When you say Disney in LA, you're really talking about two parks: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. They are right next to each other, and when most people think about Disney, they think about the original Disneyland Park. However, I recently enjoyed a full day at Disney California Adventure Park with my family and I have to say, this sometimes overlooked park is a blast with kids. With Pixar Pier, Grizzly Peak, Avengers Campus, and Cars Land, this may be blasphemy, but I find California Adventure Park easily as much fun as Disneyland!

Read on for tips on what to see and where to eat at Disney California Adventure Park. For more theme park fun for kids of all ages, from the newest of them all for toddlers—Sesame Place San Diego—to the most thrilling—Six Flags Magic Mountain—we've got the scoop on all of SoCal's favorite amusement parks in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.

Raise your hand if you've never explored the Eastern Sierra region. It's most of us, right? On our personal quest to visit all the National Parks in our state, my family and I have explored the otherworldly Joshua Tree, sailed to the Channel Islands, hiked through Sequoia and Kings Canyon, spotted California condors at Pinnacles, and of course, been mesmerized by the majesty of Yosemite. But all this traveling had been done on the west side of the Sierra Nevada, never on the east. We didn’t try the eastern route until recently, and now I want everyone to know how gorgeous this part of California is, and what a fun road trip the Eastern Sierras region is for the whole family.

Need more ideas for gorgeous family road trips in California? We've rounded up 25 Epic California Road Trip Ideas for Families, and have detailed guides to some of our favorite stops, like Lake Tahoe and Death Valley National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park’s annual visitor count has grown by a million in the last decade. It’s no wonder: the place has a very special charm, attracting globetrotters and locals alike who come to stargaze and spend time in the wilderness. Exploring huge rock formations in a Dr. Seuss-kind of landscape has never been more fun for city kids itching for time outdoors. After a few trips to Joshua Tree National Park with my family, I’ve come to love not only the desert, but the quirky towns that surround the park and the Old West history now being reinvented by the hipster culture. 

In the past, we’ve camped or stayed at fun hotels for families in and around Joshua Tree. Recently, though, we opted to try the new place in town: AutoCamp Joshua Tree. Read on for the scoop on this new Airstream glamping experience. 

Looking for more ideas for Joshua Tree camping, glamping, and even hotels? Check out our Hiking and Camping Guide for Los Angeles Families. We've got loads of suggestions for family camping trips and other Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from Los Angeles.