City Action and Island Chill: Family Fun in Los Angeles and Hawaii

It’s your first full day in Los Angeles, so make sure the family is fuelled with a hearty breakfast. Included in your itinerary today is a guided group tour of Warner Studios where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the sets from your favourite TV series and films, from Friends to Harry Potter. Lasting three hours, your small group will be guided around the busiest working studio in LA, so keep your eyes peeled for famous faces.

The rest of the day is yours to fill, and with so much of the city to see, it’s time to explore. Head to the palm tree-lined beach in Santa Monica for family fun or take the little ones on a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame for some celeb name-spotting. Los Angeles is renowned for its foodie scene, so whichever neighbourhoods you explore, you’ll never be far from a delicious bite to eat. Our Dossier is there to help if you’re stuck for choice, filled with recommendations of tried-and-tested restaurants all over the city. Once you’ve returned to your hotel and the children have been put to bed, unwind in the peace and quiet of the courtyard.

Thrill-seekers assemble, as today you’ve got a full day’s pass to Hollywood’s famous Universal Studios. Since 1915, the studios have been used for film and TV, but its amusement park is just as much of an attraction. Hop on one of the many themed rollercoasters for a rush of adrenaline and explore the studio grounds on foot or aboard a small train. Get up close and personal with sets from classic blockbusters such as Jaws, Terminator and Back to the Future.

After a fun-filled day of activities, soak up the last of the day’s Californian sunshine while lounging poolside. It’s your final night in LA, so we recommend exploring another neighbourhood and its plentiful eateries. Head Downtown to the historic Grand Central Market or the coast for a beachfront dinner. If your little ones (or you) feel sleepy after the day’s adventures, you needn’t stray far; your hotel also offers wonderful eating options.

This morning is your last chance to discover the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. There’s still plenty to see in this glorious city, whether you catch some culture at the Getty Center, marvel at the Hollywood sign or cruise Venice Beach by bike.

Back at your hotel, make sure your bags are packed, as the next leg of your trip begins this afternoon. You’ll catch a six-hour flight to Honolulu, Oahu, a mere 2,390 miles from the Californian coast. Get the children excited with our Hawaii-themed fun packs, the perfect entertainment during the flight. Touching down later this evening, your island-hopping Hawaiian adventure begins. You’ll be privately transferred to your hotel which is your home for the next four nights, located on the shores of one of the world’s most famous beaches, Waikiki. You’ll be tired from a day of travelling, so settle into your comfortable rooms for a restful night’s sleep.

Wake up to views over the glittering Pacific Ocean and enjoy a leisurely morning in your hotel (if your youngsters let you), before getting stuck into island life – the next three days are yours to explore. Your base in Waikiki Beach, the birthplace of modern surfing culture, is right in the middle of the action. For your first day, we recommend discovering one of Oahu’s 125 beaches – including the one on your doorstep – and diving straight into the cyan-blue waters of the Pacific. From the thundering waves of the North Shore to the serene Hanauma Bay, there’s a beach to match every mood. The island is a snorkeller’s paradise, so get kitted up and uncover the underwater world below. Hawaii is the ultimate destination for water sports, so there’s no better place to try your hand at activities like kitesurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Island life continues on your second day, so get up early and seize the sunny day. Hawaii showcases Mother Nature at her best, so don’t miss the spectacular views from the Diamond Head Crater summit or the lush tropical landscapes of the Botanical Gardens. And if the ocean is calling you, get back out into the deep blue on an afternoon boat tour around the island, where you can see Oahu’s volcanic geography in all its ridged green glory. Just don’t forget to lather on the sun cream.

While we’re sure you won’t be bored of the island’s white sandy beaches and abundant flora, the metropolis of Honolulu is teeming with cultural activities to get involved in, too. For history buffs, the Pearl Harbor Museum and the regal Iolani Palace are must-sees, and make sure to consult our Dossier for insider recommendations on the best places to eat and drink. This is your third and final full day on Oahu, so savour the panoramic views of dramatic mountains and lapping turquoise waves.

Enjoy your final morning on Waikiki Beach before your short 35-minute flight to Kahului, Maui, the second-largest island in the state. Upon arrival, pick up your hire car, strap into your seatbelts and get our destination-specific playlist blaring. Meander along the scenic coast for 40 minutes towards your hotel in Kaanapali, following the built-in GPS service on our app.

Your hotel for the next four nights provides a stylish beachside base to rest your head, complete with unbeatable ocean views over the Maui’s west coast and the islands Lanai and Molokai. Settle in as your children splash around in the hotel pool, then set out to explore the secluded stretch of beach in front of your hotel and amble over to one of the restaurants nearby for some traditional Hawaiian food in the evening.

In Kaanapali, life’s a beach. And for the next three days, you can have your pick of some of the best on the island. Gather the little ones and hop in your car for an enticing island adventure. Don’t miss the tranquil waters of Napili Bay and Kapalua Beach, and we recommend making a stop in the colourful seafront town of Lahaina for a seafood lunch. Like Oahu, Maui is no stranger to dramatic scenery and wonderful hiking, so drive the family inland to the central Iao Valley for a lush green contrast to the vast ocean.

On your second day, we’ve arranged for the family to join a group surf lesson. It’s a race to see who can stand up on their board first, so pay attention. Learn all the fundamentals of surfing in this beginner's session, and you’ll be catching waves in no time. Your surf school even guarantees you’ll be surfing after one lesson – or the next lesson is free of charge – so, no excuses. Besides surfing, there are many other aquatic activities to get involved with. Harnessing your newly ignited passion for water sports, now’s your chance to experience the likes of parasailing, scuba diving or canoeing.

Chill out for your final day in Kaanapali, or if the youngsters fancy one last memorable experience on land, go horse riding above the clouds up towards Haleakula Volcano. In the evening, sample the last of your favourite island cuisine and watch the sun setting over the ocean.

This morning, it’s time to pack up the car and head to Kahului airport for your flight to Los Angeles. Enjoy a scenic drive to the airport, stopping for a panoramic picnic en route. Drop off your faithful rental car and relax before your five-hour afternoon flight back to LA. Once you’ve touched down, you’ll be transferred to Huntington Beach, a 40-minute drive south into Orange County. For the next three nights, you’ll stay in a Mediterranean-inspired hotel on the oceanfront, so cosy up for a restful sleep listening to the soothing sounds of the sea.

The next two days are yours to explore Huntington’s ten miles of pristine coastline. You’ll be glad you learned the ropes in your surf lesson a few days ago, as Huntington Beach has earned the nickname ‘Surf City’ for its ideal year-round surfing conditions. Where better to improve your skills and stroll along the golden sands? Huntington epitomises Californian cool, so make sure you explore the downtown area for a taster of the lifestyle, too. This evening, gather around the beach fire pit with the whole family for some s’mores as you watch the sunset over the pier and vast Pacific beyond.

Your holiday ends on a high today, as your itinerary includes a one-day hopper ticket to Disneyland California’s two incredible theme parks. Located a 40-minute drive inland in Anaheim, strap in (to a roller coaster seat) for a jam-packed day discovering the magic of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Watch your family’s favourite movies come to life as you venture into otherworldly lands like Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Adventureland. There are countless attractions, entertainment and rides to make today a highlight of your trip, so make sure to nab a souvenir or two before you leave. After prising the youngsters away from the dream-fuelled Disney Parks, it’s time to return to your hotel to enjoy a final dinner and pack your bags one last time.