The best trip within about five hours of Bakersfield for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
2 cities
Closest: 2h 15mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Bakersfield. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
We don't post event listings for these places, so check the official page for hours and what's on. The numbers match the map.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo cares for rescued animals, from bald eagles to snow leopards.
The aerial tramway has the world's largest rotating tram car, climbing more than two and a half miles up Chino Canyon.
Granite cliffs, waterfalls and flat valley-floor walks that work with a stroller. The park is open around the clock all year, and entry is $35 per car for seven days.
Steam trains and an old roundhouse in Gold Country, open 9:30 to 4:30 daily. The Polar Express train ride runs here November 27 to December 20.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Bakersfield that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Bakersfield has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Bakersfield that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Bakersfield has the local list.
4h 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Bakersfield
Santa is at his cottage on the SkyTower lawn for SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, and the visit is included with park admission.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Opens 11/13; runs through 01/03. SeaWorld’s holiday season also has real reindeer, Rudolph and nightly snowfall.
Fri Nov 13 · During Christmas Celebration hoursSeaWorld San Diego, Santa’s Cottage on SkyTower Lawn
Included with park admission
4h 30m
about 4 hr 30 min from Bakersfield
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden runs 5 to 9pm. Kids are $18, kids 2 and under are free, and parking is cheaper if you book it ahead.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
Opens 11/21; runs through 01/03. LEGO Santa comes with his sleigh and reindeer. Fireworks on Dec 5, Dec 12 and every night Dec 19–31. About 35 min drive from San Diego.
Sat Nov 21 · During park hoursLEGOLAND CaliforniaIncluded with park ticketsOpens 11/20; runs through 01/03. About 30 min drive from San Diego.
Fri Nov 20 · 5–9pmSan Diego Botanic GardenAdults from $28, kids $18, 2 and under free; parking $15 in advance
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Bakersfield that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Bakersfield has the local list.
2h 15m
about 2 hr 15 min from Bakersfield
L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are free.
Leave after lunch, nap in the car, stay until dark.
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Santa photos cost extra on select nights, and the ice rink is ticketed separately. Dec 8 is a sensory-inclusive night. Parking is free. Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 14–16, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 4–7.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Box office 5:45–8:45pmLos Angeles ZooAdults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25; under 2 freePlaces outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
A reserve west of town that protects a small herd of tule elk, a California subspecies that was once hunted nearly to extinction.
about 45 min from Bakersfield · Buttonwillow
8am to sunset$8 per carA U.S. Army frontier fort from the 1850s on the old route over the Grapevine, with a visitor center and exhibits.
about 1 hr 15 min from Bakersfield · LebecPark open sunrise to sunset; visitor center and exhibits Tue–Sat 9am–4pm$6 per carHome of the General Sherman Tree, in one of the park areas with services all year.
about 3 hr from Bakersfield · Sequoia National ParkPark open 24 hours, every day; tire chains can be required at any timeStandard entrance pass $20–$35; plan to pay by card
Car snacksPack more than you think you’ll need.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Bakersfield are San Diego, Los Angeles. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Tule Elk State Natural Reserve in Buttonwillow (about 45 min), Fort Tejon State Historic Park in Lebec (about 1 hr 15 min), Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park in Sequoia National Park (about 3 hr). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.
Fresno (about 2 hr), Los Angeles (about 2 hr 15 min), Ventura County (about 2 hr 15 min), Inland Empire (about 3 hr 15 min), Stockton–Modesto (about 4 hr 15 min), San Diego (about 4 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Big Bear Lake (about 3 hr 45 min), Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (about 4 hr 15 min), Yosemite Valley (about 4 hr 30 min), Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (about 4 hr 30 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.