by Lisa Fagan

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: November 26, 2011

Los Angeles is definitely a family-friendly vacation spot. There is so much to see and do that you need to spend at least ten days to two weeks there.

Santa Monica, in my opinion, is the best spot for family fun in all of Los Angeles. I should know because I've been there myself. Families will have a ball at the fun-filled Santa Monica Pier, going down to the beach, shopping over at Santa Monica Place, a huge indoor shopping mall; walking through and shopping at the Third Street Promenade, as well as all-types of restaurants; including some that are family-friendly.

Universal Studios Hollywood is another family-friendly place. Families can take a behind-the-scenes look at how some of their favorite movies and TV shows are made. I took this tour twice, and I saw the houses where The Munsters and Leave it to Beaver were filmed; we went inside a fictional airplane that was used in Airport '77; and the beach set where Jaws was filmed.

If you want to take your family to see some TV shows being taped, please check ahead because some of them do have an age-limit. While Dr. Phil may not be suited for childrent you can take them to see The Price is Right, Jeopardy, or Wheel of Fortune. You can even take them on a tour of the NBC Studios in Burbank, but again, check to see what the age limit is

In Hollywood, you can now take your family on a tour of the Kodak Theater, where the Academy Awards are now held, and there are all kinds of shops there as well. You can even walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take pictures of your favorite celebrity´s stars along the Walk of Fame. Oh, and don't forget the Hollywood Wax Museum; which features celebrities in their most famous roles (Barbra Streisand in Hello Dolly; Raquel Welch in One Million Years, BC, and so forth.)

If your kids love sports, you can take them to a Dodgers' game at Dodger Stadium; a Lakers' or Kings' game at the Staples Center; an Angels' baseball game at Anaheim Stadium or even a UCLA or USC football or basketball game.

There is also Disneyland, "The Happiest Place on Earth". You and your family will love the various rides and attractions such as Adventureland, Jungleland, and Tomorrowland. When I was there, I took one of their tours, and I went to the "It's a Small Small World" exhibit, and boy I just loved it. It was just so cute.

Animal-loving families can visit the Los Angeles Zoo and the La Brea Tarpits. Art lovers can marvel at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Los Angeles has something for everybody.

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