My kids are now 10 & 7. We go to LA twice a year from Chicagoland (Feb & Oct). We spend 4 days in & around LA before heading to DLR. Everyone above had GREAT tips - I'll try not to duplicate them, as really, you can't go wrong. Favorites of my kids were Pinks Hot Dogs (funny - you can also get them inside Universal!), Sweet! Candy Shop at Hollywood & Highland Shopping mall - yes, it's a mall, but the Dolby theater is there (Oscars), and the El Capitan Theater is right there, great view of Hollywood Sign from the mall too. What's the most awesome part about Sweet!? The make-your-own chocolate bar. it's a FANTASTIC $7 souvenir. Go to sweetlosangeles.com. It's not too far a drive from Pink's, the mall has 2-hour free parking with stamped receipt. It is one of the largest, most unique, most entertaining candy stores I have EVERY been to. We basically go every trip.
La Brea Tar pits were kind of a bust for us, the only thing on the list kids didn't love. But, look at TripAdvisor, other sites for reviews & pictures.
We did the short hike up to the "Bat Cave" - Bronson Cave Trail. If you google it, look for 'bronson caves', there are many sites dedicated to it, and posted directions - literally step-by-step (follow them - the entrance is at the end of a very long, residential street!). It is only a ~1/4 mile "hike", which in the summer, will be HOT - no shade along the short walk, with very little elevation! My kids (and husband) LOVED, LOVED this!! Not too bad of a hike, got to see the "batman Bat Cave" - they are HUGE fans of the Adam West series, and there's an AWESOME view of the Hollywood sign. Seriously fun stop. Also, not too far from the above spots!
The LA Farmer's Market is fantastic for lunch - TONS of options. (The Original Farmer's market on google). Greek - Italian - Hot dogs - pizza - middle eastern fare, seriously something for everyone! Note - some are CASH ONLY!
Here is our newest, NUMBER 1 Trip activity, which we hope to do EVERY single trip it was that awesome ... Duffy Boat rentals. Seriously. in October, we rented for the first time in Long Beach. What it is is a 12-person electric boat, you rent in 2-hour segments. You give them a driver's license, they give you quick instruction. It couldn't be easier, seriously. You are allowed food, beverage, alcohol, pets. We planned a noon-2 rental in Long Beach, we stopped at a Ralph's (grocery store), purchased made-to-order sandwiches, grabbed some Sangria, drinks, salads, and out we went after the quick tutorial. I was the driver, we had my husband, 2 kids, & in-laws. It took me 5 minutes of getting used to it before I felt like I wouldn't crash into the million dollar yachts we were navigating around. We rode up & down the canals, then out into a large bay just opening to the pacific, parked that boat & enjoyed a lunch out on the water while we literally watched life sail around us. It was fun, relaxing (Except the first 5 minutes), kids got out on the water in a new way, in-laws could have their noon cocktails, kids had a BLAST looking over the side of the boat looking for jellyfish (all kids under 12 mandatory life jackets, btw). I loved, loved, loved it. The cost was ~$160 for 2 hours. SO WORTH IT. After LA traffic, and noise, and being around people, it was so lovely being out on the water. It was definitely one of the most unique activities we have done in 16 trips over the last 10 years to LA with the kids. This just made me so, so happy.
Duffy boat rentals are definitely available in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Long Beach. PM me if interested and I can give you the contact information of the one we used - the customer service was spectacular, and I think he services all 3 beaches.
If you find yourself near LAX, stop at Randy's Donuts on Manchester. It looks like a dive (it's a walk-up window, or drive-thru), but it is an iconic LA location, and the donuts do NOT disappoint. Seriously some of the best donuts I have ever had. Kids love the HUGE donut on top of the building. Park, walk-up to the window, take some pics in the parking lot & enjoy. Delicious!
I tell all my friends with kids who are looking for things to do with kids - check out the website nobackhome ... she's got facebook/instagram feeds too. She is a mom with a 5 or 6 year old, who does tons of day trips in & around LA. TONS of ideas!
Beaches - We like Silver Strand State Beach. You go over the Coronado Bay Bridge in San Diego & drive several miles south. It is uncombed, so it has seaweed & kelp everywhere. Bring bug spray if you go. The waters are a tad rough - not too rough that my kids won't frolic, but be prepared to get knocked down due to varying waves! The draw? SHELLS everywhere. Sand Dollars too. We spend hours here each trip looking for Sand Dollars & shells for the kids collections. They love it. What we've come back with is amazing shell-wise. I can't stress enough how many shells there are. And Sand Dollars. We go in Feb & Oct, but I imagine during summer, many people will be there for the same purpose.
Also Beaches - for a super calm beach for swimming, "Baby Beach" at Dana point. That's what it is called if you google it. Yelp/Tripadvisor have a TON of photos. It is in a protected bay, so little to no waves AND the water is warmer than the open ocean. My littler one loves this because he can play right at water's edge with his sand toys without fear of getting knocked on his tukas. The 10-year old (a swim team girl) thinks it is awesome she can swim pretty far out (there are bouys, and it doesn't get very deep out at the far end - maybe 4/5 feet), whereas at other beaches, I don't let her go much deeper than her waist!
Sorry for the long post, but we've tried so many different things, these are our most favorites!!
