San Diego to Los Angeles, California
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At less than two hours, this drive is easy for parents and just long enough for the kids. Plus, both cities have beaches and fantastic attractions for the whole family, including the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California in nearby Carlsbad, and Disneyland in Anaheim, about an hour from L.A.
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New York City or Boston to Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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Whether you choose to stay in a shingled cottage or beachfront apartment, your kids will fall hard for the Cape. No trip here is complete without a visit to Mac's on the Pier in Wellfleet, where you can gaze at the water and feast on whole belly clams. Exploring one of the Cape's kettle ponds, which families often have all to themselves, is also a must, as is checking out the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, home to five miles of trails and salt marshes.