17 Places – Other Than Disneyland – Your Kiddos Should Experience Near Los Angeles

Bonus: Some of these spots are 100% FREE.

If you are thinking of taking a family vacation to Los Angeles, the first thing that probably pops into your head is Disneyland – which is great (we are not here to say not to visit the most magical place in the world) – we just want to share some other cool places worth experiencing if you come!

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Ready to take notes? Wonderful!

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1. The Warner Brothers Studios Tour is a great "Hollywood" experience for all ages.

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The tour is about two hours long and it takes you on the backlot of Warner Brothers, where you can see outdoor sets that have been used in movies and are still being used today. You also get to see cool things like the Central Perk set from Friends and a set from The Big Bang Theory. Online tickets are $69 for adults and $59 for kids.

2. Book a wine or giraffe hike at Malibu Wine Hikes where the kids can see up to 150 animals along the way.

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During both two-mile hikes, guests get to explore the 1,000 acre Saddlerock Ranch and vineyard in Malibu. You can expect to see llamas, alpacas, zebras, yaks, tortoises, a giraffe, and more. You can book a wine hike for $35 per person or the giraffe hikes for $65 per person.

3. If you came to enjoy the beach, Newport is the spot! Newport Dunes offers an inflatable waterpark, as well as paddle boarding, boat rides, and more.

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The resort features campsites for RV parking, as well as cottages for staying on the premises. In addition, they have movies on the beach, Duffy boat rentals, kayak/paddle boarding, and other kid-friendly activities available. They even have fire pits for a beach bonfire! You do not have to stay at the resort to enjoy the activities.

4. The Griffith Observatory is a FREE astrology center that offers a beautiful view of the city and the Hollywood sign.

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Inside you can purchase tickets to a show at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium theater. There is no charge for all the other fun things, like telescope gazing. Parking is limited, so it's best to get there early!

5. The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum features animals and plants that were trapped in the asphalt tar pits over 50,000 years ago.

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The tar pits are the only ice age fossil site in the world that's being actively excavated in the middle of a city. Over 100 excavations have been made at the tar pits since the early 1900s. Adults are $14 and kids are $6.

6. If you have kiddos that are 10 years or older, get them free tickets to the live taping of a show, like Fuller House.

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Other shows kids may want to see include Disney's Just Roll With It and America's Funniest Home Videos. Be sure to check each show's age restrictions before booking. Tickets sell out very quickly, so it is recommended you book early!

7. Universal Studios is a theme park located alongside a fun shopping and dinning center called the Universal City Walk.

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Universal Studios recently opened a new Jurassic World ride, and they have several other motion-simulated rides. The park turns into Whoville at Christmas time, featuring The Grinch! Be sure to stop by Harry Potter World or Krustyland from The Simpsons as well. Tickets vary in price, to learn more you can visit their website.

8. Visit and explore the Queen Mary — a British ocean liner that sailed the seas from 1936-1967 — that is now permanently moored in Long Beach.

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The Queen Mary is known as the most elegant and technologically-advanced ocean liner of her time. The ship is docked in Long Beach and gets decked out during the holiday season, including an outdoor skating rink next to the ship. You can also stay aboard the Queen Mary. To learn more visit their website.

9. Or head to Orange County for some whale watching and fishing at Dana Point.

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You can take a two-hour, expect-guided tour to see whales, dolphins, and sea lions up close on the ocean. Adults are $49 and children are $29.

10. Enjoy a picnic at the lovely Echo Park Lake. You and your family can also cruise around the lake on their paddle boats.

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They offer daytime and nighttime rides. Adults are $11 and children are $6. There are also a lot of great dining places nearby, like Masa of Echo Park.

11. Go on a futuristic adventure at Dreamscape. You and your family will enter a walkable VR experience like none other.

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There are three different VR adventures to choose from in the Westfield Century City Mall (also a cool place to check out)! To learn more visit their website.

12. Stop by the El Capitan Theater (also where the Jimmy Kimmel Show is filmed) to see a movie. It is located right across the street from the Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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The El Captian Theater has a lot of interesting history to learn about and it doubles as an actual movie theater. It is also near Ripley's Believe It Or Not and Hollywood Wax Museum.

13. If your kids love roller coasters, Six Flags Magic Mountain is a place they will love. Or, for some water fun, you can visit Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.

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Located north of Hollywood, this amusement park is great for older children. Prices vary, visit their website for ticket information.

14. Take in some nature and beauty at the Descanso Gardens.

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Entrance into the Descanso Gardens is $9 for adults and $4 for children. Also located in Pasadena – and worth checking out – are the Rose Bowl and the Kidspace Museum. The Rose Bowl offers a flea market on the second Sunday of every month.

15. The Santa Monica Pier is full of shops, live music, and a full-blown carnival – not to mention great views and direct access to the beach.

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The Santa Monica Pier is a touristy hot spot worth seeing, however, it can get very crowded – so we suggest you plan accordingly. There are shops and restaurants near the pier or you can walk down and spend the day at the Santa Monica beach.

16. The Grove LA is an upscale, outdoor shopping mall attached to the city's original farmer's market.

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The atmosphere of the Grove is simply lovely. Your kids can ride the free trolley down the strip of shops and you can get all your shopping done there. The farmer's market is definitely worth checking out as well because they have so many dining options, fresh fruits, and treats.

17. And, lastly, one more theme park option (besides Disneyland!) is Knott's Berry Farm or Knott's Soak City.

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The park puts on fun shows, has a sistering waterpark, and is probably a lot less crowded than Disneyland. Prices to enter vary, you can visit their website for more information.