Family Fun in Los Angeles
Traveling to LA with your family is a fun adventure as there is so much to see and do here. We often get asked for suggestions for places to go while here. Here are some of our favorite recommendations for families visiting Los Angeles. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Beaches
We have a ton of beaches to choose from, but we know that you are looking for more with your family. That’s why we love the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica.
What used to be the playground of the rich and famous at the mansion that belonged to silent film star Marion Davies and newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, is now a community playground in Santa Monica. While the original 110 room mansion and most of the guest houses that were on the property are no longer there, you can still enjoy this fantastic piece of real estate. Opened in 2009, the Annenberg Community Beach House is located along 5 acres of beach. It has volleyball courts, a swimming pool (the original one from the 1920’s that has been refurbished) and a children’s water play area called the “splash pad”. What’s more, you can also tour one of the last remaining structures on the original property. It is a ton of fun for the whole family.
Museums
We have a variety of museums to choose from here in LA, but the one that is requested by families most often is The California Science Center. Did you ever want to be an astronaut or do you have kids who love everything to do with space? Then the California Science Center is the place to go. Admission is free, which great on the pocket book. While there you can view The Space Shuttle Endeavour up close and see the images and artifacts associated with this incredible space shuttle. You can also check out The World of Life and examine how people, plants, animals and the tiniest living cells all perform the same life processes to survive. Then of course there are the jets. Parents will have a tough time keeping the “Top Gun” theme song from running through their heads while viewing one of the military jets on display including the SR-71 Blackbird and F-4’s. But that’s not all, parents won’t mind reaching into their wallet to pay for an experience in the 3D IMAX theater, which plays movies with a scientific or nature bent.
Landmarks
LA has a variety of landmarks that tell the story of it’s history. Probably the most requested landmark we get, and is a must see on your visit here, is probably THE most iconic landmark in Los Angeles – The Hollywood Sign. This beacon of the entertainment industry has been around since the 1920’s. It wasn’t, however, supposed to denote anything about entertainment. The original sign was actually an advertisement for the housing development4320p-etal squares, each of the 13 letters was 30 feet wide and approximately 43 feet tall and lit up at night. While the housing development eventually failed due to the Great Depression, the sign still stayed and the city eventually removed the “land” from the title to create the now famous sign, “Hollywood”. Now the sign is over 90 years old and it just goes to show, you never know when a star will be born or how long it will last in Hollywood.
Amusement Park Fun
If you have kids, then Disneyland is a must stop on any vacation to L.A. About an hour and a half outside of the city in Anaheim, Disneyland is a great day trip for families. Walt Disney’s original park, Disneyland opened in 1955. This year, they are celebrating their 60th anniversary and they are pulling out all of the stops for this diamond themed celebration (you can even win diamonds if you are lucky!). From Toon Town to the tea cups to Mr. Toads wild ride, visiting Disneyland is truly a magical place for kids. You can also hop over to California Adventure where they have awesome rides and great food options. Your little ones will never forget it and it is a fantastic kick off to a family vacation.
Studio Tours
Many of our clients love taking studio tours while here. While we think all of them are fun and interesting, we definitely think you should check out Warner Bros. Founded in 1923 by Albert, Harry, Sam & Jack Warner, Warner Bros Studio was put on the map by a dog. You read that right… a dog. Warner Bros was the first studio to sign a contract with Rin Tin Tin. All barking aside, Warner Bros has been a leader in producing entertainment on the big and small screen. They were one of the first movie houses to produce the original films with sound, known as “Talkies” with its release of the groundbreaking film “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson. In the 1990’s Warner Bros branched into television with the WB TV Network which has produced several popular TV shows. But their biggest box office hit is undoubtedly The Harry Potter movies which is the highest grossing film series of all time. You can take a tour of the Warner Bros Studios 110 acre lot and check out sets, backlot streets , sound prods, craft shops and more for an insiders look into the studio!
Come discover all of Los Angeles and so much more on a tour with us! All of our tours are private and fully customizable and our vehicles are very comfortable. Our fun, friendly and knowledgable guides will show you LA in a way you will never forget! Call us today to book and see all of the amazing sites of Los Angeles!We have had a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor since 2011 and all of our tours are completely private, custom tours with just you and your family — like your friend in LA taking you around town.
Call us at 800-549-6625 or email us today to book!