How to Be on Vacation with Kids in Los Angeles

There isn't a better child-friendly place to visit than L.A. There are natural wonders, amusement parks, museums, and movie studios. Add in the year-round great outdoor temperatures, and you can't go wrong when looking for diversions for your kids.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rented car

How to Be on Vacation with Kids in Los Angeles

1. Disneyland. It's about 30 minutes south of L.A.

2. Other amusement parks are Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain and Universal Studios.

3. Head into Griffith Park just north of the city for horseback riding, the zoo, the observatory, pony rides, the Travel Town Train Museum for climbing on old steam engines, many parks, play areas, hiking trails and a carousel.

4. Miles of beaches. Try the Santa Monica Pier for carnival rides and an arcade right on the ocean.

5. Head up Angeles Crest Highway, about 40 minutes northeast of the city for mountain trails and snow in winter. Head to Big Bear,a family winter resort town about two hours away.

6. The Getty Museum is in the Santa Monica Mountains, close to the beach. Kidspace is a hands-on kids museum near the Rosebowl in Pasadena.

7. Try taking the Metro into downtown for visiting Chinatown or the Mexican-themed Olivera Street.

8. Grahmann's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard-see all the old stars handprints and footprints in cement.