Los Angeles Children's Activities
 

I will be in L.A. the last week in August with two young children (3 & 1). I am looking for a good book or website for children's activities in the area. Also, any suggested activities would be most welcome.

LA has a children's museum:<BR>www.childrensmuseumla.org<BR><BR>If Long Beach isn't too far, the kids might enjoy the Aquamarine of the Pacific. <BR><BR>A new FAO Swartz toy store just opened at the Grove. The Grove is a new outdoor mall next to the Farmer's Market on Fairfax. The mall appeals to families since there's a trolley and a big dancing water show and live music on weekends.<BR><BR>And of course, Disneyland is a favorite among kids of all ages.

I like using the gocitykids website (http://www.gocitykids.com/?area=195). As for books, I like Fodor's pocket sized Los Angeles for Kids. <BR><BR>When my daughter was around 3, she liked Griffith Park with their carousel, pony ride and carousel ride. In addition to Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach, we still like going to Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach. There's an admission to get in but it offers a warm, salt water, man-made, enclosed lagoon with a beach and lifeguards, play equipment and a Ruby's take-out window. <BR><BR>As for amusement parks, we go to LA every year so we've been to Disneyland and Legoland a few times. But the place our child loved the most when she was little was Adventure City. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime type of trip I understand why you would opt for Disneyland but what Adventure City, (in Anaheim on Beach Blvd near Disneyland but closer to Knotts Berry Farm) offers is affordability ($12 per person) and the fact that nearly all the rides are geared for the very young child. The food is terrible and the show is amateurish at best, but at age 4 my girl loved going on the tiny ferris wheel over and over again - with no line - and even backwards. I wouldn't go with a child over the age of 4 or 5 however.<BR><BR>At any rate, have fun there!<BR>

Topping

There are an endless number of things to do in & around Los Angeles with children. Griffith Park is wonderful, but can be very hot in August. I suggest you go early in the morning. The LA Zoo, Travel Town (outdoor train museum) and Gene Autry museum are right there. Some other ideas:<BR><BR>1. Santa Monica Pier. You will be at the beach & they have many fun rides ESPECIALLY for small children. You can rent bicycles nearby with child seats, & ride up & down the beach.<BR><BR>2. Will Rogers State Park. Once the home of Will Rogers, with museum, huge lawns for picnic & play, and polo matches on weekends. Horses are boarded here, & most kids just like to visit them!<BR><BR>3. Descanso Gardens in La Canada or Huntington Library & Gardens in San Marino. Lovely places to visit even with a stroller!<BR><BR>4. Hollywood Bowl. Morning concerts in summer just for kids. Outdoors and picnic/snacks encouraged!<BR><BR>There are a multitude of museums, Chinatown, and Olvera Street. Check any good guide book & enjoy!<BR>

The zoo is stupendous. <BR><BR>Kidspace Museum in Pasadena for the 3 year old, also the playland at Santa Monica Pier on the ocean.<BR><BR>Activities for a 1 year old? You've got me stumped on that one