Summer Day Trips: Fun and Educational Destinations in California

Summer is often the time for family vacations, road trips, friend get-togethers, and other fun activities. Beyond long vacations, summer is also a great time for day trips.

In California, there are various places prime for a day trip, from beaches and State parks to theme parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Knott’s Berry Farm.

However, many people also want a place that is both fun and educational- destinations that enrich and entertain.

For Californians and those looking to travel there, the Golden State has an abundance of destinations that promise a good time, while also providing visitors with fascinating history, interactive experiences, and beautiful sights.

 

The perfect blend of beautiful and historical, San Diego Balboa Park dates back to the late 1800s and encompasses 1200 acres. With stunning architecture and peaceful gardens, the park landscapes alone are enough to entice visitors. Indeed, Balboa Park welcomes countless guests every day, many simply soaking in the sunshine, getting in their steps, and enjoying the park’s beauty.

For the more discerning visitor, in search of a deeper, more intellectual visit, Balboa Park features 17 exceptional museums and institutions in total. At the San Diego Natural History Museum, guests will feel like true explorers discovering anything from dinosaurs to ancient artifacts. The Fleet Science Center lets visitors experience scientific discoveries and exploration firsthand with over 100 interactive exhibits and the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater.

The San Diego Air and Space Museum (an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute) brings the history of aviation and space exploration to life with impressive exhibitions, real planes and vehicles, flight simulators, and more. Be sure to check out the portraits of the numerous inductees, several painted by my father, including astronauts Eugene Cernan, Walt Cunningham, and Sally Ride, and actors/pilots Harrison Ford and Cliff Robertson. Similarly, the Railroad and Automobile Museum showcases the fascinating history of trains and cars, featuring authentic vehicles and engaging exhibits.

In the San Diego Museum of Art, visitors will find paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, while the Centro Cultural de la Raza showcases art from Chicano, Latin, and Indigenous cultures. For sheer natural beauty, visit the Botanical Garden and the Japanese Friendship Garden.

 

Anyone fascinated by the ocean and sea life must visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This 3.3-acre site features over 200 exhibits, ocean view decks, and houses over 81,000 animals and plants, representing 771 different species.

Some of the most impressive exhibits include the sea otter’s habitat, the sea kelp tank (one of the largest in the world), the mesmerizing jellyfish, the shark tank, the sea turtle tank, and the bioluminescence. Visitors can learn about each species while exploring the multiple-level aquarium. Indeed, you can spend hours and still not see everything.

Fun fact: the fictional aquarium, the Marine Life Institute in the film Finding Dory (2016), is modeled after the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

 

Located in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, the California Science Center has undergone many improvements and expansions since it was first established in 1951 (as the California Museum of Science and Industry). The numerous large exhibitions prove to be dynamic and informative, especially for the curious mind.

The permanent exhibitions include ones on the human body, wave physics, ecosystems of the world, and fire safety, each with free admission. Soon, the museum will open the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center and house the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

The Center also features an IMAX theater, motion simulator, a rock-climbing wall, and other interactive activities, with tickets available to purchase online.

 

Like San Diego Balboa Park, the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens feature a blend of historical artifacts, classic architecture, and the beauty of nature. Located in San Marino, the library serves as an independent research center with over 12 million items, including rare books, manuscripts, and photographs. Some of the most renowned are the Gutenberg Bible, the Ellesmere Chaucer, a decorated version of The Canterbury Tales, and early editions from William Blake and Jack London.

Beyond the rare printed and digital items, the Huntington also houses an extensive collection of European and American art, some dating back to the 17th century.

The botanical gardens cover 130 acres, ranging in style and theme from Japanese and English to Desert gardens. Visitors can spend an entire day examining the books and art before enjoying the expansive gardens. Check out my video that highlights several of the gardens.

Guests can bring a picnic to enjoy outside, dine at the 1919 Cafe, or splurge for high tea at the Rose Garden Tea Room. Feeding your mind, soul, and body, the Huntington is one of California’s finest gems. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the official website.

 

Located in a 50-acre site in Aquatic Park Grove, this protected area in San Francisco Bay features a Maritime Museum, historic tall ships, a visitor center, and guided tours. It’s also in close proximity to Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Ghirardelli Square.

The San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park features several exhibits and lovely murals that celebrate and showcase West Coast maritime history. The tall ships give visitors an authentic look into the past, both enriching and fun.

Whether you spend a few hours or all day at this San Francisco jewel, it’s sure to be a memorable time.

 

Also located in San Francisco, near the Presidio, the Walt Disney Family Museum offers visitors a different kind of educational experience- one for the diehard Disney fans. However, this is not like visiting a theme park. This museum celebrates the life of Walt Disney, from his childhood in Marceline, Missouri, to his early days as an animator, to his tremendous successes in the film and theme park industries.

As a true original and trailblazing individual, the artifacts, art, models, photographs, and exhibits showcase Walt Disney and his company’s journey in an informative and engaging way. Some of the museum’s highlights include a display of 26 of Walt Disney’s record-breaking 32 Academy Awards, the earliest known sketch of Mickey Mouse, drawn by Ub Iwerks, and an amazing miniature model of Disneyland.

The museum has a cafe and gift shop, as well as rotating exhibitions. When I visited, it was a special exhibit on the art of Eyvind Earle. Other past exhibition collections include Salvador Dali, Disneyland, Disney during World War II, and Disney’s Nine Old Men. Currently, the museum features artist Mary Blair.

Visit the website for more information and tickets.

 

As one of the few surviving Gold Rush towns, Columbia State Historic Park has been preserved as a living museum, creating an authentic and immersive experience for visitors. Actors dress in period-appropriate clothes and interact with guests who can join in the fun as much or as little as desired.

Each building has been restored, including candy, candle, leather goods, and book shops, a bakery, a schoolhouse, a photography studio, a tea house, and, naturally, a saloon. Guests can also pan for gold, take a ride on a stagecoach, enjoy live music, or take a hike on the walking trail.

The true Old West experience is alive and well at Columbia State Historic Park, where admission is free. Only activities and food come at a price. For more information, visit here.

 

Located in Sacramento, California, the California State Railroad Museum sits on 225,000 square feet and features several exhibits and restored locomotives and railroad cars. As the official site states, the museum “illustrates railroad history in California and the West.”

Current exhibits include the Georgia No. 100 The Gold Coast Rail Car, Black and African American Railroad Experience, Chinese Railroad Workers Experience, a model of the Solano Train Ferry, and Art by Anna Judah, the wife of Theodore D. Judah, a surveyor of the Transcontinental Railroad,  who painted several pieces while accompanying him on his trips. Other exhibitions include an expansive model railroad and the Golden Spike Gallery.

 

In addition to the exhibits, guests can climb aboard several restored locomotives and take a 45-minute excursion along the Sacramento River. A dream for a ferroequinologist, also known as a train enthusiast, ticket info for this Railroad Museum is available on the official website.

 

A Los Angeles staple, the Griffith Observatory is the ideal day trip destination for those who love astronomy and Hollywood history. For the former, explore everything the observatory has to offer, including over 60 exhibits such as the public telescopes, the Wilder Hall of the Eye, a gallery of those who observe the sky, the Ahmanson Hall of the Sky, which explores the sun, moon, and sky, and the W.M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda, which explores the cross between mythology and science.

 

In addition to the numerous exhibits, guests will want to check out the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, which showcases several short films throughout the week. Outside, enjoy the vast views of Los Angeles, including the famous Hollywood sign. Pro-tip: Try to plan your outside exploring for sunset. You won’t regret it.

 

Of course, movie fans will always enjoy visiting this filming location of La La Land (2016), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), and The Rocketeer (1991). Visit the official site for more information.

 

San Diego’s Historic Old Town and Heritage Park also prove to be enriching destinations for a day trip in “America’s Finest City.” With 230 acres of historic buildings and a dining and shopping district, Old Town celebrates San Diego’s neighbor to the South: Mexico. Indeed, visitors can enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine and shops, including handmade jewelry and pottery.

 

Old Town is also home to one of the most haunted places in the U.S., the Whaley House, which offers spooky and fascinating tours for those inclined.

 

Adjacent to Old Town, Heritage Park features restored Victorian homes from the late 1800s. The standouts include the Senlis Cottage museum, the Christian House, and the Coral Tree Tea House.

 

Film lovers who desire a rich, informative, entertaining look at the history of the movie industry should visit the Academy Museum. Situated in the heart of Los Angeles, the museum features several exhibits of film props, costumes, posters, photographs, and original scripts. Some of the most treasured include a pair of Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939), the typewriter used to write Psycho (1960), a Jaws shark mold, Emma Stone’s yellow dress from La La Land (2016), and an E.T. figure from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982).

 

The museum features several permanent exhibits, such as “Stories of Cinema,” which showcases the history of classics like The Godfather (1972), Casablanca (1942), and Citizen Kane (1941), and “Oscars History,” featuring numerous Academy Award statues from celebrated winners.

 

The museum also has temporary exhibits and two theaters. See the upcoming screening schedule here and purchase tickets on the official site.