Traveling to Los Angeles?
Pack Light. Travel Happy.™ Rent baby gear in Los Angeles.Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States for population, is a city with endless options and activities to keep little ones entertained and families occupied. Traditional activities such as museums, parks, and zoos are definitely tried and tested staples. However, modern parents are often itching for something new and exciting that offers more of an experiential element than the predictable standbys.
We’ve rounded up some of the most unique activities in and around Los Angeles. These hidden gems will keep the kiddos entertained while also offering a fun experience for the adults to enjoy! Be sure to call ahead or check online to confirm hours in these unusual times of COVID.
Take a Beachfront Bike Ride
With Los Angeles’ seemingly endless and near-perfect sunny weather virtually year-round, it would be a crime not to take advantage of it and head outdoors…specifically to the beach! What better way to experience the Southern California lifestyle than hopping on a bike! You’ll feel the wind in your hair and see nothing but breathtaking views of sand and ocean for miles.
If you don’t own a bike, there are plenty of bike rental shops dotted along the various beachfront bike paths. Stretching from Santa Monica and Venice Beach, all the way to Manhattan Beach and beyond, you’ll easily find rental options. Beach Cruisers are a favorite rental and if your child isn’t completely comfortable on their own bike, consider renting a tandem bicycle. Rental shops also offer baby seats and trailers for the younger ones to hitch to adult bikes, so the whole family can get in on the action! Kids will love the sense of freedom and gorgeous views while parents enjoy a great workout. It’s a win-win situation!
Cost: Free (if you already own a bike); Bicycle rentals start at $5/hour and go up to approx. $24 for a full day.
Grab Some Sleds and Hit the Sandy Slopes
Late fall marks the beginning of sledding season at some LA beaches! Each year around this time, in an effort to keep the beach from flooding over the winter, the county uses bulldozers to create large sand berms that are perfect for a little sledding or snowboarding adventure. All you’ll need is an inexpensive sled or even a smooth-bottomed boogie board or snowboard to create a fun activity for the whole family.
The berms at Hermosa Beach are great for little kids because they aren’t too steep. If you want to combine your sledding experience with some serious people-watching, try the popular and expansive berm that runs south of the Venice Beach pier. Another well-known spot is Zuma Beach in Malibu. Bring a picnic and some beach toys and make an afternoon of it!
Cost: About $10 for a sled and $10 for parking.
Visit Annenberg Community Beach House
While sticking with the beach theme, be sure to check out a children’s version of outdoor paradise at the Annenberg Community Beach House. This former Marion Davies private estate and its adjacent marble swimming pool are located on 5 beautiful acres of oceanfront property on Santa Monica State Beach. It has been transformed into a non-membership public space for all to enjoy!
Kids will love the splash pad, children’s play area, and of course, the historic pool. Take a midday break and have lunch or a quick bite at the onsite restaurant, Back On The Beach Cafe. With a few quick steps beyond the restaurant, you will be right on the beach. Take advantage of the onsite umbrella and chair rentals. Parents can kick back and relax in the shade while little ones build sandcastles and frolic on the beach. For a touch of culture, take a free tour of the Marion Davies Guesthouse to round out your day!
Note: The pool itself is only open from May to October. However, the beach house runs Pop Up Pool Days throughout the year and offers beach amenities year-round.
Cost: Parking- Apr-Oct $12/day or $3/hour, Nov-Mar $8/day or $3/hour; Pool admission- $10 per person; Splash pad: free
Explore Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles
Descanso Gardens is one of those Los Angeles places that feels very “un-LA-ish” in the best possible sense. Located off the beaten path in La Canada Flintridge, you will definitely feel like you’ve been transported to a calming refuge away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This should come as no surprise as Descanso means “place of rest” in Spanish. This 150-acre botanical garden is huge, so check the events calendar and zero in on the kid-friendly activities. This will help to make your visit more manageable and enjoyable for the kiddos.
Little Explorers is perfect for children ages 2 to 5. On the first Saturday of the month, Little Explorers will encourage kids to use their senses to discover the natural world through hands-on activities. Children 2 years and older are welcome to participate in the Little Owls Reading Nest where they can enjoy an enchanting nature-themed story time at Magnolia Nest. Ride the Enchanted Railroad train ride, participate in scavenger hunts, and don’t miss the children’s maze, perfect for kids 6 and under to run around and explore.
Cost: Adults $9, Children 5-12 $4, Children 5 and under are free
Go for a Horseback Ride at Will Rogers State Historical Park
Perched up above the city in the Santa Monica mountains, this state park is the former ranch estate of actor Will Rogers who made his home here in the 1920s and 30s. Located in Pacific Palisades, it features expansive grounds perfect for a picnic as well as horse corrals, a polo field, and a 2-mile hiking trail loop that leads up to an overlook called Inspiration Point. From this vantage point, you can see both the ocean and the mountains, as well as the LA skyline. Kids will love exploring this path on foot or bike, or you can really pump up the adventure factor by taking a guided horseback ride from one of the park’s wranglers!
Cost: $12 for parking, $85 for a horseback tour.
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Enjoy an Outdoor Concert at Levitt Pavilion
With 50 free concerts offered every summer, Levittt Pavilion, located in MacArthur Park, is the perfect place for the whole family to explore their love of music in the great outdoors. Pack lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic fixings, and be prepared to get up on your feet and dance! Most shows start between 6:30 and 7:30 pm. However, if you arrive early, there is a designated Kidzone near the pavilion offering free art activities, games, face painting, and more! They also offer a Sunday Children’s Series featuring music geared towards the kiddos!
Cost: Admission Free; Parking $8
Go on a Whale Watch
If your family enjoys being on the water, consider embarking on a whale watch cruise. It’s possible to spot whales off the coast of LA year-round, as well as a variety of other sea creatures like dolphins, sea lions, otters, and seals. January-April is considered the most consistent time to see whales because thousands of gray whales are migrating. However, the summertime brings the possibility of spotting exciting species like the blue whale, Earth’s biggest creature, and humpbacks are prevalent in the fall. Some companies have a minimum age requirement, so be sure to check first if you plan on bringing little ones aboard. A few of our favorites are:
- Newport Coastal Adventures, located just south of LA in Newport Beach;
- Davey’s Locker, also out of Newport Beach; and
- LA Waterfront Cruises, is based out of San Pedro.
Cost: Prices vary by company, age, and time/date of the cruise, so check websites first.
Catch a Movie with Street Food Cinema
Everyone loves a movie, and seeing one outdoors is a fun and unique experience! Street Food Cinema regularly hosts pop culture movies (many of them Disney & Pixar classics!) at venues all over LA. You can pack a picnic or grab hot, delicious food from one of their featured food trucks. The Santa Monica Airport is currently serving as a Street Food Cinema drive-in, where you can enjoy the show from the comfort of your car! Make a reservation ahead of time because spots here go fast.
Cost: Drive-in car entry fee $20, Tickets $8/person
Pick Your Own Produce at Underwood Family Farm
This family excursion is just over the county line in Moorpark (with a second location in Somis), but well worth the travel time of about 45 minutes from downtown LA. Set on about 200 acres, this farm has a ton to offer kids and grownups alike.
The main attraction is the opportunity to pick a huge variety of products that changes with the seasons; everything from summer berries and flowers to fall pumpkins and winter greens. You can read their Pick Your Own Calendar to get an idea of what’s available throughout the year. Underwood offers tractor-pulled wagon rides complimentary with the price of admission, as well as a playground, bouncy house, and a bike track. Their Farm Animal Center has a petting zoo where you can feed the goats, ride the ponies, and check out the pigpen and chicken coop. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch and make a day out of it; there is so much to see here!
Cost: $5 (children under 2 free), plus the cost of produce picked.
Explore Echo Park
You’ve heard about Hollywood and Beverly Hills, but what about Echo Park? Tucked into the Los Angeles neighborhood of Echo Park is a quirky little spot called the Time Travel Mart that is sure to delight the kiddos. Run by the non-profit organization 826, this store doubles as a tutoring center that helps children with their creative writing skills.
From the sidewalk, you are invited to take a photo in front of the “Garden of Knowledge,” a collection of foliage, books, and odd decorations set behind the window front. A life-sized caveman shakes hands with a robot in a second window, setting the tone for the theme of the store. Inside, you will find a wide variety of cool things for sale, like dinosaur eggs and time travel sickness pills.
When you are finished browsing, head about half a mile down the street to Echo Park Lake, where you can rent a pedal boat from Wheel Fun Rentals. These boats accommodate up to 5 people, and you can rent them day or night; if you get there around sunset, you can watch as the swans light up!
Cost: $11/hr adults & $6/hr children for swan boat rentals.
Marvel at the Bradbury Building
The historic Bradbury Building in downtown Los Angeles isn’t much to look at from the outside, but once you enter, you’ll quickly see that it’s a hidden gem the whole family can appreciate. The stunning interior, a Victorian court surrounded by marble & wrought iron staircases, has been filmed so many times you may even recognize it. Birdcage elevators rise 5 stories to the skylit glass atrium. The Bradbury Building first opened over 100 years ago, making it the oldest commercial building in the area, and the architecture is truly one of a kind! It’s definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re already in the area.
Cost: Free!
Shop & Play at Studio City Farmers Market
This is a double whammy for kids and parents alike. Parents get to buy their weekly selection of farm-fresh produce while kids enjoy a ton of super fun activities. Voted the most kid-friendly farmer’s markets in Los Angeles. This is an experience that is fun for the whole family. There are pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, swings, a rock-climbing wall, and slides. It’s a combination of every child’s fantasy all in one place! After the kiddos have burned off a bunch of energy, they can re-energize and re-hydrate with food and beverages from local vendors.
Cost: Free admission; Purchase tickets onsite for kids’ activities (price varies)
It’s easy to get caught up in the familiarity of local parks and museums, but kids and parents benefit from venturing away from the norm. Even if it takes a bit of extra effort, the payoff is priceless!
Some of these off-the-beaten-path activities in and around Los Angeles require much walking, so don’t forget to rent a stroller or carrier from BabyQuip providers in the LA area to make it easier on you and the little ones!
What are some of your favorite Los Angeles activities that are off the beaten path? Comment below!
Traveling to Los Angeles?
Pack Light. Travel Happy.™ Rent baby gear in Los Angeles.
Jennifer O’Neill is an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip, helping families travel lighter and happier. She is a mother of two boys and enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends and of course, traveling.
These are such great suggestions, I can’t wait to get back to LA someday and check them out. I love that they are all outdoor suggestions!
I don’t live in Los Angeles, but reading about these, especially the farmer’s market and beachside bike rides, makes me wish it was summer here in Minnesota!