The best trip within about five hours of San Diego 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 4 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
2 cities
Closest: 2h 30mLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from San Diego. 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.
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.
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.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of San Diego that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in San Diego has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of San Diego that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in San Diego has the local list.
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San Diego is our pick for the whole region this weekend. 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 Lawn
Included with park admission
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San Diego is our pick for the whole region this weekend. 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
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of San Diego that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in San Diego has the local list.
2h 30m
about 2 hr 30 min from San Diego
L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are free.
Leave after lunch, nap in the car, stay until dark.
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.
Big open habitats in the San Pasqual Valley, with a free ADA shuttle inside the park. Some paths are steep, so a stroller helps with little ones.
about 45 min from San Diego · Escondido
9am–5pm this week; later dates on the park's hours calendarOne-day tickets $68 ages 3–11, $78 ages 12+; parking $20A small hands-on children's museum in Old Town Temecula, visited in two-hour sessions. Parking is free in the Civic Center garage.
about 1 hr 15 min from San Diego · TemeculaTue–Sat sessions 10am–noon, 12:30–2:30pm and 3–5pm; Sun 12:30–2:30pm and 3–5pm; closed Mon$10 for adults and kids 18 months and up; under 18 months freeMore than 80 hands-on science exhibits, including Dino Quest. The museum says the average visit runs about three hours.
about 1 hr 45 min from San Diego · Santa Ana10am–5pm every dayFrom $23 for kids 14 and under and $26 for adults (prices vary by day); parking $10A big aquarium on the Long Beach waterfront. Babies and toddlers under 3 get in free without a ticket. The elevators in the city parking structure are out, so plan for stairs if you park there.
about 2 hr 15 min from San Diego · Long Beach9am–6pm every day except Dec 25Kids 3–11 $34.95, adults $49.95, under 3 free; weekends need a timed reservation
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 San Diego are Los Angeles. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido (about 45 min), Pennypickle's Workshop in Temecula (about 1 hr 15 min), Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana (about 1 hr 45 min), Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (about 2 hr 15 min). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.
Inland Empire (about 2 hr), Los Angeles (about 2 hr 30 min), Ventura County (about 3 hr 45 min), Bakersfield (about 4 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Julian (about 1 hr 30 min), Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (about 2 hr), Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (about 2 hr 30 min), Big Bear Lake (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.