Family Hotels & Resorts in West Coast from AU$154

For families visiting the West Coast, areas like Santa Monica and San Diego in Southern California, and Portland and Seattle in the Pacific Northwest, offer excellent options with a focus on family-friendly amenities and activities.In Southern California, Santa Monica is a brilliant choice. It boasts a beautiful beach superb for building sandcastles and gentle waves for splashing. The iconic Santa Monica Pier offers classic amusement rides and arcade games, while the adjacent Third Street Promenade is a pedestrian-friendly area with street performers and casual dining. There are also numerous parks and playgrounds dotted throughout the area. Santa Monica is very walkable, and its well-connected bus system makes getting around a breeze. You'll find plenty of family-friendly eateries, ice cream parlours, and grocery stores to cater to all your needs.Further south in California, San Diego provides a relaxed atmosphere with a wealth of outdoor activities. Mission Bay is built around a calm-water bay with kilometres of sandy beaches, ideal for children to play and splash. The area features numerous playgrounds and is connected by a flat, continuous bike path, superb for a family cycle. La Jolla offers a beautiful coastline with tide pools that are fantastic for discovering marine life in its natural habitat. It's also home to Kellogg Park, which has a large grassy area and a playground right next to the beach. Both areas have many casual, family-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating.Moving up to the Pacific Northwest, Portland, Oregon, is known for its green spaces and quirky charm. The city centre is very walkable, and its excellent public transport system, including trams and buses, makes navigating with children straightforward. Washington Park is a vast urban park that houses the Portland Children's Museum, offering hands-on exhibits, and many beautiful gardens to explore. You'll find numerous food carts offering a diverse range of casual, kid-friendly meals, and plenty of independent ice cream shops.Finally, Seattle, Washington, is a very family-friendly destination, offering a great mix of unique urban attractions and outdoor experiences. A main hub for family fun is the Seattle Centre, where you can explore the hands-on exhibits at the Pacific Science Centre and play at the artist-designed playground. The city's waterfront is also a highlight, featuring opportunities for a scenic ferry ride on the bay. For a classic Seattle experience, a walk through Pike Place Market is a must. Kids will enjoy watching the famous fish-tossing and seeing the colourful produce stands.

Yes, the West Coast of the United States is a fantastic family-friendly destination, brimming with diverse landscapes and activities that cater to all ages and interests.From the sandy beaches of Southern California to the majestic forests of the Pacific Northwest, there are countless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Families can enjoy building sandcastles, exploring tide pools, hiking gentle trails, or cycling along scenic coastal paths.Major cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland offer a wealth of cultural experiences, with interactive museums, expansive parks, and vibrant neighbourhoods. Many areas are well-served by public transport, making it easy to navigate with children, and you'll find an abundance of casual eateries with kid-friendly menus, delightful ice cream parlours, and convenient grocery shops for stocking up on essentials.

Some of the best family-friendly activities on the West Coast include exploring the natural beauty of national parks, enjoying the beaches, and visiting interactive museums.National parks such as Yosemite, Redwood, and Olympic offer incredible opportunities for families to connect with nature. You can enjoy gentle hikes suitable for all ages, discover giant trees, or marvel at stunning waterfalls. Many parks have visitor centres with engaging displays about the local flora and fauna, and ranger-led programs can provide a deeper insight into the natural world.The West Coast is renowned for its beautiful beaches, superb for a day of building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, or flying a kite. Places like Cannon Beach in Oregon or Coronado Beach near San Diego offer vast stretches of sand and often have nearby ice cream parlours or casual eateries for a seaside treat.For a dose of indoor fun, many West Coast cities boast excellent interactive museums. The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco combines an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum under one roof, offering hours of exploration. Similarly, the Exploratorium, also in San Francisco, is packed with hands-on exhibits that make learning about science and art a playful experience for the whole family.