If you’re wondering “Is Los Angeles worth visiting with kids?” you’re not alone.
It’s one of the most common questions parents ask when planning a California road trip. LA is huge, busy, and spread out—so it can feel overwhelming before you even arrive.
We visited Los Angeles with two small children as part of a wider California road trip, and this is our honest experience, including our full family itinerary, what worked, what didn’t, and whether we think it’s actually worth it.
Driving Into Los Angeles: Malibu Coast & Santa Monica Pier with Kids
We drove into Los Angeles from San Luis Obispo, heading down the coast towards Anaheim, and our first real glimpse of LA was driving through Malibu.
This part of the drive really stuck with me. There were areas where you could still clearly see the impact of recent wildfire damage along the hillsides, which was quite sobering alongside what is otherwise such a beautiful stretch of coastline. It’s one of those moments that reminds you how much of California’s landscape is shaped by both beauty and resilience.
Despite that, it’s still one of the most scenic drives of the whole trip—long stretches of coastline, beaches, and those classic ocean views you picture when you think of California.
We then continued on to the iconic Santa Monica Pier.
If you’re arriving into Los Angeles with kids, this is a brilliant first stop. It feels lively and fun without being too overwhelming, and it’s an easy way to ease into the city after a longer drive day.
Tip for parents:
This stretch of the journey works really well as a “transition drive day” with naps in the car, especially if you’re moving between destinations like San Luis Obispo, LA and Anaheim.
Where We Stayed Near Disneyland (Anaheim with Kids)
We stayed in Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites just outside Disneyland in Anaheim. It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean, close, and perfect for what we needed: somewhere to sleep after long, full days.
If you’re planning Disneyland with kids, staying nearby makes a huge difference. You don’t want long commutes after a full day in the park and being walkable is an even bigger bonus - way easier than waiting for a shuttle.
Disneyland California with Small Kids: Our Honest Experience
No LA family trip is complete without Disneyland (even for us who aren't huge "disney people". We spent a full day in the park, and the key for us was keeping things simple.
Instead of trying to do everything, we:
- followed the kids’ energy
- prioritised rides with shorter queues
- took lots of breaks and snacks
- didn’t rush from area to area
And honestly, that made it so much more enjoyable.
One thing that genuinely made a huge difference for us was getting Lightning Lane. With a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, it was invaluable for cutting down queue times and avoiding those long waits that can quickly tip things from magical to meltdowns.
It does come at an extra cost, but compared to the price of tickets, it really felt like a drop in the ocean—and I would 100% recommend it if you can stretch to it. It just made the whole day feel smoother and far more manageable with little ones.
Bonus tip (this was a game changer):
We took it in turns to go back into Disneyland for a few hours in the evening once the kids were asleep. It meant we each still got time inside the park without the chaos—and it felt like a completely different experience. (Unbelievably this was my husbands suggestion who was anti-disney before the trip!).
What to Do in Los Angeles with Kids (Day Trip Itinerary)
After Disneyland, we headed into central Los Angeles to see some of the key family-friendly highlights.
Griffith Observatory with Kids
We started at Griffith Observatory, which was one of our favourite stops in LA. The views over the city are incredible, and it’s an easy win with kids because it doesn’t involve loads of walking or planning.
If you’re looking for things to do in Los Angeles with kids, this is one of the best low-effort, high-reward stops.
Hollywood Boulevard with Kids
Next up was Hollywood Boulevard.
It’s busy, chaotic, and very touristy—but still worth visiting once. The kids enjoyed spotting the stars on the pavement and just taking in the atmosphere.
We wouldn’t spend a full day here, but it works well as a short stop.
We stopped for lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, which was an easy, reliable option with kids. Sometimes in LA, simple dining wins—especially when everyone is tired and hungry.
Driving Through Beverly Hills with Kids (Best Nap-Time Activity)
One of the most useful things we did in Los Angeles was plan our driving around nap times. We drove through Beverly Hills while the kids slept in the car, which worked perfectly. My one tip is to make a note of what houses you want to try and see before you go - I spent too much time trying to figure out where to go.
Los Angeles Farmers Market: Easy Food Stop with Kids
Later in the day we visited the Original Farmers Market. This was a great stop for families—lots of food choices, casual atmosphere.
If you’re looking for where to eat in Los Angeles with kids, this is a really practical option.
Venice Beach with Kids
We finished our LA stay at Venice Beach, staying at Hotel Erwin.
Venice felt like a completely different side of LA—colourful, energetic, and full of character. We didn’t have a strict plan here. We just walked the boardwalk, spent time on the beach, and let the kids explore.
For a family trip, this slower pace was perfect after a busy few days.
On our final morning, we headed back to the beach one last time before flying home. No itinerary, no rushing—just sand, sea, and a bit of calm before the airport.
It felt like the perfect way to end our Los Angeles family trip.
Is Los Angeles Worth Visiting with Kids?
So, the big question: is Los Angeles worth it with kids?
Our honest answer is yes—but only if you go in with realistic expectations.
LA with kids is:
- a lot of driving
- lots of stopping and starting
- very little “relaxing in one place”
- but also full of big, memorable moments
The highlights for us were:
- Disneyland (obviously)
- Griffith Observatory views
- Venice Beach - so much going on to take in
- Santa Monica Pier fun
Tips for Visiting Los Angeles with Kids
If you’re planning a family trip to LA, here are our biggest takeaways:
- Don’t try to do too much in one day
- Use nap time for driving between areas
- Stay near Disneyland if visiting the parks
- Pick a mix of big sights and relaxed stops
- Build in downtime (LA is more tiring than it looks)
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