Need advice on things to do in Los Angeles with my kids.

6/3/15 | Me

[GOP_Party_Animal]

I am planning to fly into LAX this August with my daughter (7) and son (9) while Mom stays home with the other two. We are mainly going to spend an afternoon with my dad on the Iowa at his Navy reunion, but will have a day, day-and-a-half to do other things.

I would definitely like to go to a beach as the kids have never seen the ocean. Some other attraction or park would be nice too.

I've never been to the L.A. area before and am not entirely sure what to expect. Could use some advice! Thanks.

[ErnBatavia]

I wanted to try In-And-Out Burger too

That, you will not regret. As far as attractions, look up the Science Museum and go see a Space Shuttle.

[Gay State Conservative]

I despise LA and everything it stands for but this is a great song (and great video) which will give you some good ideas. ;-)

I Love LA

[smokingfrog]

Less pollution too.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

This love song to LA was written back in the 70s but still applies today;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch9FEk9lG54

[Political Junkie Too]

It's a 90 minute drive to Simi Valley and the Reagan Library. But it probably won't hold the attention of a 7 and 9 year old for too long. Great museum, though. The upcoming exhibit is about football.

-PJ

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I wasn’t impressed.

[originalbuckeye]

Gee, one day in LA? Universal is a good bet, but it is a drive up the 101 freeway. Seeing the Hollywood sign is free if you do drive the 101 north to Universal. In-n-Out are the best burgers going. And the drive west down Sunset is beautiful and ends at the Beach. There is a parking lot right where Sunset dead ends and Gladstone’s Restaurant is right there on the beach. Valet parking. Gladstone’s has been remodeled and doesn’t have the great atmosphere from before, but the views are still spectacular.

[Vaduz]

1. Fly kites in the Santa Anna winds
2.Stand on side walk count how long it takes for a hit and run
3.Take bets on how many murders will happen on Saturday.
4.See sewer spills on beach
5.Take a walk at night count how many times you get mugged
6.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

The ship is at San Pedro. I thought I’d stay closer to the waterfront for a hotel, maybe an airport hotel? Thanks a lot for the beach information! I thought Santa Barbara or Malibu would be nice.

[originalbuckeye]

I would say that Exposition Park isn’t safe for those who don’t know their way around.....and even for those that do know their way around.

[Signalman]

Canter’s deli on Fairfax Ave. The best pastrami sanwiches west of the Hudson river. I go there at least twice a month.

[glennaro]

A drive down Pacific Coast Highway to and around the Palos Verdes peninsula is nice, including stops at Manhattan, Hermosa and/or Redondo Beach and the piers. Or you could go to Dockweiler Beach in El Segundo and watch the planes take-off from LAX right over the beach.

[smokingfrog]

Tar pits!

http://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/free-attractions-in-la-best-places-to-visit-for-free

[Portcall24]

And you can go inside Air Force One which is on display.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Is the 101 and Sunset the same thing? What beach does it end at? Is the Pacific Coast Highway a worthwhile drive?

[ansel12]

I think that a minor thing that has an enduring pay off, is to study your map well so that you can point out to the kids when you are on a street that they will hear the name of, during their life, and probably already have.

Streets like MULHOLLAND DRIVE, RODEO DRIVE, HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, freeway names and so on, it will put them into famous places while you are driving in between activities.

People get a kick out of that, as they watch TV and movies.

[Buckeye McFrog]

The nearest Berlitz for a crash course in Espanol. You will need it.

[Codeflier]

With kids that age I recommend Santa Monica Pier. Get to see the beach and the ocean plus a few cheesy rides that the kids will kind of enjoy.

[TexasRepublic]

Run for your lives! Go north. LA overall is the largest, most congested place I’ve ever been. It took hours to drive across town.

I visited the Queen Mary, the La Brea tar pits, some movie studios, the Hollywood area, Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the beaches. I’m sure the kids would enjoy the movie studio tours best.

[golux]

Kids always love the attractions and rides at the Santa Monica pier, parking is easy, and it’s just a short hop from downtown LA. All sorts of silly things to do that the kids might like, yes, touristy, but you can also hop off the pier, see the beach, go swimming if you like, etc. It is not a “carney” atmosphere.