Who doesn’t want to experience the California dream? There are hundreds of different ways to do it. With only 8 days free for our Christmas break, we had to create a plan for each day allowing us to sample a little of everything. With two teenage children and one adult here’s what we did. I hope this helps give you some ideas on how you can plan your California trip 🙂

Day 1: Arrive in Los Angeles & Settle In

We flew with Virgin Atlantic from the UK. The flight was so easy and Virgin know exactly how to look after you on these frequent flights. On arrival we collected our rental car from Alamo and set off into the LA night heading towards our chosen hotel – The Garland.

What to Do: Touch down in the City of Angels and kick off your adventure in style! Fly from London to Los Angeles (LAX) with Virgin Atlantic, known for its comfy seats and great service. The direct flight takes about 11 hours, and you’ll land at LAX, ready to start your journey. Pick up your rental car from Alamo at the airport—having your own wheels is a game-changer in sprawling LA. Drive to The Garland, a chic, family-friendly hotel in North Hollywood with retro vibes, a lush pool, and cozy rooms. The meals are amazing and it has a really friendly and safe atmosphere.

Why The Garland? It’s close to Universal Studios, has free shuttles to the park, and offers a relaxed base for your LA adventures. Plus, its courtyard and on-site restaurant, The Front Yard, are perfect for unwinding. The rooms are a good size and the large beds are so comfortable. We had a balcony and there is good parking for your hire car.

Average Costs:

• Flight with Virgin Atlantic (round-trip, economy): ~£500–£800 per person (book early for deals via virginatlantic.com).
• Car rental with Alamo (mid-size SUV, 8 days): ~£350–£500, including taxes and fees (check alamo.com for real-time quotes).
• The Garland (per night, double room): ~£150–£250, depending on season (thegarland.com).

Pro Tip: Book your flight and car rental as a package with Virgin Atlantic Holidays for potential savings. After checking in, grab dinner at The Front Yard or explore nearby eateries in North Hollywood.

Day 2: Universal Studios Hollywood

What to Do: Get ready for a day of movie magic at Universal Studios Hollywood! Just a 5-minute drive or free shuttle ride from The Garland, the original Universal theme park is a top of the list choice for teenagers and families. It is smaller than the Orlando park and this gives it a slightly more approachable feel – less walking too ! The Super Mario land had just opened and we got to enjoy that, but the big winners for us were The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Studio Tour to see real film sets.

Average Costs:

• Universal Studios tickets (1-day, general admission): ~£85–£120 per person (higher in peak seasons like summer or holidays). Express Passes (~£150–£200) can save time if it’s busy.

Pro Tip: Buy tickets online in advance at universalstudioshollywood.com or with Virgin to save a few quid and avoid long queues. Pack snacks to cut costs, but splurge on a Butterbeer in Hogsmeade—it’s worth it!

Day 3: Griffith Observatory & taking in the local sights of Hollywood

We wanted to wander around and just enjoy some of the local area. We weren’t far from the Griffith Observatory and had heard great things about it.

What to Do: Head to Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park, about a 10-minute drive from The Garland. This iconic spot offers jaw-dropping views of the LA skyline and the Hollywood Sign, plus free admission to explore its planetarium and telescopes. Check out the Tesla live show – it’s amazing. Teens will love the interactive exhibits and there is lots to discover about the stars above us. . Afterward, take a short drive to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and grab a pancake at an IHop perhaps.

Average Costs:

• Griffith Observatory: Free entry (parking ~£5–£10 per hour). Planetarium shows are ~£7–£10 per person.
• Lunch in Hollywood (casual dining): ~£10–£20 per person.

Pro Tip: Hike the trails in Griffith Park for a closer view of the Hollywood Sign—wear comfy shoes and bring water! For dinner, try a nearby spot like In-N-Out Burger for a classic California meal (~£8–£12 per person).

Day 4: Disney California Adventure Park

Disney has two parks in California. Disneyland Park being the original and Disney California Adventure Park, offering faster rides and a more grown up feel. We only had time for one park and so chose this one.

What to Do: Drive ~45 minutes from The Garland to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim for a day at Disney California Adventure Park, perfect for teens craving thrills. Dive into Avengers Campus, race through Cars Land, or scream on the Incredicoaster. The park’s Pixar Pier and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are huge hits with older kids. A 1-day Park Hopper ticket lets you explore both Disneyland Park and California Adventure if you want double the fun.

Average Costs:

• Disney California Adventure 1-day ticket: ~£100–£150 per person (parkhopper.com or disneyland.disney.go.com). Park Hopper tickets (~£130–£180) give access to both parks.
• Parking at Disneyland: ~£25–£35 per day.

Pro Tip: Book tickets online and arrive early to hit major rides like The Incredibles rollercoaster (Incredicoaster) before lines build. Use the Disneyland app for real-time wait times and mobile food ordering to save time.

Day 5: Drive to Joshua Tree & Airstream Stay

One of the things we wanted to include in our trip was a visit to the desert. We found out about Autocamp and booked through booking.com. It was such a cool night and I’m sure we could hear the Coyotes at night ! It was the perfect place to stay before a morning hike around Joshua Tree National Park itself. By the way, the navigation app Waze was kind of vital for helping us find everything !

What to Do: Pack up and hit the road for a ~2.5-hour drive to Joshua Tree National Park, a desert wonderland with surreal landscapes and starry skies. Check into AutoCamp Joshua Tree, where you’ll stay in a retro-cool Airstream trailer—think glamping with Wi-Fi, comfy beds, and a communal fire pit with toasted marshmallows. Spend the afternoon exploring the park’s trails, like the Barker Dam loop, or just soak in the desert vibes if you travel in the morning or wake up fresh the next day to beat the crowds.

Average Costs:

• AutoCamp Joshua Tree (per night, Airstream for 2–4 people): ~£150–£300, depending on season (autocamp.com).
• Joshua Tree National Park entry: ~£25 per vehicle (valid for 7 days).
• Fuel for round-trip drive (LAX to Joshua Tree): ~£30–£50 (based on mid-size SUV).

Pro Tip: Bring snacks and water for the park—there are limited food options inside. At night, stargaze at AutoCamp and enjoy the stillness.

Day 6: Burbank Stroll & Shopping

We wanted to do a little thrift store shopping too and had read about the Burbank area for some great shops.

What to Do: Drive back to LA (~2.5 hours) and spend a relaxed day in Burbank, just minutes from The Garland. Stroll the Downtown Burbank area along San Fernando Boulevard, packed with quirky shops, cafes, and the massive Burbank Town Center mall. Teens will love browsing stores like Hot Topic or catching a movie at the AMC. Grab lunch at a local spot like Porto’s Bakery for delicious Cuban pastries.

Average Costs:

• Lunch at Porto’s Bakery or similar: ~£8–£15 per person.
• Shopping (souvenirs, casual purchases): ~£20–£50 per person, depending on your splurge level.

Pro Tip: Check out Magnolia Boulevard for vintage shops and record stores for a unique vibe. If you’re into pop culture, swing by Dark Delicacies for spooky books and merch.

Day 7: Santa Monica Pier & Whale Watching

The Californian coast is an ideal spot for Whale Watching. We went with Newport Whales as we liked their approach to being kind to the wildlife. It was amazing to get out onto the Pacific Ocean for a boat trip and we did see some Whales and so many Dolphins ! The team we so friendly and work with other local Whale spotters to increase your chances of getting lucky. Then we headed back via Santa Monica Pier for a look and something to eat.

What to Do: Start your day with the easy drive to Newport Beach for a whale-watching tour with Newport Whales (newportwhales.com). These 2–3-hour tours offer a chance to spot gray whales, dolphins and it’s an amazing buzz to be out on the Ocean. Then when you’ve had a slice of Pizza somewhere in the neighbourhood, head over to The iconic Santa Monica Pier – Ride the Ferris wheel, play arcade games, or just soak up the vibes. Then when you’re done, its a 20-minute drive back to The Garland.

Average Costs:

• Santa Monica Pier (parking, rides, games): ~£10–£30 per person.
• Whale-watching tour with Newport Whales: ~£30–£50 per person (book online for discounts).
• Fuel for round-trip drive to Newport: ~£15–£25.

Pro Tip: Book your whale-watching tour in advance of your trip and give yourself time to enjoy the pier. Wear layers—the boat can get chilly!

Day 8: Lakers Game

We booked our tickets before our trip on Ticketmaster.com. The seats were fairly high up in the arena and the Lakers lost the game, but that did not change how we felt about this epic night.

What to Do: Wrap up your trip with a bang by catching a Los Angeles Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena, a ~20-minute drive from The Garland. Watching LeBron James (if he’s still playing!) and the Lakers in action is a bucket-list experience for sports fans. Check the NBA schedule on nba.com for game times, as they vary.

Average Costs:

• Lakers game tickets (mid-range seats): ~£50–£150 per person (ticketmaster.com or nba.com, prices vary by opponent and seat).
• Parking at Crypto.com Arena: ~£15–£30.

Pro Tip: Arrive early to the arena to grab merch or snacks.

Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Approx.) This was a fairly high budget trip, a bucket list approach. There are obviously lots of ways to adapt to suit your own budget.

• Flights (round-trip): £500–£800
• The Garland (7 nights, shared double room): £525–£875
• AutoCamp Joshua Tree (1 night, shared): £75–£150
• Car rental (shared, 8 days): £100–£150
• Universal Studios tickets: £85–£120
• Disney California Adventure tickets: £100–£150
• Joshua Tree park entry (shared): £5–£10
• Griffith Observatory (parking, shows): £5–£20
• Santa Monica Pier activities: £10–£30
• Whale watching: £30–£50
• Lakers game: £50–£150
• Food (daily, casual dining): £30–£50 x 8 days = £240–£400
• Fuel and parking: £50–£100
• Total (per person): ~£1,775–£2,935

Note: Costs are estimates based on 2025 rates from sources like virginatlantic.com, universalstudioshollywood.com, disneyland.disney.go.com, autocamp.com, newportwhales.com, and ticketmaster.com. Prices vary by season, so check sites for real-time quotes.

Final Tips for Your California Adventure

• Best Time to Go: Spring (March–May) or fall (September–October) for mild weather and fewer crowds. Avoid peak summer or holidays for better prices and shorter lines.
• Pack Smart: Bring sunscreen, comfy shoes for theme parks, and layers for cooler desert nights or coastal breezes.
• Plan Ahead: Book flights, accommodations, and tickets early to lock in deals. Use apps like Expedia or Virgin Atlantic Holidays for package options.
• Drive Safely: LA traffic can be intense—use Google Maps or Waze for real-time navigation. Parking at attractions can add up, so budget for it.

This 8-day trip blends the best of LA’s urban buzz, theme park thrills, desert serenity, and coastal charm. Whether you’re snapping selfies at the Hollywood Sign, screaming on roller coasters, or spotting whales off Newport, you’ll head home with memories to last a lifetime. So, grab your shades, crank up the playlist, and get ready to cruise California’s highways!

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