20 FUN Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids (non-boring guide)

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Planning to go to Los Angeles quickly? LA is the second largest metropolis within the USA and it’s stuffed with infinite enjoyable issues to do in Los Angeles with youngsters!

I’m certain you’re simply as bored as I’m at seeing all these lists of issues to do in a metropolis that focus solely on youngsters’s museums and playgrounds! Please, there’s a lot extra enjoyable experiences to have as a household to actually get to know what makes up the character of a metropolis.

We create non-boring guides with sights and experiences that oldsters and child will love collectively. Don’t let the one reminiscence your youngsters have of a journey be an aquarium or museum that’s as generic as you’ll discover anyplace on this planet.

Under are our prime tips about what to do in Los Angeles with youngsters, plus the place to eat, where to stay in Los Angeles with youngsters, how to economize, getting round, and rather more!

All of that is based mostly upon PERSONAL EXPERIECNES, not desk analysis.

Through the years we’ve been in a position to go to Los Angeles a number of instances. Firstly as a pair, and lately with our two daughters, Kalyra and Savannah.

To be sincere we weren’t initially massive followers, and it’s taken some time for LA to develop on us.

Generally it’s a must to go to a spot a second or third time earlier than you’ll be able to respect it, particularly one with all kinds of issues to see.

Why go to LA with Youngsters?

I do know you’re questioning if LA is an effective place for teenagers and why it’s value visiting!

Our opinion of Los Angeles was all the time that it was overrated, and the primary purpose to go to can be for a theme park trip to Disneyland.

In any other case it was one massive sprawl of a metropolis with horrible visitors, common climate, costly, and no actual group or soul.

And we might by no means perceive why individuals would select to dwell there?

However on our current go to on our one yr USA road trip, we’ve lastly found an appreciation for the Metropolis of Los Angeles and have discovered what individuals discover so enticing about it.

It has a vibrant and relaxed seaside tradition, excellent pure magnificence, distinctive and enjoyable sights, unbelievable road artwork, numerous glamour and sparkle, totally different neighborhoods with distinct personalities, and an unimaginable range of flavorful meals.

What’s there to do in LA for households?

It doesn’t matter your little one’s pursuits, there’s an attraction for them in LA.

Kalyra, our eldest, has performing desires so it was thrilling to assist gas that dream for her! Each our women additionally love theme parks, so we’ve included them in visits to LA.

Close by you might have Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Common Studios to get your curler coaster, and Ferris Wheel fixes)

This go to we acquired some nice insider ideas from locals that dwell with youngsters in Los Angeles and from different household vacationers and embraced the sprawling metropolis.

And we liked the thrill of visiting LA with the women for the primary time and exploring the world of Hollywood with them.

This journey to LA simply felt totally different. We had extra time, which allowed us to find LA at a slower tempo which is all the time nicer with youngsters, particularly in a metropolis this measurement as sightseeing in LA could be overwhelming.

Warner Bros Studio Tour

Warner Bros Studios tour was a deal with for our budding actress, Kalyra and a enjoyable place for teenagers in Los Angeles.

IT was fascinating to see the behind the scenes of placing TV and flicks collectively.

Information Flash: It’s all pretend! On our backlot tour we traveled by means of New York, Chicago, France and Connecticut. It’s wonderful how they’ll cleverly recreate anywhere on earth.

Highlights of Warner Bros Studio Tour

• Carrying the sorting hat within the Harry Potter archive part. Kalyra and Savannah acquired Gryffindor, I used to be Hufflepuff, and Craig was Slytherin.
• Holding an actual OSCAR and sitting on the Pals sofa (which was filmed right here and never in New York City)! And Savannah acquired to face on the steps of her favourite TV present home, the Fuller Home.
• Visiting the archive rooms to see costumes and props from Harry Potter and Batman movies.
• Ellen can also be filmed out right here and The Massive Bang Idea is in its final season. And even components of Jurassic Park had been filmed right here.

The studio tour is a dearer attraction for ages 8 and over so, it’s an LA attraction for older youngsters.

When you’re fascinated with the film business you then’ll discover this tour value it. When you’re tight on funds and nonplussed, I’d skip it.

Common Studios Hollywood LA

All of us liked visiting Universal Studios in Orlando, particularly the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so had been excited to see what Universal Studios Hollywood was like.

Seems the Hollywood park just isn’t as massive as Orlando, which makes it simple to do in a day and offers it a extra relaxed vibe.

So for a family-friendly day of flicks, rides and entertaining reveals at one of many prime LA vacationer sights, head to Common Studios simply north of Hollywood (over the hills!)

You’ll respect the views over the valley from right here.

Don’t miss the backlot tour which takes you behind the scenes, and the Mummy trip is tremendous enjoyable.

And naturally, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is likely one of the greatest things to do in LA with household for raving Harry Potter followers!

Sipping on a butterbeer and the Forbidden Journey trip had been our two favourite issues. That is most likely some of the well-known child pleasant actions in Los Angeles

When you exit the park, Common Metropolis Stroll is a cool spot to discover and have dinner – we ate on the Laborious Rock Cafe which is all the time a household favourite!

Get your Universal Tickets here. 

Melrose Ave Strolling Tour

Our women liked this mural tour of Melrose Ave and taking artistic images. They’re all the time altering so that is an LA attraction you are able to do on every new go to.

We determined to do a walking tour which turned out to be some of the enjoyable issues to do in LA with youngsters. You might do it your self, however we liked having a information to take us to the very best spots and even assist us create cool poses.

Melrose Ave in LA is the world for many who love funk, edge, artwork murals, boutique purchasing and hundreds extra. You’ll be able to simply wander up and down right here wanting within the shops and taking selfies with the painted partitions.

The tour began by grabbing a cup of boutique espresso after which hitting the murals, studying extra concerning the artwork and couture of hip Melrose Ave.

The murals listed below are altering on a regular basis so you’ll be able to preserve coming again. Check out the REEL here!

Isn’t this fashion higher than your normal youngsters’s museums? No must stifle yawns right here!

Go On An City Hike in Griffith Park

When you’re searching for stuff to do in LA away from the city congestion and in nature, Griffith Park is likely one of the largest city wilderness municipal parks within the US. There are over 400 acres of pure magnificence, and various wildlife.

Positioned within the Santa Monica mountain vary, it’s roughly a 20-minute drive north-west of Downtown and provides a number of climbing trails, deep canyons, pony rides, and gorgeous views of LA.

If I lived in LA, I’d be climbing right here on a regular basis, particularly contemplating it’s a type of FREE issues to do in LA with youngsters.

We did the hike to the Mt Hollywood Summit, a 4 mile loop path, which supplied spectacular views of Downtown LA, the Griffith Observatory, Hollywood Hills, and the Hollywood signal.

We didn’t make it to the signal – it was for much longer to get all the best way there, so it’s happening our listing of Los Angeles household actions for subsequent time!

The LA Sightseeing Pass consists of guided hikes in Griffith Park in case you didn’t wish to do it your self. It’s completely secure and pleasing to do it solo as a household exercise in LA!

Different sights right here embrace the Journey City Museum the place you’ll be able to trip and discover trains; Shane’s Inspiration Playground; the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and one in every of my favourite music venues: the Greek Theater. (I’m certain your youngsters would like to see a live performance right here!)

Watch this video of some LA hikes:

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Park provides quite a few LA sights, together with Griffith Observatory which sits perched on a hilltop beneath the Hollywood Signal.

We had nice views of this throughout our hike right here, after which walked down and across the perimeter. Sadly it was closed as we visited on President’s Day.

The observatory has public telescopes and star events, and we’d like to return, particularly at evening and do some star gazing and to see the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

So contemplate placing this in your listing of enjoyable household issues to do in LA at evening. This can be a nice strategy to get your science schooling in along with your youngsters, in a singular manner, with out visiting a generic science museum.

Slide Down California’s Tallest Constructing

Is your loved ones courageous sufficient to slip from the seventieth ground to the sixtieth ground of California’s tallest constructing on a glass slide?

The slide is over inside seconds and also you barely discover you’re held up by a chunk of glass hanging off the aspect of a constructing. I promise it’s not that scary.

It’s a little costly although.

The Oue Skyspace in Downtown LA is a singular expertise and value doing in case your funds permits. It provides 360-degree panoramic views of LA, with some fascinating and enjoyable interactive paintings and shows. It’s excessive screaming household enjoyable in LA.

We nearly had the OUE Skyspace to ourselves. If that was in Chicago or New York Metropolis, you’d be lining up for hours!

So if you end up in downtown LA, put this in your listing of greatest things to do in Los Angeles with youngsters. Check out the fun of it in this reel.

And fortunately, it’s included within the Los Angeles Sightseeing Pass.

The Final Bookstore

If any of you in your loved ones are e-book lovers, one of many cool things to do in downtown LA is go to The Final Bookstore.

It’s a cool area to browse, learn, purchase books, take a look at quirky e-book sculptures, and get some enjoyable images. And naturally, admission is free!

Journey Angels Flight Railway

Additionally in Downtown LA, and throughout the street from Grand Central Markets (which is a cool spot to eat or wander by means of by the best way), is a brilliant orange archway resulting in the world’s shortest railway at 298 ft.

Angels Flight Railway is a unusual historic landmark and was initially constructed (in a close-by location) to hold residents of the luxe houses on Bunker Hill to their jobs in downtown.

In case your youngsters like prepare rides, they’ll take pleasure in this household pleasant LA attraction.

Open every day, 12 months a yr, and solely prices $1 every manner. There you go! Less expensive than the fun rides of Disneyland!

Runyon Canyon Hike

For extra climbing adventures in LA, we headed to Runyon Canyon. It’s one in every of LA’s most accessible hikes because it backs onto Mulholland Drive on one finish and West Hollywood on the opposite.

This additionally makes it one of many busiest, because it’s a small climbing space and standard with locals.

There are many paved trails winding up and down the hills stuffed with runners, walkers and canines.

This brief hike supplied extra gorgeous views of the Hollywood Hills and Downtown LA. It’s a straightforward kid-friendly Los Angeles exercise.

Hike Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is such a hidden treasure of Los Angeles and California. There was solely two different individuals there once we visited. It’s like questioning into the wilderness of Southeast Asia. Oh wait, scenes type Mash had been filmed right here!

The park was previously owned by twentieth Century Fox Studios and has been seen all around the world in motion pictures and tv reveals, and is L.A.’s most spectacular park!

There’s over 8,000 acres of rolling tall grass plains, oak savannah’s, and alternatives for mountain biking, fishing, mountain climbing and horseback using.

We mixed our go to with a coastal drive from Malibu into Santa Monica which is a part of the Pacific Coast Freeway. You’ll be able to take a look at Malibu Seashore whereas on this space, which many say is likely one of the prime seashores in California, however I urge to vary.

Getty Museum

The Getty Museum is likely one of the standard free issues to do with youngsters in Los Angeles (it’s a must to pay $15 for the car parking zone).

We’re not massive artwork or museum individuals so discovered this a little bit boring, however most artwork lovers will rave about it.

The Getty Heart sits atop a hill in Brentwood, and is reached through a 3 automotive cable pulled tram from the underside automotive park.

The museum focuses on artworks, however far more fascinating to us was the structure of the constructing, the views and the attractive sculptured gardens that encompass the museum.

So in case you’re not an enormous artwork lover like us, and you’ve got just a few spare hours, it’s value a go to. It’s a fantastic LA museum for teenagers in the event that they love artwork.

Bike from Santa Monica to Venice Seashore

Biking the seaside promenade from Santa Monica to Venice Seashore is a MUST in your listing of enjoyable issues to do in LA with youngsters.

You’ll be able to hire bikes down by Santa Monica seaside for round $7 an hour or $20 a day. It’s also possible to rent a bike here for $45 a day to discover all of LA. As we’re on a 1 yr USA street journey we had our personal.

It’s a straightforward a 3 mile cycle alongside the boardwalk that’s stuffed with different cyclists, walkers, runners, and curler skaters, you identify it.

That is positively a singular strategy to expertise LA and will get the children actively exploring exterior!

Discover Venice Seashore

Venice Seashore is likely one of the top issues to do in Los Angeles for first time guests. 

We loved watching the skate boarders, basketball video games, gymnasts, buskers and folks watching.

There was this younger skateboarder, possibly 9 years previous lady completely carving up the skate ramp once we final visited – our children liked watching her on the skate park.

When you have youngsters who love skating, remember to give them time to spend right here.

Venice is colourful and simply eclectically cool. We form of prefer it’s psychedelic ambiance that’s trapped within the hippy free love motion of the sixties.

When you’re searching for colourful LA experiences, then Venice Seashore is the place for you.

There’s a good sized boardwalk stuffed with retailers and some eating places/cafes, colourful murals and the odd busker and artist promoting their wares.

Be ready for whiffs of marijuana alongside the walkway although, it’s authorized in California, and the homelessness, so possibly put together your youngsters for that. It might additionally get very busy so watch your youngsters!

Once more, if you go to Los Angeles with youngsters for the primary time, Venice is a type of locations to expertise at the very least as soon as.

Uncover Manhattan and Hermosa Seashores

We inform all of our Australian (and worldwide readers) to move to the South Bay seashores of Manhattan and Hermosa, which aren’t removed from LAX.

These seaside cities are two of the very best locations in Los Angeles that provide an area vibe and really feel, particularly in comparison with the over touristy Santa Monica, and Venice.

When you take pleasure in seaside volleyball, then Manhattan Seashore and Hermosa are the very best places to go to in Los Angeles to have a pleasant sport. In truth, they name Manhattan Seashore the Volleyball Capital of the World.

We like to trip alongside the seaside promenade between Manhattan Pier and Hermosa Pier (you’ll be able to even go additional: north to Marina Del Rey and South to Redondo Seashore). It’s one in every of our fave household actions in Los Angeles.

LA sundown with ice cream

If there’s one factor California does properly, it’s sunsets!

Watching the solar dip beneath the ocean horizon is a delicate strategy to finish an epic day in LA

We liked our night sundown bike trip from El Segundo to Manhattan and watching the sundown.

The sunsets on the seashores are well worth the journey alone.

Be sure to cease for a sundowner at one of many many beer gardens alongside the promenade. And remember to seize some ice lotions for the children!

LA Seashores Video:

Try extra of the South Bay Seashores, Palos Verdes Drive and Venice Seashore in our video:

Hollywood – Behind the Scenes Strolling Tour

When you’re searching for much more issues to do with youngsters in Hollywood, contemplate doing this 75 minute behind the scenes walking tour.

Strolling excursions are fabulous household experiences. It captures your youngsters’s consideration as you study so many cool tales and a deeper historical past to a sure space.

This LA strolling tour modified our opinion on Hollywood. With out it, it simply would have simply been just a few stars with names on the sidewalk and a few hand prints within the cement.

Due to this kid-friendly tour we realized of the traditions behind the celebs and the way the entire superstar stardom factor occurred – with one man’s dream to alter the native Hollywood residents’ opinion of the actors and actresses who weren’t actually anyone again on the time.

Our information was native from the world, and interacted with and stored our children entertained. It’s a enjoyable factor for teenagers to do in LA.

 

Hollywood Stroll of Fame

One of the crucial touristy issues to do in LA with youngsters is the Hollywood Stroll of Fame, and one of many LA sights Kalyra was most wanting ahead too!

She was excited to see and seize a photograph with a few of her idols stars embedded within the sidewalks alongside 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard.

We did, nonetheless, go to just a few days earlier than the OSCARS Academy Awards present so there was numerous organising happening with scaffolding for lighting and TV tools which coated up a big part of the pavement.

Sadly Kalyra missed seeing her fave star, Daniel Radcliffe, who was below the crimson carpet.

Be warned there are individuals attempting to promote you issues, however they’ve cleaned this up because the final time we had been right here a few years in the past with permits required.

However in case you and your youngsters are into motion pictures and Hollywood, go right here as soon as!

This can be a public sidewalk, and open 24 hours with no tickets to buy.

TLC Chinese language Theatre

Additionally alongside the Hollywood Stroll of Fame is likely one of the different prime LA vacationer sights, the TCL Chinese language Theatre.

It’s the place Hollywood’s largest stars come to look at their film premiers, and out the entrance of this theatre is the place you see the cement hand and footprints of the who’s who of Hollywood.

Stars solely obtain this particular accolade if one in every of their movies have been proven on the theater. Every star will go away behind one thing signature about them as properly whether or not it’s a saying or a selected imprint.

For instance, the Harry Potter crew left imprints of their wands.

Happily, the OSCAR building crew didn’t cowl up this space and Kalyra acquired to see her favourite Harry Potter stars embedded within the pavement.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Are you able to consider that is the primary time we’ve ever gone to a Madame Tussauds?

We all the time felt it was a foolish concept and a waste of cash. Nevertheless it was included on our LA Sightseeing Pass and we had an attraction spare so we went as our children had been begging us!

We discovered this child pleasant factor to do in LA surprisingly fairly enjoyable. WE appreciated how you might work together with the wax figures in varied methods for images. The women actually had a good time taking selfies with their favorites.

It’s wonderful how life-like and practical these wax variations are!

Eat On The Carneys Prepare

Sundown Blvd is legendary principally for grownup experiences, however one of many enjoyable issues to do in Los Angeles with youngsters is eat at Carneys Restaurant, which is definitely a prepare carriage you sit within.

This can be a LA landmark, and a household owned enterprise that prides itself on serving a number of the greatest hamburgers and sizzling canines in Los Angeles.

Our children had enjoyable and loved their burger and sizzling canine, and don’t pass over the chili fries too!

Stroll Rodeo Drive

Most likely extra appropriate as issues to do in Los Angeles with youngsters, however one other Los Angeles sightseeing exercise Kalyra actually wished to do was go to Rodeo Drive.

She follows just a few YouTubers who frequent this road so wished see all of the glitz and glamour. 

And if you go to LA, that is positively one of many locations the place it’s greatest to go away your bank cards at dwelling – until after all you might have the means to spend like $750,000 for a designer swimsuit at Home of Bijan!

We noticed a number of the most ridiculous and costly garments in Gucci. Every to their very own after all, and when you might have the $$$$ I suppose you gotta keep cool.

Our women LOVED pretending to be wealthy and well-known on this road.

And why not pop into the Beverly Wiltshire Four Seasons for a sticky beak. We might liked to have sat on the bar having a cocktail, however, wasn’t certain how kid-friendly it was.

Film Stars Houses Tour

We loved this household pleasant Los Angeles tour. We did one years in the past pre-kids, and all I keep in mind is seeing quite a lot of excessive gates and privateness partitions. However, I discovered this yet another fascinating.

Kalyra was excited to see the houses of Katy Perry, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.

Once more, there have been quite a lot of excessive gates however we nonetheless acquired glimpses of properties with okay views, and noticed the spherical glass rental dwelling Justin Bieber acquired kicked out of when his mate threw a celebration when he was out of city.

It was good sitting again of the open prime van listening to the tales and taking within the lovely Hollywood Hills and Mulholland Drive views.

We had been in a position to enter the unique neighborhood of Bel Air and assist Kalyra’s dream of at some point proudly owning a home like Beyoncé’s and Jay Z’s $80 million greenback dwelling.

We additionally loved driving alongside Mulholland Drive and looking over the valleys and Beverly Hills gated communities.

It helped us to understand LA extra and get the attract of residing on this metropolis.

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is likely one of the hottest things for teenagers to do in Los Angeles. 

However, we’ve NEVER been big followers of Santa Monica Pier, or the Third Avenue Promenade, and our current go to hasn’t modified our minds.

We discover the pier too busy, too cheesy, with crappy meals and rides. In order for you rides, I recommend you go to Common, Six Flags, or Disneyland.

And many individuals have since instructed us how underwhelming they discovered it too.

However hey, if it’s your first time visiting LA with youngsters, after all go see it as soon as and resolve for your self.

We did uncover a cool household pleasant brewery although, The Dudes Brewing Co. And on our subsequent go to we’d prefer to discover the extra native taste of Santa Monica however we ran out of time with our bike trip to Venice Seashore.

How To Save Cash On Los Angeles Points of interest With Youngsters

When you plan on doing just a few sights in LA with youngsters, contemplate purchasing a Sightseeing Pass.

It’s a metropolis low cost card which is able to prevent cash on a number of massive identify sights, together with a number of we listed above.

We use them in all main cities we go to (See New York and New Orleans) and work as affiliate companions with The Sightseeing Card and so they offered us with LA passes.

An alternate is the Go Los Angeles Attraction Card.  Save as much as 50% off retail costs on admission to over 30 prime sights and excursions together with Common Studios Hollywood, Madame Tussauds and extra.

If you’re visiting a number of cities within the USA, a USA Sightseeing Pass may work better for you. 

Getting To and Round LA

Parking in LA

Parking in LA was not as dangerous as I used to be anticipating. Different cities within the US will cost extra.

• Down on the seaside in Santa Monica down you could find parking of their seaside tons for $7- 10 a day.
• Hollywood & Highland purchasing heart on Hollywood Blvd provides $3 for 2 hours in case you get the ticket validated at a retailer inside. (Tip: the Customer Heart can validate it!)
• Melrose Ave aspect streets had been solely $1 an hour within the meters
• Malibu has free parking in every single place

Metro mild rail and bus strains

You’ll be able to trip the metro to most locations in LA.

You’ll be able to even make connections that may take you so far as Santa Barbara and San Diego, and with visitors, it could be a much better choice.

The TAP card is a reusable transit-fare card that can be utilized at 26 LA transit companies, making it simple to trip Metro options. It may be bought and loaded with fare at Metro stations and native distributors Test taptogo.net for extra

You should use the Metro’s itinerary planner that will help you map your routes.

We didn’t expertise the metro on our final journey, however we had a few years earlier.

Bike Sharing in LA

There are Metro Bike Shares situated all around the metropolis and out of doors many Metro Stops. It’s obtainable 24/7 and prices $1.75 per half-hour.

It’s also possible to buy a day cross ($5 for limitless journeys free journeys for half-hour or much less. Meaning each half-hour it’s a must to test your b bike in and swap it with one other.

It’ll value $1.75 per half-hour you go over the 30 minute free journey restrict.

You’ll be able to hire bikes down by Santa Monica seaside for round $7 an hour or $20 a day. It’s also possible to rent a bike here for $45 a day to discover all of LA.

The scooter sharing applications are actually standard and could be discovered all around the metropolis.

For nervous bikers, maybe a motorbike tour could also be extra your model:

Flights to LA

• Skyscanner is a comparability web site that searches thousands and thousands of flights. As soon as you discover your greatest deal, e-book immediately by means of the airline (no additional charges).
• Discovering low-cost offers on flights is straightforward with Scott’s Cheap Flights

Automotive Rental in LA

• RentalCars.com is the world’s largest automotive rental reserving service that compares all the foremost manufacturers like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar. You could wish to hire a automotive if you wish to go to past Los Angeles, just like the scenic coastal drive to San Pedro, or so far as San Diego.

Extra Issues to Do in LA With Youngsters

Listed here are tips about extra locations to go in LA and household issues to do:

And listed below are just a few different child pleasant actions in Los Angeles individuals steered that we haven’t achieved but:

• California Science Heart (See the House Shuttle Endeavour at  Samuel Oschin Pavilion)
• Pure Historical past Museum of Los Angeles
• La Brea Tar Pits
• Los Angeles Zoo
• Lengthy Seashore
• Aquarium of the Pacific and their shark lagoon
• Los Angeles County Museum of Artwork
• Kidspace Kids’s Museum for youthful youngsters)

Issues to Do in California With Youngsters

The hyperlinks beneath will take you to posts on different issues to do in California with youngsters with detailed info:

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We hope this helped along with your Los Angeles household trip itinerary plans. When you have any questions or tips about what to do in Los Angeles, or what’s there to do in Southern California with youngsters, share within the feedback beneath