An Insider’s Guide to the Best Family Vacations in Los Angeles

Planning a family trip to Los Angeles can feel like a huge undertaking. Between booking flights, finding a kid-friendly hotel, and figuring out how to see everything from the Hollywood Sign to Disneyland, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. 

But what if you could make the planning process stress-free and the vacation itself more magical?

That’s where we come in. 

As a travel agency in Los Angeles that specializes in creating unforgettable family memories, we know the secret: a great vacation starts with a great plan. The best family travel packages Los Angeles has to offer are designed to take the guesswork out of your trip, bundling hotels, transportation, and attraction tickets so you can focus on what really matters—having fun with your kids. 

This guide will walk you through the different types of family vacations you can have in LA and how a well-planned package can make all the difference.

What’s Inside a Great Los Angeles Family Package?

Think of a family package as your command center for a fantastic trip. It’s more than just a simple booking; it’s a thoughtfully designed itinerary that anticipates your family's needs. 

While every package is different, the best ones are built on a foundation of convenience, comfort, and, of course, fun!

Here’s what you can typically expect:

• Family-Friendly Accommodations: This is the most important part. A great family package will place you in a hotel that’s not just a place to sleep, but a place to relax and recharge. We’re talking hotels with amazing pools, rooms with kitchenettes for preparing snacks, and spacious suites or connecting rooms so everyone has enough space.

• The Right Transportation: Los Angeles is massive, so getting around is a big consideration. Most family packages include a rental car, usually a minivan or a large SUV, to comfortably fit your whole crew and all your gear. Some even offer options for pre-booked car seats.

• Pre-Booked Tickets and Activities: The last thing you want to do on vacation is spend hours waiting in ticket lines. A well-designed package often includes pre-purchased tickets to the major attractions on your list, from theme parks to museums.

Finding the Perfect Family Vacation Theme

Every family is different, and the perfect LA vacation should match your interests. Are you a family of thrill-seekers, movie buffs, or beach lovers? Here are some of the most popular themes for family travel packages in Los Angeles.

The Theme Park Immersion (The Classic Choice)

This is the quintessential Southern California family vacation. These packages are built around one or more of the region’s world-famous theme parks, creating a truly immersive experience.

• Disneyland Resort: Located in nearby Anaheim, Disneyland is a must-do for many families. Official Disneyland vacation packages bundle your hotel stay with multi-day park tickets and can include magical perks like early park entry.

• Universal Studios Hollywood: For families with movie lovers, this is the ultimate destination. You can step into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, face off against dinosaurs in Jurassic World, and take the famous Studio Tour. Packages often include stays at nearby hotels that are just a short walk or tram ride away.

The Hollywood Magic Experience

If your kids are a bit older and obsessed with movies and TV, a Hollywood-themed trip is a fantastic choice. These packages focus on the heart of the entertainment industry. 

A typical itinerary might include a stay in a Hollywood hotel, tickets for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour (where you can see real sets from the Harry Potter and DC Comics films), and a visit to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

The Sun and Sand Coastal Getaway

For a more relaxed and laid-back vacation, a coastal package is perfect. This theme centers on the beautiful beach cities of Santa Monica and Venice. You’d stay at a hotel with a great pool just steps from the sand and spend your days enjoying the Santa Monica Pier, renting bikes to cruise the boardwalk, and soaking up the Southern California sun. 

It’s a less structured, more spontaneous type of family fun.

The Museums and Discovery Adventure

Who says a vacation can’t be educational? LA has some of the best and most engaging museums in the country, and we can build a package around them. This "Museum Row" adventure would include tickets to:

• The California Science Center: Home to the incredible Space Shuttle Endeavour, this museum offers free general admission and is a must-see for aspiring astronauts. Learn more about their exhibits on the California Science Center website.

• The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Right next door, this museum boasts an amazing Dinosaur Hall that will leave your kids in awe.

• The La Brea Tar Pits & Museum: See real, active paleontological digs right in the middle of the city!

Where to Stay: Our Top Picks for Family-Friendly Hotels

The right hotel can make or break a family vacation. It needs to be a comfortable home base with amenities that make life easier for parents and more fun for kids. When we build family travel packages, these are the kinds of places we look for.

Hotels That Feel Like Part of the Fun

• For the Disney Devotee: The Disneyland Hotel. Staying here keeps you in the magic 24/7, with themed rooms, incredible pools with waterslides, and character encounters right in the lobby.

• For the Water Lovers: Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground. Located near Disneyland, this hotel is famous for its on-site water park, Castaway Cove, which is a huge hit with kids and a great way to cool off after a long day at the parks.

• For a Unique Hollywood Stay: The Magic Castle Hotel. This spot is legendary among traveling families for its incredible perks. It features apartment-style suites with full kitchens and a "Popsicle Hotline" you can call to have free popsicles delivered to you while the whole family stays poolside.

Money-Saving Tips for Your Family Trip to LA

As any premier travel agency knows, a family vacation can be a big investment. Fortunately, there are smart ways to save. 

Consider a Multi-Attraction Pass

If you plan on visiting several attractions, a city pass can offer huge savings. The Go City Los Angeles pass, for example, bundles dozens of top attractions, including studio tours, museums, and amusement parks, for one discounted price. You can choose a pass based on the number of days you'll be sightseeing or the number of attractions you want to visit.

Travel During the "Shoulder Seasons"

As we mentioned in our budget guide, avoiding the peak summer and holiday crowds can save you a fortune. Traveling in the spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) means lower prices on flights and hotels, and more pleasant, manageable crowds at the theme parks.

Why a Travel Agency in Los Angeles is Your Best Friend

Planning a family trip involves juggling a lot of moving parts. A travel agency in Los Angeles like ours acts as your personal trip coordinator, handling all the logistics so you don’t have to. 

Travel Savvy is based here, and so we have the local knowledge to recommend the perfect hotel for your family’s needs, suggest the best kid-friendly restaurants, and build an itinerary that minimizes driving time and maximizes fun. We can create a vacation that’s perfectly paced for your family, whether you have toddlers or teenagers.

We specialize in turning a standard vacation into a seamless adventure. Let us build a trip that’s perfectly tailored to your family’s dreams. 

Ready to start planning a trip your family will be talking about for years to come? Contact us today to get started!