Featured
Table of Contents
Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) The 2nd biggest city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. Los Angeles is home to over 90 museums, and the city boasts around 15,000 dining establishments. Not surprising that L.A. is among the very best places to go to in California with kids! Los Angeles likewise uses 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.
Take in its unique SoCal vibe, an expansive skate park, and an outdoor gym with musclebound residents lifting weights under the California sun. Olvera Street in Los Angeles (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) The Getty Center is amongst the most popular destinations in the Los Angeles area. The museum is filled with art work by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.
Located on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory wows visitors with its planetarium, high-powered telescopes for public use, and space shows. Households seem like they've crossed the border into Mexico on Olvera Street, likewise called El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birth place of Los Angeles. It includes 27 historic structures and a central Mexican plaza.
Kids might question if they've gone into Jurassic Park as they gaze at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, huge sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth.
Kids specifically delight in Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which includes spirited, hands-on components such as tunnels, splash locations, fairy doors, and more. Cover a great deal 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 much more.
A residential area of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of significant movie and tv studios. Burbank is home to around 100,00 locals and three powerhouse studios: Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Warner Bros Studio. For an immersive take a look at sets and souvenirs from preferred programs and films, book a Warner Bros.
For a tasty serving of films and television programs with a side of roller rollercoasters and live programs, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. This is particularly true for Harry Potter fans, who will adore the Wizarding World at this style park. Of course, you will likewise want to see the renowned Hollywood Sign and stroll along the famous Hollywood Walk of Popularity.
Yosemite National forest Valley landscape (Picture credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with treking tracks, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural wonder. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million visitors visited this cherished nationwide park. It covers 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 stays one of the nation's finest examples of land conservation. Families seeking to explore California's natural charm will enjoy going to Yosemite.
While in this desert sanctuary, do not miss a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area's plentiful palm trees. This remarkable zoo and botanical garden provides ingenious play areas for kids and an enjoyable model train exhibition.
Soar from the desert valley to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The vehicle's floor turns throughout the trip, so travelers get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. Intrigued? Discover more things to do in Palm Springs with kids. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) For an unique range of household activities, consider a Ventura County vacation.
Families also enjoy walking Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterside views, or investing a relaxed afternoon on the broad, uncrowded beaches that define this coastal area. Discover more unique things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica epitomizes Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a dozen trips, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller coaster. You'll also find every treat your sweet teeth might yearn for and a myriad of arcade games with rewards. Families likewise take pleasure in strolling the Third Street Promenade for shopping, street entertainers, and easy dining just a couple of blocks from the beach.
Grownups and kids of all ages can't assist but feel awestruck by the massive sequoias in the Giant Forest. This nationwide park boasts the world's biggest tree, General Sherman. You can even drive through another excellent giant sequoia called the Tunnel Log. This beautiful location supplies an assortment of terrific things to do in nature, like hiking, mountain biking, outdoor camping, and horseback riding.
How to Find the very best Photography Studios in COKnown for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the inmost in North America. This park offers significant rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote hiking routes. Find out more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national parks in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the finest national forests in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Park (Image credit: lunamarina,) Located about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National forest is necessary for households who wish to check out natural wonders in California.
Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a residential area of Los Angeles (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for families who love amusement parks, themed experiences, and easy holiday fun.
Summertime visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround entertainment consists of Middle ages Times and Pirates Supper Experience. It's an easy addon to any Southern California trip and a fantastic home base for exploring close-by beaches, Orange County, and LA. Explore more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.
Latest Posts
Comparing Leading Neighborhood Services for New Parents
Ways to Locate New Local Activities in 2026
Best Local Youth Events Nearby