THE INGERSOLL FAMILY
Great beaches and phenomenal weather are the obvious reasons to visit Los Angeles. But the City of Angels has a lot more to offer than sun and sand. As an adventurous family with two little kids, we love exploring L.A.'s celebrated attractions as well as its hidden gems. To keep outings fun, we try to cluster activities in one area, so we can spend time at our destinations, not trying to get to them.
SANTA MONICA PIER AND BEACH, SANTA MONICAThe landmark pier has something for all ages: a roller coaster, kiddie rides, carnival games, kitschy shops, and easy access to the beach (310-458-8900; santamonicapier.org). We like renting bikes (try Blazing Saddles on the pier; 310-393-9778) to cruise the paved oceanfront path.
When you need a break from the beach, walk a few blocks inland to the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian mall (thirdstreetpromenade.org). If the shore near the pier is packed, drive south on the Pacific Coast Highway to parking lots South 4 or 5 ($6 daily),where you'll find fewer people and great views of Malibu and the pier.
EXPOSITION PARK, DOWNTOWN L.A.
Families can visit two fantastic museums within easy walking distance of each other at this popular cultural park. The California ScienCenter is filled with hands-on activities, including solar car races and digital rock-band sessions. But we mainly hang out in the kids' Discovery Rooms or in the Air and Space Gallery, where Luke likes to climb into the cockpit of a retired police helicopter, and we all enjoy trying on airfoil wings in the wind tunnel (admission free, $5 donation requested; 323-724-3623; californiasciencecenter.org). The Natural History Museum has many exciting things to offer, from dinosaur skeletons to live tarantulas ($9 for adults, $2 for kids ages 6 to 17; 213-763-3466; nhm.org). We also like to picnic on the benches behind the ScienCenter and play hide-and-seek in the nearby rose gardens.
EL CAPITAN THEATRE, HOLLYWOOD
Seeing a movie at this restored 1920s theater is an extravagant event. It's owned by The Walt Disney Company (as is FamilyFun), so sometimes there are props from Disney movies on display and a live preshow. On our last visit, Luke marveled as 15 Disney characters sang and danced across the stage (ticket prices vary; 800-347-6396; disney.go.com/DisneyPictures/el_capitan). To complete the experience, head across the street and touch the famous handprints of Hollywood stars in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
MASHTI MALONE'S ICE CREAM, HOLLYWOOD
Our favorite ice-cream shop is off the beaten path, but it's definitely worth the trip. We almost always opt for peanut butter ice cream, but you can also get classic flavors or try one of their signature scoops, such as pomegranate and orange blossom (cones from $2.75; 866-767-3423; mashtimalone.com).
WILDFLOUR PIZZA, SANTA MONICA
Visitors and locals alike enjoy the patio atmosphere and thin-crust pies at this quaint yellow eatery just two blocks from the beach (slices from $2.50; pizzas from $10; 310-392-3300).
