Posted on 02/26/2010 10:48:15 PM PST by djsunzi
Hi people, I have to visit Los Angeles with my 20month old son in April. My first time in Los Angeles - wondering if anyone has suggestions what to do that can both entertain me an dmy wife and my 20 month old son. Think Disneyland and the theme parks are not suitable as he is too young. Ideas? -where to stay - which is safe neighborhood?
Go South 120 miles to San Diego
San Diego Zoo, largest in the world, Sea World, Lego Land
Harbor Tours, Midway Aircraft Carrier (largest museum of its kind with planes and choppers used during the years it was commissioned.
and the list goes on.
I live in the neighborhood. Third Street Santa Monica (1/2 hour drive) is a fun place to go on weekends (101 South and take Fwy 10 West to Santa Monica) or try 1/2 hour drive north to Ventura Beach Harbor off the Victoria Exit on 101 North.
The beach is always a great way to spend the day. You can rent bike at Balboa Island in the Newport Beach area and ride bikes around Balboa and along Newport Beach. Go to the Crab Cooker for dinner, it is one of the best.
The freaks on the Venice Boardwalk are always entertaining. While your there, you can see L.A.’s best feature, the Pacific Ocean.
thanks for the balboa island tip - how many hours drive from santa monica is the island? i’m thinking of booking my hotel in santa monica.
Living in L.A. has it’s ups and downs. On the plus side, we’re not buried in snow. On the down side, we have gangs on every corner and one occasionally encounters a lunatic Hollywood actor; in which case you learn to walk around them.
Hollywood resident here. You cant beat Universal Studios. Even if you dont want to rake the tour, the Universal City Walk outside has a lot of things to see. I took my cousin who’s a Texas alum for the Rose Bowl with his family and showed him around this freak show called Hollywood.
Just take the red line from Hollywood/Highland (that’s the Kodak Theater where the Oscars are being held, or walk around and see Mann Chinese Theater and see the stars on the sidewalk, take a picture with costumed freaks etc). It’s just one station away from Hollywood Highland and the tram that takes you up to Universal is free (10 minute gaps in between). Enjoy.
thanks steelfish. i’m thinking of booking a hotel in santa monica actually! so i’ll definitely check out third street. SM is near LAX too. what’s good to do at ventura beach harbor?
Santa Barbara is close. It has a childrens Zoo, a natural history museum and merry- go- round. You can get around town via a bike cabbie. MoorPark has an animal farm near the Reagan Library. My grandkids love it. I live in Ojai, where you can enjoy easy hiking,waterfall, creeks & boating or feeding ducks at Lake Casitas. Ventura beach has a bike rental center where you can ride along a beach front promenade.
I don't know...there's just something about a shoot-out with a gang or the L.A. police that makes a vacation memorable.
As for the youngster, can he say, “Yo bro”?
Nice beach and lots of nice shops and sail boats at the Ventura Harbor Beach. Of course, if you are staying in Santa Monica, then Malibu Beach is within a half-hours driving distance along Hwy 1 North.
Or you can try Venice Beach or Long Beach about 20 mins south of Santa Monica. The aquarium etc in Long Beach and the downtown area is quite fun.
thanks vivabushchick
do the whales come by during April? will definitely consider the animal farm - i hope there’s a petting area there. hopefully can pop by the reagan library too since i’m there.
Santa Monica / West L.A. is quite safe. However, please just avoid the bums / homeless. Recently there have been a few crazy guys attacking people (and surprise, this has not been publicized!). Just steer clear, and you will be fine.
In April it should be sunny and cool weather, great for walks along the beaches, in town. Your little one will not care where he/she is, as long as there are parks and fresh air to romp in. Lots of parks around! Fun little neighborhoods to explore, like Brentwood, Culver City, Abbot Kinney. Life is pretty fun enough for tots of that age, as long as they have a loved one near.
awesome - thanks for the tip Yaelle. I just browsed the skirball cultural center website - i think i’ll take my son to the Noah’s Ark - looks real fun!
Youre right about the parks and fresh air - i just want my kid to have a healthy fun time!
thanks max americana. are there many diners that offer affordable food around Hollywood Universal City?
Yes, Noah’s Ark is great.
I wish you a fun time!
I think your little one might like walking around Hollywood - the Walk of Fame, the footprints, and if he can sit (or sleep?) through a movie, across from the Kodak there is a great old HUGE movie theatre that plays Disney films called El Capitan. One of the old great theatres. My kids like it, sitting up in the balcony, eating candy... LOL.
But I would avoid CityWalk and Universal Studios for him — it’s so crowded, the restaurants are all chains now, and the “tour” is so amusement park-y. If you want to go, I’d go just adults.
If you insist on Disneyland and getting that photo of him with the ears hat on, probably asleep in his stroller, go ahead, but he won’t appreciate it that much yet. Still, Disneyland is fun.
The Aquarium in long beach might good for a boy that young. Hotels on the beach would be nice place to stay.
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