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L.A. Parent’s Best of 2008
OUT & ABOUT!
BEACHES
• El Matador – A part of the larger area known as Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, El Matador is one of three beaches known for their cove and rock features. Seclusion is a big part of this “pocket beach” mystique, so don’t count on neighboring shops for last-minute food or drinks. Park along the bluffs on PCH and take one of the dirt trails down. Some parts can been a little steep, so this may not be the best hike for little ones. But once down, you and your family will find shockingly clear water, beautiful, practically untouched settings and even some shallow caves.
Located between Leo Carrillo and Point Dume State Beaches, about 10 miles up-coast of Malibu on Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; www.parks.ca.gov
• Venice – It is quintessential L.A., and we love it for that! Venice is a beach playground, with swimming, surfing, volleyball, biking, rollerblading, fishing, shopping and yes, even weightlifting. We may see it depicted in films all the time, but don’t take this iconic outdoor space in our backyard for granted. Often described as a circus, Ocean Front Walk boasts enough street entertainment – from dancers to singers, roller skating guitar players, and body builders who just want to show off – to fill a whole day.
3100 Ocean Front Walk, Venice; www.beaches.co.la.ca.us
• Zuma – For aqua athletes, it just doesn’t get much better than Zuma Beach. The famous stretch in Malibu is known for its excellent surfing conditions, and even if you’re not ready to take on the waves yourself there are plenty of grade-A competitions to watch throughout the year. The water at Zuma is also consistently rated as some of the cleanest ocean in the state. Pair that with the numerous lifeguards on patrol, and you can take some peace of mind in the safety department. Another huge bonus: Grilling on the beach is allowed, so grab your burgers!
30000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; www.beaches.co.la.ca.us
NATURE TRAILS
• Descanso Gardens – The most beautiful of flowers bloom all year long in the majestic Descanso Gardens, formerly the home of newspaper publisher E. Manchester Boddy. In any given month, there are at least four types of floral wonders flourishing across the 150 acres. Whether your family is in the mood for some Azalea spotting or Cherry Tree gazing, spend a day wandering though the California, Lilac or Iris Gardens, climb aboard the kid-friendly Enchanted Railroad or look in the trees surrounding the Bird Observation Center for any one of the more than 150 species of feathered animals that inhabit the Gardens. A number of tour options are offered, including large-group, self-guided and tram tours and all-day events, which include lunch.
$8 adults; $6 ages 5-12; free for kids under 5
1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada-Flintridge; www.descansogardens.org
• The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens – Manicured, open land still exists in concrete-heavy Los Angeles; you’ve just got to know where to look. The Huntington may be a feast for the mind with a grand library and three art galleries, but it’s the gorgeous 120 acres of garden (home to an astonishing 14,000 different species of plants!) that is the gem of the facility. There are plenty of reasons that your family should start making it a must-see. You can conceivably spend hours strolling through garden after garden (including the Desert, Jungle and Japanese landscapes), which can be done with expert guidance on the daily tours. English tea in the Rose Garden Tea Room is a must. With finger sandwiches, fine cheeses and more than three acres of roses, this is a little touch of regal elegance in a modern town.
$15/$20 adults (weekday/weekend); $10 ages 12-18; $6 ages 5-11; free for kids under 5
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino; www.huntington.org
• Temescal Gateway Park – One of the most popular and frequented parks in the Santa Monica Mountains, Temescal Gateway Park attracts a number of kids with its innovative and educational camps and activities throughout the year. Whether it’s through the Junior Rangers group, Share & Care Naturalists or the summer’s Earth Adventure Camp, kids get to experience the wonders of nature in 141 acres of canyons. Of course, anyone can take advantage of the numerous hiking trails, a picnic in the park or the Thursday Family Fun nights – complete with campfires and storytelling.
15601 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades; www.lamountains.com
INDOOR PLAY PLACES
• Amy’s Playground – Take off your shoes (socks required) before scampering around this clean, 3,000-square-foot play facility that has a separate, soft-walled area for babies. South Pasadena mom Amy Shachory fills the indoor playground with toys and equipment, including a 26-foot-long maze for climbing and crawling, and a double-slide bouncer. Bring your own food or purchase items to enjoy in the picnic area. A library and complimentary coffee provide parents a welcoming time-out.
$8 ages 2 and older, $6 siblings and kids under age 2; free for parents/caregivers.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon. – Fri., closed weekends for private parties.
1115 Mission St., South Pasadena; 626•799•0304; www.amysindoorplayground.com
• The Treehouse Social Club – Parents can work on laptops, eat lunch with friends or get a manicure while kids play or take a class. “There are multiple things that happen under one roof here,” says Jeannine Chanin, a business partner with Joely (the actress) and Tricia Fisher. There’s a play area, arts and crafts, classes, a toy store and a spa/hair salon for moms, dads and kids. An onsite restaurant serves tasty breakfast and lunch items for kids and adults. A family dinner is served Wednesdays during The Electric Monkey Club, an interactive music/computer workshop (call for cost).
$9 open play, monthly memberships start at $35.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Fri., 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wed. (family dinner), 9 a.m. – noon Sat.
426 South Robertson Blvd., L.A; 310•288•3024; www.thetreehousesocialclub.com
• HONORABLE MENTION: Under the Sea – Explore bouncers, climbing structures and slides in this underwater-themed play area for kids ages nine months – 14 years old. Floor-to-ceiling murals depict sea life as well as mermaids and pirates. A separate Baby Corner houses educational play equipment. A foosball table, air hockey and basketball shoot keep older kids entertained. Bring your own food or buy pizza at the counter.
$9 for kids. 10 am – 6 pm Mon. – Fri. Weekends reserved for private parties.
For locations, visit www.undertheseaindoorplayground.com
SHOPPING MALLS
• Westfield Santa Anita – Buzzing with kid zones, this mall’s play area beckons little ones to climb, leap, slide and ride on soft-edged critters and cars or to take a spin on a cool coin-powered rocket or motorcycle. Relax on the beautiful two-level carousel or let the kids engineer the train. Kid-friendly stops abound from food and kids’ clothing to Picture People, Game Stop, AMC theater, and Dave and Buster’s.
• HOT TIP: Jump n’ Jammin’ features J-Care Monday through Thursday for up to four hours. You can leave your kids supervised for some shopping or break time while they burn some healthy physical energy! $10 per hour for a two-hour minimum, sibling discount of $6.
400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; 626•445•6255; www.westfield.com/santaanita
• Westfield Topanga – Here’s a mall that is dialed into what kids want, but its secret is the way it caters to parents. Its kid-inclusive pocket delights the senses with an interactive play area, Victorian carousel, kid friendly eateries and boutiques that sport pint-sized fashion trends. Close to parking and Target, this mall hosts the ultimate family lounge complete with private nursing rooms, changing area and its own tot-sized toilet! There’s something for everybody here.
• HOT TIP: Join the Stroller Fit Program at Westfield Topanga Monday through Saturday from 8:45-9:45 a.m. Target those “mommy muscles” while keeping your child happy! This is a great way to get or stay in shape while you and your child make friends and build community.
6600 Topanga Canyon, Canoga Park; 818•594•8732; www.westfield.com/t
MUSEUMS FOR KIDS
• Los Angeles Country Museum of Art – Besides its vast art collection, LACMA offers an array of family-friendly activities, from craft-making at the Sunday afternoon workshops to dancing at the outdoor music series. One of the museum’s special treasures is the Boone Children’s Gallery, a terrific workspace for budding young artists to create their own masterpieces. It also has a great youth membership program, NexGen, which – among other benefits – gives free admission to its kids 17 and younger along with an accompanying adult.
5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; 323•857•6000; www.lacma.org
• Natural History Museum – At the Natural History Museum, you can explore the Earth, oceans and skies from the dinosaur age to the present. The Parsons Discovery Center lets little kids have a hands-on experience as well as getting up-close glimpses at a number of creatures. The museum’s annual butterfly and spider pavilions (not simultaneously under the same roof, however) are both popular attractions for the entire family. Its Exposition Park location also makes it convenient to visit the California Science Center, the Rose Garden and the California African-American Museum.
900 Exposition Blvd., L.A.; 213•763•DINO; www.nhm.org
PLACES TO SEE ANIMALS
• Santa Barbara Zoo – While it’s a bit of a drive, the Santa Barbara Zoo is well worth the trip. One of the zoo’s attractions, particularly if you have young kids, is that it doesn’t have a sprawling layout. The very walkable grounds allow you to spend a couple hours there and see all the animals that you want to see (and they do have a colorful collection of critters) – and not just what you have time to see.
500 Ninos Dr., Santa Barbara; 805•962•6310; www.santabarbarazoo.org
• Aquarium of the Pacific – This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Aquarium of the Pacific, and it has reason to celebrate. The aquarium, with more than 12,500 examples of ocean life, offers excellent opportunities to get glimpses into everything that exist under the sea. You can navigate your way through the indoor aquatic exhibits or visit the outdoor Lorikeet Forest interactive aviary. The aquarium’s free Friday Shark Lagoon nights are a popular attraction – and how often to you get a chance to pet a shark?
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach; 562•590•3100; www.aquariumofthepacific.org
DAY TRIPS
• Aquarium of the Pacific – The marine life in Long Beach isn’t all off the coast. Blacktip reef sharks and sea dragons are just two of the thousands of species that live farther inland at the huge Aquarium of the Pacific, with dozens of habitats representing regions from all over the world. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the aquarium only seems to get better with age, expanding programming and opportunities for fun. The aquarium steps out of the surf with the Lorikeet Forest, recreating the beauty of Australia with more than 100 brightly colored birds. Behind-the-scenes tours and special classes like the Animal Encounter classes – which include guided tours of the facility plus hands-on interaction with specific critters and fish – get visitors up-close to these fabulous creatures. Once you’ve soaked up all the jellies, sharks and other life aquatic, you can meander over to the nearby boardwalk to finish the day with shopping, dining and sunset watching.
Admission: $11.95 ages 3-11, $20.95 adults
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach; www.aquariumofpacific.org
• Big Bear Mountain – Whether there is snow covering the ground or a hot sun in the sky, Big Bear is a go-to destination all year long. Strong winters produce lush, green summers, which means the scenery is always up to par – as are the golf courses, if tee time is a family favorite. The monster slopes make for perfect hiking and biking paths, with the Snow Summit Scenic Sky Chair lift staying in operation (you can even dine at a higher elevation at the Mountain Top BBQ at the top of the lift). And when the powder finally does start to fall, you simply won’t find better skiing anywhere in the Southland. With more than 15 skiable miles, there are multiskill jumps (150 to be exact) and parks for every member of the family.
43101 Goldmine Dr., Big Bear Lake; www.bigbearmountainresorts.com
• Underwood Family Farms – A day trip out to the farm is a welcome escape from the hustle of L.A. life and a great opportunity to infuse kids with a little fun outdoor education. The farm offers a full day’s worth of activities, from vegetable and fruit picking to tractor-drawn wagon rides. And of course, the animal farm is a major hit. Meet the feathered friends that call Underwood home and take in an animal show with Mischief the horse, Hamlet the pig and the other inhabitants in the 100-seat amphitheatre. The annual Fall Harvest Festival – a month-long farm-meets-carnival extravaganza – is also a visitor favorite.
Admission: $3 weekdays, $5 weekends
3370 Sunset Valley Rd., Moorpark; 5696 Los Angeles Ave., Somis; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com
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