SoCal Nature Kids Guide to LA County

Los Angeles is more than just traffic and buildings

There's so much outdoor fun available in LA! It's easy to view LA as simply a crowded, traffic-filled area full of buildings and freeways... but it's so much more, with the beach, parks, nature areas, mountains, hikes, zoos, and more available year-round!

Los Angeles holds a special place in my own heart because I grew up near the LA Harbor in San Pedro. Although I loved seeing nearly daily views of Catalina Island and exploring places like the tide pools, Mt. Baldy, and the California Science Center, it wasn't until adulthood that I realized how much nature abounds in LA County. You could spend your entire life here and not see it all.

As a mom, we spent two years living in Pasadena, and I loved being able to take my four little ones to explore the Huntington Gardens down the street, or into downtown LA to explore the LA Central Library and Olvera Street on family adventures.

My favorite resource for exploring nature in LA

I highly recommend the book Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature In and Around Los Angeles for any family exploring the Los Angeles area. There’s loads of info about nature, local animals, and then 25 “field trip” guides for LA County locations with tips, photos, and more about those places. (I've heard from families who make it a goal to visit all 25!)

Places to Go with Your Kids in LA County

Looking for a nature area to explore with your family in Los Angeles County? Here are some family-friendly places you might enjoy!

West Side LA Nature Areas:

  • Malibu Creek State Park

  • Placerita Canyon (near Sylmar)

  • Wildlife Learning Center (Sylmar)

  • Topanga State Park

  • Vasquez Rocks (Agua Dulce)

  • Chatsworth Oaks Park

  • Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve

  • Leo Carillo State Beach (Malibu)

  • Getty Villa (Malibu)

  • Zuma Beach

San Fernando Valley:

Antelope Valley:

Santa Clarita Valley:

Central LA:

  • Griffith Park:

    • Mt. Hollywood

    • Old LA Zoo Trail

    • Autry Museum

    • LA Zoo

    • Griffith Observatory

    • Bronson Canyon Trail (HW Sign + Batcaves)

  • Ballona Discovery Park and Wetlands (Playa del Rey)

  • Kenneth Hahn Park (Culver City)

  • Natural History Museum/Gardens

  • California Science Center

  • Franklin Canyon Park (Beverly Hills)

  • La Brea Tar Pits park

  • LA River at Frogtown

  • Debs Regional Park

  • Heritage Square Museum (downtown)

  • Magic Johnson Park (South LA)

  • Alondra Park (Gardena)

  • Getty Center

  • Paradise Cove Beach

  • El Matador Beach

  • Lechuza Beach

  • Playa del Rey Beach

San Gabriel Valley:

  • Rose Bowl Loop (Pasadena)

  • Eaton Canyon (Pasadena)

  • Millard Falls (Altadena)

  • Huntington Gardens (Pasadena)

  • KidSpace Museum (Pasadena)

  • LA Arboretum (Arcadia)

  • Lacy Park (San Marino)

  • Bonelli Regional Park (San Dimas)

  • Lewis Falls (Azusa)

  • Hahamongna Watershed Park (Pasadena)

  • Arlington Garden (Pasadena)

  • California Botanic Garden (Claremont)

  • Descanso Gardens (La Canada)

  • San Dimas Canyon Natural Area

  • Chantry Flat/Sturdivant Falls (Arcadia) - strenuous

  • Switzer Falls (Altadena)

  • Heritage Park/Marshall Canyon Trail (LaVerne)

  • Mt. Baldy/Ice House Canyon (strenuous)

  • Charlton Flats (Falling Springs)

  • Whittier Narrows Recreation Area

  • Powder Canyon (La Habra)

South Bay:

  • Hopkins Wilderness Park (Redondo Beach)

  • Tide Pools, Point Fermin, Korean Bell (San Pedro)

  • Friendship Park + Averill Park (San Pedro)

  • Cabrillo Aquarium (San Pedro)

  • Point Vicente Park (Palos Verdes)

  • South Coast Botanic Gardens (Palos Verdes)

  • Catalina Island

  • Redondo Beach Pier

  • Seaside lagoon

Long Beach and Gateway Cities:

  • El Dorado Nature Center (Long Beach)

  • Rancho Los Cerritos (Long Beach)

  • Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)

  • Rancho Los Alamitos Gardens (Long Beach)

  • Alamitos Bay Beach 💦

  • Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden CSULB