Featured
Table of Contents
Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Photo credit: oneinchpunch,) The 2nd most significant city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. No wonder L.A. is one of the best places to check out in California with kids! Los Angeles likewise provides 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.
Take in its special SoCal ambiance, an expansive skate park, and an outside fitness center with musclebound locals raising weights under the California sun. The museum is filled with artwork by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.
Found on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory wows visitors with its planetarium, high-powered telescopes for public use, and area exhibits. Families seem like they've crossed the border into Mexico on Olvera Street, likewise referred to as El Pueblo Historic Monument. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. It includes 27 historical structures and a central Mexican plaza.
Kids may wonder if they have actually gone into Jurassic Park as they look at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, huge sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth.
Kids particularly enjoy Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which includes spirited, hands-on components such as tunnels, splash locations, fairy doors, and more. Cover a lot of ground with a Los Angeles Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 40+ Tourist attractions, including the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in neighboring Buena Park, and a lot more.
A residential area of Los Angeles, Burbank has numerous major film and tv studios. Burbank is home to around 100,00 citizens and three powerhouse studios: Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Warner Bros Studio. For an immersive appearance at sets and souvenirs from preferred shows and movies, book a Warner Bros.
For a delicious serving of movies and TV programs with a side of roller rollercoasters and live programs, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. This is particularly real for Harry Potter fans, who will adore the Wizarding World at this theme park. Obviously, you will also want to view the iconic Hollywood Indication and stroll along the famous Hollywood Walk of Popularity.
Yosemite National forest Valley landscape (Photo credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with hiking tracks, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a location of natural wonder. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this beloved national forest. It spans almost 750,000 acres (3,035 sq km) and is home to wildlife like foxes, deer, cougars, and black bears.
Yosemite opened in 1890 and remains one of the nation's finest examples of land conservation. Carved by glaciers over 10s of thousands of years, Yosemite Valley includes granite giants El Capitan and Half Dome. Families seeking to explore California's natural charm will enjoy going to Yosemite. Strategy your journey with these Yosemite National forest tips.
While in this desert oasis, don't miss out on a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the location's abundant palm trees. Families are enamored with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This remarkable zoo and botanical garden provides innovative play areas for kids and a fun model train display. Giant spinning wind turbines in the Palm Springs location produce an electrifying 1.5 million megawatt-hours.
Soar from the desert valley to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains through the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The vehicle's flooring turns throughout the trip, so travelers get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. Captivated? Discover more things to do in Palm Springs with kids. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) For a distinct selection of family activities, think about a Ventura County holiday.
Families also delight in walking Ventura Harbor Village for ice cream and waterside views, or investing a relaxed afternoon on the broad, uncrowded beaches that define this coastal area. Discover more special things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica exemplifies Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier includes a lots trips, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller coaster. You'll likewise find every treat your cravings for sweets might long for and a huge selection of arcade games with prizes. Families also delight in walking the Third Street Boardwalk for shopping, street performers, and simple dining just a few blocks from the beach.
Adults and kids of all ages can't help however feel awestruck by the enormous sequoias in the Giant Forest. This nationwide park boasts the world's biggest tree, General Sherman.
Comparing the Top Neighborhood Resources for New ParentsKnown for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the deepest in The United States and Canada. This park offers significant rock developments, rugged wilderness, and remote treking routes. Find out more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national forests in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best national forests in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Park (Picture credit: lunamarina,) Positioned about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National forest is vital for households who wish to check out natural marvels in California.
These uncommon trees grow just in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will take pleasure in rushing over the park's huge boulders and exploring short, simple trails that display the desert's otherworldly landscape. Book an assisted Joshua Tree National forest tour with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Trip at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a suburb of Los Angeles (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for families who enjoy theme park, themed adventures, and simple getaway enjoyable.
Summer season visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround entertainment includes Middle ages Times and Pirates Dinner Adventure. It's an easy addon to any Southern California trip and a fantastic home for checking out close-by beaches, Orange County, and LA. Explore more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.
Discover SoCal's best-kept secret (shh!) with my La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club review. Discover about a covert gem desert destination with these things to do in Borrego Springs. For much more California container list ideas, check out this California trip travel plan, a list of nationwide parks in California, and my extensive brochure of California getaways and suggestions.
Latest Posts
Are You Ready for the Top Family Services
Essential Neighborhood Resources for Busy Parents
Why Creative Youth Programs Benefit Communities