How Much Does It Cost To Vacation In California
When budgeting sums of money, would you rather have $800 or $1,200? That is the question that you need to be asking yourself when thinking about how much you are going to spend on a California vacation. There are many things that factor into the equation of how much it costs to vacation in California. The expenses vary from person to person, with every one of them having their own expenses when spending time in the state. There are a lot of people that have a genuine curiosity in knowing what the cost is to vacation in California. As such, I thought writing an informative article on the subject would be insightful and helpful.
Planning to go on vacation, but not sure how much it will cost? Vacationing in California can be bouncy and pricy, which means doing a little planning beforehand can help you save money.
The cost of the average vacation has increased by 20% over the last year, with the average family now spending $584.23 per trip. But that average figure is somewhat skewed by luxury vacations, as the median expenditure for a typical California family vacation is only about half that cost ($216)
How Much Does It Cost To Vacation In California
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How Much Does It Cost To Go To California On A Family Vacation?
posted byJAMES BROCKBANKon JANUARY 13, 2022// last updated on MARCH 30, 2022
Congratulations! You’ve decided to take a family vacation to California. You’ll have a wonderful time exploring one of America’s most beautiful states. From Northern California’s hills to the beaches of Malibu, Venice, and Santa Monica, theme parks, tourist meccas, the Hollywood sign and more are all there to charm families.
But how much does it cost to go to California? The answer is complicated. Based on figures from vacation booking websites, the average price of a seven-day trip to California is just over $4,500 for a family of four. That can give you a starting point for setting your vacation savings goal, but that figure should be fine-tuned a little.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next California family vacation destination, check out our handy guide which will help you choose somewhere the whole family will love!
Table of Contents:
- The Cost of a California Family Vacation
- How Much Should We Save?
- How to Get There
- Best Places for California Family Vacations
- Little Costs Add Up
- Start Saving for Your California Family Vacation Getaway
The Cost of a California Family Vacation
So many factors can influence the price of a family vacation. Are you traveling from a neighboring state by car, or flying from across the country? Are you booking one hotel room or two, or are you reserving a vacation getaway on Airbnb or VRBO?
If your family is flying to California, are you renting a car? Are you visiting theme parks? Shopping? Going to the beach? Hiking?
All these factors can add to the cost of a family vacation to California. If that seems like a lot of questions to answer, don’t worry. The Family Vacation Guide has done some of the work for you, showing price ranges, how much visiting some of the best family vacation spots in California costs, and where to find more information.
How Much Should We Save?
Visiting California with your family is an unforgettable vacation for all ages. Here we note some family vacation costs in California, ranging from budget-friendly vacations to luxury.
A California Family Vacation on a Budget
A family of four can spend about $110 to $225 a day per person, or anywhere from $3,192 to $6,300, on a seven-day trip to the Golden State. This figures in economy plane tickets, $150-per-night accommodations at a one-star hotel, and dining at casual establishments.
Vacation costs can be even less than this, though. Families who rent vacation lodgings on Airbnb or VRBO have the advantage of a kitchen. While eating out is part of the fun of family vacations, breakfast at your vacation rental and packing a picnic lunch for later can be fun as well as budget-friendly. Travel costs are even lower for those who live close enough to California to drive there.
The Average California Family Vacation
Based on vacation bookings, the average price of a California family vacation is about $75 to $325 per person per day or about $2,100 to $9,100 for a weeklong vacation for a family of four. This includes a vacation rental costing about $250 a night and first-class or economy airline tickets. Those close enough to drive to California won’t have airfare as an expense.
A Luxury Family Vacation to California
If money’s no object, or at least not as much of one, a family of four could spend about $450 to $1,000 per person per day, or from $3,150 to $28,000 for a week of California luxury. This includes stays in four-star or five-star hotels, first-class airline tickets, and daily expenses at the state’s finer restaurants, attractions, and, for the adults, day spas.
Luxury family vacations may seem like something only for the rich or famous, but families can splurge on the luxury treatment to make a family vacation more fun and memorable.
How to Get There
Getting to Planet Hollywood isn’t impossible for family vacations. Here are a few ways for families to get to California.
By Car
Los Angeles may seem far away from the nation’s midwest or east coast, but it’s really just two to three days of driving away from the eastern seaboard. For families who live in the southwestern United States, Los Angeles is as little as five to six hours away.
By Air
Driving isn’t the only way to take a family vacation to California. Airlines can fly families to California in the space of five to 10 hours of flying with a layover. First-class flights or private air services are the most expensive ways to fly into LAX. Economy tickets are more affordable.
Check out our guide to the best flight booking sites for the very best deals.
By Train
Amtrak is another way to take your family adventure to California. Trains and connecting buses serve more than 150 California cities, including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Santa Barbara, as well as national parks and beaches.
The California Zephyr can take families to California by rail over three days, going from Chicago to San Francisco through some of the country’s most beautiful sites.
Best Places for California Family Vacations
So, how much does it cost to go to California? California has loads of spots that are perfect for a family vacation. Among them are these jewels of the Golden State.
Why not check out our guides to the best all-inclusive family resorts in California, the best California family beach resorts and the best family resorts in California for inspiration on where to stay?
Los Angeles
Exploring the City of Angels will take you from Venice Beach and the Santa Monica pier to quaint shops and TV studios in Burbank and multicultural neighborhoods, restaurants, and shops. Visit the Griffith Park Observatory to get a glimpse of the Hollywood sign. Universal Studios Hollywood is a must for theme-park fans.
Many of these locations are free to enjoy, but plan on bringing money for parking. Admission to Universal Studios Hollywood is more than $100 per person.
Anaheim
If theme parks are what your family’s looking for, Anaheim has Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland, which includes Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. The city also has a Japanese garden and an arboretum for nature lovers.
Disneyland costs $76 per person per day. Knott’s Berry Farm admission is $54 per person per day.
Are you planning a trip to Anaheim and searching for the best family activities? We created a list of the best family things to do in Anaheim, California to help you plan your visit.
Professional Sports
Seeing a professional football, basketball, hockey, or baseball game in California is a must for families that include sports fans, so this is more of an activity than a location.
The state boasts three NHL teams (The Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks) and five Major League Baseball teams (The Angels and the Dodgers from Los Angeles, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and Oakland A’s).
