Southern California Packing List: What Do You Need?
The area is known for beaches, theme parks, Hollywood, and great weather. With such a variety of things to do, what do you need to bring? What should be on your Southern California packing list?
What Should Be on Your Southern California Packing List?
1. Clothing
2. Accessories
3. Baby Items
4. Bathroom Essentials
5. Medications and First Aid
6. Documentation
7. Payment Methods
8. Miscellaneous Items
9. Theme Park Day Bag Packing
10. Beach Bag Packing
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Southern California Packing List
1. Clothing
Southern California Weather
Southern California generally has comfortable weather, but it gets both hot and cold. Check the weather at the time of your trip.
The averages are as follows:
Winter
Average High: Low 70s
Average Low: Low 50s
Spring
Average High: High 70s
Average Low: Mid-50s
Summer
Average High: Low 90s
Average Low: Low 60s
Fall
Average High: High 80s
Average Low: Low 60s
What to Pack for California
Pro tip: Pack laundry pods and do laundry during your trip. You just cut your luggage in half.
A. Shorts
B. T-shirts
C. Long-sleeved shirts
D. Pajamas
E. Socks
F. Gym shoes
G. Sandals or flip-flops
H. Bras
I. Underwear
J. Swimwear – Two per person. Hang the wet suits in the bathroom and rotate.
K. Pants
L. A jacket
What Not to Pack
A. Costumes – They are hot, bulky, and unnecessary.
B. Formal wear
C. Workout gear – Unless you’re actually going to work out.
D. A sewing kit
2. Accessories
What to Pack for a Trip to California
A. Ponchos
B. Sunglasses
C. Hats
D. Hair ties
E. Goggles
F. Harry Potter Interactive Wand (Universal Studios Hollywood only)
G. Magic bands (Disneyland only)
H. Floaties or lifejackets – For the beach only. Hotels will likely offer them.
What Not to Pack
A. A large selection of jewelry
3. Baby Items
Babies require a lot of junk, but you don’t need to pack things you can get at the hotel. When in doubt, call ahead to double-check.
What to Pack for Southern California
A. Formula and baby food
B. Bibs
C. Pacifiers
D. Sippy cups
E. Bottles
F. Diapers – Both regular and swim (but not more than you need).
G. Wipes
H. Stroller
I. Car seat – Unless offered by your ground transportation provider.
J. Breast pump and accessories
K. Dish soap and bottle washer
What Not to Pack
A. Pack and Play – Unless your hotel doesn’t have one, which is unlikely.
B. Baby monitor – Unless you’re in a giant room where you can’t easily hear your child.
C. High chair – Not worth it.
4. Toiletries and Bathroom Essentials
Pro tip: Purchase travel bottles to bring your favorite products in smaller quantities.
What to Include When Packing for California
A. Toothbrush
B. Toothpaste
C. Mouthwash
D. Floss
E. Hairbrush
F. Hair styling products
G. Glasses
H. Contact solution and extra contacts
I. Face wash
J. Makeup
K. Deodorant
L. Sunscreen
M. Razors
N. Shampoo – You only need this if it is not provided by the hotel or you need a special kind. Tear-free is probably not at the hotel.
O. Conditioner – Same criteria as the shampoo.
P. Body wash – If the hotel doesn’t provide it.
Q. Loofah
R. Cotton swabs
S. Tissue
T. Tweezers
V. Feminine hygiene products
W. Lotion – If you need a specific kind that the hotel doesn’t provide.
X. Hand sanitizer
Y. Nail file
Z. Chapstick
What Not to Pack
A. Nail clippers – Unless you’re going on a long trip.
B. Hair dryer – Confirm this, but it is almost definitely in the room already.
C. Anything you can get from the hotel
5. Medications and First Aid
What to Pack
A. Medications
B. Medical equipment
C. Vitamins
D. Motion sickness medicine – For theme parks
E. Pain relievers – For both adults and children.
F. Thermometer
G. BAND-AIDs
H. Antibacterial cream
What Not to Pack
A. Full bottles of anything
6. Important Documentation
You don’t have to print these items, but ensure you can access them on your phone.
What to Pack
B. Airline reservation confirmations and boarding passes
C. Hotel reservation confirmations
D. Rental car and ground transportation reservation confirmations
E. Identification for all travelers
F. Priority Pass card
G. Health insurance card
H. Proof of car insurance – If applicable.
I. Touring plans
What Not to Pack
A. Any unnecessary or duplicate documentation with your personal information
7. Methods of Payment
What to Pack
A. Credit cards
B. Cash – Use sparingly. Cash doesn’t earn travel points.
C. Disney Visa (Disneyland only)
D. Disney gift cards (Disneyland only)
What Not to Pack
A. A lot of cash
B. Debit card – Unless you might need to visit an ATM.
8. Miscellaneous
What to Pack
A. Travel entertainment
B. Snacks
D. Refillable cups and popcorn buckets (Theme parks only)
E. Cell phones and chargers
F. Portable cell phone charger
G. Cooling towels – Only if it is really hot. Check the weather.
H. Autograph book (Theme parks only)
I. Lanyard – Only if you want it to carry your theme park tickets.
J. Noise-canceling headphones – Only if your kid is freaked out by loud noises.
K. Gum
L. LEGO Minifigures for trading (LEGOLAND only)
M. Beach toys
What Not to Pack
A. Night light – Crack the bathroom door and leave the light on.
B. Hamper – An empty suitcase is a rolling laundry basket.
C. Shoe organizer – You shouldn’t have that many shoes anyway.
D. Extra towels
E. Pool toys
F. Cameras – Smartphones take pictures.
9. Theme Park Day Bag
A. Methods of payment
B. Identification
D. Touring plans
E. Cell phone and portable cell phone charger
F. Jackets – Only if needed.
G. Ponchos
H. Sunscreen
J. Pain relievers
K. Hats
L. Sunglasses
M. Cooling towels – Only if needed.
N. Tissue
O. Feminine hygiene products
P. BAND-AIDs
S. Refillable cups and popcorn buckets
U. Baby stuff you need on a typical day
V. Lanyard
W. Gum
X. Hand sanitizer
Y. Chapstick
Z. Magic bands (Disneyland only)
AA. Disney gift cards (Disneyland only)
BB. Disney Visa (Disneyland only)
CC. LEGO Minifigures for trading (LEGOLAND only).
10. Beach Bag Packing
A. Identification for adults
B. Cell phone and portable cell phone charger
C. Methods of payment
D. Sunscreen
E. Hats
F. Sunglasses
G. Hand Sanitizer
H. Feminine hygiene products
I. Tissue
J. Gum and snacks
K. Pain relievers
L. Ponchos or rain jackets
M. Chapstick
N. Refillable water bottle
O. BAND-AIDs
P. Beach toys
R. Baby stuff you need on a typical day
S. Change of clothes or swimsuits – If necessary depending upon what you are doing.
T. Floaties or life jackets
Final Thoughts – Southern California Packing List
The area is beautiful, family-friendly, and filled with things to do with kids. It is worth a visit. Use this Southern California packing list to bring what you need and not what you don’t.
Visit Southern California with kids. You will not regret it.
