Morning: Depart Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) on a morning flight to John Wayne Airport (SNA). The flight is about 1.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to arrive early afternoon.
Afternoon: Pick up a family-friendly rental car at the airport and drive to your Disneyland Resort hotel. Settle in and explore the hotel amenities.
Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner at Downtown Disney while the kids unwind after travel.
Find HotelsMorning: Start the day at Disneyland Park, focusing on Fantasyland attractions like “Peter Pan’s Flight” and “It’s a Small World” for the younger kids.
Afternoon: Head over to Disney California Adventure to experience “Toy Story Mania!” and “The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure”. Take a break at the “Carthay Circle Restaurant” for lunch.
Evening: Watch the spectacular fireworks show over Sleeping Beauty Castle, then return to the hotel for a good night’s rest.
Find HotelsMorning: Check out of the hotel and drive north on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at Huntington Beach for a quick beach walk.
Afternoon: Continue to Laguna Beach, explore the tide pools at Heisler Park, and have lunch at a family‑friendly café.
Evening: Arrive in San Diego, check into a centrally located hotel, and enjoy dinner at the Seaport Village waterfront.
Find HotelsMorning: Visit the world‑renowned San Diego Zoo, focusing on the children’s zoo and panda exhibit.
Afternoon: Explore Balboa Park’s museums and playgrounds, and have a picnic on the grassy lawns.
Evening: Stroll through the historic Gaslamp Quarter, grabbing a family‑style dinner at a kid‑friendly restaurant.
Find HotelsMorning: Enjoy a leisurely brunch at the hotel before heading to the USS Midway Museum for a hands‑on naval adventure.
Afternoon: Celebrate Thanksgiving with a special feast at Corvette Diner, offering a fun atmosphere and kids’ menu.
Evening: Take a sunset walk along Coronado Beach**, letting the kids build sandcastles before returning to the hotel for a cozy night.
Find HotelsMorning: Spend a relaxed morning at La Jolla Cove**, spotting sea lions and tide‑pooling.
Afternoon: Visit the interactive Birch Aquarium and enjoy a light lunch at the on‑site café.
Evening: Return the rental car at San Diego Airport and have a final dinner at Old Town San Diego before packing.
Find HotelsTo extend the trip, add an extra day in San Diego to visit SeaWorld or take a day cruise to nearby Coronado Island. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip the coastal drive and fly directly from SNA to SAN on Nov 23, using a rideshare for the short local travel, which will also reduce accommodation costs.