If you think that there is no such thing as family-friendly LA, then you haven’t visited the City of Angels recently. While there is definitely plenty to do for the over 21 set, the kid-friendly options are plentiful as well. Los Angeles is huge, so be sure you have a car with a full tank of gas, some patience to deal with traffic, and a maps app on your phone. Now, hit the road with the kids in tow…family-friendly LA awaits!
6 Must-Do Activities in Family-Friendly LA
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is the epitome of the grandeur of LA. There are over 2,000 stars with the names of the most celebrated celebrities that ever lived. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is 15 blocks long, on both sides of Hollywood Blvd ending on Vine Street.
If you have ever been to Walt Disney World, you may now understand the name of Hollywood & Vine restaurant in Hollywood Studios.
Santa Monica Pier
Technically, Santa Monica is not in the city of Los Angeles, but it is in the LA county. If you are looking for the absolute best people watching, wacky activities to try, and the most amazing lunch, then Santa Monica Pier is the place to be! Head to Pacific Park for amusement park rides day and night.
There are also shops to pop into and restaurants that beg to be enjoyed. Opt for the all-access wristband to make the most out of your visit. And the Third Street Promenade is just a short walk away.
Queen Mary Tour, Attractions, or Overnight Stays
Get an up close and personal look at the magnificent Queen Mary cruise ship. Take one of the exciting and informative guided tours, full of action, adventure, romance and paranormal activity. Explore the ship from bow to stern, inside and out, and hear unique stories, facts and insights about the Queen Mary from expert guides.
Photo credit Queen Mary Hotel.
Wish you could stay aboard this unbelievable piece of history? You can! They even offer family suites that give you all the elbow room you need without losing the charm of the original first class suite.
Get your bike on!
Family-friendly LA means being outdoors. With beautiful weather and miles of trails and bike paths, there is no shortage of places to go. While you’re already in Santa Monica, you can rent a bike and take a leisurely ride along a beachfront path that stretches from Malibu to the south beaches.
Photo credit Santa Monica Close-Up.
It’s an easy a 3 mile cycle along the boardwalk from Santa Monica to Venice Beach, which you can explore. The path is filled with other cyclists, walkers, runners, and roller skaters, you name it. There are bike rental centers that cater to families, too. They offer tandem bikes, pull-behind bike carriers, and child-sized bikes.
OUE Skyspace Giant Glass Slide
This is not your mama’s slide! OUE Skyspace is 70 stories above downtown Los Angeles with exceptional views. Family-friendly LA doesn’t have to be all about the youngest members of the family. For anyone with tweens or teens, this is the one thing you need to add to your travel to do list.
Photo credit OUE Skyspace.
The giant slide is a tunnel made of high-strength glass that curves around the outside of the building. As you slide down, you can see through the floor to the streets more than 1,000 feet below. OUE also offers outdoor balconies boasting nearly 360-degree views of the Hollywood sign, the San Gabriel Mountains and more.
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Indoors. Outdoors. The Kidspace Children’s Museum has over 3.5 acres of interactive exhibits. Let the kids get well in the outdoor water exploration area. Then head inside to check out the imagination workshop. Want to let the kids get active? Go to the ant colony climbing structure. This may be one of the most kid-focused venues out of all the family-friendly LA activities. There’s a reason it is one of the top destinations visited by families in LA.
KidSpace Museum – Splash Dance Fountains – Photo Credit KidSpace Museum
Of course there are tons of fun things to do in Los Angeles with kids. It’s one of the US’s largest cities, filled with people and culture from around the world. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can see the country’s hottest celebrity in line at Starbucks as well as get a fantastic vegan burger. Plus, there are plenty of playgrounds and outdoor spaces to let the kids run. When traveling with kids to Southern California, take advantage of these family-friendly LA activities for a fantastic family trip.
and here are some honorable mentions in case you have extra time…
- La Brea Tar Pits
- Madame Tussards
- Griffith Observatory then hit Griffith Park and take a hike stopping for lunch at Trails Cafe.
- Hungtington Library
- Annenberg Community Beach House
- LA City Museum of Art
I am a home cook that does things my way. In my kitchen, I make breakfast, pack lunches, prepare snacks, and cook dinner. During the week, we eat real food that is homemade, organic, and local. On the weekends we do explore more of our local restaurants. I bake my own bread, juice fresh oranges every other day, and make my own kombucha and other weekly favorites.
