Everything changes when you become a parent, including your lifestyle, schedule adherence, and respect for downtime.
Additionally, where and how you travel alters.
Your search for cozy, romantic lodgings has likely given way to a search for exciting, family- and kid-friendly hotels in California for your upcoming holiday. If you’re considering visiting the southern part of the Sunshine State, you’re in luck.
Even though it can be challenging, finding a resort that appeals to every family member is not impossible.
Peruse this is a list of the best family resorts in Southern California.
Whether it’s a tonne of fun for the kids, great family time, or even possibilities for a much-needed vacation from the kids for mom and dad (let’s be honest; we all need these from time to time), these resorts have something for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest.
The service, conveniences, and abundance of exciting activities available at these locations make packing up your family and taking them on vacation seem like less of a challenge.
- Hotel del Coronado — Coronado
Let’s begin the list with one of Southern California’s largest and most well-known family-friendly hotels, the storied, recognizable Hotel del Coronado.
This hotel radiates elegance and charm as it is situated directly on the stunning Coronado beach overlooking San Diego Bay.
Del Coronado is well-known for its upscale wine bar and highly regarded fine cuisine. It is also well-known for being one of the few surviving instances of a wooden Victorian beach resort and as a significant backdrop in the movie “Some Like It Hot.”
The hotel offers 679 stylish rooms with soft yellow, white, green, and blue furnishings that give off a tropical vibe. Some rooms even feature balconies, separate living spaces, and pull-out sofas.
There are flat-screen TVs, bathrooms, coffeemakers, and newspaper delivery in every room.
They also manage Kidtopia, a fantastic kids’ club with lots of beach and land activities for youngsters between the ages of four and twelve, including relay races, photography classes, and birding.
The resort arranges both family portrait sessions and family dive-ins during the summer.
HerTheree “Yappy Hours” and Sunday morning “yappatizers” for your furry pets.
When you’re not enjoying the two pools and elegant onsite shopping at the resort, head out for some exploration since Hotel del Coronado is only a short drive from San Diego’s most popular tourist attractions.
- Omni La Costa Resort and Spa — Carlsbad
They also manage Kidtopia, a fantastic kids’ club with lots of beach and land activities for youngsters between 4 and 12, including relay races, photography classes, and birding.
The resort arranges both family portrait sessions and family dive-ins during the summer.
Here, ThereYappy Hours” and Sunday morning “yappatizers” for your furry pets.
When you’re not enjoying the two pools and elegant onsite shopping at the resort, head out for some exploration since Hotel del Coronado is only a short drive from San Diego’s most popular tourist attractions.
They also manage Kidtopia, a fantastic kids’ club with lots of beach and land activities for youngsters between 4 and 12, including relay races, photography classes, and birding.
The resort arranges both family portrait sessions and family dive-ins during the summer.
Here, there ThereHours” and Sunday morning “yappatizers” for your furry pets.
When you’re not enjoying the two pools and elegant onsite shopping at the resort, head out for some exploration since Hotel del Coronado is only a short drive from San Diego’s most popular tourist attractions.
- La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club — La Jolla
La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club is a very affluent beach community outside San Diego.
This resort, located on the lovely La Jolla beach, offers a variety of activities, from live music every Friday to a bocce ball court.
The “Summer at the Club” program, which includes swimming lessons and day camps, full days of barbecues on the sand, and tennis camps for kids and adults, makes this resort ideal for families.
If the abundance of things to do here doesn’t exhaust you, visit the adjacent Birch Aquarium or hire some bikes and tour the area.
There are numerous options for surfing and hiking as well.
- La Quinta Resort and Spa — Palm Springs
Family vacationers have long loved Palm Springs, and the La Quinta adds to their desire to keep coming back.
The Santa Rosa Mountains have something for every individual of the family.
Let’s acknowledge the reality that the resort offers 41 pools right away.
41 pools!
Families can feel like they have their backyard pool because there are 10 guest rooms surrounding each pool; it never gets too busy, and you don’t have to watch any “Wrestle Mania” to grab a lounge chair.
Win-win.
The resort, one of the best family-friendly hotels in Southern California, includes a fantastic Kids’ Club for children between 4 and 12.
A kiddie pool, playground, and bicycles (some with baby seats) are available for guests to use as they explore the 45-acre property.
The resort’s 10 golf courses, 25 tennis courts, and 7 eateries for post-activity refueling will appeal to those who like to stay active.
(If you’re not sporty, here is your chance to try it out.)
The resort offers special experiences like pet-parent and pet in-room massages for furry guests as part of its PAWS program.
After your massage, go shopping in Palm Springs style during the 1950s or take a trek in Joshua Tree.
- Terranea Resort
The Terranea Resort, one of the few good Mediterranean-style family resorts in Southern California, is situated in a fantastic location on the 102-acre Rancho Palos Verdes peninsula and is about 20 miles south of the Los Angeles International Airport.
The 600-room Terranea is a favorite destination for families, with an award-winning golf course, bocce ball, eco-programs, and three beautiful pools. It also has to-die-for views of the Pacific Ocean.
For visitors between 2 and 12 ages, the resort offers Tide Pool Adventure Camp, which consists of half-day sessions with activities such as stargazing, superhero costumes, talent presentations, science projects, and treasure hunts.
Catalina is just across the water and accessible by boat.
There is a lot to do here, and other family-friendly locations like Universal Studios and Disneyland are nearby.
- Paradise Point — San Diego
The 44 acres of private island property at Paradise Point contain pools surrounded by lush tropical parks, providing the perfect setting for a full-fledged island-style SoCal family vacation.
This upscale resort offers a variety of activities for both adults and children, including water sports, basketball, a putting green, tennis, a beach, a kids’ club, and five magnificent pools (including one just for families and some with splash fountains and fire pits).
Oh, and did I forget to include the fitness center, full-service spa, Mexican snacks and drinks by the pool, superb seafood dining, pizza, and the relaxed bar and grill?
The resort has 462 rooms, split between large rooms, suites, and Balinese-style bungalows with private patios and breathtaking views (in some of the rooms).
Sea World is also very nearby if you want to take the kids somewhere incredibly entertaining for the day.
- Hyatt Regency — Huntington Beach
The opulent Hyatt Regency feels like a miniature tropical village with its palm trees and self-contained nature (there is a food store on-site), right across from the sparkling, golden-white sands of Huntington Beach.
This hotel’s ability to accommodate visitors of many backgrounds, including families, business travelers, and couples, makes it one of the most magnetic properties in the area.
The property’s 517 rooms range in size and feature a variety of amenities, but they all share free wi-fi and marble baths.
Additionally, several rooms provide separate living spaces.
Where the action takes place at the resort is at the pool area, which features a gorgeous, big pool and private cabanas for rent.
But even the smallest visitors to the resort may have fun at this family hotel with a kid’s pool, which has 3 water slides, a lagoon pool, 2 splash pools, and a children’s wading pool.
Additionally, guests have access to a nearby beach where they may go surfing, hire bicycles, or just laze around in the sun.
- Loews — Santa Monica
The Loews is a 342-room resort popular with business tourists and families. It is a family-friendly hotel with an excellent gym.
Families love Loews for its huge pool area and opulent pool that overlooks the beach and offers Instagram-worthy ocean vistas. It is located directly across from Santa Monica Beach.
Don’t forget to enjoy the poolside ice cream and eating options. Cozy lounge chairs and tables surround the pool, setting the scene for a lovely evening of unwinding and relaxing as the sun sets into the ocean.
Enjoy the fun whirlpool, complimentary in-room coffee, newspaper delivery, 24-hour room service, and free parking.
- Montage Resort and Spa — Laguna Beach
The Montage Resort & Spa, an opulent resort on the white beaches of the Californian coast, is a pool paradise and an excellent all-inclusive family vacation destination.
The resort’s magnificent Mosaic Pool, a hand-tiled pool with luxurious lounge chairs and lovely views of the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop, is its main lure, in addition to being located on the beach.
This pool is directly near the whirlpool, kids’ pool, and play area, so you can always keep an eye on the kids without giving up your pool time.
The pool area offers a lot, including games, cabanas, and family activities.
Don’t forget to see the exquisite pool, pool deck, and top-notch spa.
Additionally, several dining options are available, and every room has breathtaking ocean views.
- Laguna Cliffs Marriott — Dana Point
The Laguna Cliffs Marriott is situated right on the cliffs, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, at a prime location on Dana Point’s beachfront bluffs.
This is “the” destination for your Southern California family vacation if you plan to spend a lot of time in the ocean.
Two heated outdoor pools and jacuzzis at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott offer breathtaking ocean views.
Youngsters aren’t left out of the fun with water cannons, fountains, and surfboards galore at the Splash Zone.
There is also a children’s pool, lounge chairs for land activities, and a large lawn and children’s pool.
The beach and port are close by, and there is also a fantastic restaurant, a full-service spa, and an indoor/outdoor lounge.
At the Laguna Cliffs, all guest rooms come with flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, robes, and Bluetooth-enabled Tivoli radios.
The Laguna Cliffs Marriott is about 14 miles from the heart of Laguna Beach, making it the ideal day trip destination.
Dana Point is home to several historical monuments and an abundance of shopping, dining, entertainment, and top-notch golf.
Final Word
The possibilities of having your wishes fulfilled at these resorts are very high. I think these hotels can effectively and completely meet your needs, whether you desire a beach vacation, family time, or family- and kid-friendly entertainment.
Try one of these family-friendly resorts for a great experience while your family vacations in Southern California.
