School may be out for the summer, but schedules can still be difficult to get away too far and for too long. Fortunately, there are numerous attractions and mini vacation spots up, down, and around Orange County to have a fun and unique family vacation for the scrapbooks.
Palm Springs
About a 2-hour drive
Soak up the desert sun at one of the many family-oriented hotels in Palm Springs, which offer large swimming pools, waterslides, and family-friendly dining options. The area is also filled with sightseeing and attractions, including the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, which is packed with exhibits and play spaces for kids of all ages.
760-321-0602 | cdmod.org
San Diego
About a 2-hour drive
San Diego is like the mecca of summer fun with its beaches, water parks, theme parks, the San Diego Zoo and kid-friendly museums and attractions. The area is also filled with family-oriented hotels and resorts, which include a variety of games and events for toddlers to teenagers throughout the summer. Cool off with the kiddos at the Aquatica Water Park, which features water slides, lazy river, wave pools and water play areas for all ages.
2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista | 619-222-4732 | aquatica.com/san-diego
Skypark at Santa’s Village
About a 2-hour drive
Feel the warmth of Christmas and the heat of summer at the North Pole-themed outdoor adventure park nestled in the Lake Arrowhead area of the San Bernardino National Forest. The newly restored village offers biking, hiking, fishing, zip lining and climbing, along with meet-and-greets with Santa, summer concerts, costume contests and more.
909-744-9373 | skyparksantasvillage.com
Meteor Crater
About an 8-hour drive
Over 50 thousand years ago, a massive nickel meteorite traveled from space and hit the earth, forming a beautiful crater that is 550 feet deep, 2.4 miles in circumference – how cool is that? The whole family can appreciate the view – which sits between Petrified Forest National Park and Flagstaff, Arizona — and the Discovery Center on the site features plenty of displays and exhibits on the history of meteors for a historical experience that both kids and adults can enjoy.
800-289-5898 | meteorcrater.com
Solvang
About a 3 ½ hour drive
Everyone in the family — including your four-legged members — can enjoy this quaint yet fun town, which is set just outside of Santa Barbara. Surrounded by culture and nature, the area has an abundance of delicious food stops and museums, including the kid-friendly Hans Christian Andersen Museum, which pays tribute to the classic fairy tale writer with tours, lectures, activities and events. There is a Hans Christian Andersen Park as well, with a skate park, playground, climbing wall, music-making machine, picnic tables, and more for a fun day in the sun.
Hans Christian Andersen Park: 633 Chalk Hill Rd, Solvang | 805-688-7529 | solvangusa.com
Hans Christian Andersen Museum: 1680 Mission Drive, Solvang | 805-688-2052 | solvangusa.com
By Jackie Moe
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