Visitors to Los Angeles are never at a loss for things to do, but sometimes the hustle and bustle of this busy city can overwhelm the most eager tourists. Luckily, Los Angeles is surrounded by great, lesser known attractions easily within range when visiting the City of Angels. This allows travelers to experience even more of what makes Southern California such a popular destination year-round.
These side-trips are all easily accessible when visiting Los Angeles and provide heaps of family fun. Whether you have a single day or a weekend free before heading home, make the most of your trip with one of these stops.
This desert attraction offers visitors a first-hand glimpse into California’s history. This well-preserved mining town nestled in the foothills of the Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert is about three hours outside of Los Angeles. Once a thriving silver mining town, it experienced its heyday 1881–1896 during the California Silver Rush. Open year-round
(with the exception of Christmas Day), Calico is free to visit but individual attractions come with their own charges. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of an actual silver mine, try their hand at gold panning, enjoy an old-fashioned train ride around the area or browse in one of the gift shops.
Just a few hours north of Los Angeles in the Santa Ynez Valley is the Danish village of Solvang. This little town is a great way to enjoy a different side of Southern California. Visitors can explore the traditional Danish style downtown with its unique boutiques filled with Danish handicrafts and delicious sweets, or schedule your trip around one of the many festivals held throughout the year. Kids love visiting Ostrichland USA, a working ostrich farm that offers tours and a chance to feed the resident ostriches and emus.
Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island is a perfect getaway from Los Angeles whether you want to spend a single day or a few nights. Compared to the fast pace of its big city neighbor, Catalina is quiet and laid-back, yet full of exciting activities for families. The port town of Avalon is filled with fun shops and restaurants, or you can explore the island’s natural habitats. The Catalina Island Company offers visitors the opportunity to zipline, take a jeep tour through the interior to see the island’s herd of wild buffalo or take a glass-bottom boat ride to get an up-close look at the local marine life. It’s easy to get to with boats departing several times throughout the day from the Los Angeles ports of San Pedro or Long Beach on the Catalina Express.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Apr 17, 2024Dine on the Ocean Floor in New Brunswick, Canada
The astonishing tides of the Bay of Fundy offer plenty of experiences for family travelers in Maritime Canada. The newest of these is the chance to eat dinner on the floor of the ocean, seated beneath towering cliffs and tide-carved sea stacks. Return the next day to see your former “dining room” under 40 feet of ocean.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations
Apr 17, 2024Your 2024 Mother’s Day Spa Gift Guide
This Mother’s Day, treat the special lady in your life to a fabulous spa treatment at one of these resorts around the country.
North America
Apr 17, 2024A New, Family-Friendly Hotel Opens on Orlando’s Universal Boulevard
Family travelers to Orlando have a new option for family- and pet-friendly accommodations thanks to the recent opening of Hotel Landy, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Located on Universal Boulevard and minutes from theme parks, the convention center and the airport, Hotel Landy takes over the former Hotel Kinetic, joining Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio collection.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Destinations / Middle East
Apr 16, 2024Introduce the Family to Saudi Culture at the AlUla Camel Cup
Visiting Saudi Arabia means introducing the family to a country rich in culture and history, giving the kids experiences they won’t get anywhere else in the world. I spent several years living as an expat in this desert kingdom, and the experiences I had were not only completely unique but also helped shape my perspective on the world today.
ShareThis