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Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Photo credit: oneinchpunch,) The second biggest city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. No wonder L.A. is one of the finest locations to check out in California with kids! Los Angeles likewise uses 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.
Take in its distinct SoCal vibe, an expansive skate park, and an outdoor health club with musclebound locals lifting weights under the California sun. The museum is filled with art work by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.
, also understood as El Pueblo Historic Monument. This is the birth place of Los Angeles. It features 27 historical buildings and a main Mexican plaza.
Kids may wonder if they have actually entered Jurassic Park as they look at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, huge sloths, and other extinct animals in pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth.
Kids particularly take pleasure in Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden, which features spirited, hands-on aspects such as tunnels, splash areas, fairy doors, and more. Cover a great deal of ground with a Los Angeles Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 40+ Tourist attractions, consisting of the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in close-by Buena Park, and a lot more.
A suburban area of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of significant film and television studios. Burbank is home to around 100,00 homeowners and 3 powerhouse studios: Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Warner Bros Studio. For an immersive appearance at sets and memorabilia from favorite programs and motion pictures, book a Warner Bros.
For a delicious serving of movies and TV shows with a side of roller rollercoasters and live programs, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. This is especially true for Harry Potter fans, who will adore the Wizarding World at this theme park. Obviously, you will also desire to view the renowned Hollywood Sign and stroll along the well-known Hollywood Walk of Popularity.
Yosemite National Park Valley landscape (Picture credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with hiking routes, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a location of natural marvel. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this precious national park. It spans almost 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 one of the nation's finest examples of land preservation. Sculpted by glaciers over 10s of countless years, Yosemite Valley includes granite giants El Capitan and Half Dome. Families seeking to explore California's natural beauty will like checking out Yosemite. Plan your trip with these Yosemite National forest tips.
While in this desert oasis, do not miss a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area's numerous palm trees. This excellent zoo and botanical garden provides ingenious play areas for kids and an enjoyable model train exhibition.
Soar from the desert valley to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains through the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The car's floor turns throughout the ride, so passengers 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 (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) For an unique array of household activities, consider a Ventura County trip.
Families also take pleasure in walking Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterfront views, or spending an unwinded afternoon on the broad, uncrowded beaches that specify this seaside area.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a lots trips, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller rollercoaster. You'll also discover every treat your cravings for sweets might long for and a huge selection of game video games with rewards. Families likewise delight in strolling the Third Street Boardwalk for shopping, street entertainers, and easy dining just a few blocks from the beach.
Grownups and kids of all ages can't assist however feel awestruck by the enormous sequoias in the Giant Forest. This national park boasts the world's biggest tree, General Sherman.
Preparing for Thematic Art Days in 2026Known for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is among the deepest in North America. This park offers dramatic rock developments, rugged wilderness, and remote hiking routes. Discover more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national forests in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best national parks in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Forest (Photo credit: lunamarina,) Positioned about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National forest is essential for families who wish to explore natural wonders in California.
Preparing for Thematic Art Days in 2026These uncommon trees grow only in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will enjoy rushing over the park's giant boulders and exploring brief, easy tracks that display the desert's transcendent landscape. Reserve 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 suburb of Los Angeles (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for families who love amusement parks, themed experiences, and easy vacation enjoyable.
Summertime visitors can cool off at Soak City Water Park, while yearround home entertainment includes Medieval Times and Pirates Dinner Experience. It's an easy addon to any Southern California journey and a fantastic home for exploring nearby beaches, Orange County, and LA. Check out more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.
Discover SoCal's best-kept trick (shh!) with my La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club review. Discover a surprise gem desert destination with these things to do in Borrego Springs. For even more California bucket list ideas, have a look at this California road trip schedule, a list of national forests in California, and my substantial brochure of California holidays and pointers.
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