# Weekend getaways from Los Angeles with kids Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/los-angeles/weekend-getaways/ > 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. 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 5 hr) 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 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 2 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 Stay close to home: nothing within a few hours beats what's on in Los Angeles. Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad (Fri Nov 27, Weekdays 4–9pm; weekends and Dec 14–23 10am–9pm, Irvine Park Railroad; https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/events/christmas-train/); Santa’s Village at Irvine Park Railroad (Fri Nov 27, During park hours, Irvine Park Railroad; https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/events/santas-village/); Hollywood Christmas Parade (Sun Nov 29, Not listed yet, Hollywood; https://thehollywoodchristmasparade.org/) ## Weekend of Dec 4–6 Staycation is your best option: Los Angeles is the regional pick this weekend. L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are free. ## 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 2 hr 15 min from Los Angeles). 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 2 hr 15 min from Los Angeles). Big Bear Alpine Zoo cares for rescued animals, from bald eagles to snow leopards. Official page: https://www.bigbear.com/ - **Julian**, Julian, CA (about 3 hr from Los Angeles). 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 3 hr 15 min from Los Angeles). 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 ## Day trips any weekend - **Santa Barbara Zoo**, Santa Barbara (about 2 hr from Los Angeles). A zoo on the Santa Barbara coast that’s an easy size for preschoolers. Buy online to save a little. Hours: Fall and winter 9:30am–5pm, last entry 4pm. Cost: Adults $39.95, kids 2–12 $29.95, under 2 free; $2 off each online; parking $11. Official page: https://www.sbzoo.org/visit/ - **MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation**, Santa Barbara (about 2 hr from Los Angeles). Interactive science museum near the waterfront with a rooftop deck. It fits easily on the same day as the Santa Barbara Zoo. Hours: Daily 10am–5pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Cost: Adults $25, kids 2–12 $20, under 2 free. Official page: https://moxi.org/visit/hours-admission/ - **The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens**, Palm Desert (about 2 hr 30 min from Los Angeles). A desert zoo with giraffes and a large model train exhibit. Cooler months are the best time to go. Buy tickets in advance. Hours: Oct 1–May 31: 8am–5pm, last admission 4pm; closed Dec 25. Cost: Adults $44.95, kids 3–17 $34.95. Official page: https://www.livingdesert.org/plan-your-visit/ ## FAQ **Where can we go for a weekend from Los Angeles with little kids?** 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. **What are good day trips from Los Angeles with kids?** 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. **Which cities are within an easy drive of Los Angeles?** 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. **What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Los Angeles?** 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. **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.