Family vacations in Southern California can be rewarding experiences or absolute disasters -- it all depends on pre-trip homework. To make planning easier, we've done all the preparation. As part of a Huffington Post series on traveling with children, here are recommended attractions for those planning Southern California family vacations.
Hollywood
No trip to Southern California would be complete without a stroll down
. Attractions include the Hollywood Walk of Fame and its more than 2,400 stars embedded onto the sidewalk; the Kodak Theater, where the Academy Awards presentation is held each year; and Grauman's Chinese Theater, the 1927 theater that is home to many Hollywood movie premieres as well as more than 200 celebrity handprints and footprints in its forecourt.
Address: The neighborhood centers around Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in HollywoodPhone number: N/AHours: 24 hours a day, seven days a weekPrice: Free
Disneyland
The original Disney theme park continues to delight.
, located in the heart of Anaheim, offers an array of rides, live entertainment, shops and restaurants as well as unique Disney architecture. The park is divided into several themed areas, including Main Street USA, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. You might even get to meet Mickey Mouse.
Address: 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802Phone: 714-520-5060Hours: Park hours change frequently. Check the Disneyland website for current informationPrice: Ages 10 and older, $80; children 3 to 9, $74; children 2 and younger, free
Aliso Beach
You can't visit Southern California without spending a little time at the beach, and it's difficult to only name one. However,
in Laguna Beach offers all that makes Southern California beaches special — sun, soft sand, surf and plenty of activities. Other recommended beaches in the area include Manhattan Beach, Zuma Beach at Malibu and Santa Monica Beach.
Address: 31131 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92652Phone: 949-923-2280Hours: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.Price: Free
The J. Paul Getty Museum
High atop a bluff in Brentwood, overlooking Los Angeles, the
at the Getty Center is one of the nation's top art museums. The museum houses an extensive collection of European paintings, furniture, sculpture, drawings and photographs. Among the museum's most noted exhibits are "Irises" by Vincent van Gogh and the museum's early 20th century photography collection.
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90049Phone: 310-440-7300Hours: Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.Price: Admission to the museum is free, but parking is $15 per car and free on Saturdays after 5 p.m.
Universal Studios Hollywood
, which calls itself "The Entertainment Capital of LA," is one of the oldest and most famous movie studios still operating today. Part movie studio, part theme park, Universal Studios features 16 rides, including Jurassic Park the Ride, Water World and Universal's House of Horrors. You can also take the studio tour past famous studio sets, like the Bates house from "Psycho" and the shark from "Jaws."
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608Phone number: 800-864-8377Hours: Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.Price: Ages 3 and older (48" and taller), $77; under 48" tall, $69; Southern California residents 3 and older, $62; children 2 and younger, free
Kidspace Children's Museum
Located in Pasadena next to the Rose Bowl,
features a variety of exhibits and gardens that encourage children to learn through interactive play. Among the favorites are Bugsy's Diner, where kids learn about the eating habits of insects, and Shake Zone, an exhibit about what causes California earthquakes.
Address: 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103Phone: 626- 449-9144Hours: June through August, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; September through May, Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: $10; infants under 1, free
San Diego Zoo
Part of San Diego's Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals of more than 800 species. The park is noted for its conservation efforts and its work with endangered species. The zoo is huge, but a guided tour is available by bus to whisk visitors from one section to the next. Don't miss the free-flight aviary and the gorillas in the African rainforest.
Address: 2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, CA 92112Phone: 619-231-1515Hours: Hours change every two months. Check website for current informationPrice: Adults (ages 12 and older), $40; children 3 to 11, $30; children 2 and younger, free
What's your family's favorite Southern California destination?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
