Outdoor Activities
Family-friendly outdoor entertainment across Los Angeles and San Diego — beaches, hikes, parks, zoos, lakes, and more. Perfect for sunny days and weekend adventures.
42
Venues
12
Categories
42 places listed
Region
Activity Type
Amusement Parks
7 listedBelmont Park
Historic beachfront amusement park in Mission Beach featuring the classic wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster.
Knott's Berry Farm
Family amusement park with classic rides, a boardwalk area, and the adjacent Soak City water park in summer.
Legoland California
LEGO-themed amusement park with rides geared toward younger children, plus an adjacent water park and aquarium.
Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier
Oceanfront amusement park on the iconic Santa Monica Pier featuring a Ferris wheel and roller coaster.
SeaWorld San Diego
Marine life park with shows, rides, and up-close animal encounters on Mission Bay.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Roller coaster capital of the world, with rides for thrill-seekers and a separate water park section.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie-themed park with rides, a studio tour, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Beaches
6 listedCoronado Beach
Wide, soft-sand beach with views of the Hotel del Coronado, consistently rated among the best family beaches.
La Jolla Cove
Picturesque cove with calm waters, sea lions, and snorkeling — a favorite for families exploring the coast.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Scenic beach with a lagoon and nature trails, great for tide pooling and bird watching with kids.
Manhattan Beach
Family-friendly South Bay beach with a pier, playground, and calm waters for younger kids.
Mission Beach
Lively beach with a boardwalk connecting to Belmont Park, bike rentals, and beach volleyball courts.
Santa Monica State Beach
Wide sandy beach adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park, a classic family beach day spot.
Boating
2 listed
Marina del Rey Boat Rentals
Kayak, paddleboard, and small boat rentals along the calm waters of Marina del Rey.
Mission Bay Aquatic Center
Sailing, kayaking, and paddleboard lessons and rentals on the protected waters of Mission Bay.
Botanical Gardens
3 listed
Descanso Gardens
Camellia forest, rose garden, and seasonal events, a peaceful spot for a family walk.
San Diego Botanic Garden
Includes a dedicated children's garden with a tree house, train exhibit, and interactive play areas.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Beautiful themed gardens including a Japanese garden and desert garden, plus a children's garden.
Farms & Petting Zoos
2 listedTanaka Farms
Farm tours, U-pick produce, and a market, with seasonal strawberry and pumpkin picking events.
Underwood Family Farms
U-pick produce, farm animals, and seasonal pumpkin patch/corn maze events for families.
Fishing
3 listed
Marina del Rey Sportfishing
Half-day and full-day sportfishing boat charters departing from Marina del Rey.
Mission Bay Sportfishing
Sportfishing charters and whale watching trips departing from Mission Bay, popular for family outings.
Redondo Beach Pier Fishing
No license required to fish off the pier — a fun, easy outing for families with younger kids.
Lakes
2 listedEcho Park Lake
Historic lake near downtown LA with lotus flowers, paddle boats, and a walking path around the perimeter.
Lake Balboa
Scenic lake in the San Fernando Valley with paved walking paths, fishing, and paddle boat rentals.
Miniature Golf
2 listed
Camelot Golfland
Mini golf courses, go-karts, and an arcade, located near Disneyland in Anaheim.
Pirate's Cove Mini Golf
Pirate-themed miniature golf course with waterfalls and caves, a fun stop for families.
Parks & Playgrounds
4 listedBalboa Park
Sprawling urban park home to the San Diego Zoo, multiple museums, gardens, and a carousel.
Exposition Park
Home to the Science Center, Natural History Museum, and a rose garden, all walkable from one parking area.
Griffith Park
Massive park home to the LA Zoo, Griffith Observatory, a historic carousel, pony rides, and miles of trails.
Mission Bay Park
Largest man-made aquatic park in the country, with playgrounds, bike paths, and calm water for kids.
Skiing & Snow
2 listed
Big Bear Mountain Resort
Popular mountain resort about two hours from LA with skiing, snowboarding, and a dedicated kids' area.
Mountain High Resort
Closest ski resort to Los Angeles, about 90 minutes away, with skiing, snowboarding, and a tubing area for kids.
Walks & Hikes
6 listedGriffith Park Trails
One of the largest urban parks in the country, with trails for all levels and views of the Hollywood Sign.
La Jolla Coast Walk Trail
Easy, family-friendly walk along sandstone bluffs with views of sea lions and the La Jolla sea caves.
Runyon Canyon Park
Popular hiking spot with panoramic city views, dog-friendly trails of varying difficulty.
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Dramatic coastal cliffs with a paved and dirt path, a must-see spot for sunset views with the family.
Temescal Gateway Park
Family-friendly canyon hike leading to a seasonal waterfall, shaded by oak trees.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Coastal reserve with multiple trails ranging from easy to moderate, ending at the beach with stunning ocean views.
Zoos
3 listedLos Angeles Zoo
Located in Griffith Park, home to animals from around the world and a popular carousel ride nearby.
San Diego Zoo
World-renowned zoo in Balboa Park with thousands of animals and an aerial tram for views over the grounds.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Expansive safari-style park with caravan safari tours and free-roaming animal habitats.
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