# Weekend getaways from Bakersfield with kids Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/bakersfield/weekend-getaways/ > 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. Last checked: 2026-10-29. ## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Nov 6–8 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Nov 13–15: San Diego (about 4 hr 30 min) Santa is at his cottage on the SkyTower lawn for SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, and the visit is included with park admission. - **Santa at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration**, Fri Nov 13, During Christmas Celebration hours, SeaWorld San Diego, Santa’s Cottage on SkyTower Lawn. Included with park admission. Opens 11/13; runs through 01/03. SeaWorld’s holiday season also has real reindeer, Rudolph and nightly snowfall. Official page: https://seaworld.com/san-diego/events/christmas/ ## Weekend of Nov 20–22: San Diego (about 4 hr 30 min) 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. - **LEGO Santa at Christmas Bricktacular**, Sat Nov 21, During park hours, LEGOLAND California. Included with park tickets. 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. Official page: https://www.legoland.com/california/holidays/ - **Lightscape**, Fri Nov 20, 5–9pm, San Diego Botanic Garden. Adults from $28, kids $18, 2 and under free; parking $15 in advance. Opens 11/20; runs through 01/03. About 30 min drive from San Diego. Official page: https://www.sdbg.org/lightscape/ ## Weekend of Nov 27–29 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Dec 4–6: Los Angeles (about 2 hr 15 min) L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are free. - **L.A. Zoo Lights**, Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, Box office 5:45–8:45pm, Los Angeles Zoo. Adults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25; under 2 free. 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. Official page: https://www.lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/zoolights/ ## Other family getaways within 5 hours We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on. - **Big Bear Lake**, Big Bear Lake, CA (about 3 hr 45 min from Bakersfield). Big Bear Alpine Zoo cares for rescued animals, from bald eagles to snow leopards. Official page: https://www.bigbear.com/ - **Palm Springs Aerial Tramway**, Palm Springs, CA (about 4 hr 15 min from Bakersfield). The aerial tramway has the world's largest rotating tram car, climbing more than two and a half miles up Chino Canyon. Official page: https://www.visitpalmsprings.com/ - **Yosemite Valley**, Yosemite Valley, CA (about 4 hr 30 min from Bakersfield). 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. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/yose/ - **Railtown 1897 State Historic Park**, Jamestown, CA (about 4 hr 30 min from Bakersfield). 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. Official page: https://www.railtown1897.org/ ## Day trips any weekend - **Tule Elk State Natural Reserve**, Buttonwillow (about 45 min from Bakersfield). A reserve west of town that protects a small herd of tule elk, a California subspecies that was once hunted nearly to extinction. Hours: 8am to sunset. Cost: $8 per car. Official page: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=584 - **Fort Tejon State Historic Park**, Lebec (about 1 hr 15 min from Bakersfield). A U.S. Army frontier fort from the 1850s on the old route over the Grapevine, with a visitor center and exhibits. Hours: Park open sunrise to sunset; visitor center and exhibits Tue–Sat 9am–4pm. Cost: $6 per car. Official page: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=585 - **Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park**, Sequoia National Park (about 3 hr from Bakersfield). Home of the General Sherman Tree, in one of the park areas with services all year. Hours: Park open 24 hours, every day; tire chains can be required at any time. Cost: Standard entrance pass $20–$35; plan to pay by card. Official page: https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/fees.htm ## FAQ **Where can we go for a weekend from Bakersfield with little kids?** 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. **What are good day trips from Bakersfield with kids?** 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. **Which cities are within an easy drive of Bakersfield?** 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. **What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Bakersfield?** 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. **Why is the same city picked more than once?** 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. **Are the times and prices current?** They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.