My friends and I are always looking for fun family activities that don’t break the bank. Annual passes are one way to make outdoor activities more affordable. Another option? Take advantage of these free guided outdoor programs for Los Angeles families. Not only are these free events that get your family outside, they are hosted by people with lots of experience and … [Read more...]
King Gillette Ranch: Gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains
You’d love to take your kids to see the grand vistas in Yosemite, the starry skies over Joshua Tree or the gorgeous giants in Sequoia National Park. But seriously, who’s got that kind of time? What if I told you that if you can spare a couple of hours this weekend, you and the family could explore a national park right in the Santa Monica Mountains? Yep, that’s right. … [Read more...]
Annual Passes Every Los Angeles Family With Kids Should Have
Exploring Los Angeles' great outdoors doesn't have to cost a lot of money. In fact, a day on the trails or at the beach is much less expensive than a day at an amusement park. And yet I'm willing to guess that more SoCal residents have season passes to Disneyland than to the California State Parks. Why not become an annual pass holder to the outdoors instead? These annual … [Read more...]
Tuna Canyon Park in the Santa Monica Mountains
If you're looking for a less-traveled, hidden gem of a hiking spot in Los Angeles, Tuna Canyon Park in the Santa Monica Mountains is it. The 1,255-acre park parallels more than two miles of the Pacific Ocean above Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, providing dramatic 360-degree views from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Santa Monica Bay. I almost hate sharing our little secret … [Read more...]
Exploring Tide Pools at El Matador State Beach
I’ve mentioned before that one of our favorite things to do at the beach is to go tide pooling. Lucky for us, there are quite a few great spots to do that in Los Angeles. We especially love exploring tide pools at El Matador State Beach. Located about 25 miles north of Santa Monica, El Matador is one of three “pocket” beaches that make up the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State … [Read more...]