Westside Los Angeles' Best Fun For Kids

From Santa Monica to Culver City, the Westside offers lots of fun activities for families – and that doesn't even include the beach.

Venice Beach Boardwalk
1800 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
www.venicebeach.org

Famous for its attractions, the Venice Beach Boardwalk will feature numerous sights and founds that will surely keep your kids entertained for a day (or maybe more!). This civilized circus comes complete with artists, entertainers as well as fortune tellers and more on the 2 mile long boardwalk. Palm trees line the stretch and your kids will be open eyed as they see murals on buildings and the diversity of vendors that sell just about anything you can think of. From sunglasses, surf boards, juice bars and more, the Venice Beach Boardwalk is a must see on the Westside.

Pacific Park
380 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 260-8744
www.pacpark.com

You can't miss that iconic Ferris wheel – and neither should the kiddos. Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is a fun and affordable family-friendly outing that also boasts a roller coaster, games, tyke-sized rides as well as all the cotton candy and funnel cakes you can eat. With a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean and steps from the beach, the park is a must-do for parents and kids. Added bonus: The restrooms on the Pier were recently voted among the Top 10 in the nation, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-7300
www.getty.edu

The views. The architecture. The gardens. And, of course, the art. Sitting atop a gorgeous hill just west of the 405, The Getty Center gives visitors a glimpse of sprawling Los Angeles and beyond. But it's the welcoming family-friendliness and the plentiful programs for children that really make this museum accessible and special. This summer, the Getty is offering free Family Fun days, when kids can participate in drawing workshops, garden concerts and explorations of the grounds. There's also a Family Room, complete with an oversized illuminated manuscript and a wall of mirrors.

Skirball Cultral Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-4500
www.skirball.org

Noah's Ark is just the beginning of what the Skirball Cultural Center has to offer families. From Family Amphitheatre performances that include wildlife displays and a Chinese Lion Dance to archaeology adventures, this vibrant museum offers a sampling of so many world cultures. And through the first week of September, parents and kids can visit the Drop-in Art Studio, where they can create new work from recycled materials.

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