Growing up in Sydney, I was immersed in the “beach culture,” which is one of the many reasons that I enjoy Los Angeles so much. I have not had the opportunity to visit Los Angeles with my children, but I am looking forward to the day when I can experience one of my favorite cities with my family. I enjoy L.A. so much that I would love to explore the possibility of expanding Citibabes on the West Coast.
Thanks to CitiScoop’s travel expert, Christina Ohly Evans, you now have an “Inside Scoop” to the City of Angels. Enjoy reading about these amazing places to eat, play, shop, and stay with your little ones. Don’t forget to send us a postcard and tell us all about your Los Angeles adventures!
- Tracey Frost Rensky, CEO and Co-founder, Citibabes
Santa Monica Beach
With near perfect weather and easy direct flights from all over the globe, Los Angeles offers the perfect escape for parents and children of all ages...
EAT:
Huckleberry: This happy, bustling cafe on Wilshire Boulevard is a delight for parents and kids alike. Check out the enormous chalkboards for specials that change daily, or opt for one of their tried and true breakfast specialties: Green Eggs & Ham (with La Quercia prosciutto, pesto & arugula on an English muffin), homemade Valrhona Chocolate Croissants, or Niman Ranch maple-bacon Biscuits which melt in the mouth. Lunch and dinner options include Deck Oven Pizzas, amazing salads and sandwiches on freshly-baked multigrain baguettes, as well as free-range rotisserie chicken. A special kids menu features everything from a turkey sandwich with cheddar and aioli on country bread to a half a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich. Huckleberry is the perfect spot for a casual bite or a great place to gather a picnic for the nearby beach.
Ivy by the Shore: (1535 Ocean Avenue, 310-393-3113) Located in the heart of Santa Monica, this dining institution will please all palates. From enormous plates of pasta to wood-fired pizzas to chopped salads made with the freshest California produce, everyone will enjoy the people-watching and hearty portions. Ask to be seated on the glassed-in porch for natural light and distant views of the Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier.
Pizzeria Mozza: The latest, greatest pizza restaurant by celeb-chefs, Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton, this bustling space in Hollywood turns out the best Italian food outside of Naples. With a carefully guarded crust recipe, and using only the freshest cheeses, meats and vegetables, these pies are worth the wait. If possible, book ahead as crowds clamor for the antipasti, bruschette, and dolci at this lively spot.
A Votre Sante: Californians take their healthy eating seriously, and this long-time favorite wrote the book on organic produce, vegan specialties, and lighter fare. The difference here is the flavor: kids will love mounds of healthful nachos, Huevos Rancheros, and even desserts that you'll feel good (at least better) about them devouring. This is the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner, and is conveniently located next to the kid-friendly Brentwood Country Mart.
Brentwood Country Mart
Brentwood Country Mart: Kids will love lunch in the interior courtyard of this tasteful collection of shops and restaurants (don't dare call it a mall!). Feast on fresh fish tacos (from Frida Taqueria), heaping salads or a classic burgers-and-fries combo (Barney’s Burgers), followed by a special trip to the Mart's Sweet Rose Ice Cream shop. Communal picnic tables outside are fun, as are pony rides on weekends.
Sweet Rose Creamery
Blue Plate: Situated on busy Montana Avenue, this is the place for upscale versions of classic comfort foods. Breakfast is the best meal of the day and kids will delight in thick stacks of blueberry pancakes, Challah french toast, turkey bacon, and fresh fruit smoothies.
Cora's Coffee Shoppe: Breakfast is the deal at Cora’s and sitting under their bougainvillea-laden trellis is the perfect way to start any day. From rich coffees to baked goods to excellent egg frittatas, this is a great place to fuel up before a day spent biking along the beach between Santa Monica and Venice. Kids will love the beautiful patio setting and can roam freely until their food is served.
The Fountain Coffee Room at the Beverly Hills Hotel: For a taste of old school Hollywood, hit the pink stucco Beverly Hills Hotel and head straight for the Soda Fountain which is tucked away on the lower level. Sit at the counter and order thick milkshakes and the best grilled cheese sandwiches in town. If time allows, have a classic McCarthy Salad (bibb lettuce, chicken, tomato, bacon, chopped egg, red beets, and cheddar cheese) at the poolside Cabana Café.
Yuca’s: Sometimes the simplest things are the best and the tasty tacos sold from this van are no exception. Set in a parking lot in the trendy Los Feliz neighborhood, you’ll love the fresh carne asada tacos and burritos, or you can order delicious hamburgers and hot dog for the less adventurous eater. Warm flour tortillas and fresh salsas make this taqueria worth the trip. Note: Yuca’s has received the coveted James Beard Award for its’ excellent cuisine – unheard of for a truck!
PLAY:
Santa Monica Pier: Yes, it’s slightly cheesy, but kids will love the arcade games, merry-go-round, and glittering ferris wheel that is lit up by night. Explore the area on bikes from Perry’s Café and Bike Rentals (there are trailers for smaller children) and pedal down to Venice Beach. You’ll find a wide cross-section of colorful acrobats, body-builders, and great lunch spots (the Rose Café & Market is always a hit with its sprawling patio and varied SoCal menu).
Getty Villa
Malibu: Hit the Malibu Country Mart, an outdoor mall-cum-playground, to pack a picnic before heading to one of Malibu’s fantastic beaches. John’s Garden Lunch & Sandwich shop is a great place to get freshly made wraps and salads, and kids can explore the central play space and giant sandbox while you wait. Visit the kid-friendly Getty Center and Villa with its stunning gardens, collections of Greek and Roman art, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean (reservations required).
Griffith Park: Let kids run free at this massive park that is home to the LA Zoo, a miniature train system, a 1926 merry-go-round, and playing fields galore. Families can rent bikes or opt for kid-sized pony rides around an oval track. Hit the Travel Town Museum for a bit of transport history, and be sure to pack a picnic for a leisurely afternoon.
Disneyland: Anaheim, CA is only 45 minutes from Los Angeles so this may be a good chance to experience the Disney "magic." This park is much smaller and more manageable than its Orlando, FL counterpart, and children will be entranced by such rides as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Cruise, It’s a Small world, and of course, the parades of characters down Main Street. Avoid weekends when possible, and go early as crowds build throughout the day.
Farmer's Market at The Grove: This is one of the oldest farmer's markets in the US and it features a wonderful array of foods from all over the world. Everyone can pick their favorite snack -- the perfect BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich) from Market Grill or a homemade cone from Bennett's Ice Cream -- before taking a ride on a vintage trolley car or shopping at nearby Sticker Planet.
L.A. County Museum of Art: This mega-museum houses an enormous art collection (over 150,000 pieces) that works for parents and kids alike. There are interactive exhibits, Family Guides (activity cards to help navigate the museum), and Family Sundays that feature everything from artist-led workshops to making food-inspired artwork. Visit the bubbling La Brea Tar Pits, a pre-historic site next door, where you'll learn about life in LA during the last Ice Age.
SHOP:
Poppy
Poppy: Located in the Brentwood Country Mart, this sweet shop is filled with a carefully edited selection of play clothes and accessories for boys and girls alike. You’ll find clothing by Kule, Hable Construction, Caramel Baby and Child, as well as tiny Tretorn sneakers, and Ernest Sewn jeans. Kids will love playing on the small ride-on toys just outside the shop window while you browse.
Acorn (1220 5th St., Santa Monica, 310-451-5845): If you're looking for colorful wooden toys and creative playthings, then Acorn is your one-stop shop. Stock up on train sets, musical instruments, mobiles and more from across the globe. This is also the place to score a scooter which will come in handy on L.A.’s wide sidewalks and beach baths. Be sure to check out the dress-up area in the back of the shop where kids can don princess gowns and wizard garb.
Kip’s Toyland (Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323-939-8334): Explore floors bursting with retro toys of all kinds at this Farmer's Market favorite. The offerings here are classic -- stuffed animals, model airplanes, Gumby dolls, card games of all kinds -- and it's the perfect place to stock up on amusements for a long flight. Kip's offers the perfect antidote to today's Wii electronic game madness and you're guaranteed to find a great meal in the surrounding food stalls.
Fred Segal: No trip to L.A. is complete without a stop at hipper-than-hip Fred Segal. You'll find everything from petite Pumas to Billabong board shorts to California couture for parents. Kids will get a kick out of the loud music, the cafe within the store, and this colorful collection of boutiques under one roof.
STAY:
Fairmont Miramar Pool
Fairmont Miramar: Families will love bi-level bungalows at this hidden gem just off Ocean Boulevard in Santa Monica. The Miramar offers an oasis of calm complete with koi ponds and box turtles basking in the sun. Kids will make a bee-line for the pool, and parents can recharge in the Zen-like Exhale Spa. Close proximity to the Santa Monica Pier and the award-winning FIG Restaurant on premises are both pluses.
Hotel Casa Del Mar: More mellow than its sister property Shutters, Casa del Mar offers a beautiful pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Rooms tend to be small so opt for a Garden View room on the pool level if possible. The hotel restaurant, Catch, offers delicious sushi as well as regular fare with more sweeping water views. This one also offers proximity to the Pier, beach side playgrounds, and bike paths.
Beverly Hills Hotel: This is old Hollywood glamour at its best. If possible, nest in one of the BHH's famed Bungalows, where kids are treated like royalty (plush toys, robes, snacks galore) and you'll feel as though you're completely hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The enormous pool, complete with luxurious lounge chairs, cabanas, and underwater music, is a child's paradise.
By Christina Ohly Evans, CitiScoop's Travel Expert