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Fun and Facts for Los Angeles, California

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Know Before You Go

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  1. At a Glance

    If there was ever the opportunity for a well-rounded family vacation, it's a trip to L.A. There are plenty of cultural and educational attractions developed with kids in mind (i.e., Kidspace Children's Museum, Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Museum, the Griffith Observatory) and an amazing landscape for the nature lovers in the family (the beaches at Santa Monica and Malibu, the gardens of San Marino, the Hollywood Hills). Of course, L.A. is the capital of pop culture, too. Kids love to see the stars on Hollywood Blvd. and teens especially delight in getting a first-hand look at Venice and Beverly Hills.

  2. When to Go

    Like all big cities, L.A. gets touristy in the summer, though it's actually not the best time to go since the city can be smoggy and the beaches foggy (the latter mostly in June). Unless your kids have their hearts set on a lot of beach days, September and October are perfect (and you actually can still go to the beach on some days). Indian summer and early fall tend to be warm and clear, and the crowds have died down. Spring is also a great time to come (though May can be gloomy down by the beach). Los Angeles does cool off in the winter months, but it never gets very, very cold, and you can usually spend plenty of time outdoors.

  3. Weather

    The daytime temperature in L.A. hovers in the mid to upper 60s December through March. Come spring, temperatures edge up into the 70s, then in summer, the 80s (and into the 90s in July and August). One thing to remember about L.A. is that even when the days are hot, the temperature drops anywhere from 20 to 30 degrees at night. Bring sweaters. Get more weather info.

  4. Getting There

    Los Angeles International (LAX) is as big as it sounds, but it probably offers the most flight options. If possible, consider smaller airports: Burbank (BUR) and Long Beach (LGB), both of which are about a half hour's drive from the city center. Amtrak is serviced by the city's Union Station in downtown L.A.

  5. Getting Around

    Los Angeles is a car town, so plan on renting one when you arrive. The good news is that a car will allow you to really see the city in all its varying shades of glory: Just driving Sunset Boulevard, beginning at the beach and following it past UCLA, through Beverly Hills and Hollywood all the way to downtown, will give you and your kids a real taste of L.A.

  6. Helpful Info

    Get more information on the city's official website.

  7. Deals & Discounts

    You can find discounts at GoLosAngeles.com. For sightseeing, museums, amusement parks and more, check out Citypass.com.

  8. Fun Facts

    • L.A.'s biggest quake: 6.7 on the Richter scale, January 17, 1994
    • L.A. hosted two Olympic Games: Summer 1984 and Summer 1932
    • Year the first Academy Award was handed out: 1929
    • Length of the Los Angeles River (yes there is one!): 97 miles
    • Number of professional basketball teams: Three (L.A. Lakers, Clippers and Sparks)

Pre-Trip Fun

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    Watch

    "The Muppet Movie" -- Typical: An agent convinces Kermit and his fuzzy band they can make it in Hollywood, so they trek across the country to pursue their dreams. It's a good-vibe ride for all ages. (Toddlers and Up)

    "Hannah Montana" -- Teen queen Miley Cyrus is Hannah Montana, just your average school kid living a dual life as celebrity pop star in Malibu. Kids get to live vicariously through Hannah, and identify with Miley's daytime dramas. (School Age and Up)

    "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" -- In Tim Burton's gleeful road comedy, Pee-Wee crosses the country in pursuit of his beloved stolen bicycle. Along the way he hits tons of iconic places, including the towering Cabazon dinosaurs, which you can see from the 10 Freeway near Palm Springs. (School Age and Up)

    "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" -- Before Will Smith was a superstar, he brought Philly street smarts to one of L.A.'s most exclusive neighborhoods in this popular rags-to-riches sitcom. (School Age and Up)

    "Beverly Hills, 90210" -- The '90s teen-soap smash made a zip code famous, following small-town twins Brandon and Brenda and their friends as they struggle to fit in with the "in" crowd. (Pre-Teens and Up)

    "Back to the Future" -- You can see the famous clocktower square and Doc's Delorean in person at the Universal Studios lot, where much of the Spielberg smash was filmed. (School Age and Up)

    "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" -- Two spaced-out yet lovable L.A. students travel back in time, gathering famous historical figures to help them pass history class. Excellent! (Pre-Teens and Up)

    "Clueless" -- Alysia Silverstone plays dumb in this hilarious comedy that pokes fun at wealthy "valley girl" types. Smart writing and a sweet message make it a classic even adults will enjoy. (Teens)

    "Rebel Without a Cause" -- Older film buffs will appreciate James Dean as a troubled teen in the role that made him a star. Almost as famous is the film's climax, shot at the iconic Griffith Observatory. (Teens)

    Eat

    Mock Sushi -- L.A. is known for some of the best sushi in the country. It can be tricky to make the real thing, but this candy version is easy, tasty and oh-so cute.

    Lime-Chicken Tacos -- Mexican food is extremely popular (and accessible) in the Southland. For even more authentic taste, try these with corn tortillas.

    Bean Burritos -- Use fresh cilantro and salsa to get the full Mexican flavor.

    Read

    "Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood" by Cece Bell -- What better place to get a makeover? Parents say this bathing adventure gets wee ones giggling. (Ages 1-4)

    "City of Angels" by Julie Jaskol, Brian Lewis and Elisa Kleven -- A funky LA guidebook for kids, with brilliantly detailed pictures of the city's diverse highlights, from glam Beverly Hills to downtown's Blessing of the Animals. Bonus: Angels are hidden in every picture. (Ages 4 to 8)

    "Eloise in Hollywood" by Kay Thompson -- The beloved east-coaster gets the star treatment with glitzy tours of movie studios and the Hollywood Hills Hotel. (Ages 4 to 8)

    "Surf That Wave!" by Christine Ricci and Susan Hall -- Fans of the Backyardigans get personal instruction from Pablo on one of California's favorite sports. (Ages 4 to 8)

    "Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy" by Wendelin Van Draanen -- Fans of the mystery series will get a kick out of the depictions of L.A. and the satirical take on succeeding in Tinseltown. (Ages 9 to 12)

    Make

    Water Purse -- Made from an onion bag, this super-easy tote captures that bohemian SoCal vibe; perfect for stashing beach must-haves.

    Little Squirt -- Have the kids make a bunch of these water toys for the beach. The water's surprisingly cold in L.A., so these can keep them running around in the sand.