Three days in LA is enough to hit the essentials without burning everyone out. The key is grouping by neighborhood — this city is enormous and traffic is real. Cross-town drives that look short on a map can cost you an hour each way.
Here's a tight 3-day plan built around actual driving logic.
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Day 1 — Griffith Park and the Los Feliz Area
Morning: Griffith Park (Free)
Start at Griffith Park. Get there by 9am. The park is 4,310 acres of free public land — you won't run out of things to do. Hit the Griffith Park Playground first to let kids run after travel. Then walk toward the Griffith Observatory (free to enter) — the views of the LA basin from the lawn are genuinely striking even for kids who've seen photos.
Add the miniature train (~$3/person) if you have younger kids. It runs on weekends and school holidays near the park's Crystal Springs area.
Afternoon: Old Zoo + Vermont Canyon (Free)
Drive 5 minutes within the park to the Old Los Angeles Zoo. Empty animal enclosures from the 1930s, stone grottos, crumbling infrastructure overtaken by plants. Kids ages 7 and up find this genuinely fascinating — it's unlike any other "zoo" they've been to.
Then wind through to the Vermont Canyon Play Area. Shaded, quiet, 4.9-rated. Perfect for a late-afternoon cool-down with a picnic.
Evening
Los Feliz has good, affordable restaurants a short drive from the park. Café Los Feliz and Alcove are popular with families. You're eating near the park, not fighting Hollywood traffic.
Day 1 Cost Estimate: $0–$15 (train optional). Pack a picnic.
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Day 2 — Miracle Mile / Mid-City
Morning: La Brea Tar Pits (9am–12pm) — ~$75–$100
This is the irreplaceable LA experience. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum has real bubbling tar pits in the middle of Wilshire Blvd, mammoths pulled from the ground under the city, and a working Fishbowl Fossil Lab where kids watch scientists through glass. Adults ~$15–$18. Kids under 3 free. Budget 2–3 hours.
Get there at 9am when it opens. Street parking on Sixth St is metered. The museum garage runs ~$15.
Midday: Grand Park Playground + Little Tokyo (Free + lunch)
Drive 20 minutes downtown to Grand Park Playground. Free, Metro-accessible, and kids can burn energy while you decompress. Then walk two blocks to Little Tokyo for lunch — Japanese curry, ramen, and udon at prices that don't hurt. Budget $35–$50 for lunch.
Afternoon: LACMA or Bubble Planet
If your kids are into art and curious: Los Angeles County Museum of Art is 5 minutes from La Brea Tar Pits. Kids under 17 are free for LA County residents. Adults ~$25. Parking $15–$20. Closed Wednesdays.
If your kids want something more immersive: Bubble Planet in the Arts District (20 min drive) has giant bubble sculptures, UV-lit rooms, and walk-through installations. $80–$100 for four ($20–$25/person plus ~$10–$15 parking). Closed Tuesdays. Book in advance.
Day 2 Cost Estimate: $110–$175 depending on afternoon choice. Pack lunch or budget for Little Tokyo.
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Day 3 — Westside + Hollywood Hills
Morning: Bronson Canyon Playground + Batman Caves (Free)
Bronson Canyon Playground in the Hollywood Hills is free. Let kids play for 30–45 minutes, then walk up into Bronson Canyon. The Batman Caves — old quarry tunnels used in the original 1960s Batman TV series — are 10 minutes up the trail. Kids ages 7 and up think this is one of the coolest things they've done all trip.
Midday: Discovery Cube or Escape Room
For science-minded big kids: Discovery Cube Los Angeles in Sylmar (35 min north) runs 3–4 hours. Water currents, earthquake simulators, live animal encounters. Closed Mondays. Budget $80–$110 for four.
For ages 8+ who want a challenge: Maze Rooms Escape Game - Vermont in Rampart Village (15 min from Hollywood Hills) has a 4.9 rating across 1,100+ reviews. Budget $80–$100, 1–1.5 hours. Book ahead.
Afternoon: Aidan's Place + Westwood Village
Aidan's Place at Westwood Recreation Center is a free playground near UCLA open until 10pm. This is the recovery play session before a final dinner in Westwood Village — walkable restaurants, ice cream, easy parking.
Day 3 Cost Estimate: $80–$115 depending on midday choice. Plus lunch and dinner.
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What This Trip Will Cost
| Day | Activities | Estimated Cost (Family of 4) | |-----|-----------|-------------------------------| | Day 1 | Griffith Park, Old Zoo, Vermont Canyon | $0–$15 | | Day 2 | La Brea Tar Pits + Bubble Planet or LACMA | $155–$200 | | Day 3 | Bronson Canyon + Discovery Cube or Escape Room | $80–$115 | | Total | | $235–$330 |
Add food ($40–$60/day for a family), parking ($0–$20/destination), and you're looking at a full 3-day trip for $400–$550 in activities and meals. That's realistic.
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Practical Tips for Your Los Angeles Family Trip
- Traffic is the variable that breaks itineraries. Before 9am and after 7pm, LA moves. Between 4–7pm on weekdays, nothing does. Build your day around this.
- Park once, explore on foot or Metro. Downtown days pair Grand Park, Little Tokyo, and the Arts District without moving your car. A Metro day pass is ~$3.50/adult.
- Griffith Park parking fills by 10am on weekends. Use Crystal Springs Drive lots, not the Observatory lot — they're far less crowded.
- Check closures before you go. LACMA closes Wednesdays. Discovery Cube closes Mondays. Bubble Planet closes Tuesdays. SAY CHEEZ LA is closed Saturdays.
- Pack food for every park day. On-site vendors are sparse in Griffith Park. You'll pay dearly for proximity snacks if you don't bring your own.
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable. The sun in LA is intense even on overcast days. Apply before outdoor time, not after kids are already complaining.