Descanso Gardens

Location: 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, 91011 map
Website: www.DescansoGardens.org
Type of Activity: Outdoors/Nature Walk
Hours: Open daily from 10am to 4:30pm (except Christmas)
Cost: $7 for Adults, $5 for seniors and Youth (13-18) $2 for children 5-12, FREE for children 5 and under.


We went for the first time today and it was an amazing place to walk around and for the kids to explore. Picnics are supposed to be eaten in the picnic area outside of the main gates only, but we took snacks that we ate while in the gardens. There is also a courtyard cafe and a japanese teahouse with light snacks (open on weekends during the winter months).

The kids loved looking at the fish and fowl in the lake. Apparently, there are usually a lot of turtles to be seen too. There are nice trails that are stroller accessable, a train for the kids to ride out (seasonal & a fee) and a cute little shrubbery maze to enjoy.

We were there for two hours and didn't even scratch the surface of what the gardens have to offer, so plan a longer stay or plan on many returns!

Outdoors_, Nature_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Restaurants_,

Underwood Family Farms

Location: 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA 93021 map
Website: www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com
Type of Activity: Working Farm
Hours: March - November: open 7 days a week, December: open weekends.
9:00am - 6:00pm (closes at 5:00pm beginning on 10/29/06)
Cost: Varies depending of the activity.


We went here last week for their Harvest Festival and had a GREAT time! It takes about 45min-1 hr to get there from Pasadena. Activities on the farm depend on the time of year but can include: a visit to the animal center (lots of animals), playing on the outdoor train and kids playground, wagon rides, corn maze, u-pick crops, farmers market, etc. They really cater to children which is great. There are huge wagons and wheelbarrows to use during the Harvest Festival to collect the famiy pumpkins.

Check out their other yearly activities like Easter on the Farm, the Harvest Festival, Christmas on the Farm, and A Civil War Reenactment.

Click here for the Pick-your-own crop calendar.

Outdoors_, Nature_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Shopping_

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Location: 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A. 90007; across the street from USC
Website: http://www.nhm.org/
Type of Activity: Museum
Hours: M-F 9:30a-5:00p, Sa-Su 10:00a-5:00p
Cost: Adults $9, Kids (5-12) $2; FREE on the 1st Tuesday of each Month; Parking $6


We also call this "the Dinosaur Museum" because they have a lot of dinosaur skeletons and huge dinosaur statues in front. They also have many skeletons of other animals, as well as replicas of various mammals in their 2 huge "habitat halls" -- it's almost better than the zoo because you get to see all the animals and they look so real! Another favorite is the Discovery Center for kids, where "children of all ages take fossil rubbings from a realistic-looking rock wall; look at water drops under a microscope; check out "discovery boxes" full of educational activities; observe live animals such as snakes, fish and lizards; or get a closer look at a stuffed lion, tiger and bear" -- lots of hands-on fun, and there's an Insect Zoo upstairs. There's lots to see and do here, not to mention gaze at the incredible architecture of the building. There's also a playground to the west of the building and a rose garden east of the building. And you can also check out the Science Center next door -- always free, though they do accept donations. It's a full day of fun!

Indoors_, Nature_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Museums_

Recommended Dentists

Tom Segura
170 E Foothill Blvd
Arcadia, CA 91006
626-305-5175
*great with kids!
map

Toddlers_, Kids_, Healthcare_,

Recommended Pediatricians

John Legault, M.D. or
Peggy Legault M.D.
55 E. California Bl.,
Ste. 200, Pasadena
(626) 449-7350
map

Kellie Yoon, M.D.
301 W. Huntington Drive
Ste. 320, Arcadia
(626) 447-3516
map


Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Healthcare_,

The Arboretum of Los Angeles County

Location: 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia (south of the 210 freeway, across the street from the Santa Anita Racetrack and Mall)
Website: www.arboretum.org
Type of Activity: Nature, Outdoors
Hours: 9am-5pm Daily (entrance closes at 4:30pm)
Cost: Free on the 3rd Tuesday of the month! Otherwise, $7 adults, $5 seniors & students, $2.50 ages 5-12, under 5 free. Year memberships available.


I try to go to the Arboretum every month. It's a historical site with beautiful botanic gardens on 127 acres, and a great place to get your kids out in nature.

There are several types of gardens at the Arboretum: The jungle garden (with a random dinosaur-shaped bush), the herb garden, rose garden, etc, and a children's garden with a very cute outdoor classroom under a tree with tree stumps for chairs. Each time we go we find a new lawn we have practically to ourselves.

The Arboretum has some beautiful fountains and a waterfall, and many ponds and a large "lake" with all sorts of birds, ducks, geese, turtles, and koi fish. My favorite animals to see at the Arboretum are the many peacocks that roam freely.

In addition to gardens and ponds, there are some interesting historical structures at the Arboretum: There's an original adobe building onsite (where, oddly, Lucky Baldwin used to live); some recreations of Native American huts (fun for kids to play in); a "Jolly Holiday"-esque Victorian house (you can't go inside, but you can walk around the porch of the entire house looking through all the windows at the antique furniture, decorations, and "family"); a matching carriage house; and the original Santa Anita train station, which has been relocated from about a mile or so north. The train station is a little bit of a walk, but totally worth it (you can actually see it as you drive down Baldwin Ave). It's decorated with antiques and old maps of the area, and there is someone there to tell you about the place.

In comparison to the Hungington Gardens, most of the Arboretum gardens have a more natural feel. Also, the grounds are so big that it never gets too crowded, even when there are busloads of summer camp kids on the free day (unlike the Huntington, where you can run into some major stroller gridlock).

Tips: Bring comfortable shoes and your stroller. Also, technically, you're not supposed to have picnics inside the Arboretum. But I always have food for the kid, and I usually snack on a sandwich myself, and have never gotten in trouble. Also, you're probably not supposed to feed the peacocks and other fowl/fish/turtles, but they will take food directly from your hand if you offer it.

Parks_, Outdoors_, Nature_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_,

Most Kid-Friendly Post Office

Location: 99 W. California Blvd.
Website: www.usps.gov
Type of Activity: Shopping
Hours: M-F 8:30am-5:00pm
Cost: N/A


I HATE going to the post office, especially with kids, but this post office makes it bearable. It's a very small facility (therefore, less space for the kids to run around like banshees) and it's in the VON'S Shopping Center, so there's free parking right in front. It usually isn't crowded at all and the postal workers are friendly (what a concept!) and will even hook the kids up with some stickers sometimes. I know this is a random post, but if you dread the P.O. like I do and having to deal with parking meters, long lines, and people giving your kids dirty looks, then you've got to check this one out!

Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Shopping_

Lacey Park

Location: San Marino; Virginia Rd. & Monterey Rd.
Website: none
Type of Activity: Parks/Outdoors
Hours: 8AM? to dusk
Cost: M-F is FREE for all; small entrance fee on the weekends for non-residents

Like everything else in San Marino, this park is most picturesque. It has HUGE grassy areas to run around, kick the soccer ball around, or get a wiffle ball game going. There's a great playground -- half of it for toddlers and half for bigger kids -- with lots of swings (both kinds) and park benches surrounding it. There's also a long path that goes around the park, perfect for jogging, walking, or bike riding. You'll also find plenty of tall trees, assorted plant life, shady spots, and, most importantly, restrooms!

Parks_, Outdoors_, Nature_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_

Tournament Park

Location: Caltech campus; South of California Blvd. just off Wilson Ave.
Website: http://www.facilitiesmanagement.caltech.edu/tournament_park.html
Type of Activity: Parks/Outdoors
Hours: 8 AM to Dusk
Cost: FREE


This park is perfect for young children. It's small enough and almost totally enclosed, so you can't lose your kids (always my problem!). There's a small play structure with stuff to climb on and a couple slides (no swings) and a large sand area. Plenty of picnic tables, grassy areas, and LOTS of shade! There's also a sidewalk around the perimeter (great for little bikes & scooters) and also lots of little trees and bushes for the kids to play "jungle" in. It's one of our favorite parks!

Parks_, Outdoors_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_

Monrovia Farmers Market & Family Festival

Location: Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia (exit myrtle off 210 and go North)
Website: Downtown Monrovia
Type of Activity: Outdoor, Family, Shopping, Food
Hours: Every Friday Night, March-December: 5-9pm
Cost: Free. Bring money for food, shopping, and children's activities


We just checked out the Monrovia Family Festival last Friday night and I LOVED IT! But then again, I love farmer's markets, street fairs, and funnel cake so I really couldn't go wrong there. There is great food from local restaurants, arts and crafts for sale, a great farmer's market, a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses, and free entertainment making it a great night for the whole family. And it's all set in the cute old downtown area of Monrovia. I can't wait to go back! Remember to bring the stroller!

Outdoors_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Restaurants_, Shopping_