LA · Guides · book coming
Los Angeles with kids
Los Angeles mixes theme parks, beaches, a space shuttle and movie magic, with sunshine most of the year. It's also huge, so the best family trips here do one area a day.
These guides cover the parks, the free museums and the coast, with what's new and what's closed this year.
The highlights
The theme parks
Disneyland for little ones and classics, Universal for gamers and movie fans.
Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood with Kids? An Honest Comparison →Space Shuttle Endeavour
Standing upright in its new home from November 13, 2026, at a free museum.
The Best Los Angeles Museums for Kids, by Age and Interest →Griffith Park
Real trains to climb at Travel Town, and city lights from the observatory.
3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: an Easy Family Itinerary →The beach
Santa Monica's pier, a flat beach bike path and the Venice canals.
Free Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids →
Ready-made plans
- Los Angeles
3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: an Easy Family ItineraryA realistic 3-day Los Angeles itinerary for families: Hollywood and Griffith Park, the Space Shuttle and dinosaurs, then Santa Monica's pier and beach. - Los AngelesRainy Day in Los Angeles with Kids: the Best Indoor PlansA rainy day in Los Angeles with kids: the Space Shuttle and dinosaurs, aquariums, hands-on children's museums, the Petersen's cars and a ready-made indoor plan.
All Los Angeles guides
- Los AngelesChristmas in Los Angeles with Kids: Lights, Theme Parks and a 2-Day PlanChristmas in LA with kids: Disneyland's holidays, Grinchmas at Universal, glowing zoo lanterns, an enchanted forest of light and a warm-weather 2-day plan.
- Los AngelesThe Best Los Angeles Museums for Kids, by Age and InterestThe best Los Angeles museums for kids: the Space Shuttle Endeavour, dinosaurs, Griffith Observatory, a hands-on children's museum and what's closed in 2026.
- Los AngelesDisneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood with Kids? An Honest ComparisonDisneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood with kids: which suits which ages, how many days each needs, height limits, line-skipping passes and how to choose.
- Los AngelesDisneyland with Kids: Practical Tips for a Great Day (and Fewer Lines)Disneyland with kids: when to go, rope drop, Lightning Lane, Rider Switch, rides for little ones, breaks, food and a plan for one park in one day.
- Los AngelesFree Things to Do in Los Angeles with KidsFree things to do in Los Angeles with kids: the Space Shuttle Endeavour, Griffith Observatory, the Getty, beaches, the Santa Monica Pier and a free day plan.
- Los AngelesGriffith Park with Kids: Trains, the Zoo, the Observatory and Easy HikesGriffith Park with kids: real old trains at Travel Town, a miniature railroad, the LA Zoo, the observatory at sunset, easy trails and what's closed right now.
- Los AngelesLos Angeles in Summer with Kids: Beaches, Outdoor Shows and Cool EscapesLos Angeles in summer with kids: family beaches, the Hollywood Bowl under the stars, free pier concerts, the Aquarium of the Pacific and beating the heat.
- Los AngelesLos Angeles for Spring Break with Kids: Parks, Poppies and Beach DaysLos Angeles for spring break with kids: beating theme park crowds, wildflower poppies, the Space Shuttle, the first beach days of the year and a 3-day plan.
- Los Angeles3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: an Easy Family ItineraryA realistic 3-day Los Angeles itinerary for families: Hollywood and Griffith Park, the Space Shuttle and dinosaurs, then Santa Monica's pier and beach.
- Los AngelesRainy Day in Los Angeles with Kids: the Best Indoor PlansA rainy day in Los Angeles with kids: the Space Shuttle and dinosaurs, aquariums, hands-on children's museums, the Petersen's cars and a ready-made indoor plan.
- Los AngelesSanta Monica and Venice Beach with Kids: the Pier, a Bike Ride and the CanalsSanta Monica and Venice with kids: the pier's Ferris wheel and little aquarium, bikes on the beach path, playgrounds, the Venice Canals and a sunset.
- Los AngelesUniversal Studios Hollywood with Kids: a Plan for the DayUniversal Studios Hollywood with kids: what to ride by age, Super Nintendo World tips, the Studio Tour, height limits, Child Switch and a plan for one day.
- Los AngelesWhere to Stay in Los Angeles with Kids: the Best Areas by Trip TypeWhere to stay in Los Angeles with kids: Anaheim, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Universal City, Downtown and Long Beach compared, and when to move hotels.
Los Angeles with kids: questions
What is there to do in Los Angeles with kids?
Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, the California Science Center and Natural History Museum, Griffith Park and its observatory, and the beaches at Santa Monica and Venice.
How many days do you need in LA with kids?
Three days for the city's highlights, plus a full day for each theme park you want to visit.
Is there a Los Angeles adventure book?
It's on its way. The guides are here now, and you can see how the book works in the New York demo.