101 Family Day Trips and Staycations around Los Angeles
Remember, it's always best to follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).
Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from Los Angeles. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun!
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Take A Deep Breath In the Garden
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123 Lavender Farm |
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SuihoEn - The Japanese Garden |
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Brand Park |
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Descanso Gardens |
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Virginia Robinson's Garden |
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Gardens at the Getty Villa |
Get Wild on a Hike
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The M.A.S.H. Trail at Malibu State Park |
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Venice Canal Walkway via Linnie Park |
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Temescal Canyon Park |
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Solstice Canyon National Park |
Time Travel Today
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Heritage Square Museum |
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LA Live Steamers Railroad Museum |
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Fort Tejon State Historic Park |
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La Brea Tar Pits and Museum |
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Autry Museum of the American West |
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Mission Santa Barbara |
Make Life a Beach
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Crystal Cove National Seashore |
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Arroyo Burro Beach |
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Coronado Beaches |
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Silver Strand State Beach |
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Santa Monica Beach and Pier |
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East Beach and Stearns Wharf |
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Leo Carillo State Park |
Splash into Some Water Fun
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Six Flags Hurricane Harbor |
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Super Silly Fun Land |
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Raging Waters |
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Knotts Soak City |
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Great Wolf Lodge |
Spend the Day at a Museum
Explore These Cities
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Coronado |
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Santa Barbara |
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Idyllwild |
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San Louis Obispo |
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Catalina |
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Oxnard |
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San Diego |
All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!)
Grow Some Fun at the Farm
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Underwood Family Farm |
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Tapia Brothers Farm |
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Forneris Farms |
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McGrath Family Farm |
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Hidden Haven Farms |
Play Ball!
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Gardena Bowling Center |
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Pasadena Croquet Club |
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Pasedena Lawn Bowling Club |
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Baseball Central |
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Westside Table Tennis Academy |
Treat Yo' Self
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Carmela Ice Cream |
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McConnell's Ice Cream |
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Wanderlust Creamery |
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Mashti Malone's Ice Cream |
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Fosselman's |
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Bennett's Ice Cream |
Connect with Nature
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Catalina Zipline Tours |
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Newport Beach Whale Watching |
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Santa Cruz Harbor Kayak Connection |
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LA Audubon Bird Watching |
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South Coast Botanic Garden |
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The Getty Villa |
Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks
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Knott's Berry Farm |
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Pacific Park |
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Legoland |
Talk to the Animals
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The Gentle Barn |
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Danny's Farm |
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STAR Eco Station |
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Wildlife Learning Center |
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Gilchrist Farm |
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Moorpark College Teaching Zoo |
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Santa Barbara Zoo |
Explore the Globe Close to Home
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USC Pacific American Museum |
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The Getty Villa |
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Chinese American Museum |
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LA Chinatown |
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Japanese Village Plaza |
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Bhagavad-gita Diorama Museum |
Let's Go Chasing Waterfalls
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Big Falls |
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Monrovia Canyon Park Waterfall |
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Solstice Canyon Waterfall |
Get Active Indoors
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La La Land Indoor Playground |
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Scooters Jungle |
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Sky Zone Trampoline Park |
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Under the Sea |
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Wiggle and Work |
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iFly Hollywood |
Challenge Yourself
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Los Angeles Philharmonic |
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Museum of Contemporary Art |
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Promenade Ice Chalet |
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The Paddock Riding Club |
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LA Boulders |
Shop Your Heart Out
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Skylight Books |
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Children's Book World |
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The Last Bookstore |
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Once Upon A Time Bookstore |
Limiting our list to 101 ideas meant some great destinations may have been left off the list - if there is something you’d like to see added, share it with us on Facebook!
Most of these destinations are within an hour from downtown Los Angeles. For those that are a bit farther away:
= Less than 1 hour away
= 1 to 2 hours away
= 2 to 3 hours away
= Just over 3 hours away