Summer is rapidly coming to an end and what better way than taking a spontaneous family day trip or weekend getaway to soak up the last bit of summer fun? Here are 30 daytrip or weekend getaway ideas for your reference. Let’s end this summer with some memorable family fun!
- Take the kids to the forest and the new splash pad at the Crown Valley Park in Laguna Niguel. And enjoy a movie on the lawn/summer concert at Grand Park.
- Enjoy a family playtime at the splash pad/Jacuzzi at Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center for a small fee.
- Spend the mid-day at the OC Great Park in Irvine for a Saturday Family Craft Day, hot air balloon ride, and carousel.
- Spend a whole day at Irvine Regional Park and enjoy their train rides, paddleboats, and playground.
- Visit Sawdust Art Festival and Art-A-Fair and take a kid’s art workshop
- Visit Laguna Beach First Thursday Art Walk and tour art galleries in the town every Thursday evening.
- Spend a whole day at Disneyland (for ticket holders). Or stroll down Downtown Disney and enjoy Lego store, evening concerts and street performance plus the fireworks show!
- Visit Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
- A daytrip to The Getty Museum or The Getty Villa (reservation required)
- A weekend in Temecula: wine tasting, hot air balloon rides, Temecula Children’s Museum
- Spend a day at the beach.
- Visit Discovery Cube's ShipWreck exhibition in Newport Beach: touch tank, innovation lab, science courtyard, and more
- Visit Orange County Zoo and participate in a kid’s arts and crafts event
- Visit Santa Ana Zoo – Home of the 50 Monkeys
- Visit the Mission at San Juan Capristrano
- Spend a weekend in San Diego: San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Balboa Park, USS Midway Museum, La Jolla and more.
- A weekend in Palm Springs: aerial tramway, Indian Canyons, outlet, and downtown Palm Springs
- A weekend in Catalina Island: Two Harbors, boat tours and water sports, and eco tours
- A day in West Hollywood: Sunset Strip, Melrose Avenue, Pacific Design Center, and more.
- Spend a day in Santa Monica: the beach, Third Street Promenade, and the pier.
- Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City
- Legoland
- Spend a day at Boomers! Irvine: miniature golf, go karts, batting cages, and more.
- Spend a day at Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex: prehistoric playground, skate park, and sports fields
- Crystal Cove State Park: movie on the beach, family hike, astronomy nights, and more.
- Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park: family hike, nature exploration, mountain biking, and more.
- Take a free tour at John Wayne Airport
- Visit Pretend City and enjoy kids’ play areas and their current exhibits
- Pack a picnic, bring your own blankets and enjoy free summer concerts in the park with your family.
30. Enjoy a free museum day
- Laguna Art Museum – first Thursday of the month from 5 to 9 pm
- Orange County Museum of Art – every Friday
- California Science Center – everyday
