Creative Things to Capture Time With Your Family

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 best places to visit in California with kids! Los Angeles also offers 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.

Take in its unique SoCal vibe, an expansive skate park, and an outdoor gym with musclebound residents lifting weights under the California sun. The museum is filled with art work by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.

, also understood as El Pueblo Historic Monument. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. It features 27 historic structures and a central Mexican plaza.

Then, action way back in time at La Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum. Kids might question if they've entered Jurassic Park as they look at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, enormous sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth. Presenting at The Huntington (Image credit: Phil Travels In between) A personal favorite, The Huntington Botanical Gardens stretches across 130 visitable acres (half a square kilometer).

Locating Elite Kid-Centric Outings for Children

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

A residential area of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of major movie and television studios. Of course, you will also want to view the renowned Hollywood Sign and walk along the popular Hollywood Walk of Popularity.

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

Turning Special Moments Into Storybook Images

Yosemite opened in 1890 and stays one of the nation's finest examples of land conservation. Carved by glaciers over tens of thousands of years, Yosemite Valley features granite giants El Capitan and Half Dome. Households seeking to check out California's natural beauty will enjoy going to Yosemite. Plan your journey with these Yosemite National Park pointers.

While in this desert sanctuary, don't miss out on a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area's abundant palm trees. This impressive zoo and botanical garden offers innovative play areas for kids and an enjoyable model train display.

Skyrocket from the desert valley to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains by means of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The automobile's floor turns throughout the ride, so guests get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. Intrigued? Discover more things to do in Palm Springs with kids. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Image credit: Colleen Lanin) For a special variety of household activities, consider a Ventura County trip.

Families likewise enjoy strolling Ventura Harbor Village for ice cream and waterfront views, or investing a relaxed afternoon on the broad, uncrowded beaches that specify this coastal region. Discover more distinct 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 trips, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller rollercoaster. You'll likewise discover every treat your sweet teeth could long for and a myriad of game games with prizes. Households also take pleasure in walking the Third Street Promenade for shopping, street performers, and simple dining simply a few blocks from the beach.

Planning for Artistic Family Activities in 2026

Adults and kids of all ages can't assist however feel awestruck by the massive sequoias in the Giant Forest. This nationwide park boasts the world's largest tree, General Sherman.

Known for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the inmost in The United States and Canada. This park provides dramatic rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote treking routes. Learn more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other nationwide parks in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best national parks in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Forest (Photo credit: lunamarina,) Positioned about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is necessary for families who want to check out natural wonders in California.

These uncommon trees grow only in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will take pleasure in rushing over the park's giant stones and exploring brief, simple trails that showcase the desert's transcendent landscape. Book a directed Joshua Tree National forest trip with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a residential area of Los Angeles (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) Simply a short drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for households who like amusement parks, themed experiences, and easy getaway fun.

How to Book Enchanted Photography Sessions for Kids

Summertime visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround entertainment consists of Medieval Times and Pirates Dinner Adventure. It's a simple addon to any Southern California trip and a great online for checking out neighboring beaches, Orange County, and LA. Explore more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.

Discover SoCal's best-kept trick (shh!) with my La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club review. Discover a surprise gem desert destination with these things to do in Borrego Springs. For a lot more California container list ideas, take a look at this California trip schedule, a list of national forests in California, and my substantial catalog of California vacations and suggestions.