Share
Previous Page
- Family Fun
- LA Architecture Tour
- Classic LA: Stars, Cars & Vistas
- L.A. with Children
When planning a trip to L.A. with kids, do your best to keep freeway time to a minimum. Stick to one general area per day rather than trying to cross the city more than once. Santa Monica, with its beach access and bike trails, is a good base for families. If you have older children, the Hollywood day described in the itinerary above may be suitable, too.
Day 1: Get Sandy
Get acclimated on your first day with a beachfront ride, picking up the oceanfront bike trail near the Santa Monica Pier. Follow the concrete path south to Venice Beach, grab a boardwalk snack, and take in the waves of magicians, body builders, and street artists. Pedal back up to Santa Monica for an evening at the Third Street Promenade.
Day 2: Theme Park Time
The Disneyland Resort, in Orange County, is likely top of your list; see the Orange County & Catalina Island chapter for tips on how to get the most out of a stint at these parks. If you're coming here, it's best to spend the previous night nearby and get an early start at the parks, rather than trying to drive down from L.A. the same day. If you've already done Disney, consider Knott's Berry Farm (also in OC, lots of coasters), Universal Studios Hollywood, or Six Flags Magic Mountain (for thrill rides).
Day 3: Green Spaces, Urban Places
Recover from the rides -- and all the lines for the rides -- with a few hours in Griffith Park, exploring its well-marked trails, zoo, and museums. Children's activities include pony rides, a 1926 merry-go-round, and the Griffith Park Southern Railroad, a miniature train that takes young riders past fabricated scenes of the Old West. Alternatively, you could head to Will Rogers State Historic Park, a good place for picnicking and hiking.
If you'd like to squeeze in a museum, the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits may be best, especially if you have younger children. But look into the Getty Center, too -- it's quite kid-friendly with its gardens and special children's programs. If your kid loves sports, find out what's on at the Staples Center, Dodger Stadium, or Angel Stadium Anaheim and go for a game.
Content provided by 
. Copyright © by Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ADVERTISEMENT
