By Margo Dill
Fun Children's Activities in Southern California
Southern California has many fun children's activities, from zoos to theme parks to science centers. If you are vacationing with your family in Southern California, you could find a different children's activity to do every day for two weeks or more. How about whale watching or learning at the Ocean Institute? Treat your kids to a pirate-themed or medieval-themed dinner. There's always the
beach, which is a favorite of children---young and old. Children love to splash in the waves and build sandcastles on the shore.
Zoos
One fun children's activity in Southern California is visiting one of the area's many zoos. You can take your family to the Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara or Santa Ana zoos. You can also visit the Zoomars Petting Zoo. This zoo has over 100 animals for children to pet as well as pony and train rides. The Santa Barbara Zoo and Santa Ana Zoo are both smaller zoos and are perfect for families with small children. The San Diego Zoo is the largest zoo in California. You can spend an entire day of fun there. You can check out the Elephant Odyssey, Panda Research Station and Polar Bear Plunge.
Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, (323) 644-4200, www.lazoo.org
San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, (619) 231-1515, www.sandiegozoo.org
Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 836-4000, www.santaanazoo.org
Santa Barbara Zoo, 500 Ninos Dr., Santa Barbara, (805) 963-5695, www.santabarbarazoo.org
Zoomars Petting Zoo, 31791 Los Rios, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 831-6550, www.zoomars.com
Ocean Life
Another popular activity in Southern California is exploring ocean life---and not just at the beach. You can visit an aquarium, like Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Sea Life Aquarium in Legoland and Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. But best of all, you can also take your children whale watching at Newport Landing in Newport Beach. A whale watching cruise brings families up close to whales and possibly sea otters who are migrating along the coastline. The Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor is open to the public on weekends. They also have summer camps for kids.
Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, (562) 590-3100, www.aquariumofpacific.org
Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, (858) 534-FISH, aquarium.ucsd.edu
Newport Landing Whale Watching, 309 Palm, Suite A, Balboa, (949) 675-0551, www.daytrippen.com/whale-watching-newport-landing.html
Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, (949) 496-2274, www.ocean-institute.org
Sea Life Aquarium, One Legoland Dr., Carlsbad, (760) 918-5346, www.legoland.com/business/press/sealifelegolandcalifornia.htm
Science Centers and Museums
Children can also learn while they have fun at science centers and museums, which can help create lifelong learners. The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana will awe kids just from its huge, black solar cube-shaped building that hangs over the highway. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is in San Diego and has over 100 interactive science exhibits. The Orange Empire Railway Museum is for children young and old who love trains. One ticket per person allows each family member to ride a train all day long. In Los Angeles, the Griffith Observatory is free and has a great view of Los Angeles.
Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 542-2823, www.discoverycube.org
Griffith Observatory, 2800 E. Observatory Rd., Los Angeles, (213) 473-0800, www.griffithobs.org
Orange Empire Railway Museum, 2201 S. "A" St., Perris, (951) 943-3020, www.oerm.org
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego, (619) 238-1233, www.rhfleet.org
About the Author:
Margo Dill is a freelance writer, editor, columnist, book reviewer, and childrens' author. She owns her own editing business. Her work has appeared in publications such as "Grit," "Missouri Life," "News-Gazette," "Pockets," "Chicago Tribune," and "WOW! Women On Writing." Her middle-grade historical fiction book will be published by White Mane Kids.
Photo Credits:
By exquisitor at www.flickr.com
