Los Angeles with kids
Los Angeles in Summer with Kids: Beaches, Outdoor Shows and Cool Escapes
Summer in Los Angeles is beach season: lifeguard towers, piers, bike paths and cooler ocean air, while inland it can be very hot. Evenings bring outdoor concerts, movies and the Hollywood Bowl.
This 3-day plan keeps the hot middle of the day near the water or indoors. Early summer mornings are often grey ("June Gloom") and clear by afternoon. Check each official website for hours and tickets.
Day 1 · Santa Monica and the pier
Beach morning, the pier's rides, a free concert in the evening.
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Morning
Santa Monica State Beach (opens Google Maps)
Wide sand and lifeguards in summer. Swim near a staffed lifeguard tower and ask about rip currents.
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Lunch · Lunch
Lunch on Main Street
Casual spots a few blocks south of the pier.
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Afternoon
Santa Monica Pier (opens Google Maps)
Pacific Park's Ferris wheel and rides, the little aquarium under the pier and the bike path south to Venice.
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Evening
A free Twilight Concert (opens Google Maps)
On some summer evenings the pier hosts free concerts; check this year's dates and bring a blanket.
Day 2 · Long Beach and the aquarium
Sea creatures in the morning, a harbour afternoon, cooler air by the sea.
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Morning
Aquarium of the Pacific (opens Google Maps)
Sea otters, sharks you can touch (gently) and a lorikeet aviary where birds land on you.
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Lunch · Lunch
Lunch at Shoreline Village (opens Google Maps)
Waterfront restaurants and a carousel next to the aquarium.
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Afternoon
Harbour boat ride or beach
Take a harbour cruise or cool off at a calm bay beach like Mother's Beach in Naples.
Day 3 · Cool museums and a night under the stars
Air-conditioned exhibits by day, the Hollywood Bowl or the observatory by night.
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Morning
California Science Center (opens Google Maps)
Free general admission and air conditioning, with the Space Shuttle Endeavour in its new home from November 2026.
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Lunch · Lunch
Lunch in Exposition Park
A picnic in the Rose Garden if it's not too hot, or cafés at the museums.
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Evening
The Hollywood Bowl (opens Google Maps)
Picnic in the hills, then a concert under the stars. Many summer nights suit families: film nights, July 4 fireworks shows and big-name concerts. Bring layers; evenings cool down.
Beating the heat
- Stay near the coast: beaches are often 10–15°F cooler than the valleys.
- Plan around the hottest hours: outdoors in the morning and evening, museums or the water in the afternoon.
- Sun protection all day: hats, sunscreen and water bottles, even on grey June mornings.
- Theme parks in summer: arrive at opening and use water rides and indoor shows in the afternoon.
Summer extras
- July 4: fireworks shows all over the city, including at the Hollywood Bowl and in many beach towns.
- Outdoor movies: rooftop and park screenings run all summer.
- Griffith Observatory at night: free telescopes on clear evenings and city lights below.
Make it a game
A Play Your Trip book turns your summer plan into an adventure: every stop a quest with a coin to collect, every place one tap from the map. Los Angeles books are coming soon; see how it works.
Questions
What are the best beaches in LA for kids?
Santa Monica (the pier and wide sand), Mother's Beach in Long Beach (calm bay water), Manhattan Beach (a pier and aquarium) and Zuma in Malibu for older kids. Swim near a lifeguard tower.
Is Los Angeles too hot in summer with kids?
The coast usually stays mild; inland valleys can be very hot. Keep the middle of the day for beaches, museums or pools.
Can you bring kids to the Hollywood Bowl?
Yes, many summer concerts and film nights are family-friendly, and you can bring a picnic. Check the age guidance for each show.