Los Angeles Area - Taking 4 1/2 Year Old

Hi,

I lived in Santa Monica for 8 years..it's the best and it's gorgeous, right on the ocean. Try taking him to the new Annenberg Community Beach House and Pool opened last year in 2009, right on the ocean. It's a free pool and community center directly on the sand in Santa Monica. Google it. You can also take him on the carnival style rides, rollercoaster, merry go round, etc, on the Santa Monica Pier, a short walking distance north of the pier. He will love that. They just renovated the ferris wheel and it's overlooking the ocean. Also, there is the 3rd street Promenade in Santa Monica, where you can walk and people watch and go for a casual bite to eat when you are done with the other two things. Will Rogers State Park is a short drive north of Santa Monica in Pacific Palisades on Sunset Blvd where you can see deer wandering, watch polo ponies and see rabbits and wildlife everywhere, and have a picnic on the lawn. It's gorgeous!

The Santa Monica pier is great. The New Getty center is unbelievable and free (But parking is ten or fifteen dollars). There is a lot for kids to do there, if nothing else it's an amazing view. You can see the ocean all the way to catalina and the snow covered mountains east of you. Griffith Park has amazing park areas just for kids. There's a place to ride ponies and right next to it is a train. There's a SECOND place to ride trains called train town. Between these two there the zoo (also in Griffith Park) and the Autry museum right across the street. Also in this park is a carousel and massive jungle gym. There's always disneyland and legoland south of us. You can take the boat to Catalina (although I'm not sure that's worth it). The Long Beach aquarium is EXCELLENT! You can pet stingrays. In the summer there will be children's theater stuff going on non stop. Also see what's going on at the HOllywood bowl. Just do a search for kids LA and you'll be amazed. Oh, the science museum is incredible as well. There's a helicopter that you can sit in. This is a great museum for kids and adults. They also have an IMAX theater there. It's right next door to the natural history museum. Wow, you're making me remember what an amazing town this is. Enjoy your visit!

I've got 2 kids, 3 & 7, and we are often on a budget. Here are some fun things to do that cost little or nothing:

- Just north of Santa Monica is the amazing Noah's Ark by the Skirball museum. My kids LOVE this play structure and hate to leave. You do have to make an advanced reservation, and they do charge a fee, though: http://www.skirball.org/index.php?option=com_ccevents&amp...

- The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro is free. It's a bit of a drive from Santa Monica (about 40 minutes south), but by L.A. standards that's not much of a drive. Our kids really love this place. It has a whole exploratorium-type of room that is really fabulous. The beach is adjacent, and you could bring a picnic lunch since they have a beautiful park where you could relax and eat. http://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org/

- The Science Center in downtown Los Angeles is also free. They have a lot of great hands-on exhibits, and they also have exploratorium type rooms for the little one. http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/

- Just next to the Science Center is the Natural History Museum. They do charge admission, but well worth it. Their dinosaur exhibit is under construction (just telling you in case he's a dinosaur fiend). But in June their live butterfly garden will be open, which is a fabulous experience. In the bottom floor of the museum they have an amazing exploring room where kids can dig for dinosaur bones and view live insects. http://www.nhm.org/site/

- In Pasadena they have a fabulous kid's museum. It costs $10 each to get in. It is super fun with all kinds of play activities. Just bring an extra set of clothes because they do have a bunch of water activities. http://www.kidspacemuseum.org

The beach of course is always a great free, fun day. There is the Santa Monica Pier, but the cost is kind of pricey. For that kind of money I'd spend a bit more and take him to Disneyland.

Hope that helps. Feel free to message me if you want some more info.
Take care,
B.

First, June is the grayest month of the year (hence, "June Gloom,") but you'll probably have some nice days interspersed. So, if it's a good beach day, take advantage of it. Don't assume that tomorrow will be as nice. (Actually, look at the 5-day weather report and plan accordingly). The Santa Monica Pier is a little kid-friendly amusement park and you can often get cheaper tickets at Costco or there is a AAA discount. There's also a small aquarium there that is run by UCLA and has a touch pool and other fun features. I don't think that any trip to L.A. is complete without a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits and their museum, The Page Museum. Your son will get a chance to (try to) pull up a piston that is stuck in tar to feel how hard it would be to get out of the tar pits and he'll understand how the animals got stuck. He'll see this really cool fossil skeleton which, through the magic of Hollywood, develops the skins and bones of a mammoth (or is it a mastadon, I always forget) and see hundreds of dire wolf skulls. It's cool! Expensive and exhausting are Disneyland (and it's at least a full day) and California Adventure, but they are definitely magical. If you want to do an amusement park, you might consider Legoland as well or instead. It's really geared to the younger kids and is amazing. Another free activity is just walking on the Venice Boardwalk. The people-watching is beyond compare. You are guaranteed to see fantastic roller-blading and may see someone who accessorizes with a large snake or a colorful bird. There is a festival atmosphere there, especially on weekends. Just a few thoughts, but there's also a great book called, "Fun (and educational) Activities for Kids (and Adults) in Southern California" that has lots and lots of ideas. Have fun!

Check out the Science Center. I took my 5 and 7 year old there and stayed for hours. It is free to get in. They have different rooms for them to look and play with things. They also have an IMAX movie that you can see (the 3d one with fish was really cool). I would definitely check it out. Website is: http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/

There is also the Skirball. They have Noahs Ark which is great for kids. Lot to do with that. It is free on Thursdays. Check out other special kids events when you get there since they randamly set up art projects.

http://www.skirball.org/index.php?option=com_content&...

Also, Griffith Observatory, Free except for the film (which is really cool). Website: http://www.griffithobs.org/

I live near Santa Monica, so these drives are not that bad (for L.A.).

Have fun

Well you could take your son to Disneyland!! in Anaheim, LA Zoo, Knotts Berry Farm for the camp snoopy rides........Does your boss daughter has a make-up artist for her wedding day yet? Because I do make-up for all Ocassions and I can customize a wedding package for her and her bridal party!! If your interesed you can email me at ____@____.com

Best Regards,
M. L.

And since you will be near Santa Monica, don't forget the Santa Monica Pier carnival rides.

SM Pier/Beach
3rd Street Promenade
Annenberg Beach house
Dodger game
Hiking/picnicking in Topanga canyon parks
Have fun!