family fun in southern california

You must admit, it’s pretty dang fun to put your hands and feet into the celebrities’ cement impressions and pretend you’re a star. The museum’s priority is encouraging kids to learn through play. It’s just what I was made for.What would a trip to LA be without hunting down some of the The TCL Chinese Theater is that famous place in Hollywood with all of the celebrity handprints. They’re also just a short drive … You can’t go more than a few minutes without spotting people surfing, fishing, or playing beach volleyball—it’s basically straight out of a Beach Boys album. Knott’s, which sits on the site of a former berry farm run by—you guessed it—the Knott family, is one of the oldest theme parks in the US. There are beaches, shops, restaurants, beautiful views, and boat watching.For our little ones, we started out near Centennial Park.

It’s also home to the US Sailing Center, and is a great space for watching kite surfers—or even giving it a try yourself! A lot of people avoid the additional cost of a car rental, but in reality you can rent a car for San Diego is a major tourist attraction and because there are so many beautiful sites to see, it’s pretty easy to find free fun here. Manhattan Beach is a short drive from LAX, so it’s also an ideal neighborhood to squeeze in some beach time if you’re only in Southern California on a layover. No place is that truer than Southern California. Knott’s Berry Farm sometimes plays second fiddle (or even third) to Disneyland and Universal Studios. The famous Manhattan Beach Pier is home to a tiny but cool aquarium, and it’s a perfect place to stop into with kids. When you’re thinking of free family things to do in Southern California, a lot of people tend to overlook the LA area and I think that’s a big mistake.There are so many things to do and see with kids. One of the really fun family places to visit if you're looking for things to do in Los Angeles with kids.

The open-air exhibits make the history a bit more fun for kids to absorb, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that they have fantastic food. If you’re alright with spending a bit, you can head to the zoo or the Autry Museum of the American West, or even rent a horse. Of course, we’re also hoping to get out and have some fun in between all the work, school, and travel prep. While the possibilities seem endless, I want to focus on the places that we have gone to multiple times and recommend over and over again for you and your family.San Diego is no stranger to beautiful beaches. Of course, there are lots of other fascinating critters to check out once you’re there, and you’ll especially want to see the orangutans, koalas, giraffes, and elephants. That in itself makes the place a freaking miracle! It’s on the site of California’s first permanent settlement, which dates to 1769. The TCL Chinese Theater is a great option for free family things to do in Southern California especially because it is also right next to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Take a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame to find some of your favorite movie, TV and music stars.

Knott’s Berry Farm Knott’s Berry Farm sometimes plays second fiddle (or even third) to Disneyland and Universal Studios. Gondolas have been the symbol of Venice for over 1000 years and now you can take a ride on the only 100% imported Gondola Fleet in southern CA. I have a great printout specifically for budget-friendly vacation planning in my We are fortunate enough to be able to stay with family whenever we go to California. During our last trip to California we chose to get a rental car to save on the wear and tear on our vehicle. Joshua Tree National Park is a unique family vacation destination in Southern California and an ideal place to get in touch with your family’s outdoorsy side. When you can bring your work with you, there’s really nothing that can stop you!In 2015 our family of 5 downsized our house by 2,000 square feet.Then I created an online business to help us pay off debt and travel the USA.© 2019 The Fun Sized Life All rights reserved.