Featured
Table of Contents
Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) The second most significant 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 provides 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.
Take in its distinct SoCal vibe, an extensive skate park, and an outside health club with musclebound locals raising weights under the California sun. Olvera Street in Los Angeles (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) The Getty Center is amongst the most popular attractions in the Los Angeles area. The museum is filled with artwork by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.
Located on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory wows visitors with its planetarium, high-powered telescopes for public use, and area shows. Households seem like they've crossed the border into Mexico on Olvera Street, also referred to as El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birth place of Los Angeles. It features 27 historical buildings and a main Mexican plaza.
Kids might wonder if they have actually entered Jurassic Park as they stare at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, huge sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth.
Kids particularly take pleasure in Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden, which includes spirited, hands-on aspects 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 nearby Buena Park, and much more.
A suburb of Los Angeles, Burbank has numerous significant film and television studios. Burbank is home to around 100,00 residents and 3 powerhouse studios: Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Warner Bros Studio. For an immersive take a look at sets and souvenirs from preferred programs and movies, book a Warner Bros.
For a tasty serving of movies and television shows with a side of roller coasters and live programs, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. This is specifically real for Harry Potter fans, who will love the Wizarding World at this style park. Naturally, you will likewise wish to view the iconic Hollywood Indication and stroll along the popular Hollywood Walk of Popularity.
Yosemite National Park Valley landscape (Image credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with hiking routes, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural wonder. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this precious nationwide park. It covers 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 remains one of the nation's finest examples of land conservation. Carved by glaciers over 10s of countless years, Yosemite Valley includes granite giants El Capitan and Half Dome. Families looking for to check out California's natural charm will love checking out Yosemite. Plan your trip with these Yosemite National Park pointers.
While in this desert oasis, don't miss a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area's plentiful palm trees. Households are enamored with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This outstanding zoo and botanical garden uses ingenious play areas for kids and a fun model train exhibit. Giant spinning wind turbines in the Palm Springs location produce an electrifying 1.5 million megawatt-hours.
The cars and truck's floor turns throughout the ride, so travelers get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) For an unique array of household activities, consider a Ventura County trip.
Households likewise delight in strolling Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterside views, or investing a relaxed afternoon on the wide, uncrowded beaches that define this seaside area. Discover more unique things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Photo credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica exemplifies Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier includes a dozen rides, including the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller rollercoaster. You'll likewise find every treat your sweet teeth might long for and a myriad of game video games with rewards. Households also enjoy strolling the Third Street Boardwalk for shopping, street performers, and easy dining just a couple of blocks from the beach.
Grownups and kids of all ages can't help however feel awestruck by the huge sequoias in the Giant Forest. This national forest boasts the world's largest tree, General Sherman. You can even drive through another outstanding huge sequoia called the Tunnel Log. This lovely location offers a variety of great things to do in nature, like treking, mountain biking, outdoor camping, and horseback riding.
Where to Book Enchanted Photography Sessions for FamiliesKnown for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is among the deepest in The United States and Canada. This park offers significant rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote treking routes. Learn more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national forests in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best national forests in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Park (Image credit: lunamarina,) Positioned about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National forest is essential for households who want to check out natural wonders in California.
Where to Book Enchanted Photography Sessions for FamiliesThese uncommon trees grow just in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Children will take pleasure in rushing over the park's huge boulders and checking out short, simple tracks that showcase the desert's otherworldly landscape. Reserve a guided Joshua Tree National Park tour with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a residential area of Los Angeles (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) Simply a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for households who love theme park, themed adventures, and easy getaway fun.
Summer season visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround home entertainment includes Middle ages Times and Pirates Dinner Adventure. It's an easy addon to any Southern California journey and a great home for exploring close-by beaches, Orange County, and LA. Explore more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.
Discover SoCal's best-kept trick (shh!) with my La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club review. Learn more about a surprise gem desert vacation spot with these things to do in Borrego Springs. For much more California container list concepts, have a look at this California journey travel plan, a list of national forests in California, and my substantial catalog of California vacations and tips.
Latest Posts
Creative Ways to Engage Family Milestones
Must-See Youth Support Services for Busy Parents
Planning for Creative Children's Activities in 2026