Migrate to San Juan Capistrano for parade fun. Photo courtesy of the Swallows Day Parade
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Even in a dry year, California is bursting with gorgeous colors in the spring!
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Surfing camp will be one swell of a good time. Photo courtesy of Learn to Surf LA
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Photo courtesy of The Flower Fields of Carlsbad
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I spy with my little eye something that can flutter by!
The Butterfly Pavilion Ushers in Spring at the Natural History Museum
Playing in the Autry’s Museum's new play space. Photo by the author
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Don your lucky green. Photo courtesy of the Ventura County St. Patrick's Day Parade
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Camp Hollywoodland is an affordable sleepaway camp in the heart of LA. Photo courtesy of laparks.org
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Climbing encouraged at Wild Child. Photo courtesy of Wild Child Gym
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Some of the tube lanes at Mt. Baldy are as long as 150 feet! Photo courtesy of Mt. Baldy Snow Play Park
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Let's-a-go! Step through the Warp Pipe, and you're in Super Nintendo World!
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Everyone loves a snow day! Photo courtesy of Big Bear Mountain Resort
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All the dolls of your little one's dreams. Photo courtesy of the Westfield Century City Mall
New Lego and American Girl Stores Make Westfield Century City Best LA Mall for Kids
This Compton museum teaches kids about aviation. Photo courtesy of Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum
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Throw a party in this pretty play space, where everything is taken care of for you. Photo courtesy of PlayLab
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Kids' classes like art lessons can help your LA kid grow and develop.
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This 3 day itinerary will make you fall in love with LA. Photo by Roberto Nickson, via Pexels
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We guarantee you'll have to share your pastries with the kids. Photo courtesy of La Monarca Bakery
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Vincent Lugo Park, also called Dinosaur or Monster Park, was nominated to the California Register of Historic Places. Photo courtesy of the City of San Gabriel
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Almost every teen I've met loves VR. Photo courtesy of dreamscapeimmersive.com
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Disney turns 100 and there will be celebrations from coast to coast. Photo courtesy of Disneyland
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Check out the academic calendars for the Los Angeles 2022-23 school year.
School Calendars 2022-2023: Start & End Dates for Los Angeles County Schools
SingleCare offers major savings on more than 10,000 prescription drugs through its free app.
This App Offers Up to 80% Off the Whole Family’s Prescription Meds–Here’s My SingleCare Review
Selfies with the T-Rex, who can resist? Photo courtesy of the LA Natural History Museum
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Kids can build sandcastles while parents dine on the beach. Photo courtesy of Back on the Beach Cafe in Santa Monica
16 Los Angeles Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Strike a pose, there's nothing to it. Even when you're in the middle of eating ice cream!
Tyra Banks' ModelLand Gives Kids a Taste of the Supermodel Life—and Ice Cream
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Travel through town in a tiny car with GoCar.
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Kids can frolic and play while parents relax and sip. Photo courtesy of Cornell Winery
The Best Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries Near Los Angeles: Santa Ynez Valley Wineries and Beyond
Watch as kids become entranced by a live show. Photo by Alexis Buatti Ramos, courtesy of the New Victory Theater
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Children are natural advocates for the planet and our actions truly can make a difference.
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Taco Tuesday makes meal planning easy and dinner kid-pleasing.
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See a show at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, where you also have a great view of the Hollywood Sign! Photo by Matthew Field
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Hello new friend. Photo by Jamie Pham
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There's something to explore in every season at Kidspace. Photo courtesy of Kidspace Children's Museum
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Play, sip, relax, repeat. Photo courtesy of Wirtshaus
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Kids can get up close and personal with a giant tortoise. Photo credit Jaimie Wells, San Diego Zoo
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The La Brea Tar Pits are one of the most famous fossil discovery spots in the world.
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STEM-based learning centers offer kids access to tools that many kids don’t ever get to enjoy and learn from.
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Who knew there was so much nature to see in the Las Vegas area? Photo courtesy of Springs Preserve
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Ice cream tacos come in every flavor and color. Photo courtesy of Sweet Rolled Tacos
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Camping at Joshua Tree National Park. Photo by Hannah Schwalbe/NPS
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The Making Table is a big hit with kids of all ages.
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Sundays are for bagels. Photo courtesy of Pop's Bagels
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25 Reasons LA Is the Best Place to Grow Up or Raise Kids!

4/14/15 - By Roberta B

Whether you moved out here, leaving a trail of envious family and friends who all imagine your life as an endless stream of Brangelina sightings and half-caf chai lattes, or you're one of those rare local novelties, the born-and-bred Angeleno who remembers what this place was like before the rest of us arrived—here you are raising your children in Southern California. Anyone can tell you SoCal is inherently pleasant (and a dry heat), but raising kids in the LA area goes way beyond pleasant. In so many ways, LA is the BEST place to raise (or be) kids! Here are 25 reasons that your children are lucky to be growing up the Angeleno way.

  1. Random day off = Disneyland
  2. Surfing is our soccer.
  3. We get movies before everyone else.
  4. Sand angels!
  5. Every town in every movie looks familiar (because they’re all really here).
  6. The JPL folks let us check out their new space toys every year.
  7. Snow is a thing we visit.
  8. Not just one but TWO presidential museums
  9. Not just one but TWO baseball teams (and you can always get tickets on game day).
  10. We ice skate in tank tops. 
  11. Top level sports coaches all settle here eventually.
  12. Out of town family loves coming to visit.
  13. Trick-or-treating never involves wearing coats over costumes.
  14. We have muchisimos bilingual school options.
  15. Birthday parties can be held outside in January.
  16. A day of skiing can finish at the beach.
  17. We go years at a time without smelling a cigarette.
  18. Sand sledding!
  19. Seasons, schmeasons: we play whatever sport we want, whenever we want.
  20. At some point you always see someone you know on TV.
  21. Want to be on TV yourself? Nag Mom & Dad to let you audition, and you'll get there.
  22. Outdoor shopping malls
  23. Camping is as close as 20 minutes away, and hiking even closer.
  24. Day camp is at the beach.
  25. Seeing concerts means going to the Hollywood Bowl - which parents totally dig.

Photo by the author

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