Full of restaurants, bars, shops, and shows, this part of the city makes it easy to amble away the day wandering its sunny streets. Its a big part of the history around here and you must look up why it went from being Hollywoodland to the truncated version we see today. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and a delicious cookie are served by dancing chefs. Get more stories delivered right to your email. To begin with, theres an indoor imagination workshop. Train Ride Tickets Tickets are available for purchase in-person at both locations Adults $4.00 Children (17 and under) $3.00 Seniors (over 60) $3.00 Value (20+ tickets) $3.00 T-6 Simulator Ride at Griffith Park & Southern RR $5.00 Hours Griffith Park & Southern Railroad Dates Open Daily Summer & Fall hours (March to November) 10am - 4:30pm /5pm Terms & ConditionsListen to our podcast! Here, you can go on guided educational tours, read books at a library, shop for toys for your youngsters, buy souvenirs at the museum store, go on train rides, and do other enjoyable activities. Klamath Falls is a 22-hour train trip from Los Angeles. The fare is $1.00 each way, and you can purchase a souvenir round-trip ticket for $2.00 to take a piece of history home with you. You are also allowed to watch while the staff feed the sharks. It houses more than 43 full-scale railroad cars and engines dating back to the early 1900s. In the outdoor arena, theres the Arroyo Adventure area to learn about various ecosystems and a hawks nest they can climb upon. This is a complex over 116,000 square feet in the Arts District and is one of the few around the world that is exclusively about contemporary art. Here are a few of the best spots Angelenos can get to easily by rail and still be home by bedtime. Photo courtesy of the train. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Los Angeles Athletic Club, Also See:Things to Do in Morro Bay, CA with KidsVentura Attractions for Kids, 125 Paseo De La PlazaLos Angeles, CA 90012. Is your little one loco for locomotives? There is also a garden where you can eat the lunch you brought or organize a picnic for the family. This is for the whole family to have a chill day out in San Pedro. Irvine Park Railroad takes children and adults through historic Irvine Regional Park. All Rights Reserved. The Overland Trail Car is one of the featured vintage trains at the, South Coast Railroad Museum, 300 N Los Carneros Rd, Goleta, CA 93117, USA. This is where the magic of movies takes place. This place has been around since the 1980s and has over 80,000 books for children, teachers and students. Recommended Hotel Nearby: SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills. RECENT NEWS. You will see popular Disney characters in all their glory. most daysCost per ride: Free with admission (tickets start at $53, but you can find discounted tickets here). All Rights Reserved. Explore beautiful SoCal from San Luis Obispo to San Diego on The Pacific Surfliner. If you're a fan of wineries, check out Briar Rose Winery for a sweet fairytale experience in Temecula. Take the kids to bring them into a real-life fairytale. Paddle around the lake for an hour at a time while enjoying the view of downtown Los Angeles. When you're in the mood for a getaway, there's nothing like a day trip in Southern California. They can also build a dam or explore a mud kitchen. 800 North Alameda St.Los AngelesOnline: unionstationla.com. There are some activities for families, but overall, this destination is best for an adult trip. Andbecause Anaheim's so close, you can still be home in time to watch a little Disney Channel before bed. Take the kids on a pony ride where they get to choose the pace. A favorite for kids and adults. It's a fun way to see the area and it's something the kiddos will surely enjoy. Open, Monday, 2/20 for Presidents' Day from 10 - 4pm. If that time is doable for you, be sure to check out the stops on these routes for more trip ideas (including Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Tucson and New Orleans). Its a Chinatown park that went through an impressive $20 million remodeling that you must check out. Its the worlds shortest railway but gives a peek into the rich history. The museum is housed in a 19th-century New England small-town train depot replica, and after you purchase your tickets at the old-fashioned train-ticket counter, the well-informed staff will welcome your little ones with some background on the museum, while demonstrating the facilitys genuine train lights and whistles. To begin with, you will find peacocks walking around the space. Thats just one of the things that attracts locals and tourists to this place. Theres plenty of parking, plus a concession stand, snack bar and a gift shop, as well as a small space-flight simulator and the nearby Griffith Park pony and wagon rides. Railway trains and trolleys operate every weekend. The biggest draw of Griffith Park is that theres a little something for people of all ages. So everyone, bring an extra set of clothes. It opened in 1960 and welcomes about 10 million tourists annually, making it one of the most popular attractions in LA. Its a good place for the family to spend some quality time and bond with each other. Theres plenty of activities that make it quite happening. Guests are served hot chocolate and shortbread by dancing chefs, enjoy a reading of the classic book, and get a gift from Santa. This one is for us to take a good, hard look at some of the under-represented artists of color. Its a bright mix of history and entertainment for them. You could go on a hike towards the Hollywood sign or explore the Los Angeles Zoo and botanical gardens. Please remember to wear masks on the train and observe social distancing safety measures throughout the journey. You could hike up or get hitch a horseback ride through Hollywood Hills to get here. This tourist hotspot is an animal lovers dream. Open daily, 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m., including weekends and holidays. Kids ride free! The railway has made several appearances in film and television, includingLa La Land (2016)andThe Muppets (2011). Making your party and event reservations at. This post has been updated as of May 12, 2022. There are pedestrian walkways for a stroll and there are picnic areas for when you want to rest for a bit. The train ride is a four-minute, half-mile loop through four acres of Balboa Park, located outside the Zoos exit. As Oregons largest city, theres also many festivals to check out all year long, such as the International Film Festival, UFO Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, Cathedral Park Jazz Festival and many food events. Train Rides; School Trips & Group Tours; History & Learning. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Embassy Suites Los Angeles Glendale, 12601 Mulholland DrBeverly Hills, CA 90210. It offers several engaging events throughout the year, guided tours, a gift shop, and more. You could also head to Trails Cafe and enjoy a picnic-style meal with pastries and sandwiches. Passengers must be at least 31 tall to ride. Right across the street is Union Station with a ton of kid-friendly stuff. You may recognize this railway, as this train ride in SoCal has been featured in over 400 movies and TV shows. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a historical childrens theater company that debuted in 1963. If youre feeling a little adventurous, take the ferry over to Coronado Island, or just stay close to the train station and enjoy the Gaslamp Quarter. The Balboa Park Miniature Train is operated by the San Diego Zoo. Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas. So pull on those matching family PJs and get ready to sing some carols, hear a story, chow down on Christmas cookies, and even chanceto hand over those wish lists toSanta Claus in person. Let us know if your family comes across any new places we should add to our list! Confirm details with organizer. Depending on their schedule, you can get the chance to attend movie screenings, participate in game nights, and other events. Photo courtesy of Visit Oceanside, Our celebrated neighbor to the southSan Diego is an ideal quick trip by train. First of all, its not just for bookworms. This LA museum has a ton of childrens activities that will undoubtedly keep them engaged for hours. (Los Angeles): Take I-10 east or Route 60 east or Route 91 east to I-215 . With about 35 million objects in store, this is a stunning collection of exhibits. One of the most therapeutic things one can do is to plan a holiday. It is a historical landmark and features six island platforms, a stunning architectural design, onsite dining choices, and several public art murals. Dozens of Amtrak and MetroLink trains use Union Station daily, and your kids are sure to get an eye-full and ear-full of real train experience. It is extremely family friendly, it is free and a great place to chill for people of all ages. Which hidden gems should I visit in Southern California? Located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum, educates the public in railroad history and show live steam, gas-mechanical and electric railroad technology in actual operation. Have your golden tickets ready for the Conductor! After riding our miniature train, explore dozens of old-time railroad locomotives and cars. Descanso Gardens. The Santa Monica Pier is a double-jointed pier nestled on the banks of the Pacific Ocean. Its a historic landmark that opened in September 1909. Since 2001, we have been providing trackless train rentals and rides to customers throughout the Southern California area, giving you and your event an exciting new way to keep children entertained. Watch on. Originally opened in 1901, Angels Flight Railway has given more than 100 million rides on its hillside track. Check their calendar for events like moonlight hikes. Do your kids love party highlights in which everything is set to bring wonder to their eyes, smile on their faces? Bike and paddle boat rentals, OC Zoo and pony rides are also in the park. The Train Ride phone number is (323) 662-9678. . Wednesday's we are in Westchester Farmers Market! Located at Westchester Park on Lincoln Boulevard/PCH and La Tiera Boulevard (across the street from Otis College of Arts - 9045 Lincoln Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045). Were taking your train-lovin family on an adventure across SoCal, chugging along to must-see train stops. Its a great location for getting out in nature with the Williamette River bike trail, Mount Pisgah natural area, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail and Skinner Butte Park. And theres no place like the City of Angels. Youngsters of all ages enjoy the experience of riding the FREEDOM TRAIN or the . Here, there are activities for 2 year olds and 60 year olds with the same spirit of entertainment. Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Peninsula Beverly Hills. For train-crazy toddlers, make sure to catch appearances by Thomas and Percy, and a special Christmas-timePolar Express Train Ride. You sit on top of it, straddling the train car, as opposed to inside it. Admission is free. You dont need a reason to go here. We are not affiliated with Amtrak.com. Its the one that traveled to space 25 times from the 1990s to 2011. Spread over 120 acres, there are a few gardens to its credit. There is an Enterprise Rent-A-Car office nearby in case you want to explore more of the area, or use rideshare services and bike rentals to get around. . Theres nothing like a weekend here exploring the wonders of science. Be sure to book tickets to the Jack London Square station (there are multiple Oakland stations to choose from). If you're looking forcoastal fun, walk down to Dana Point Harbor, known as the "Whale Capital of the West," and keep your eyes peeled. , Your email address will not be published.