Fun fact: Griffith Park is over 5 times bigger than NY’s Central Park. With hikes, zoos, museums, beer (!), trains, playgrounds, ponies, golf, a carousel and lots more (all costing very little or nothing at all) it’s time to click through the slideshow and discover a baker’s dozen of the coolest places you just might not have visited in our gigantic urban forest.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Griffith Park? We want to know! Meet you in the comment section…
—Meghan Rose
photo: My Fit Station
Didn’t it used to be that kids got enough iron (not to mention other vitamins) in their diet? What are we doing wrong today that so many kids (and adults) are anemic or nearly so? The most common cause of anemia, or low-iron in the blood, is nutritional. Simply stated, the person is not eating enough iron-rich foods in their daily diet to provide what the body needs. The body uses iron to help make red blood cells, which carry oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. With too little iron, the body cannot make new red blood cells and in turn, begins to suffocate from the inside without sufficient levels of oxygen.
Although it can recycle iron from old red blood cells, the body requires even more red blood cells during periods of growth. This means that children need lots of iron in their diets. Children ages 9-24 months are most likely to test anemic, frequently due to dietary deficiency. Babies who drink breast milk need less iron because it is absorbed better when iron is ingested with breast milk. Babies who drink iron-fortified formula usually get enough iron, too. Children who transition to cow’s milk before their first birthday may be anemic. Not only does cow’s milk contain less iron, it actually makes it harder for the body to absorb iron from other foods
Thankfully, milk is not the only source of iron. Even kids who drink a lot of milk may become anemic unless enough iron is eaten from food sources. What foods are iron-rich and which ones are just okay? Of course, meats provide the most iron, but I will share several non-meat options to feed your vegetarian kids, too.
Super Sources of Iron
Liver, of calf, chicken or beef – I don’t love the taste of liver, so I cook the liver from my chicken and chop it into my stuffing or make a broth with it. Liver is known as nature’s multivitamin, even though it is not as popular as it once was, in my mother’s day.
Other organ meats, like heart, tongue, kidney and tripe – Okay, I don’t expect you to go making tripe soup tonight, but the heart and tongue can be tasty and easily hidden. Actually, cow’s tongue is quite delicious. More likely, you might brown organ meat and grind into a recipe or use to create intensely-flavored and highly-nutritious broths.
Oysters, clams and other shellfish – I am from the Ocean State, so ocean-fresh seafood can be obtained nearly year-round, but even canned clams make a tasty chowder or sauce for linguine. If your little one detects the chewy beasts, use a grinder or food processor!
Blackstrap molasses – Make a batch of grandma’s old-fashioned hermits (with raisins) or ginger snaps and watch their iron levels rise! In fact, any recipe that calls for brown sugar can use the same amount of molasses (make sure the jar says blackstrap).
Cereals which have been fortified to the 100% level of the US Recommended Daily Allowance – Read the label! Only cereals whose Iron row indicate 100, like Total and Product 19) are in this category.
Good Sources of Iron
Beef, veal and ham and to a lesser degree, chicken, lamb and fish, even eggs and egg yolks – Very good sources of Iron and more kid-friendly than the better sources above. These can be ground to disguise them or served more traditionally, depending on your family preference.
40% Bran Flakes – I love these, but…if your kids are like mine, they won’t have it. Crush up bran flakes and use them to coat oven-fried chicken, or top your favorite casserole with crushed bran flakes instead of breadcrumbs. Follow your favorite overnight-oats recipe and substitute bran flakes (if you don’t want them to get too mushy, add the bran flakes in the morning or right before you stir and eat). Other cereals provide much less, even though their label may say Fortified with Vitamins. Cereals with values of 45, like Kix and Cream of Wheat, are better than ones with values closer to 25, like Cheerios. If feeding a baby cereal, make sure it says iron-fortified on the box.
Beans – Black beans, Garbanzo beans and Pinto beans are top of the list for being iron-rich. Get these first, then reach for the others. Maybe make chili with the top three and add one can of their other favorite bean (if that exists).
Last Resorts to Feed Them Iron
Other beans – Navy, kidney, soy, lentils, split peas, and yes, even green beans have iron.
Enriched products – Bread, macaroni and rice may be tasty options, but too much will add to your waistline.
Greens – Spinach and asparagus are best, but broccoli and green peas are okay too.
Other vegetables and fruits – Bake your potatoes with the skin on, serve healthy snacks like carrots, raisins, prunes, strawberries, dried apricots, apples, oranges, bananas, avacado and even peanut butter.
Nuts and seeds – Sunflower seeds and walnuts make easy, portable snacks that have at least some benefit more than munching on chips or crackers full of salt and sugar.
Enlist the help of your family to sneak something into every meal. Have your after-school childcare provide items off this list. Remember though, when choosing these “Last Resorts” that having less iron means eating more of these to get the same benefit you would by eating from the Super or Good list. There’s my advice. Now go shopping and don’t tell the kids!
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Go Au Pair representative, cultural childcare advocate, Mom to six great kids, I earned my BS at RI College and MEd at Providence College. My hats: educator, tutor and writer of local blog for Go Au Pair families and Au Pairs. Baking, gardening, reading and relaxing on the porch are hobbies.
Over time our kids’ bedrooms begin to resemble a zoo, so extensive is their stuffed animal collection. Rather than tossing them in the donation bin, Japan’s Second Life Toys has clever idea. In hopes of raising awareness and teaching kids about organ donations and transplants, Second Life Toys gives new limbs to tired old dolls. Parts from the donor plushies are stitched onto another animal, giving the toys a new life.
Take a look at some of the “recipients” for some inspiration:
All Photos: Second Life Toys
Love this idea? Tell us in the comments below!
Looking for a fun family adventure this summer that won’t break the bank? San Diego is lucky to be the home to Balboa Park, the country’s largest urban park, that offers tons of outdoor and indoor fun for every member of the family. We’ve got your guide to enjoying art, culture, history, and gorgeous weather without opening the wallet. Even parking is free!
Photo credit: Ian D. Keating via Flickr creative commons
Free Tuesdays
If you’ve been wanting to check out the Balboa Park museums, make a plan to go on Resident Free Tuesdays. For the first four Tuesdays each month, different museums in the park are free for San Diego County residents and active military families. Check the schedule for a full list of the rotating museums with free admission dates. Make sure to bring I.D., as most museums will ask for verification.
Because of the obvious draw of free museum passes to some of San Diego’s best museums, Tuesdays are very busy. So be sure to arrive early and prepare for a bit of a walk from your car. The San Diego Natural History Museum does not allow strollers inside, but does offers stroller parking outside for free. Plan to bring a carrier if traveling with an infant.
Free Admission for Kiddos
If you want to escape the crowds of Resident Free Tuesdays, a few select museums offer free kids admission to little ones under 12 years of age. The Model Railroad Museum, Photographic Arts Museum, Veterans Museum, and the San Diego Art Institute all offer free kids admission with an adult admission, a great compromise to avoiding crowds yet still keep pricing affordable.
Photo credit: George Rulz via Flickr Creative Commons
Botanical Building
Looking to escape the midday sun and feast your eyes on beautiful plants? Go no further than Balboa Park’s Botanical Building. Directly backing up against the San Diego Zoo, the Botanical Building is a giant, partially open structure filled with a huge variety of plants and flowers. There are walking paths throughout the building for kids to run around on and enjoy, as well as several benches located throughout.
Spanish Village Art Center
Inspiration and sightseeing are always free at the Spanish Village Art Center. Kids can watch artists create in a variety of mediums and see the entire process involved in creating the pieces of art on display around the museum. There is even an outdoor glassblowing studio that is accessible for visitors of all ages to watch artists blow glass on their bench and fire glass in the kilns.
Balboa Park Tram
Give everyone’s feet a rest and let the kids enjoy a free tram ride through the entire park. A green tram departs every 15 minutes from Tram Central at Inspiration Point, located on Park Boulevard. Parking is free, and there are shaded benches for the whole family to sit on should you arrive a few minutes early. The ride takes about 20 minutes, and is a great way to give everyone a break and enjoy the park from a different perspective. Check out the website for a tram route map and directions.
Photo credit: Phallnn Ooi via Flickr Creative Commons
Playgrounds
After a day of museums, take a break at the nearby Pepper Grove Playground. The playground is located just an easy walk south from the museums along Park Boulevard. The park is a great place for a lunch break; there are plenty of picnic tables and restrooms are located on site.
The greatest attraction about Pepper Grove is it is a great place for those with a wide spread of kids in multiple age groups.There are two separate play structure areas, one for the toddler set, and the other geared more toward kiddos 5 and over. Both are close enough to each other for families to be able to play in the separate areas simultaneously without safety issues, and are complete with multiple swing sets, climbing walls and statues, playgrounds, and plenty of room to run around.
Although slightly farther away from the museums, the 6th Avenue Playground is a great playground for older and younger players as well. The Morley Field Playground is a good alternative for families with dogs, as is located adjacent to a great dog park.
Both of the Bird Parks are great finds for families with toddlers and/or infants. The parks have play structures geared more towards small kids, and cushioned surfaces for crawlers. They are much quieter and smaller parks, so they are perfect if you need to escape the crowds or are just looking for another new free spot to explore for a half hour.
Photo credit: Caitlin Doe via Flickr creative commons
Geocaching
For those with a smartphone and little explores with a sense of adventure, geocaching in Balboa Park is a great activity for the entire family. Everyone can get in on the hunt and race to see who can find each geocache first. There are hundreds of geocaches in Balboa Park, with more being created and added every year. The only prep work is downloading a free geocaching app on your smartphone. Be sure to bring a pen so everyone can write down their name on the geocache and a camera to document the treasure hunt.
The Timken Museum of Art
Located adjacent to the Botanical Building, the Timken Museum is a tiny art museum, but filled with a wonderful collection of art from many different periods in history. This museum is very much hands off, and silence is appreciated (although security is very understanding about toddlers and high volume levels). Admission is completely free, although they do have a box for donations at the door. The Timken Museum is a great pit stop to briefly escape the sun and soak up some art before hitting up the next adventure. There is plenty of lawn space outside to run around, and a pool filled with koi fish and ducks to watch.
Photo credit: Robert Lang, Spreckels Organ Society
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Every Sunday afternoon from 2 – 3 p.m., families can enjoy free organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, one of the largest outdoor organs in the world. During the rest of the week, the pavilion is a great place for kids to run around and explore free of charge. Plenty of bench seating makes it a great spot to eat a picnic lunch or have an impromptu story time.
Explore
There are tons more features in Balboa Park that are completely free. Splash in one of the many Park’s fountains, or grab the stroller and hit the trails that wander through some of San Diego’s beautiful terrains. Bring a basketball or volleyball and start a game on of the park’s free and open courts. Take dog treats to the dog park and ask owners if you can meet their dog.
For more great ideas to play in the park, check out the Balboa Park Family Activity Guide!
Balboa Park
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
619-239-0512
Online: balboapark.org
What’s your favorite thing to do in Balboa Park? Have you found free hidden gems? Tell us in the Comments below!
— Bryn Wied
While it’s always fun to get out of the house for entertainment, it can also tough when money isn’t growing on trees. But as most parents know, kiddos who want to play don’t care about tight purse strings. Luckily San Diego is filled with exciting and interesting places to play that offer a ton of fun on a tiny budget. We’ve picked ten great spots that you and your family can enjoy for under $10.
Photo Credit: Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation’s Facebook page
1. Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum & Historical Foundation
Ton Gun wannabes will love visiting this museum, that’s made possible completely by Marine Corps aviators. Families can check out more than 48 aircraft, the oldest dating back to the 1940s. Also on display are several indoor exhibits including the current restoration of an SBD Bomber plane retrieved from Lake Michigan, which will be completed in early 2016. Cost: Donation of your choice
MCAS Miramar Marine Corps Base
T-4203 Anderson Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92145-0316
(877) FLY-USMC
Online: flyingleathernecks.org
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed federal holidays)
Photo credit: Scarlette Dr. via Yelp
2. La Jolla Cove
What kiddo won’t be entertained by a bunch of sea lions talking incessantly? These sea creatures languish under the San Diego sun at the La Jolla Cove. Complete with tide pools for exploring, a walkway overlooking the cove for viewing and a nice grassy park for getting wiggles out, this site has so much to offer. Come with a thermos of hot cocoa about an hour before sunset to explore and then sip away as the sun goes down. Cost: Free
1100 Coast Blvd.
La Jolla, Ca 92037
Online: sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches/cove
Photo Credit: San Diego Natural History Museum Facebook Page
3. Free Museum Tuesdays in Balboa Park
Craving a little culture? Try of one of the 15 museums in Balboa Park for free! Each Tuesday, San Diego residents can see anything from science experiments to baseball memorabilia. Free entry rotates each week, so be sure to plan which museum you want to explore on which date and make sure that one is offering the benefit that day. Or be spontaneous and see what’s open on any given Tuesday. Don’t forget your San Diego resident ID! Cost: Free
1549 El Prado
San Diego, Ca 92101
(619) 239-0512
Online: balboapark.org/in-the-park
Photo Credit: Pinky S. on Foursquare
4. Kite Flying on Tecolote Shores
You’ll soon be singing “Let’s Go Fly a Kite!” as you grab a kite and head to this spot in East Mission Bay. With a grassy knoll, a playground and a beach complete with grills, this spot has something for everyone in the family. The bay has friendly winds conducive to kite-flying, a nice alternative to the often-mellow San Diego weather. Cost: Free (Don’t forget your kite!)
1296 East Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, Ca 92109
(619) 235-1169
Online: sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/regional/missionbay/tecoloteshores.shtml
Hours: 4 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Photo Credit: Balboa Park Facebook Page
5. Organ Concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Every Sunday at 2 p.m., a trained organist sits down to light up Balboa Park with sound at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. With 4,530 pipes ranging in length from the size of a pencil to 32 feet, it’s truly a spectacle for both eyes and ears. The instrument itself is one of the largest outdoor organs in the world and the music that comes from it is just as big. Cost: Free
1549 El Prado
San Diego, Ca 92101
(619) 239-0512
Online: balboapark.org/in-the-park/spreckels-organ-pavilion
Hours: Sundays at 2 p.m.
Photo Credit: San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Facebook Page
6. Nature Walk at San Elijo
San Diego is a bounty of natural reserves, but this is one of the last coastal conservancies in San Diego County. Located just between Cardiff and Solana Beach, the San Elijo Nature Center‘s 3.44 acre lagoon and wildlife preserve is chock full of nature viewing opportunities. Pick up one of the trail maps at the visitor’s center and lead your kiddos on a self-guided scavenger hunt along the lagoon to find things like yellow birds, various flowers, fishes, and reptiles. Afterward, head inside for storytime. If you’re lucky, you may even get a glimpse of Franklin the tortoise! Cost: Donation
2710 Manchester Ave.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Ca 92007
(760) 634-3026
Online: www.sanelijo.org
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kid’s Story Time: 3rd Tues. & Thurs. 11 a.m.
Photo Credit: Alfa S. via Yelp
7. Whale Watching at Cabrillo National Monument
Winter months bring whales seeking San Diego’s warm waters and there is no more spectacular place to spy them than from the Whale Overlook, near the lighthouse. As an added bonus, download the Cabrillo National Monument Flower App and check out the 300 plants and almost 2,500 photos as you stroll along Bayside Trail to the Whale Overlook. Cost: $5 Parking or $3 Walk-In Fee
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr.
San Diego, Ca
(619) 557-5450
Online: nps.gov/cabr
Photo Credit: Tami D. via Yelp
8. Old Town
Hop on the trolley or the Coaster (you can also drive) and head to Old Town to see the birthplace of California. Settled in 1769, many of the buildings in Old Town were built in the early 1800s, which is pretty amazing in itself. See the mission, run around on the green or walk through the village, taking in the sights and scents of old San Diego. Cost: Free
2415 San Diego Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92110
(619) 291-4903
Online: oldtownsandiego.org
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Photo Credit: Seaport Village’s Facebook Page
9. Seaport Village Carousel
Ride the carousel, grab an ice cream cone and wander through this quaint little shopping and entertainment village on the sea. There’s always something to do in Seaport Village, including concerts, kite flying and lots more. Cost: Carousel ride $3
849 West Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 235-4014
Online: seaportvillage.com
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Photo Credit: Nick P. via Yelp
10. Hike to the Waterfall in Los Penasquitos Canyon
With only about 3 miles from the base of the trail to the waterfall, this hike is great for kids over 5 or babies in carriers. There are so many fun twists and turns from the plank bridges to the fields of grass and wildflowers (even more profuse in springtime), your family will be entertained every step of the way. Even if you only make it halfway, the scenery and wildlife will delight. Cost: Free
12115 Black Mountain Rd.
San Diego, Ca 92129
(858) 538-8066
Online: sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/osp/lospenasquitos/
Where do you go in San Diego and not spend a bundle? Tell us in the comments below!
— Allison Stabile
If your kids are ready to crank their musical experience up a notch, Seattle has some rockin’ music schools you’ll want to get in tune with. From electric guitar, keyboards and drums to saxophone, vocals and ukulele—there’s something for every budding rock star. Read on for your all-access pass to seven chart-topping music schools.
Does your little rock star have a favorite music school? Tell us about it in the comments below.
— Helen Walker Green
A visit to the historic El Capitan Theatre means you’re not merely going to the movies, you’re taking a magical trip back in time to Tinseltown’s golden age. Starting this fall, families are invited to take an exclusive look behind the curtain of one of the most breathtaking film venues in the world with Disney’s Movie Palace and Backstage Tour. Perfect for visiting relatives and movie loving tots, this tour arrives just in time for the holidays.
photo credit: El Capitan Theatre via facebook
Film buffs of all ages will find the 30-minute guided tour of the El Capitan fascinating as they get a rare all-access pass to the innerworkings of this legendary landmark. Learn the secrets of the theatre’s glamourous history since making its Hollywood debut in 1926, including its transition from a playhouse to movie theatre. You also get to visit the Wall of Fame, which documents countless movie premieres over the years, Walk of Fame ceremonies, and the theatre’s meticulous restorations under various ownerships. Kiddos will especially love hearing that almost every Disney film world premiere has been held at the El Capitan since reopening under Walt Disney Ownership in 1991, starting with The Rocketeer.
photo credit: Jennifer O’Brien
Lovingly restored to its original grandeur, the 1,000 seat theatre’s ornate architecture is truly a feast for the eyes. On the tour, you are welcome to shoot as many photos as you like throughout the entire tour and believe us, once you’re inside the actual theatre, you’ll be snap, snap, snapping away. They’ll even dim the lights and treat you to a full viewing of the dazzling curtain show that’s performed before every movie.
photo credit: Disney’s El Capitan Theatre
After the curtain show, kids and parents can hop on stage and take a picture with the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ that has helped make this theatre extremely special over the years. With four keyboards and 37 ranks of pipes, the organ is unparalleled when it comes to playing live music for movie palaces. On the weekends, an organist rises up (as if by magic) from under the stage and performs right before the movie, so there’s no better time to bring your little ones.
photo credit: Jennifer O’Brien
Other tour highlights include an in-depth look backstage, including the “Mickey Lift” glass elevator which secretly transports cast members to the stage for the movie pre-show; the downstairs dressing rooms and green room; a visit to the Sherman Brothers Star Dressing Room – named for the composers of “It’s a Small World” and “A Spoonful of Sugar;” and the lower lounge area where premiere after parties are usually held. Kids feel the full VIP treatment! At the tour’s conclusion, every guest is treated to a box of freshly popped popcorn. Yes, it’s a good as it smells. And if you need a sweet treat to balance out the salty, exit through the adjacent Ghiradelli Soda Fountain (still Disney themed, as it was when it was the Disney Soda Fountain), where everyone who enters gets a sample square of tasty chocolate.
For families who might be short on time (or attention spans), Express Tours are also available throughout the day which include the history of the theatre, a visit to the Wall of Fame and tour of the lobby area.
Hours: Full tours are given daily at 8:30 a.m. Express Tours are given throughout the day.
Cost: Tickets are available on a walk-up basis through the El Capitan box office and cost $15 per person (including kiddos) for the full tour. Express tours run $5 per person. No advanced reservations are needed.
Parking: Parking is available across the street at the Hollywood & Highland Center parking garage for $2 for up to four hours. Please remember to bring your parking ticket with you to the El Capitan for validation.
6838 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90028
Phone: 818-315-4110
Online: elcapitantheatre.disney.com
photo credit: Jennifer O’Brien
What are your family’s favorite memories of the El Capitan Theatre? We’d love to know!
– Jennifer O’Brien
There’s listening to live music, and then there’s listening to waltzes and show tunes on 32-foot-tall outdoor pipe organs at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. A San Diego landmark since 1914, it’s the perfect spot for kids to soak up music that goes beyond The Fresh Beat Band.
Explore the Organ
This one-of-a-kind organ contains 4,530 pipes ranging in length from mere inches to 32 feet tall, and weighs more than 100,000 pounds. It’s been entertaining audiences for the past 90-plus years with internationally acclaimed organists (like Dr. Carol Williams, the resident Civic Organist and Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society) and featured guests including the San Diego Children’s Choir. This is a great way to get your kiddos introduced to live music performance.
Attend a Concert
One of the best things about Spreckels Organ Pavilion is that it provides incredible entertainment for free. Every Sunday, from 2-3 p.m., your family can make your way to Balboa Park and not only witness an invaluable piece of San Diego history, but partake in music styles ranging from classical to contemporary.
The other awesome thing about the Pavilion is the summer concert series. There are free concerts from June through August, with visiting musicians featured every Monday evening starting at 7:30 p.m. (opening night of the 27th Annual International Summer Organ Festival is Monday, June 23). If you want weeknight entertainment, stop by Tuesday through Thursday for the Twilight in the Park concert series, starting June 17. These evenings tout a variety of bands that will remind you why live music is always a good idea.
Another reason we love the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is its beautiful outdoor space. Kids can pretend to be stars on the big stage (when there’s not a concert happening) while parents can relax in the Pavilion benches.
Hot Tip
Be sure to check out the Sunday concert calendar to view the upcoming afternoon lineups, and then start planning your family’s summer nights by visiting the summer events schedule.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
1549 El Prado
Balboa Park
619-702-8138
Online: sosorgan.org
Have you taken your kids to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion? Tell us about the experience in the Comments!
— Krista Morgan
Photos courtesy of Robert Lang, Spreckels Organ Society
Does HBO’s Luck have you itching to play with a few ponies? If you’re not ready to take your toddlers to the racetrack for a day, visit an old-fashioned carousel instead. These century-old attractions are perennial faves of kids and adults alike. Here are six of our favorite local merry-go-rounds:
Los Angeles Zoo’s Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, Los Feliz
New in town since winter 2011, the Conservation Carousel is so much more than just ponies! This carousel is populated by a wide array of hand-carved wild animals, ranging from endangered oddities to familiar backyard critters, along with a unicorn, a princess pony and eclectic mix of birds and bugs. And if your kid doesn’t like the “uppy-downy” of a typical carousel jumper, you can even take a seat on two unique chariots: a peacock, or an iridescent dung beetle pushing a giant ball of…dung. (Don’t miss that if you have an eight-year-old boy in the gross-out phase!) The carousel’s music isn’t your typical organ tunes either; major donor Jerry Moss founded A&M Records, so the music includes artists from that label like Janet Jackson and Cat Stevens. Don’t miss this delightful attraction!
5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, Ca 90027
Open Daily, $3
Santa Monica Pier Carousel, Santa Monica
Built almost 100 years ago and lovingly restored in the 1980s, the Santa Monica Pier Carousel has been a beloved beach destination for generations of local families and hundreds of thousands of tourists. Housed within the historic Looff Hippodrome, the Pier Carousel is a rare relic from Los Angeles’ earliest years. Make some memories before the summer beach crowd hits: Drive down to Santa Monica to ride carousel, then enjoy an ice-cream cone at the nearby sweet shop, check out Pacific Park and the Pier Aquarium, and then just enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea!
200 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, Ca 90401
Open Daily, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday and Thursday), 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), closed Wednesday and Tuesday, $2 adults, $1 children
Griffith Park Carousel, Los Feliz
Built in 1926 in San Diego, the Griffith Park Carousel moved to Los Angeles in 1937, where it has lived ever since, nestled in a little knoll near the playground. The best thing about the Griffith Park Carousel is the huge antique band organ that includes moving figurines, detailed woodwork and very loud music. Sure, it may be a little worse for wear after all these years, but nonetheless, the Griffith Park Carousel remains a favorite of local families with little ones!
4730 Crystal Springs Road
Los Angeles, Ca 90027
Open weekends and summer weekdays, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, $2
Worth the Drive:
Chase Palm Park Carousel, Santa Barbara
Next time you’re enjoying a weekend getaway in S.B., take the kiddos to Chase Palm Park to experience the historic Allan Herschell Three-Abreast Carousel. Built in 1916 and outfitted with 36 horses and two chariots, this oceanside carousel is a National Historic Landmark.
236 East Cabrillo Boulevard
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Open Daily, 10:00 am to dusk, $2
King Arthur Carrousel, Disneyland
Walt Disney himself–inspired by none other than the Griffith Park Carousel–oversaw the creation of this carousel, which was one of Disneyland’s featured opening-day attractions back in 1955. Designed to look like a crown from the outside, the carousel features 68 jumping horses representing the destriers and stallions used by the likes of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Contemporary updates to the carousel’s styling have included Sleeping Beauty artwork and nods to 1963’s Arthurian animated feature The Sword and the Stone.
West Ball Road & South Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, Ca 92802
Open Daily
Grand Carousel, Six Flags Magic Mountain
This nearly century-old carousel moved to Valencia in 1971. Fans say the best time to visit is at night when the carousel proper and the surrounding pavilion are lit with thousands of individual bulbs!
26101 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, Ca 91355
Open Daily
What’s your favorite old-time local attraction? Share the love with other L.A. parents and let us know in the comment section below.
— Jennifer Arrow
