This Family-Friendly Road Trip Through Northern California Leads To Whimsical Attractions, Themed Restaurants, And More
We are lucky to have no shortage of family-friendly destinations in Northern California. Whether your little ones are into parks, museums, farms, or factory tours, there’s something for them here. We’ve gathered up a few of our favorite family-friendly attractions in NorCal for you and arranged a great road trip that’s just as fun for adults as it is for kids. Check it out:
The entire trip's driving time is around three and a half hours, though of course you'll need a few days to explore all the stops. You can check out a fully customizable itinerary on Google Maps and make any changes that you like.
Your first stop will be Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma. This park is pretty neat for its historical value alone: it's the spot where gold was first discovered in 1848, setting off the Golden State's famous Gold Rush. It features neat exhibits and replicas of historical structures that are interesting and educational no matter your age. Plus, the park allows you to pan for gold like a real prospector!
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, 310 Back St, Coloma, CA 95613, USA
Kids and adults alike tend to love Jelly Belly jelly beans. They come in a massive variety of flavors, they're easy to eat, and you can combine flavors to make a virtually endless array of new flavors. Fans of Jelly Belly will not want to miss a visit to the Jelly Belly factory in Northern California. Don't worry, there are free samples on the tour!
Jelly Belly Lane, Jelly Belly Ln, Fairfield, CA 94534, USA
Sonoma TrainTown is one of our favorite hidden gems in Northern California. This train theme park has its own quarter-scale size train, several roller coasters, and even a miniature town!
Sonoma TrainTown Railroad, 20264 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476, USA
Speaking of miniatures, your next stop has even more! American Made Miniatures Farm Sanctuary in Petaluma is home to several miniature and full-sized horses, zebras, and donkeys. Private tours are available via appointment only, so make sure to check out their website when planning your trip.
American Made Miniatures, 1 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Petaluma, CA 94954, USA
When you think of Disney-related attractions in California, your mind immediately goes to Disney Land, but we're also home to the Walt Disney Family Museum. This is such a great museum for kids and adults alike. The exhibits here tell the story of Walt Disney's life and career. Want to spend time at more museums in San Francisco? There are plenty to explore!
The Walt Disney Family Museum, 104 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Urban Putt is a great family-friendly putt-putt course in San Francisco that has all kinds of high-tech holes and challenges.
Urban Putt, 1096 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Did we miss your favorite family-friendly attraction in Northern California? Share your suggestions in the comments, and maybe you’ll see them featured on a future road trip!
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