There’s nothing like a family vacation to reset from the chaos of daily life.
Finding an ideal spot for relaxation that fits the needs of the family, however, can be tricky.
A new report from Wander, a luxury vacation rental company, may make that task a bit easier.
Wander ranked the happiest family vacation destination in the nation — and, good news for Californians who want to stick close to home, San Diego topped the list, and San Francisco made it into the top 10.
Here’s what else families should know about Wander’s report.
What was Wander’s methodology?
To determine the happiest family vacation destinations, Wander assessed cities across the nation using several factors, including:
Wander then took averages for each of the above factors to determine a city’s ranking.
What were the top 10 destinations?
Here are the top 10 happiest destinations for a family vacation, along with their overall score:
What makes San Diego the top destination?
With an overall score of 9.8 out of 10, San Diego ranks in as the happiest vacation destination for families in the nation.
Wander highlighted the following as reasons the city topped the list:
Additionally, unlike other congested areas of California, San Diego is easier to navigate because of its larger size, which supports its ranking for happiness, Wander said.
The city also features more than 400 child-friendly attractions, including museums, zoos, aquariums, and amusement parks.
What is there do with the family in San Diego?
“San Diego is a city that enables families to explore at their own pace,” Mat Kowalewski, Wander’s chief of staff, said in a news release.
Kowalewski pointed to Balboa Park, where families can visit gardens, museums and the San Diego Zoo, which are all within walking distance of one another.
“You can plan a full day of activities and get your steps in,” Kowalewski said.
Kowalewski also recommended La Jolla as a stop for families visiting San Diego.
“You can spot sea lions, explore coastal trails, or enjoy a relaxing day building sandcastles on the beach,” Kowalewski said.
The city is also home to SeaWorld and is a short distance from Legoland in Carlsbad. Families can also enjoy the Birch Aquarium at Scripps and Old Town San Diego.
What makes San Francisco a top destination?
San Francisco made the top 10 of Wander’s list with a score of 8.83 out of 10.
While San Francisco does poorly on the time-lost-to-traffic factor, scoring nearly 50%, the city performs well in other areas.
What is there do with the family in San Francisco?
With shopping, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures, San Francisco has no shortage of things to do with the family.
Families can take a stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf.
“At its most popular attraction, Pier 39, happy barks from dozens of sea lions lounging on floating docks mingle with the chatter of excited tourists,” VisitCalifornia said.
You can also find Aquarium of the Bay at the edge of Pier 39. Families will also want to visit the hands-on children’s science museum, The Exploratorium at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero, about a 10-minute streetcar ride from Fisherman’s Wharf or a brisk 15-minute walk.
For families with a sweet tooth, you can stop by the historic Ghirardelli Square, where they will find the original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop, about 10 minutes from Pier 39 — but in the opposite direction of The Exploratorium, for planning purposes.
Families can also enjoy a culture walk through the South of Market (SoMa).
“No San Francisco vacation with kids is complete without a trip to the Yerba Buena Gardens, a sprawling esplanade featuring landscaped lawns, public art, and children’s play spaces,” VisitCalifornia says. “It serves as a backyard to numerous nearby attractions, including a year-round skating rink, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and the Children’s Creativity Museum, where kids 12 and under can enjoy hands-on multimedia and technology experiences.”
When in San Francisco, you also can’t forget to find your inner hippie with a hangout in Haight-Ashbury.
“Take your kids on a trip through San Francisco history, reliving the peace, love, and music that the blossoming neighborhood became known for during the 1960s flower power era,” VisitCalifornia said.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California has two of the happiest family vacation spots. Here’s where
Reporting by Daniella Segura, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
