Los Angeles with kids under ten is a different city than the one you see in movies. The key is knowing which parts actually work for young children and which ones eat up your 48 hours with nothing but car time. This plan sticks to three areas where kids can run, touch, ride, and stare—without a single meltdown over traffic.
Kid-Approved Beach + Parks + Museums
Los Angeles has 131 kid-friendly activities rated for ages 6–10 and 102 for ages 0–5, according to Kidworthy data. That means your under-ten crew has plenty of options. The catch is the same one every LA parent warns about: the city is sprawling, and traffic turns a 15-mile drive into an hour-long ordeal. Grouping activities by neighborhood is the only way to make 48 hours work.
Day 1: The Westside—Beach, Pier, and a Hilltop Museum
Start on the Westside so your first morning is calm and coastal. Mornings in Santa Monica are cooler and quieter, and the neighborhood is walkable at its best.
Morning: Santa Monica Pier and Beach
The Santa Monica Pier gives you the classic LA beach experience in one compact stop. Pacific Park on the pier has rides, a Ferris wheel, and food with ocean views. The beach itself gives kids room to run and burn energy. One source warns not to underestimate how long you can spend here—a quick beach stop often turns into half a day. That is exactly what you want with a 48-hour clock.
For coffee before you hit the sand, Alfred Coffee has a Venice location and is known for its “but first, coffee” catchphrase, pastries, and breakfast burritos. Blue Bottle Coffee and Philz Coffee are other solid options along the beach path.
Late Morning to Early Afternoon: The Getty Center
From Santa Monica, head to the Getty Center, perched above the city near the Santa Monica Mountains. The tram ride up the hill is half the fun for kids—it feels like a mini attraction before you even reach the museum. Admission is free; parking is the only cost. Entry times should be reserved online in advance.
The Getty works for a range of ages. Kidworthy lists it as suitable for ages 0–5 and 6–10. Younger visitors can participate in family-focused activities. Teens enjoy the photo backdrops. The Central Garden has a water element, winding paths, and seasonal plant displays that kids naturally want to explore. Give yourself several hours rather than trying to squeeze this into a quick stop.
Afternoon and Evening: Beach Time and Sunset
Head back toward the coast for the rest of the afternoon. The Santa Monica Pier and beach area can easily fill the hours until sunset. For a change of scene, walk the beach path toward Venice to see the Venice Boardwalk, street performers, and the skate park. The bike path connecting Santa Monica and Venice is flat and easy for kids on rental bikes or scooters.
Dinner options along Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice include fish tacos, fresh poke bowls, wood-fired pizza, and California-style salads. For a more relaxed beachside meal, casual burger spots along the coast work well with tired kids.
Sunset at the Santa Monica Pier is the kind of moment that makes the whole trip feel worth it.
Day 2: Griffith Park, Fossils, and a Food Hall
Day two stays on the east side of the city. Griffith Park alone could fill an entire day for kids under ten.
Morning: Travel Town Museum and Griffith Park Railroad
Start at Travel Town Museum, a free, open-air sanctuary for train-obsessed kids. They can climb aboard vintage locomotives and ride a miniature train. It is one of the strongest kid-friendly attractions in the city for the under-ten set.
From there, the Griffith Park Railroad offers another short train ride. The park also has a carousel and an abandoned zoo that kids find fascinating. Ferndell is a shaded, easy hike that works for young legs. If you have energy for a bigger walk, the trail to the Hollywood Sign starts from Griffith Park, but start early to avoid heat.
Late Morning: Griffith Observatory
Perched atop Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory offers the absolute best views of the Hollywood Sign and the city. Admission to the building and grounds is free. Planetarium shows require a separate ticket. Visitors can explore astronomy exhibits, watch demonstrations, and look through public telescopes when conditions are right.
The observatory is listed as best for kids, tweens, and teens. The first Saturday of every month features a Star Party where budding astronomers can use freely available telescopes. Sunset from the observatory is iconic and free.
Afternoon: La Brea Tar Pits and The Grove
From Griffith Park, drive south to the Miracle Mile area. The La Brea Tar Pits are home to an incredible collection of Ice Age fossils, including mammoths and saber-toothed cats. Kids can see real paleontology in action—scientists are still making discoveries here. The bubbling tar pits are weird, fascinating, and a little gross, which is exactly what young kids love. This attraction is best for kids, dinosaur lovers, and curious tweens.
Right next door is The Grove, an outdoor shopping and entertainment destination. Combine it with the Original Farmers Market, which offers a variety of dining options that cater to all tastes. For kids, the Farmers Market is a sensory experience with food stalls, treats, and a lively atmosphere. The Grove also has a weekly Kids Club with puppet shows and story time.
Evening: Easy Dinner and Wind-Down
The Original Farmers Market has enough food variety that even picky eaters will find something. It stays open into the evening and is a low-stress way to end the day without another drive.
Where to Stay for a 48-Hour Trip
Where you stay determines how much time you spend in the car. For this itinerary, Santa Monica or the Westside gives you easy access to Day 1 activities and a reasonable drive to Griffith Park on Day 2. Santa Monica offers access to West LA—Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Venice, Malibu—within about 30 minutes to West Hollywood in good traffic.
For families flying into LAX, Redondo Beach is a good alternative. It gets you out of the airport area and onto the coast quickly. The Sonesta Redondo Beach and Marina has a waterfront location and rooftop pool that works as a home base.
If you prefer to stay closer to the Griffith Park side of the city, Los Feliz or Silver Lake puts you near the park and offers indie cafés, vintage shopping, and a “cool local” energy. These neighborhoods also have good food options and a more relaxed atmosphere than Hollywood or Beverly Hills.
What to Skip on a Short Trip with Kids Under Ten
A few popular LA attractions look tempting but will eat your limited time without delivering much for young kids. The Hollywood Walk of Fame can be covered in about an hour. The area is busy and chaotic. If you go, turn it into a scavenger hunt—have kids pick a few celebrity stars to find before you arrive. Do not plan half a day there.
Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive are not worth the drive for kids under ten. The shopping holds no interest for them, and the area is not set up for young children. Malibu is beautiful, but adding a drive out and back on a 48-hour trip means losing half a day to the road.
Multiple sources agree: do not try to include Beverly Hills, Malibu, Hollywood, Downtown, and the beach on the same day. LA is too big, and traffic is too unpredictable.
Los Angeles averages an effort score of 2.0 out of 4 (1 = just show up, 4 = heavy planning), with typical visits of about 2.3 hours per stop.
Practical Tips for 48 Hours with Kids
Renting a car is the most convenient way to get around, but plan around traffic. Avoid driving during morning and evening rush hours. Rideshare services are widely available and can save you the hassle of parking, but factor in pickup wait times.
Summer temperatures climb quickly, especially inland and during hikes. Carry water bottles and dress in layers—evenings near the coast can cool down significantly. LA style is relaxed; comfortable clothes and sneakers work almost everywhere during the day.
Make reservations early for popular restaurants, rooftop bars, and outdoor events, especially on summer weekends. Some free activities, such as the Getty Center, require advance reservation of entry times.
For a quick and affordable treat, Angel’s Flight in Downtown LA is a $2 funicular that connects Grand Park to South Hill Street. Grand Central Market is a short walk away and offers iconic LA eats in a historic food hall. The Grand Park splash pad is a fantastic way to cool off in summer heat.
- At the Getty Center, reserve entry times online in advance—parking fills up, and walk-up slots are not guaranteed.
- For Griffith Observatory, arrive early for sunset; parking fills fast, and the best light is gone by the time you find a spot.
- At La Brea Tar Pits, go in the morning when the tar is less warm and the crowds are thinner—kids can see the excavation pit up close before it gets busy.
Sources
Getty Center visit information. Getty Museum, 2026.
Griffith Observatory official site. Griffith Observatory, 2026.
Griffith Park trail and facility information. City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks, 2026.
The Grove shopping and events. The Grove, 2026.
