Family Things To Do in LA With Young Kids: What’s Keeping Us Busy while we are in Los Angeles
We are wrapping up three weeks in Los Angeles with three kids under six. And honestly? It never gets old as there’s always something to do.
Paul has been working in LA for years, and although the trips are a lot, we always have fun as a family.
If you're looking for family things to do in LA and don't know where to start with little ones in tow, this is the list I wish someone had handed me.
And if you've ever wondered how we handle travel as a family with young kids, I wrote a little about that in my post on Packing Hacks for Traveling with Less Stress .
First, a Quick Note About Paul Walter Hauser’s New Movie - Balls Up
One of the reasons for this trip was the upcoming premiere of Paul's new film, Balls Up, which launched on April 15th on Amazon Prime Video.
Balls Up is a comedy film starring Paul and Mark Wahlburg, and if you're looking for something fun to watch this spring, go ahead and add it to your watch list right now. Bit first a heads up - I’d keep it for a date night with you and your spouse - not the whole family as it is rated R.
Faith — Because Church Doesn't Stop When We Travel
One thing that doesn't change when we're away from home is Sunday morning. We always find a church, and in LA that's easy because Vintage Malibu exists.
If you're a faith-based family visiting LA, this is where I'd send you. It's grounded, welcoming, and it doesn't feel like a performance. Starting the week in worship sets the tone for everything else. This was our church when we lived in LA two years ago, and it is now based at Calimigos Ranch.
We also love Zoe Church at the El Rey. It's high-energy and great if you want something with a little more movement. Both are worth checking out depending on what your family connects with.
Don't let travel become the reason you skip it. Some of our best Sunday mornings have happened far from home - including Easter Sunday!
Food — The Places Worth Planning Around
Alfred Coffee
This is my non-negotiable every single trip. The aesthetic is fun, the coffee is great, and it just feels very LA in the best way. Multiple locations make it easy to work into whatever your day looks like.
Crustacean Beverly Hills
If you're near Beverly Hills and need an amazing dinner spot, this is it. We had dinner just the girls on the trip (sans kids) and the food and company made the night! Pro tip - order the garlic noodles!
Elephante Santa Monica
This one is a must if you're doing a PCH day. It sits right on the water in Santa Monica and the views alone are worth it. Italian-inspired menu, great for lunch, and the kind of meal that makes you feel like you're actually on vacation.
Malibu Farm Pier Restaurant or Duke's Malibu
Both are great stops on the drive up PCH. Duke's takes reservations, which I'd recommend with little ones so you're not waiting around with hungry toddlers. Malibu Farm has that easy, breezy feel that pairs perfectly with the drive. We spent park of our time at the pier and as you can see from the photos below, our kids loved it!
Family Things To Do in LA — Sightseeing Worth the Drive
As you’ll be able to tell from the list, some of these items are for the adults, and some are for the kids - but all are worth it!
Rodeo Drive + The Beverly Hills Sign
I always park on Canon Drive, just to the right of the Beverly Hills sign. It's free, which in LA feels like a small miracle. Walk the sign, stroll Rodeo, and make your way all the way to the end of the street. The hotel at the top is where Pretty Woman was filmed. Worth the walk for the photo alone.
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena was one of the highlights of our whole trip. The kids were in their element and I actually got to catch my breath for a second. That's a win. Highly recommend if you're in the LA area with little ones.
Lamp Posts on Wilshire —5905 Wilshire Blvd
When you're near Beverly Hills, swing by this stretch on Wilshire. The lamp posts are iconic and make for the best photos. It's a quick stop but one of those little LA moments that just feels special.
The pictures above are from a private ranch we visited near Malibu, CA. It’s not open to the public but they were too precious not to share. Back to places you can visit!
Griffith Observatory
Go at night. I cannot stress this enough. The city lights from up there are something else. If you've seen La La Land, you'll recognize it immediately. Watch it before you go if you haven't yet. Kids love it because they can run around outside while you take in the view.
PCH Road Trip Day
This is the one I look forward to most. Drive Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica up through Malibu and take your time. Stop at the pier, grab lunch at Duke's or Malibu Farm, let the kids put their toes in the sand. It's the kind of day that slows everything down in the best way.
Santa Monica Pier
Classic for a reason. The kids love it, there's enough to do to fill a few hours, and we usually pair this with our PCH day to make a full afternoon of it.
Hollywood Day
For the Hollywood Sign, typeLake Hollywood into your GPS. That's the best viewing spot. Then head to Hollywood Blvd for theWalk of Fame, theChinese Theatre, and theDolby Theatre where the Oscars are held. If you have a kid who loves movies, this stretch is really fun to walk together.
A Few Things That Help Us Travel Well as a Family
Traveling with little ones is a lot. There's no way around that. But a few things have made it easier for us over the years.
We keep nap schedules as close to normal as we can. We always find a church for Sunday. We build in slow mornings when we need them. And we give ourselves permission to skip things that don't feel worth the meltdown.
If you're looking for more of what helps our family stay grounded on the road and at home, you can find some of my favorite resources here.
Until Later from LA
LA can feel big and overwhelming if you're not sure where to start. But once you find your church, your coffee spot, your go-to drive up PCH, it starts to feel a lot more like home.
We're always grateful for the time we get to spend there together. And if you're heading to LA soon, I hope this list makes it feel a little less like a big city and a little more like an adventure.
And don't forget to watch Balls Up on Amazon Prime Video after April 15th. We're so proud of Paul and this one is going to be so good.
