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Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Picture 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. No wonder L.A. is among the very best places to go to in California with kids! Los Angeles also offers 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.
Take in its special SoCal vibe, an expansive skate park, and an outdoor health club with musclebound residents lifting weights under the California sun. The museum is filled with art work 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 usage, and space shows. Families seem like they've crossed the border into Mexico on Olvera Street, likewise understood as El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birth place of Los Angeles. It features 27 historical buildings and a main Mexican plaza.
Kids might question if they've gone into Jurassic Park as they look at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, massive sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth.
Kids especially take pleasure in Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which includes lively, hands-on elements 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+ Attractions, including the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in nearby Buena Park, and much more.
A suburban area of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of major movie and television 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 look at sets and memorabilia from favorite shows and motion pictures, book a Warner Bros.
For a tasty serving of films and TV shows with a side of roller coasters and live shows, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. This is especially true for Harry Potter fans, who will love the Wizarding World at this amusement park. Naturally, you will also desire to view the renowned Hollywood Sign and walk along the well-known Hollywood Walk of Popularity.
Yosemite National Park Valley landscape (Photo credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with hiking routes, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural wonder. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this cherished national park. It covers nearly 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 country's finest examples of land preservation. Households looking for to check out California's natural appeal will enjoy checking out Yosemite.
While in this desert oasis, do not miss a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area's abundant palm trees. Families are enamored with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This outstanding zoo and arboretum offers innovative play areas for kids and an enjoyable design train display. Giant spinning wind turbines in the Palm Springs area produce an electrifying 1.5 million megawatt-hours.
Skyrocket from the desert valley to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains through the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The vehicle's floor rotates throughout the ride, so passengers 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 (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) For a distinct variety of family activities, consider a Ventura County vacation.
Households likewise delight in walking Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterfront views, or spending an unwinded afternoon on the wide, uncrowded beaches that specify this coastal area. Discover more unique things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica characterizes Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a dozen rides, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller rollercoaster. You'll likewise discover every reward your sweet teeth might crave and a myriad of arcade games with prizes. Families also enjoy strolling the Third Street Promenade for shopping, street entertainers, and easy dining just a few blocks from the beach.
Grownups and kids of all ages can't help however feel awestruck by the massive sequoias in the Giant Forest. This nationwide park boasts the world's largest tree, General Sherman.
How Artistic Play Benefits Your Kid's ConfidenceKnown for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the inmost in North America. This park uses remarkable rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote hiking trails. Find out more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national parks in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best national forests in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Park (Image credit: lunamarina,) Situated about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is vital for households who wish to explore natural marvels in California.
How Artistic Play Benefits Your Kid's ConfidenceThese uncommon trees grow just in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will delight in scrambling over the park's huge boulders and checking out short, easy tracks that showcase the desert's otherworldly landscape. Schedule an assisted Joshua Tree National Park tour with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. 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 households who like amusement parks, themed experiences, and simple holiday fun.
Summer visitors can cool off at Soak City Water Park, while yearround home entertainment includes Medieval Times and Pirates Supper Experience. It's a simple addon to any Southern California journey and a fantastic home for checking out nearby 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 a surprise gem desert getaway area with these things to do in Borrego Springs. For much more California bucket list ideas, examine out this California journey schedule, a list of national parks in California, and my substantial brochure of California getaways and suggestions.
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