The best trip within about five hours of Fresno 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: 4hLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Fresno. 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.
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 Fresno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Fresno has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Fresno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Fresno has the local list.
0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Fresno this weekend.
Opens 11/13; runs through 12/24 (closed Thanksgiving). Book a time online to skip the wait.
Fri Nov 13 · Weekdays 3–7pm in November; longer hours in DecemberFashion Fair, Center Court
Visits are free; photo packages are sold
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Fresno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Fresno has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Fresno that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Fresno has the local list.
4h
about 4 hr from Fresno
L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are free.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
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 Zoo
Adults $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.
Giant sequoias, including the General Grant Tree, with services open all year. When it snows, rangers lead free outdoor activities in the groves.
about 1 hr 15 min from Fresno · Grant Grove Village
Park open 24 hours, every day; tire chains can be required at any time$35 per car, good for 7 days; cards only at the entrance stationsHome of the General Sherman Tree, in one of the park areas with services all year. Winter brings quiet, snowy groves, and the foothills on the way up turn green by January.
about 2 hr 15 min from Fresno · Sequoia National ParkPark open 24 hours, every day; tire chains can be required at any time$35 per car, good for 7 days, shared with Kings Canyon; cards only at the entrance stationsYosemite Valley, with El Capitan and Yosemite Falls, through the South Entrance on Highway 41. One car pass covers everyone inside.
about 2 hr 30 min from Fresno · Yosemite ValleyAll entrances except Hetch Hetchy are open 24 hours$35 per car, good for 7 days; cards only, no cash
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 Fresno are Los Angeles. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park in Grant Grove Village (about 1 hr 15 min), Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park in Sequoia National Park (about 2 hr 15 min), Yosemite National Park in Yosemite Valley (about 2 hr 30 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.
Bakersfield (about 2 hr), Stockton–Modesto (about 2 hr 30 min), San Francisco Bay Area (about 3 hr 15 min), Sacramento (about 3 hr 15 min), Los Angeles (about 4 hr), Ventura County (about 4 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park (about 2 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.