Wide & lively Kid-friendly
Santa Monica State Beach
The big beach by the pier. Rent a bike and ride to Venice.
Insider tip: Walk onto the pier for a funnel cake and rent a bike for the beach path.
Parking: Garages along Ocean Ave, beach lots $12–15
Discover LA
Discover LA
Theme parks, beaches, museums and day trips, sorted by what you're after.
Attractions
From free views to theme parks
20 places
📷 Aditya VyasTheme park
Universal Studios Hollywood
Studio Tour, Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. Arrive before 9 am.
25 min from Downtownfrom $109
📷 Leo_VisionsFree view
Griffith Observatory
Best view of the Hollywood Sign and the city. Free entry, parking is the challenge.
20 min from DowntownFree
📷 Milan CobanovIcon
Santa Monica Pier
Ferris wheel, end of Route 66 and a bike path to Venice.
45 min from DowntownFree
📷 Brandi AlexandraTheme park
Disneyland Resort
Two parks in Anaheim. Reserve your park day in the app first.
50 min from Downtownfrom $104
📷 ?LiAnG? · CC BY 2.0Film & TV
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Real sets and the Friends couch. Smaller and calmer than Universal.
25 min from Downtownfrom $69
📷 Raja PatelBeach
Venice Beach & Abbot Kinney
Boardwalk, skate park and the hippest coffee on Abbot Kinney.
45 min from DowntownFree
📷 Jelson25 · Public domainMuseum · free
The Getty Center
Art, gardens and views. Free, you only pay for parking.
35 min from DowntownFree
📷 Edwardrhodes06 · CC BY-SA 4.0Concert
Hollywood Bowl
Open-air concerts under the stars. Bring a picnic.
20 min from DowntownFree
📷 Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy · CC BY 2.0Icon
Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Chinese Theatre
Stars on the sidewalk, handprints and the Dolby Theatre. An hour is plenty.
20 min from DowntownFree
📷 De'Andre BushView
Hollywood Sign hike & tour
Hike up to the sign via Lake Hollywood or book a guided tour.
25 min from Downtownfrom $45
📷 Benoît Prieur · CC0Show
Madame Tussauds Hollywood
Wax figures next to the Chinese Theatre. Fun with kids, quick to do.
20 min from Downtownfrom $39
📷 Jengod · CC BY-SA 4.0Family
Aquarium of the Pacific
Sharks, jellyfish and sea lions in Long Beach. Pair it with the Battleship Iowa.
35 min from Downtownfrom $45
📷 Jonathan Williams · CC BY-SA 3.0Museum
Battleship USS Iowa
Walk the decks of a real battleship in San Pedro harbor.
35 min from Downtownfrom $29
📷 METRO96 · CC BY-SA 4.0Theme park
Knott's Berry Farm
Coasters and Camp Snoopy, cheaper and calmer than Disney. Try the boysenberry pie.
40 min from Downtownfrom $79
📷 Jeremy Thompson · CC BY 4.0Coasters
Six Flags Magic Mountain
The coaster capital of the world, 20 of them. Not one for small kids.
50 min from Downtownfrom $70
📷 Los Angeles · CC BY-SA 3.0Museum
Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs and the Butterfly Pavilion in Exposition Park, next to the Science Center's Space Shuttle.
10 min from Downtownfrom $18
📷 The original uploader was Geographer at English Wikipedia. · CC BY 1.0Family
Los Angeles Zoo
Spacious, in Griffith Park. Go early: the animals are active in the morning.
20 min from Downtownfrom $25
📷 David Zaitz · CC BY-SA 4.0Museum
Petersen Automotive Museum
Movie cars and supercars on Museum Row. The Vault tour is worth it.
20 min from Downtownfrom $21
📷 Gunnar Klack · CC BY-SA 4.0Museum
LACMA & Urban Light
The Urban Light lamps are free and prettiest after dark. La Brea Tar Pits next door.
20 min from Downtownfrom $28
📷 Spatms · CC BY-SA 4.0Sports
Dodger Stadium
Baseball with a skyline view, April to October. The Dodger Dog is mandatory.
10 min from Downtownfrom $30
Beaches
From raw Venice to unspoiled Malibu
Open & unspoiled Kid-friendly
Zuma Beach
Malibu's largest beach with lifeguards and gentler waves at the north end.
Insider tip: A local favourite: plenty of space and less touristy than Santa Monica.
Parking: Large lot, $3–15 depending on season
Rocks & photos
El Matador State Beach
Small cove with sea arches. Steep stairs, go at low tide.
Insider tip: Come for sunset: the rock formations make for a unique photo.
Parking: Tiny lot ($8); arrive before 10 am
Polished & sporty Kid-friendly
Manhattan Beach
Beach volleyball, the pier and a cute downtown. Close to LAX.
Insider tip: Walk to the end of the pier for the free Roundhouse Aquarium.
Parking: Meters and garages downtown, $2/hr
Raw & colorful Kid-friendly
Venice Beach
Muscle Beach, the skate park and street performers. The boardwalk gets rough after dark.
Insider tip: At weekends it gets packed and feels like you are in a movie. Then walk on to the Venice Canals.
Parking: Lots on Venice Blvd, $10–25
Calm & urban Kid-friendly
Long Beach Shoreline
Calm water thanks to the breakwater. Pair with the aquarium or the Queen Mary.
Parking: Garages at Shoreline Village, $8–12
Sporty & social Kid-friendly
Hermosa Beach
A wide beach with beach volleyball and a pier lined with beach bars.
Insider tip: There is something for everyone. For cocktails, head to Tiki Kai on Pier Avenue.
Pier & seafood Kid-friendly
Redondo Beach
A beach with a big pier and a harbour full of restaurants.
Insider tip: Eat at one of the seafood restaurants on the pier: fresh and good.
Quiet & local Kid-friendly
Torrance Beach
A quiet beach at the foot of Palos Verdes, mostly visited by locals.
Insider tip: Ideal when you want to escape the crowds of the bigger beaches.
Cove & tide pools Kid-friendly
Cabrillo Beach
Two sides: a calm cove inside the breakwater and a surf beach outside it.
Insider tip: Go at low tide for the tide pools and enjoy the harbour views.
Dogs welcome Kid-friendly
Rosie's Dog Beach
One of the few beaches in the area where dogs can run off-leash.
Insider tip: If you love dogs, this is your place. Check the city of Long Beach for off-leash hours.
Quiet & near LAX Kid-friendly
Playa del Rey
A quiet beach near LAX, less busy than Venice or Santa Monica.
Insider tip: Great for a relaxed beach day; street parking is often free here.
Bonfires & planes Kid-friendly
Dockweiler State Beach
One of the few beaches in LA with fire rings for a bonfire.
Insider tip: Great for an evening with friends. You'll see planes from LAX flying low overhead.
Calm & complete Kid-friendly
Will Rogers State Beach
A calm beach between Santa Monica and Malibu, with all the facilities.
Insider tip: Less crowded than Santa Monica, but just as easy to reach via PCH.
Surf icon
Malibu Surfrider Beach
The iconic surf beach next to the Malibu Pier.
Insider tip: Watch LA's best surfers from the pier.
Small & scenic Kid-friendly
Paradise Cove
A small, scenic beach with a waterfront restaurant, known from films.
Insider tip: Have a bite or drink at the restaurant on the sand and stay for sunset.
Caves & tide pools Kid-friendly
Leo Carrillo State Beach
A beautiful beach in western Malibu with sea caves and tide pools.
Insider tip: Quieter than the better-known beaches. Go at low tide for the caves.
Surf City USA Kid-friendly
Huntington Beach
A wide surf beach with a long pier: the best surf vibes in Orange County.
Insider tip: Walk the pier for the view. In the harbour you can rent a paddleboard and glide past the waterfront homes.
Chic & charming Kid-friendly
Newport Beach
An upscale coastal town with a lovely pier and nice boutiques.
Insider tip: Head to Balboa Island for a frozen banana. The Shake Shack at Crystal Cove overlooks the ocean.
Rocks & golden light Kid-friendly
Corona del Mar State Beach
One of Orange County's prettiest beaches, with rocks and a sheltered bay.
Insider tip: Stay for sunset: the light over the rocks turns golden.
Coves & cliffs Kid-friendly
Laguna Beach (Treasure Island)
One of the most beautiful spots in Southern California, with coves and rock arches.
Insider tip: Treasure Island Beach is the highlight; go at low tide for the arches and tide pools.
Day trips
Desert, coast and Vegas: all within a day's drive
Malibu
45 min · PCH · Beach & sunset
Joshua Tree
2.5 hrs · Nature & photos
Palm Springs
2 hrs · Relaxing
San Diego
2 hrs · Family
Las Vegas
4 hrs · Shows & nightlife
Santa Barbara
2–3 hrs · Coast, Spanish architecture and the Funk Zone
Ojai
1.5–2.5 hrs · Slow pace, local shops and mountain views
Solvang
2.5–3.5 hrs · Danish streets and Santa Ynez Valley
Laguna Beach
1–2 hrs · Coves, art and a coastal walk
Catalina Island
Ferry + drive to port · Island day without a long drive
Ventura
1.5–2.5 hrs · Beach promenade and harbour
Big Bear Lake
2–3.5 hrs · Mountains, lake and fresh air
Pasadena
25–60 min · Architecture, art and a relaxed city day
Special walking routes
Views, coast and quieter nature — choose what fits your day.
📷 Leo_VisionsModerate
Griffith: West Observatory Trail
From Fern Dell, climb the West Observatory Trail to the observatory. Return along the same route; total distance depends on parking.
≈ 4 km≈ 1.5 hrs≈ 200 m
📷 Alain Demour/Original uploader was Scewing at en.wikipedia · CC BY 2.0Moderate
Runyon Canyon: the loop
A popular loop overlooking Hollywood. There is little shade and some steep terrain; choose the marked route that suits your ability.
≈ 4.3 km≈ 1.5 hrs≈ 210 m
📷 Jengod · CC BY-SA 4.0Moderate
Baldwin Hills: views and stairs
A short climb to panoramic views. The famous stairs are strenuous; the switchback trail is an alternative but still an uphill walk.
≈ 2 km≈ 1 hrs≈ 120 m
📷 National Park Service · Public domainEasy
Franklin Canyon: around the reservoir
A quieter walk around the reservoir and Heavenly Pond. Stay on official paths and respect wildlife and temporary closures.
≈ 2.5 km≈ 1 hrs≈ 40 m
📷 OMCV · Public domainEasy
Point Dume: coast and lookouts
Short coastal trails above the ocean, overlooking Malibu Bay. Stay behind barriers and away from cliff edges; beach access may be restricted.
≈ 2 km≈ 1 hrs≈ 80 m
📷 The original uploader was Geographer at English Wikipedia. · CC BY 2.5Easy
Malibu Creek: to Rock Pool
Walk from the main entrance towards Rock Pool on official trails. Check park alerts first: heat, fire recovery and water can change access.
≈ 4.8 km≈ 1.5 hrs≈ 90 m
Food & nightlife
Where LA itself eats
📷 Missvain · CC BY 4.0Food hall€
Grand Central Market
Downtown · 0 min from Downtown
Since 1917. Tacos, ramen, egg sandwiches and coffee under one roof.
Go around 11 am, before the office lunch rush. Try the German currywurst.
📷 Tom TorMarket & stalls€€
The Original Farmers Market
Fairfax · 20 min from Downtown
Breakfast or lunch next to The Grove. Perfect before LACMA or the Walk of Fame.
Parking is free for 2 hours with validation. Combine it with The Grove next door; there are gift stalls too.
📷 Frankie LopezMexican€
Taco trucks in Boyle Heights
Boyle Heights · 10 min from Downtown
The best al pastor in town comes from a truck. Bring cash.
A taco runs $2–3; three per person is a meal.
📷 Raja PatelCoffee & trendy€€€
Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice · 45 min from Downtown
Gjelina, Blue Bottle and boutiques. The hippest street after a beach morning.
Book for dinner; lunch is walk-in friendly. For coffee: the vanilla iced latte with cold foam at Alfred Coffee (1408 Abbot Kinney).
📷 Jake BluckerKorean€€
Koreatown BBQ
Koreatown · 10 min from Downtown
All-you-can-eat barbecue until late. The biggest Koreatown outside Korea.
Go in a group of four; expect waits after 7 pm.
📷 Sean PierceBurgers€
In-N-Out bij LAX
Westchester · 30 min from Downtown
Burgers while planes land overhead. Order Animal Style off the secret menu.
Ideal first or last stop of your trip. Order a Number 1 with Animal Style fries and a Neapolitan shake, and snap the planes coming in to land.