Los Angeles

Find Fall Foliage near Los Angeles: 13 Pretty Drives To See Fall Leaves

Submitted by Lindsay Halladay on

Head over to the Snow-line Orchard in Oak Glen to pick apples and see fall foliage. Photo by Don Graham/Flickr

Ready for some cool, crisp autumn air and a bright expanse of fall foliage? Perfect, because a spectacular show of fall leaves is within a short drive from Los Angeles at multiple locations. There are lots of options for pumpkin picking in Los Angeles but if a relaxing fall drive is more your speed, pack some pumpkin-spiced snacks and hit the road. Not only are our suggestions filled with cute towns and gorgeous hikes, but they also provide fantastic photo ops with stunning multi-colored leaves as a backdrop. (Just in case you're already starting to think about that family holiday card photo!)

For more fall activities from our bucket list of things to do this fall, fall day trips from Los Angeles, and local fall festivals, be sure to check out our Los Angeles Fall Fun Guide.

31 (Mostly) FREE Hidden Gems & Secret Spots for Kids in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Planes next to a playground? The Proud Bird is a gem. Photo by Lindsay Halladay

Discover the best hidden gems and secret spots for for kids in Los Angeles that some locals don't even know about! 

Tired of the same old LA attractions with the kids? We've rounded up the best free hidden gems in Los Angeles, packed with wonder, history, and quirkiness—without the crowds or admission fees. Whether your child is a budding explorer, history buff, or just in it for the snacks, these secret spots are perfect for family outings that feel like true discoveries. When you've had your fill of exploring our favorite finds, start planning your next LA getaway with the kids, or check out our list of the best free things to do in LA with the kids. 

For more secret spots families will enjoy in Los Angeles, check out these awesome under-the-radar museums for kids in Los Angeles, and discover hidden gem beaches. Uncover more family adventures in our Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families. 

Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals in 2025 for Los Angeles Families

Submitted by Toby B on

Pick a peck of pumpkins at the Annual Pumpkin Festival Cal Poly Pomona. Photo courtesy of the Cal Poly Pomona Facebook page

Fall festivals in Los Angeles do exist, even if the warm beach weather says otherwise. While other places have a season called fall, LA has something more like extended summer weather with back-to-school fun and a pumpkin aisle at Trader Joe's.

Of course, the beauty of an endless summer that fades gently into Halloween or Thanksgiving—usually right up until that guy in the red suit arrives—is that family-friendly fall festivals keep going strong through November. Check out some of our favorite annual faux fall festivals in Los Angeles, from Labor Day through Day of the Dead. 

For more fall fun, visit the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles, go apple picking near LA, and see what other seasonal activities should be on your fall bucket list in our Fall Fun Guide for Los Angeles and OC Kids.  

27 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles September 2025 with Kids

Submitted by Toby B on

The Spider Pavilion creeps into September. Photo courtesy of the National History Museum of Los Angeles County.

September kicks off with loads of long Labor Day weekend events and keeps it going with some early Halloween activities, plus so many more things to do in Los Angeles with kids!

Fall fun is officially upon us, as September marks the end of summer and the gateway to Halloween and spooky season. LA's favorite venues, like Underwood Farms and Irvine Park Railroad, are kicking off their seasonal festivities in Los Angeles this month, and the Spider Pavilion creeps and crawls back to the Natural History Museum. There's also a wagon-load of fun festivals coming to Los Angeles this September: dinos, the Maritime Festival in Dana Point, and the Los Angeles Union Station Train Festival 2025. New this September: an exhibit about the movie Jaws at the Academy Museum, the inclusive Help Group's Family Fun Day, a live production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish (oy gevalt!), and Gabby's Dollhouse Live! in Long Beach and Thousand Oaks.

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles this September, and more events are added to the Los Angeles Family Activity Calendar each day. Keep reading for the best things to do in Los Angeles this September. 

If you're eagerly waiting for all things fall, see where to leaf peep near Los Angeles, where to go apple picking near LA, and plan more autumn adventures in our Fall Fun Guide for Los Angeles and OC Kids. 

Labor Day Weekend 2025 in Los Angeles: Festivals, Blippi, and More Things to Do with Kids

Submitted by Toby B on

End the summer with gelato. Photo courtesy Gelato Festival World Masters

Looking for things to do this Labor Day Weekend 2025? Add these fun things to your list of what to do with kids in Los Angeles this Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day weekend marks the end of a jam-packed Los Angeles summer. This weekend brings some summer favorites to a close, such as the 2025 Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival​, the OC Parks Sunset Cinema Movie Series, and the Rescue Exhibition at Discovery Cube LA. Crank up the volume on Labor Day weekend with festivals like the Gelato Festival World Masters, the Long Beach Greek Festival, and the Orange International Street Festival​. 

There's still time for summer fun, so head to the best beaches in Los Angeles over the long Labor Day weekend or take a family road trip from Los Angeles. Make those end-of-summer memories with ideas from our Ultimate Los Angeles Kids Summer Vacation Guide.   

Apple Picking near Los Angeles: Best Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids

Submitted by Deborah on

Nothing says fall like apple picking, and believe it or not, there's great apple picking near LA!

Apple picking near Los Angeles? Your Northwest/Midwest/East Coast friends might scoff, but absolutely! While it may not feel like fall in Los Angeles, where autumn temps can still tip into triple digits—there is a fabulous apple-picking day trip from Los Angeles.

Oak Glen is a little mile-high town that is spitting distance from the pools in Palm Springs, but where the mountains get snow in the winter and the crisp air produces incredible apples. It’s perfect for a Los Angeles apple-picking adventure. And when your bag runneth over, check out these tempting apple recipes! 

For more fall festivities, see where to find fall foliage near Los Angeles, get gourds at the best pumpkin patches near LA, and discover more seasonal adventures in our Fall Fun Guide for Los Angeles and OC Kids. 

Best Hotels in San Diego for Families

Submitted by Meghan Rose on

Stay in your own private cabin on the lake where you have a s'mores fire pit all to yourself, at the Lakehouse Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

When searching for the best hotel in San Diego, your needs can vary widely. Maybe your family is visiting Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, Sesame Place, or SeaWorld. Perhaps you're exploring famous attractions like the Birch Aquarium or Balboa Park. You could bring your little baseball fans to catch the Padres at Petco Park or maybe soak up a little culture at the Old Globe Theatre.

Whatever the reason you're in San Diego with kids and in need of a hotel, we've got you covered. These are the best family-friendly hotels in San Diego for every family—including hotels near top attractions, hotels on the water, hotels that are pet-friendly, and hotels that are perfect for families on a budget.

Don't miss our reviews of the top attractions like Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, and Sesame Place by local parents that include insider tips, secrets to getting great deals, best times to visit, and more. We've also rounded up a guide to the 60 Best Things To Do in San Diego with Kids!

The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Southern California’s Best Theme Parks

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Get ready for these thrilling family adventures! Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND California

Discover the best theme parks near Los Angeles for a thrilling day with kids! 

LA is not starving for entertainment. Instead, we're the ones creating it. Often, when we think of entertainment, we think of the movie industry, but the LA area also has a giant footprint in the amusement park space. From the legendary Disneyland to Legoland, Southern California is a vacation destination for adrenaline junkies and magic seekers from all over the world.

Whether you are an out-of-towner planning your family vacation in Southern California, or a local parent trying to figure out where the best theme parks for toddlers in SoCal for toddlers in SoCal, we've got all the information you need to make an informed decision on which family theme parks near Los Angeles are best for your family. 

Dive into the best outdoor water parks in Los Angeles for kids and discover more amusement park details in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide. 

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