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Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Picture credit: oneinchpunch,) The 2nd greatest city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. No wonder L.A. is one of the finest 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 ambiance, an expansive skate park, and an outside fitness center with musclebound locals lifting weights under the California sun. The museum is filled with art work by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.
, likewise known as El Pueblo Historic Monument. This is the birth place of Los Angeles. It includes 27 historical structures and a main Mexican plaza.
Action way back in time at La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum. Kids may wonder if they've entered Jurassic Park as they gaze at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, enormous sloths, and other extinct animals in pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth. Posturing at The Huntington (Image credit: Phil Travels In between) A personal favorite, The Huntington Botanical Gardens stretches across 130 visitable acres (half a square kilometer).
Kids especially take pleasure in Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which features lively, hands-on elements such as tunnels, splash areas, fairy doors, and more. Cover a great deal of ground with a Los Angeles Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 40+ Tourist attractions, 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 tv studios. Of course, you will likewise desire to view the iconic Hollywood Sign and walk along the famous Hollywood Stroll of Fame.
Yosemite National forest Valley landscape (Picture credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with hiking tracks, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural marvel. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this beloved nationwide park. It spans nearly 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 country's finest examples of land preservation. Households looking for to check out California's natural charm will enjoy going to Yosemite.
While in this desert sanctuary, don't miss out on a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the location's plentiful palm trees. Households are fascinated with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This excellent zoo and botanical garden uses ingenious play spaces for kids and a fun design train exhibit. Giant spinning wind turbines in the Palm Springs location produce an electrifying 1.5 million megawatt-hours.
Soar from the desert valley to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains through the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The vehicle's flooring turns throughout the ride, so guests get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. Fascinated? Discover more things to do in Palm Springs with kids. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) For a distinct range of family activities, consider a Ventura County getaway.
Households likewise take pleasure in strolling Ventura Harbor Village for ice cream and waterfront views, or spending an unwinded afternoon on the large, uncrowded beaches that specify this seaside area. Discover more distinct things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Picture credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica represents Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a lots trips, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller coaster. You'll likewise find every reward your sweet teeth could yearn for and a wide variety of game games with rewards. Families likewise take pleasure in strolling the Third Street Promenade for shopping, street performers, and simple dining just a few blocks from the beach.
Adults and kids of all ages can't assist however feel awestruck by the massive sequoias in the Giant Forest. This nationwide park boasts the world's biggest tree, General Sherman.
Fun Things to Do With Children in 2026Known for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the deepest in North America. This park offers dramatic rock developments, rugged wilderness, and remote hiking routes. 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 (Picture credit: lunamarina,) Located about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is vital for households who wish to check out natural marvels in California.
Fun Things to Do With Children in 2026These unusual trees grow only in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Children will take pleasure in rushing over the park's giant boulders and exploring brief, simple trails that showcase the desert's transcendent landscape. Book an assisted Joshua Tree National Park tour with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a suburban area of Los Angeles (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for families who love amusement parks, themed experiences, and easy trip fun.
Summertime visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround home entertainment consists of Medieval Times and Pirates Supper Adventure. It's a simple addon to any Southern California trip and a great home base for checking out neighboring beaches, Orange County, and LA. Explore more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.
Discover SoCal's best-kept secret (shh!) with my La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club evaluation. Find out about a covert gem desert trip area with these things to do in Borrego Springs. For even more California pail list ideas, check out this California roadway journey itinerary, a list of national parks in California, and my comprehensive catalog of California holidays and tips.
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