Welcome to LA—A Top 10 Family Travel Destination!
By BabyZone and Shelly Grubman
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Looking for a fun urban vacation? Los Angeles, home to celebrities, great beaches, Disneyland, and more, is a great escape for families around the world.
Find out why Los Angeles is one of BabyZone's Top 10 Family Travel Hot Spots:
From sunny beaches, to boardwalks, to window shopping, LA has it all. So, where do you start exploring this vast city? How about spending the morning with a picnic breakfast at Griffith Park? Here you and your kids can ride the Griffith Park Merry-go-Round. Or get your day off to a fun-filled start at Shane's Inspiration playground.
Griffith Park, considered LA's Central Park, is a sprawling conglomeration of fun spots with much to offer the whole family. Be sure to check out the Los Angeles Zoo. Or if you have a budding train enthusiast in your family, schedule some time to see the collection of steam engines at the Los Angeles Live Steamers museum. If you have a cowgirl or cowboy in your midst, take a trip to the Museum of the American West, where kids will enjoy stepping back in time in the Family Discovery Gallery.
Looking for a good lunch spot (and maybe a celebrity sighting)? Try the colorful LA Farmer's Market and then pay a visit to The Grove, a great new outdoor shopping center which is right next door.
Or, venture out to a sidewalk café in Santa Monica or Venice. Some choice locales for outdoor, family-friendly dining on the Venice boardwalk are C&O Trattoria and the Sidewalk Cafe.
The Third Street Promenade (Santa Monica's outdoor area with tons of shops and loads of restaurants) is another good lunch stop. If window shopping is your cup of tea, check out the Santa Monica Place Mall right next door.
While you're in Santa Monica, be sure to visit the Santa Monica Pier's Pacific Park & Carousel or the Pier Aquarium. For a quiet rest stop or a quick nap, stretch out on a shady patch of grass at Douglas Park.
It is hard to think about visiting LA without a trip to Disneyland. If you decide to brave the crowds and visit the world's greatest theme park, consider tacking on a visit to Disney's California Adventure.
If you're looking for a less-expensive, slower-paced alternative to Disneyland, try local favorite Knott's Berry Farm. Children's admission is only $14.95 and the Camp Snoopy area is perfect for younger children.
