The 9 Father-Son Trips to Plan for Every Personality Type

There’s no bad time to pack your bags and head on a father-son trip (or father-daughter trip)—be it Father’s Day, his birthday, or just because. Whether you’re a duo who loves to embark on adventures in the great outdoors, admire vintage cars at iconic fairs, or tour historic music venues, these father-son trips will definitely leave you with awesome memories you’ll cherish forever.

The Father-Son Getaways to Plan this Year

Gift your dad the best California-made gift there is—a trip you'll both love. Bond over bucket-list experiences, try something you never have before, and take a trip down memory lane on a father-son vacation you won’t forget any time soon.

1. The Best Father-Son Trip for Adrenaline Junkies

Bridge To Nowhere, Azusa

You’d think that the Bridge to Nowhere is for father-son duos who love mystery, but you’ll find outdoor sports enthusiasts heading to this place to try a variety of cool activities. Hiking, biking, and swimming are a given here. But the one thrill-seeking experience that draws people to this place is bungee jumping. Sign up for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something neither of you has done before—this adventurous father-son trip idea will get your adrenaline pumping.

2. Father-Son Trip Idea for Adventurers

Yosemite National Park

A getaway to Yosemite National Park is simply a must-have experience. And if you haven’t been yet, embarking on a father-son getaway to this beautiful haven of geological wonders is an awesome idea. Check out the waterfalls, camp out in the wilderness, make barbecues, and enjoy views you’ve only seen on your IG feed. You’ll have plenty of time and opportunities to go off the grid and make new memories with your dad away from the hustle and bustle of city life. And oh, make sure you hike to Yosemite Falls—you won’t regret it.  

3. Father and Son Trip For Wildlife Enthusiasts

Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is all about experiencing the wilderness. Not only is the 7,000-plus acre park a great destination for hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and climbing, but it also has a rich wildlife habitat you'll love discovering. If you two love discovering animals in their natural habitat, this father-son vacation won’t disappoint. See reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fascinating land mammals as you explore the ins and outs of this state park near L.A.

4. The Best Father and Son Trip for Surfers

Huntington Beach

Does your dad regularly reminisce about the days he spent doing nothing but riding the waves? He definitely won’t say no to going on a father-son getaway to Surf City U.S.A. While catching great swells is a no-brainer, you’ll also amount to many other fun activities. Go kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, and check out the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum while you’re at it. Have a grand time reveling in surf culture with your dad just like “the good old days”—that’s so gnarly, dude.  

5. Father-Son vacation for Foodies

Los Angeles

Every tourist in the book has visited the City of Angels. Awesome downtown districts, great shopping opportunities, white sand beaches, and, of course, a food scene to die for. Thanks to the cultural and ethnic diversity of its residents, Los Angeles offers authentic eateries in probably every cuisine imaginable. So, if you and your dad like to try new foods and sample different dishes, L.A. is where your father-son trip should take place.

Think beachside casual bites, Mexi-Cali comfort digs, the freshest sushi around, and vintage diner food—La La Land has it all. Try one of the new frozen yogurt joints and dine at the restaurant owned by that one celebrity chef you keep hearing about—your stomach will thank you.  

6. The Best Father-Son Getaway for Movie Lovers

Pioneertown

Many of the world’s most beautiful filming locations can be found right here in the Golden State. And if you’re a movie buff, you’ve probably been to a few of them already. Drive four miles northwest from Yucca Valley and you’ll find Pioneertown in all its kitschy, Old West-inspired desert glory. While it’s not particularly pretty or glamorous in any sense, this strange town is an iconic location you’ll love to discover on your father-son trip.

Established for the sole purpose of becoming a living and breathing movie set in the 1940s, Pioneertown was where the cast and crew of Western movies could work and play without traveling far from L.A. Today, it’s merely a ghost town, but you’ll still find operating movie sets, the famous Pioneertown Motel, old-timey saloons, and more attractions when you visit.

7. Father-Son Trip for a Golfing Duo

Torrey Pines, San Diego

California is home to some of the world's best and most scenic golf courses. Golfers from all over the world mark these locations as bucket list-worthy destinations they’d like to play at one day. And if you and your father are regular golfers, you most likely have a dream California golf course in mind. Seize this Father’s Day to take a father-son vacation to Torrey Pines Golf Course if you haven’t been yet. This expansive property is owned by the city of San Diego and is hosting the 2021 U.S. Open. So, no matter if you play or watch, you’ll trace the steps of old and current golfing legends on a memorable father-son trip.

8. Father and Son Trip for Vintage Car Fanatics

Pebble Beach, Monterey

Whether you're collectors or just admirers, you’ll love going back in time at a classic car show. Luckily for you, one of the world’s best car shows happens right under your nose on the Central Coast. The Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance is an annual event held on the third Sunday in August, bringing approximately 200 collector cars and motorcycles to the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Prior to the concours, you can also participate in the tour d’elegance, auctions, and forum. Talk about an awesome, weekend-long father-son trip idea. Plan this trip, and you’ll definitely be the family favorite.

9. The Best Father-Son Getaway for Musician Connoisseurs 

San Francisco

While catching a live show hasn’t been a viable option for entertainment for the last year or so, there are other ways you and your dad can enjoy geeking out about music in California. One such thing is by visiting iconic music venues and learning about their impressive history. If you visit San Francisco, you’ll have two awesome venues to explore: The Fillmore and The Great American Music Hall.

Fillmore is credited to have launched a music movement in the 60s and 70s. Some of the most innovative musicians have performed here, including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Jimi Hendrix. On the other hand, as the oldest music club in the city, the Great American Music Hall has also hosted your dad’s (and probably also your) favorite musicians. Both venues are also slowly starting to host live acts, so if the date coincides, don’t miss out on seeing a show on your father-son getaway.