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SoCal

Our family has been up and down the Pacific Coast, and there are many must-stop places we have on our list when we revisit Southern California.  As a former California resident, places like San Diego and Disneyland are near and dear to my heart, but there are plenty of lesser-visited outstanding spots to add to a road trip or just a quick SoCal visit.

Southern California kayaking might not be on your travel plan, but it should be!  It’s a fun change to the usual SoCal vacation plan.  Oceanside Harbor is one of the best locations for those looking to get into kayaking or paddle boarding. If hiking is more your jam, check our recommendations for where to go in Palm Springs, that might not be on everyone’s radar.

We love spending time in National Parks of Southern California like Joshua Tree hiking and spotting wildlife, but sometimes a visit to SoCal just calls for relaxing by a luxurious hotel pool and having some family fun in Santa Monica. So if you have any questions when planning a trip to Southern California, or want recommendations of where to stay, eat, and sightsee, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!

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Taylor Family at Mission Beach San Diego California 34
Posted inCalifornia SoCal

Inexpensive San Diego Vacation: Exciting Travel Plan That You’ll Actually Love

Travel plan for an inexpensive San Diego family vacation that you'll love. Free things to do in San Diego, best beaches, and where to stay to keep the costs down and still have an awesome SoCal trip.
Stream in palm oasis Palm Canyon Indian Canyons Palm Springs California 2
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Best Hiking in Palm Springs: Canyon Hikes and Wildlife to Watch For

Hiking at Palm Springs is one of the most unique things you can do in Southern California. Tips for the best trails and oases near Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, when to visit, wildlife and more.
Balboa Park in Golden Hour San Diego California
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Best Things to do at Balboa Park: Guide to San Diego’s Cultural Center

San Diego's Balboa Park is the cultural and activity center of the city. From the San Diego Zoo to art museums and gardens, everything you need to know to enrich your San Diego trip with Balboa Park.
Partners Statue with Cherry Blossoms Disneyland 2020 1
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Tips for Planning an Awesome Disneyland Vacation

There is no one destination on Earth that we've been to as many times as Disneyland. It's actually shocking to start calculating how many hours we have spent in both…
Taylor Family at Spanish Art Village at Balboa Park San Diego California 5
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Three Days in San Diego: Awesome Itinerary for SD Fun!

This three-day San Diego itinerary is awesome for enjoying the beaches, history, culture and nature of SD. Ideas for planning a long weekend trip to San Diego.
Exterior of Lafayette Hotel Swimclub and Bungalows San Diego California 1
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Vintage San Diego Stay at the Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club and Bungalows

San Diego's Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club and Bungalows is a great vintage stay close to Balboa Park. See what to expect from this old Hollywood destination hotel, one of the most fun places in San Diego.
California Screamin and Paradise Pier Disneys California Adventure 2
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Complete Guide to Disney’s California Adventure with Kids

By now you know how much fun we’ve had through the years in Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and now especially with our kids in the Parks.  Both Disneyland and…
Colorful balloons at Disneyland on Main Street USA at night 2
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

10 Most Instagramable Spots in Disneyland and How to Photograph Them

The most Instagramable spots in Disneyland include everything from the Castle to finding the details in the park. Photography tips and best ways to enjoy Disneyland.
Vintage VW Bug at Cabrillo National Monument 1
Posted inCalifornia National Parks SoCal

Great Things to Do at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego

Visiting Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego is the perfect mix of nature, history and nautical interest. It's ideal to add to family travel in SoCal and is a great budget friendly activity.
Full Taylor family walking in marina sunset at Island Palms Best Western San Diego California 1
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel: our new favorite San Diego getaway

The Best Western Plus Island Palms Resort Hotel in San Diego is ideal for families. Centrally located, great pools, and delicious restaurant, it's a perfect San Diego hotel.
Flos V8 Cafe Cars Land Cars 3 Premiere after party at night Disneys California Adventure 1
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Family Disneyland Vacation & the Unforgettable Cars 3 Premiere

We’ve just returned from our first family trip to Disneyland with all four of us and it was incredible.  We were so fortunate to get to experience not just Disneyland…
Taylor Family at San Diego Pride Parade 2019 1
Posted inCalifornia Parenting SoCal

San Diego Pride: experiencing the best Pride festival with kids

We get a lot of questions about attending Pride events with kids. This year we flew to California and did the San Diego Pride celebration and had a great time.…
Bells at Mission San Juan Capistrano 2
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Mission San Juan Capistrano: a SoCal must-visit

Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the most beautiful Spanish missions in Southern California. Located between San Diego and Los Angeles, see what there is to do at San Juan Capistrano and in the surrounding area.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel: Review and Tips for the Best Stay
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel: Review and Tips for the Best Stay

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel is the closest option to Disneyland and California Adventure. This review has all the details of staying at the Grand Californian, amenities and tips for planning the best Disneyland trip.
Digging into Disneyland and chatting about each lang and its attractions and shows. Our best tips for making the most of your time in the Happiest Place on Earth. Starting in the new Star Wars land, Galaxy's Edge, we review the two main attractions and then work our way through the rest of Disneyland. We've been many times and following our most recent trip, we have done EVERY ride and attraction with the kids and have tips for having the most fun, including what you should actually wait in line for.
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disneyland’s Best Attractions and Valuable Tips For What to Do

Disneyland. We've been so many times through the years. I used to work at Disneyland and have friends that still do. It's one of the most special places we go…
Chris and Rob Taylor at Entrance Sign to Joshua Tree National Park California 2
Posted inCalifornia National Parks SoCal

Unexpected Joshua Tree: Super Bloom Hiking At An Unusual National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is so unique, and hiking during the super bloom is one of the best things to do near Palm Springs. Guide to trails and the best time to visit Joshua Tree NP.
Ferris Wheel at Pacific Park Santa Monica Pier 2
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Best of Santa Monica: Awesome Fun On the Pier And Great Hotels

The Santa Monica Pier is one of the most iconic sights on the West Coast, and though loaded with tourists, is the perfect plan for an afternoon in the Los Angeles area. From the beach to the Ferris wheel nothing could be more Southern California.
Disneyland and California Adventure are full of shows and entertainment year round. These are the best shows in the parks that you CAN'T MISS! #Disney #Disneyland #California
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Best Shows in Disneyland and California Adventure (plus parades and experiences)

Nobody wants to waste their time when they're in Disneyland. Between rides and entertainment, there’s always something to entertain and something to wait for. This is our guide to the…
Where to eat in Buena Park: delicious and fun family dining options in BP
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Where to eat in Buena Park: delicious and fun family dining options in BP

Knott's Berry Farm may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Buena Park, but this vibrant city has so much more to offer, especially on the culinary front! Here's your guide to exploring Buena Park's diverse and family-friendly restaurant scene, packed with unique experiences and guaranteed good eats.
8 awesome (and surprising) experiences in Palm Springs
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

8 awesome (and surprising) experiences in Palm Springs

What does it take to have a perfect Palm Springs weekend getaway? A few things: great hotel, fun and relaxing plan, somebody wonderful to escape with (even if it’s just yourself). We had all three of these things and enjoyed a much-needed dads three day weekend away to Palm Springs.
Taylor family with colorful murals the Source OC Buena Park California 4
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Best things to do in Buena Park: awesome family fun in the OC

If I say “Orange County” you most likely think of the beaches or Disneyland, and that makes sense, but did you know there in another really fun destination in Orange…
Entrance to Pixar Pier Disneys California Adventure 3
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disneyland without Kids: what to do and how to do it

Let’s just start by making it clear: it’s perfectly fine to do Disneyland without kids. Whether you want to visit and leave the kids at home or maybe you don’t…
Summertime in SoCal is one of the most fun family vacations you can do on the West Coast. From Disneyland to the beaches of San Diego there are endless chances for family fun. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Summertime in SoCal travel journal: Disney’s Pixar Pier Premiere and exploring San Diego

We're back in Southern California, aka SoCal! What are we doing here? Great question! We've got lots of fun plans in store, from having some fun in Disneyland with the…
Horse drawn trolley on Mainstreet USA Disneyland 2
Posted inCalifornia Disney Travel Disneyland

Disneyland Dads: Unlock the Magic in the Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland with kids is amazing. It might sound silly but when we first found out that we were going to be dads one of the very first thoughts that went…
Whether for an afternoon or a whole vacation there are lots of free things to do in Los Angeles that are fun, unique and perfectly LA. 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia SoCal Southwestern US

Free things to do in Los Angeles to make an awesome trip

If you've ever gone traveling with us then you know we like to have fun, we like to go to bed early, and we love when we find awesome free…
Rob Taylor and Dude in hollow log in Sequoia National Park with Kids 2traveldads.com
Posted inCalifornia National Parks SoCal

Sequoia National Park with Kids: best hikes and activities in the woods

Sequoia National Park with kids is one of the most enjoyable and unique National Parks for hiking on the West Coast. Epic forests, petroglyphs and colorful trees make it an unforgettable destination.

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