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14 Awesome Active Vacation Ideas for Southern California

January 20, 2020 by Jill 1 Comment

I love January. I don’t subscribe to that whole “new year new you” mindset but this is the time of year I start getting excited about the places I will go. 2020 is a blank journal just waiting to be filled with memories of new people and new places. Where will YOU go this year? Whether you are planning journey across the country (or across the world) or whether you’re planning on experiencing your hometown from the tourist’s perspective (so fun, try it one of these days) this is the time of year when you start filling in your travel wish list, right?

This post was written in partnership with Traveling Mom and Visit Buena Park. This post may also contain affiliate links. I may earn commissions from purchases you make from this website. Thank you for supporting RJAB!

 

Try these awesome active vacation ideas for Southern California

Table of Contents

  • 14 Awesome Active Vacation Ideas for Southern California
    • 1. Big Air Trampoline Park
    • 2. Knott’s Berry Farm
    • 3. Knott’s Soak City
    • 4. Newport Landing Whale Watching
    • 5. Disneyland
    • 6. Disney California Adventure
    • 7. Orange County Great Park
    • 8. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
    • 9. SeaWorld San Diego
    • 10. Santa Ana Zoo
    • 11. Sunset Ranch Horseback Riding
    • 12. Universal Studios Hollywood
    • 13. Warner Brothers Studio Tour Hollywood
    • 14. Tanaka Farms
  • You might also like:

14 Awesome Active Vacation Ideas for Southern California

This list of awesome active vacation ideas for Southern California is more than most families can do in one trip…but I hope this fun list will entice you to start planning your return trip ASAP because as you can see, there is loads to do. There are some amazing money-saving deals in this post, so if I can help you save a few dollar dollar bills on your next family adventure? Well, I’m super happy to be able to bring these deals to you. All I want in return? Pictures of your family having fun. You can post them to my Facebook page, tag me on Instagram or just email me.

Here are 14 fun things your active family can do in Southern California:

1. Big Air Trampoline Park

Jump off the walls on Zero-Gravity Court; test your climbing skills on Martian Mountain™; play above the rim on Space Slam; dip, duck, dive and dodge on our Haley’s Dodge-It; flip into thousands of foam cubes on The Launch Pad; saddle-up on The Big Bull; or battle your friends on Galactic Gladiators Battlebeam®! For the smaller guests, Li’l Air™ offers fun-size versions of their most-popular attractions! 

2. Knott’s Berry Farm

Fun is always in season at Knott’s Berry Farm. With dozens of rides, shows and attractions in four themed areas, there is something for every age. Experience world-class thrills on Silver Bullet, California’s largest inverted roller coaster.

If you're looking for active vacation ideas in Southern California, don't miss Knott's Berry Farm!

Your kids (and maybe you!) will love to meet Charlie Brown and all of the characters from the Peanuts Gange at Knott’s Berry Farm. Who’s YOUR favorite? Photo Credit: Visit Buena Park

Then fight off the Queen Kraken on the interactive 4-D adventure, Voyage to the Iron Reef, and hop on the newly renovated Ghostrider, the West Coast’s longest, fastest and tallest wooden roller coaster. In Camp Snoopy, the little ones can go wild with over 12 kids rides, interactive shows and a chance to meet Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang. 

If you're looking for active vacation ideas in Southern California, don't miss Knott's Berry Farm! They have something for everyone!

There’s so much to enjoy at Knott’s Berry Farm and the amount of steps you’ll get in a day DEFINITELY qualify this as an active family vacation activity! Photo Credit: Visit Buena Park

3. Knott’s Soak City

Adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm, Knott’s Soak City waterpark offers 13 California beach-themed acres designed for thrill seekers of all ages. Speed fans can drop into Banzai Falls’ six slides or Old Man Falls’ three 63-foot high vertical chutes. For wave riders, Tidal Wave Bay provides the ultimate endless summer, while the whole family will love relaxing in one of the world’s longest lazy rivers. Even kids have their own water wonderland at the Gremmie Lagoon and three-story interactive Beach House.

Add "go to a water park" to your list of active vacation ideas in Southern California!

A visit to Knott’s Soak City isn’t complete without splashing in the Tidal Wave Bay!
Photo credit: Visit Buena Park

Orange County’s only waterpark now features seven new waterslides, shaded cabanas and delicious new dining options. Visitors can race down four side-by-side tubes, step inside an Aqua-Launch chamber and take a 60-foot plummet as the floor falls out beneath riders feet or twist and turn down a six person inner tube.

4. Newport Landing Whale Watching

Whale watching and dolphin cruises are available daily all year long aboard the Newport Legacy, designed specifically for whale-watching. The winter and spring months bring the gray whale migration with over 10,000 whales migrating and the summer and fall months bring the giant blue whales migration. During the cruise, guests may also get a chance to see humpback, minke, and finback whales. Over 2,400 whales were viewed in 2017 alone!

5. Disneyland

Disneyland®, the world-famous theme park, invites visitors to experience 8 themed lands with over 60 exciting attractions. Guest can meet their favorite Disney characters, go on an exciting adventure and enjoy the nightly firework spectacular. For visitors staying at select Buena Park hotels, enjoy the convenience of complimentary shuttle service to and from the theme park.

If you're looking for active vacation ideas in Southern California, Disneyland is a great way to get those steps in!!

Nothing says “Disney magic” like this iconic castle.
Photo credit: Becca Robins, www.loveourcrazylife.com

6. Disney California Adventure

Make your Orange County experience even happier with a trip to the newly re-imagined Disney California Adventure ® Park. Located across from Disneyland®, the theme park has 7 exciting lands that bring Disney® and Pixar characters to life.

If you're looking for active vacation ideas in Southern California, you'll get in lots of steps at Disney California Aventure

A trip to Disney California Adventure isn’t complete without a trip to Radiator Springs! Photo Credit: Becca Robins, www.loveourcrazylife.com

For visitors staying at select Buena Park hotels, enjoy the convenience of complimentary shuttle service to and from the theme park.

7. Orange County Great Park

The Orange County Great Park is 1,300 acres of entertainment and education. Visitors can explore historic airplanes, take to the sky in a hot air balloon, explore a number of nature trails or stop by a working farm.

8. San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park immerses you in an active, hands-on safari experience where herds of animals roam natural habitats in a 1,800-acre reserve. Choose from a variety of exciting safari expeditions by caravan truck, cart, zip line – there’s even an overnight option. Everywhere you look, there are amazing views of lions lounging in the grasslands, antelope and giraffes mingling, rhinos wallowing in waterholes, storks and cranes on the march, and more. Engage in close encounters with animal ambassadors, explore walking trails that reveal beautiful vistas and endangered species like the Sumatran tiger, and discover the adventure of conservation in action at this leading-edge wildlife park.

9. SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is more than 190 acres of theme park with world-class animal shows, interactive attractions and thrilling rides. Visitors can feel the rush with Manta®—a high-speed double-launch roller coaster, view real-life sharks up close at Shark Encounter and come face-to-face with playful bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Point.

When you're making your list of active vacation ideas in Southern California, don't forget SeaWorld San Diego!

Watching Shamu is an incredible experience! Photo credit: Becca Robins, www.loveourcrazylife.com

10. Santa Ana Zoo

A hidden gem, the Santa Ana Zoo is a 20-acre nature habitat. Visitors are transported to a tropical rain forest filled with exotic animals, endangered species and imported plant life. Walk through a aviary, take a train ride, right the conservation carousel, visit the children’s zoo or learn about the animals and the education amphitheater.

11. Sunset Ranch Horseback Riding

Offering some of the best views of Los Angeles, the Sunset Ranch horseback tour takes visitors past the iconic Hollywood sign to the mountains high above the city. From there visitors get a birds-eye view of Downtown Los Angeles, the Griffith Observatory and the area’s biggest movie studios.

12. Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood combines the intrigue of a working movie studio and the fun of thrilling attractions. Visitors are transported into their favorite television shows and films like Transformers, the Minions, the Simpsons and the all new Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

You know THIS is on our list. We’ve had such an amazing time at Universal Orlando Resort that we can’t wait to see what Universal Studios has to offer out west.

13. Warner Brothers Studio Tour Hollywood

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood brings you closer than ever to the legendary entertainment you know and love. View the real sets and sound stages where the greatest names in entertainment made history. Get ready to touch, tour and explore the iconic 110-acre backlot that brought Argo and Batman to the big screen. From The Big Bang Theory to Friends, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood takes you behind-the-camera for a revealing look at how the magic is made.

14. Tanaka Farms

Celebrate the area’s agricultural history at Tanaka Farms, offering seasonal strawberry and watermelon picking, farm tours and a fresh produce stand. In the fall, their pumpkin patch includes a wagon ride, petting zoo, corn maze and pick-your-own veggies.

Do you have favorites on this list? Tell me, tell me, tell me! I’m always in the market for new ideas for trips. 

 

Try these awesome active vacation ideas for Southern California

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1 Comment

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Comments

  1. alicia says

    January 21, 2020 at 11:42 am

    thanks for this list of things to do in Southern California. I look at the new year as a time to start planning out what I want to do for the whole year too. So I get excited about that in January as well. I’ve never been whale watching but always wanted to and i was looking for a horseback riding place too, thanks for the suggestions.

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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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rippedjeansandbifocals

Freelance Writer & Travel Expert
Producer, Listen to Your Mother SA
💜 Mom via birth & #adoption
🐈 Human to @remusthebengalcat
🇺🇸 USAF veteran
📍#texas

Jill Robbins
Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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I wore braces as a kid and my top teeth are straight but my bottom teeth are shifting and one tooth is traveling into the back of my mouth and I have some crowding. My orthodontist said it’s very unusual to put braces on just half your mouth but my bite is still aligned so they didn’t have to put them on my top teeth - my wallet is thankful.
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Questions I’ve already been asked:
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1️⃣ At your age? Yes, at my age. I still care about my smile. 
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3️⃣ How long do you have to wear them?
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6-9 months.
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3️⃣ Do they hurt? 
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Other questions? Advice?
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#braceface #adultbraces
Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

#thisisus #thisismarriage #loveandmarriage #happywifehappylife #marriedlife #mancrusheveryday #texas #texasstyle #rippedjeansandbifocals #marriagegoals #relationshipgoals #coparenting #parenting #momlifebelike #momlifeisthebestlife #ocd #ocdmomproblems #ocdmommy
Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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2020 started out so fine. We extended our kids’ winter break to take them on a Disney Cruise- no better reason than that, amiright- and I was excited about all the Disney Cruise blog posts I was going to write. Disney Cruises are (errr...were?) one of the most searched terms on my website and how a lot of people found me.
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Early 2020 was such a time of hope and light that pretty much everyone took for granted.
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While it’s become glaringly obvious the change in the calendar isn’t a magic potion, I still have hope for this year and still believe there magic yet to happen.
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You know...the good stuff.
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#believe #disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneycruiselife #disneywonder #disneymagic #disneycreators #disneycreatordays #mondayxmhe #disneymagicmoments #nowmorethanever
We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the holidays and finally dug into it this weekend. Our box had a cold-weather theme which was perfect for this cold weather we're having (flurries in San Antonio can you believe it?!)

Each box contains three recipe cards, a culinary tool, an iron-on patch and Table Talk conversation starter cards. A shopping list is included and also emailed to you in advance in case you want to be ready to cook as soon as your box arrives. You buy all the groceries yourself. 

We made homemade chicken and dumplings this weekend and they turned out amazing. If you need modifications (i.e. gluten or dairy free) you can hop on to the @raddishkids website and go to the "Bonus Bites" section. You'll find modifications, food videos, extra recipes, parent info and more fun stuff. 

The price ranges from $20-$24 per box depending on what type of subscription you choose. Boxes are designed for kids 4-14+ with varying degrees of supervision needed depending on your child's skills and age. Kyle and i have done two meals from this box - we still have cookies left to make - and worked together about 50-50. It was a lot of fun. 

To order yours, here's my affiliate link https://raddish-kids-monthly-delivery.sjv.io/edoAr or read my full review (link in bio)

#raddishkids #raddishkidscook #raddishkidsrecipes #kidswhocook #kidchef
I think today would be better if I could hang out I think today would be better if I could hang out with donkeys all day. 

There's a reason animals are used in therapy - they are both comforting and fun. This picture was from our October outing to Wassermann's Wranch outside of Alpine (in West Texas.) I love my beautiful state and the landscape of West Texas fascinates me because it's so different than what I see every day here near San Antonio.

Wassermann's Wranch is located just a few miles outside the city. It's a private hobby farm that sees visitors by reservation. It's absolutely worth planning your day around and you can check out more in my blog post linked in my bio.

I didn't realize I liked donkeys until I got to know these guys. The owner, Heidi, told me "I think you might be a donkey chick."

I think I'm OK with that. 

#texas #texastodo #alpinetexas #alpinetexas #westtexas #westtexastravel #texastravel #fridayxvibez #familytravel #visitaplinetexas #donkeysofinstagram #donkeys #donkeyselfie
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