Artistic Kid Projects to Do With Local Kids

Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) The 2nd biggest city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. No wonder L.A. is one of the finest places to check out in California with kids! Los Angeles likewise offers 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.

Take in its special SoCal vibe, an expansive skate park, and an outdoor fitness center with musclebound locals lifting weights under the California sun. Olvera Street in Los Angeles (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) The Getty Center is among the most popular destinations in the Los Angeles location. The museum is filled with art work by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.

, also known as El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. It features 27 historical buildings and a central Mexican plaza.

Then, action method back in time at La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum. Kids may question if they have actually gotten in Jurassic Park as they look at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, massive sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth. Posturing at The Huntington (Image credit: Phil Journeys Between) A personal favorite, The Huntington Botanical Gardens stretches across 130 visitable acres (half a square kilometer).

Capturing High-End Wall Portraits of Your Family

Kids especially enjoy Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which includes playful, hands-on elements such as tunnels, splash locations, fairy doors, and more. Cover a great deal of ground with a Los Angeles Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 40+ Attractions, including the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in close-by Buena Park, and a lot more.

A suburb of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of major film and tv studios. Of course, you will also desire to see the iconic Hollywood Sign and stroll along the well-known Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Yosemite National Park Valley landscape (Image credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with hiking routes, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural wonder. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million visitors visited this cherished national park. It covers nearly 750,000 acres (3,035 sq km) and is home to wildlife like foxes, deer, cougars, and black bears.

Artistic Things to Spend Time With Your Kids

Yosemite opened in 1890 and stays among the country's finest examples of land preservation. Carved by glaciers over 10s of thousands of years, Yosemite Valley includes granite giants El Capitan and Half Dome. Households seeking to check out California's natural beauty will love checking out Yosemite. Plan your journey with these Yosemite National forest ideas.

While in this desert sanctuary, don't miss out on a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area's numerous palm trees. Households are fascinated with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This remarkable zoo and arboretum provides ingenious play spaces for kids and an enjoyable design train display. Giant spinning wind turbines in the Palm Springs location produce an electrifying 1.5 million megawatt-hours.

The vehicle's flooring turns throughout the ride, so passengers get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) For a distinct selection of family activities, think about a Ventura County getaway.

Families also take pleasure in strolling Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterfront views, or investing a relaxed afternoon on the broad, uncrowded beaches that define this coastal region. Discover more unique things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Photo credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica epitomizes Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a lots rides, including the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller rollercoaster. You'll also discover every treat your sweet teeth could long for and a myriad of arcade games with prizes. Households likewise take pleasure in strolling the Third Street Boardwalk for shopping, street entertainers, and easy dining just a couple of blocks from the beach.

Transforming Special Photos Into Storybook Images

Adults and kids of any ages can't help however feel awestruck by the huge sequoias in the Giant Forest. This national forest boasts the world's biggest tree, General Sherman. You can even drive through another remarkable giant sequoia called the Tunnel Log. This stunning place offers a variety of great things to do in nature, like treking, mountain cycling, outdoor camping, and horseback riding.

Known for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is among the deepest in North America. This park provides significant rock developments, rugged wilderness, and remote hiking tracks. Discover more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other nationwide parks in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the finest nationwide parks in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Forest (Image credit: lunamarina,) Positioned about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National forest is necessary for households who wish to check out natural marvels in California.

These uncommon trees grow just in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Children will take pleasure in rushing over the park's giant boulders and checking out brief, easy trails that showcase the desert's otherworldly landscape. Schedule a directed Joshua Tree National forest tour with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a suburb of Los Angeles (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) Just a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for households who like theme park, themed experiences, and easy getaway fun.

How to Find Magical Photography Sessions for Families

Summer visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround entertainment includes Medieval Times and Pirates Dinner Adventure. It's an easy addon to any Southern California trip and an excellent home for checking out nearby beaches, Orange County, and LA. Check out more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.

Discover SoCal's best-kept secret (shh!) with my La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club evaluation. Learn about a concealed gem desert destination with these things to do in Borrego Springs. For much more California container list ideas, inspect out this California roadway journey travel plan, a list of national forests in California, and my extensive catalog of California holidays and pointers.