Planning for Whimsical Family Activities in 2026

Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Image credit: oneinchpunch,) The 2nd most significant city in the United States is filled with family-friendly activities. No wonder L.A. is one of the finest places to go to in California with kids! Los Angeles also provides 24 miles (38.5 km) of sandy beaches along the California Coast.

Take in its distinct SoCal vibe, an expansive skate park, and an outside gym with musclebound locals lifting weights under the California sun. The museum is filled with artwork by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne.

Located on Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory wows visitors with its planetarium, high-powered telescopes for public use, and space displays. Households seem like they've crossed the border into Mexico on Olvera Street, also understood as El Pueblo Historic Monolith. This is the birth place of Los Angeles. It includes 27 historic structures and a main Mexican plaza.

Kids may question if they have actually gotten in Jurassic Park as they look at life-sized statues of woolly mammoths, massive sloths, and other extinct animals in swimming pools of gooey asphalt bubbling from the earth.

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Kids especially enjoy Helen and Peter Bing Kid's Garden, which includes lively, hands-on elements such as tunnels, splash locations, fairy doors, and more. Cover a great deal of ground with a Los Angeles Go City All-Inclusive Pass for 40+ Attractions, consisting of the Los Angeles Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm in neighboring Buena Park, and a lot more.

A suburban area of Los Angeles, Burbank has hundreds of significant film and tv studios. Of course, you will also desire to view the iconic Hollywood Sign and walk along the famous Hollywood Stroll of Popularity.

Yosemite National Park Valley landscape (Picture credit: haveseen,) Resplendent with treking routes, waterfalls, and towering trees, Yosemite is a place of natural marvel. In 2024, a record-breaking 4.1 million guests visited this cherished national forest. It covers nearly 750,000 acres (3,035 sq km) and is home to wildlife like foxes, deer, cougars, and black bears.

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Yosemite opened in 1890 and stays one of the country's finest examples of land conservation. Families seeking to explore California's natural charm will like going to Yosemite.

While in this desert oasis, don't miss a crave-worthy date shake made with fruits from the location's plentiful palm trees. This outstanding zoo and botanical garden offers ingenious play spaces for kids and an enjoyable design train display.

The vehicle's floor turns throughout the trip, so passengers get a 360-degree view of the Coachella Valley. The Channel Islands in Ventura County (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) For a special range of family activities, think about a Ventura County trip.

Families also enjoy walking Ventura Harbor Town for ice cream and waterside views, or investing a relaxed afternoon on the large, uncrowded beaches that specify this coastal area. Discover more unique things to do in Ventura County with kids. Santa Monica Beach & Pier (Photo credit: oneinchpunch,) Santa Monica represents Southern California with its surfable waves, beachy downtown, and seaside amusements.

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier features a lots rides, consisting of the 130-foot-tall Pacific Wheel and a full-sized roller coaster. You'll also discover every reward your cravings for sweets could yearn for and a myriad of game video games with prizes. Households likewise delight in walking the Third Street Boardwalk for shopping, street performers, and simple dining just a few blocks from the beach.

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Adults and kids of all ages can't help however feel awestruck by the huge sequoias in the Giant Forest. This nationwide park boasts the world's largest tree, General Sherman.

Known for its glacial-carved canyon, Kings Canyon, is one of the deepest in The United States and Canada. This park provides significant rock developments, rugged wilderness, and remote hiking trails. Find out more about Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other national parks in California, like Death Valley and Channel Islands, in my list of the finest national parks in the U.S. Joshua Tree National Forest (Image credit: lunamarina,) Located about an hour from Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is vital for families who wish to explore natural marvels in California.

Calico Mine Trip at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, a suburb of Los Angeles (Picture credit: Colleen Lanin) Simply a brief drive from Los Angeles, Buena Park is a dream for households who enjoy amusement parks, themed adventures, and simple vacation fun.

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Summer visitors can cool down at Soak City Water Park, while yearround entertainment consists of Middle ages Times and Pirates Dinner Adventure. It's an easy addon to any Southern California trip and a fantastic online for checking out nearby beaches, Orange County, and LA. Check out more in my guide to Buena Park with kids.