While Hollywood’s glitz and glamour are what many often think of when they think of Los Angeles, the largest city in California is full of great attractions that will entertain a family of all ages. LA is full of nonstop entertainment and education with world famous amusement parks and interactive museums showcasing space shuttles and dinosaurs. It might feel overwhelming if you are planning a family trip to Los Angeles, there are so many things to see, but if planned out thoughtfully with age appropriate components, one can make it quite memorable.
In this article, I’ll highlight some of the top destinations and events for families visiting LA, as well as some budget friendly options to help make the trip a little more affordable. Los Angeles offers year round fun, from dazzling light displays during the holidays to beachside carnivals in the summer. LA also has great outdoor spaces for families to enjoy, including Griffith Park and the famous Santa Monica Pier. Parents can make sure kids don’t grow restless on the road by accounting for travel times and transportation when planning the route. It also means a smoother family trip by building in downtime for rest and relaxation.
Top Family-Friendly Attractions in Los Angeles
Theme Parks
A day at a movie studio or riding Old West adventures is not complete without a family visit to Southern California. Two top tier amusement parks for all ages can be found in Los Angeles.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Getting transported by your family into their favorite films and television shows at Universal Studios Hollywood is becoming a reality through themed rides, special effects shows, working movie sets and more. J.K. Rowling’s magical universe is brought to life with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the acclaimed Studio Tour provides a behind the scenes look into an actual production studio.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Like Knott’s Berry Farm, which also offers live stunt shows and stagecoach rides into Ghost Town’s stage of Wild Wild West. Camp Snoopy is filled with kid sized rollercoasters and Peanuts themed attractions that younger kids love. There is so much to do that families may choose to stay at one of the nearby hotels to gain early admission or extra time at either park.
Museums and Educational Centers
California Science Center
Mixing education and entertainment for school-aged kids becomes effortless with LA’s world-class museums. The California Science Center houses amazing interactive exhibits detailing various ecosystems in addition to being the permanent home of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. With an IMAX theater playing science-themed films and demonstrations by NASA astronauts, this museum essentially hosts the coolest science fair ever.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County contains an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, allowing children to come face-to-face with a T-rex. The hands-on Dinosaur Hall lets kids imagine what it would be like to excavate fossils on a real dig site. Beyond dinosaurs, the museum boasts botanical gardens, wildlife dioramas, and marine life exhibits like the popular “Big Whale” installation.
Outdoor Activities
Griffith Park
Between sunny weather and spectacular scenery, Los Angeles seems tailor-made for family adventures outdoors. Spanning over 4,000 acres in the Hollywood Hills, Griffith Park emerges as the largest municipal park in the country with an incredible array of attractions including hiking trails, horseback riding, train rides, golf courses, and the world-famous Griffith Observatory. Families can easily spend an entire day exploring this iconic green space dotted with museums, playgrounds, and even a zoo.
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier similarly delights kids of all ages as the epicenter of beachfront fun on the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can play games and ride rollercoasters at Pacific Park amusement park, say hello to the marine life at Heal the Bay Aquarium, or simply stroll down the pier watching street performers. The beach itself offers prime space to build sandcastles, play volleyball, or picnic while taking in the sweeping coastal views.
Seasonal and Special Events
While Los Angeles impresses year-round, the city shines even brighter for families visiting during the summer or winter holidays.
Outdoor Concerts and Movies
Summer brings a slew of kid-centric activities to LA’s famous beaches. Special events like Street Food Cinema combine outdoor movie screenings under the stars with live musical performances and dozens of gourmet food trucks, creating memorable evenings for the whole family.
Beach Festivals
Beach festivals also pop up throughout the summer, focused on celebrating beach culture through sand castle contests, arts and crafts, concerts, and fireworks displays.
Holiday Events
Candy Cane Lane
As the holiday season ramps up, Los Angeles transforms through festive decor and entertainment including Candy Cane Lane. For over 70 years, the Woodland Hills neighborhood has organized elaborate holiday light displays and inflatable Santas, snowmen, and reindeer to delight visitors.
Knott’s Merry Farm
Meanwhile, Knott’s completely converts into Knott’s Merry Farm from November through January by decorating in thousands of Christmas lights and hosting shows like “Home for the Holidays” and “Christmas Crafts Village”. These seasonal attractions make winter vacations in LA even more special.
Budget-Friendly Options
Griffith Observatory
Visiting Los Angeles on a family budget may seem difficult, but the city offers many ways for visitors to reduce costs while still enjoying popular destinations. Several attractions offer free general admission or suggested donation entry. Griffith Observatory not only provides spectacular views of LA, but features fascinating space and science exhibits – all free to the public.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
The iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk similarly makes for a wonderful free excursion complete with funky shops, unique street performers, and beautiful ocean vistas. Many museums also offer discounted ticket prices for children ages 12 and under.
Discounted Admissions
Go City LA Pass
Beyond free attractions, families can take advantage of city-wide promotions like the Go Los Angeles Card. This discounted pass allows cardholders free or reduced admission to over 35 top area destinations for one low price, often paying for itself in a day or two especially for families hitting multiple spots.
Free Museum Days
Maximize savings by planning museum trips around Free-for-All dates when over 20 LA museums allow free general admission. With some creative planning, families can experience all the diversity of attractions Los Angeles has to offer while sticking to a vacation budget.
Tips for Planning a Family-Friendly Itinerary
Consider Age-Appropriate Activities
Crafting a Los Angeles itinerary catered to families takes some strategic preparation. Start by researching attractions suitable for the specific ages of your children. If you have a toddler, look for museums with hands-on exhibits or outdoor spaces with playgrounds. For middle schoolers, amusement parks and interactive museums tend to be big hits. Also consider your kids’ unique interests – budding naturalists will adore the La Brea Tar Pits while future astronauts can’t miss the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Account for Travel Times and Transportation
When mapping out your schedule, carefully consider travel times getting from place to place, accounting for LA’s infamous traffic congestion. Minimize long commutes by clustering activities in the same part of town when possible or utilizing sightseeing tour buses to reduce transportation logistics. Regardless of how you get around, build in buffer time and bring snacks to ease cranky kids. Also try to limit over-scheduling by allowing open blocks of time for relaxing at the hotel pool or beach. Finding the right balance between cramming it all in and having wiggle room makes for the most pleasant family vacations.
Conclusion
With renowned museums, iconic beaches, and world-famous theme parks, Los Angeles emerges as a premier destination for unforgettable family vacations. The city brims with diverse attractions catering to kids and adults alike, from sunny days spent at Santa Monica Pier to Hollywood movie magic at Universal Studios. Los Angeles also shines year-round through special seasonal events like candy cane lane homes in winter and beachside carnivals welcoming summer.