Los Angeles
Laidback and glamorous, Los Angeles is a supermodel city on the very edge of California's coastline ideal for a luxury family holiday. Of course, there’s the 25 miles of beaches, lush mountain ranges, fantastic food, museums galore and an average of 329 days of sun a year. But, splice all that good stuff alongside plush hotels, the likes of Disneyland, LA Zoo and The California Science centre and it’s easy to see why families are instantly won over by so-called “La La Land.” If you have time to really stay and play we highly recommend hiring a car after exploring LA's offerings and driving north along the Pacific Coast Highway, by far one of the world's greatest drives.
The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
An iconic grand dame of an LA property, the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is a luxury, family-friendly hotel with unparalleled style.
The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is one of those rare hotels that manages to combine old school Hollywood glamour with all the trappings of a modern day, contemporary, and very luxurious hotel. An iconic property in the heart of the much sought after Beverly Hills area, the Four Seasons is a large but...
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The Peninsula Beverly Hills
The Peninsula Beverly Hills takes luxury to a new level with its residential feel, eye-wateringly beautiful interiors and first class customer service.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills is one of those hotels that leaves you wondering what on earth you ever did to deserve such a spoiling stay. From the moment you walk into to the lobby - adjacent to the hotel's sitting room where delightful tea is served every day - you'll be blown away by the immaculate level of service,...
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The Langham Huntington
A glorious, very family-friendly luxury hotel in the idyllic Pasadena area of Los Angeles, the Langham Huntington makes for a memorable stay.
Located in the stunning and very picturesque area of Pasadena, The Langham Huntington is a perfect, very luxurious family-friendly hotel. A far cry from the tattoo parlours and edgy bars of West Hollywood, the area is defined by large, sweeping avenues, enormous and very beautiful homes, lovely local eateries and...
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Hotel Casa del Mar
This waterfront Santa Monica gem overlooks the ferris wheel, the beach and miles of ocean.
Located right on the water’s edge in Santa Monica, Hotel Casa del Mar has been designed to ensure you see the sea as much as possible when inside this glorious beachfront hotel. Windows sit floor-to-ceiling throughout the bedrooms and the restaurant is designed to ensure most seats have an ocean view, too. Located...
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L’Ermitage Beverly Hills
A boutique home from home with a fabulous rooftop pool and exceptional service.
L'Ermitage Beverly Hills promotes itself for its unquestioning discretion, making it a boutique base for stars from across the globe when staying in Los Angeles. It is set on a quiet tree-lined residential street and is designed very much as a home from home, but it’s still just a short hop from all of LA’s...
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Oceana Beach Club Hotel
You’ll find stylish digs and sea breezes at Oceana Beach Club Hotel in Santa Monica.
The carefree vibe and sunny décor of the surf side Oceana Beach Club hotel will wind-down even the most airport-frazzled family. You’re also in the heart of Santa Monica, one of most pedestrianised, picturesque parts of LA. The pier with its Ferris wheel and ice cream shops is a flip-flop stroll...
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Mr. C Beverly Hills
Mr. C Beverly Hills boasts venetian-style hospitality in the Hollywood hills.
The 2011 opening of Mr. C Beverly Hills from the Cipriani Brothers (great grandsons to Giuseppe Cipriani who opened Harry's Bar in 1913) lives up to its lofty heritage. Children are greeted on arrival with pulpy virgin Bellini’s (adults get the alcoholic variety) and each of the 137 rooms is extremely decadent with...
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Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills
With children's spa treatments, private poolside cabanas and two culinary hotspots, the Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills ticks all the boxes for a family-friendly luxury LA stay.
Located on Wilshire Boulevard just a hop from the retail Mecca that is Rodeo Drive resides the landmark LA hotspot, The Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills. Craving a super central LA hotel? Check. With a Michelin-starred restaurant included? Check. And not forgetting the superior excellence of a Four Seasons’ spa?...
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Hotel Bel-Air
Hollywood 1950's glamour collides with family-friendly delights at LA classic, the Hotel Bel-Air, home of the infamous Swan Lake.
A vintage Los Angeles institution, the Hotel Bel-Air is an excellent family-friendly option in the city of angels. With a newly glowing façade thanks to a massive recent renovation the hotel is now offering, amongst other goodies, the wonderful “Bel-Air basket.” A picnic basket designed by Wolfgang Puck himself...
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The Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel is a pink palace with a resort vibe.
The trappings of LA’s glamorous history are in abundance in the enticing 208-room Beverly Hills Hotel, which first opened its doors in 1912. The setting, spread around 12 acres of tropical gardens, with tennis courts and a palm tree-lined swimming pool offers families bags of room to relax. And, of course, the 90210...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »The Farm Beverly Hills
439 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.
The Farm Beverly Hills is a delightful and friendly restaurant so shabby chic in decor and relaxed in ambience one wonders if they’ve been transported miles from the high end retail boutiques that surround this gorgeous eatery near Rodeo Drive. Literally a stone’s throw from ever designer label store on the infamous shopping strip, this wonderful and very family-friendly restaurant serves innovative American cuisine and lots of classics too with a charming and well thought out kids’ menu. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Hugo’s
12851 Riverside Drive, Studio City
It makes perfect sense that this LA staple, Hugo’s, is a firm favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow and her brood. Healthy, vegetarian and gluten-free options are in abundance and all delicious. Plus you can relax; the easygoing vibe insures no grumpy stares when your toddler starts making airplanes with her tofu burger. Plus, the kid’s menu really is impressive, containing sure-fire hits like burgers and fries vying against flavorful grilled chicken breasts, buttery potato mash and chunky carrots.
Huckleberry Cafe
1014 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica
This bustling café, Huckleberry Cafe, is run by talented husband and wife team Zoe Nathan and Josh Loe, and it rarely has an empty seat. Cracking good breads and pastries (Nathan earned her baking chops at infamous San Fran-based Tartine) are dished up alongside wholesome bowls such as Lentil Ragu with Poached Eggs, Swiss Chard and Feta. Blackboard menus, pale wood cabinets and jaunty red iron chairs complete the chic farmhouse vibe. It’s a great spot regardless of the time of day, but the Thursday night three-course family dinners are a real highlight (kids under 13 eat for half price and under 5’s for free).
Beachy Cream
1209 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica
The creation of a mother, daughter, best friend team, the 1950’s surf-inspired parlor, Beachy Cream, has built up a cult following. Of course the ever-changing 12 flavors of ice cream on offer are always of the small batch, 100% organic variety (as are the topping and cones). But it’s the plump ice-cream sandwiches – bearing names like Strawberry Surfer Girl and Key Lime Cowabunga – that really steal the show.
800 Degrees Pizza
10889 Lindbrook Drove, West Hollywood
Neapolitan-style pizzas, served blisteringly hot from 800-degree ovens, provide a roaring trade at this West Hollywood newcomer. Little diners will adore lining up to bespoke their pie with toppings like Ricotta, Peppadews and Bacon Marmalade, not to mention the DIY soda fountain, which can concoct no less than 300 different type of fizz.
LA hotspots
First up there are the neighborhoods that offer the ideal setting to just soak up the Cali vibe: get a taste of old LA on Olvera Street which always feels as though it’s midway through carnival; Santa Monica’s family-friendly beach is heaven for a bucket and spade day; Venice Beach’s Ocean Front Walk is a great spot to observe everything from skateboard tricks to dogs in tutus.
The Getty
Families get in free to The Getty where they can play “The Getty Art Detective” and do brilliant self-guided audio tours made specifically for families.
LA Classics
For pure unadulterated fun you cant go wrong with Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags California Universal Studios Hollywood.
Giggles 'n' Hugs
Giggles ‘n’ Hugs could fall under our “where to eat” section but it’s more than just a family-friendly restaurant. Started by parents of a picky eater, this fabulous eatery which sits on the westside of the Century City Shopping Centre with a menu which can be ordered in adult or child-size portions. Veggies can be pureed for babies, those who only eat Mac and cheese needn’t know theirs has cauliflower and squash slipped into the sauce, and there is a huge play area. It has a play dough centre, arts and crafts, make-up and dress-up areas, a train table, play houses and a play kitchen, and a Wii for older kids. They also organise special family nights that include fun extras like balloon artists, karaoke and dancing.
Los Angeles Zoo
We recommend getting to LA zoo early in the day as the temperatures soar by lunchtime and it involves a lot of walking. But it’s fabulous. The animals are given plenty of free reign to roam, and there is a delightful children’s zoo where little ones can brush goats,hold rabbits and toddle amongst some lovely exhibits. It is open every day except Christmas form 10am – pm but animals start to be put away at 4pm.
The California Science Center and The Natural History Museum
Places that’ll occupy entire days are in abundance. The California Science Center and The Natural History Museum sit side by side and both manage to entertain whilst (whisper it!) teaching little ones reams. There are lots of free exhibits throughout both and endless temporary shows that pass through.
Winnick Family Children's zoo
There’s also the excellent Winnick Family Children’s Zoo with pop up bubbles for spying prairie dogs, a petting area and overnight stays.
The Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific is a fabulous way for children to explore the world’s largest ocean just along California’s own Long Beach. There are more than 12,500 animals to meet on-site and kids can even touch a shark lagoon. There are often new temporary exhibitions on show and a fantastic behind-the-scenes tour.
Griffith Park Pony and Wagon Rides
Designed to help children get on a pony from even the toddler stage, The Griffith Park Pony and Wagon Rides on Crystal Springs Drive near Los Feliz Boulevard is fabulous. It is located right next to a lovely picnic area in Griffith Park and a sort of merry-go-round contraption keeps ponies going in a small circle so younger children won’t get any frights.
Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits
Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits are a fantastic option for kids who adore fossils and history. Rancho La Brea, which is located in the heart of LA on Wilshire Boulevard, is one of the world’s most famous fossil localities, with one of the largest assemblages of extinct Ice Age plants and animals. Visitors can learn all about how LA would have been between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago and, through windows in the museum, children will delight in seeing the bones cleaned and repaired.
About
Dial 911 for emergencies. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has a reputation as one of the top child-dedicated hospitals in the entire US. (001 323-660-2450. Other highly rated options are UCLA Medical Center (001 310 825 9111) and Cedars-Sinai (001 310 423 3277).
When to go
Summer is the heaven-sent time to head LA-way. Temperatures average 80’s in the day and 70’s during the night and blue-sky days are the norm. The shoulder seasons – March to April and October to November can be a pretty good bet too (especially if you do better in less hot climes) but it can be showery in the spring and blustery in the fall (thanks to the Santa Ana winds).
Currency
American Dollar
Language
English