By Trang Vu and Mickala Becktor
We are already half way into the season and just past pumpkin patches and Halloween festivities. But the Los Angeles area is still loaded with activities that are fun for kids AND adults. These are some personal highlights that members of CISC has enjoyed with their own kids.
Irvine Park Railroad
This destination is packed with things to do and tailored for families. It’s basically a giant nature park with different locations of attractions where you have to buy tickets for: train rides, pony rides, boat and bike rentals, the OC Zoo, BBQ spots, and more. The park is open all year round, but now everything is fall themed. The main attractions like the train, and pony rides are located near the entrance, while the zoo and other activities are deeper in the park.
To avoid the weekend rush, we brought our bikes and parked about a mile away at the college, then biked into the park. My son loved the train ride and the cute OC Zoo, which houses jaguars, bobcats, bears, eagle and more! Though the cages are a bit small, it’s still a nice alternative to the LA Zoo, especially with only $2 admission! We had so much fun and there was so much to discover. But it was also a lot of stimulation, especially of Halloween and pumpkin season on busy weekends. Santa’s Village holiday theme starts November 29th.
Location: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/plan-your-visit/
Bonfire at Huntington State Beach
Now that the summer crowds have thinned out, its much easier to do reserve beach camping or a fire ring at the Californian beaches on weekends. It’s still nice and sunny, but evenings already getting dark early and cooler. The perfect season to spent the day at the beach and do some nice cosy bonfire with friends. I really was looking forward for this real Californian experience: lighting up a fire on the beach, watching the sun go down while having s’mores or brats. Don’t forget to bring extra firewood (it burns fast!) and warm blankets or camping chairs to keep comfy once the sun sets.
Stroll through Huntington Garden
I absolutely love the Huntington Gardens. Walking through the diverse and stunning landscapes is so calming, and there’s always a chance to spot hummingbirds. The art exhibitions are a bonus – they focus on European art from the 15th to the early 20th century, as well as American art from the colonial period to the present. Admission is free on the first Thursday of every month, but be quick—tickets are released the last Thursday of the prior month at 9 a.m., and they sell out immediately. Please read on the website
for further infos about conditions.
Visit Free Museums
There are quite a lot of really nice museums in Pasadena and LA with free admission or at least one day in the month free. I haven’t tried out the CAAM and MOCA yet, but it’s on my list! The other ones I have all visited with my 2 year old son and some offer kid friendly activities as well. Make sure to reserve tickets for all museums.
Norton Simon Museum (Art)
This art museum houses an extensive collection of European paintings, sculptures, and tapestries from the Renaissance to the 20th century, along with a significant selection of South and Southeast Asian art. The outdoor garden with a café is perfect for a break! Admission is free for all visitors the first Friday of every month from 4–7 pm. Kids under 18 years get in for free and they offer a free interactive family guide!
Website: https://www.nortonsimon.org/
LACMA (Art)
With its iconic Urban Light installation, LACMA is a must-visit for art lovers.This art museum has a strong emphasis on global cultures and contemporary art. The most iconic exhibit is probably the Urban Light by Chris Burden. Admission is free on the second Tuesday of each month, or after 3 pm, Mon–Fri for LA-Residents. Parking can be expensive, but I found a free street parking spot super close to the Urban Light.
Website: https://www.lacma.org/
Getty Villa Museum and Getty Center (Art)
The Getty Villa transports you to ancient Rome with its stunning gardens and Greek, Roman and Etruscan art. The Getty Center, on the other hand, offers breathtaking views of LA and showcases European and American masterpieces. The Villa with its gardens is just stunning! There might be as many influencers visiting as art enthusiasts :D. And they have a fantastic family room with three main interactive exhibits, really well made for kids. My son spent at least an hour there not wanting to leave!
The Getty Center is HUGE. With 6 main buildings, holding art with
a particular focus on European and American art, it is almost impossible to see everything in one day. The architecture is modern, and not as breathtaking as the Villa, but we are talking about nuances. I loved the Getty Villa’s architecture and enjoyed the art more at Getty center. Both museums are free to visit, but parking costs $25. If you have reserved
tickets for both, parking is valid at both locations on the same day.
Website: https://www.getty.edu/visit/villa/
The Broad Museum
A must for fans of contemporary art! Admission is always free. Reserve a ticket online. My favorite exhibit is the Infinity Room by Yayoi Kusama—it’s magical. You have to reserve a time slot in order to see it. They also offer a fun scavenger hunt for kids!
Website: https://www.thebroad.org/
National History Museum
This museum holds over 300 real fossils, 20 complete dinosaurs, ancient sea creatures and animals from extinct to endangered. It’s a fascinating place for both kids and adults! Admission is free for LA-Residents from Mon–Fri, 3–5 pm. Parking at the Exposition Park costs $20, but you could make a day of it by visiting the California Science Center or the California African American Museum (CAAM) before heading to the National History Museum after 3 pm.
Website: https://nhm.org/
California Science Center
This science center offers fun and learning for both adults and kids alike, with over 150 interactive exhibits explaining various scientific topics. They even have an aquarium with a glass tunnel! While the Space Shuttle Endeavour is currently dismantled for several years of renovation, there’s still plenty to see. Admission is always free.
Noah’s Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center
The skirball Cultural Center has an amazing Noah’s Ark themed indoor play area where your little ones can play, climb, build and explore. We visited the exhibition with a toddler and a 5 year old, and they both had so much fun. There is also a small art studio for kids and of course the rest of the museum for the adults if your kids allow time for that too.
The Noah’s Ark exhibit is ticketed separately from the general admission, but both are FREE on Thursdays and children under 2 is always FREE.
Website and ticket info: https://www.skirball.org/tickets
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Our very own local Kidspace never fails to entertain the kids for hours. Kidspace has just ended their Halloween and Day Of The Dead themes and has kickstarted their winter theme with sock ice skating, snow man decorating and much more winter frolic. If you are fast you can get tickets for their free first friday, otherwise you have to pay admission. You can book in advance or show up and pay at the entrance.
Fall is a great season! And Pasadena/LA has so much to offer. Enjoy all it has to
offer with these fun, family-friendly activities!
Editor’s note: If you would like to post about your time in Pasadena, or provide helpful information, tips, recipes, your fave coffee spot or anything else, for that matter – please do reach out to Mickala Becktor at blogcisc@gmail.com. I am happy to help you through the process even if you just have an idea, and will be happy to help with the writing or proof reading. Thanks!
Via Pasadena 