The USS Midway Museum is the largest aircraft carrier in the world that you can tour––and it’s located right here in our fine city as one of the coolest things to do in San Diego! This maritime masterpiece features a flight deck and a hangar filled with more than 30 restored helicopters and aircraft, a firsthand glimpse of what life was like below deck, access to the engine room, flight simulator experiences and so much more. Your crew is sure to have a memorable adventure when you visit the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. Scroll down for an insider’s guide that will prepare you for your outing!
Photo-Op Time: Head to the expansive Hangar Deck where little pilots can hop into the cockpits of aircraft. Even more, half-pints can try their hand at flying in the flight simulators, where they can loop, dive and spin on a mission. ($8 per person) Then head to the Battle of Midway Theater (included with admission) for a 15-minute movie on an important WWII naval battle that’s narrated by the heroes themselves.
photo: USS Midway Museum
Top of the Ship Flight Deck: Explore take-off and landing on the smallest “airport” on the open-air flight deck at the top of the ship. You’ll find fighter planes (and pilots), giant naval helicopters and all the technical and mechanical equipment (perfect for STEM learning) that makes it all work. All the more, the littles are welcome to touch, climb and go inside many of the aircraft.
Insider Tip: You’ll see most people accessing this top deck via the giant stairway. However, it’s good to know, there’s an elevator too. Plan on being in direct sunlight and prepare your kiddos with sunblock and hats.
photo: USS Midway Museum
A City Below Deck: Everyone in your crew will find walking through the complex passageways of the lower deck amazing and fun. It’s a city under the sea! From a lunch line and industrial-sized kitchen to the sleeping quarters and all the equipment needed to run the ship, going below deck is worth the trip. Even more, you can do a kid-friendly audio tour (included with admission) to get the details of where you are. Top tip: Bring your own headphones if you plan on doing the audio tour!
Insider Tip: Before you head below, be aware that there are steep narrow stairs to traverse when going up and down the levels, low ceilings and narrow hallways. So, strollers are not feasible on this leg of the journey.
photo: USS Midway Museum
Docents & Volunteers: Helpful and knowledgeable docents and volunteers are stationed throughout the USS Midway, many of whom sailed the ship when she was in service. They love to take photos, dress your kiddos up in their gear (on special event days) and tell you what it was like to do their job when the ship was at sea. Keep a look-out for them!
Insider Tip: Join in the fun of the USS Midway’s Junior Pilot Program. Visit the information booth by the onboard entrance to pick up an activity sheet that has instructions that lead you around the ship to find the answers to questions. Show the completed sheet to the docent at the info booth and your kiddo will receive their Junior Pilot Wings.
Feed Me Please: When tummies start to rumble, the Fantail Cafe is located on the Hangar Deck and serves sandwiches, burgers, pizza, etc. and Starbucks coffee. It’s good to know in advance that prices are on the steep side. The Fantail Cafe menu can be found here. (pdf) Additionally, downtown there are many dining options with Seaport Village and the Gaslamp district close-by.
photo: USS Midway Museum
Special Events: The USS Midway hosts many family-friendly events you’ll want on your radar. July 14-15 is their Family Overnight Experience where you can spend the night on the ship! Their 4th of July celebration is not to be missed either. It’s sold out this year, but plan ahead for next year and you can watch the Big Bay fireworks from the flight deck! Aug. 18, plan on watching Moana under the stars on the flight deck for summer movie night.
Click here for more events held at the USS Midway.
Parking: On special event days and weekends, parking can be tricky downtown. There’s an ACE Parking Lot right next door to the USS Midway Museum that ranges from a $10 to $20 fee. Plan to get there earlier if you want to get a spot. There are several other parking lots as well. For $17/day, we parked by the Santa Fe Train Depot and walked a few blocks. Click here for more parking info.
Know Before You Go
Bags are checked before you’re allowed on board the USS Midway. Some of the prohibited items include outside food and beverages.
Plan on spending three to four hours on the ship to make the most of your visit. Same day re-entry is allowed. Just stop by the Visitors Information Center by the ship’s exit before you get off the ship if you’re planning on coming back.
During your exploration of the ship you’ll be doing plenty of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable, close-toed shoes.
It’s also recommended that you dress in layers because temperatures vary throughout the ship.
Click here for more info on planning your adventure aboard the USS Midway.
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (last admission is at 4 p.m. and the Museum closes at 5 p.m.)
Cost: $21/adult; $8/child; kids age five and under/free
Everyone loves pizza! Well, maybe not that cardboard kind you get at far too many kids parties. And your kids won’t eat that froufrou stuff with more veggies than crust. So we ate our way through LA (tough job, but someone’s got to do it!) to find the very best spots for pizza in LA that kids and parents alike can agree on. Read on to find out where you can take the family out for pizza everyone will love.
photo: Jolie Loeb
De Sano Pizzeria Napoletana
The mozzarella is made earlier in the week, in a small town in Campania. The flour also came from the boot, by boat. Sea salt, straight from the Mediterranean. Exacting provenance or no, every parent knows a restaurant is only as good as it is appealing to our kids. And that’s why De Sano is our favorite family pizza joint. Not only do they boast fabulous pizza kids can’t get enough of, they have TVs that get the Dodgers (and every other sports team), open kitchen that allows your non-sports fans to catch a show of dough twirling, plus a family style happy hour of two large pizzas plus a bottle of house wine for $50. So load your pie up with all goodies you please, while kids go minimalist Margherita, and everybody goes home happy. The space is unequivocally kid friendly, the pizza is unequivocally grown-up good. Plus, they make some of the best (and only!) cannoli in town, so save room for dessert.
4959 Santa Monica Blvd.
East Hollywood
323-913-7000
Online: desanopizza.it
photo: North Italia
North Italia
This pizza spot also has fresh from Napoli ingredients and blisteringly great pizza married with an open concept kitchen that makes theatre for tots who are interested in watching talented chefs prepare meals. And just in case you want something upscale, you can get pasta and other entries instead of pizza. Or if you happen to have one kid who doesn’t like pizza (there’s always that one child who won’t eat melted cheese!) North Italia offers a kids’ menu featuring selections that’ll please even the pickiest pint-sized palettes. But back to the pizza, for the allergen-conscious there are gluten free crusts available, and for grownups, the prosciutto with figs, goat cheese and arugula is to die for.
Pizzana
Team Sprinkles (the brains behind the cupcake dynasty) realized kids can not live on tiny cakes alone. They need pizza! Featuring Naples style pizzas coming out of wood-burning ovens, this beacon of bubbly crust and billowy cheese is a new Westside staple. For parents, the star is how the restaurant’s naturally fermented dough and wood-fired oven work in tandem to create a crust that is both gloriously chewy and nicely charred. It’s covered with San Marzano tomatoes and Fior di latte cheese. The Margharita will captivate your plain Janes, while whatever is on special is a must order for Mom. And while there are no cupcakes on the dessert menu, Sprinkles ice cream is, and it’s the perfect way to end the meal.
11712 San Vicente Blvd.
Brentwood
310-481-7108
Online: pizzana.com
Miceli’s
Family-owned since 1949, Miceli’s offers a large selection of tomato-based old school pizzas that the kids adore. But what will really draw you here is the décor (straight outta Little Italy) and the singing waiters. You get dinner and a side of show tunes and opera, sung by people with serious pipes. The menu also offers a wide array of pasta and Italian entrees if you don’t feel like pizza. (And as an adult, you probably don’t want the pizza, which your kids will devour and your more picky palate may not prefer…) In addition to being the perfect place for kids, it’s a good spot to entertain out of town guests. More than one mother-in-law has swooned after being the recipient of a serenade from a handsome waiter with a booming voice. While it’s not the best pizza in town, but it may quickly become your kids favorite.
Casa Bianca
This is another old school classic, an eastside haunt with thin crusts, red-checkered tablecloths and a taste that will take you back to your childhood neighborhood family pizza joint. Heck, if you grew up in LA, this probably was your neighborhood joint; it’s been here since 1955. Don’t forget your (fried) veggies: be sure to order a side of the zucchini for the wee ones, and grownups need to share the legendary eggplant pizza. There are plenty of pasta, salad and sandwich options for those non-pizza inclined. (Before you come it’s good to know that the joint is cash only though an ATM is available, they’re closed Monday & Tuesday and parking can be a pain, otherwise you’re in for a not-so-pleasant surprise!)
The Luggage Room Pizzeria
The Luggage Room occupies the former luggage room of Pasadena’s old Santa Fe train depot. The wood burning oven bakes up pies that are topped with goodies from local farmers markets and farms, and the simple kids menu (personal cheese or pepperoni pies for $5-$6) are a hit with little pizza lovers who don’t like to share. The vegan and vegetarian options abound for parents, along with a fabulous wine and beer menu, and definitely order a starter of the bacon wrapped dates. On your way out, pick up a bag of their famous English muffins for tomorrow’s breakfast.
Milo + Olive
What’s not to love about a neighborhood bakery and artisan wood-fire pizzeria that’s almost always open for either dine-in or take out? Kids love the pizza and family atmosphere (and scent of fresh baked cookies in the air), parents love the farm to table ingredients and spectacular sides like kale salad and fried local squid. All you need to know is that this is the brainchild of parents and partners Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb, of Huckleberry (and Sweet Rose Creamery, Rustic Canyon, Esters and Talulla’s) fame. And it’s named after their son, so you know it’s taking kids into account. And it is, with the perfect pizza, made to order in the wood burning oven. You can also get some of the best bagels in the city to bring home for tomorrow’s breakfast. The wine and beer lists are our favorite of any pizza joint in town, if you like something to sip while relaxing over a pizza.
2723 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica
310-453-6776
Online: miloandolive.com
Masa
It seems like LA has decided that NY or Italian style is the only way to eat pizza. But if you’re more of a Chicago deep dish fan, this place makes everything from scratch including the dough and uses local and Chicago-imported products, turning out a pizza that would do homesick Windy City people proud. Because this is Echo Park, not Chi-town, you can also get a vegan pie. If you haven’t cashed in all your carb chips already, save a little room for the croissant bread pudding. You only live once, and the resulting carb coma is worth it.
Because it’s not quick-fired thin crusts, your pizza order may take a little longer to cook. But that’s OK, because your kids are busy filling up on the bread and butter…which just means you’re taking home leftover pizza.
1800 West Sunset Blvd.
Echo Park
213-989-1558
Online: masaofechopark.com
Tomato Pie Pizza Joint
Make your own pizza with classic or gourmet toppings, or pick one of their gourmet pizzas (try the Prosciutto Happiness or the Carnitas Way). You can go gluten free, if you so choose, or deep dish style. Tomato Pie is simply just very, very good pizza you can have exactly the way you like it. It’s become the go-to for local families for take out and birthday parties when you have to feed both kids and parents and keep everyone happy. Warning: don’t even try the Greek Pie. It’s seriously addictive, and you’ll be thinking about it for days.
Stella Barra Pizzaria
While this is actually a joint known (and beloved) for the wood fired pizza, kids think of this as the cookie spot, because in addition to fabulous pizza, Stella Barra makes giant cookies in amazing flavors (Bacon Chocolate Chip and Rice Krispy Chip are kid pleasers). The upshot is, you can enjoy an upscale pizza (and salad and wine) dinner the whole family will love, and get a cookie to savor later.
Locations in Santa Monica and Hollywood
Online: stellabarra.com
Mulberry Street Pizzeria
If you miss Bronx pizza, you gotta get a slice at Mulberry. Not only is this a fun place, with pies that take you straight to NY, it’s the easiest place to get a single slice for kids on the go.
There are locations in Beverly Hills, Encino and Sherman Oaks.
Online: mulberrypizzeria.com
photo: Pitfire Artisan Pizza
Pitfire Artisan Pizza
Want to eat something fresh and upscale? They’ve got a gazillion rotating, seasonal combinations that temp the most gourmet palate. Feeling picky? Custom design your own creation. Don’t feel like pizza? There’s pasta, panini and fresh salads. And the kids menu had them at mini-pizza (no-sharing required and just $5!), mini mac & cheese and opposite-of-mini chocolate chip cookies. There’s something for everyone (including the gluten free and vegan among us) and pairing that with a relaxed but modern atmosphere and creative seasonal cocktails at many locations, this turns into your family’s weekly spot.
There are currently 7 locations across the greater LA area.
Online: pitfirepizza.com
Fresh Brothers
Not only is Fresh Brothers delicious, it’s friendly for all diets (with gluten free and vegan options, and a special kid sauce with ground up veggies they’ll never notice, but will devour), they have tons of family meal options, loads of yummy topping, and best of all, they give kids lumps of pizza dough to play with while their custom pie bakes and sends them all home with balloons. We’re in love. (They also do birthday parties at the restaurants.)
With over 12 locations, there’s sure to be one that you can grab to-go’s on your way home or order delivery from tonight.
Online: freshbrothers.com
Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria
Lastly, we have to give a shout out to this spot. If you want to make your kids’ birthday the coolest party in town, order from here. Because it’s big. So big. Mega big. Bigger than big. And it’s pretty tasty, too. The Big Papa is 36” of pizza that feeds 12-15. And the sight of a pizza taking up your whole table will thrill your young pizzanistas to the core.
There are over 15 locations in the LA area, ensuring that one will probably delivery to your party!
Online: bigmamaspizza.com
What’s your go-to for pizza for family nights? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
Just 20 miles north of San Francisco, San Anselmo is a great sunny escape from our foggy summers. The charming town offers a great mix of activities, from craft projects to hiking/biking to shopping to dining. Whether you are a local, or just dropping by for the day, we’ve singled out the town’s must-see spots.
Doodlebug For your budding artists, a trip to this shop is a must. The front of the store is stocked with all the supplies your little one needs to get crafty, as well as great gifts and school supplies.
The Art Studio, in the back of the retail space, is a multi-purpose area where little ones and their parents can paint pottery or a wooden treasure box, make mosaics, decoupage, or even knit, using the vast resources available onsite.
641 San Anselmo Avenue
415-456-5989
Play-Well TEKnologies
For the future engineer in your family, drop by Play-Well TEKnologies. With the best selection of LEGO’s outside of LEGOLAND, Play-Well uses LEGO as a teaching medium to learn the basics of engineering. They offer both drop-in play ($10/hr.) as well as classes, workshops and summer camps. Your tiny engineers of tomorrow will build problem-solving skills as they learn the principles and methods of engineering, physics, architecture and art. Our little builder is on board for the upcoming LEGO Jedi Engineering camp and cannot wait to combine his two passions.
216 Greenfield Ave.
San Anselmo, Ca
Online: play-well.org
Photo by Stefanie Michejda
Play
Sorich Ranch Open Space
Once its time to enjoy some Marin sunshine, head for the trails at Sorich Ranch Open Space Park. With hiking trails of various levels of difficulty, its perfect for your aspiring mountaineers. The trails climb through eucalyptus woods and oak groves up to the golden hilltops that provide 360-degree views of Mt. Tam, the San Pedro Mountains, San Francisco Bay and beyond. A gazebo at the base provides some nice shade and the perfect spot to picnic post-hike.
Memorial Park is another great option to tucker out your tots. The park offers baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground and plenty of grassy areas — all framed by the surrounding hills. Millennium Playground was designed to showcase San Anselmo’s rich history, complete with a train depot, seminary tower and Town Hall tower. The newly approved San Anselmo Memorial Skatepark designed by CA Rampworks will provide year-round skate accessibility and keep young riders safely off the streets.
Time to refuel your tuckered tots? Head over to San Anselmo institution, Comforts, for picnic essentials. For mom, there is the famous Chinese Chicken Salad, which has achieved near cult-status and the kids will swoon over Chicken Okasan—boneless chunks of white meat dipped in teriyaki, then panko-crusted and flash-fried. Local moms have dubbed this ‘kiddie crack’ although adults seem to be equally addicted. The deli case is packed with an abundant selection of salads, sides and entrees to take away, all using locally sourced produce and meats. Once your brown bag is packed, head over a few blocks to picnic at the new Imagination Park, which features bronze statues of Yoda and Indiana Jones. Both films were created in town by George Lucas, San Anselmo’s most famous resident, who donated the land for the park, tore down the existing building and paid for the bronze statues.
Comforts
335 San Anselmo Ave.
San Anselmo, Ca
Online: comfortscafe.com
Photo by Stefanie Michejda
Not in the mood for pizza? Head next door with your fresh-faced foodies to Sushi 69 for some of the best fish in the Bay Area. Chef/owner Hiroyuki ‘Hiro’ Makino flies in his fish fresh from Japan and the artistry in which he presents each piece of nigiri is evident. While they offer a variety of delicious specialty rolls, head straight to the Japan fish menu, which offers a rotating selection of wild fish from Japan. Equipped with chopstick helpers, our little ones fight over the white fish tempura roll, arriving table side still warm and crunchy on the inside with a perfect balance of tangy ponzu and crisp shiso leaf on the outside. Be sure and save room for a few scoops of green tea and red bean ice cream for dessert.
Trains at Carkeek – Photo by Tim & Shannon Stauffer
Spotting Trains Around Seattle
Were your toddler’s first words “choo choo?” Are you up to your eyeballs in Thomas paraphernalia? Enough with the toys…sounds like a trip with the kids to see a real, live train is in order! From Downtown Seattle to the Snoqualmie Valley, we’ve got the scoop on the best train viewing spots around Seattle.
OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK
Take the kids to Belltown and head over to the Olympic Sculpture Park’s BNSF bridge, where you can view the trains from above (26 feet up!) while admiring Teresita Fernández’s laminated glass art installation atop the bridge. While you’re there, make a day of it with a picnic lunch on the sculpture park lawn (pack your own or pick something up at the park’s sustainable-food focused TASTE Café), explore the park, then make your way down to Seattle’s Myrtle Edwards Park on the waterfront for some rock skipping into Elliott Bay.
CARKEEK PARK
Railroad tracks run the length of Carkeek Park in northwest Seattle, where you can view the trains from the beach or from the pedestrian bridge that crosses the railroad tracks, connecting the park to the beach. Have your kids wave to the conductor from the bridge, and you might get rewarded with a toot of the horn!
KIDS, TRAINS AND LUNCH
If it’s raining outside, or if you’re just up for some lunch with your train viewing, check out Wild Wheat Bakery Cafe and Restaurant in downtown Kent. Ask for a window booth, sit your kids down, and watch the trains go zooming by.
SEATTLE’S NORTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM
The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie is housed in a restored turn of the 1900s depot. Admission is free, and guests can wander through exhibits on railroad history in what were once train depot waiting rooms. From there, you can get your kids tickets for the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad – a five mile train ride aboard an antique railroad train. See the website for times and ticket prices.
