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Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) The 2nd most significant city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. Los Angeles is home to over 90 museums, and the city boasts around 15,000 dining establishments. No marvel L.A. is one of the best locations to visit in California with kids! Los Angeles likewise provides 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.
Take in its special SoCal vibe, an extensive skate park, and an outside fitness center with musclebound locals lifting weights under the California sun. Olvera Street in Los Angeles (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) The Getty Center is among the most popular tourist attractions in the Los Angeles location. The museum is filled with art work by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.
Found on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory wows visitors with its planetarium, high-powered telescopes for public use, and space shows. Households seem like they have actually crossed the border into Mexico on Olvera Street, likewise called El Pueblo Historic Monument. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. It includes 27 historic structures and a main Mexican plaza.
Then, action method back in time at La Brea Tar Pits and Nature Museum. Kids might question if they've gone into Jurassic Park as they look at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, massive sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth. Positioning at The Huntington (Picture credit: Phil Travels Between) A personal favorite, The Huntington Botanical Gardens stretches throughout 130 visitable acres (half a square kilometer).
Kids specifically delight in Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which includes lively, 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, including the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in neighboring Buena Park, and far more.
A suburban area of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of major movie and television studios. Of course, you will likewise desire to see the iconic Hollywood Sign and stroll along the well-known Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Yosemite National Park Valley landscape (Picture credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with treking trails, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural wonder. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this beloved nationwide 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. Households seeking to check out California's natural charm will like going to Yosemite.
While in this desert oasis, don't miss out on a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the location's plentiful palm trees. Families are captivated with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This impressive zoo and botanical garden uses innovative play spaces for kids and an enjoyable design train exhibition. Giant spinning wind turbines in the Palm Springs location produce an electrifying 1.5 million megawatt-hours.
The car's flooring rotates throughout the trip, 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, think about a Ventura County vacation.
Households also delight in strolling Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterfront views, or spending a relaxed afternoon on the large, uncrowded beaches that specify this seaside area. Discover more unique things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica exemplifies Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a dozen trips, including the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller coaster. You'll likewise discover every treat your sweet teeth might long for and a huge selection of game video games with prizes. Households also delight in strolling the Third Street Promenade for shopping, street entertainers, and easy dining simply a couple of blocks from the beach.
Grownups and kids of any ages can't assist but feel awestruck by the huge sequoias in the Giant Forest. This national park boasts the world's largest tree, General Sherman. You can even drive through another excellent giant sequoia called the Tunnel Log. This lovely place provides an assortment of fantastic things to do in nature, like hiking, mountain biking, outdoor camping, and horseback riding.
New Trends in Family Events in 2026Known for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is among the deepest in North America. This park offers significant rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote treking tracks. Find out 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,) Located about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National forest is necessary for families who want to check out natural wonders in California.
New Trends in Family Events in 2026Calico Mine Trip at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a suburb of Los Angeles (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) Just a brief drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for households who like amusement parks, themed adventures, and simple vacation fun.
Summer season visitors can cool off at Soak City Water Park, while yearround home entertainment includes Medieval Times and Pirates Supper Experience. It's an easy addon to any Southern California journey and a terrific home base for exploring nearby beaches, Orange County, and LA. Explore more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.
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