The best trip within about five hours of Los Angeles 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
3 cities
Closest: 2h 30mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Los Angeles. 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.
The aerial tramway has the world's largest rotating tram car, climbing more than two and a half miles up Chino Canyon.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo cares for rescued animals, from bald eagles to snow leopards.
A mountain town from the 1870s gold rush, known for its apple pie.
The base for Anza-Borrego, California's largest state park, with spring wildflowers and bighorn sheep.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Los Angeles that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Los Angeles has the local list.
5h
about 5 hr from Los Angeles
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.
Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.
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.
Fri Nov 6 · From 5pmLas Vegas Motor Speedway
$39 cash or $44 by card per vehicle2h 30m
about 2 hr 30 min from Los Angeles
Santa is at his cottage on the SkyTower lawn for SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, and the visit is included with park admission.
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 LawnIncluded with park admission
2h 30m
about 2 hr 30 min from Los Angeles
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.
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
0 min
Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Los Angeles this weekend.
Opens 11/27; runs through 12/23. A train ride to the North Pole to see Santa, then back through a tunnel of lights. Departures from 10am to 3pm are the cheapest at $22, and park parking is free after 6pm.
Fri Nov 27 · Weekdays 4–9pm; weekends and Dec 14–23 10am–9pmIrvine Park Railroad$22–$37 by departure time; under 24 months free; tickets on sale Nov 2 at 10amOpens 11/27; runs through 12/30. A free holiday village by the train station. Rides and activities take $8 tickets.
Fri Nov 27 · During park hoursIrvine Park Railroad
Free entry; activity tickets $8 eachSunday after Thanksgiving. The parade site posts the route map and bleacher tickets.
Sun Nov 29 · Not listed yetHollywoodNot listed0 min
Los Angeles is our pick for the whole region this weekend. L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are 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.
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 zoo on the Santa Barbara coast that’s an easy size for preschoolers. Buy online to save a little.
about 2 hr from Los Angeles · Santa Barbara
Fall and winter 9:30am–5pm, last entry 4pmAdults $39.95, kids 2–12 $29.95, under 2 free; $2 off each online; parking $11Interactive science museum near the waterfront with a rooftop deck. It fits easily on the same day as the Santa Barbara Zoo.
about 2 hr from Los Angeles · Santa BarbaraDaily 10am–5pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas DayAdults $25, kids 2–12 $20, under 2 freeA desert zoo with giraffes and a large model train exhibit. Cooler months are the best time to go. Buy tickets in advance.
about 2 hr 30 min from Los Angeles · Palm DesertOct 1–May 31: 8am–5pm, last admission 4pm; closed Dec 25Adults $44.95, kids 3–17 $34.95
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 Los Angeles are Las Vegas, San Diego. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
Santa Barbara Zoo in Santa Barbara (about 2 hr), MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara (about 2 hr), The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert (about 2 hr 30 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.
Inland Empire (about 1 hr 15 min), Ventura County (about 1 hr 15 min), Bakersfield (about 2 hr 15 min), San Diego (about 2 hr 30 min), Fresno (about 4 hr), Las Vegas (about 5 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (about 2 hr 15 min), Big Bear Lake (about 2 hr 15 min), Julian (about 3 hr), Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (about 3 hr 15 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.