Family-Friendly Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Calif., is the perfect destination for a family looking for fun. Known as the City of Angels, it has something for everyone so multigenerational families can satisfy everyone in one trip.

A city rich with Mexican heritage, LA maintains its roots and traditions in a family favorite, Olvera Street. Located in the heart of downtown and easily accessed by public transportation, Olvera Street is a historic district that offers a glimpse into “Old Los Angeles.” This block-long walking street is a traditional Mexican marketplace open seven days a week and filled with gift shops, entertainers and restaurants serving delicious traditional Mexican food.

© Eugenia Lazaris

Another local favorite is Angel’s Flight, a Los Angeles institution located at Bunker Hill. This 116-year-old railway takes passengers on the shortest rail ride in the world, up and down a steep, one-block hill in an old-fashioned rail car for the unbeatable price of $1 (or 50 cents for a one-way trip). Although the ride is short, it is an absolute must for anyone visiting the city.

After your ride, head across the street to Grand Central Market for a uniquely ‘Angeleno’ experience. Filled with different food stalls offering every cuisine imaginable, every member of the family can eat something different. You can also stroll around the market and check out the different vendors selling meats, pasta and ethnic staples.

Los Angeles is well known as the entertainment capital of the world and with a number of movie and television studios in town, visitors can get a firsthand look at the magic. Many of the studios offer up-close-and-personal studio tours, something tourists of all ages can enjoy. Warner Brothers, Paramount and Sony Pictures all offer behind-the-scene tours of their production lots. Tours are available Monday through Friday at Paramount and Sony, with weekend tours offered at Warner Brothers. Warner Brothers allows children as young as 8 to attend, while Paramount and Sony allow 10 and 12 year olds, respectively.

© Michael Gordon | Dreamstime

While you are in Hollywood, don’t forget to get a good look at the iconic Hollywood Sign. While direct access to this Los Angeles landmark is strictly off limits, there are hiking trails that can give you a great view. The Mt. Hollywood hiking trail, accessed from the Griffith Park Observatory parking lot, is the best trail for families with children due to its skill level. The sign is also easily viewed from various points throughout the city, so keep your eyes peeled when visiting some other Hollywood classics, such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy these sights as traffic in Hollywood can be brutal!

© Remusgruber | Dreamstime

The La Brea Tar Pits, one of the most famous attractions in the city, is a necessary stop during your stay in L.A. It offers a living glimpse into our planet’s past. The Tar Pits and attached Page Museum are built around living tar pits that have trapped local wildlife, such as dire wolves and saber-toothed cats, since prehistoric times. One million Ice Age fossils, including a wooly mammoth, can be seen at the museum, along with an active tarpit and a working paleontology fossil lab. Active and retired military receive free admission daily, as do children under the age of 2. For everyone else, admission is free the first Tuesday of every month (excluding July and August) and every Tuesday during the month of September. All of the museum’s exhibits and theaters are wheelchair accessible and the museum offers free wheelchairs for patrons on a first-come, first-served basis.

No trip to Los Angeles would be complete without a trip to the beach. A great place to stop is the Santa Monica Pier where families have made memories since 1909. Complete with carnival rides, a midway and plenty of shops and food stands, the pier is a great place to spend time with the whole family. The pier is always open, but the best time to visit is undoubtedly at the end of the day for an unforgettable view of the California sunset over the Pacific Ocean.