Los Angeles is one of the most entertaining cities in the country for adults and children. You can find many activities that kids will love, and many that health-conscious and active kids and adults will enjoy. Try some of these activities in Los Angeles that combine various levels of activity. Many of them are free to the public or are reasonably priced for families, and let you take in the Southern California sunshine.
Play in the Park
Griffith Park is Los Angeles' main urban park. Located on the western edge of the Hollywood Hills in the Santa Monica Mountains, the park stretches for 4,000 acres. Inside the park, the two most popular destinations for kids are the Los Angeles Zoo and the Griffith Observatory. The observatory is on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood and offers regular sky shows, but the view from the grounds of the observatory is one of the most famous views of Los Angeles and is a great place for a family photo opportunity. The other main draw in the park is the Los Angeles Zoo and the neighboring Botanical Garden. You can find hiking trails throughout the park, play tennis or swim. Check with the park for fees and operating times.
Bikes, Skates or Walking
Whether you want to take a long walk, skate or cycle with your child, the most prominent and popular stretch of pathway runs from Venice Beach north to Santa Monica. The path goes past numerous shops and restaurants along the beach communities, so make sure you bring bicycle locks along with your helmets because the kids may find many places to explore. Both beaches also offer lots of people watching and ocean breezes.
Learn About History, Art
Next door to each other on Wilshire Boulevard in central Los Angeles are two spots for kids and adults. The Page Museum studies and chronicles the La Brea Tar Pits, a prehistoric formation. The Page has restored the skeletal remains of prehistoric mammals that fell in to the tar pits. The museum has regular exhibits on prehistoric plant and animal life during the formation of the Los Angeles basin. After a visit to the Page Museum and the tar pits, take the kids next door to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Children under 17 always enter the museum for free. Check out the Boone's Children's Gallery or contact the museum about its NextGen program for children.
Hit the Beach
At the beach, you have many opportunities for kids. Kite flying, picnicking, sand castle building or just playing along the water can make a great day. Try the Santa Monica Beach for one of the largest stretches of recreational beaches in the Los Angeles area. The Santa Monica Pier also offers attractions for kids. South of Santa Monica is Venice Beach, a more populated area. If you want to take the kids to a quieter beach, head north on Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu or Zuma Beach.
See the Stars
Hollywood is still the movie capital of the world and the Hollywood Walk of Fame now stretches for blocks. Get a map of the walk and have the kids find stars they know. The scene in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater is a great place for kids to find all kinds of names on the walk, along with street performers. For a little shopping or a bite to eat, stop at the nearby Hollywood and Highland Center, the location of the Kodak Theatre, where the Academy Awards take place.
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