NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Luxury Family Adventure Retreats in Healdsburg
NewTree Ranch in Healdsburg offers a fully customized luxury family getaway on its 120-acre wine country estate. Families can participate in unique experiences like group art sessions, guided fitness and nature activities, sustainable farming lessons and even Wim Hof breathing and ice bath practices. At Hotel Healdsburg, families enjoy Plaza access with toy shops, ice cream and games, plus concierge-guided trips to Safari West and the Charles M. Schulz Museum. Montage Healdsburg offers its interactive Montage Merits program, where kids earn pins for completing local adventures.
Stylish Escapes and Outdoor Adventures in Sonoma County
Sonoma County offers chic family stays from The Sea Ranch and Inn at the Tides to the retro-cool Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. Families enjoy kayaking, whale watching and spacious pools alongside family-friendly wineries like Francis Ford Coppola. Timber Cove Resort offers families a cozy escape with bunk-bed suites, fireplaces and board games. Seasonal foraging tours, tide pooling and guided hikes introduce kids to the wonders of the Sonoma Coast. Parents can unwind with wine tastings or in the Reset & Restore wellness suite while kids play foosball, stargaze or make s’mores.
Playful Luxury at Silicon Valley’s The Ameswell Hotel
The Ameswell Hotel in Silicon Valley combines modern style with family-friendly fun. Kids are greeted with a treasure chest of toys, while outdoor spaces feature giant lawn games and corn hole. Indoors, board games fill the library, and dining includes a kid-approved menu with sweet treats. Parents can enjoy sophisticated dining and stylish accommodations, making it a perfect family retreat.
Retreat to Napa Valley’s The Meritage Resort
At The Meritage Resort and Spa, adults enjoy vineyard tastings and a spa, while kids splash at the family pool or bowl at Crush Lounge. Suites with full kitchens provide comfort for families, and outdoor trails welcome strolls with kids and pets. Children can explore gardens, chickens and wide-open lawns perfect for games and picnics. Seasonal events and concierge-planned excursions round out this upscale family getaway.
Choose Your Adventure in Sacramento
Sacramento blends family fun with luxury experiences, making it an ideal NorCal gateway. For longer stays, the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel offers guests sophisticated accommodation, a chic pool deck for everyone to enjoy and close proximity to the Downtown Commons. Families can also enjoy farm-to-fork fine dining at acclaimed restaurants like The Kitchen and Localis or soak in the city’s skyline with music and locally sourced wines on the Sacramento Sips & Sights Cruise.
Family Outdoor Adventure at Meyers Ranch
Meyers Ranch in Plumas County offers rustic fun with housing for 15, natural hot springs and a working hay and cattle ranch. Families can hike, bike or fish in local creeks while enjoying farm animals and a private swimming hole with kayaks and paddle boards. Winter brings sledding hills, while barns house basketball courts and other activities.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Live a Fairytale at the Château du Sureau
Tucked in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Château du Sureau transports guests into a medieval European setting. Along with storybook-like accommodations, families can indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, eat dishes with seasonal ingredients at The Elderberry House or picnic in the mountains at Yosemite National Park with gourmet lunches from the Château’s culinary team. The luxury hotel guarantees a relaxing, picturesque stay for all ages.
Rustic Luxury at Yosemite’s Firefall Ranch
Firefall Ranch, opened in 2024, offers nature-forward lodging with endless family activities. Kids enjoy swimming, mini golf, horseback riding and nightly s’mores, while guided hikes and craft workshops add hands-on fun. Parents can relax in rustic elegance while children join ranger talks, craft sessions or sports.
Family Adventures in Monterey & Carmel Valley
Families can enjoy a blend of refined luxury and playful activities in Monterey County. At Carmel Valley Ranch, activities range from archery lessons and stargazing to spa treatments and wine tastings. The Inn at Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach offers tide pooling, biking and even a Tiger Woods-designed short course for family golf. Beyond lodging, unique experiences like private aquarium tours, foraging hikes in Big Sur and classic car rentals in Monterey enhance family adventures.
Unwind at Lodi’s Michael David Winery
The Michael David Winery has been rooted in Lodi for six generations, coming to understand the value of family and community. This family-friendly winery allows parents to sip on sustainable, unconventional wines and relax under giant umbrellas near a pond while the children run around on a nearby playground. Families can also have breakfast and lunch from the winery’s Farm Café and Bistro, as well as a pie or cookie from their award-winning bakery.
Comfort Meets Luxury at El Capitan in Merced
An hour away from Yosemite National Park, Merced’s El Capitan Hotel has been a prime stay location for families traveling through the Central Valley. Dine at the hotel’s restaurant Rainbird, which showcases the flavor and agriculture of the region with gourmet meals and artisanal wines made from ingredients from all over the Central Valley, or visit the Mainzer for some prime-time entertainment with the whole family, including a cinema and a game room. El Capitan’s location and luxury accommodation make it a one-of-a-kind road trip pit stop.
Escape to Alisal Ranch in Solvang
In Santa Ynez Valley, Alisal Ranch blends luxury and Western charm with 10,500 acres of activities including horseback riding, lake kayaking, golfing and chef-led barbecue lessons. With intimate cottages, golf courses and family-friendly activities, Alisal is both a relaxing and adventurous escape.
California Safaris at Kimpton Canary and Hilton Santa Barbara
The Kimpton Canary’s Sunshine Safari Package includes zoo tickets and an in-room safari setup with puzzles, a tent and stuffed animals. Families explore the Santa Barbara Zoo, then return to themed hotel experiences that spark imagination. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort’s “Wild About Santa Barbara” package also includes zoo tickets, daily breakfast and fun extras for kids.
Family Adventures in SLO CAL
San Luis Obispo County offers whimsical and stylish family-friendly stays. The Madonna Inn delights with themed suites, pink desserts and over-the-top dining, while Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa provides elegant oceanfront suites with kitchens for family feasts. Cambria Beach Lodge brings boutique style and access to Moonstone Beach, complete with bikes and fire pits for s’mores. At Biddle Ranch, parents sip wine while kids play lawn games and make pizzas. Hotel San Luis Obispo offers a downtown escape with live music, mountain views and two standout restaurants. Pismo Beach Lighthouse Suites provides oceanfront lodging with a new Play Deck featuring mini golf, life-sized chess and a pirate ship.
Oxnard’s Zachari Dunes Beachfront Resort
Located in Oxnard on Mandalay Beach, Zachari Dunes is Southern California’s only all-suite oceanfront resort. With 250 spacious suites, many ocean-facing, the property provides families with ample space, private balconies and access to the region’s uncrowded beaches. Amenities include a recreation room, pool, hot tub and fire pits, making it both luxurious and family-friendly.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Coastal Luxury in Dana Point
Dana Point offers the best of coastal luxury, with resorts that balance relaxation and adventure for the whole family. At Laguna Cliffs, guests enjoy 378 guest rooms and 17 suites, a 14,000-square-foot spa and dining at Lantern’s Edge or OverVue Lounge with its tapas and sunset views. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel pairs oceanfront sophistication with exclusive whale-watching excursions through Dana Wharf Eco Adventures.
West Hollywood: Family-Friendly Stays in Style
West Hollywood’s walkable streets and stylish hotels create a perfect family base to explore the area’s many offerings. Families enjoy themed teas, the sun in a private rooftop pool and tiered trays of sweets within a plush, sophisticated surrounding at The London West Hollywood. Immersive experiences in high-technology escape rooms and the options of karaoke rooms at PanIQ also make West Hollywood a family destination worth visiting.
Beverly Hills’ Five-Star Family Retreats
Beverly Hills transforms luxury into family fun with art walks, chocolate tastings and cupcake ATMs. Hotels like The Peninsula and The Beverly Hills Hotel offer teepee sleepovers, s’mores and kid-centered VIP perks. Public art trails and sweet adventures make the city glamorous yet kid-friendly.
San Diego’s Coastal Luxury for Families
Kona Kai San Diego combines island-inspired relaxation with water sports, private beaches and pet-friendly suites. San Diego Mission Bay Resort adds adventure with watercraft rentals, pickleball and fireside s’mores. Fairmont Grand Del Mar delivers luxury on 400 acres, with horseback riding, golf, kids’ camps and pools with underwater music. Families can also enjoy racing season thrills at the historic Del Mar Racetrack, blending ocean views, brunch and horse-watching fun.
Hilton Anaheim’s Family Upgrade
Steps from Disneyland, Hilton Anaheim offers a stylish stay with theme-park views.. Kids enjoy the Lanai Deck and on-site Disney gift shop, while adults savor specialty cocktails and wines at the newly renovated Poppy’s Restaurant and Lounge. Families may also stop at the hotel’s Pure Escape Family Beauty Salon to unwind with manicures and facials, or make a splash in the private indoor pool. Spacious rooms and SoCal-inspired design make it ideal for multigenerational stays.
Relax in Luxury at Rancho Cucamonga’s Sanctity Hotel
Nestled in Rancho Cucamonga, Sanctity Hotel offers families an elevated, serene stay in one of the Inland Empire’s most prominent travel hubs. Ease your mind at the wellness spa, Thriv Studio, or take the whole family to try the vibrant and bold tastes of Mexico at Durango Cocina & Rooftop — all located in the hotel. Surrounded by family-fun activities — the Victoria Gardens, Red Hill Park, the Lewis Family Playhouse and more — Sanctity Hotel is a prime destination for a true relaxing family vacation.
Temecula’s Family-Friendly Wine Country
Although Temecula is known for its plethora of wine-tasting experiences, its reputation for family-friendly fun is growing. The Pool at BOTTAIA Winery is a lush spot ideal for adults looking to sip drinks while taking their kids on a fun experience with private Italian-style cabines, a cafe and cocktail bar and a splash pad for smaller children. If a longer stay is sought, the Pechanga Resort & Casino offers 1,090 luxurious guest rooms, 13 fine-dining restaurants, nightly entertainment for all, casino games for the adults and The Cove for family fun.
Glamp in Idyllwild’s Vacation Cabins
Idyllwild’s small-town charm and pine forests make a perfect stay for families looking to relax and embark into the great outdoors. Idyllwild Vacation Cabins is a family-owned business which offers travelers the opportunity to camp in a cozy and elegant cabin of their choice. Perfect for any season, these woody, grand cabins may contain creek, tree and sunset views; hot tubs; WiFi internet; Smart TVs and more — a stellar getaway for those seeking a luxe experience in the woods.
The Ultimate Desert Getaway in Death Valley
The Oasis at Death Valley has the perfect balance of grown-up luxury and kid-approved adventure. Parents can unwind at the historic inn’s spring-fed pool, enjoy spa treatments and sip cocktails at sunset while surrounded by stunning mountain views. Meanwhile, kids can keep busy with guided nature walks, horseback rides and bike trails. With tasteful accommodations, spacious family-friendly lodging and direct access to Death Valley’s most iconic sights, The Oasis offers a California escape for everyone.
Reset at RESET Hotel in Twentynine Palms
Only five miles away from Joshua Tree National Park, RESET Hotel is a convenient and relaxing spot for all ages. The design-forward rooms are made for ultimate comfort and calm with custom Walden robes, in-room coffee from Fellow and private outdoor patios equipped with seating and stoves great for stargazing or roasting s’mores with the kids. Whether families are looking to have breakfast in bed from a bistro-style café or gain access to some of Joshua Tree’s finest hiking trails and stargazing spots, RESET Hotel has it all.
Explore Riverside’s Mission Inn
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside is a historic landmark offering families a stay in a romantic and enchanting setting, reminiscent of a castle. Parents can dine at Las Campanas Mexican Cuisine & Tequila Bar, indulge in an afternoon high tea experience or get a relaxing message at the Inn’s spa. For full-family experiences, take a regular historic tour of the property or a spooky version beginning in September, treat everyone to a sweet treat at Casey’s Cupcakes or unwind at the pool under ivy-covered walls.