# Weekend getaways from Inland Empire with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/inland-empire/weekend-getaways/

> The best trip within about five hours of Inland Empire for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.

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: Las Vegas (about 4 hr 15 min)

Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a drive-through, so the kids can stay in pajamas in the back seat. It's priced per car.

- **Glittering Lights**, Fri Nov 6, From 5pm, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. $39 cash or $44 by card per vehicle. Opens 11/06; runs through 01/03. A 3-mile drive-through with 6 million lights. Take I-15 exit 54 (Speedway Blvd.); GPS can send you to a closed gate. Santa Tram rides are $25 a person on select nights. Official page: https://glitteringlightslasvegas.com/fact-sheet/

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: San Diego (about 2 hr)

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 2 hr)

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 1 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.

- **Palm Springs Aerial Tramway**, Palm Springs, CA (about 1 hr 15 min from Inland Empire). 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/
- **Big Bear Lake**, Big Bear Lake, CA (about 1 hr 15 min from Inland Empire). Big Bear Alpine Zoo cares for rescued animals, from bald eagles to snow leopards. Official page: https://www.bigbear.com/
- **Julian**, Julian, CA (about 2 hr 15 min from Inland Empire). A mountain town from the 1870s gold rush, known for its apple pie. Official page: https://visitjulian.com/
- **Anza-Borrego Desert State Park**, Borrego Springs, CA (about 2 hr 30 min from Inland Empire). The base for Anza-Borrego, California's largest state park, with spring wildflowers and bighorn sheep. Official page: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
- **Hoover Dam**, Boulder City, NV (about 4 hr 45 min from Inland Empire). Kids 3 and under get into the Hoover Dam visitor center free, and the power plant tour is stroller accessible. Official page: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Inland Empire with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Inland Empire are Las Vegas, 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.

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Inland Empire?**
Los Angeles (about 1 hr 15 min), San Diego (about 2 hr), Ventura County (about 2 hr 30 min), Bakersfield (about 3 hr 15 min), Las Vegas (about 4 hr 15 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Inland Empire?**
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (about 1 hr 15 min), Big Bear Lake (about 1 hr 15 min), Julian (about 2 hr 15 min), Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (about 2 hr 30 min), Hoover Dam (about 4 hr 45 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.