A Boy Mom’s Baseball-Centric Vacation That Hit It Out of the Park—From Ballparks to Beaches, the Whole Family Scored Big (Mom Included)

When our son graduated from high school, we gave him the ultimate gift: a family vacation built around his biggest passion—baseball. But what started as a sports trip became so much more.

We wanted to celebrate his graduation with a family vacation of his choosing, a way to mark the milestone and spend quality time together. He could have opted to explore Europe or Caribbean beaches, but as a lifelong baseball player, an avid fan, and now a college athlete, his choice of vacation was to see Major League Baseball games in Southern California.

Our family shares his love of sports and an active lifestyle, so his idea immediately appealed to all of us. With limited vacation time, we decided to make the most of the trip by catching games for the Dodgers (in Los Angeles), the Angels (in Anaheim), and the Padres (in San Diego).  The challenge? Packing in multiple games while keeping the trip stress-free, and making sure there was plenty of fun beyond the ballparks.

That’s where Costa Mesa came in. In the heart of Orange County, Costa Mesa proved to be the ideal home base. Its central location allowed us to explore Southern California with ease, from the Newport Islands to Los Angeles boardwalks and downtown San Diego. It offered the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and unique local experiences, making it much more than just a place to stay.

Day 1: Arrival and Baseball Game in Anaheim

Our journey started with a smooth 3.5-hour flight from Austin to LAX. After touching down and grabbing our rental car, we dove straight into the action with a trip to Anaheim for an Angels game. The energy of the stadium, the sound of cracking bats, and the camaraderie of fans made for an exciting introduction to our Southern California trip.

After the game, we headed to our home base for the next few days, the Costa Mesa Marriott. The hotel’s modern, comfortable amenities and central location were just what we needed after a busy day of travel and baseball.

Our suite in the all-suites hotel included spacious living and work areas, a mini fridge, a private balcony with a great view of the pool and lush complex, and plenty of room for a family of four with teenage boys.

We were steps away from the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County Museum of Art, several restaurants and coffee shops, and a short walk from South Coast Plaza. 

Day 2: Exploring Newport Beach and Whale Watching Adventure

With no game on our schedule, we dedicated Day 2 to soaking in the coastal beauty of Newport Beach. The day began with a short ferry ride on the Balboa Island Ferry, a charming service that has been operating since 1919. The ferry crosses a scenic 800-foot stretch between Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula, a picturesque start to the day.

Our first big adventure was a whale-watching tour with Newport Landing. While we didn’t spot any whales on our outing, the experience quickly became one of our all-time family favorites. On their modern Super RIB boats, designed for speed and a low-to-water view, we had an up-close encounter with hundreds of dolphins. Watching them swim, leap, and play alongside the boat was magical, as if we were swimming with them. The dolphins were so close we felt like we could reach out and touch them, making this a once-in-a-lifetime moment, especially for a family from central Texas.

The intimate boat setup made it even more special, with each passenger getting their own seat and a 360-degree view.

We had fun with our guide, zipping through the water, doing some donuts, and spotting other wildlife and the rugged cliffs along the coast. There was even time to sit back, take a breath, and enjoy the stunning ocean scenery. 

It’s easy to see why this company has earned a five-star reputation. 

In the afternoon, we strolled around Balboa Island and Newport Beach, taking in the area’s charm. 

Dinner that evening was at Vaca, an acclaimed Spanish restaurant back in Costa Mesa. With a menu featuring everything from traditional tapas to modern takes on Spanish classics.

The restaurant offered mocktails, allowing everyone to enjoy a carefully crafted drink. We shared a paella, a dish that’s hard to find back home in Austin, Texas, and sampled a variety of tapas. Each bite was a flavorful reminder of my time studying abroad in Spain, and I loved that the boys got to have this cultural experience. 

Day 3: San Diego and Padres Game

Our third day started with some exploration around Costa Mesa. We kicked things off at South Coast Plaza, one of Southern California’s premier shopping destinations. South Coast Plaza is a shopping paradise. I indulged in a little window shopping at the high-end stores—because a girl can dream, right? The luxury boutiques, like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, were a treat to browse. And for those with more modest budgets, there were plenty of other shops that made it easy to spend a little or a lot.

After that, we made our way to Factory Records, a tiny hole-in-the-wall record store that’s a must-visit for music lovers. The boys, who are both huge music fans, loved browsing through the massive selection of new and used LPs, CDs, and even cassettes. They were excited to dig through the vintage rock and classic punk memorabilia. Just next door, we stumbled upon a quirky Hawaiian shirt store, where we couldn’t resist browsing the colorful and tropical designs.

Next, we hit the road and made our way down to San Diego for the afternoon. We wandered around the Gaslamp Quarter, taking in the area’s vibrant energy. We treated ourselves to sundaes and a mocha latte (for me) at Ghirardelli, which was the perfect sweet pick-me-up before heading to Petco Park for the Padres game.

Petco Park didn’t disappoint. Set against the stunning backdrop of the city skyline, the stadium offered fantastic views and an electric atmosphere. It was a highlight for our sports-loving family and the perfect way to cap off a fun-filled day.

Day 4: Los Angeles and Dodgers Game

The final full day of our trip took us to Los Angeles, where we explored some of the city’s most iconic spots. We started the morning at Venice Beach, walking along the shoreline as the boys enjoyed a game of catch, and we all soaked up the California sun. The vibrant energy of Venice, from its bohemian vibe to the street performers lining the boardwalk, made it a perfect start to the day.

In the afternoon, we headed to Santa Monica for a leisurely stroll along the famous Third Street Promenade. The lively stretch of shops, street performers, and alfresco dining offered a fun way to experience Santa Monica’s charm.

In the evening, we visited the last of the three baseball stadiums on our trip—Dodger Stadium—for an unforgettable game. Shohei Ohtani crushed a home run, and we also witnessed something none of us had ever seen before in all the many baseball games we’ve attended—a “shoey.” This Australian tradition of drinking alcohol from a shoe, typically to celebrate a victory, was downed by not one, but two fans, as a second followed suit in solidarity with the first. It was an oddly entertaining moment that added a unique twist to the night.

Day 5: Farewell, Southern California

Our trip ended as it began – at LAX, ready to head back home. 

This trip was a fantastic experience for our sports-loving family, offering the perfect blend of excitement both on and off the field. While the vacation was centered around baseball, we discovered a variety of unique and enjoyable activities in the area that appealed to everyone in the family. Staying in Costa Mesa provided the ideal home base, allowing us to explore Southern California with ease without the hassle of changing hotels each night.

Ultimately, this trip shows that family vacations centered around one person’s passion, or even the majority of the family’s passions, whether it’s baseball or something else, can lead to shared memories that everyone, no matter their interests, can enjoy. It’s proof that even a sports-centric trip can create shared memories, unexpected joys, and moments we’ll treasure forever, no matter our individual passions.