It took me two trips 17 years apart to finally appreciate Los Angeles in all its glory. The city might be known for its glitz and glamour, but I love how it is also a fantastic family destination. Los Angeles offers endless opportunities for family fun from world-class attractions, theme parks to beautiful beaches. With so much to see and do, it can be intimidating to plan a vacation with kids in tow. But fret not! I’ve compiled in this guide, some of the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
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Table of Contents
Exploring the Beaches near Los Angeles
Going to the beach is one the best and cheapest things to do in Los Angeles. The area is home to some amazing beaches. From Malibu to Santa Monica, there are plenty of options for families looking to soak up the sun and enjoy the waves.
Santa Monica Beach & Pier
Santa Monica Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Los Angeles, and for good reason. With its wide sandy beach, iconic pier, and amusement park, Santa Monica Beach has something for everyone. Kids will love the carnival games and rides on the Pier, while parents can relax on the beach. At the end of the day families can take a stroll along the boardwalk and explore the many shops and restaurants.
Zuma Beach in Malibu
Zuma Beach is an excellent choice for families. This beautiful beach is known for its soft sand and beautiful coastline. The beach has many amenities (kids play area, restrooms, snack bars, picnic tables). It also helps that it is easily located off of the Pacific Coast Highway. The beach is popular on weekends but for families looking for a more secluded experience, head to the northern part of the beach.
Other Beaches near Los Angeles
If you have more time in Los Angeles, you should also visit Long Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
Theme Parks near Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to some of the best theme parks in the world, all of which geared towards families. Whether you’re looking for thrill rides or kid-friendly attractions, you will find something for everyone in the family.
Disneyland
One cannot mention Los Angeles without mentioning Disneyland. It is the ultimate family destination. This iconic theme park is home to classic rides like It’s a Small World and Dumbo, as well as newer attractions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Kids will love meeting their favorite Disney characters and watching the parades and shows.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is another great option for families with kids. This theme park is home to some of the most thrilling rides in Los Angeles, including Harry Potter and Jurassic World attractions. Families can also take a behind-the-scenes tour of the movie studio and watch live shows featuring their favorite movie characters.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm, located in the heart of Southern California’s Orange County, is a renowned California theme park with scores of rides, shows, and attractions divided into four themed zones: the Old West Ghost Town, where bandits are always looking for trouble; Snoopy and the Peanuts gang can be found at Camp Snoopy; Fiesta Village is a tribute to California’s Hispanic roots; and the Boardwalk tries to replicate the Southern California beach lifestyle. What was once a small family berry farm has evolved into a full-fledged family fun destination.
Not-to-Miss Hollywood Attractions
No trip to LA would be complete without a stop in Hollywood. As the heart of the film industry, it is rich in history and offers fun and unique activities that can only be found there.
Stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an iconic landmark. It definitely is a tourist trap but it is one of those places you want to say you’ve seen once in your lifetime. You can see as little or as much as you want and there are several shops along Hollywood Boulevard to keep you busy.
Madame Tussauds in Los Angeles
If you want a chance to take a selfie with your favorite Hollywood celebrity, a sure bet is to go to Madame Tussauds and pose with the wax replicas of famous people in show-business. The museum is very interactive and includes props, movie sets and there are even opportunities to take interactive pictures with the replicas.
Warner Bros Studio Tour
If you’ve ever wanted to see a movie set and how things work behind the scenes, this is the closest you’ll get to it -without being the business that is. Get behind the scenes at Warner Bros Studio, one of the leading filming studio in the country. The two-hour guided tour includes stops at the backlots and soundstages of iconic films and TV shows such as Casablanca and Friends. The tour includes special exhibits of props and costumes from Harry Potter, DC Universe, and more.
Attend a Live TV Show Taping
Attending a Live TV show taping can be a lot fun especially for kids. There are a handful of shows that allow kids 8+ to attend. Some tapings can last several hours so make sure you are prepared for it:
- Jeopardy tickets can be found here
- Wheel of Fortune currently tapes without an audience but once they resume with an audience, grab a ticket here
- America’s Got Talent resumes taping August 2023. Grab your tickets here when they become available
Los Angeles Family-Friendly Museums
Many of the museums in Los Angeles are excellent choices for families. Continue reading for some of the best museums to explore with your kids.
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Downtown Los Angeles
The La Brea Tar Pits is an active paleontological research site in Los Angeles. It was formed around a cluster of tar pits where natural asphalt has crept up from the grounds between 50,000 years ago and today. Over the many centuries, different plants and bones of trapped animals have been preserved and recovered. The museum features the different fossils excavated and has great hands-on exhibits making it perfect for kids to explore.
The Getty Center
The Getty Center is a great option for families who love art and architecture. This museum is home to an impressive collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Families will appreciate the stunning gardens and outdoors spaces full of colorful and unusual plants and sculptures. Indoors, families can take an audio tour of the museum. And best of all, admission to the museum is free though reservation is required.
California Science Center
The California Science Center is home to fun interactive exhibits, live habitats, and the space shuttle Endeavour. It is great for kids of all ages to explore, learn and experiment the wonders of science. Admission is free but doesn’t include IMAX movies.
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is an observatory located on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. It is a great place for families to learn about the wonders of outer space. There are plenty of telescopes, exhibits, and shows that will keep visitors engaged. Admission is free except for the planetarium. Although I still highly recommend attending the live shows. They are well worth the money.
The building and grounds are accessible to all visitors. On clear days, you can enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign. For outdoor lovers, several trailheads start on the Observatory grounds.
Where To Stay in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a huge city and very spread out, so finding a central location to all of the activities you want to do can be challenging. Most families who travel to Los Angeles intend to spend a few days at Disneyland and see the main attractions in the city. If you plan to do the same, I recommend splitting your time between two locations: stay in Anaheim for Disneyland, and then stay in a more central location like Hollywood to see the other LA attractions.
Howard Johnson Anaheim near LA
The best hotel to visit Disneyland is hands down the Howard Johnson Anaheim. The Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground or simply called the “HoJo”, is a fantastic family-friendly hotel only a 8 min walk to the entrance to the Disneyland parks. The rooms are spacious, bright and clean. Beds are very comfortable. The resort is full of amenities: there is a Keurig, microwave and fridge in every room. The Hojo is also known for its water play activities: you can find a heated pool and their famous water playground on site.
For discounted stays, go to this link and use the appropriate codes below:
- 20% off for Disneyland Magic Key Holder
Corp code: 1000025935 - 15% off for everyone
Corp code: 1000022077
Magic Castle Hotel in Hollywood
This small boutique hotel is one of the most highly rated hotels in Los Angeles. Although Magic Castle Hotel might seem a little dated to some, the hotel is super clean, the staff consistently delivers amazing customer service and guests love all the amenities and different freebies (spacious apartments, heated pool year-round, free breakfast, free laundry, free popsicles poolside, free snacks, and much more)
But probably the best amenity staying at the Magic Castle Hotel, is getting access to the exclusive Magic Castle next door, home to the Academy of Magical Arts. The only other way to get into this private club is to have an actual magician-member invite you. Just ask the hotel to help you get a reservation.
Los Angeles is a fantastic destination for families with kids. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an action-packed adventure, the City of Angels has it all. Have you visited Los Angeles before? What other must see or do attraction and activity would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments. And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for more kid-friendly destinations around the country.
Thank you for reading! xx
FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS IN CALIFORNIA, READ:
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