Featured
Table of Contents
Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Picture credit: oneinchpunch,) The 2nd most significant city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. In fact, Los Angeles is home to over 90 museums, and the city area boasts around 15,000 dining establishments. No surprise L.A. is among the best locations to visit in California with kids! Los Angeles also provides 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.
Take in its distinct SoCal ambiance, an extensive skate park, and an outside fitness center with musclebound residents raising weights under the California sun. Olvera Street in Los Angeles (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) The Getty Center is amongst the most popular destinations in the Los Angeles location. The museum is filled with art work by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.
, likewise understood as El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. It features 27 historical structures and a central Mexican plaza.
Action method back in time at La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum. Kids might question if they have actually gone into Jurassic Park as they stare at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, enormous sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth. Posturing at The Huntington (Image credit: Phil Travels In between) A personal favorite, The Huntington Botanical Gardens stretches across 130 visitable acres (half a square kilometer).
Kids particularly enjoy Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden, which includes lively, hands-on components such as tunnels, splash areas, fairy doors, and more. Cover a lot of ground with a Los Angeles Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 40+ Destinations, consisting of the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in neighboring Buena Park, and much more.
A residential area of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of major movie and television studios. Of course, you will also desire to view the iconic Hollywood Sign and stroll along the popular Hollywood Stroll of Popularity.
Yosemite National forest Valley landscape (Image credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with hiking routes, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a location of natural wonder. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this cherished national forest. 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 among the nation's finest examples of land conservation. Sculpted by glaciers over 10s of countless years, Yosemite Valley includes granite giants El Capitan and Half Dome. Households seeking to check out California's natural beauty will like checking out Yosemite. Plan your trip with these Yosemite National Park pointers.
While in this desert oasis, do not miss out on a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area's plentiful palm trees. Families are enamored with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This impressive zoo and botanical garden uses innovative play spaces for kids and an enjoyable model train exhibit. 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 by means of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The car's floor rotates throughout the ride, so travelers 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 (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) For a distinct range of family activities, consider a Ventura County vacation.
Families likewise enjoy walking Ventura Harbor Village for ice cream and waterside views, or spending a relaxed afternoon on the broad, uncrowded beaches that specify this seaside area. Discover more unique things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Photo credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica epitomizes Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier includes a lots rides, including the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller rollercoaster. You'll likewise find every treat your cravings for sweets could long for and a wide variety of game games with prizes. Households also enjoy walking the Third Street Boardwalk for shopping, street entertainers, and easy dining simply a couple of blocks from the beach.
Grownups and kids of any ages can't help however feel awestruck by the enormous sequoias in the Giant Forest. This nationwide park boasts the world's biggest tree, General Sherman. You can even drive through another excellent giant sequoia called the Tunnel Log. This gorgeous place provides a selection of terrific things to do in nature, like treking, mountain biking, outdoor camping, and horseback riding.
The Essential 2026 City Manual for Active FamiliesKnown for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the deepest in The United States and Canada. This park provides dramatic rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote treking trails. Discover more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other nationwide parks in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best nationwide parks in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Park (Photo credit: lunamarina,) Located about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National forest is vital for families who desire to explore natural wonders in California.
The Essential 2026 City Manual for Active FamiliesThese uncommon trees grow just in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will delight in rushing over the park's huge boulders and checking out brief, easy trails that showcase the desert's otherworldly landscape. Schedule a directed Joshua Tree National Park tour with our relied on partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a suburban area of Los Angeles (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) Simply a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for families who enjoy amusement parks, themed adventures, and simple vacation enjoyable.
Summertime visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround entertainment consists of Medieval Times and Pirates Dinner Experience. It's an easy addon to any Southern California journey and a terrific home base for exploring close-by beaches, Orange County, and LA. Check out more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.
Latest Posts
How to Design Memorable Family Outings With Kids
Essential Family Support Networks for Busy Families
Exciting Local Activities for Your Growing Family