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In need of new ideas for Camp Mommy or Camp Daddy? Use this guide as a resource for spending the final few weeks of summer in L.A. with kids.
Whether you’re looking to beat the heat (and it’s too hot and crowded at Disneyland) or if you’re just looking for free things to do, find ways to keep your kids entertained, while rediscovering the city all over again.
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Discover a hidden oasis at UCLA’s Mathias Botanical Garden
Escape to a hiking trail and botanical garden in the heart of Westwood. This hidden gem is a free activity for kids of any age, from stroller-bound toddlers to teens, and the expansive gardens are a must. There’s even a recirculating stream that runs alongside the nature walk, as well as a waterfall, ponds and pedestrian bridges.
Check into a pretend sleepaway camp at Kidspace
Head to Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena for sleepaway camp–themed summer activities—without the whole overnight part. This seasonal special program runs through September 13 and is offered daily along with music, games and traditional camp songs. Kids can take a make-believe road trip up the coast, driving over a mini Golden Gate Bridge along the way, and create camp crafts or even go “fishing” in a blue-colored sand play area with a boat and toy fish. Plus, there’s a chance to cool off with water-play in the arroyo. General admission is $17 for anyone over the age of one.
Splash around at Mother’s Beach
Located within Marina del Rey’s harbor rather than the open Pacific, Mother’s Beach (officially known as Marina Beach) may be the best summertime spot for toddlers. The calm, shallow harbor water is ideal for early swimmers and there’s a lifeguard on duty. (Though if you plan on swimming, be sure to reference Heal the Bay’s water quality report for the best time to go.) With restaurants nearby, picnic tables and BBQ grills, plus bike path access and a playground right there, this beach is the perfect summer spot to beat the heat.
Take a stroller-friendly hike at TreePeople
Summer for most kids is about getting off screens and in nature before school starts again. Immerse yourself in L.A.’s iconic canyon scenery at TreePeople, where you can hike just below the intersection of Mulholland Drive and Coldwater Canyon Avenue. With expansive and easy (read: stroller-friendly) to moderate trails, picnic tables and stunning views, this nature hike is fun for kids—and on-leash dogs—of all ages. There are also gardens, free parking, and more.
Listen to jazz at LACMA
Bring your picnic blanket for a different kind of dinner and bedtime story. Jazz at LACMA is a 35-year-old tradition offered to the public for free on Fridays through October. Enjoy the free concerts by local and international musicians celebrating jazz music. Be sure to arrive early, especially on warm summer nights, to snag a good spot on the grass, in view of Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass. Also, be sure to sign up for LACMA’s NexGenLA program, which gives children 17 and under who live in Los Angeles County free museum admission, plus free admission for one accompanying adult.
Watch a movie under the stars at Street Food Cinema
Wrap up summer with dinner and a show at Street Food Cinema, an annual outdoor movie night where kids are welcomed. Usually located at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park, the near-weekly Saturday night showings include family-friendly movies like Shrek and Hocus Pocus, giving kids a good reason to stay up. For food, choose from the food trucks on-site, and show up early for additional entertainment like live music and audience games—plus occasional post-screening drone shows. The regular schedule will continue into early October before pivoting to the adults-only Boo-ze, Bites & Frights. Tickets for adults are typically $30 to $35, slightly higher for reserved seating. Kids ages 6 to 12 are $10 to $15 and children under five are free. Across town, there are several other family-friendly outdoor movie series, including the Marina Movie Nights in Marina del Rey, featuring films such as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Michael.
Pedal along the surface of Echo Park Lake
Take a spin around Echo Park Lake in a swan boat. The pedal-powered boats are an easy, family-friendly way to see the lake’s lotus beds, fountain and Downtown L.A. skyline from the water. Boats accommodate up to five people, with smaller models fitting two adults and two young children. In the summer, take advantage of the warm weather and keep the fun going into the evening—and after sunset, the swans light up with programmable LEDs, transforming a daytime park outing into a surprisingly magical nighttime experience. Reservations are required. Be sure to make a pit stop at Echo Park Cafe, a casual pizza shop located inside the lake’s historic boathouse for NY- or Detroit-style pizza after your ride. Swan boat rentals are $13 per adult and $7.50 per child (ages 17 and younger) for a one-hour rental.
Catch live music and trolley rides at the Grove
Catch the end of the Grove’s summer music series this Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy alfresco tunes by live performers Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights starting in the late afternoon. Weekdays from 10am to noon there is also an Apple TV–sponsored Kids Club with music (hello, BeatBuds!) and activities in the center lawn, ideal for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Plus, the event ends right in time for the trolley to exit its gates and make its rounds around the open-air shopping destination. The Kids Club is free with an RSVP. What’s more? Head to the adjacent Original Farmers Market where you can find something quick, easy, and delicious for every picky eater.
End summer with chili and carnival fun in Malibu
Spend LDW in Malibu, where the Malibu Country Mart makes for an easy family outing with its open-air shops, restaurants and kid-friendly playground. Then head to the four-day Malibu Chili Cook-Off, presented by Aviator Nation and benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu. Returning September 4 to 7 after taking last year off as the community focused on recovery following the Palisades Fire, the beloved end-of-summer tradition brings live music, carnival rides, games and a skate competition. The signature chili competition is back as well, with tastings from local chefs and restaurants, giving attendees the chance to sample the entries and cast a vote for their favorite. A heads-up for families: Admission starts at $25; kids five and under are free. Carnival ride passes are sold separately and parking is an additional charge. Tickets will not be available on-site, so be sure to purchase them in advance. Organizers strongly encourage attendees to rideshare or carpool, as parking is only available via private lots and could be pricey.
Jump in the Annenberg Community Beach House Pool
For one last splash of summer, head to the historic pool at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica. Set on the grounds of a former oceanfront estate off of PCH, the heated pool offers an unusually scenic—and affordable—way to spend a summer day by the beach. The seasonal public pool is an ideal way to cool off; its daily summer hours wrap up after Labor Day weekend, but it’s still open on select weekends through September. Kids can also cool off at the splash pad, while the on-site Back on the Beach Café makes it easy to turn a swim into a full beach day. Pool admission for adults is $10 and for children ages 1 to 17 it’s $4.