The Best Things To Do In Los Angeles {With Kids}
Posted: June 21st, 2011Post written by Angela
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I’ve recently returned from a few weeks in the US with my family and over the next few weeks I’m going to share with you my recommendations for the best things to do with kids in Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. Have things to add to my list? Please share by leaving a comment.
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- There’s one major thing you should do with your kids in Los Angeles. I’ll give you a clue: it’s helmed by a great big mouse! Yes, it’s Disneyland! Cynics, I can assure you that your qualms will be eradicated once you step through the gates (trust me; I was not impressed to be leaving Paris, one of the cultural capitals of the world, to go to EuroDisneyland many years ago, but I was quickly converted!) . Every single aspect of the Disneyland experience is expertly designed and managed to ensure quality in all areas, from the transport from the parking lots to the cleanliness of all facilities and the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff (known as ‘cast’), the impeccably presented grounds consisting of beautiful gardens and waterways not to mention the fabulous rides, from the sedate (Mad Tea Party) to the thrilling (Matterhorn Bobsleds). For people, like me, who grew up with ‘The Wonderful World of Disney’ on telly every Sunday night, it really takes you back. All the beloved Disney characters are in residence – Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Cinderella, Alice In Wonderland, and many, many more. There is, as you might expect, plenty of merchandise within this attraction (most of which is housed within charming clapboard sets, so you can largely bypass it if needed), but it was all of high quality, and not unreasonably priced. Souvenir merchandise highlights for us included Mickey Mouse ears with embroidered name on the back USD$15.00 and the hand-cut silhouettes at USD$9.00 (USD$20.00 including frame). I had assumed that the latter would be laser cut, but it was hand cut right in front of us (see image 7, below)! Food within the venue ranges from standard fried fare to healthy and is once again, priced affordably.You can easily spend 2 days at this one attraction. Hire a car and stay near the venue where accommodation is very affordable. Children from 4 years will get a lot of enjoyment from Disneyland. Click here for more information and pricing.
- But wait – there’s more! If you can’t get enough of ‘classic’ Disneyland, head next door to the Disneyland California Adventure Park. This attraction once again offers a range of attractions to keep kids and adults of every age happy and engaged. Featuring newer members of the Disney stable (‘Cars’, ‘A Bug’s Life’, ‘Toy Story’, ‘Monsters Inc.’ and more) as well as classic characters (The Muppets), this relatively new theme park is still a work in progress, with many more features to be opened once completed. Highlights for us were the Soarin’ Over California virtual flyover ride, and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Click here for more information and pricing.
- Hit the Hills – Beverly Hills, that is – to scope the most affluent neighborhood in America. This stunningly green and leafy neighborhood contrasts sharply with the desert dryness of most of the rest of Los Angeles. The further you climb up the narrow and winding roads into the Hills the more expensive the real estate gets. Maps are available to identify the homes of the ultra rich and famous residents. Stop for a play with your kids in pretty Coldwater Canyon park, the local hangout of a long list of celebrities and their celebubabies. (Don’t let them use the restroom facilities on their own: we sighted a hypodermic in the waste paper bin the day we were there. Not so cool!).
- Walk in Marilyn Monroe’s shoes. Well, at least stand in her footprints in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. This is the site of the footprints, handprints and signatures of many silver screen luminaries, dating from the 1900′s to the present day. It’s quite amazing the see these and to compare your own hands and feet with those celebrated here (it demonstrates clearly how humans have evolved to be bigger over the past 100 years – my 6 years old daughters’ hands easily eclipsed those of Ava Gardiner, and my husband’s feet were twice the size of John Wayne’s feet!). View the map off all the prints here. The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs 15 blocks along Hollywood Boulevard (with some also located on Vine Street) too, so you’ll walk along some of these on your way to Grauman’s. If there’s a star in particular you’re searching for, check the list of locations here.
- This is LA, so just drive, baby! Los Angeles is a sprawling city with large distances between different areas, so a car is the most practical way for a family to travel. The extensive roads can look daunting (and futuristic) with their complex flyovers and 6 lanes a side, but they’re designed for speed and efficiency, and things generally flow well. Once you get off the freeways there are many places to enjoy. We headed down the coast to Laguna Beach and spent a happy afternoon people watching and playing in the park and on the beach in the California sunshine. Grab some great Mexican food there at Taco Loco and you’ll be very happy you made the trip…
1,3,4,5,6,8,13 – Disneyland Park, Anaheim, California USA
2, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre forecourt, Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, USA
7,10 – Disneyland California Adventure Park, Anaheim, California USA
9, Taco Loco, Laguna Beach, California, USA
11, The mansions of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
12, Julie Andrews’ star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, USA
All images copyright 2011, Angela Anderson, KidStyleFile.com.au. All rights reserved.
