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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 locations to check out in California with kids! Los Angeles likewise provides 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.

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

, also understood as El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. It includes 27 historic structures and a main Mexican plaza.

Then, action method back in time at La Brea Tar Pits and Nature Museum. Kids may wonder if they've gotten in Jurassic Park as they stare at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, huge sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth. Positioning at The Huntington (Image credit: Phil Journeys In between) An individual favorite, The Huntington Botanical Gardens stretches across 130 visitable acres (half a square kilometer).

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Kids especially delight in Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which includes lively, hands-on elements 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+ Attractions, consisting of the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in neighboring Buena Park, and a lot more.

A suburban area of Los Angeles, Burbank has numerous major movie and television studios. Burbank is home to around 100,00 citizens and 3 powerhouse studios: Walt Disney Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Warner Bros Studio. For an immersive look at sets and memorabilia from favorite programs and motion pictures, book a Warner Bros.

For a delicious serving of movies and television shows with a side of roller rollercoasters and live shows, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must. This is particularly real for Harry Potter fans, who will adore the Wizarding World at this amusement park. Obviously, you will also want to see the renowned Hollywood Sign and walk along the famous 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 guests visited this beloved nationwide park. It spans 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 among the country's finest examples of land conservation. Sculpted by glaciers over 10s of thousands of years, Yosemite Valley features granite giants El Capitan and Half Dome. Households seeking to explore California's natural charm will love visiting Yosemite. Strategy 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. Families are captivated with The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This impressive zoo and arboretum provides ingenious play areas for kids and an enjoyable model train exhibition. Giant spinning wind turbines in the Palm Springs location produce an electrifying 1.5 million megawatt-hours.

Skyrocket from the desert valley to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains through the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The car's flooring turns throughout the trip, so guests get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. Fascinated? Discover more things to do in Palm Springs with kids. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) For a distinct variety of household activities, consider a Ventura County getaway.

Families likewise delight in strolling Ventura Harbor Village for ice cream and waterfront views, or spending a relaxed afternoon on the wide, uncrowded beaches that specify this seaside region.

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a dozen rides, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller rollercoaster. You'll likewise find every reward your sweet teeth could yearn for and a wide variety of arcade video games with prizes. Families likewise take pleasure in walking the Third Street Boardwalk for shopping, street entertainers, and easy dining simply a few blocks from the beach.

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

Understood for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the inmost in North America. This park offers dramatic rock formations, rugged wilderness, and remote treking tracks. Find out more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national 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 explore natural wonders in California.

These uncommon trees grow just in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern U.S. Kids will take pleasure in rushing over the park's giant boulders and exploring short, easy routes that display the desert's transcendent landscape. Schedule a guided Joshua Tree National forest tour with our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. Calico Mine Trip at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a residential area of Los Angeles (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) Simply a brief drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for households who like amusement parks, themed adventures, and simple vacation enjoyable.

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