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Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) The second 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 restaurants. Not surprising that L.A. is one of the very best places to go to in California with kids! Los Angeles also 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 outdoor gym with musclebound residents lifting 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.
, likewise known as El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. It features 27 historic structures and a central Mexican plaza.
Action way back in time at La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum. Kids may wonder if they have actually gone into Jurassic Park as they gaze at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, massive sloths, and other extinct animals in pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth. Presenting at The Huntington (Photo credit: Phil Journeys In between) A personal favorite, The Huntington Botanical Gardens stretches throughout 130 visitable acres (half a square kilometer).
Kids especially enjoy Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which features lively, hands-on components such as tunnels, splash locations, fairy doors, and more. Cover a lot 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 neighboring Buena Park, and much more.
A suburb of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of significant movie and tv studios. Of course, you will also want to view the iconic Hollywood Sign and stroll along the famous Hollywood Walk of Popularity.
Yosemite National forest Valley landscape (Image credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with treking tracks, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural marvel. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this cherished 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 remains one of the country's finest examples of land preservation. Families seeking to check out California's natural charm will enjoy checking out Yosemite.
While in this desert oasis, don't miss a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the location's plentiful palm trees. This remarkable zoo and botanical garden offers ingenious play areas for kids and an enjoyable model train exhibition.
The car's flooring rotates throughout the ride, so passengers get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) For an unique variety of family activities, consider a Ventura County holiday.
Families also take pleasure in walking Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterside views, or investing a relaxed afternoon on the broad, uncrowded beaches that define this coastal region.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier includes a dozen trips, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller coaster. You'll likewise discover every treat your cravings for sweets could crave and a plethora of game video games with rewards. Families also delight in strolling the Third Street Boardwalk for shopping, street performers, and easy dining just a couple of blocks from the beach.
Adults and kids of any ages can't assist but feel awestruck by the enormous sequoias in the Giant Forest. This national forest boasts the world's largest tree, General Sherman. You can even drive through another remarkable giant sequoia called the Tunnel Log. This stunning place provides an assortment of great things to do in nature, like treking, mountain cycling, outdoor camping, and horseback riding.
Understood for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is among the inmost in The United States and Canada. This park offers significant rock developments, rugged wilderness, and remote treking trails. Find out more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national parks in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best nationwide parks in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Forest (Image credit: lunamarina,) Situated about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is vital for families who desire to check out natural marvels in California.
Finest 2026 Household Itineraries for Your AreaThese unusual trees grow just in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will enjoy scrambling over the park's huge stones and exploring short, simple trails that display the desert's transcendent landscape. Reserve an assisted Joshua Tree National forest tour with our relied on partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Trip at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a suburban area of Los Angeles (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) Simply a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for households who enjoy amusement parks, themed experiences, and simple vacation enjoyable.
Summer visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround home entertainment includes Medieval Times and Pirates Supper Adventure. It's a simple addon to any Southern California journey and a fantastic home base for checking out close-by beaches, Orange County, and LA. Check out more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.
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