Spacious interior includes a dining area and sleep sofa. Photo credit: Extra Holidays
This section is sponsored by Extra Holidays , which specializes in offering condo vacations at hotel prices in destinations around the world.
Club Wyndham Harbour Lights
911 Fifth Ave. San Diego, CA
Want to stay in the heart of San Diego? The Club Wyndham location in the city’s Gaslamp Quarter is ideal for exploring downtown restaurants, shops and catching a Padres game at Petco Park. A short drive away are many of the area’s top kid-friendly attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park , Old Town San Diego and the USS Midway Museum.
Accommodations at the Club Wyndham Harbour Lights are studio and one-bedroom suites ranging in size from 495-960 square feet with king beds and queen-sized sleep sofas. They’re ideal for groups of up to four. The studio suites have partial kitchens; the one-bedroom units have full kitchens, private balconies, separate living and dining areas and oversized soaking tubs.
Property amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center with sauna and steam room, laundry facilities, concierge assistance and complimentary wifi. On-site valet parking with in/out privileges is $40 per day.
Why the Club Wyndham Harbour Lights Works for Families
Families up to four can stay in one suite instead of booking multiple hotel rooms
In-suite kitchen facilities are handy for saving money on meals
On-property valet parking eliminates the hassle of searching for a place to leave your car
Great downtown location in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter
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The LEGOLAND Castle Hotel has LEGO theming throughout, including fun surprises like talking portraits and musical seats. Photo credit: LEGOLAND California Resort.
LEGOLAND Castle Hotel
1 Legoland Drive Carlsbad, CA
The LEGO Royal fun begins as soon as you arrive at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel . A LEGO Queen and Wizard with a magic chandelier greet guests as they arrive in the Grand Hall at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel. Kids can explore a secret dungeon, build with LEGO bricks and slide down into the lobby as their parents check in. You will also find a LEGO throne, a knock-knock joke door and costumed character meet-and-greet encounters.
There are 230 premium-themed LEGO Castle Hotel rooms and 20 themed suites. Each room includes a king bed and separate kids’ area with bunk beds with trundle to accommodate up to 5 people. When one SheBuysTravel writer stayed here with her preschooler, she appreciated the step stool and training toilet seat in the bathroom.
Why LEGOLAND Castle Hotel Works for Families
LEGO theming throughout, including fun surprises like talking portraits and musical seats
Nightly themed kids’ entertainment
Free breakfast daily
Zero-entry swimming pool featuring interactive water play features with cabanas available to rent
All rooms sleep up to 5 with separate kids’ areas with bunk beds and a trundle
Courtyard play zones for kids of all ages including a DUPLO tot spot, slides, an outdoor stage and cinema with seating
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LEGOLAND Resort Hotel is located right at the main entrance of LEGOLAND California. Photo credit: LEGOLAND California Resort
LEGOLAND Resort Hotel
1 Legoland Drive Carlsbad, CA
Ranked #6 for TripAdvisor’s Best Hotels for Families in the US, the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel also offers tons of fun LEGO theming and easy access to LEGOLAND. It starts with the welcome treasure hunt that lets kids search for clues throughout the hotel to find the secret combination that will unlock the treasure chest in their hotel room to reveal a LEGO surprise.
Rooms sleep up to 5, with a king bed and a separate kid’s area with bunk beds and a trundle.
Why the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel Works for Families
A variety of LEGO-themed rooms – Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO NINJAGO or LEGO Friends – sleep up to 5 with separate kid’s area with bunk beds and a trundle
Free breakfast
Located right at the main entrance of LEGOLAND California
Nightly children’s entertainment
Zero-entry, heated pool with LEGO soft bricks to build with while you swim, pool-side food and beverage service. Cabanas are available for rent seasonally
Every room includes a bucket of LEGO bricks
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Read More: The best hotels near Disneyland.
The Omni Rancho Las Palmas includes Splashtopia, an extensive water playground. Photo credit: OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS
Omni Rancho Las Palmas
41000 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA
Set against a stunning backdrop of mountains, palm trees and a golf course, the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is a luxurious oasis in the California desert. Endless sunshine, sparkling pools and a water playground with two 100-foot water slides and a 425-foot lazy river make it a family-friendly SoCal getaway.
Located on 240 lush acres, the resort began life in the 1950s as the Desert Air Hotel & Resort, a coveted retreat for Hollywood stars, political figures and tourists alike. Cary Grant, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Bob Hope all appeared at the 1977 groundbreaking for the new Rancho Las Palmas.
Today, the Omni Rancho Las Palmas has been updated and re-imagined for the 21st century, including the addition of Splashtopia, an extensive water playground for both kids and adults.
Why Omni Rancho Las Palmas Works for Families
Splashtopia water playground
Three pools
Large, comfortable rooms
Free wifi
Paid and free kids’ activities throughout the day
Free family movies in the evening
Lots of dining options
Coachella Valley location is less than two hours from Los Angeles, San Diego and Disneyland , and only 10 minutes from the Palm Springs International Airport
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The Mosaic pool includes an adjacent children’s pool and play area. Photo credit: Montage Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach
30801 South Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA
Getting the resort treatment in Laguna Beach is as easy as making a reservation at Montage Laguna Beach . Spanning 30 acres on a coastal bluff above the Pacific Ocean, this beachfront sanctuary features two outdoor pool decks, a 20,000-square-foot spa and three signature restaurants with spectacular views of the California coast.
The newly renovated guestrooms blend coastal influences with vibrant, modern design and sweeping views of the coastline. Rooms range from standard 500-square-foot guestrooms with one king or two queen beds to larger two-bedroom suites and accommodations with fully-equipped gourmet kitchens.
If a full stay isn’t something you’re interested in, then make a day trip to the luxurious spa and take a day to yourself.
Why the Montage Laguna Beach Works for Families
The Mosaic pool includes an adjacent children’s pool and play area
Poolside cabanas are available for rent
Larger suites include a second bedroom and a fully equipped gourmet kitchen
The hotel offers easy access to stand-up paddleboarding excursions, snorkeling, whale watching, golfing, hiking and more
The spa offers the ultimate in kid-free fun for parents
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The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, offers a welcoming nature that caters to kids and pets. Photo credit: The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz-Carlton Drive Dana Point, CA
The Laguna area is known for is its beach lifestyle. Take that same fun and playful beach lifestyle and add luxury and style at one of our favorite places in Orange County, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel .
Perched atop a seaside bluff and surrounded by panoramic views of the Pacific and the sandy shores of Salt Creek Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, offers a welcoming nature that caters to kids and pets.
Why The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Works for Families
Large suites with two king beds are available
Cribs and rollaway beds are available upon request
Eco-Adventure Center offers the opportunity to experience whale-watching excursions, surf lessons, oceanfront golf, beaches, artist studio tours, cooking classes and other activities designed for adults, kids and families
The Dana Point Spa for parents
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The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club has three pools, including a family pool with graduated entry and cabanas and a sprayground. Photo credit: Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
1 Monarch Beach Resort Drive Dana Point, CA
This luxury SoCal hotel formerly known as Monarch Beach Resort offers one experience that is hard to hate: Enjoying the ocean breeze from your own private balcony.
Perched on 175 acres atop a 150-foot seaside bluff and featuring a private beach club, this elegant AAA Five-Diamond retreat offers oceanfront culinary experiences, unique coastal activities and a good night’s sleep in plush bedding.
Head to the private Monarch Bay Beach Club the next day for a beach experience available only to guests and members. All the equipment your family needs to surf, paddleboard, SUP and more is available, along with expert instruction and chair, umbrella and towel service on the sand.
Why the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club Works for Families
The private Monarch Bay Beach Club is open only to hotel guests and members.
Instructors from EXPERT ACTIVE offer instruction plus equipment rentals ranging from boogie boards to snorkel gear
Three pools, including a family pool with graduated entry and cabanas and a sprayground
Complimentary beach cruisers are available for biking around the resort
Walking trails, featuring beautiful views and fluttering Monarch butterflies, meander throughout the grounds
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Guestroom options include a king bed and pull-out sofa or two queens and suites can sleep up to 6. Photo credit: Surf & Sand Laguna Beach Hotel
Surf & Sand Laguna Beach Hotel
1555 South Coast Highway Laguna Beach, CA
This luxury beachfront resort is located on 500 feet of California’s pristine Laguna Beach. All 167 rooms offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and private balconies. It’s easy to see why it was named one of the top 25 resorts in Southern California by Conde Nast Traveler readers in 2019.
Family accommodations include king rooms with pullout sofa and rooms with two queen beds. The 13 Laguna Beach hotel suites sleep up to 6. And the Aquaterra Spa includes an ocean view couple’s treatment room!
Why Surf & Sand Laguna Beach Hotel Works for Families
Beachfront pool with cabanas and a poolside bar
Guestroom options include a king bed and pull-out sofa or two queens and suites can sleep up to 6
Microwave available upon request
Cribs and rollaway beds are available upon request
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Photo credit: Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
25135 Park Lantern Dana Point, CA
The 368 newly renovated guestrooms at Laguna Cliffs Marriott offer a laid-back “beach chic” style and beautiful views of the California sunset. Standard guestrooms offer one king or two double beds while the suites offer a king and sofa bed.
A bustling harbor with restaurants and shops and a myriad of water sports is within walking distance of the hotel.
Why Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa Works for Families
Two outdoor heated pools and whirlpools and children’s splash zone
On-site bicycle, boogie board and surfboard rentals
Walking and jogging trails
Ping pong, bocce ball and putting green
Board games, footballs, soccer balls and picnicking
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L’Auberge Del Mar’s 114 guest rooms and seven luxury suites all feature balconies with views in a luxurious beach setting. Photo credit: L’Auberge Del Mar
L’Auberge Del Mar
1540 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, CA
This family-friendly upscale beach resort near San Diego overlooks an exquisite span of sandy California beachfront along the Pacific Ocean. The hotel has 121 guest rooms and suites, each featuring elegant furnishings, marble bathrooms, and private balconies or patios with garden, village or coastal views.
With a focus on healthy living, the hotel also features the 5,000-square-foot Spa L’Auberge, a fitness center, two tennis courts, and a pool. The beach is just a short walk away, down a beautifully landscaped path that weaves down the cliffs from the resort to the sand.
The hotel’s 114 guest rooms and seven luxury suites all feature balconies with views in a luxurious beach estate setting. Some rooms feature a fireplace.
Why L’Auberge Del Mar Works For Families
Easy beach access
Use of complimentary beach bikes
A nice-sized pool and hot tub
Spacious, comfortable rooms
Large bathrooms
A short walk to shops and restaurants in the picturesque coastal village of Del Mar
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Splash in one of the two resort pools or take the complimentary bikes for the short ride into Palm Springs. Photo credit: Margaritaville Resorts Palm Springs
Margaritaville Resorts Palm Springs
1600 North Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA
The first Margaritaville resort on the West Coast, this hotel has 398 rooms, island-inspired drinks and dining options, the largest resort spa in Palm Springs and family-friendly programming.
Formerly the Riviera Palm Springs, this was the choice hotel of the Hollywood elite, where Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Dean Martin stayed and played. Today, the hotel combines the chic, mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel.
Splash in one of the two resort pools or take the complimentary bikes for the short ride into Palm Springs.
Why the Margaritaville Palm Springs Works for Families
Two resort pools
Cabana rentals
Complimentary beach cruisers are available for bike rides into town
Mini fridge in the room
Free wifi
Suites options include two king beds or one king and a sofa bed and the 2-story, 2-bedroom Jimmy Buffet suite can sleep 6
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The 24-acre Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort offers lots of family-friendly activities around the resort, including checkers, chess, giant Jenga, ping pong, corn hole and croquet. Photo credit: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard Santa Barbara, CA
Formerly the Fess Parker Hotel developed by the actor who played Daniel Boone on Disney’s 1960s TV show, the pet-friendly Hilton Santa Barbara is one of the few hotels located just steps from a beach in Santa Barbara.
The 24-acre resort offers lots of family-friendly activities around the resort, including checkers, chess, giant Jenga, ping pong, corn hole and croquet. Take a bike for a two-hour ride around the area or rent beach chairs and towels for a day on the beach. In the summer, you can even get a picnic basket to go.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Join the free Hilton Honors program before you book to get access to perks and earn points for future stays.
Why the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort Works for Families
It’s pet friendly, including pet water stations at the main entrance, tennis balls & treats at check-in and a dog-friendly gourmet menu at the Set restaurant
Firepits for making s’mores
The location makes it easy to get active, from hiking in the San Ynez Mountains to horseback riding on the beach to a sunset sail
Standard rooms include two queen beds and suites have king beds and a sofa bed in a separate living area
Free wifi
In-room mini-fridge
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Board, paddleboard and bike rentals on-site at the Bahia Resort Hotel. Photo credit: Bahia Resort Hotel
Bahia Resort Hotel
