Los Angeles with kids
Los Angeles for Spring Break with Kids: Parks, Poppies and Beach Days
Spring is a sweet spot in Los Angeles: mild sunny days, green hills, wildflowers in the desert and the first beach days of the year. It's also the busiest time at the theme parks, so a little planning goes a long way.
In 2027, Los Angeles Unified schools are off March 22 to 26, and many other districts and states break in March or April. This 3-day plan keeps the busiest places for the quietest times. Check each official website for hours and tickets.
Day 1 · A theme park, done right
Rope drop, the big rides first, a break in the afternoon.
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Before opening
Disneyland Resort (opens Google Maps)
Spring break is one of the park's busiest seasons. Arrive before opening, ride the most popular rides first, and consider Lightning Lane for the long lines. Midweek is calmer than weekends.
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Midday
Break at the hotel
A swim or a rest in the middle of the day keeps everyone happy for the evening.
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Evening
Back for the night shows
Parades and fireworks (on many nights) end the day. In spring, Disney California Adventure usually hosts its Food & Wine Festival, with kid-friendly treats.
Day 2 · Space Shuttle and dinosaurs
Two big museums side by side, with a rose garden picnic in between.
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Morning
California Science Center (opens Google Maps)
Free general admission, with the Space Shuttle Endeavour standing upright in its new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center (opening November 2026). Check whether timed reservations are needed during school breaks.
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Lunch · Lunch
Exposition Park Rose Garden (opens Google Maps)
A free garden for a picnic; the roses usually start blooming in April.
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Afternoon
Natural History Museum (opens Google Maps)
The Dinosaur Hall, gems and minerals, and a spring butterfly pavilion in some years.
Day 3 · Wildflowers or the beach
Poppies in the desert if the bloom is on, or the Santa Monica Pier.
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Morning
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve (opens Google Maps)
When the rains are good, hills turn orange with poppies from mid-March to April. About 90 minutes' drive north; go on a calm, sunny weekday morning, as poppies close in wind and cold. Check the bloom report first.
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Lunch · Lunch
Picnic lunch
Facilities near the reserve are limited: bring food and water.
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Afternoon
Plan B: Santa Monica Pier (opens Google Maps)
No bloom this year? Spend the day at the pier, the aquarium under it and the beach bike path instead. The water's still cold in spring, but the sand is warm.
Spring break tips for LA
- Check school calendars: LAUSD is off March 22–26, 2027; other districts and out-of-state visitors spread the crowds across March and April. Easter (March 28, 2027) is extra busy.
- Pick weekdays for parks: theme parks are calmer Monday to Wednesday than at weekends.
- Mornings can be cool and grey: pack layers; it often warms up by noon.
- Book tables and tickets ahead: spring break fills up restaurants near the parks.
Make it a game
A Play Your Trip book turns this plan into an adventure: every stop a quest with a coin to collect, every place one tap from the map. Los Angeles books are coming soon; see how it works.
Questions
When is LAUSD spring break in 2027?
Los Angeles Unified's spring break is March 22 to 26, 2027. Other local districts and out-of-state visitors break at different times in March and April.
Is Disneyland crowded during spring break?
Yes, spring break is one of its busiest seasons. Arrive before opening, choose weekdays, and use Lightning Lane for the most popular rides.
When do the poppies bloom near Los Angeles?
At the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, usually from mid-March to April, depending on winter rain. The flowers close on windy or cold days.