SoCal Theme Parks & San Diego Zoo
Three of the biggest kid parks in California in one trip. Start with Disneyland, then head south for LEGO and pandas.
6.5 hrs drive · 6–7 days · Best for toddlers to teens · Jan–May & Sep–Nov
Day 1: Drive to Anaheim
- 7:30 Leave SF on I-5 south
- 10:30 Break in Kettleman City for snacks and a stretch
- 2:30 Check in near Disneyland, rest by the pool
- 5:30 Easy dinner at Downtown Disney
Day 2: Disneyland Park
- 7:45 Arrive early for opening
- 12:30 Go back to the hotel for nap and pool time
- 5:00 Go back in for the evening and parades
Day 3: California Adventure
- 8:00 Start at Cars Land while lines are short
- 12:30 Lunch and a midday break
- 4:00 Visit Pixar Pier and see the evening shows
Day 4: LEGOLAND California
- 8:45 Drive about 1 hr south to Carlsbad
- 10:00 Park opens. Ride first, then visit Miniland
- 2:00 SEA LIFE Aquarium next door
- 5:30 Dinner in Carlsbad Village
Day 5: San Diego Zoo
- 9:00 Arrive and take the Guided Bus Tour first
- 11:00 Ride the Skyfari to the far side
- 1:00 Picnic or lunch in the zoo
- 3:30 Wander Balboa Park
Day 6: Drive home
- 8:00 Leave San Diego (about 8 hrs to SF)
- 12:00 Lunch break near Bakersfield
- 2:30 Kettleman City stop
- 5:30 Home
From parents who have been
- At the Kettleman City stop, go to Bravo Farms. It has a play area, a miniature town and ice cream, and you can walk there from the Tesla Superchargers. If you stop at Harris Ranch, expect a strong cattle smell outside. Kids are usually not impressed by Pea Soup Andersen's. 510 Families
- During Rider Switch, keep the little one busy nearby. Do Winnie the Pooh while the others ride Big Thunder, Turtle Talk or Anna and Elsa while they ride Guardians, and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree while they ride Radiator Springs Racers. Get Away Today
- Lightning Lane slots for popular rides can be gone by afternoon, so book them in the morning. One family went back to the hotel for a toddler nap and still had energy for the evening shows. Urdu Mom
- At LEGOLAND, ride Ninjago right at opening, when the line is short. A parent rated Monster Chase the best 4D show and said to skip the DreamZzz Z-Blob Rescue 4D. SEA LIFE closes when the park closes, so save at least 1 to 2 hours for it. BrickNerd parent guide
- Start LEGOLAND at the back of the park, because lines for Emmet's Flying Adventure and Galacticoaster build early. Some ride seats hold only two people and need an adult, so count your adults before you promise a ride. Undercover Tourist
- At the San Diego Zoo, do the bus tour first (loading starts around 9:30) and sit on the driver's right side, where most exhibits are. Use the top deck in the morning and the bottom deck on a sunny afternoon. Ride the Skyfari to the back and walk downhill. Rental strollers don't fit on the Skyfari, but umbrella strollers do. Pandas need a free timed ticket from a QR code at the entrance. Undercover Tourist
Good to know
- Disneyland 1-day, 1-park tickets run about $104 to $224 for ages 10+ and $98 to $214 for ages 3–9, depending on the date. Multi-day tickets cost less per day (3-day is about $425 for ages 10+).
- Every Disneyland guest age 3 and up needs a park reservation for each day on a multi-day ticket. Book it as soon as you buy tickets.
- LEGOLAND is built for kids ages 2–12. It closes on Wednesdays in some seasons and had 10am–5pm hours this fall, so check the park calendar.
- San Diego Zoo 1-day passes are $78 for ages 12+ and $68 for ages 3–11, and under 3 is free. The bus tour and Skyfari are included. In October, kids 11 and under get in free (up to 6 per paying adult).
- The San Diego Zoo Skyfari may run only on select days in cooler months; the elevators near Hua Mei Cafe skip the worst hills
Sources: WDWInfo Disneyland ticket prices · NerdWallet Disneyland 2026 · LEGOLAND California kids tickets · La Jolla Mom San Diego Zoo tickets · San Diego Tourism Kids Go Free