Los Angeles with Kids – Attractions and Fun for the Whole Family
Here are the 8 main attractions we think are best for enjoying with the kids in Los Angeles:
- Disneyland Resort Anaheim – Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- The Miracle Mile's Museums – La Brea Tar Pits Dinosaur Museum and Petersen Automotive Museum
- The Beach and Pier of Santa Monica – Enjoy the beach
- Griffith Park – The Planetarium, Zoo, Train Museums, and Nature
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
- Topanga State Park and Will Rogers Historical State Park
- Long Beach – The Queen Mary and Aquarium of the Pacific
- Professional Sports Game – the Lakers and Clippers at Staples Center or a Dodgers baseball game
Los Angeles is one of the most fascinating destinations in the United States. It's a city full of action for both adults and kids, with plenty to do and see, from Disneyland and Universal to stunning beaches and incredible museums.
Have you planned a family trip to Los Angeles and hope to really get to know the city? Awesome! Just remember, a trip with kids is an art of blending a bit of what you want with a lot of what they demand (but you can enjoy it too ????).
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What to do with kids in Los Angeles?
Disneyland in Anaheim
Disneyland Park in Anaheim was the birthplace of the entire world of theme parks in 1955. Over the years, the park rightfully earned the reputation of the happiest place on Earth and became a key part of Disney's brand.
In the early '90s, the lone park transformed into a large resort – Disneyland Resort, inspired by the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Another themed park opened as well – Disney California Adventure Park, along with themed hotels and Downtown Disney. Today, the entire area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California and Los Angeles, attracting a huge number of visitors of all ages.
The Disneyland Resort includes two themed parks:
Adjacent to the parks is Downtown Disney – an entertainment center and shopping mall, a great place for evening outings. Nearby are also three themed Disney hotels.
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2. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a very popular theme park just a short drive from Hollywood. Based on the historic active studios of the Universal production company, a thematic amusement park also opened, offering all the fun and experiences from the movies the company produced. The attractions include journeys through the scenery of some of the world's most famous movies and TV shows like The Simpsons, Jurassic World, Harry Potter, and more.
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3. The Museums of the Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile Miracle Mile is the most museum-intensive area in Los Angeles. The most fascinating place for kids in all of Los Angeles is the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, which operates at an active paleontological site. Over the years, the asphalt pool has revealed paleontological findings such as dinosaur fossils and other ancient creatures. The museum's famous exhibit is the skeleton of the Columbian mammoth, next to a full-sized replica of the enormous creature.
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The most important museum on the Miracle Mile is the LA Museum of Art with its large European art collection. Nearby, other museums such as the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Petersen Automotive Museum have opened. Just a little to the north, the Farmer's Market at The Grove has become one of the most attractive entertainment areas in Los Angeles.
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4. Santa Monica Pier and Beach
The pier of Santa Monica is one of the most fun places in the vast Los Angeles metropolis. It's the perfect blend of everything that defines California – a sandy beach, stunning ocean views, the iconic scenery of the Santa Monica Mountains to the north, attractions, restaurants, entertainment venues, and a dreamy sunset. The pier is located opposite Colorado Avenue, slightly south of Santa Monica Boulevard and the Santa Monica Place Mall.
The attractions at the pier include the aquarium and the small amusement park, Pacific Park, featuring a fast roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, and a wide variety of attractions for kids and families. At the end of the pier, there are restaurants and spots to sit and watch the sunset.
The Santa Monica Aquarium, Heal the Bay Aquarium, is located at the western end of Colorado Avenue. It's not a large aquarium, but it's fantastic for kids with an interesting collection of marine life characteristic of this part of the Pacific Ocean. At the aquarium, you can see several species of sharks, types of octopuses, and lots of fish.
5. Griffith Park
Griffith Park is one of the most famous sites in Los Angeles and the city's largest park. It's the perfect open space for a day's outing with the kids, offering a wide variety of attractions and scenic viewpoints of the entire metropolis. In its southern part, adjacent to Hollywood, you can find the famous Hollywood sign that has become the symbol of the city.
Beneath the sign stands the famous Griffith Observatory. The Griffith Observatory is a great spot to experience all the fun of observatories, including a captivating planetarium that takes viewers on a journey through space and a fascinating science wing. The main highlight of the observatory is its breathtaking view of the mountains and the vast urban area surrounding it.
North of the observatory is the Los Angeles Zoo, showcasing over 1,200 animal species, including some rare ones. It excels in breeding programs and efforts to conserve endangered species. The zoo grounds also feature a large botanical garden with many subtropical plant and tree species. It's a delightful place to visit with kids, although it might not be as impressive as San Diego's massive zoo in Balboa Park, it has its own charm.
In the northern part of the park, you'll find museums that train enthusiasts will love. The Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum offers a display of miniature train models, unique steam engines, and detailed explanations of the groundbreaking technology from the 19th century. Nearby, at the Travel Town Railroad, there's an exhibit of unique vintage engines, luxurious carriages, and plenty of information about the train operators and entrepreneurs who built the railway lines.
6. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located in the southern part of the University of Southern California campus, about a 5-minute drive south of the Staples Center. It's the largest natural history museum in the western United States, with tens of millions of geological and paleontological findings. The museum opened in 1913 as an institution combining exhibits and academic research, and has since become a fantastic place for families with kids to visit.
The famous exhibits in the museum include a reconstruction of the mighty Triceratops based on fossilized bones and many life-sized dinosaur recreations both inside the museum and on the nearby lawns.
7. Hollywood
Hollywood is the heart of the American film industry. In the district north of downtown Los Angeles, there is plenty to see and do for all ages. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is probably the most famous sidewalk in the entire USA. From the entrance to the Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in the west, along the avenue to the intersection with Vine Street, are embedded the stars of those honored to be part of Hollywood's luminaries. Spanning the sidewalk, there are more than 2,600 stars, drawing countless tourists and onlookers eager to see the marvel.
Paramount Studios are the last remaining studios in Hollywood after the others moved to modern studios in the Valley, mainly in Burbank. You can visit the studios and see the movie and TV show sets on guided tours offered by the company.
8. Topanga National Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park
The large national park of Los Angeles is located east of Topanga village, up in the Santa Monica Mountains. It is within the municipal boundaries of Los Angeles, technically making it the largest nature reserve in the world inside a city. The park features several hiking trails but is most popular with cyclists. It offers views towards the Santa Monica Bay to the south and the San Fernando Valley to the north. At the heart of the park is Eagle Rock, a large exposed rock that serves as a vantage point and important landmark above the valleys of the ridge.
Not far in the direction of the city is the Will Rogers State Historic Park. This is the large ranch house of the legendary movie star and entertainer Will Rogers, who tried to recreate a countryside atmosphere as a cowboy from Oklahoma while living in Los Angeles. He built a large estate surrounded by green areas and riding trails. Today, the hilly park is a popular outdoor recreational spot among Los Angeles residents, offering stunning views of the ocean and the city. The ranch house is preserved as it was, allowing visitors to see how the couple lived on the ranch.
9. Long Beach
The city of Long Beach is a bit of a different experience compared to Los Angeles to its north. The heart of the city is the huge port and marina, along with its long coast stretching across the Pacific Ocean. Anchored there permanently is the legendary luxury ship Queen Mary, now a popular tourist attraction. Nearby, you'll find the large Aquarium of the Pacific. The city is famous for its major annual spring events, such as the Long Beach Grand Prix and the massive Pride parade. To the west, in San Pedro, there are two American Navy ships that have been transformed into attractions, along with the charming coastline of the ocean.
The Queen Mary The Queen Mary, the important historic ship, has now found its resting place at the mouth of the Los Angeles River, in the port of Long Beach. The ship is located near the central terminal of Carnival Cruise Line Terminal Long Beach and is one of the main attractions of this tourist city. There are bars and restaurants on the ship today, and you can stay overnight like in a hotel or just visit the mother of cruise ships and pleasure cruises.
Aquarium of the Pacific, located not far from the Queen Mary on the east side of the Los Angeles River's mouth. It is one of the largest aquariums on the West Coast of the USA, showcasing more than 11,000 species of fish, marine animals, and amphibians. Besides the main aquarium, there are several other attractions such as the Shark Lagoon where you can see Pacific Ocean shark species and manta rays, a giant aquarium dedicated to jellyfish in the Jellyfish Touch Tank, and more.
10. Professional Sports Game
Sports in Los Angeles are an important part of the city's entertainment options. Los Angeles boasts many professional sports teams in all popular sports. Professional sports are one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the USA and a great opportunity for kids to see celebs playing in the most attractive city in the USA.
In Los Angeles, there are two professional teams in each of the major sports – basketball, baseball, football, and hockey:
- The Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers represent the city in the NBA, the national basketball league of the USA. The Lakers have featured some of the most famous American basketball stars, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, and more. The team is also tied for the most NBA championships with the Boston Celtics (17 championships each).
- The Dodgers and Angels are Los Angeles' representatives in the Major League Baseball – the MLB.
- The Chargers and Rams represent the city in the NFL, the football league.
- The Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings represent the city in the National Hockey League, the NHL.
5 Tips from Guy for a Trip with Kids in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the most advanced cities in the world and has loads to do with the kids. The Disney theme parks are, of course, the highlight of the city's family outings, promising at least two days of perfect childhood fantasy, full of thrilling rides and cinematic experiences. The large Universal theme park also provides a perfect day of indulging in Hollywood movie fantasies.
Aside from the theme parks, Los Angeles itself is a fun city for adults and kids alike. The coastline stretching from Venice to Santa Monica is packed with attractions for children, including the Santa Monica Pier and the aquarium. The Miracle Mile offers a fascinating collection of museums that provide a full day of entertainment for the whole family. Los Angeles also harbors natural beauty in the Santa Monica Mountain Range and attractions at Griffith Park.
When planning travel itineraries with kids, there are a few basic rules that are definitely worth implementing:
- Flight comfort – The flight to Los Angeles is tough even for adults without kids. Being in the air for 16 hours straight, not to mention the connections in Europe or New York, is no picnic. Finding ways to keep the kids entertained and survive the flight, including getting them to sleep, is essential.
- Soft Landing – Once you land in California, the jet lag begins to set in. The time differences affect adults and can have a significant impact on kids too. The solution? Make your first day as relaxed as possible, with plenty of sleep and trying to adjust your sleeping schedules to California time.
- Don't Overload – You might have thought you could cover both Disneyland parks in Anaheim in one day… well, think again. When traveling with kids, even older ones and definitely younger ones, it's crucial to plan a spacious daily schedule without trying to cover all of California in one go.
- Kid's Daily Routine – When touring Los Angeles with kids, it's good to have a well-defined schedule (with lots of room for rest and fun), but also plenty of options to maneuver within the framework. Start the day with a major, defined attraction and then keep the rest of the day light, with lots of fresh air, food options, and half an hour of ice cream by the canal.
- Don’t improvise your travel itinerary – Traveling abroad is like swimming in unfamiliar waters, and even if it's not your first time in Italy, there are always surprises. It’s crucial to ensure that the main attraction of the day is open and running because arriving at closed gates can be frustrating for parents and downright patience-testing for kids. It’s important to know exactly where you're going and, even more importantly, where you’ll be eating and resting afterward!!
