Advice re Barcelona/Costa Brava/French Riviera/Paris trip with teens

I think the concern is not so much that you won't find ANYTHING, as that what you do find will be limited in choice and much more expensive. The open-jaw part doesnt have anything to do with it. Maybe spend two hours on airbnb or booking.com and enter several of the destinations and see what comes up. You might be reassured and then you can purchase the plane tickets and start formulating specific plans. Fwiw, my best friend always plans thins late for the summer, while I plan 6 months in advance (we both have three kids/teens). I think the difference is that I do it for much less ;) Sounds like a great trip!

Be prepared for heavy traffic in July and August along the French Riviera.

I'm sure that the car will be handy for finding kayaks and hiking, but if you don't know, the local train runs right at the edge of the coast all the way from Cannes and Antibes through Nice (goes inland for Nice) and Monaco (underground station in Monaco) through Menton all the way into Ventimiglia. Very scenic. Sit upstairs, on the side with the Sea. That's on the right side towards Italy, on the left returning.

What you're planning to do sounds like more than 2 weeks to me, unless "a few days" means only about 2.5 full days (3 nights) in Barcelona and Paris and on the Riviera. I like the Riviera, but I wouldn't leave coastal Catalunya for such a short time on the French Riviera unless I had specific plans to see things only available there--such as a lot of modern-art museums. You could cram a lot of those into 2.5 days; there are at least 6 art museums in Nice alone.

Barcelona to Antibes by train is an all-day effort (as in usually over 9 hours, though there's an 8-hour option departing at 1:20 PM), and flying to Paris is going to consume a chunk of time as well by the time you figure in transportation to and from the airports and the 2-hour security-time allowance. So the Riviera is costing you 1-1/2 to 2 sightseeing days before you have in fact done any sightseeing.

Thank you all so much! Seems like the Riviera isn't worth it. Really appreciate your advice.

"...without first making hotel reservations..." are you completely mad? :))) in July/August? do you want to end up sleeping rough under a bridge? I bet that'd be a great adventure for your kids, LOL!

If you're visiting the South of Europe and any other popular destination in summertime, DO MAKE SURE first you have your accommodation sorted out. Or else you might end up having to substantially change your itinerary (or to pay an arm and a leg for whatever you can find). Barcelona, Costa Brava and Paris are in that category.

Also, in case it interests you, I just responded elsewhere a post suggesting a few official websites with ideas on things to do/visit in Barcelona and in Catalonia: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/2-days-in-barcelona-before-our-cruise

And, another piece of info that might interest you: in mid-August, the festival of the Gràcia district (Festa Major de Gràcia) in Barcelona kicks out, from Aug15th to Aug21st. And no, this does not "engulf" Barcelona. This is a large city and we're used to hosting many big events at the same time so the rest of the city is business as usual.

Thank you, I will check out the link. Unfortunately we have to return before the festival so that will not be an option. I will follow your advice about lodging! Thank you!