# Weekend getaways from San Diego with kids Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/weekend-getaways/ > 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. 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 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Nov 13–15 Staycation is your best option: San Diego is the regional pick this weekend. Santa is at his cottage on the SkyTower lawn for SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, and the visit is included with park admission. ## Weekend of Nov 20–22 Staycation is your best option: San Diego is the regional pick 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. ## Weekend of Nov 27–29 Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend. ## Weekend of Dec 4–6: Los Angeles (about 2 hr 30 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. - **Julian**, Julian, CA (about 1 hr 30 min from San Diego). 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 from San Diego). 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 - **Palm Springs Aerial Tramway**, Palm Springs, CA (about 2 hr 30 min from San Diego). 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 3 hr 15 min from San Diego). Big Bear Alpine Zoo cares for rescued animals, from bald eagles to snow leopards. Official page: https://www.bigbear.com/ ## Day trips any weekend - **San Diego Zoo Safari Park**, Escondido (about 45 min from San Diego). 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. Hours: 9am–5pm this week; later dates on the park's hours calendar. Cost: One-day tickets $68 ages 3–11, $78 ages 12+; parking $20. Official page: https://sdzsafaripark.org/plan-your-visit - **Pennypickle's Workshop**, Temecula (about 1 hr 15 min from San Diego). A small hands-on children's museum in Old Town Temecula, visited in two-hour sessions. Parking is free in the Civic Center garage. Hours: Tue–Sat sessions 10am–noon, 12:30–2:30pm and 3–5pm; Sun 12:30–2:30pm and 3–5pm; closed Mon. Cost: $10 for adults and kids 18 months and up; under 18 months free. Official page: https://www.pennypickles.org/hours.html - **Discovery Cube Orange County**, Santa Ana (about 1 hr 45 min from San Diego). More than 80 hands-on science exhibits, including Dino Quest. The museum says the average visit runs about three hours. Hours: 10am–5pm every day. Cost: From $23 for kids 14 and under and $26 for adults (prices vary by day); parking $10. Official page: https://www.discoverycube.org/faq/ - **Aquarium of the Pacific**, Long Beach (about 2 hr 15 min from San Diego). A 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. Hours: 9am–6pm every day except Dec 25. Cost: Kids 3–11 $34.95, adults $49.95, under 3 free; weekends need a timed reservation. Official page: https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/visit/prices_hours ## FAQ **Where can we go for a weekend from San Diego with little kids?** 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. **What are good day trips from San Diego with kids?** 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. **Which cities are within an easy drive of San Diego?** 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. **What other family getaways are within 5 hours of San Diego?** 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. **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.