Discover fun things to do with kids in Southern California. Family-friendly activities include children’s museums, train rides, zoos, science centers, playgrounds, and parks in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.
Legoland California
The Legoland California Resort offers three distinct attractions: the central theme park, SeaLife Aquarium, and Legoland Water Park. With over 60 rides and attractions tailored for young children, Legoland is an ideal California destination for a day filled with fun and play.
Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park
Discover Southern California’s most affordable theme park at Knott’s Berry Farm. With rides suitable for toddlers, teens, and adults, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Knott’s Scary Farm, the most popular Halloween event in SoCal, is also hosted here. Moreover, guests can stay cool at the Soak City water park during the summer.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique combination of a movie studio and a theme park. The park offers exciting attractions such as the movie studio tour, thrilling rides, and unique shows. Kids of all ages can have a fun-filled day at this iconic amusement park.
Griffith Park, Los Angeles For Kids
If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination that offers an array of activities for kids, Griffith Park is the perfect choice. Take a scenic train ride, ride horseback at Sunset Ranch, visit the famous Griffith Observatory, and explore the impressive Los Angeles Zoo. Be prepared to spend an entire day discovering all the beautiful things this park offers.
Big Orange Balloon Ride Great Park Irvine
Are you looking for a fun date or family-friendly activity? Look no further than the Great Park Balloon Ride. This ride is completely free, so that it won’t put a dent in your budget. If you plan on taking a balloon ride, arrive early; reservations fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park
The Santa Ana Zoo boasts 35 exhibits showcasing more than 90 species, making it an excellent destination for introducing younger children to the world of zoos. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a thrilling train ride, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a seasonal butterfly attraction.
Irvine Regional Park
Located in Santiago Canyon, six miles east of the City of Orange, Irvine Regional Park is a serene oasis surrounded by majestic oak and sycamore trees. With 477 acres of land, the park boasts some of the oldest coastal live oaks in Orange County, making it a perfect destination for quality time with loved ones. Visitors can enjoy various attractions, including a delightful train ride, paddle boats, a fun zoo, and Surrey bike rentals.
Balboa Park San Diego
When people think of San Diego, they often think of the San Diego Zoo. However, Balboa Park is an important cultural hub in San Diego, including the San Diego Zoo as just one of its many attractions. Balboa Park features 15 museums. If visiting Balboa Park with kids, check out the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. They are both highly recommended!
Birch Aquarium at Scripps La Jolla
Are you searching for a great place to have some family fun? Birch Aquarium is worth checking out! With over 380 species, it’s perfect for school trips or outings with the family. The Aquarium’s hilltop location also provides breathtaking views of La Jolla, California. The entrance fees for the Aquarium are reasonably priced compared to other attractions in San Diego.
Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific is a well-known destination for families in Long Beach, California. With over 12,000 species showcased in 100 exhibits, this is the most enormous Aquarium in Southern California. A family of four can visit the Aquarium for less than the price of one ticket to Disneyland, California.
Goat Hill Junction Costa Mesa
If you want a fun activity in Orange County, check out Goat Hill Junction in Fairview Park. Run by the Orange County Model Engineers, this attraction offers free train rides on the third weekend of every month. During the 15-minute ride, you’ll get to explore and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Fairview Park.
Southern California U-Pick Farms
The year-round weather in Southern California is ideal for growing various fruits and vegetables. U-Pick Orchards in the region offer the opportunity to harvest produce directly from the vine. Popular options for picking include apples, cherries, citrus fruit, strawberries, pumpkins, and vegetables. Kids love this activity!
California Science Center Los Angeles
The California Science Center showcases engaging exhibits on relevant scientific topics, offering intriguing insights into various aspects of science. One of the center’s main attractions is the Air and Space Gallery, a vast open space that spans seven stories and displays actual air and spacecraft suspended above.
Pretend City Irvine
Pretend City Children’s Museum is designed for children to learn through interactive exhibits and programs. It caters to children between the ages of 5 and 10, and baby areas are separated from the main play areas to ensure their safety. Getting there is easy; the Museum is right off the 405 and 5 freeways near the Irvine Spectrum.
Adventure City Anaheim’s Other Theme Park
Adventure City is perfect for kids who are 12 years old or younger. Parents can accompany their kids on some rides, while others are exclusively for children. Admission grants unlimited access to all attractions, rides, and shows, except for the arcade and Mount Adventurous.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center Laguna Beach
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is situated in the heart of Laguna Canyon. It assists injured California seals and sea lions stranded along the Orange County coast, nursing them back to health and releasing them back into the wild. The center sees a surge in patients from March to July.
Wild Rivers Water Park Irvine
Wild Rivers is Southern California’s newest water park. It has over 20 acres, 20 exciting rides, and three great dining options. Attractions include Aquaconda, Bombay Blasters, Bora Bora Boomerango, Cook’s Cove Kid’s Play Area, and Castaway Lazy River.
Raging Waters San Dimas
Are you looking for a fun day out with the family? Raging Waters-San Dimas is the largest water park in Southern California, boasting 50 acres of land and 36 exhilarating water rides suitable for all levels of thrill-seekers. Plan your visit to San Dimas and enjoy the sun and endless fun at Raging Waters.
Carlsbad Lagoon Marina Snug Harbor
Located on the inner side of Aqua Hedionda Lagoon, opposite the Pacific Ocean, Snug Harbor Marina spans 66 acres. It provides a diverse range of water-based activities suitable for all ages. Additionally, a small snack bar, a beach area, and picnic tables are available for visitors to enjoy.
Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum Vista
The Museum features historic tractors throughout the property. Its main attraction is the live demonstrations held on the museum grounds yearly. In addition to its exhibits, the Museum provides educational programs, including a summer camp for children. These programs aim to be informative and enlightening.
Bates Nut Farm Valley Center
Bates Nut Farm is the perfect destination for a family day trip, located in a valley filled with oak trees near Valley Center, California. For first-time visitors, the search for the Farm adds to the excitement of the adventure. The farm store at Bates offers a wide array of nuts, fruits, candies, packaged delicacies, and locally grown produce.
Living Coast Discovery Center Chula Vista
Located just seven miles south of downtown San Diego, the Living Coast Discovery Center is a beautiful nature center that provides a budget-friendly alternative to other costly San Diego attractions. It’s an ideal destination for a family day trip that feels like a world away.
Southern California Railway Museum Perris
The Southern California Railway Museum is perfect if your kids love trains. Located in Perris, California, the railroad museum was founded in 1956 at the Pinacate Station as the “Orange Empire Trolley Museum.” Early Los Angeles streetcars run each weekend on the half-mile-long “Loop Line.”
Discovery Cube Orange County
The Discovery Cube, situated near the five freeways in Santa Ana, is easily recognizable with its large black solar cube suspended above the highway. The science center boasts over 150 interactive exhibits spread across two floors.
The New Children’s Museum San Diego
The New Children’s Museum, located in San Diego, California, pioneered green museum initiatives. The Museum boasts a collection of interactive artworks that children can touch and climb. Additionally, the Museum offers art classes and camps for children to participate in.
Toms Farm Temescal Canyon Corona
Tom’s Farm is situated in Temescal Canyon, near Lake Elsinore, conveniently accessible from Interstate 15. It started as Tom’s Produce in 1974 in a remote location, but as the surrounding area developed, so did Tom’s Farm. Tom’s Farm now offers various facilities, including a wine and cheese store, duck pond, train rides, and several restaurants.
Living Desert Zoo near Palm Springs
Discover the beauty of wild animals and stunning desert gardens at this 1,200-acre learning center. It’s an excellent place for kids and adults to experience nature’s majesty. The Living Desert Zoo also features a large model train layout, featuring trolley cars, cable cars, ghost towns, tunnels, and mountains.
Oasis Camel Dairy Farm Ramona
Escape the big-city stress and visit Oasis Camel Dairy Farm in Ramona, Southern California. This Farm offers a relaxing oasis from the ordinary with green pastures, clean, cool air, and herds of camels. It’s a unique attraction that is worth experiencing.
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