It's not hard to find children's activities in West Los Angeles. The city offers the perfect climate for outdoor fun, along with spacious coastlines and intriguing inland geology. Active families will be pleased with the many choices, from hiking to swimming sports. Rich cultural opportunities and learning experiences await children in the city's many museums and parks. Families and children are sure to find the perfect way to spend the day while moving toward a healthy lifestyle.
History of West Los Angeles
West Los Angeles is made up of 23 neighborhoods including Bel Air, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Ladiera Heights and Santa Monica. The area expands from Topanga State Park down to Playa Vista, which borders Inglewood. It moves west ending just before West Hollywood. West Los Angeles benefits from the many parks and recreation programs provided throughout its many neighborhoods and also delights children with several local landmarks and attractions like the historic Santa Monica Pier and its Venice canals.
Outdoor Fun
The geology of Los Angeles is quite stunning for both beginners and avid hikers. Camping is quite a popular pastime for children and Cali-Camp offers daily camp outs starting at $125 a day for a minimum of five days. These opportunities offer social skills building and team work while also fostering independence.
Parents might not want to miss out on the fun of gorgeous walking trails throughout beautiful Topanga Canyon. Walking, hiking, mountain biking and picnicking are all excellent ways to enjoy the landscape and animals of of this popular California State Park.
Fun on the Water
The Pacific Park is an amusement park located right on Santa Monica Pier, the only one located on a pier on the West Coast. The park boasts 12 rides and 21 midway-style games. There is a food plaza offering several treats and meal choices and lots of shops. Night-time visits offer a beautiful view of the park's lights reflecting off the ocean's waves.
The City of Los Angeles offers traditional swimming courses in addition to other aquatic recreation, like fishing and small crafts. The city also offers many safety classes, like life guard training, water safety, first aid, CPR and heat safety.
Marina del Rey boat fishing tours allow children a great chance for fishing on the open sea. Inland, Marina Beach allows smaller children the chance for beach fun without the risk of dangerous waves. Venice Beach offers all the amenities of traditional beach but a two- to three-block walk inland brings visitors to the Venice canal network. Families can take a break from the waves to enjoy these tranquil and beautiful surroundings.
Museums
West Los Angeles has many museums ranging form arts and entertainment to science and history. The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits provides hands-on exhibits, educational programs and even overnight adventures, all pertaining to the geological and anthropology of the Los Angeles area.
The Getty Museum and the Los Angeles Museum of Art promote fine arts studies for youth and inspire young minds through art activities and tours of popular art exhibits. The Museum of Tolerance is a strong and powerful trip that teachers and parents can use to teach about civil and social rights provided in age appropriate learning methods. The Santa Monica Aquarium is a great place for children to learn about the local marine life as well learning how they can help with ecological issues effecting the oceans.
Considerations
California offers beautiful temperatures throughout the year, making it an excellent choice for family outings during any season. It is important to consider some of the risks Californians face, including earthquakes, tsunami and wild fires. While the risk of these types of incidents occurring is quite low, families should simply be aware of their surroundings and know what to do if faced with these natural, but rare, phenomena.
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