I'm taking my kids (10, 7, and 5) to LA and Palm Springs for 3 weeks in August. Other than the usual (Disneyland, Universal etc.) what are some interesting things to do. They are not really interested in museums, unless it was something special. I'm also looking for a nice beach, quiet and safe, maybe in Malibu. I've been to the Santa Monica pier and Venice - I'd like something a little quieter. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Places to take the kids - LA
Recent Activity
View all United States activity »
- 1 2 Brits Travelling USA July-Aug 2013
- 2 1st time in Boston --need advice
- 3 Florida to Yellowstone to Mt. Rushmore-Sept 2013
- 4 Luggage stolen from locked rental car in Orlando
- 5
A Visit to Charleston
- 6 3 Week Roadtrip Starting in Nashville - Where to Go?!
- 7 Best Marriott Hotels in Hawai?
- 8 NYC Newbie Needs Advice Re JFK Transportation
- 9
Rocks and Roads in Utah
- 10 New Orleans trip (plus road trip) Help Pls!
- 11 D.C. in a day
- 12 San FRancisco Apt Location - Comments, pls
- 13
Boston, my 2 hour food shopping spree to satiate my man's needs
- 14 Stay between San Francisco and Redwoods?
- 15 How similar are the San Juan Islands and the Tofino area of B.C.?
- 16 Oregon & Washington: What are we missing, as we're big fans already?
- 17 Pine or Deckers as a place to meet (Lost Creek Wilderness)
- 18 Finally, seeing the Outer Banks
- 19
DC with Kids Trip Report
- 20 Using public transit in San Diego
- 21
1st time to Kauai! Will not be the last!
- 22 Seattle Hotel Choice and Other Questions
- 23 Erie Canal - Finger Lakes Region - Day Trip?
- 24 Wisconsin Dells with teenagers
- 25 Best places to stop New Orleans to Los Angeles
Griffiths Park in LA is wonderful. There is the Griffith's Park Observatory which has a great view overlooking the city (scenes in "Rebel Without a Cause," last year's Steve Martin movie "Bofinger," and other movies have been filmed there), and it has hiking trails too.
I highly recommend Manhattan Beach -- it is a huge, wide beach, more family oriented, with volleyball nets, etc. The town of Manhattan Beach is cute and has lots of little restaurants and shops you can walk to from the beach. It is just a few minutes south of LAX.
Another possibility for something to do in LA is a stop by the La Brea Tar Pits.
I second the La Brea Tar pits, we found that pretty interesting. Your kids might also enjoy a visit to Olivera Street, the original area in L.A. when it was still under the rule of Spain. It has a very Mexican flavor. It is cobblestoned, is picturesque, and has outdoor stalls selling all kinds of things, like a Mexican marketplace. It has outdoor restaurants and food stalls as well. You can get some good bargains there, or at least some fun souviners.
Aimee:
There's a wonderful book called "Fun and Educational Places to Go with Kids in Southern California" by Susan Peterson. It's a great investment for anyone coming to So Cal with their family. (about $15.00)
We take our grandkids (6 and 3)to the beach in Belmont Shore in Long Beach. There's a parking lot on the ocean side next to the Olympic pool. There's virtually no surf so it's mostly locals just laying out. We live in Orange County, so don't get to LA all that much but I grew up in Long Beach, and Malibu is fabulous, but more for teenagers and up. I suggest you ask a more specific question about Malibu for kids and perhaps fodorites from that area will post.
Have fun..
Mary
Aimee:
Zuma Beach, a few minutes north of Malibu. I've been going there for years with my kids. The beach is very wide, the parking plentiful. The farther you drive north through the parking lot, the more peaceful and nicer the beach.
My kids actually prefer Knott's Berry Farm to Disneyland (but not to Six Flags). The rides are well-done, and it has a much more relaxed atmosphere than Disney. Shorter lines, too.
I second Griffith Park. The observatory is a great place to take kids. The displays are dated, but they probably won't know the difference. Down the hill in the main park, just south of the zoo, is a great place for picnics. There is an old carousel there, and the "old" zoo. Empty old cages--pretty creepy. There are some good walking paths. Even further south are horse rentals. On the other side of the zoo (northwest of the park) is a train museum--it's at the 134 freeway-Forest Lawn exit. It was free the last time we went.
Something a little different: Maybe Huntington Library? The buildings are museum-like, but the grounds are huge and beautiful, and the kids might like wandering around the place. If nothing else, you'll like it.
I would have recommended that you take the kids up the "Palm Springs Aerial Tramway"--about ten miles west of Palm Springs. Unfortunately, it's closed for remodeling until August 19th. It's a spectacular view, and when you get to the summit of San Jacinto, the kids can run around for as long as you can stand it.
If it were a few months later, you could take them to Joshua Tree National Park--but if anyone recommends it, do not do it. It's too hot up there, and you might melt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------