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

Summertime in Our City

by Susan Choi

June 30, 2009

Yesterday I talked about finding adventure in another country. Today's post is about finding adventure in our own city. If you want to avoid traveling too far this summer, well, you are in luck. There is more than enough to do around town to keep you busy all summer long. Here is a look back at last summer's posts by Nina Moon that are great options for fun this year too!

Want to visit an aquarium? Well, the three local aquariums in the area each have their own personality. The post also includes information on a tide pool in the Palos Verdes area. If you want to go a little north instead of south to visit a tide pool, consider heading to Leo Carillo State Park or Point Dume.

Looking for somewhere to cool down the kids on a hot day now that the weather is finally warming up?  Check out this post for more information on Seaside Lagoon, water play areas in nearby parks, and Stoner Park pool. You may also want to consider Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey. It is a great little area where the waves are tranquil and the sand abundant. There is also a nearby playground so you can easily make a day out of it.

What summer would be complete without watching a live baseball game? Check out this post for enjoying an Angel's game. And for you true blue Dodgers' fans out there, be sure to check out these special deals for tickets and all-inclusive packs (yum yum Dodger dogs!).

Want an inexpensive stay along the beach? Consider beach camping at Jalama Beach. And if the thought of lugging all that camping gear doesn't sound appealing to you, consider camping in your backyard or in your living room! Set up sleeping bags on the floor of your living room and pretend to be on vacation. Roast marshmallows in your fireplace, tell stories by firelight, and then fall sleep together as a family (with a soundtrack of the great outdoors playing on your iPod for greater effect).

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the summers with your kids. Someone once told me that we only have 18 short summers with our kids and then they leave us. So enjoy each one to the fullest!




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Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful: Snow Play

by Susan Choi

March 17, 2009

As the first day of Spring approaches this week, I thought I would sneak in one last post about enjoying the winter. It certainly has been freezing here in LA. I have been complaining to my friends on the east coast and I can practically feel their hands go through my cell phone to choke me. But with all this inclement weather, we have gotten good snow this year. You might actually get to touch real snow (and not man made, gasp!) on the mountains. Actually, it is a little late in the season for the real thing, but if we get one more rain storm, then head out to the following places for some snow play and sledding. We've gone a couple times this season and it has been so fun!

Palm Springs Aerial Tram to the San Jacinto State Park--The desert for snow? If you really want to avoid mountain driving, then take a ride on a rotating gondola up to the snow. We went on a day that was pouring rain on our drive out. But when we got to the mountain top, it was the fluffiest snow imaginable. In fact, it was too soft to make a snowman, so we just made a snow mound. You can buy a sled for about $20 at the top or bring your own. The tickets to go up the aerial tram are a little pricey (~$20/adult, ~$15/kid) but the ride on the gondola is fun. If there is no snow, the hiking is still beautiful and manageable for preschoolers.

Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park near Big Bear Lake--We actually just went this past weekend and it was ridiculously entertaining. You can make a fun weekend out of it and stay up in a cabin in Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear area, but it can easily be a day trip. $10/person (including children) plus $5 for parking, and they provide the inner tube. On a warm day, you can get away with a long sleeve shirt and jeans. I was amazed at how independent my older daughter was the whole day. We couldn't keep up with her and her friend. They would scramble up the stairs, lugging their inner tubes behind them, sled down the mountain, and immediately scramble up the mountain again. Pack a lunch as there is no food service on site.

Mt Baldy--Looking for a good time without having to pay a lot of money? Well, there are a couple options with Mt. Baldy. There is the Monster Tubing Park which is a lot of fun but can be a little pricey ($30/adult, $5/kid plus the chair ride up which is an additional fee). We intended to go up to this tubing park but never made it. We saw a whole bunch of cars parked at the side of the road and kids sledding down the mountain. So we thought this was the tubing park. We got out and geared up. We walked over a rocky terrain and realized that people were just taking advantage of a great natural sledding spot. It wasn't right on the road so there was no danger of the kids going into the street. As of today, I don't think there is any snow at this particular spot. However, if it snows, get your plastic bin top and head out to Mt Baldy! Be sure to get an adventure pass to park in the mountains.

99 Things to Do with Your Preschooler

by Susan Choi

February 24, 2009

We are very fortunate that here in LA, there are probably a gabazillion things to do (my daughters are into making up numbers to one up each other and it is rubbing off on me).  There will never be a shortage of activities thanks to beautiful weather year-round, great playgrounds, innovative businesses that cater to kids, and awesome nature just a few steps or short car drive away.  Of course we are paying an enormously high cost of living to be here, but the perks make up for it, right?  Believe it or not, I really had to limit myself to 99.  Maybe one day, I will post 999 things to do...you know...when I have all this extra time on my hands.   

I included hyperlinks for each activity/location for addresses, directions, and more information.

Here are just 99 things to do, in no particular order, broken down by categories:

Neighborhood Parks--These are my kids' favorites and each are unique in their own way. (9)
Douglas Park in Santa Monica
Aidan's Place in West LA
Holmby Park in Westwood
Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica
Burton Chace Park in Marina Del Rey
Griffith Park in Los Feliz
Veteran's Park in Culver City
Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills
Stoner Park Pool in West LA

Hiking Trails--We've hiked most of these trails with the kids, some with a stroller. (6)
Solstice Canyon in Malibu
Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills
Point Dume in Malibu
Temescal Canyon Gateway Park in Pacific Palisades
Coldwater Canyon Park in Beverly Hills
Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades 

Amusement Parks--Do I need to say more? (6)
Disneyland in Anaheim
Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park
Adventure City in Anaheim
Knott's Soak City in Buena Park
Universal Studios in Universal City
Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia

Indoor Play Area--These are our favorites and all of them can be rented out for birthday parties. (6)
Under the Sea (many locations)
Giggles n Hugs in West LA
Treehouse Social Club in Los Angeles (Robertson Blvd)
Adventure Plex in Manhattan Beach
Child's Play in Westwood
Play in Mid-Wilshire
Naya's Garden in Silverlake

Beaches--I included the beaches that were more kid-friendly (bathrooms, nearby food vendors in the summer). (10)
Santa Monica Beach
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Zuma Beach in Malibu
Venice Beach
Leo Carillo State Beach in Malibu (tidepools)
Redondo Beach
Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach
Paradise Beach in Malibu
Jalama Beach in Lompoc (beach camping)
Marina "Mother's" Beach in Marina Del Rey

Mountain Resorts--Most of these resorts have recreational activities all year long. (7)
Mt Baldy
Mt High
Lake Arrowhead
Big Bear Lake
El Capitan Canyon
Mammoth Mountain
Yosemite National Park

Theatres--El Capitan and Santa Monica Playhouse are geared more for children.  The others occasionally have programs that preschoolers would be interested in.  Check the schedule for upcoming shows. (5)
El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica
Mark Taper Forum in Downtown LA
Pantages Theatre in Hollywood
Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown LA

Sports Teams--My husband and I are big sports fan.  We've taken the kids to Dodgers games a couple times and they had a great time. (5)
LA Galaxy at Home Depot Center in Carson
Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in LA
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium in Anaheim
Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in Downtown LA
Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Downtown LA

Gardens--All of these gardens are a bit of a drive but absolutely worth it. (3)
The Huntington in San Marino
Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcardia

Aquariums--Big and small, all lots of fun! (3)
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro

Local Attractions--An array of local venues that the kids are sure to love. (11)
The Grove in Mid-Wilshire
Santa Monica Airport
Los Angeles Zoo
Santa Monica Pier/Carousel/Paradise Park
3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica
Griffith Park--Travel town
Star Eco in Culver City
Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana
Culver Ice Arena in Culver City

Museums--All of these museums are kid-friendly and even have programs/exhibits specifically for kids! (11)
Getty Center in Bel Air
LA County Museum of Art in Mid-Wilshire
Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown LA
Autry National Center of the American West (across from the LA Zoo)
Zimmer Children's Museum in Mid-Wilshire
Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits in Mid-Wilshire
Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena
Skirball Cultural Center in Bel Air
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County near USC
California Science Center near USC
Petersen Automotive Museum in Mid-Wilshire

Historic LA--Make it a really fun day trip and take the Metro!  You can take a bus to a station, or drive into Koreatown and park at the Denny's off Western. (6)
Olvera Street
Chinatown
Union Station
Grauman's Chinese Theater
Venice Canals
Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels


Farmer's Markets--These are my favorites.  We have a ton in the LA area but these farmer's markets really stand out. (5)
Culver City (Main Street, Tuesdays, 3 pm to 7 pm)
Brentwood (Gretna Green Way, Sundays, 9 am to 2 pm)
Santa Monica (three locations, four days, check schedule)
The Original Farmer's Market at Third Street and Fairfax (adjacent to the Grove, everyday, all day)
Larchmont Village (Larchmont Blvd, Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm)

Farms--Most of these farms have seasonal activities year round. (3)
Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark
Willowbrook Apple Farm in Oak Glen
Greenspot Farms in Mentone

Weekend Excursions--Just an hour or two away by car, a great family vacation awaits! (3)
San Diego

Legoland/Sea Life Park Aquarium
Sea World
San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park

Santa Barbara

Consider taking Amtrak Train
Santa Barbara Zoo
Solvang

Catalina Island

Feel free to leave a comment to add to this list!

Historic Los Angeles: A Tour of Clock Towers and Church Bell Towers

by Susan Choi

February 18, 2009

We recently moved from Santa Monica to West LA, near a church with working church bells.  Every now and then, we can hear the church bells ringing and the kids love it.  It reminds them of Sound of Music and me of my college days back east.  We had a bell tower and almost daily, someone would be playing a song.  Walking around the 19th century gothic-inspired building with its own accompanying soundtrack made me fall in love with the campus. 

Despite being the land of strip malls and high rises, there are some working clock towers and church bells in the LA area.  It would be a fun tour to show the kids some old landmarks, plus it can assist in teaching your kids to tell time.  I also love the architecture of these old buildings so I personally enjoyable to me as well.

Clock Towers:

1) Farmers Market Clock Tower--Built in 1941, the clock tower was the most notable change to the Farmer's Market restoration project.  Obviously, there is a lot to do and eat with the kids at Farmers Market/The Grove.

2) The Clock Tower from Back to the Future--Even though it was damaged during the devastating fire that destroyed a good portion of the back lot of Universal Studios, the Clock Tower made famous in Back to the Future movie series has been resurrected.  It was too tempting to not mention this real/fake historic clock tower landmark.

3) Nagoya Clock Tower--Given to the city of Los Angeles by its sister city Nagoya, Japan, it is located in downtown at the Civic Center.

4) LA Harbor Clock Tower--This clock tower is best seen by sea.

Church Bells: Unfortunately, aside from the Cathedral of our Lady, any carillons in the LA area don't adhere to any sort of known schedule.  But the architecture of the church bell towers/carillons are nice, most of the towers can be seen from the street while in a car, on the way to a nearby park!

1) Cathedral of our Lady in Los Angeles--The Shepherd's Gate is the main point of entry for this Cathedral which is located downtown.  This would be a fun Metrolink ride on the Red line!  The bells operate throughout the day, ringing hymns.  There is also a bell tower or Campanile whose swinging bells can be heard on Sundays.  The church grounds are expansive and can constitute a fun day trip with a Metro ride and lunch at the cafe.

2) Saint Timothy's Church in Los Angeles--Located on Pico Blvd and Beverly Glen, the church hosts a beautiful bell tower that occasionally plays music.  There was a large bell on the church grounds until it was recently moved to the Cathedral of our Lady onto the Shepherd's Gate.  You can take the kids to nearby Cheviot Hills Recreation Center playgrounds.  John O'Groats and Kay 'n' Dave's are just down the street and a great place to eat brunch.

3) Saint Monica in Santa Monica--Located on California Street and Seventh Street, the bells in the church tower were dismantled in 1971 after an earthquake.  The bells from this tower were moved to the Cathedral of our Lady onto the Shepherd's Gate.  Directly across the church is Reed Park which has an enclosed play area and a Baja Fresh across the street on Wilshire.  Read more...

Time to Reflect: A Reflection Tour of Los Angeles

by Susan Choi

January 13, 2009

Whenever I pass by my reflection as I am walking around town, I can't help but look. How much is the gut sticking out today? What is up with my hair? Beside me are my little ones looking at themselves as well. But instead of critiquing their reflection, they are making silly faces, or staring intently at the image in front of them, mesmerized in wonderment. Since the new year is a time to  Read more...

Looking back at 2008

by Susan Choi

December 30, 2008

What an amazing year it has been at Savvy Source West LA! The site officially launched in May with Nina Moon and she filled the treasure troves with tons of toddler-friendly times. Savvy source West LA has advice on what to do with your kiddies during sunny days , rainy days , weekend days , and special days . Interested in art ? music ? books ? No problem. We've got it covered. Want  Read more...

Up Close and Personal: Tournament of Roses Float Decorating

by Susan Choi

December 29, 2008

The New Yorkers have their Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and we Angelenos have our Tournament of Roses New Year's Day Parade. The parade has a been around for 120 years, and though most floats are now done by professional float building companies, people from all over volunteer to put the final floral decorations on the floats. Viewing the floats mid-production is open to the public, and a  Read more...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow: places to visit the snow around LA

by Susan Choi

December 25, 2008

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I never knew. Since I grew up in LA, snow was a novelty to me. When I went to Boston for school, I was like Calvin (as in Calvin and Hobbes) whenever the first snow fell for the winter. I would jump into the snow and make snow angels, peg unsuspecting friends with snowballs, and just completely relish in the winter fun. My  Read more...

5 Gifts that Keeps on Giving

by Susan Choi

December 16, 2008

What do you give to the family that has everything? How can you support local museums and other non-profit family attractions (and get a tax-deduction in the process)? Give the gift of membership this holiday season! Here are some of my favorite museums, where it pays to be a card-carrying member: 1) Natural History Museum --We come here at least a few times a year. My girls love butterfly  Read more...

A Christmas (Tree) to Remember

by Susan Choi

December 15, 2008

Ah...winter in LA. I love the crisp air, the bundled up bodies, and noses red from the chilly sixty degree weather... My children always point out the contrast between what we read in our Christmas themed books and the reality that is the Westside. " Is it going to snow on Christmas?" " Can we go outside and build a snowman?" Though they generally do not mind that we bypass all  Read more...

Willowbrook Apple Farm of Oak Glen - Apple Picking

by Nina Moon

October 10, 2008

I can't really think of a more idyllic way to spend a weekend afternoon than picking apples and making your own cider. Of course it all seems much more fun as long as you don't have to do it everyday, but that's exaclty the point, right? Located off the 10 freeway in the community of Oak Glen just an hour's drive outside of Los Angeles, Willowbrook Apple Farm U-pick apple orchard offers a  Read more...

Aquariums in Los Angeles -- Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy

by Nina Moon

August 19, 2008

For so long practically everything that moved underwater was a fish to our son. Whale? Fish. Shark? Fish. Dolphin? Fish. Sea otter? Fish. Now, finally, he's starting to differentiate to the point that if we happen to leave off the puffer in pufferfish we are promptly corrected: No, NO! Puffahfish! Puffahfish! It's probably the perfect time to visit an aquarium, no? Nice that we happen to live  Read more...

Trump National Golf Club - A Tot Hiker's Haven

by Nina Moon

August 04, 2008

This past weekend our non-golfing family spent Sunday morning at Trump National Golf Course . No, we weren't signing up our two-year-old for golf lessons. Trump National Golf Course, situation at the edge of a cliff in Rancho Palos Verdes with a fabulous view of the ocean, is criss-crossed with public hiking trails and surrounded by swaths of protected land where plants native to the area grow  Read more...

Even Better Than the Farmer's Market? - Tierra Miguel Foundation Farm

by Nina Moon

July 21, 2008

Eating well has always been important to me. And by eating well, I mean eating healthy. Sure I drink more coke than one person should and, yes, my sweet tooth is bordering on addiction, but I also try to make sure that my family is eating balanced, nutritious meals. Part of that quest has recently involved exploring our local farmer's markets. Sure it can be expensive, but I've found that if I  Read more...

10 Things you must do with your child in Los Angeles before they grow up

by Nina Moon

May 29, 2008

When Caius was born I had trouble imagining as one of those talkative, mobile toddlers I saw my friends running after, but here he is now about to start preschool. So even though it's impossible for me to picture my children as adults, I know that it will happen eventually. I may always be their mommy, but my time as their guide to the city is limited. Here are ten things I must do with them  Read more...

5 day trips just outside of LA

by Nina Moon

May 20, 2008

With so many things to do in Los Angeles itself, it almost seems silly to leave, right? But, yes, one must admit, there are pretty neat things to do in the world outside LA. Still, we must not venture too far. A day trip perhaps? 1. Disneyland/California Adventure - I'm holding out till my son can actually remember his first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth (I'm thinking he needs another  Read more...