Our family spent Fall Break exploring the City of Angels and I’m here today to share the best of the best from our kid-friendly adventure in the hopes to help you plan your next Los Angeles getaway too!
This exciting city has something for everyone: Hollywood Stars, beautiful beaches, hiking trails, magnificent museums and world class theme parks too. While we didn’t scratch the surface of the city, we left feeling we got a great taste of what Los Angeles has to offer – and more.
Sharing the ultimate kid-friendly guide to LA and more below!
How to Get There:
First things first, we couldn’t have fathomed a more fantastic trip without flying direct on Spirit Airlines.
Their new nonstop route from MEM to LAX made jetting across the country a breeze! But in all truth, nothing beats skipping out on a layover and that second flight when you’re traveling with young children. We were up in the sky for a little less than four hours – and with snacks, activities & tablets on hand – our little ones were happily entertained the whole time.
our favorite finds for flying
Spirit’s low fares make family travel more appealing – and attainable. Did you know some flights can even start as low as $46?!
If I had to share a tip for flying with Spirit, it would be to make most (if not all) of your arrangements in advance. From paying for your luggage, adding a carry-on and requesting your preferred seats, travelers can save big time by booking early and online. The airport experience is all the smoother for it too!
Where to Stay: Los Angeles & Anaheim
My family grew up “hotel hopping” over the course of longer vacations and the tradition has continued with my own little family. Sure, it’s lovely to stay in one spot, not have to repack/unpack – but a major change of scenery halfway through a six night trip can mentally shift everything about your getaway. Suddenly things feel fresh, exciting and new all over again, as if the whole trip has been magically extended.
It certainly feels that way upon check out at hotel number 2. We often joke, “How we were doing XYZ *only* a week ago!?”
We opted to spend 3-nights in the Marina del Rey neighborhood of LA followed by three nights across the street from Disneyland in Anaheim. Hotel details below.
Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey
We wanted to stay close to city attractions but also find a relaxing, kid-friendly resort complete with a “California view.” The Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey checked off all of our boxes!
Guest rooms were elegant and spacious. Our ecstatic-to-be-on-vacation children always felt welcome even in the calm quieter parts of the hotel too. But the highlights of our stay here were morning breakfasts on the fire pit adorned patio tables at Cast & Plow, afternoons spent poolside under the California sun, and last but not least – sea lion spotting during evening walks along the marina.
Take note: We visited in early October and were able to find a really great weeknight rate that we weren’t expecting to see for such a luxurious resort hotel. There was an additional resort fee amounting up to $200 on top of our 3-night stay, but it included both amenities we were already planning to enjoy. (For example, a $50 resort dining credit AND four complimentary tickets to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures – which was on our list to visit – were even included!)
Howard Johnson Anaheim
Also known as the HOJO Anaheim, this colorful hotel plays into its retro-history in a fun and modern way that’s inviting to the littlest guests and grown ups alike. Mickey Mouse adorned the walls of our room and the Keurig, microwave & fridge helped us fuel for our early park days. This family-friendly hotel even has rooms and suites available equipped with bunk beds too!
The heated swimming pool and Water Playground are a highlight for sure – the latter boasting water slides, a pirate ship to climb aboard and multiple water canons and splash zones.
The location tops the list of reasons to book a stay at Howard Johnson Anaheim! Across the street from Disneyland, the walk to and from took our family only eight minutes total. HOJO even provides a shuttle service too which can get you to the park’s front door just as fast as if you were staying on property.
Attractions to Experience:
Griffith Observatory
Perched on the slope of Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory not only gives visitors access to the stars above but guests can also enjoy the sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline too. This Art Deco style landmark has been the backdrop to many notable films – including James Dean’s Rebel Without a Cause.
Admission to the Observatory is free and guests can opt to enjoy a show at the planetarium or take a peek into the universe through one of the public telescopes.
The Griffith Observatory is also a great spot to snap a photo of your family in front of the famous Hollywood sign!
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
No movie-lover’s trip to LA is complete without a visit to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Visitors can walk through an interactive display on the history of filmmaking and also see iconic movie props up close and personal. We couldn’t get over seeing well-known costumes from films such as Elvis, Jurassic Park, The Godfather and more. The museum also featured miniature sets – Wayne Manor from Batman – and movie props from blockbusters such as Avatar and Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.
Patrick and I were in awe the entire time and our children appreciated it too – with an entire exhibit devoted to animation from start to finish. Our daughter Annie left wide eyed and full of wonder after learning how her favorite cartoons were made!
The Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 – 6. Adult tickets are $25, youth tickets are $17 and children $5 and under are free.
See Santa Monica Pier
One of the most famous landmarks along the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Monica Pier has been entertaining locals and tourists alike since 1909. A stroll down the pier will delights guests with street performers, cotton candy food stalls, fishermen reeling in their daily catch and vendors toting Santa Monica magnets & more,
The carnival is a must-do, especially with kids. It boasts a 130 ft. Ferris Wheel – providing thrill seekers with sweeping views of the Pacific. Ride tickets are a la cart giving visitors the opportunity to make a day of it – or pop in for just one bumper car ride or two.
Make a Morning out of Beverly Hills
You’ll find high-end shopping, extravagant mansions, and movie star hangouts in glamorous Beverly Hills. You’ll also find delicious dining, pretty public play spaces and carefully curated toy stores children will love too!
We wanted to get a taste of this opulent area – having seen it depicted in many of our favorite movies through the years – while also making sure our children had a great time too.
Start off at Coldwater Canyon Playground, a modern play space nestled in between million dollar mansions high up in hills, to let kids have ample opportunity to run off their energy. Then take a stroll down Rodeo Drive. Whether you’re just window shopping or making a splurge – the palm trees and colorful ambiance are a sight to see.
A visit to Mr. Brainwash Car Museum is a feast for the eyes. Follow it with lunch at The Farm of Beverly Hills just a few doors down. Grab a table on the patio if you can – the people watching is prime!! Just next door, you’ll find an adorable toy store with speciality games and gadgets you won’t find at your local superstore.
Autry Museum of the American West
A trip “Out West” isn’t complete without a visit to the Autry Museum of the American West. Our family has delighted in cowboy culture since living in Texas and had a boot-scootin’ good time at the Autry Museum. The museum takes you through the history of settling the American West and touches on its depiction in old Hollywood Western films vs its reality. The Autry Museum tells Native American stories while also engaging visitors with artifacts, interactive displays and more.
What really set the museum apart was its child-focused exhibits. An entire section of the first floor is devoted completely to smaller visitors – with STEM activities, storytelling toys, and immersive opportunities to engage children to learn more about the American West through play.
Closed Mondays. General admission is $10 with children under 3 admitted free. Take note: the second Tuesday of every month offers free admission for all.
A Day at Disneyland
I couldn’t leave *Disney* off of this list, now could I!? Disneyland is a top attraction for good reason. At only half an hour away from LA in Anaheim, a day at Disneyland feels like a day spent a world away from anywhere else. It’s an immersive and magical experience – especially when you get to explore the park with your young children.
It’s easy to marvel in the magic as you float through It’s A Small World, stroll past Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and post up for the afternoon parade down Main Street USA.
We broke our LA trip in half and opted to stay across the street from the parks in Anaheim to make our park days all the easier. Being an 8 minute walk away both to and from bed was a game changer!
Take note: I also can’t recommend grabbing the Genie+ pass along with your tickets. Especially if you have small children! The extra fee was worth every penny when we considered the amount of time we would have stood in line with our six-year-old and three-year-old.
Disney’s California Adventure Park
Last but not least! California Adventure is Disney’s take on a California “themed” theme park. You’ll find a carnival ride filled pier, nods to old Hollywood, imagineered red wood forest adventures and movie magic featuring Marvel superheroes.
Spiderman was easy to spot, swinging on the rooftop at Avenger’s Campus. Lightning McQueen dashed past our three-year-old making his LIFE in that very moment. And the evening light show with Pixar Pier as its backdrop was so emotionally magical – that even mom and dad cried!
I have oodles to share on how we navigated the parks and made the most of our experience. (Stay tuned for another blog post soon!) But in the meantime, I’m so glad we saved our Disney visit for last. It was the icing on the sweet sweet cake that was our trip to Los Angeles!
There were many places we didn’t get to check off our list this go-round. (only so much time in the day!) But knowing how easy and affordable it can be to get to Los Angeles on Spirit Airlines, we know we’ll one day be back again sooner than later.
Big thank you to Spirit for flying us to the Pacific Coast. And thank *you* for supporting the brands that make Lone Star Looking Glass possible. As always, all opinions are my own. It was a true treat to collaborate with an airline we know, love, and fly frequently to experience and share this new route from MEM to LA – along with the adventures it can bring – with you all.
—
xo, alice
