Patrick Schwarzenegger Shares Arnold’s Go-To Family Vacation Spot: ‘It Had Everything’

Patrick Schwarzenegger is looking back on his unique upbringing and the travel habits of his famous parents, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. In a recent interview with Travel + Leisure published on January 21, the White Lotus star shared how his childhood was shaped by a mix of international film sets and rugged California adventures.

Growing up, Patrick and his siblings, Katherine, Christina, and Christopher, often split their time between the United States and Europe depending on where Arnold was filming. However, once the elder Schwarzenegger became the Governor of California, the family’s focus shifted to exploring the Golden State. My dad liked to stay within California. He felt that it had everything to offer, from beaches to skiing to mountains to desert, Patrick shared.

The 32-year-old actor noted that he still follows his father’s lead when it comes to enjoying California’s diverse landscape. He explained that one can drive for just an hour in nearly any direction and feel like they are in a completely different environment. These early memories include whitewater rafting trips and visits to the desert, creating a deep appreciation for the state he still calls home today.

Beyond leisure, Patrick’s travels were often tied to the Special Olympics, an organization founded by his grandmother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. As a volunteer, he visited destinations like China, Greece, and Abu Dhabi. One of my earliest memories was going out to South Africa for the Special Olympics, he recalled, describing these working trips as great traveling experiences.

This “strategic” approach to travel has followed him into his adult life. Patrick revealed that he prefers to combine business with pleasure, often bringing his wife, model Abby Champion, along when he films on location. The couple, who married in September 2025 in a lavish Idaho ceremony, recently spent time together in Europe while he was filming in London and explored Thailand during his stint on The White Lotus.

Patrick recently made waves with his performance as Saxon Ratliff in the third season of The White Lotus, which premiered in early 2025 to record viewership. His role as the eldest sibling in a dysfunctional family was highly praised, though his mother, Maria Shriver, jokingly questioned if she had truly raised such a character. On January 11, he reunited with the cast at the Golden Globes, where the show dominated the television categories.

Looking ahead, Schwarzenegger has a packed 2026 schedule. He recently wrapped filming on the romantic drama Love of Your Life alongside Margaret Qualley, a project directed by Rachel Morrison and produced by Ryan Gosling.

This month, he is also traveling to Spain to begin work on Bunker, a highly anticipated film directed by Florian Zeller that co-stars cinematic heavyweights Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem.

In addition to his film projects, Patrick is frequently in the news for his business ventures and his high-profile marriage. He was a supportive fixture at the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to cheer on Abby Champion during her debut. Despite the constant travel, he admitted he hopes to stay a bit more stationary this year, aside from a long-delayed honeymoon to either the Maldives or Bora Bora.

Fans are also keeping a close eye on his potential future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as rumors have intensified that he is being considered for a role in an upcoming X-Men reboot. Whether he is suiting up for a superhero role or filming a psychological thriller in Europe, it is clear that Patrick has successfully stepped out of his father’s shadow to become a leading man in his own right.

Do you think Patrick Schwarzenegger should take on a superhero role in the MCU, or do you prefer seeing him in satirical and dramatic roles like his standout turn in The White Lotus? Share your thoughts in the comments.