Theme parks are one of most famous kids' activities in Southern California. Although the parks can be expensive, cities all over Southern California are home to a plethora of them. The Orange County area offers Disneyland, Disney's California Adventures, Knott's Berry Farm and its sister park, Soak City; the Orange County Great Park is a 1,300 acre metropolitan park at the old Marine Corps El Toro Air Field; the park offers free rides on a giant balloon. The Los Angeles area offers Universal Studios, the Los Angeles Zoo, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and Pacific Park. Further south around San Diego you will find LEGO Land, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
Whether you live in Southern California or plan on visiting, there is no better way to spend a sunny afternoon than at one of SoCal's beautiful beaches. Southern California is home to hundreds of miles of beaches that are perfect for entertaining kids with sand castle building, fishing, seashell hunting and, of course, swimming and surfing; many beaches also offer kids' surfing lessons and organized activities. Kid-friendly beaches to consider include Coronado Island beaches, Seal Beach, San Onofre or San Clemente State Beach and Newport Municipal Beach.
A trip to Southern California can be an educational one with an excursion to one of the area's dozens of museums and and aquariums. The Discovery Science Center includes 120 hands-on exhibits, while the California Science Center is the largest hands-on science center on the west coast. The Ocean Institute, Birch Aquarium and Aquarium of the Pacific are useful resources for learning about ocean life. Kids can gaze at the stars and learn about the universe at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. Children's museums include the Bowers Kids Kidseum and Children's Museum of La Habra.
If you are looking for alternative ways to entertain kids, think of checking out the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California. The Flower Fields feature 50 acres of colorful flowers that bloom between March and May. The family can go on a whale watching expedition, visit the World War II Midway Aircraft Carrier in San Diego or go to Spreckels Organ Pavillion, also in San Diego and home to the world's largest organ, and listen to free music. If you are looking for outdoor adventure, explore the sea caves in La Jolla at low tide or visit the Silverwood Wildlife or Starr Ranch Sanctuary for hiking and wildlife observation.
