Teens in Los Angeles enjoy good weather year-round, which gives them ample opportunity to engage in sports and other invigorating social activities. The shopping mall's not the only place for teenagers to hang out with friends. With the mountains, hiking trails, the ocean, parks, and botanical gardens located in many Southern California neighborhoods, a fun outing with friends can be arranged on the spur of the moment.
City Parks
Teens can hang out and socialize in one of the Los Angeles areas many parks for a picnic, softball game or party. Griffith Park in Los Feliz has over 4,210 acres of terrain, including picnic areas, a planetarium (the Griffith Observatory), the L.A. Zoo, the Gene Autry Western Museum and paths for jogging, hiking and biking. Griffith Park is the largest municipal park in the United States with a wilderness area, plenty for curious teens to explore. Music-loving teenagers can catch a concert at the Greek Theater right on the park grounds. Athletic types can play softball, horseback ride, or rent a bicycle. Griffith Park is close to freeways for teens who drive, but is also easily accessible by public transportation.
Ice Skating
The City of Angels is known for fun in the sun, but it also has several year-round ice skating rinks that offer a chance for budding athletes to hone their skills or simply have a good time and meet other skaters. Ice skating is one of the best all-around forms of exercise. A brisk workout on the ice improves flexibility and works most of the muscle groups. The Pasadena Ice Skating Center sponsors a hockey league and summer camps for skating and hockey, so teens can fraternize with their peers as they learn how to glide effortlessly on the ice. The Iceland Ice Skating in Van Nuys offers broomball on ice, ice skating parties and bumper cars on ice.
Bowling
Bowling gives teens a good chance to socialize, much more than many other sports. Many bowling alleys throughout Los Angeles County have teen nights, arcades, game rooms and club areas for music and dancing, so there's always plenty to do before or after a game. While bowling may not be a great way to tone up the body overall or lose weight, it will keep teens moving and work arm and shoulder muscles.
The Pinz Bowling alley in Studio City boasts 32 lanes, four huge video screens, and a retro 50s theme. When teens get bored with bowling, they can play air hockey, pinball games, or video games in the arcade. Four times a week, bowlers can knock down glow-in-the-dark pins under strobe lights, or take a break from the game and shake their booty on the dance floor. Pinz offers discounted group rates and hosts bowling birthday parties. Many celebrities frequent Pinz, so teens may get a glimpse of their favorite star. Brunswick Lanes, owned by the bowling bowl manufacturer Brunswick Corporation, has a 56-lane center in West Covina with a party and event room for birthdays and other special occasions.
The Pier
At the Santa Monica Pier, teens can get together and enjoy what Southern California is famous for---the sun, the sand and the ocean. Teens can lie on the beach and listen to music, take a stroll down the pier or sample food from the many vendors on the premises. During the summer, the Twilight Dance Series features concerts by rock, pop and world music performers. Ride on a vintage merry-go-round in Pacific Park, or enjoy a spin on the solar-powered Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel.
Community Centers
Community centers throughout the Southland offer recreational activities for teens. Socialize with other high schoolers while splashing around informally in the pool, or form friendships on a league swim team. Other activities at community centers include basketball, gymnastics, dancing and table tennis. Beach community centers, like the Annenberg Center in Santa Monica, have a pool, changing rooms, classes and room rental for parties and other events right by the ocean.
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