Living in Arizona, California is always our go-to destination for family vacations. We are always discovering new things every time we go, as well as hitting up our favorite spots that can’t be missed! Here are 13 of our favorite unique things to do in LA with kids!
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13 Things to Do in LA With Kids
Table of Contents
- Spend a Day at the Beach
- Discover Fossils at La Brea Tar Pits
- Hike to the Iconic Hollywood Sign
- Ride the Angel’s Flight
- Stroll Along Hollywood Boulevard
- Hike to Escondido Falls
- Cruise the Marvin Braud Bike Trail
- Ride a Roller Coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm
- Take a Day Trip to Catalina Island
- Explore Long Beach
- Spend the Afternoon at the Natural History Museum
- Learn Something New at the California Science Center
- A Few More Things to Do in LA With kids:
Spend a Day at the Beach
Spending a day at the beach is going to rank pretty high at the top of the list of things to do in LA with kids. To make your planning easier we’ve put together a list of the best beaches in LA for families.
Best Beaches in LA for families:
Santa Monica Beach & Pier: The Santa Monica pier is iconic. Sure the rides are a little pricey, but the whole atmosphere has a fun vibe.
Explore under the pier, then head left of the pier to discover a great playground.
Route 66 also happens to end on the pier, which is a pretty cool landmark! While you’re in Santa Monica, be sure to grab a sweet treat from the famed Carlo’s Bakery!
Take a ride on the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel and try your hand at some of the carnival games. Or just spend the day relaxing on the beach and playing in the waves.
You can also take an E-bike tour on the beach boardwalk from Santa Monica to Venice Beach.
Annenberg Beach House Pool: The scenic and historical Marion Davie’s estate pool is now open as a free public pool right on the shores of Santa Monica.
Point Fermin Park Beach: As an added bonus, this beach has a really cool lighthouse. Be sure to check out the Sunken City nearby where you can view the remains of a devastating landslide
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park: If you have little explorers then they’re sure to love the tide pools at this beach, they’re some of the best around!
Seaside Lagoon at Redondo Beach: Be sure to check out this urban park complete with a man-made saltwater lagoon surrounded by sand. Your little ones will love it!
Pirate’s Cove: This hidden beach in Malibu is also the site of the final scene in the 1968 Planet of the Apes movie. Be sure to explore the beautiful Point Dume State Beach while you’re there too.
Lunada Bay: Lunada Bay is a large cove, the beach is rocky but it has some tide pools to explore at low tide. What makes this beach worth visiting is the remains of the Dominator shipwreck that can be seen around the north point.
Venice Beach: Great for people-watching and for strolling the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk. You can also rent a bike and cruise the bike path from Muscle Beach to Santa Monica
Discover Fossils at La Brea Tar Pits
Your kids will love exploring the world’s only active Urban Ice Age Excavation site. La Brea Tar Pits is a collection of tar pits right in the heart of LA.
These pits have trapped animals from the Ice Age period, and you can witness firsthand how paleontologists excavate and search for fossils.
Hike to the Iconic Hollywood Sign
Hiking to the Hollywood Sign is one of the most iconic things to do in LA with kids and I was excited when we finally got the chance to check it off our list.
It was a beautiful sunset hike with the lights of LA sparkling below.
It wasn’t all perfect, in true LA style it took us an hour to drive 8 miles and I was stressed about getting up there before sunset, but it was totally worth it!
The hike up has such beautiful views over the city. The Hollywood sign is fenced off so you can’t get too close, but you can hike up a small hill behind the sign to get a good view.
When we did the hike we parked on a residential street to get to the Hollyridge trailhead. After doing some research, unfortunately, it sounds like they have since closed that entrance.
There are several trails that start from the Griffith Observatory, but they only take you to a viewing platform to see the sign from a distance.
For the most detailed instructions for parking and hiking to the sign, I would recommend checking out The Hiking Guy.
He recommends parking at the trailhead located at 2927 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90068. Keep in mind there is a sign posted that the gates to the parking lot close at sunset so be sure to be back before it closes.
You may also want to consider taking a Guided Hollywood Sign Hike. The cost is only $30 and your knowledgeable guide will share interesting facts all along the way. As a bonus, you are guaranteed to not get lost on the trail!
For a fun splurge, you can even take a helicopter tour of the Hollywood Sign!
The trail is moderate and takes you to the summit of Mt Lee behind the sign. It is a little over 2 miles each way.
This trail connects with the Hollyridge trail that we did with our four kids. Our youngest was 5 and although they got a little tired at times, it wasn’t too strenuous for them.
While you’re in the area, I would also highly recommend checking out the Griffith Observatory.
Entrance is free and you can use their public telescopes to explore outer space. There is a fee to watch shows in the planetarium but there is also plenty to see as you just walk around.
Ride the Angel’s Flight
For only $1 you can take a short ride on the Angel’s Flight funicular at Bunker Hill.
This historic steep incline railway is over 100 years old and is known as the shortest railway in the world.
The Railway’s top station is located at 350 S Grand Avenue and the lower entrance is located at 351 S Hill Street across from the Grand Central Market.
For a fun and unique experience, take a ride down to Grand Central Market for lunch. This food hall has something for everyone, even for your pickiest eaters!
For more information and recommendations for DTLA, see our guide 8 Cool Things to Do in Downtown LA.
Stroll Along Hollywood Boulevard
I have to admit that Hollywood isn’t as glamorous as I had imagined. Downtown Hollywood is pretty sleazy in parts, but it’s one of those things that every tourist needs to experience at least once.
Your kids will like finding stars they recognize on the Walk of Fame, as well as spotting iconic locations like the Dolby Theater where the Oscars take place.
You can even take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn all about what it takes to pull off a big show like the Oscars.
Catch a movie at the TCL Chinese Theater (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theater). While you’re there, look for the hand/foot/wand prints of the stars of Harry Potter in the courtyard.
Madame Tussauds and Ripley’s Believe it or Not are also located on Hollywood Boulevard.
And you can’t come to Hollywood and NOT take a Celebrity Home Tour!
If you have older kids (18 years +) or can sneak away for a couples or girls trip, I would definitely look into attending the live taping of a show.
We went on a Girl’s Trip to LA and got tickets to see the Tonight Show when Jay Leno was still hosting.
It was so much fun! The tickets are all free, check out 1iota for all the information you need.
Other Things to Do in Hollywood With Kids:
- Universal Studios: Universal Studios is always a hit! See how movies are made and enjoy a variety of attractions from rides to live shows. Be sure to do the Studio Tour where you take a tram to visit TV and movie sets. Stroll down City Walk checking out the shops, street performers, and grab a bite to eat. Check Costco for discount tickets.
- West Hollywood Library: If you’re looking for a quiet place to escape the noise of downtown, check out the West Hollywood Library. This modern contemporary library offers stunning views of the city through large picture windows. There is also a cozy children’s area and reading space, a children’s theater, and scheduled storytimes.
- Carney’s: Your kids are sure to love the fun and unique atmosphere at Carneys where you can eat a burger in a train car!
- Theatre West: Check out the storybook theater for kids ages 3 to 9 where they can join in an interactive production based on classic fairy tales.
- El Capitan Theater: For all your Disney fans, they will love watching a movie or live stage show in this historic theater. Stop by Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store for lunch and a sweet treat. You can also find new and hard-to-find Disney DVDs in the Studio Store.
- The Hollywood Museum: Check out this museum for a chance to see props, costumes, photos and other memorabilia from TV shows and movies, like High School Musical and Indiana Jones.
- Pink’s Hot Dogs: Expect a long line to eat at this iconic LA landmark. This hot dog stand has been around for the past 80 years and is one of those places that you need to visit at least once while you’re in LA!
Hike to Escondido Falls
The Escondido Falls Trail is the best waterfall hike in Southern California. The short 1.35-mile (one-way) hike will take you to an impressive 150-foot waterfall.
There are also 6 other great family-friendly waterfall hikes in the area that are worth checking out!
Cruise the Marvin Braud Bike Trail
Rent a bike and cruise along the Marvine Braud Bike Trail. This paved bike path follows along the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
The entire trail is about 20 miles, stretching from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance.
The most popular sections of the trail run alongside Santa Monica Beach and Venice Beach. Stop along the way to grab a bite to eat at a beachfront cafe or play in the waves.
Ride a Roller Coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm
Technically Knott’s Berry Farm is part of Orange County, but it is close enough and definitely worth a trip!
Knotts Berry has great rides for all ages and is generally not as crowded or expensive as the other amusement parks in the area.
Take a Day Trip to Catalina Island
Catalina Island is the perfect day trip. Only a one-hour ferry ride away and you’ll escape the noise and crowds of the city.
Check our Catalina Travel Guide to find some awesome things to do while you’re there.
Ferries depart regularly from ports at Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point with up to 30 daily departures.
If you are departing from Newport Beach, check out our Complete Travel Guide to Newport Beach for recommended things to do in the area.
Explore Long Beach
Spend the day exploring Long Beach where you can take a tour of the historic Queen Mary ship. If you’re brave enough, you can even spend the night in one of the staterooms. Definitely one of the most unique hotels in LA!
Your kids will also love all the ocean creatures and interactive exhibits at Aquarium of the Pacific.
The Naples Canals are a hidden gem just south of Long Beach. The canal circles around the little island of Naples. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore on your own. There are also guided Gondola Boat Rides as well. Discover the cove where the Aquarium of the Pacific collects “Moon-jellies”. If you’re lucky you might even spot a dolphin. During Christmas time the beautiful waterfront homes are all lit up for the holidays.
Several cruise ships depart from the cruise terminal at the Long Beach port. For an inexpensive family vacation and a fun way to travel, I would recommend experiencing the Carnival Cruise to Catalina and Ensenada.
For more information and recommendations, see our guide Top Things to Do in Long Beach Before Your Cruise.
Spend the Afternoon at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is located in Exposition Park, along with a handful of other museums across from the USC campus.
The learning experiences here truly are hands-on. The museum has a variety of fascinating displays, but be sure to check out the Nature Labs where you’ll find some live creatures.
If you’re brave enough, you can even venture into the Spider Pavilion-eeeek!
There are picnic areas located in front of the museum overlooking the rose garden, or you can grab a bite to eat at the Museum Grill.
Learn Something New at the California Science Center
The California Science Center is located right next to the Natural History Museum.
The great thing about this center is that admission to the permanent exhibit galleries is free to the public.
The major exhibits include the World of Life, focusing on how cells work; the Creative world, which expounds on the use of technology in our world; and Ecosystems, which features live plants and animals with interactive hands-on exhibits.
Another main attraction is the Space Shuttle Endeavor. It is fascinating to see this space shuttle up close and learn about the history and science behind this incredible ship.
For more California fun, be sure to check out our guides for 7 Things to do in Oceanside California, and 12 Unforgettable Things to Do in San Diego!
A Few More Things to Do in LA With kids:
- Marine Mammal Care Center: Free tours for groups of 10-20, must schedule in advance.
- Melrose Rooftop Cinema: Open-air cinema playing classics and cult favorites.
- The Last Bookstore: California’s largest new and used book and record store.
- Martial Arts History Museum: A unique museum for the whole family. Explores the influence of martial arts in American culture.
- Noah’s Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center: Use your imagination while exploring the giant floor-to-ceiling ark filled with animals created from recycled materials.
- Solstice Canyon Trail: This easy 2.6-mile out-and-back trail leads to the ruins of a ranch house. The home was burned by wildfires in 1982. You can still view the remains of several walls, fireplaces, and the pool. The site is protected by the National Park Service.
I hope this guide has helped you find some unique things to do in LA with kids!
Press Feature:
Simply Wander was named a top Los Angeles, CA, local expert by Redfin. Check out the article we were featured in: [Exploring the City of Angels: 11 Unique Things to Do in Los Angeles for New Locals | Redfin]
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