Audubon Nature Center at Debs Park

Location: 4700 N. Griffin Ave., LA (just off 110 freeway, Ave 52)
Website: audubondebspark.org
Type of Activity: Outdoor/Nature
Hours: Wed.-Sat. 9am-5pm
Cost: FREE

I'd been hearing about this place for months and finally discovered what a gem it is. It's very close to Pasadena, very kid-friendly (my kids are 4 and 2), and totally free! And when our group went (Friday midday in Aug.), nobody else was there! At the entrance there's an information office where you can check out binoculars, bug catchers, butterfly wings, art kits, all kinds of fun things -- all for free. The kids area is also near the entrance where kids can climb rocks, play in the sand and water, explore a little cave, catch bugs, or sit at the child-sized picnic tables and eat lunch in the shade. Up the path a little ways, the kids area continues with an wooden play house and the best climbing trees you've ever seen -- and lots of shade. This is also where easels are set up so kids can paint. We didn't get any further than that, but we were there for about 2 and a half hours and none of the kids wanted to leave. Recommendations: Go when it's a little cooler. Bring good shoes, a towel, change of clothes if you want -- the kids get filthy (and possibly wet)!

Outdoors_, Nature_, Babies_, Toddlers_, Kids_