Mike Anderson

After a long week of parenting, there’s nothing more rejuvenating to me than sitting outside in sunny California gorgeousness and tossing back a cold beer and pretzel while my toddler runs around like a maniac. If these family-friendly wineries sound great but too far of a drive, a kid-friendly brewery right here in town may be just the ticket. Here's a list of inviting places in the Los Angeles area, broken down by region, where you can drink outside with the kiddos, ranging from super traditional German beer gardens to family-friendly brewpubs with outdoor spaces. 

Long before becoming Mommy and Daddy, my wife and I were determined to have a favorite indulgence we loved even more than cake at our wedding reception: s’mores. So when Plush Puffs Handcrafted Marshmallows opened in Burbank this fall, I jumped to take my daughter to enjoy one of my favorite, decadent treats. But take note: these are far from the average bag of mallows that are probably aging in the back of your cupboard.

Getting kids excited about reading is one of the most important things a parent can do—so it's worth thinking outside the box. When kids start to grow tired of the pastel children’s section, take them downtown to The Last Bookstore, LA's unusual book playground. It is undeniably cool and, best of all, it makes reading seem edgy and funky, rather than something a bunch of lame adults try to trick them into doing.