Our Los Angeles Family Adventure

Kelly Smith on 13 January 2019
Los Angeles is such a diverse city, you have access to some amazing places like Santa Monica, Santa Barbara and San Diego. It's all about how you make LA your experience. From exploring the coastal roads, it's amazing beaches to Beverly Hills or the iconic Hollywood sign. LA was very accommodating with its beach city life, day trip attractions like Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm.

Huntington Beach is the closest beach to the Anaheim area, with lots of places to park along the seafront or a short Uber/taxi ride. It’s very popular with surfers which is why it’s nicknamed “Surf City USA”. Huntington Beach Pier is one of the longest piers on the West Coast. Walk all the way to the end of the pier and you’ll reach Ruby’s Diner. With one of the best views in Huntington Beach, this location has two levels, making it ideal for watching the sunset or scanning for dolphins while enjoying a milkshake or a burger.

Disneyland: Where the magic began and lives on! With its unique mix of thrilling experiences and all-time favourite fun, it’s no wonder they call this the happiest place on earth! Here, you can step into classic Disney tales, explore the Star Wars universe and more as you enter lands beyond your wildest imagination.

Can’t-Miss Attractions: Haunted Mansion Fantasmic Pirates of the Caribbean Indiana Jones Adventure New to 2019 - Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge - all new land.

Disney California Adventure Park: Slightly smaller than the main Disney park, you can access the adventure park from the same drop off locations. Most hotels in the Anaheim area run a regular shuttle bus service to the Disneyland resort.

Can’t-Miss Attractions: Pixar Pier Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout! Cars Land Meet & Greet many famous characters

Today was our first day with a car and adventuring out! What a beautiful clear day for seeing the Hollywood sign. After doing a little research into the best viewing spots, we headed into the hills blind.... small winding roads and a stressed husband wasn’t great. Finally, we found it, a little hidden gem away from most tourists. What a view! It was well worth it. Lake Hollywood Park is a must for a chilled viewing spot, have a picnic and enjoy the open space.

Next stop - Santa Monica and Muscle Beach! Santa Monica Pier is a very popular iconic landmark, which has always been on my to do list! Ocean Front Walk, home of the Original Muscle Beach, still flexes its charm with a collection of rings, parallel bars, and balance bars plied by bodybuilders and yoga fanatics. Bikes, skateboards, and even hoverboards drift down the beachfront. There’s lots of activities to take in, many of which you can join in, if you wish to.

Heading into the city for more sightseeing, my daughter was convinced we were on the hunt for Jo Jo Siwa!

Historic Hollywood Boulevard: Home to the walk of fame and famous TCL Chinese Theatre. Over 2,400 celebrities have been immortalised with marble-encased brass stars along the sidewalks. The TCL Chinese Theatre is a very popular location to view over 200 celebrities’ hand and foot prints.

Griffith Observatory & Planetarium: The observatory is a popular tourist attraction with an excellent view of the Hollywood Sign and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Admission here is free, however there is a small fee for talks, presentations, and special events.

The Mount Hollywood Trail is the popular trek to the highest point in Griffith park. If you’re brave enough to walk, the amazing views of Los Angeles skyline is well worth it. If not there’s plenty of parking and a shuttle bus provided at the entrance of the park.

Beverly Hills Hotel: LA’s most famous hotel, featured in many movies. Rodeo Drive is just a stone’s throw away from the Beverly Hills Hotel. Rodeo Drive is one of the world’s most famous and expensive shopping streets and home to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel- Also known as the Pretty Woman Hotel.