade), diverse restaurants (hit up the ones on Montana), vibrant beaches, and a massive, iconic pier with rides, games, and more, you’re sure to find something to do.

At Shutters on the Beach, it gets even better. It is the only hotel that has beachfront access in Santa Monica. You can enjoy some quiet time on the rooftop pool, which overlooks the ocean waves or you can phone in the hotel babysitter while you go out and grab some dinner and a drink with the loved one.

Shutters on the Bench rents out bikes, which is a big deal in Santa Monica. You and the whole family can take a ride down the long bike path and explore the city’s surroundings.

Great Wolf Lodge, Santa Ana

Just 2 Miles away from Disneyland is an incredible resort for families, where you might find your kids never wanting to leave. Great Wolf Lodge is located throughout the country and their Southern California Location is amazing.

There is a ton to do at the lodge including their most popular feature, a giant indoor and outdoor water park exclusive only for resort guests. In addition, there is mini bowling, 4-d theaters, arcades, Magiquest and so much more.

If you want to venture out, there are a multitude of things to do in the area including Disneyland.

Best Northern California Resorts for Families

The Ritz-Carlton – Northstar Lake Tahoe

There are plenty of reasons to love luxury resorts, though, for the most part, not many of them are suited for kids. That’s why we were so excited when we found the Ritz-Carlton in Lake Tahoe, as the resort does an excellent job of mixing in luxury amenities with a kid-friendly atmosphere.

The resort has daily S’mores with unique marshmallow flavors created by the chef everyday. The resort also offers a Ritz Kids package, where your little ones can find awesome activities for the indoors and outdoors depending on the season. They’ll get to enjoy outdoor adventure activities, arts and crafts, and tons more.

If you are skiing, it is a great resort to be at, as the staff helps take care of your skis right as you get off the mountain (the resort is ski in and ski out). In addition, The Ritz has an Indoor Camp Out which features a separate dome tent for your kids. It is accompanied by the staff, perfect for those who want their own little getaway in Northstar

This places is definitely The Best Family Resort In California if you are looking to do some skiing or snowboarding.

Fairmont, Ghiradelli Square, San Francisco

The Fairmont in Ghiradelli Square, San Francisco is the perfect place for families to stay when in San Francisco. It sits right around the corner from Twin Peaks, Alcatraz, Lands End, and plenty of other top San Francisco attractions.

This five-star resort comes with 53 suites, each of which has high-speed Internet and a kitchenette. If you choose to enjoy some eateries outside of the hotel (and why wouldn’t you?) we highly recommend home Plate, B Star, or Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, as they are all kid-friendly restaurants with excellent food.

Tenaya Lodge – Yosemite

If you want to explore nature then there is no better place in California then Yosemite. It is simply stunning. From the majestic waterfalls, to the beautiful hikes, you will be in awe while visiting one of our nation’s most beautiful national parks.

Just cause you are out in nature does not mean you have to rough it. The Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite is an incredible resort for families to stay at and definitely one of the best resorts for families in California. If you have a large family like mine they now have Explore Cabins that sleep up to 6 people. You can check out my full Tenaya Lodge Review Here!

Best Resorts for Families on the Central Coast

Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

You can’t talk about beach towns in California without mentioning beautiful little Santa Barbara. My husband, went to college in Santa Barbara, so he insists on a trip to his “promiseland” at least once every few years.

We usually stay at The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort provides all of the amenities you might hope for to please the whole family.

They have a massive outdoor pool and the front of the resort sits just across the street from the beach. You’ll be spending a lot of time in the water.

When you’re looking for more activities, you’ll find the tennis courts out back and a number of excellent restaurants sprinkled up and down State St. which is just around the corner. Also, while in Santa Barbara, go check out the zoo, it is one of the cutest and most well-kept zoos I have ever visited.

InterContinental The Clement Monterey

Many like to think of The Clement as the heart of Monterey. It sits in the historic Cannery Row adjacent to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The hotel is fairly new, as it was just built in 2008, though it does an excellent job of blending in with the traditional location.

There are tons of things to enjoy around the hotel, including the pool, onsite dining, and more, though if you choose to leave, we recommend taking a bike ride by the beach or exploring the many cultural sites that the town has to offer.

With any of these resorts, you will find yourself having an amazing stay. If you have questions about any of these resorts, feel free to leave your question in the comments.

Planning a trip this year for the family? Check out this article from Kids are a Trip and learn about 23 best places to travel with families this year!

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