Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea
The aquarium that sets the standard, plus wild otters, a rocky headland and serious seafood.
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More than a day's worth
7 destinations from the Dublin, CA area. Two or three days of things to do, so a single day leaves most of it unseen. One night covers these - stay longer if you want the slower version.
| Destination | Kids | Drive | Days | Cost (2 nights, family of four) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea | 4.5 | 1h 59m | 2–3 days | $1,500–3,000 |
| Sacramento | 4.2 | 1h 46m | 2–3 days | $1,500–2,500 |
| Pismo Beach | 4.0 | 4h 23m | 2–3 days | $1,200–2,500 |
| San Luis Obispo / Avila Beach | 3.7 | 4h 10m | 2–3 days | $1,500–3,000 |
| Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Parks | 2.9 | 5h 04m | 2–3 days | $1,000–2,500 |
| Mariposa / Yosemite Gateway | 2.8 | 2h 47m | 2–3 days | $1,500–3,500 |
| Redwood National Park (Crescent City) | 2.4 | 7h 55m | 2–3 days | $1,500–3,000 |
Sacramento
A capital city with a railroad museum, a storybook park and a zoo within a couple of miles.
Pismo Beach
A wide flat beach you can drive onto, a dinosaur-themed playground and a monarch grove.
San Luis Obispo / Avila Beach
A children's museum, a farm stand and a calm beach within a few miles of each other.
Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Parks
The largest living things on Earth, reached on flat paved trails a small child can manage.
Mariposa / Yosemite Gateway
A Gold Rush base town outside Yosemite - cheaper beds and milder weather than the valley floor.
Redwood National Park (Crescent City)
The tallest trees on Earth, a canyon walled in ferns, and elk grazing beside the road.
Costs are a fixed yardstick: 2 nights, family of four, lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.