California is a great pick for a family holiday. Its varied coastline is perfect for exploring, or for just mucking around on a family beach break; its national parks are some of the best known in the United States and are unforgettable places for an outdoorsy family adventure; its mountains are ideal for family ski trips; and its centres are packed with historic sights and world-class museums. And of course San Diego has SeaWorld and LegoLand! The choice is the real challenge, California has lots of family friendly hotels and resorts, and there’s something for every budget and traveller type — from campers, to glampers to luxury-resort-lovers. So choosing the best family hotels in California can easily become a time consuming research job. But our Gurus have started if off for you with their list of recommendations for the best kid friendly hotels in California. These aren’t just hotels and resorts with great family facilities, these hotels have all got something extra that your kids will really love too.
For Family Friendly Beach Breaks
- The Sanctuary Beach Resort is a chic collection of on-the-beach bungalows in a beautiful spot in the sand dunes just north of Monterey. This is a wonderful stretch of beach, and these 60 rooms, suites and villas have direct, and relatively private access to it. The decor is luxurious but unfussy, and makes the most of the location and ocean views, plus there’s a pool, spa, bar, and a restaurant which also does picnics to order. For families, suites sleep up to four and cribs are provided at no extra cost. Lots of space and lots of peace.
- The Dream Inn is a contemporary hotel in a fantastic spot on Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz. The light, spacious rooms (with rollaway beds for kids on request) have floor to ceiling windows and balconies overlooking the ocean, and a retro/ nautical feel — as does the whole hotel — with some surfboard art thrown into the mix. The laid-back restaurant specialises in seafood.
- Just two minutes from the beach, the Santa Barbara Inn is a Mediterranean style boutique hotel with 70 spacious rooms and suites. Stay on one side of the inn and you get Pacific views, and on the other you get views of the Santa Ynez mountains. The Italian restaurant is very popular, the suites are large, and under 16 year olds stay free.
- Lido House in Newport Beach has beach-y decor that reminds you more of Cape Cod — think wood panelling, blues and neutrals and well arranged vintage and antique furniture. The pool and spa, children’s menus, games rooms and the miles and miles of pristine beach, make this a great luxury choice for families.
For Urban Explorations
- The Claremont Club & Spa is a large and luxurious resort in Berkeley, overlooking San Francisco Bay. The 276 rooms come in very varied shapes and sizes, so there’s something to suit every family, but they’re all spacious, light and chic. There’s a huge resort-style pool, a lap pool and a kids’ pool too, plus a spa, tennis courts and a choice of two restaurants. This is a really easy choice for families wanting to visit this area.
- The Hotel Zephyr is a large hotel right next to Fisherman’s Wharf, a San Francisco landmark with incredible views. The hotel’s 360 rooms and suites offer plenty of variety in size, but all have a charmingly fun nautical feel to the decor, and great views. The games room and large courtyard will appeal to families, as will the location.
- The Lodge at the Presidio is a barracks turned unique boutique hotel, located within Presidio Park, right beside the Golden Gate Bridge — this is the closest hotel to the bridge. The 42 rooms are elegant and contemporary, with high ceilings, and clean, contemporary lines. Some of the suites sleep up to four.
For National Park Access
- Yosemite Bug Mountain Resort is a rustic retreat idyllically positioned in the forest on the outskirts of Yosemite National Park. This is a great choice for groups because the accommodation options are excellent, ranging from tents to bunk rooms, family suites and romantic doubles. There’s an eco-friendly spa, and a cafe with a daily changing menu. And of course there’s plenty to do!
- Also close to Yosemite, the Evergreen Lodge has provided families with an outdoor escape for almost a century. Its collection of rooms, suites and private cottages is rustic and comfortable, with open fireplaces and plenty of wood panelling — but don’t worry, the bathrooms are thoroughly modern! There’s a saltwater pool, hotel tub, bar and games room, and plenty of space and quiet.
For Family Friendly Ski Breaks
- The Village at Squaw Valley is a charming, 186 room hotel, right in the heart of the Olympic Valley village, but almost close enough to the slopes to ski right into. This hotel has plenty of traditional alpine charm and warmth, think fireplaces, wood and balconies overlooking a bustling square. And they serve hot apple cider in the lobby. Family sized apartments have up to three bedrooms, and there’s a ski school almost next door.
- Overlooking Lake Tahoe, and just minutes from the Heavenly mountain resort, the Hotel Azure is a contemporary mountain retreat with a rustic feel and a great range of accommodation options. In addition to the possibilities presented by the location, there’s plenty to do onsite, what with the large pool, games room and bike hire. There’s no restaurant but the very efficient concierge team will help you out.
For Family Friendly Resort Living
- The Kona Kai Resort & Spa overlooks the Kona Kai marina in San Diego, offering stylish accommodation in a range of sizes and configurations, all along a man-made peninsula. Expect water views — possibly of elegant boats — nautical themed decor, two landscaped resort pools and a private man-made beach. The facilities are really good, with lots to do onsite and slightly offsite — think kayaking and snorkelling trips — and the restaurants benefit from wonderful sunset views.
- The Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is an all-two-room-suite resort in a superb location between Lake Tahoe and Heavenly Mountain Resort. All of the 400 suites are well equipped, and the resort offers an impressive array of facilities and treats, including an indoor pool and hot tub, and impressive American restaurant. Kids under 17 stay free, and there’s a kids’ day camp with great outdoorsy activities.
For Home from Home Comforts
- Le Parc Suite Hotel is a chic, all-suite West Hollywood hotel with 150 odd rooms and suites featuring plenty of brightly coloured artwork. Amongst the room choices the family suites come with their own kitchens, living areas, balconies and sofa beds. The facilities are excellent, and it’s only a short walk to Santa Monica Boulevard or Beverly Hills.
For Larger Families and Groups
- PlayPark Lodge is a small, welcoming inn in Heavenly, by Lake Tahoe, with just 13 rooms, but set on a spacious plot of land. The decor is cosy, and some of the more luxurious rooms have spa baths and fireplaces, and there’s a shared central courtyard which makes it an ideal choice for larger groups or families with older children as well as younger.
For Family Friendly Luxury
- The Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey is an opulent, family-friendly hotel right on the waterfront at Marina del Rey. There are 300 odd rooms and suites, all with a coastal nod, marble bathrooms, walk-in showers and private balconies. There are facilities to suit all ages including two tennis courts, a spa and farm-to-table restaurant, plus a waterfront pool and bike rentals. And you’re well positioned to explore Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Playa del Ray.
- The SLS Beverly Hills is a large and chic hotel right between Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. There are almost 300 rooms and suites, all of them spacious and beautifully designed. There are two restaurants — the best one for families is Tres (Bazaar is fine dining) — plus an incredible pool on the roof terrace, a gym and spa.
- The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is a super chic beach resort, which has been pleasing families since the 1920s. Its 300 odd rooms, suites and bungalows are spread out over five acres of lush, palm-dotted grounds, and it feels as if you can see the ocean from almost everywhere you care to look for it. The facilities are five star, and include a beach club on Santa Monica beach, a toy on arrival for kids, a poolside outdoor cinema, and plenty of palm-dotted gardens.
For Family Friendly Escapes
- Mission Ranch is a working ranch, sent on 22 acres overlooking Point Lobos and the Pacific Ocean. As well as the livestock, this ranch has onsite accommodation — 31 rooms, suites and family suites, all spaciously designed, with fireplaces and private balconies, and many have whirlpool tubs too. Plus a popular American restaurant and piano bar. There’s lots to do onsite, but you’re also very close to the beach, a state park and a golf club.
- Small, charming and rustic, the Hounds Tooth Inn’s white timber presence sits brightly in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains, a perfect spot for exploring Yosemite National Park. There are 13 rooms and suites, and a cottage for families. All are cosy and modern, with open fires and beautiful views. The inn has three and a half acres of its own gardens and countryside around.
Still not sure which to book?
