Los Angeles

Awesome Summer Camps for Teens and Tweens in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Kids can live out their fantasies while learning from experts at Pali Adventures Summer Camp. Photo courtesy of the camp via Facebook

TikTok is great and all, but do you want your teen or tween staring at their phone all summer? Sign them up for one (or two or three) of these amazing summer camps for teens in Los Angeles where they can develop skills that are more useful than a trending dance move, make friends that they can actually see face to face, and make pretty incredible memories that will have more impact than a viral video.

If your child loves dance, drama, tech, or just wants to assert their independence, there's a summer camp for that. We've got summer camps from Hollywood to Santa Clarita, Malibu to Irvine, and more. We've got more amazing camps for kids of all ages and interests in our Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide. And, you can find the perfect summer camp in Los Angeles for your children using our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Sesame Place San Diego: 10 Reason To Get to SoCal's Best New Amusement Park

Submitted by Kristen Schrass on

Sunny day, chasing the clouds away. Hanging with your idols will always chase the clouds away!

We are spoiled with so many amusement parks in California, but the new Sesame Place San Diego truly offers something different. There are rides for all ages, a musical show, a parade, thrilling water slides, an interactive replica of the iconic main street of Sesame Street, and character meet and greets, all while being a certified autism center. So, in my best Count Von Count voice, here are "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ah, ah, ah, 10 reasons to get to Sesame Place San Diego."

If you are planning to travel to San Diego to visit Sesame Place, don't miss our San Diego Family Travel Guide and this list of the Best Things To Do in San Diego Besides the San Diego Zoo—or if you are planning to add the zoo to your travel plans, check out See the San Diego Zoo Like a Local: Inside Tips for a Great Visit With Kids.

14 Family-Friendly Spa Resorts Near Los Angeles

Submitted by Matt Matasci on

Just try getting kids out of the pool at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa Rancho Mirage. Photo courtesy of the hotel via Facebook

Since Los Angeles is a vacation destination, the city doesn't lack great hotels for families. But sometimes you want a hotel with a little extra for everyone: you want a spa resort where parents can relax, get a massage, and maybe golf, yet where kids will be completely entertained and welcomed. From mountain spa resorts surrounded by pine groves to beachside retreats to desert paradises, there are spa resorts near Los Angeles for every type of family vacation and they all include kid-friendly activities, attractions, and of course, lots of mind-blowingly fun swimming pools.

Here are 14 of our favorite family-friendly spa resorts near Los Angeles for a spectacular vacation or staycation. If you're looking for other family-friendly sleeping options near Los Angeles, we've got the Coolest California Vacation Rentals for Families, the Best Hotels in Los Angeles for a Family Vacation, and more in our Los Angeles Weekend Getaway Guide.

Best Dance Summer Camps in Los Angeles: Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and More

Submitted by Ana Belibasis on

Little dancers stretch, move, and dance all summer. Photo courtesy of Artistico School Of Dance via Facebook

If your tiny dancer is happiest spinning, twirling, and performing, a dance summer camp would be on pointe. Whether they want to learn a new style of dance—like ballet, hip hop, salsa, or jazz—or just have fun while grooving to a beat, a dance summer camp is a perfect place to learn and shine. At these summer camps, dancers of all ages and abilities will learn new techniques from trained professionals and then show off their new skills in a showcase or performance. We've rounded up a selection of our favorite dance day camps in locations from Santa Monica to Long Beach to the Valleys and beyond, so wherever you live, you can find a great camp that's not too far from home.

For more summer camps in Los Angeles, including Musical Theater and Performing Arts Summer Camps in LA and other Favorite Outdoor Summer Camps in Los Angeles for Summer 2022, be sure to bookmark our Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

10 Top Joshua Tree Airbnbs, Hotels, and Campgrounds for Families

Submitted by Jean Kuo Lee on

Visiting Joshua Tree is a great experience for kids. Photo by Alessandra Puig Santana for the National Park Service

Joshua Tree National Park is an easy weekend getaway from Los Angeles for busy families seeking a little peace in the great outdoors. There are so many things to do in Joshua Tree that you'll probably want to stay the weekend. Luckily, we've got you covered with this list of the best places to stay near Joshua Tree. We've got favorite Joshua Tree camping sites, where you can sleep right in the middle of an otherworldly desert landscape. Or glamping options and fabulous Joshua Tree Airbnbs—if camping means too much roughing it, but you still want those campfire memories. And for those who want all the amenities a hotel offers, we’ve listed the best Joshua Tree hotels for families, too.

Be sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Joshua Tree National Park with kids, and also our list of fun things to do in Palm Springs on your drive through the desert!

AutoCamp Joshua Tree: Hip Glamping in the Desert

Submitted by Jean Kuo Lee on

Hightail it to the high desert for a new glamping experience in Joshua Tree.

Joshua Tree National Park’s annual visitor count has grown by a million in the last decade. It’s no wonder: the place has a very special charm, attracting globetrotters and locals alike who come to stargaze and spend time in the wilderness. Exploring huge rock formations in a Dr. Seuss-kind of landscape has never been more fun for city kids itching for time outdoors. After a few trips to Joshua Tree National Park with my family, I’ve come to love not only the desert, but the quirky towns that surround the park and the Old West history now being reinvented by the hipster culture. 

In the past, we’ve camped or stayed at fun hotels for families in and around Joshua Tree. Recently, though, we opted to try the new place in town: AutoCamp Joshua Tree. Read on for the scoop on this new Airstream glamping experience. 

Looking for more ideas for Joshua Tree camping, glamping, and even hotels? Check out our Hiking and Camping Guide for Los Angeles Families. We've got loads of suggestions for family camping trips and other Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from Los Angeles.

St. Patrick's Day Weekend in Los Angeles: St. Patrick Parades, and More Things to Do

Submitted by Toby B on

Little leprechauns love ukuleles! Photo courtesy of the County Ventura St. Patrick's Day Parade

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this St. Patrick's Day weekend? St. Patrick’s Day is packed with parades, leprechauns, and more fun events.

There are several weekend opportunities to celebrate with St. Patrick's Day parades, festivals, and corned beef. So top o' the marnin' to ye; Erin Go Bragh; that shade of green looks bonny on you, and let's go find that pot o' gold!

Great Art Summer Camps near Los Angeles: Where Kids Can Draw, Paint, and Design

Roberta B's picture Submitted by Roberta B on

Young artists paint, draw, sculpt, design, and more at Robertson Art Zone.

Camp and art go together like, well, crayons and coloring books. But if you're looking for a summer camp where your budding artist can go beyond the Crayolas, you live in the right city. Since Los Angeles is a city bursting with creativity, it makes sense that our art summer camps go beyond popsicle sticks and glitter glue. From West LA to Sherman Oaks to Hollywood, these art-centered summer camps will keep your young Picasso happily creating all summer long.

For more summer camps in Los Angeles, including free and cheap summer camps in Los Angeles and popular LA preschool camps, check our whole Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide. Find a full listing of local summer camps in our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and neighborhood.

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