Things to Do With Kids in Southern California

Orange County Model Engineers operate Goat Hill Junction in Fairview Park. Every third weekend of the month, the engineers offer free train rides to all. The layout has grown from one small loop to over five miles of track. Trains take riders on a 15-minute journey around Fairview Park. Guests … [Read more...]

In the heart of Orange County, California is a magical, interactive "city" where children get the opportunity to play and dress up as grown-ups by going to work, buying groceries, going to the doctor, and relaxing by the beach. Pretend City Children’s Museum is a hands-on children’s museum that … [Read more...]

If you love trains, the Southern California Railway Museum is the perfect day trip destination for you. Located in Perris, California, the railroad museum was founded in 1956 at the Pinacate Station as the "Orange Empire Trolley Museum." Many of the locomotives on display were rescued from scrap … [Read more...]

If you’re looking for a weekend escape or a weekend day trip for the family close enough to the city, but still with a small-town feel, then Oak Glen would be a great place to slip away. The small community is located 15 miles east of San Bernardino, at the foothills of the San Bernardino … [Read more...]

Heal the Bay's Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is located beneath the pier, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium treats its annual 65,000+ visitors to Shark and Ray tanks, an Octopus tank, Touch tanks, similar to a petting zoo but with sea life and many other exciting sea life … [Read more...]

Situated on the outer edge of bustling Orange County California, Irvine Regional Park is one member of a group of Orange County Regional Parks that occupy over 60,000 acres. This beautiful park is nestled among the stately groves of oak and sycamore in Santiago Canyon, six miles east of the City … [Read more...]

Southern California has the perfect year-round weather for growing fruits and vegetables. Southern California U-Pick Orchards allow you to collect their products right from the vine. Available for picking in Southern California are apples, cherries, citrus fruit, strawberries, pumpkins, and … [Read more...]

The Santa Barbara Zoo is the best medium size zoo in Southern California. With 30 acres, hundreds of animals, and a scenic location, the Santa Barbara Zoo is a beautiful place to spend the day. The Zoo is the perfect size for kids, plenty of room to run around but not so big that they will get … [Read more...]

Irvine Regional Park Railroad takes you onboard a 1/3 scale train for a ride under the oak trees of Irvine Park. The train departs the station about every 30 minutes or when there are enough people ready to go. Irvine Park train is not a miniature train where you sit on top of the cars. Riders … [Read more...]

Underwood Family Farms is a 40-acre working farm in Moorpark, California. They grow fresh vegetables and fruits and sell them at Underwood farm stores and certified farmers' markets throughout Southern California. This wonderful farm makes a great family day trip. Your kids will love the u-pick … [Read more...]

The La Brea Tar Pits are a famous cluster of fossil sites in urban Los Angeles, around the Hancock Park area. Brea is the Spanish word for asphalt or tar, which has seeped up from the ground in the area for thousands of years. Over the centuries, animals that came to drink the water, which … [Read more...]

If you’re looking for a day’s worth of activities all in one convenient location, then Exposition Park located in University Park across the street from the University of Southern California is a place you should visit. Exposition Park’s spacious 160 acres, houses three museums, three sporting … [Read more...]