Over the Christmas holiday in 2016, my kids and I set out for a 10-day road trip down the California coast. This post picks up where Part 1 left off — after our time in San Francisco, Sacramento, and the beginning of our drive down Pacific Coast Highway. The second half of our 10-day California road trip moved faster and farther south, taking us through Los Angeles, Disneyland on New Year’s Eve, and eventually to San Diego. It was truly an unforgettable adventure, and I hope it might inspire you to do the same with your kids someday — because there is just nothing like California. 😍

You can read Part 1 of our California road trip here.

Day 5: Highway 1 - Monterey to Los Angeles

17-Mile drive

After our night in Monterey, we were in a perfect spot to start our next morning winding our way around the scenic 17-mile drive between Monterey and Carmel. The views were breathtaking - but the real memory from that day? Weston’s traumatic encounter with a seagull that literally swooped down and snatched his sandwich right out of his hands! 😂 It was both shocking and hilarious (for Kenyah and me). He still doesn’t like to talk about it to this day.

pebble beach

From there we continued on to Pebble Beach. In a classic parenting (Kylee) travel moment, I accidentally drove the wrong way and found us briefly on the golf course — definitely not allowed! — as I tried to relocate a little ocean nook I remembered from a previous trip. The kids were freaking out more than I was as a groundkeeper was wildly waving his hands at me to get out of wherever I was.

The drive down Highway 1 meandered on long past sunset, with scenic overlooks and stops that looked far too short on the map. What I thought would be a manageable drive to Los Angeles instead took way longer than anticipated, and we didn’t finally arrive until after 10:00 p.m.

We were staying at the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt — a place I’d been excited about for its history, vibe, and pool aesthetic. By the time we checked in everyone was exhausted and the pool was closed for the night. But the hotel staff saved the evening: they sent up a plate of fresh-baked cookies, milk, and a bottle of Prosecco because I’m pretty sure they could tell I had run out of steam. Later they even let us go down and sit by the pool. That poolside hangout with a cozy fireplace became one of my favorite trip memories.

Hotel: Hotel Roosevelt, Los Angeles
Chosen for the experience, nostalgia, and living like a celebrity

Late night poolside at the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt

Day 6: Hollywood + The Rose Bowl

We started the day with breakfast at The Griddle Cafe on Sunset Boulevard, famous for pancakes as big as your head— and truly, they were enormous and delicious. With flavors ranging from classic fluffy stacks to decadent creations topped with all kinds of fun goodies, it was the perfect sugar-fueled start to a busy day. The portions are massive, so if you visit, come hungry or ready to share.

The Griddle Cafe…pancakes *really* as big as your head!

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Next up was the Hollywood Walk of Fame — stars on the sidewalk, kitschy shops, street performers, and endless photo ops. The kids loved finding stars for their favorite actors and characters and snapping pictures with them.

Cost: Free to walk
Location: Hollywood Blvd

Hollywood Sign Views

We walked to Hollywood & Highland, where we found great views of the Hollywood Sign in the distance. We also saw the Chinese Theatre and tried our best to spot a celebrity (but, alas, never did).

Views of the Hollywood sign in the distance from Hollywood & Highland

Pasadena + Rose Bowl Float Preparations

From Hollywood we headed to Pasadena, where preparations for the Rose Bowl Parade floats were in full swing on December 30. We had tickets to walk around and watch teams and volunteers prepping the floats — colorful blooms, wheels turning, and a real behind-the-scenes experience that the kids thought was so cool.

Cost: Varies (tickets purchased in advance)

That evening we made the drive down to Anaheim for Disneyland. It was a long travel day, but anticipation for the next day made the time pass.

Watching the Rose Bowl Parade floats being constructed

Day 7: New Year’s Eve at Disneyland

Disneyland on New Year’s Eve will go down in family lore. What we didn’t expect from Southern California in late December was rain — but rain it did. During the time we were there, Southern California had been experiencing an extended drought. So while they were all thrilled to see the rain, we were not!

Despite the weather, we had a blast. We bought sweatshirts and ponchos, embraced the wet crowds, and made it a weather adventure. We planned to stay until midnight, but by around 10:30 p.m. we were happily exhausted — from the rides, the rain, the crowds, and the nonstop excitement.

We stayed at a hotel just around the corner from Disneyland park, and were back in our room long before midnight. We watched the New Year’s fireworks from our balcony — a cozy, unforgettable finish to a wild and wonderful day.

Hotel: Hotel Menage (now Four Points by Sheraton), Anaheim
Chosen for location, pool, and price

Day 8: Laguna Beach + Coronado

We left Anaheim and began our drive toward San Diego, stopping first in Laguna Beach — a place I was excited to see partly because of The Hills vibes (remember that era? 😄). We walked the beach, felt the ocean breeze, and soaked up the coastal small-town charm.

From there we continued down to Coronado, where we took in the sweeping landscape and gorgeous architecture — everything from the iconic Hotel del Coronado to the picturesque streets and waterfront views.

That night, a beautiful moment came out of nowhere: we stopped for dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and a kind stranger saw how well-behaved the kids were and paid for our meal. We were genuinely tired and spent, and that act of kindness felt like a huge blessing in a moment when patience and energy were both running low.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Downtown, San Diego

Chosen for location, downtown vibes, price

Day 8: San Diego Zoo + Nightclub Fun

The San Diego Zoo was a perfect way to round out the trip — especially for kids who love animals. I’m not normally a zoo person, but seeing giant pandas and koala bears was genuinely exciting because you can’t see those at most American zoos.

We explored, laughed, and took in as much as we could. That evening ended in a delightfully unexpected way: we met up with a friend from back home (a radio DJ who was finishing up a chapter in San Diego), and we all headed to a nightclub party for his going-away celebration. The kids had a blast dancing, enjoying music, and being in a scene that was totally new to them.

Zoo tickets: Vary by age and date
Tip: Check animal schedules and exhibit times for best planning

Day 10: Heading Home

On Day 10, we packed up one last time and headed to the airport to make our way home. There were tired eyes, half-packed bags, and that familiar end-of-trip feeling where everyone is equal parts ready for their own bed and sad to see the adventure end.

Before returning the rental car, I snapped a photo of the odometer: 1,022 miles driven in ten days. Somehow seeing that number made the whole trip feel even more real. As we flew home, I kept thinking about how much we’d fit into ten days — long drives, iconic landmarks, unexpected moments, and memories that still come up in conversation years later. This trip wasn’t about doing California “perfectly.” It was about saying yes, being flexible, and creating experiences that felt bigger than our everyday routine.

We came home tired, grateful, and already talking about where we’d go next. And in my book, that’s the sign of a trip done right.

Road trip or fly-and-stay-put — what kind of family vacation do you prefer? Comment below!

Our First Big Road Trip: Highway 1, Disneyland & San Diego with Kids