If you are planning on visiting Los Angeles with your little ones, here's not only a list of things to do but an exact itinerary for a handful of days. These are full days! But, you don’t have to cram everything in. Pick and choose what makes sense to you.
Note, if you are visiting A CAR RENTAL IS KEY!!
And my favorite family friendly hotels in LA are:
This is also great for local families, when you have visitors in town with kids too, or even for your family to do on a weekend! ENJOY!
DAY 1. SANTA MONICA & VENICE
Santa Monica Urth Caffe breakfast walk to next spot
Perry's Bike Rentals (kids could bring their own bikes & scooters or in chairs)
Bike to Venice through the beach boardwalk & back
Lunch at on the beach back at Perry's Cafe
Walk to Santa Monica Pier for sightseeing and rides
Optional Heal the Bay Aquarium
Beach kid park play next door at Original Muscle Beach Santa Monica
Dinner at True Food Kitchen or Gjusta
DAY 2. MID CITY - GRIFFITH
Breakfast at Republique Cafe and Bakery
Hike at Griffith Park up to Griffith Observatory
Walk down and drive to Lunch at The Original Farmers Market
Shopping at The Grove
La Brea Tar Pits and the Page Museum OR park time at Pan Pacific Park
+If kids are older or adults only, afternoon museum of choice in area:
DAY 3. MALIBU & DOWNTOWN LA
Cruise dow the PCH to Malibu Pier
Breakfast at Malibu Farm on Malibu Pier
Beach time if weather permits (best beach in the LA city)
Lunch at Gladstones on the way back
Tour the Getty Villa
Sunset Dinner at Nobu
+Optional additon for older kids or adults only: Disney Concert Hall evening or LAKER GAME
Dinner or drinks at Perch
DAY 4. HOLLYWOOD & BEVERLY HILLS
Breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien or Beverly Wilshire Hotel if you want a fancier option
Walk Rodeo Drive to the Beverly Hills sign at the Beverly Gardens Park
Optional hop on the Beverly Hills Trolley for a non-walking tour of the area too
+If you have little kids, an option is to skip Hollywood (not too baby / little kid friendly) and book a cabana at the Beverly Hills Hotel for an epic pool afternoon in the heart of BH
Off to Hollywood Blvd: Walk the Walk of Fame & TCL Chinese Theatre & El Capitan
Museum at Madame Tussauds Hollywood
Dinner at California Pizza Kitchen or Pizzeria Mozza for casual or Spago or Gracias Madre for fancier family option (Yamashiro for adults only dinner or drinks, with views)
NEED MORE? ADD A THEME PARK DAY OR TWO!!
No theme parks make this list, because a) they are not technically LA city and b) you can spend all three days at parks alone easily. But the top ones I recommend close enough to LA to escape are: Disneyland/California Adventure, Universal Studios, and Knott’s Berry Farm. The last 2 for older kids.
IT RAINS ONE DAY? TRY THESE INDOOR MUSEUMS AND KID ACTIVITIES
Santa Monica Cayton Children's Museum
Pasadena Kidspace museum