Things To Do In Los Angeles with Teenagers – While many people planning to travel to Los Angeles might think of cocktail parties on the beach and midnight concerts at the Viper Room, there are plenty of things to do in downtown LA for your teenagers.
LA is a very family-friendly city of the United States, with beaches, museums, and parks available for the under-18 crowd.
The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau has said, “LA is the ultimate stand-in, for Japan, Hawaii, Manhattan, New England, Casablanca — even a planet for apes.”
However, Los Angeles isn’t just a backdrop to Hollywood movies. Los Angeles is known for being a cultural mecca. The cultural diversity is one of the many attractions that lure tourists to the City of Angels.
Top Things to Do in Los Angeles With Teenagers
Hollywood Walk Of Fame / Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Is A Great Place To Start
If you are looking to see evidence of Hollywood’s early days, the Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre are two best places where celebrities have been immortalized for all to see. The walk of fame can be found in most Los Angeles itineraries.
The theater continues to host movie premieres as well as daily movies to this day.
Venice Beach Boardwalk Is A Must-Visit Destination For The Whole Family
Beach culture is alive and well in California. And, it exists in Venice Beach. An ideal day at Venice Beach includes surfing, soaking up the California sun, and taking a walk on the boardwalk.
Santa Monica Pier Is A Popular Spot For Older Kids
Visit the world-famous pier that has been featured in several movies and TV shows. Street performances, a 1922 carousel ride, an amusement park, and shopping are just a few of the attractions located on the pier.
Visit Getty Center On Your Next Family Vacation
This popular museum hosts quite a collection of pre-20th-century European artwork. The architecture and landscaping of the Getty Center are remarkable enough to draw in thousands of visitors each year.
Theme Parks And Amusement Parks
Los Angeles is home to many world-famous theme parks, including Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, Universal Studios (and the nearby Universal City Walk), and Raging Waters.
Two popular theme dinner shows are Medieval Times and Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Hollywood Boulevard is a popular tourist destination as well, with the Walk of Fame and the handprints and footprints outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Located north of Los Angeles, Six Flags Magic Mountain offers thrill seekers a variety of rides, fun things to do and shows.
Their collection of roller coasters is quite notable, especially the Superman: The Escape coaster, which is the fifth fastest roller coaster in the world.
Universal Studios Hollywood Is One Of The Most Popular Things To See
Enjoy a theme park and movie studio all in one day at Universal Studios Hollywood, Ride movie theme-related attractions.
Then, go behind the scenes on the famous studio tour. Make sure to get a photo with character impersonators such as Marilyn Monroe and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Disneyland Is Great For Native Angelenos Or First Time Visitors
Situated in Anaheim and where you will find the legendary Mickey Mouse and friends.
Disneyland presents over sixty rides and attractions plus shops, eateries, exclusive specialty stores, and so many additional options for all ages.
Griffith Park To Spend An Entire Day Relaxing
Griffith Park is the largest community park with urban wilderness in America. It covers over 4,200 acres of the magnificent Santa Monica Mountain range.
The attractions and services existing here are amazing and almost endless. Here are a few of the many attractions offered: Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Hollywood Sign, Travel Town, Greek Theater, and several more. Prices: Vary with some being free.
Note: The next two are also found in Griffith Park, but worth mentioning alone:
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is one of the most visited landmarks in southern California with its unique architecture and compelling views of the Los Angeles basin.
The Observatory is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round and closed on Mondays. Weekday hours are 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm and weekends are 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
There is no admission charge to the Observatory and reservations are not required. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends. Parking is limited everywhere in the Los Angeles area, so public transportation is advised. Check the Griffith Observatory
The Cafe at the End of the Universe, operated by famous chef, Wolfgang Puck, is open during normal Observatory hours, as well as the Stellar Emporium Gift Shop.
Samuel Oschin Planetarium At Griffith Observatory
From the moment you enter through the historic bronze and leather doors of the Planetarium to the 300 seats, one views a carefully designed night sky.
The state-of-the-art technologies support world-class scientific education programming for audiences of all ages.
The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon
Located in the Gunther Depths of Space exhibit gallery, the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon realizes the intention of the Observatory’s original architects to have a second theater to complement the planetarium.
The theatre provides a modern venue for lectures, demonstrations, films, museum guide talks, and other activities with its 200-seat, 2700-square-foot auditorium.
Hollywood Sign On Mt. Lee Than Griffith Park Observatory?
Located on the south slope of Mount Hollywood, the observatory is a popular place for viewing either the city lights of Los Angeles or the nighttime sky.
A bronze bust of James Dean near the entryway marks where two scenes from the popular movie Rebel Without A Cause were filmed.
The Observatory is located in Griffith Park which is the largest urban park in the U.S., about five times the size of New York Central Park.
It is possible to take a short 1.5-mile round trip from the famed Greek theater and follow a well-marked dirt road that rewards the hiker with a panoramic view of the urban jungle of Los Angeles
Public Telescopes Are A Great Way To See The Sky
Public viewing from both optical and solar telescopes is available each day and evening when the skies are clear and the building is open.
To date, seven million people have peered through the Observatory’s 12-inch Zeiss telescope more than through any other telescope on Earth. The triple-beam solar telescope is one of the largest public instruments in the world.
Los Angeles Zoo And Botanical Gardens
The Los Angeles Zoo is a popular attraction located in Griffith Park and I know that your teen will love a visit. The zoo is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with the last entry at 4 pm. The zoo is closed on Christmas Day.
The Los Angeles Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals from around the world, including elephants, giraffes, gorillas, and more. There are also several themed exhibits, such as the Rainforest of the Americas and the Australia section.
The zoo offers a variety of events and programs throughout the year, including animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours, and summer camps for kids.
There are several dining options if you get hungry, including a café, a grill, and snack stands. You can also bring your food and have a picnic in one of the designated areas.
The Los Angeles Zoo is a great destination for animal lovers and families. With so much to see and do, you’ll want to allow plenty of time to explore all the different exhibits and attractions.
Beaches Are The Best Way To Enjoy The Sun
The closest and most famous beaches in the L.A. area are the waters bordering Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice. Venice Beach in particular has a long boardwalk with street performers, fast food, shops for tourists and family-friendly restaurants in LA.
In Santa Monica, there is the Santa Monica Pier, with a roller coaster and a video game arcade for teenagers to enjoy. During the summers, concerts are once a week on the Santa Monica Pier, and the beach is open to people of all ages.
Tourists and locals alike bring picnics and beach blankets and listen to live music all night long.
The Los Angeles region has various tourist attractions, famous landmarks and sporting events you should be sure to add to your trip. The attractions are infinite and there is undoubtedly something for everybody.
Looking for other places to take teens, check out Things to Do in Austin with Teenagers or Things To Do in Boston Teens will love, Things To Do in New Orleans with Teens