Los Angeles Family Vacation Ideas

If you’re really in the mood for some amusement park fun, then a visit to Knott’s Berry Farm is in order. America’s first theme park is still going strong, with delightful park characters, exhilarating coasters, and a nice selection of children’s rides.

Check out the newly opened HangTime rollercoaster at Knott's, the steepest coaster in California. It plunges over the water, creating some cool thrills for riders. Visit their sister park, Knott’s Soak City, on a particularly hot day. They’re right next to each other, so it would be easy to visit them both on the same day.

With its specific focus on the marine life of the vast Pacific Ocean, the top-notch Aquarium of the Pacific is perfect for the animal lovers in your family. See over a thousand fish from the coral reefs in the Tropical Pacific and look out for the mysterious giant Pacific octopus in the chilly Northern Pacific.

The Aquarium of the Pacific has over 100 exhibits scattered across their 19 major habitats. Highlights include Jellies, Shark Lagoon, June Keyes Penguin Habitat, and more.

LA's sprawling Griffith Park is the perfect family destination, with plenty of trails for hiking or cycling, spaces for picnics or Frisbee-tossing, and many attractions of its own. The Griffith Observatory is a fascinating scientific institution where visitors can delve into the cosmos through interactive exhibits, telescopes, and engaging live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium Theater.

The LA Zoo & Botanical Gardens are enchanting and educational, home to mammals, birds, and reptiles from around the world, including several rare and endangered species. Even if you don't have time to visit the attractions here, take a drive through the park to soak up the nature.

Stay active and enjoy the weather with a bike ride! Whether you want to explore Griffith Park or the bike-friendly, sunny boardwalks of Santa Monica, there are plenty of options for you to pedal around. There is a wide selection of rental options in Santa Monica, including rollerblade rentals for some retro fun your kids will love.

Get your bikes, skates, boards, and more at Perry’s Beach Café. They also sell a tasty selection of food and drinks for lunch, so why not make an entire afternoon of it?

Head out onto the water for a fun way to soak up the sunny weather in L.A. Boarding a Harbor Cruise from Long Beach is an excellent way to go sightseeing along the waterfront and enjoy relaxing breezes. Or, opt for a whale watch for a specialized focus on these majestic creatures. Both tours provide plenty of opportunities to see local marine life and are narrated by marine mammal educators from the Aquarium of the Pacific.

You simply can’t visit LA. without some nod to their Hollywood attractions. If you want something low-key, fun, and free, head to the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. Look for your favorite actor or artist’s star, and take a photo with it. There are also plenty of other Hollywood attractions to enjoy if you want to further your adventures, like the TCL Chinese Theatre or the Egyptian Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and celebrity home tours.

If you prefer to look out over Tinseltown from above, take a Hollywood Sign hike and enjoy the vista over the city, from the most recognizable icon in LA!

Runyon Canyon is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Los Angeles and for good reason, there are multiple trails of varying lengths and difficulties that all offer mesmerizing views. Trails vary in length from 0.8 to 3.3 miles, which will be the perfect vacation hike without taking up your entire day.

Runyon Canyon is famous among locals and tourists alike; many visitors bring their dogs. You might just see some celebrities while getting your morning jog in as the trails in Runyon Canyon are a favorite of Hollywood's stars.