United States

Los Angeles

LA is sprawling and often misunderstood as purely a car city, but neighborhoods like Santa Monica give families a genuinely walkable base with beaches, the pier, and good food within easy reach. Griffith Observatory above the city is free, genuinely fascinating, and one of the few places in LA that feels like it belongs to everyone equally. For tacos that go beyond the standard, Guerrilla Tacos earned a James Beard nomination for seasonal, inventive combinations that work for adventurous eaters at any age. The Metro app handles real-time transit routing and can meaningfully cut down on driving if you're based in the right neighborhood. FamiVentura's Los Angeles guide includes 15 picks across activities, food, hidden gems, and excursions, plus 2-day and 5-day itineraries, a neighbourhood guide, and a survival guide for a city that rewards having a plan.

15 activities5 free 25 food spots5 free 15 excursions5 free 15 hidden gems5 free 8 neighbourhoods3 free 10 survival tips3 free 2 itineraries0 free

Food & Restaurants

Where to eat with kids

Guerrilla Tacos

Counter service tacos with a seasonal menu that changes frequently enough to be interesting on repeat visits. The sweet potato with feta sounds like a detour but it works. Older kids and teens can order independently; the format requires no ceremony. The Arts District location puts you in one of LA's better walking neighborhoods if anyone wants to extend the stop.

Address: 926 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11am-3pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-8pm. Closed Mondays.
Price: $3-$6 per taco
Duration: 20-30 minutes for quick meal
Booking required: No

Tips

The hours are limited (closed Mondays, lunch-only on weekdays) — confirm before building the day around it
Order multiple tacos and share to try more of the menu

TacosCreativeQuickLocal favorite

Gjeost

Norwegian food is almost impossible to find in Los Angeles, which makes Gjeost worth knowing about. The brunost cheese is the centerpiece — a caramel-brown whey reduction that is deeply savory and unlike any cheese in the American dairy section. The waffles and smørrebrød give both age groups an accessible entry point. The quiet room and small portion format makes it a good dinner choice before a Los Feliz evening.

Address: 4129 Main Street, Culver City, CA 90232
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm, Sunday 5pm-9pm. Closed Mondays.
Price: $$$ (entrees $25-$40)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Booking required: Yes

Tips

The menu is short and changes occasionally — check their Instagram before going to see what's current
The room seats about 20 people; walk-ins sometimes work at the counter during the week

ScandinavianCheeseElegantWine

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Republique

Republique is where families who care about breakfast go when they want something that won't disappoint. The pastry counter covers everyone in a group in one pass. The 1920s dining room has enough visual interest to provide conversation while you wait for food. Arrive before 9am on weekends or expect to stand outside.

Address: 624 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 7am-8pm
Price: $$ (pastries $4-8, entrees $12-$28)
Duration: 1-2 hours
Booking required: No

Tips

The parking structure on 6th Street behind La Brea is the practical option on weekend mornings when street parking on La Brea is occupied
Pastry-only visits (no sit-down table) can be completed in 15 minutes and make sense as a morning stop before a museum or the Farmer's Market