Jackie Jones

Here in Los Angeles, art is everywhere—and you can enjoy it even when our fabulous museums are closed. LA has plenty of beautiful and inspiring street art, from giant wall murals to painted utility boxes.  Seemingly everywhere you look, there's a street display that's colorful and thought-provoking, not to mention Instagram-worthy. And in this time of so much uncertainty, the messages street art conveys can be uplifting. In fact, in the aftermath of some of the damage that occurred when looters hijacked recent protests and demonstrations, street art has helped communities heal.

Here are some of our favorite photo op street murals for LA families.

Who doesn't love California sea lions? Their cute, puppy-like faces turn up periodically at our favorite SoCal beaches, but did you know your kids can visit with seals and sea lions for free, every day of the week, at the Marine Mammal Care Center?

The San Pedro facility is a haven for injured seals and sea lions, where families can make an impact on the rescued animals' rehabilitation—all while educating kids and maybe inspiring a spirit of volunteerism.  The Marine Mammal Care Center has taken in more than 8,000 patients from local beaches in the 27 years it's been open. That includes sea mammals who needed treatment for gunshot wounds, entanglement in fishing nets, and injuries from ocean trash. If you've been to all the local zoos and are looking for a new experience, a visit here could be just the ticket. My daughters and I (all animal lovers) decided to check it out, and we were very touched by what we saw. 

After a long night with a baby, or a long day driving kids around, Mama needs a cup of coffee—and she probably still has that baby and those kids with her. A great coffee shop that caters to families is just the ticket, and LA has more than a few. We've rounded up 10 of our favorites: some are next to playgrounds or other fun locations; some have menus that little ones love, and some even have designated kid zones. Later in the day you may need some kid-friendly happy hours, but for a simple caffeine fix on the go with kids, here are 10 of the family-friendliest coffee shops in LA.