When you think of taking your kids to the park, what image comes to mind? When my boys were young, a “park” visit pretty much meant heading to our local playground for time on the play structure, in the sandbox or on the swings.
As the kids have grown, so has our definition of park time, which now includes visits to all sorts of outdoor places in Los Angeles. Turns out that a park visit can be just about anything your family wants it to be. Here is just a small sampling of different park experiences for LA families.
1. Hike to a waterfall.
Parks are great places for hikes. And the best hikes for kids are those that promise a fun destination, like a waterfall. Monrovia Falls and Solstice Canyon are popular with my kids.
2. Stop in at a nature center.
Nature centers can be a fun way to help kids familiarize themselves with the plants and animals in an area. Plus, you’re pretty much guaranteed the chance to touch, play and explore safely. Another nice thing about nature centers is that they usually feature family-friendly hiking trails right outside the doors. Here are a few to check out in Los Angeles:
- Audubon Center at Debs Park (Los Angeles)
- El Dorado Nature Center (Long Beach)
- Deana Dana Nature Center (San Pedro)
- Madrona Marsh Nature Center (Torrance)
- Monrovia Canyon Park (Monrovia)
- Sooky Goldman Nature Center (Franklin Canyon in Beverly Hills)
3. Play at the beach.
While you might not think of beaches as parks, many LA beaches are part of the California State Parks system. Explore tide pools at one of our favorite spots in Malibu – Leo Carrillo or El Matador. Or go for a hike along a beach trail like the one at Point Dume. Of course, the most fun is simply to splash and play at the shore!
4. Try a free, guided outdoor program.
Several organizations in LA offer free outdoor programs for families in a variety of settings. Go on a ranger-led hike, stargaze, discover more about local wildlife or attend a summertime campfire. Not only are these free events that get your family outside, they are hosted by people with lots of experience and expertise that you might not have.
5. Step back in time.
Many of the free, guided outdoor programs in LA introduce visitors to the rich history of Los Angeles parks. You can also discover these park extras on your own! A few fun places to explore:
- The “Batcave” from the 1960s campy television series, Batman, at the Bronson Caves in Griffith Park
- The original Los Angeles Zoo at the Old Zoo at Griffith Park
- Fossils galore at Red Rock Canyon in Topanga
- Former Hollywood sets at Malibu Creek State Park and Paramount Ranch in Malibu
- The Venice Canals – the ones right here in Los Angeles, that is!
6. Become a junior ranger.
I’m hoping you’re already familiar with the National Park Service’s junior ranger program, in which kids complete a series of activities during their park visit, get sworn in as Junior Rangers and receive an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and certificate. Here in Los Angeles, you can pick up your junior ranger activity book for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area at King Gillette Ranch in Malibu.
There are also several California State Parks that have their own Junior Ranger program. These tend to be more active during the summer months. Parks with junior ranger programs in Los Angeles include:
- Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
- Leo Carrillo State Park
- Malibu Creek State Park
- Pio Pico State Historic Park
- Will Rogers State Historic Park
Will you pledge to visit a park?
Please pledge to bring your kids to a park on #KidstoParksDay on May 21, 2016. We encourage you to visit www.kidstoparks.org and sign up so that your family can be counted in the national tally (it doesn’t have to be a National Park – and it doesn’t even have to be on the 21st). Prizes will be rewarded. Then, on May 21, families are encouraged to visit a park or recreation area and submit photos of their adventures to Buddy@BuddyBison.org for possible inclusion in NPT’s national map commemorating the day.
We support this cause and National Park Trust every year — and hope you pledge every year, too!
