Over 60+ Family Day Trip Ideas!

Looking for some family fun?

We looked far and wide to find you family fun ideas in and around Rancho Cucamonga! So go ahead and plan a spontaneous day trip and make some new family memories together.

Note: Prices vary for entry and experience at each location, while some are free. Be sure to check the locations website before you go to confirm the days and hours they are open. Many of the locations request you to reserve tickets in advance. 

1. Pacific Electric Trail - Get out early in the morning for a walk/bike ride or in the evening when the sun is going down. It's a great way to get out of the house and add a little exercise to your day. Trip Idea: Plan your destination and make stops along the way (off the path) at local stores to grab a snack, picnic lunch, ice cream or cold drink. Paint Rocks and leave them along the trail for others to find.  
2. Etiwanda Preserve -  This local hiking trail in Etiwanda will lead you to a beautiful waterfall. 
3. House of Play - This cute indoor play facility in Rancho Cucamonga is currently open for walk-ins and by reservation with a ton of fun for your kids to run, jump, play and explore. 
4. Head to Punch Bowl Social at Victoria Gardens - Enjoy delicious food, drinks, play mini-golf course, bowl, enjoy a ping pong game, dance with their 80’s arcade, play giant scrabble, bonzini, foosball, table-top games, cornhole or reserve a private karaoke room! Perfect place for family fun or a date night. 
5. Haven City Market - Bring your family for some local fun to eat, drink and play! Enjoy delicious food. weekly live music, seasonal monthly movie nights and more! 
6. CreatED Natural Play - The perfect indoor playground and activity center for children up to age 10. Designed for children to learn, play,
   interact, move, and create! Please call for inquiries, availabilities, and reservations.
7. California Botanical Gardens -  Enjoy the beautiful outdoors in Claremont. Then head to the village to grab lunch outdoors. 
8. Grab a Family Adventure Book and create memories not just for the summer, but the rest of the year with mystery scratch-off family dates!
9. Ride the Metrolink - Did you know every weekend, families can take a Metrolink Rail Trip to destinations across Southern California on weekends for only $10 per adult and the Kids Ride Free? Click here to see all the places you can discover together. 
10. Sawdust Factory - Come to their fun workshop in Upland to paint a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
11. Castle Park - Head to Riverside for a fun day of miniature golf, rides and family fun! 
12. Bowlero or Big Al's - Head out as a family to bowl a couple of games! 
13. AMC Theater, Victoria Gardens - Book a private screening or take in a new movie! 
14. Amy's Farm - Visit a real working farm in Ontario. Feed the animals and grab fresh produce while your there. 
15. Mary Vagle Nature Center -  A beautiful hidden treasure in Fontana. Enjoy a nature walk and bring a picnic lunch. Open Wednesday-Sunday.
16. Jurupa Mountain Discovery Center - Enjoy rock collecting, fossil digging, and so much more! JMDC is currently open Saturdays and Sundays to incoming visitors from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 
17. Muckenthaler Mansion - This historical site hosts concerts, art classes free-to-the-community seasonal Cultural Festivals, Art gallery exhibits, a lecture series, and occasional film events. It's a perfect location for a relaxing family day.
18. Cabazon Dinosaurs - The Cabazon Dinosaurs have long been regarded as one of the most iconic roadside attractions. Featured in cult classics such as Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure and The Wizard, the dinosaurs have staked their place in pop culture.  And now they are being celebrated with amazing themed paint-suits! 
19. Planes of Fame Air Museum - Come visit the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino for their outdoor experience to see the history of aviation. 
20. Lincoln Memorial Shrine - As a museum and memorial, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands seeks to deepen the understanding of President Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War and its impacts on generations of Americans through education, interaction, exhibition, and research.
21. Cable Canyon Trail Rides - Enjoy horseback riding and nature all rolled into one! Cable Canyon Trail Rides is located in Devore Heights, CA near the 15 & 215 freeways, offers scenic trail rides exciting for the entire family. Their trails have breathtaking views, a year round running creek & wildlife with a picnic area & petting zoo in a peaceful quiet atmosphere. 
22. Riley's Farm - Head to Oak Glen for year round food & fun. Come take a family field trip to learn more about the Gold Rush, Revolutionary War and Civil War 
23. The Hesperia Zoo -  Head out to a guided safari tour, have breakfast with a primate on Saturday morning or walk with the herd on Friday nights. 
24. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens - From nature trails to animal encounters there is so much to experience at the Living Desert & Zoo in Palm Desert!  
25. Garden Works for Kids - Kids will get hands-on fun, exploring, touching, and experience the power of nature and the environment in Yucaipa. Group experiences available for field trips and homeschoolers.
26. UCR Botanic Gardens - Enjoy the outdoors and learn about different plant species in Riverside. Seasonal workshops available for an additional fee.
27. The California Science Center - Explore Air & Space, Ecosystems, The Big Endeavor, Explore the Science of CoVid 19, and more!
28. Natural History Museum - Explore nature and culture from the inside out in Los Angeles. Dinosaurs, Ice Age, mammals and nature gardens.
29. La Brea Tar Pits & Museum - Make discoveries right alongside our scientists. Watch the fossil journey from excavation out of the Tar Pits to being studied in the fossils lab.
30. Bowers Museum - Get up close to early California history! Artifacts from the first Californians and the first California Missions are on display along with ancient artifacts from China and seasonal new exhibits.
31. Big Bear Zoo - The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a rehabilitation facility offering injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals a safe haven; temporarily while they heal or permanently as they are unable to survive on their own. We are extremely proud that the vast majority of animals brought to us for rehabilitation are successfully released back into their native environment. Those that remain with us on exhibit are either too injured or have been imprinted by humans and cannot be released back into the wild to care for themselves.
32. Baldwin Lake Stables - At Baldwin Lake Stables discover the peaceful countryside of the Big Bear Valley's east end; surrounded by equestrian ranches and the National Forest, just 7 miles east of the Big Bear Village. Escape from the traffic and congestion of the city - where the pavement ends and the "Real West" begins. Open year 'round with a variety of horse rides with something to suit everyone.
33. Catalina Flyer - Head out to explore Catalina for the day or enjoy a weekend away! 
34. Newport Beach Whale Watching - Rent a private yacht or be part of a group tour. Select from several whale watching cruise times daily beginning the end of February, running through the summer months. Our whale watching & dolphin cruises view giant blue whales, finback whales, gray whales, humpback whales, minke whales, several species of dolphin and more.
35. Magic Mountain - Have fun on roller coasters for the day! Individual tickets and passes available for purchase at the park. Tickets purchased from their website may cost less, so advanced planning may save you some money.
36.  Disneyland - Enjoy the happiest place on earth with advance ticket purchase & planning. Be sure to plan dates, parks you want to visit, and learn about the Genie pass to get on rides faster!
37.  Knotts - Enjoy the Peanuts Gang, rides, famous fried chicken and the Boysenberry Festival at Knotts starting March 10th! 
38. Universal Studios - Enjoy the brand new Super Nintendo World along with Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, The Secret Lives of Pets, Minion Mayhem and behind the scenes studio tour.  
39. Legoland - With more than 60 rides, attractions and shows, you will find something fun for everyone!  
40. Sea World - Rides, roller coasters, indoor and outdoor animal attractions. The Seven Seas Food Festival begins March 3, 2023. 
41. Sky Park at Santa's Village - Open 7 days a week with a bike park, fly fishing, hiking, skating, ax throwing, archery, train rides, pan for gold and so much more in Skyforest. This is a place where there is family fun for all ages.  
42. Giddy Up Ranch - A fun ranch in Phelan offers pony rides camel rides and a petting zoo. Bass Pro Shop in Racho Cucamonga has Giddy Up Ranch bring their animals when they offer outdoor events. 
43. Sugarplum Farm and Chocolate Shoppe - Visit a full exotic animal zoo and artisan chocolate shoppe in Temecula run by a former MasterChef competitor.
44. Southern California Railway Museum - Take a weekend train or trolly ride and visit a train museum in Perris. The Museum also offers seasonal events such as the Dino Train and STEAM Festival, BBQ Boots & Brews, Antique Truck Show, Day out with Thomas and the Polar Express. 
45. Irvine Park Railroad - Head to Irvine for a full day of family fun - bike, paddleboat and horse rentals, pony rides, and more. 
46. Oasis Camel Farm - Head to Ramona, to visit, ride and feed camels.
47. GPS Adventures Knowledge Quest - Take your own adventure and head to Orange County for your personal adventure quest. Created by a naturalist and science teacher - this is a year-long field trip of adventure and hands-on exploring. From the website: The GPS Adventures Knowledge Quest is a real-life simulation of a Natural History based knowledge quest that is fun for the whole family. Instead of the character playing online, they play in real-life, using real places in Orange County, California to fulfill their quests and advance to the "next level". Upon Signing up, you will be granted access to Level 0 within 24 hours. Once you complete level 0, Access to page 1 will open up, So on and so forth till you conquer all 6 levels. Once you complete all the levels successfully, you will be given a coordinate
    to find your buried treasure.
48. Zoomars at River Street Ranch  - Take a day trip to San Juan Capistrano to see guinea pigs, goats, and sheep, Enjoy train rides, pony rides, mining for gold, and more!
49. Mission San Juan Capistrano - Studying missions this year? -or not. Take a trip to visit this cultural destination filled with history and exploration. 
50. Underwood Farms - With locations in Moorpark or Somis, take a drive to pick your own in-season fruits and vegetables.
51. LA Arboretum - Enjoy a day outdoors exploring the beautiful gardens in Arcadia 
52. Aquarium of the Pacific - Discover all our exhibits, including sea otters, sharks, sea jellies, frogs, and more in our Tropical, Northern, and Southern California/Baja Galleries. Online purchased timed tickets or advanced reservations are required for weekends and holidays. They are recommended for weekday visits.
53. Ocean Institute- Take a whale-watching boat tour (during select months)and explore marine life up close in Dana Point. With group field trips and homeschool experiences available.
54. The Flower Fields in Carlsbad - Tickets on sale now! North San Diego’s world-renowned spring experience for the past 40 years – the blooming of 50-acres of ranunculus flowers at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad opens March 1st. 
55. San Diego Zoo & Safari Park - Head to San Diego for a fun day at the zoo or animal park. 
56. Santa Barbara Zoo - Take a mini-vacation to Santa Barbara and visit their amazing zoo. Tickets must be purchased online and are timed entry so plan ahead before you go!
57. Butterfly Farms - Simply put this place is a butterfly sanctuary!  Learn, see, and ask questions with butterfly experts in Encinitas. ndividuals and families are welcome to visit Butterfly Farms daily April 15th through November 15th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Docents are available to answer questions and give guidance.
58. Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark - Head to Needles and explore Amboy Crater - one of the youngest volcanic fields in the United States! Formed of ash and cinders, it's 250 feet high and 1,500 feet in diameter. Bring plenty of water and snacks for a picnic and hiking trail to the rim with rest stations along the way. 
59. Santa Margarita County Preserve - Discover this beautiful trail and escape to Fallbrook where you'll see nature in its purest form.
60. USS Midway -  Visit a historical naval aircraft carrier museum located in downtown San Diego at Navy Pier. Come see history up close and learn from veterans and volunteers who love the ship's rich history.
61. Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center -  Visit one of the last few tidal wetlands in Southern California. This nature preserve in Carlsbad provides a natural environment and habitats for birds, insects, plants, fish, mammals, sea anemones, sponges, corals, sea stars, sea urchins, worms, crabs, and many more!
62. South Coast Botanic Gardens - Now through July 31st come SOAR through their butterfly pavilion where you’ll see butterflies in every stage of the life cycle, watch them in their natural habitat, and, if you’re lucky, have a personal encounter with one!
63. Kidspace Children's Museum - Kidspace is a nonprofit museum designed to delight and engage children emotionally, intellectually, and physically through joyful, kid-driven experiences. We invite all children to play, discover, create, thrive, and to explore the world with curiosity and kindness. Right now it's butterfly season! Go on a bug safari, create-a-caterpillar, help with a flower shower, dress up in our fantasy flutter-by play, and adopt a live caterpillar. Take a spin in our giant tops! Come see what the buzz is about through March 31, 2023! 
64. Visit the SoCal tidepools! Explore the world of tide pools with your kids! We love taking a trip to the beach and spending the day bringing the underwater world to life. From sea anemones to starfish, beautiful coral, hermit crabs, sea urchins, and more, tide pools have it all!  Your kids will be able to see the mini-ecosystems of marine life that they have only been able to read about in books.
    Fortunately, living in Southern California, we have a ton of beaches to choose from with year-round access! Plan a day to explore some of our "Macaroni Moms Approved" top tide pool beach picks.