What free family activities do you take your children too? I'm looking for new places to take my adventurous 13 month old. We took him hiking in the Sequioas and he loved it. When we are closer to home, I like taking him to the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach to see the turtles and squirrels or to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands to watch the pelicans dive. We also like going the historical ranchos in the area and free trails at the Fullerton Arboretum. Any other ideas? Free is what I'm looking for.
Thank you for all your resources on free family events in the LA and OC area. It's funny, I've taken my son to most of the places that people mentioned, but I do appreciate the responses. My favorite was about volunteering as a family. I'll look into that soon. Please send more ideas as they come, we love exploring our neighborhood.
The Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro is great. If they are charging for parking, just park on the street and walk down. It is free and has a touch tank, sharks, discovery center.
Harrit
I live in San Pedro and I know there are lots of wonderful things to do for free in the area (not sure where you're located). We take our son to the Korean Bell to see all the kites being flown on the weekends, it's a beautiful park that offers views to Catalina. There are also the public trails at Trump Golf Course, you can walk through the course and then down to the beach (which offers lots of marine life for kids to explore in the tidepools). There are also great tidepools at Cabrillo Beach. Point Vicente lighthouse also has a great walking trail with amazing views of the cliffs and beach. Finally, if you're up to it (and once the baby's a little older maybe), you can sign up to volunteer at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, there you get to care for rescued seals and other marine life. Enjoy!
crystal cove in the oc, all lbc parks (there is a tiny trail of off 7th between ximeno & termino), san pedro's friendship bell, the getty, molaa (free sundays), the lb museum of art (free fridays).
have fun :-)
a.
For a quickie, we like the Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach. If you bring pocket change you can feed the koi. There's also Rancho Los Alamitos right in the area on Bixby Hill... just tell the attendant at the gated community that you're going to the rancho.
I don't know the hours they are open, but should be easy enough to find out on the internet.
The Back Bay in Newport Beach is beautiful with a flat bike/walking road that winds around. There are tons of wildlife and the weather is usually fantastic from Spring to Fall.
Redondo Beach has a place called Wilderness Park. It has ponds, trees, and natural habitat.
Madrona Marsh in Torrance is a nature preserve. It is full of paths that you can choose the length and difficulty for your child.
(THese are all places I remember going to when I was a child, but they are still there).
You should pick up a "Children's Resource Directory"...I got one from the entrance at the Santa Ana Zoo. I don't know where else to get them (maybe contact your local city hall). It has all sorts of fun things to do around Orange County. Some do cost, but it's a comprehensive dirtory so there are free things and things that cost. I just like having it as resource.
Huntington Central Park has trails both paved and dirt. My daughters school went on a field trip to the Shipley Nature Center today. There are all kinds of plants and lizards and squirrels (and a few other animals). They have an Indian hut that your little one can explore. It is located on Goldenwest across the street from the public library. It's a nice quiet place to explore :)
~V
I enjoy going to the San Gabrial mountians out near Azua. take the 210 to Azusa. Exit North Azusa ave and follow that out until it becomes San Gabrial canyon road. This is rather a long drive, but the mountians are beautiful. Follow this road past the east fork (you'll be taking the west fork by doing so)till you get to the picknick area. Park there. There is a narrow paved road that follows a small river back to a camp site about 8 miles in. This is a great area to hike, bike, or just play in the river. The riparian woodlands follow the road all the way after about 2 miles down the road. You do need to purchase a day pass at the ranger's station just out of Azusa. That's about $20, but it lasts you a whole year. When the leaves turn it's one of the best places in Southern Ca.
