Preparing for Creative Family Activities in 2026

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

Take in its distinct SoCal ambiance, an extensive skate park, and an outside health club 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 attractions in the Los Angeles area. The museum is filled with artwork by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.

, likewise known as El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birth place of Los Angeles. It includes 27 historic buildings and a central Mexican plaza.

Kids may wonder if they've gone into Jurassic Park as they stare at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, enormous sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth.

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Kids particularly enjoy Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden, which features playful, hands-on aspects such as tunnels, splash areas, fairy doors, and more. Cover a great deal of ground with a Los Angeles Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 40+ Tourist attractions, including the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in nearby Buena Park, and a lot more.

A residential area of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of significant movie and television studios. Burbank is home to around 100,00 homeowners and 3 powerhouse studios: Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Warner Bros Studio. For an immersive appearance at sets and souvenirs from favorite shows and films, book a Warner Bros.

For a delicious serving of movies and television programs with a side of roller rollercoasters and live shows, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. This is especially true for Harry Potter fans, who will adore the Wizarding World at this theme park. Obviously, you will also wish to see the renowned Hollywood Sign and stroll along the popular Hollywood Stroll of Popularity.

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

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Yosemite opened in 1890 and stays one of the nation's finest examples of land preservation. Families seeking to explore California's natural beauty will enjoy going to Yosemite.

While in this desert sanctuary, do not miss out on a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the area's numerous palm trees. This remarkable zoo and botanical garden offers innovative play spaces for kids and a fun model train exhibition.

The car's flooring turns throughout the ride, so guests get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) For a special variety of family activities, think about a Ventura County trip.

Households also delight in strolling Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterfront views, or spending a relaxed afternoon on the wide, uncrowded beaches that specify this coastal region.

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier includes a dozen trips, including the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller rollercoaster. You'll likewise find every reward your cravings for sweets could long for and a variety of game games with prizes. Households likewise take pleasure in walking the Third Street Promenade for shopping, street performers, and easy dining simply a few blocks from the beach.

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Adults and kids of all ages can't help however feel awestruck by the massive sequoias in the Giant Forest. This national forest boasts the world's largest tree, General Sherman. You can even drive through another excellent giant sequoia called the Tunnel Log. This gorgeous place supplies a variety of terrific things to do in nature, like treking, mountain biking, camping, and horseback riding.

Understood for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is among the deepest in The United States and Canada. This park provides remarkable rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote hiking tracks. Discover more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national forests in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the best national forests in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Forest (Picture credit: lunamarina,) Positioned about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is important for families who wish to explore natural marvels in California.

These unusual trees grow only in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will delight in scrambling over the park's huge stones and exploring brief, easy tracks that showcase the desert's transcendent landscape. Reserve an assisted Joshua Tree National forest trip with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a suburban area of Los Angeles (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) Simply a brief drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for families who like amusement parks, themed adventures, and simple trip fun.

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Summer visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround entertainment consists of Middle ages Times and Pirates Dinner Experience. It's an easy addon to any Southern California journey and a terrific online for checking out close-by beaches, Orange County, and LA. Explore more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.