Last updated on March 20th, 2024 at 04:09 pm
With its beautiful weather, expansive beaches, and a long list of family-friendly theme parks and attractions, Los Angeles is a fantastic destination to visit with kids. Here’s an overview of this eclectic city.
L.A. with Kids: Beyond the Beach
I’ll be honest, even though I live in Southern California, Los Angeles has never been my favorite city. But the sheer number of things to do with kids in L.A. makes it hard to ignore.
Los Angeles is a multi-layered urban and suburban mecca, stretching from the waves crashing beneath Santa Monica Pier to the snow-capped mountains inland. It is home to numerous attractions, restaurants and cultural experiences.
You can check out the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (fun but the area can be seedy, go during the daytime if you have kids in tow!)
L.A. is also home to the Griffith Park Observatory, a mountaintop science center where you can see the real stars up close.
Take a ride on the L.A. Zooâs carousel, on horseback at Sunset Ranch Hollywood, or Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. Learn about sea life at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.
There are numerous entertainment venues for family-friendly sporting events and concerts in Los Angeles, including Staples Center, the Hollywood Bowl, and the new SoFi Stadium.
âș Be sure to check out these hotels near SoFi Stadium in L.A.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry, is now the home of the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra and considered to be one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls on the planet. If you canât get tickets to a show, visit for the stunning architecture against Downtownâs skyscrapers.
The Los Angeles metro area is home to numerous theme parks, including the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Universal Studios Hollywood, andâif you are traveling with older kidsâSix Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia.
In the heart of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area is the worldâs largest urban national park with miles of hiking and cycling trails, climbing areas and horse ranches. Visit with kids for a great day of outdoor fun.
A stop at a Mexican taqueria or a day at the Farmers Market is essential to capturing the flavor of Los Angeles.
Whatever draws you to travel to Los Angeles, it will be the incredible eclectic charm of the many different neighborhoods and cultures that keeps you inspired over again!
Kid-Friendly Museums in Los Angeles
Visit the California Science Center in Exposition Park. Your childâs imagination will soar with the Space Shuttle Endeavour or Dinosaur Hall. Zimmer Childrenâs Museum is a hidden gem on Museum Row, while the Kidspace Childrenâs Museum inspires kids to enjoy learning.
Paul Getty made his mark on the other side of town with the stately Getty Museum. Perched atop the Sepulveda Pass, this museum combines modern and European art with the crisp marbled lines of the gallery rooms for a complete visual arts experience. The Getty Museum opened in 2006 and is just a beautiful drive up the coast to Malibu.
Another fun place to visit in Los Angeles with kids is the La Brea Tar Pits. Bones of mammoths and other prehistoric creatures have been excavated and are on display at this one-of-a-kind attraction. The La Brea Tar Pits is the only Ice Age fossil site in the world that’s being actively excavated in the middle of a city!
For car lovers, the Petersen Automotive Museum is just across the street, boasting a rare and exotic collection of everything from mint condition muscle cars to the latest Lamborghini Diablo.
Other family-friendly museums in L.A. include the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, The Broad, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
âș For a great place to stay in downtown Los Angeles with kids, check out our review of \Hotel Indigo Los Angeles.
The Getty Center
One museum worth highlighting on its own is the Getty Center, a renowned art museum that houses an impressive collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
Perched atop the Sepulveda Pass, the Getty Center offers beautiful gardens and stunning views of the city. The museum combines modern and European art with the buildingâs gorgeous architecture. The Getty Museum opened in 2006 and is just a short (barring traffic) scenic drive up the coast from Universal Studios Hollywood to Malibu.
Location & Information
- 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles
- (310) 440-7300
- Hours: Saturday â 10 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday and Sunday â 10 am to 5:30 pm, Sunday â closed
- General Admission: Free, but reservations are required; parking is $20
Get Out of Town
Have you ever heard this expression: Southern California is the only place where you can ski in the morning and spend the afternoon playing in the ocean. Los Angeles truly is a destination where you have year-round access to all seasonal activities.
Ski and snow resorts such as Big Bear are only two hours away, while excellent surf locations are scattered up and down the coast. Kid-friendly L.A. beaches include Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach, and Venice Beach. Other popular spots include Huntington Beach to the south and Malibu to the north.
Just down the coast from L.A. in Long Beach. With its amazing restaurants and array of family-friendly activities, Long Beach is a great place to visit with kids!
Check out the Aquarium of the Pacific, take a whale watching cruise, or check out the world-famous Queen Mary, a luxury ocean liner now permanently docked in Long Beach.
You can also board a high-speed catamaran for a day trip to Catalina Island, which is located 26 miles off the coast of Southern California.
To the north of Los Angeles, you’ll find Malibu, Santa Barbara, and the quaint Danish town of Solvang.
Transportation In & Around Los Angeles
L.A. is known as a city where you need a car, but there are numerous ways to get around. There is a subway and the train system for getting out of town a bit is just about as quick as driving.
However, you may find that while there are extensive public transportation options, renting a car may be easiest. Los Angeles is fairly easy to navigate, but is a spread out and composed of many smaller cities. Buses and taxis run regularly, but your wallet and your schedule will be happy to have transportation available at will.
Staying near the beach? Rent bikes and explore the neighborhoods via beach-side boardwalks and bike paths.
Most hotels can be reached by shuttle, but unless you are staying right near the airport, there will be a fee for this service.
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