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A CityCheck guide · Updated 2026-10-22 · Independently verified

Things to Do with Teenagers in Los Angeles

LA activities teenagers actually want to do: Venice Beach Skate Park (free, watch world-class skaters), Urban Light at LACMA (free, 202 vintage street lamps, best at night), Runyon Canyon hike (free, 3.5 miles), El Capitan Theatre Disney premieres ($20-35), and Leo Carrillo sea caves in Malibu.

22 places15 freeUpdated 2026-10-22
Griffith Observatory

Free. Open until 10pm. Free telescope viewing every evening. Best city views in LA.

2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue–Fri 12–10pm, Sat–Sun 10am–10pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+

Free
California Science Center

Space Shuttle Endeavour is here. Free. Combine with Natural History Museum and Rose Garden next door.

700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 · Daily 10am–5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. · Ages 0+

Free
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Free for LA County residents weekdays 3-5pm. Dinosaur hall, gem vault, nature gardens.

900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007 · Daily 9:30am–5pm. Closed first Tue of each month & major holidays. · Ages 0+

$7–$18
Pacific Park

Free to walk. $10 Ferris wheel. Sunset Deal wristband: $24.95 after 5pm.

380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Pier open 24hrs. Rides generally 11am–11pm summer, shorter off-season. Check pacpark.com for daily schedule. · Ages 0+

Free–$40
Los Angeles Zoo

Animals start going inside at 4pm. Arrive early. Pair with a Griffith Park hike.

5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Daily 10am–5pm. Last entry 3:45pm. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. · Ages 0+

$22–$27
Runyon Canyon Park

Free. 3.5-mile loop. Go before 9am or after 4pm. West Trail closed (fire damage).

2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 · Daily 6am–9pm · Ages 5+

Free
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Park

3.5-mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall. Free parking. Check fire closures first.

1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107 · Park open daily sunrise–sunset. Nature center hours vary. · Ages 5+

Free
Underwood Family Farms

Real farm. Pick your own produce. Fall Festival: corn maze, pumpkin patch, tractor rides.

3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark, CA 93021 · Farm Market daily 9am–6pm. Festival hours vary by season. · Ages 0+

$12–$38
El Capitan Theatre

Disney's 1926 movie palace. Live pre-shows and character appearances. Not a regular theater.

6838 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 · Opens 1hr before first show · Ages 0+

$20–$35
The J. Paul Getty Museum

Free admission. Tram ride up. Pack a picnic -- terrace views are the real exhibit.

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue–Fri & Sun 10am–6:30pm, Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+

Free
Autry Museum of the American West

Free Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1-4pm. Cowboys, Native art, California history.

4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue-Sun 10am-4pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+

$16
Roundhouse Aquarium

Free. At the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier. Touch tanks and local marine life.

309 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 · Mon-Fri 3pm-sunset, Sat-Sun 10am-sunset · Ages 0+

Free
Wende Museum of the Cold War

Always free. Cold War art and artifacts in a converted armory. Mural garden outside.

10808 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 · Fri-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mon-Thu. · Ages 8+

Free
City of Los Angeles - Elysian Park

Free. 575 acres near Dodger Stadium. Playgrounds, trails, wide-open fields.

929 Academy Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Daily 5am-10:30pm · Ages 0+

Free
LA County Beaches - Dockweiler Beach

Free movies on the beach. Bonfire pits. Planes flying overhead from LAX.

12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293 · Summer Fridays, film at sunset · Ages 0+

Free
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Free aquarium. Touch tanks with baby sharks. Just reopened after $8M renovation.

3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731 · Tue–Fri 12–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+

Free
Aquarium of the Pacific

Lorikeet forest, shark lagoon, touch pools. The big aquarium LA doesn't have downtown.

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 · Daily 9am–6pm. Closed Christmas Day. · Ages 0+

$34.95–$44.95
Leo Carrillo State Park

Tide pools, sea caves, and a tunnel under PCH. The best beach adventure for kids in LA.

35000 W Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265 · Daily 8am–10pm · Ages 0+

$3–$12 parking
Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk

Free. Street performers, Muscle Beach, world-famous skate park. Only-in-LA energy.

1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291 · Boardwalk open 24hrs. Skate park 8am–sunset. · Ages 0+

Free
Urban Light (Chris Burden, LACMA)

202 vintage street lamps. Free. Open 24/7. Best at sunset or after dark.

5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · 24/7 (outdoor installation) · Ages 0+

Free
Echo Park Lake

Free park, $11 pedal boats. The lotus flowers in July are worth planning around.

751 N Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026 · Daily 5:30am-10:30pm · Ages 0+

Free (boats $11)
UCLA Campus & Sculpture Garden

70 sculptures on a lawn, kids run free, Fowler Museum is free. Park on Westwood Blvd.

405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095 · Campus open daily, museum Tue-Sun 12-5pm · Ages 0+

Free

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