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| | California | Los Angeles | |||
| Downtown Los Angeles | |||
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Downtown is the oldest section of Los Angeles. In 1769, Father Juan Crespi named the Los Angeles River, "el Rio de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula." Settlers from Mexico established "el Pueblo de Los Angeles" in the downtown area, which grew into "the city of angels." Exploring downtown Los Angeles with kids, you'll get a taste of different ethnic neighborhoods and the history of this major metropolis. |
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Olvera Street (El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument) – Walk down the streets of this Mexican marketplace, named for Agustin Olvera, the first county judge of Los Angeles. In the Avila Adobe, the oldest house in Los Angeles, you can see what life was like in Los Angeles around 1840 – kitchen, dining and living quarters (lovely canopied bed). At Sepulveda House (also the Visitor Center), get a taste of Los Angeles lifestyle at the end the 19th century. At the Firehouse Museum, check out the old-fashioned hoses and fire-fighting equipment. | |
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Sample Mexican food at Olvera Street restaurants and snack stands – tacos, enchiladas, pastries ("churros") and candy. On weekends, there is live music, mariachi bands and folklorico performances. Throughout the year there are special events, such as the blessing of the animals at Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Day of the Dead (Nov. 1 and 2), and a parade at Christmas. Pick up souvenirs of Mexico – big sombreros, maracas, ponchos, ceramic animals. | ||
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Union Station – Close to Olvera Street is Union Station, once the gateway for the Acheson, Topeka and Santa Fe, Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Railways. Today, Union Station has been beautifully restored, and is the terminus for the Metro Red Line subway. On the Red Line, take a ride to Hollywood and Vine or Universal City (save on parking and the ride is fun). |
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| If you want the excitement of boarding a train in this grand old station, take Amtrak for a day trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano. For a longer trip, the train goes to San Diego and Santa Barbara; the track goes right along the coast and you get the superb views of the parkling Pacific Ocean. | |||
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Los Angeles Public Library (Central Library) – The LA Public Library is something special, not just the huge rotunda with a gigantic chandelier, but especially the Children's Room. Gleaming wall murals depict scenes from California history – Cabrillo landing at Catalina Island, early explorers of California, fiestas at the Spanish missions, the discovery of gold. The library also has a good program of kid's events. Click here for the schedule. | |
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Bunker Hill Steps – Across from the Central Libray, hop up Bunker Hill Steps, reminiscent of the Spanish Steps in Rome. Feel free to dabble your hands in the water that cascades down the 103 steps. At the top, there's a great view of the glittering pyramidal dome of the Central Library. Kids might want to run up and down the steps a couple of times. | |
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Wells Fargo History Museum (333 South Grand) – In the mid 19th century, Wells Fargo stagecoaches carried passengers, treasure boxes (filled with gold) and mail throughout the West. Los Angeles was an important stop, as business flowed between Los Angeles and Northern California. In the museum, you'll see crusty gold nuggets, gold scales, strong boxes, and a stagecoach. Try your hand sending messages in Morse code on a telegraph key. The museum is free and open Monday to Friday. | ||
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Watercourt at California Plaza – Grab a sandwich and sit out by the fountains at the Watercourt, a stunning display of water. Fun for kids to splash in the water and especially pleasant on a hot day. On weekends there are often free music and dance performances. | ||
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Chinatown – Head to Chinatown for lunch. Chinese restaurants are perfect for families. At dim sum restaurants, pick the dishes you like as they come by (even picky eaters like a barbque pork bun), and the ambiance is pleasantly noisy. The Empress Pavilion is a family favorite. | |
| According to urban legends, Los Angeles (along with San Francisco) is credited with the invention of the fortune cookie. David Jung, a baker from Canton, started making the cookies around 1920; they were so popular, his Hong Kong Noodle Company made 3,000 cookies an hour! Stop into the Phoenix Bakery on North Broadway at Bamboo Lane for fortune cookies and Chinese sweets. | |||
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Little Tokyo – Another fun spot to eat and stroll is Little Tokyo, a mostly-pedestrian neighborhood with shops and restaurants. There are plenty of restaurants with steaming noodles, gyoza (dumplings) and sushi. Don't worry what's on the menu – most restaurants have a display of plastic food. | |
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Otani Hotel Gardens – Explore the exquisite Japanese garden, a
waterfall and streams, stone lanterns and plantings for each season. |
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| Japanese
American National Museum – The second Sunday of each month, the
JANM has arts, crafts and workshops for the whole family. Celebrate arts
of spring, special projects for Mother's Day, how to fold origami, seasonal
projects for every month of the year. |
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Exposition Park (South of the 10 freeway, west of the 110) – Exposition Park has some great museums, and a glorious Rose Garden. Bring a picnic (a picnic area has tables). In the Rose Garden there are benches and open spaces to run around. |
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| California
Science Center – The newly renovated California Science Center
is a hands-on museum that encourages kids to experience science. In the World of Life Gallery, travel through the Life Tunnel to find out
what you have in common with an amoeba, watch a real digestive tract in
action at the Digestion Diner, check out a cat, fish or monkey brain in
Brains on Parade. Ride a bicycle on a high-wire cable, a safe and
unforgettable experience! (And, makes you wonder how it works.) Each section
of the museum has a Discovery Room, designed for little kids. |
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| Catch
a movie at the IMAX Theater. Voyage into the natural wonders of oceans,
mountains, caves and animal life on the largest movie screen in Los Angeles. |
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| Natural
History Museum of Los Angeles County – Start with the Dinosaur
exhibit where you can see an actual T-Rex skull and other skeletons.
The Hall of Native American Cultures features a replica of a Pueblo
cliff dwelling, and collections beautiful beadwork and jewelry. In the North
American Mammal Hall, large dioramas show animals in their natural habitats
(don't miss the Grizzly bear or bison grazing). For local color, get a whiff
of chaparral (grows in the hills around LA) in the Chaparral exhibit
or find out what lives in the water off the California coasts in the Marine
Hall. Don't miss all the gobs of gold in the Gem and Mineral
Hall. The Discovery Center (fossil rubbings) and Insect Zoo (live insects) is perfect for little kids. |
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