7 Fun Los Angeles Family Vacation Ideas

7 Fun Los Angeles Family Vacation Ideas

When most people think of taking a family vacation in the United States, they think of going to Orlando, Florida, to visit all the great theme parks, or to one of our country’s famous national parks, like Yellowstone National Park in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, or Yosemite National Park in California, which is known for its spectacular waterfalls. Most people don’t think of vacationing in one of America’s cities, but they really should. Cities are great places for kids to learn about other cultures and do and see things they don’t have the opportunity to experience at home. Plus, you can find many Airlines from JFK to LAX, or wherever it is you are in the country, meaning that you should be able to hone in on an airline that suits your budget and travel preferences easily. 

One of America’s largest cities, as well as one of our most culturally diverse, is Los Angeles, California. With its year-round great weather and tons of things for families to do, Los Angeles makes a fantastic family vacation destination just about any time of year. Once you’ve booked yourself a great hotel to use as a home base, here are seven fun family vacation ideas you can use on your next Los Angeles vacation.

Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Located on Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is an icon of the city’s golden age of film. It’s free to visit on your own, but there are also lots of great walking tours you and your family can sign up for so you won’t miss any of the area’s highpoints. While you’re there, pay a visit to the TCL Chinese Theater. Built in 1927, the theater offers tours as well as shows a variety of first run films.

Check out the Los Angeles Fashion District

If you or your kids are into fashion, or if you just want to get a feel for some of Hollywood’s glamour, a visit to Los Angeles’ Fashion District is a lot of fun. You can sign up for a walking tour of the area, or visit the district’s wholesale shops, retail clothing boutiques, and fabric and notion stores on your own time. If you’re really into clothing and design, you can even sign up for a fashion camp while you’re in the area.

Visit Walt Disney’s Former Home on Woking Way

Although it is now a private home, Walt Disney’s former home on Los Angeles’ Woking Way is a must-see for true Disney fans. Designed by Walt Disney himself, along with his favorite architect, Frank Crowhurst, the 12-room mansion sits on five acres of land and is surrounded by a gated barrier. Walt Disney and his family lived in the house from 1932 until 1950, and he made many of his most famous movies while living there, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Three Little Pigs, and Treasure Island.

Spend the Day at Paramount Picture Studios

Paramount Picture Studios has been one of the biggest producers of American movies and television shows since it was founded in the early 20th century. Iconic American TV shows like I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, and Cheers were made there, as well as films starring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, like Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Paramount Picture Studios offers a variety of tours for visitors, ranging from two hours to a half day. 

Spend an Afternoon at Venice Beach

Modeled after Venice in Italy, Venice Beach and its surrounding area was first developed in the 20th century. Today the beach is famous for its funky, and sometimes strange, residents and for its boardwalk, which features a variety of boutiques and locals engaged in a range of interesting activities, from body building to juggling to plain old sunbathing. Visiting the beach and boardwalk is free, but private walking tours are also available for those who don’t want to miss any of the area’s highlights.

Take a Hollywood Homes Tour

If you’ve always wanted to see where the stars live, this is your chance to do it. Several local companies offer guided bus tours of celebrity neighborhoods where you can even sometimes catch a glimpse of the stars themselves. The homes of movie stars like Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise and Bruno Mars are mainstays of these tours, along with homes that once belonged to Hollywood greats like Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Lucille Ball.

Have Lunch at Grand Central Market

Another great free thing to do, Grand Central Market is located on South Broadway and features food vendors selling goods from several different countries. Opened in 1917, the market itself is a city landmark. Here you can find everything from simple sandwiches to more exotic items like chow mein noodles, tacos and freshly squeezed juices.