Some days, you just need everyone to take a hike. Long weekends, weekday afternoons, random days off from school—if the kids are starting to climb the walls, the answer on most LA days is head for the trails.

We've compiled a list of some of LA's best hiking destinations for you and your little ones (though if you're pushing someone up that mountain, you may want the stroller-friendly hikes). Each of the self-led hikes below is an LA classic. Of course, if you like to add a goal to hike toward, you might try this list of hikes with waterfalls, or maybe even do a little geocaching along the way.

Some years the best Christmas present is a restaurant open on Christmas Day. We know at least 20 Los Angeles restaurants that open their doors to make Christmas Day more merry. Whether you spend the remainder of the holiday opening gifts or exploring LA's fun things to do on Christmas Day, why not pile the family and out-of-town guests into a car and give yourself the gift of dining out? After so much holiday preparation, you deserve it!

Cutting your own Christmas tree can be a great holiday tradition. I remember the hip-deep snows of my childhood in New England, building snowmen until my fingers froze and drying my hand-knit mittens by the fire. Fast forward to my boys’ winters in LA, and I wonder: What will they remember? Sand sledding at the beach and wearing shorts on Christmas day? Will they never make snow angels in their best friend’s backyard?

Thankfully, one winter tradition we can still carry on here in the Southland is cutting our own Christmas tree. If you’re willing to cross county lines, you, too, can experience this classic holiday outing. If living Christmas trees aren’t your thing, and you want something other than a pre-cut or artificial tree, get ready to set hacksaw to tree trunk, watch the tree fall gently to the ground, and smell the sap on your hands as you sing carols on the car ride home. Most Christmas tree farms have holiday entertainment on hand, too (ranging from hot chocolate to Santa hayrides). We've compiled a list of area tree farms to help you get started on your tree-cutting adventure.