Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in West LA, CA

Now that the summer is coming to an end, my family and I have been spending a lot of time at the beach. We have been enjoying the warm weather and soaking in the lazy summer sun, knowing that in a couple weeks, the school year will officially begin. Last month, we checked out the Annenberg Community Beach House, and have been coming back almost every weekend since then. It is open to the public with no membership required, and has well-appointed facilities that make it an ideal area to hang out when going to Santa Monica beach. Even though my husband has asked me to not write about this place in fear that it will become even more overcrowded, I told him that not sharing about this place goes against the very ideology that birthed the beach house into existence. Sorry babe!

So here are five reasons we love this place:

1) The pool--There is a nice outdoor pool with lifeguards and life-vests available for your little ones to wear (no other floaties are allowed inside the pool). Pool passes can be reserved online up to three days in advance. The weekends have been packed and the pool has been at capacity so you are planning to go this weekend, I highly recommend you reserve your pool pass in advance.

2) The playground--There is a little play area near the bathrooms with public-use sand toys, swings, a climbing dome, and lots of sand to keep the kids occupied. Even though the play area is minimal and simple, my kids could play there for a good hour or even more. It is also well-shaded so it is a good respite from the sun on really sunny days.

3) The beach--Even though the sand and the sea is the same as any other area in Santa Monica, you will notice that there are a cluster of people right in front of the beach house. For one thing, there is a boardwalk that stretches from the beach house to within ten feet of the waves. This makes it a lot easier to walk to the water with all your gear and your little ones. After you are done frolicking in the sand, you can walk right back to the beach house where there are bathrooms and a shower area to clean off your grubby children.

4) The waterplay area--There is a small area adjacent to the pool where kids can play with shooting water spouts. We like to come here after playing in the sand and salt water to get the kids cleaned up. There are a couple chairs and tables in this area too, so it is a good place to re-energize with snacks and drinks after getting cleaned up.

5) The restaurant--Back on the Beach Cafe is open at the beach house. It is good beach fare like burgers and pasta, and it is reasonably priced. You can take the food to go or you can eat it in their outdoor seating area. It's nothing fancy but who is looking for fancy when you are spending a day at the beach with the kids?

All in all, the Annenberg Community Beach House makes a family beach day a very enjoyable experience. It provides you with a lot of little conveniences, all available to the public. Now that the summer is coming to an end, my family and I have been spending a lot of time at the beach. We have been enjoying the warm weather and soaking in the lazy summer sun, knowing that in a couple weeks, the school year will officially begin. Last month, we checked out the Annenberg Community Beach House, and have been coming back almost every weekend since then. It is open to the public with no membership required, and has well-appointed facilities that make it an ideal area to hang out when going to Santa Monica beach. Even though my husband has asked me to not write about this place in fear that it will become even more overcrowded, I told him that not sharing about this place goes against the very ideology that birthed the beach house into existence. Sorry babe!

So here are five reasons we love this place:

1) The pool--There is a nice outdoor pool with lifeguards and life-vests available for your little ones to wear (no other floaties are allowed inside the pool). Pool passes can be reserved online up to three days in advance. The weekends have been packed and the pool has been at capacity so you are planning to go this weekend, I highly recommend you reserve your pool pass in advance.

2) The playground--There is a little play area near the bathrooms with public-use sand toys, swings, a climbing dome, and lots of sand to keep the kids occupied. Even though the play area is minimal and simple, my kids could play there for a good hour or even more. It is also well-shaded so it is a good respite from the sun on really sunny days.

3) The beach--Even though the sand and the sea is the same as any other area in Santa Monica, you will notice that there are a cluster of people right in front of the beach house. For one thing, there is a boardwalk that stretches from the beach house to within ten feet of the waves. This makes it a lot easier to walk to the water with all your gear and your little ones. After you are done frolicking in the sand, you can walk right back to the beach house where there are bathrooms and a shower area to clean off your grubby children.

4) The waterplay area--There is a small area adjacent to the pool where kids can play with shooting water spouts. We like to come here after playing in the sand and salt water to get the kids cleaned up. There are a couple chairs and tables in this area too, so it is a good place to re-energize with snacks and drinks after getting cleaned up.

5) The restaurant--Back on the Beach Cafe is open at the beach house. It is good beach fare like burgers and pasta, and it is reasonably priced. You can take the food to go or you can eat it in their outdoor seating area. It's nothing fancy but who is looking for fancy when you are spending a day at the beach with the kids?

All in all, the Annenberg Community Beach House makes a family beach day a very enjoyable experience. It provides you with a lot of little conveniences, all available to the public.