Planning a family trip to Los Angeles can feel overwhelming fast. The city sprawls for miles, traffic eats up your day, and half the
1. Take a guided family tour of LA’s top neighborhoods
Before you tackle any single attraction, get your bearings with a guided family tour of Los Angeles. A private tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills with a local guide solves the biggest headache of traveling with kids here: the driving. You skip the guesswork of freeway routes, parking hunts, and rideshare wait times, and instead ride together while someone else handles navigation and small talk with the little ones. For families short on time, guided LA tours built around kids and parents are often the smartest way to knock out several family things to do in los angeles in a single, well-paced day.
What to expect
A typical outing with Another Side Tours covers Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and other signature neighborhoods in a private vehicle sized for your group, so you’re not sharing a van with strangers or sticking to someone else’s schedule. Guides build in stops for photos, snack breaks, and bathroom runs, which matters more with kids than any itinerary on paper. Tours run from roughly 90 minutes to several hours, and pickup from your hotel or vacation rental is included on most options, so you’re not wrangling car seats into a stranger’s rental car or figuring out parking near Rodeo Drive.
Why kids love it
Kids respond to stories, not statistics, and a good guide knows how to turn a celebrity home or a movie studio gate into something a nine-year-old actually wants to hear about. The local guides trade dry history lectures for the kind of anecdotes that make landmarks click for younger travelers, like which house appeared in a movie they’ve seen or why a certain street shows up in every car commercial.
A private guide turns a long car ride into the most memorable part of the trip, not the part everyone tries to forget.
Because the pace flexes around your family, nobody feels rushed past a good photo op or forced to sit through a stop that’s lost their interest.
Good to know before you go
Pricing varies by tour length, group size, and vehicle type, and group discounts kick in for parties of three or more, which helps families keep costs reasonable compared to booking several separate activities. Here’s what to check before booking:
- Confirm the tour accommodates car seats or booster seats if you’re traveling with toddlers
- Ask about restroom and snack stops, especially for tours over two hours
- Check whether hotel pickup is included or arranged separately
- Look at semi-private versus fully private options if budget is a factor
- Book a few days ahead during peak summer and holiday travel weeks
This kind of guided start pairs naturally with the standalone attractions further down this list, and it helps to compare family tour options by pace and price before booking, since your guide can point you toward which stops are worth the extra time.
2. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood sits near the top of every list of things to do in los angeles with kids, and it earns that spot. This working film studio turned theme park mixes real movie-making history with rides built around franchises your kids already know, from Harry Potter to Jurassic World. It’s a full-day commitment, so plan your family’s energy levels around it rather than squeezing it in between other stops.
What to expect
Beyond the rides, the park runs the Studio Tour, a tram ride through actual backlot sets where movies and shows still film. You’ll roll past King Kong in 3D, through a flash flood, and past facades used in dozens of productions. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter recreates Hogsmeade in enough detail that kids stop asking when they can leave and start asking to go back. Lines get long by midday, so early entry or a skip-the-line pass saves hours you’d otherwise spend standing around.
Why kids love it
Kids love that the park feels like stepping inside a screen instead of watching one. Younger children gravitate toward Super Nintendo World and the interactive play areas, while older kids and teens chase the bigger thrill rides and photo spots.
When the movie set becomes the playground, kids stop asking to go home.
The mix of gentle attractions and genuine thrill rides means one park visit covers a wide age range without anyone sitting out.
Good to know before you go
Budget the whole day, arrive at opening, and hydrate often since much of the park sits on pavement with little shade.
- Single-day tickets run roughly $109 to $174 depending on season
- Front-of-Line passes cost extra but cut wait times significantly
- Height requirements apply to several major rides
- Stroller and locker rentals are available near the entrance
3. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood gives kids and parents alike a real look behind the camera, not a recreated movie set but the actual backlot where Friends, Batman, and countless other productions were filmed. Unlike a theme park, this is a working studio, so the experience leans more educational than thrill-based, which makes it one of the more unexpected family things to do in los angeles for kids curious about how movies actually get made.
What to expect
Guided trams roll through soundstages, prop warehouses, and outdoor sets styled to look like New York streets or small-town America. The interactive exhibits let kids sit in the Batmobile, walk through the Friends apartment set, and see costumes from franchises like Harry Potter up close. Tours run about three to four hours, longer than a quick photo stop but shorter than a full theme park day.
Why kids love it
Kids who watch behind-the-scenes videos or dream about making movies find this tour genuinely thrilling, since they’re standing where their favorite shows were shot instead of just watching a screen.
Seeing a real movie set beats any special effect a screen can show.
The hands-on props and photo opportunities keep even reluctant tweens engaged for the full walk.
Good to know before you go
Book timed tickets online in advance, since tours sell out during summer and school breaks, and it helps to see how Warner Bros, Paramount, and Sony studio tours compare before you choose one.
- Tickets run roughly $79 to $149 depending on tour type
- Deluxe tours include lunch and extra backlot access
- Comfortable walking shoes matter more than strollers here
- Photography is allowed on most, but not all, sets
4. Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park gives families a break from theme parks and studio lots with over 4,000 acres of hiking trails, playgrounds, and open green space right in the middle of the city. At the top of the park sits Griffith Observatory, a free attraction with sweeping views of the Hollywood Sign and downtown LA skyline. This spot works well as a lower-cost, lower-effort day mixed into a busier itinerary, and it’s one of the few genuinely free family things to do in los angeles that still feels like a real event.
What to expect
Inside the observatory, kids can look through telescopes, walk through space exhibits, and catch a show at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, where show times and ticket details are worth checking since it runs a small fee separate from the free general admission. Outside, trails of varying difficulty through Griffith Park lead toward Hollywood Sign viewpoints, so families can pick a short stroll or a longer hike depending on how much energy everyone has left. Parking near the observatory fills up fast on weekends, so plan around that.
Why kids love it
Space exhibits and telescopes turn abstract science into something kids can touch and look through, which lands better than any textbook. The hands-on planetarium shows hold attention even for kids who normally squirm through museum visits.
A free view of the Hollywood Sign still beats most paid attractions in the city.
Older kids especially enjoy the short hike to the sign viewpoint as a mini adventure with a payoff photo at the end.
Good to know before you go
Visit late afternoon into evening for the best skyline views and cooler hiking temperatures.
- General admission to the observatory is free
- Planetarium shows cost a few dollars per ticket
- Parking lots fill early on weekends and holidays
- Wear real shoes if you plan to hike toward the sign
5. Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier delivers the classic beach-town day families picture when they think of California, complete with a Ferris wheel over the ocean and salt air the whole way there. This spot works as a half-day stop or an easy anchor for a longer beach day, and it’s one of the most reliably fun family things to do in los angeles regardless of the kids’ ages. Free entry to the pier itself makes it easy to budget around, since you only pay for rides, food, or games once you’re there.
What to expect
Walking onto the pier, you’ll find Pacific Park, a small amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, a wooden roller coaster, and carnival games sized for a quick visit rather than an all-day commitment, plus plenty of other pier rides, food, and views worth planning around. Below the pier, the beach stretches wide enough for sandcastles, frisbee, or just letting kids run off energy before dinner. Street performers and arcade games line the boardwalk, so there’s always something happening even if you’re not riding anything.
Why kids love it
Younger kids gravitate toward the carousel and gentle rides, while older kids and teens head straight for the coaster and Ferris wheel views over the water.
A Ferris wheel spinning over the ocean sells the trip better than any brochure could.
Games with stuffed-animal prizes and funnel cake stands round out the appeal, giving kids small wins throughout the visit instead of one big payoff at the end.
Good to know before you go
Sunset visits cut down on heat and crowds while still keeping the rides open, and timing your Santa Monica Pier visit makes a bigger difference than most families expect.
- Pier access is free; ride tickets are sold individually or in bundles
- Pacific Park closes earlier on weekdays than weekends
- Parking lots near the pier fill fast; arrive before noon on weekends
- Lifeguards staff the beach during daylight hours in season
6. Venice Beach boardwalk
Venice Beach boardwalk swaps Santa Monica’s polish for something rougher and more entertaining, a stretch of oddballs, street performers, and muscle-bound weightlifters that kids never forget. It sits just south of Santa Monica Pier, so pairing the two into one beach day is easy if your family has the stamina for it. As one of the more offbeat family things to do in los angeles, it works best for families who like a little chaos with their sightseeing.
What to expect
Rolling down the boardwalk, you’ll pass tarot readers, sand sculptors, the boardwalk’s most legendary performers, and vendors selling everything from tie-dye shirts to fresh coconuts. Muscle Beach, the outdoor gym where bodybuilders have trained since the 1930s, sits right along the path and always draws a crowd of curious kids pressed against the fence, and it’s only one of the canals, murals, and boardwalk stops around Venice. Skaters carve through a dedicated skate park nearby, and rental shops along the boardwalk make it simple to grab bikes or skates and cover more ground than walking alone allows.
Why kids love it
Nothing about Venice Beach feels like a typical tourist stop, and that’s exactly the draw for kids who’ve already sat through a few museums this trip.
A boardwalk full of jugglers and skaters teaches kids more about people-watching than any guidebook.
Teens especially like the street art and graffiti walls scattered through the area, which make for photos far more interesting than another landmark shot.
Good to know before you go
Keep a close eye on younger kids in the crowds, since the boardwalk gets dense with foot traffic on weekends and holidays.
- The boardwalk itself is free to walk
- Bike and skate rentals run roughly $10 to $20 per hour
- Parking lots near the beach charge a flat daily rate
- Watch for uneven pavement and cyclists when walking with strollers
7. Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
No trip built around family things to do in los angeles feels complete without a walk down Hollywood Boulevard, where thousands of pink terrazzo stars stretch for blocks and the domed silhouette of the TCL Chinese Theatre anchors the whole scene. This stop costs nothing beyond parking or a rideshare fare, and with several more sights a short walk from the stars, it’s an easy add-on before or after a bigger attraction like the observatory or Universal Studios.
What to expect
Strolling the boulevard, kids scan the sidewalk for names they recognize while parents point out ones from decades before their time. Outside the theatre, the forecourt handprints and footprints left by stars going back to the 1920s give kids something physical to compare their own hands against. Costumed street performers dressed as superheroes and movie characters line the entrance, happy to pose for photos, usually for a tip.
Why kids love it
Spotting a favorite actor’s star turns a plain sidewalk into a scavenger hunt kids stay engaged with far longer than expected.
Finding a favorite star on the sidewalk beats reading about it in any guidebook.
The costumed characters add a theme-park energy to a free city street, and most kids leave with a photo standing next to a superhero they’d otherwise only see on a screen.
Good to know before you go
Crowds and street performers pack the sidewalk tightest midday, so early mornings feel calmer with kids in tow.
- The Walk of Fame and theatre forecourt are free to visit
- Costumed characters expect a small tip for photos
- Theatre interior tours require a separate paid ticket
- Watch kids closely in dense pedestrian traffic near the boulevard
8. La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum
Right in the middle of Los Angeles, sticky asphalt still bubbles up from the ground at the La Brea Tar Pits, a working fossil site that’s been pulling Ice Age bones out of the earth for over a century. Bones from saber-toothed cats and mammoths sit just steps from Wilshire Boulevard traffic, which makes this one of the strangest and most memorable family things to do in los angeles for kids who like dinosaurs, fossils, or anything a little gross.
What to expect
Outside, fenced tar pits still trap bubbles of gas and the occasional unlucky pigeon, and life-size mammoth statues sunk mid-struggle mark the main pit near the entrance. Inside the Page Museum, glass walls let kids watch paleontologists clean and sort real fossils pulled from the ground outside, and full skeletons of dire wolves, saber-toothed cats, and mammoths fill the main hall. Plan on two to three hours to cover the museum and grounds without rushing.
Why kids love it
Kids gravitate toward the wall of dire wolf skulls, hundreds of them lined up together, since nothing else in the city offers a visual quite like it.
Real fossils pulled from a hole in the ground beat any dinosaur toy on a shelf.
Watching scientists work on actual specimens through the lab windows makes science feel like something happening right now, not something locked in a textbook.
Good to know before you go
Outdoor tar pits are free to view from the park paths, while the museum charges separate admission.
- General admission runs roughly $15 to $18 for adults, less for kids
- Free general admission for LA County residents on select days
- Outdoor grounds and pit viewing areas cost nothing to visit
- Strollers move easily through most museum halls
9. California Science Center
Exposition Park hosts one of the best free museum days you’ll find anywhere in the country, and the California Science Center anchors a long list of free family outings around LA. Between hands-on science exhibits and a retired space shuttle parked inside its own pavilion, this stop covers real ground on any list of family things to do in los angeles without costing a dime for general admission.
What to expect
Walking through the main halls, kids climb through a multi-story ecosystem exhibit, watch chicks hatch in the incubator area, and test out physics concepts through pulleys, levers, and air cannons built for small hands. The Space Shuttle Endeavour, housed in its own dedicated pavilion, sits close enough to touch the tiles that survived reentry, and the scale of it surprises most kids who expected something smaller. Budget three to four hours to cover the main building and the shuttle pavilion without feeling rushed.
Why kids love it
Interactive exhibits beat glass display cases every time, and this museum leans hard into things kids can push, pull, and climb rather than just look at.
Letting kids touch the science instead of just reading about it turns a museum visit into an actual memory.
The shuttle alone tends to be the moment parents mention weeks later, since few kids have stood next to a spacecraft that actually flew.
Good to know before you go
General admission covers the main exhibits, while a few special features carry separate fees.
- General admission to the science center is free
- Space Shuttle Endeavour tickets run a modest separate fee
- IMAX films require a paid ticket on top of admission
- Parking in the Exposition Park structure charges a flat daily rate
10. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Sitting right next door to the California Science Center in Exposition Park, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County rounds out a museum day without asking your family to drive anywhere new. Dinosaur skeletons, gemstones, and dioramas of African and North American wildlife fill the halls, giving this stop a different flavor from the space-and-physics focus next door and a spot among the LA museums most worth a full visit. It’s a strong pick among family things to do in los angeles for kids who’d rather look at a T. rex skull than a rocket engine.
What to expect
Entering the main hall, kids come face to face with dueling dinosaur skeletons locked in combat, a display that sets the tone for the entire Dinosaur Hall upstairs. Beyond dinosaurs, the museum runs an insect zoo where kids can hold live beetles and walking sticks, plus a hands-on discovery center built for younger children who aren’t ready for the bigger exhibits yet. Give the visit two to three hours to see the highlights without dragging tired legs through every wing.
Why kids love it
Real dinosaur bones pull kids in faster than almost anything else in the city, and the sheer size of the skeletons makes an impression no picture book manages.
A T. rex skeleton towering overhead sticks in a kid’s memory longer than any screen ever could.
The insect zoo adds a squeamish thrill that older siblings usually egg younger ones into trying first.
Good to know before you go
Combine this stop with the California Science Center for one ticketed parking fee covering both museums.
- General admission runs roughly $15 for adults, less for kids
- Free general admission for LA County residents on select days
- The insect zoo runs limited hands-on sessions throughout the day
- Strollers fit comfortably through most exhibit halls
11. The Getty Center
Perched high above the 405 freeway, the Getty Center pairs world-class art with a setting kids remember for the tram ride alone. Free admission and a design built around gardens, fountains, and open plazas make it one of the more surprising family things to do in los angeles, and one of several Los Angeles museums that charge nothing to enter, especially for families who assume art museums mean bored kids and hushed hallways.
What to expect
Getting there starts with a five-minute tram that glides up the hillside from the parking garage, and most kids ask to ride it twice before even reaching the galleries. Once inside, the museum spreads across several pavilions connected by outdoor walkways, so families can duck in for a quick gallery, then head back outside to the Central Garden’s maze of azaleas, streams, and stepping stones. Views over the city and out to the ocean stretch from nearly every terrace, giving parents a break while kids run across the open plazas.
Why kids love it
Space to move matters more to kids than the art itself, and the Getty gives them plenty of it between galleries.
A free tram ride up a hillside can outshine the paintings waiting at the top.
Family-focused activity guides handed out at the entrance turn gallery visits into a scavenger hunt, and the outdoor sculpture areas let kids burn off energy between indoor stops.
Good to know before you go
Parking is the only real cost here, so plan around that rather than ticket prices.
- General admission to the Getty Center is free
- Parking runs a flat fee, discounted after 3 p.m.
- Family activity backpacks are available to borrow at the entrance
- Outdoor areas make strollers easy to manage throughout the visit
12. Knott’s Berry Farm
Out in Buena Park, about 30 minutes southeast of downtown, Knott’s Berry Farm gives families a theme park day with less crowd pressure than the bigger Hollywood parks. Built around an old-west ghost town theme rather than movie franchises, it feels distinct from Universal Studios while still delivering real coasters and rides. For families ranking family things to do in los angeles by how much ground you cover per hour, Knott’s often wins on efficiency alone.
What to expect
Rides split cleanly by age group here, which helps a lot with mixed-age families. Camp Snoopy covers the younger crowd with gentle rides sized for toddlers and early elementary kids, while teens and adults head for coasters like Xcelerator and Ghost Rider. The old western town section adds stunt shows and staged shootouts that break up the ride-hopping with something to just watch and laugh at.
Why kids love it
Smaller kids latch onto Camp Snoopy fast, since it’s scaled to their size instead of towering over them like the bigger park rides.
A theme park built to a toddler’s scale keeps the whole family moving instead of splitting up.
Older siblings get real thrill rides without waiting in the longest lines in the county, and the western stunt shows give everyone a shared laugh between rides.
Good to know before you go
Crowds run noticeably lighter than Universal or Disneyland most weekdays, which cuts wait times significantly.
- Single-day tickets run roughly $60 to $95 depending on season
- Camp Snoopy suits kids too small for bigger coasters
- Knott’s Soak City water park sits next door for hot months
- Parking runs a separate flat daily fee
13. Catalina Island day trip
Catalina Island sits about an hour off the coast by ferry, and it turns a Los Angeles trip into a beach-and-boat adventure without needing a rental car or a long drive. The town of Avalon feels more like a Mediterranean fishing village than anything else in Southern California, with golf carts replacing most cars and a harbor full of snorkelers and paddleboarders. For families looking to round out their family things to do in los angeles list with something that isn’t a theme park or museum, this island crossing delivers a genuinely different day.
What to expect
Ferries depart from Long Beach or San Pedro, a harbor town with plenty of its own stops, and take about an hour each way, which kids usually treat as part of the fun rather than a chore. Once you land, glass-bottom boat tours show off the kelp forests and fish just offshore, and snorkel rentals let older kids get in the water themselves. Plan a full day for the round trip, since ferry schedules and the crossing time eat up more hours than a typical mainland stop.
Why kids love it
Boat rides, golf carts, and clear water make the island feel like a mini vacation tucked inside the bigger trip.
A ferry ride to an island feels like a second vacation stitched into the middle of your LA trip.
Kids who love marine life gravitate toward the glass-bottom boats, while others just enjoy renting a golf cart and cruising Avalon’s small streets.
Good to know before you go
- Round-trip ferry tickets run roughly $75 to $90 per adult, less for kids
- Book ferry times in advance during summer weekends
- Golf cart rentals are the easiest way to get around Avalon
- Bring sunscreen and water shoes for rocky beach spots
14. The Grove and Original Farmers Market
The Grove pairs an open-air shopping center with the Original Farmers Market next door, giving families a low-key half day that mixes food, people-watching, and a bit of retail therapy without needing a car to get between stops. It sits centrally enough near Fairfax and Third that it fits naturally between a morning at the tar pits and dinner elsewhere. Among family things to do in los angeles, this one works best as a breather day between the bigger attractions on this list.
What to expect
Walking through The Grove, kids gravitate toward the dancing fountain in the center plaza, which puts on a synchronized water-and-music show every hour that draws a crowd of little ones running through the spray on warmer days. A trolley loops between The Grove and the Farmers Market next door, and most kids ask to ride it even though the walk takes barely five minutes. Inside the Farmers Market, dozens of food stalls sell everything from fresh donuts to tacos to ice cream, letting everyone in the family pick something different without one restaurant vote deciding the whole meal.
Why kids love it
A fountain show and a food court built for grazing beats sitting through a formal sit-down dinner, especially after a long day of sightseeing.
Letting everyone order something different turns a meal into part of the fun instead of a fight over where to eat.
The trolley ride and open plaza give younger kids room to move after being buckled into car seats most of the day.
Good to know before you go
- The Grove and Farmers Market are free to walk; you only pay for food or shopping
- The fountain show runs on the hour throughout the day
- Parking validation is available with purchases at either location
- Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds, so mornings feel calmer
15. Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches
South of the busier Santa Monica and Venice scenes, Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches give families a quieter stretch of sand without giving up any of the classic Southern California beach day. These two neighboring beach towns feel more like where locals actually spend their weekends, and they round out this list of family things to do in los angeles with a lower-key, lower-cost option for families who’ve already hit the bigger tourist stops.
What to expect
Both towns center on wide, clean beaches backed by low-rise shops, casual restaurants, and a pier that anchors each downtown strip. Manhattan Beach Pier stretches out over calmer water good for younger kids wading nearby and sits beside plenty of other things to do in Manhattan Beach, while Hermosa’s pier leads straight into a walkable strip lined with ice cream shops and beachwear stores. Volleyball courts line both beaches, and rental shops near each pier make it simple to grab boogie boards, bikes, or paddleboards for a few hours.
Why kids love it
Space and calm water make these beaches easier for younger kids than the crowded stretches further north.
Sometimes a quiet beach town does more for a family’s mood than another packed attraction.
Older kids and teens gravitate toward the volleyball courts, where pickup games run most weekends, and everyone appreciates a beach day without fighting for towel space.
Good to know before you go
Parking runs easier here than at Santa Monica or Venice, especially on weekday mornings.
- Beach access is free at both towns
- Metered street parking and beach lots charge by the hour
- Rental shops near each pier offer boards and bikes by the hour
- Restaurants along both piers suit picky eaters and quick lunches
Putting together your family’s LA itinerary
Fifteen stops is plenty of choice, but nobody needs all fifteen crammed into one trip. Group nearby attractions together, pair the tar pits with the Grove, stack the science center with the natural history museum, and let one full day cover Universal or Knott’s without anything else scheduled around it. Building realistic days matters more than chasing every entry on this list, since tired kids ruin an itinerary faster than any traffic jam.
Spacing out theme parks, museums, and beach days keeps everyone fresh instead of burned out by day three. If juggling routes, parking, and nap schedules sounds like more work than vacation, hand that part off. A private guided tour covers the neighborhoods and landmarks in this list without anyone in the family staring at a map, and it leaves you free to just enjoy the ride. Tell our team about your family’s trip and let a local guide help build your LA days around what your kids will actually remember.
