Santa Cruz / Capitola / Felton
An old-fashioned seaside amusement park at one end and a steam train through redwoods at the other.
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Enough to fill four days or more
6 destinations from the Dublin, CA area. The places on this list with the most to do - four days of it at a kid's pace, and up to five at Lake Tahoe. A proper holiday with no airport in it.
| Destination | Kids | Drive | Days | Cost (2 nights, family of four) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz / Capitola / Felton | 4.4 | 1h 17m | 2–4 days | $1,200–2,500 |
| Lake Tahoe (North & South) | 3.8 | 4h 28m | 3–5 days | $1,500–3,500 |
| Santa Barbara | 3.7 | 6h 07m | 2–4 days | $1,800–3,800 |
| Palm Springs / Joshua Tree Gateway | 3.3 | 8h 26m | 2–4 days | $1,800–3,800 |
| Mammoth Lakes | 3.0 | 5h 36m | 2–4 days | $1,500–3,500 |
| Yosemite Valley (Direct) | 2.6 | 3h 55m | 2–4 days | $1,500–4,000 |
Lake Tahoe (North & South)
An alpine lake with shallow turquoise coves in summer and snow play in winter.
Santa Barbara
A zoo on a hill above the sea, a hands-on science museum, and warm south-facing beaches.
Palm Springs / Joshua Tree Gateway
Desert warmth in midwinter, a cable car up to alpine air, and a zoo where you feed giraffes.
Mammoth Lakes
High alpine lakes, a gondola to 11,000 feet, and a cliff of hexagonal basalt columns.
Yosemite Valley (Direct)
Sleeping inside the valley: waterfalls, granite walls, and no commute to see them.
Costs are a fixed yardstick: 2 nights, family of four, lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.