Family Weekend Trips from LAX by Plane: Where to Go with Kids in 48 Hours

Weekend trips with kids require a different set of rules. The flight needs to be short (meltdown prevention). The hotel needs a pool (non-negotiable). The destination needs things that adults enjoy too (or it's not a vacation, it's just parenting in a different zip code). Here are the LAX nonstop options that check every box.

San Diego (1 hour)

The best family weekend trip from LAX. The flight is barely long enough for the seatbelt sign to turn off. The zoo is world-class. Coronado Beach has calm water and wide sand. The USS Midway Museum is surprisingly engaging for kids. Hotels near the Gaslamp have pools and walkable restaurants. Per person: $200-350.

Phoenix/Scottsdale (1.5 hours)

The pool is the activity. Find a hotel with a good one (many Scottsdale resorts have separate kids' pools with slides) and your children are entertained for 48 hours. The OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale is a solid rainy day backup (though rain is rare). Desert botanical gardens are surprisingly kid-friendly. Per person: $200-350.

Las Vegas (1 hour, yes really)

Vegas with kids is better than you'd think if you stay off the casino floor. The pool complexes at Mandalay Bay and Excalibur are huge. The High Roller observation wheel is a hit with all ages. Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is excellent. And the short flight means less kid-wrangling time. Per person: $150-300.

Denver (2.5 hours)

For families with older kids (8+) who like being outdoors. Red Rocks is a hike the whole family can do. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is engaging for hours. The 16th Street Mall has everything from candy stores to street performers. In winter, the skiing is 90 minutes from the airport. Per person: $250-400.

Salt Lake City (2 hours)

In winter, this is a ski trip. Park City and Snowbird both have excellent kids' programs. In summer, the hiking is family-friendly with well-maintained trails in the Wasatch Range. The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the best in the country. Per person: $250-400.

Tips for flying with kids on a weekend trip

Book the earliest Friday evening flight available so kids can sleep on the plane (or at least be tired enough to sit still). Southwest lets you board early with kids under 6. Pack twice the snacks you think you need. And keep the itinerary loose. Kids don't care about your restaurant reservation. They care about the pool.

Find family-friendly packages at LAX weekend trips.