The best recommendations curated by parents for parents — outdoor adventures, great places to eat with kids, and spots to play.
We asked our Babyletto parents to tell us their go-to spots in Los Angeles. Kid-friendly restaurants where the vibe is actually good, museums worth going back to, parks that burn the energy, and the hidden gems only locals know.
SECTION ONE
Where We Get Fresh Air
● Coldwater Canyon Park · Beverly Hills
“Walking Rocky in his stroller on the track across from Coldwater Canyon Park in the morning.” — Tracy Fong
● LACMA + La Brea Tar Pits · Mid Wilshire
“Kids can scooter around, listen to music, families can picnic on the grass. There’s also La Brea Tar Pits right next to it with a lot of open space.” — Esther Yi
● Hart Park · Santa Clarita
“My kids lose their minds over the cows every single time and there’s enough space that everyone leaves tired in the best way.” — Jacqueline Secor
● Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area · Baldwin Hills
“One of our go-to spots, but honestly I’m always on the hunt for a new park to explore.” — Katrina Bello Debela
● Blair Hills Park + Stoneview Nature Center · Culver City
“The best low-key, great parking, outdoor little kid combo! It was our pandemic lifeline!” — Tracy Wells
● Point Dume · Malibu
“Hike and a beach hang.” — Tracy Wells
● Descanso Gardens · La Cañada Flintridge
“Descanso Gardens is one of those places we come back to again and again. My kids can run, explore, and follow their curiosity, while I get to slow down and enjoy the beauty around us. Every visit feels a little different, and somehow always turns into a special family memory.” — Jennifer Hill
● The Row · DTLA
“Open space for kids to run around, artsy shops, coffee, and restaurants for families!” — Esther Yi
● The Getty · Westwood
“The train ride is always fun for kids! And it has a really pretty fountain area to eat next to.” — Esther Yi
● The Huntington Library & Gardens · Pasadena
“Super open and a lot of gardens for kids to be able to enjoy!” — Esther Yi
● Griffith Observatory · Los Feliz
“Classic.” — Esther Yi
● Exposition Park Rose Garden · Exposition Park
“Feels like a hidden oasis — added bonus with fountains, roses, and plenty of space to wander.” — Katrina Bello Debela
● Downtown Newhall · Newhall
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“Coffee, farmers market, kids running around, somebody playing live music. It feels like the most human part of Santa Clarita.” — Jacqueline Secor, on Downtown Newhall Saturday mornings |
● Sportsmen’s Lodge · Studio City
“Has kid classes on the grass and is so fun!” — Tracy Fong
● WeHo Library Park & Dog Park · West Hollywood
“A dedicated playground for babies and toddlers — nice to separate from the big kids.” — Eleanor Vernon
● Little Tokyo (inner plaza) · Little Tokyo
“Fun and cozy, especially during the daytime. Recommend staying in the inner part of the plaza.” — Esther Yi
● The Grove · Mid Wilshire
“Diverse dining options and a charming vintage-style trolley for kids — super cute during holidays.” — Esther Yi
★ BABYLETTO ★
SECTION TWO
Where We Love to Eat
● Mama Lu’s Dim Sum · Beverly Hills · La Cienega
● Jon & Vinny’s · Fairfax
● Hi-Di-Lao Hot Pot · Century City Mall
● Trophies Burger Club · Fairfax
● Maginns Irish Pub — enclosed courtyard · Newhall
“It’s enclosed, away from traffic, and the kids can safely run around while you sit on the patio and eat. There’s also a baby/kids boutique right there, so it somehow turns into a whole afternoon every time.” — Jacqueline Secor
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“With so many families in the neighborhood, they understand the assignment. We usually order drinks, food, and the check all at once because the clock is ticking with toddlers.” — Eleanor Vernon, on the Larchmont restaurant strip |
● Bettola & Village Pizzeria · Larchmont
● Clark Street Bakery · Larchmont
“Has a shelf of books and toys in the back seating area that kids can use — which definitely helps buy you a little more table time.” — Eleanor Vernon
● The Loaf Japanese Bakery · Newhall
● Eat Real Cafe · Newhall
● Bloom Café · Larchmont
● Highly Likely · West Adams / Highland Park
● Maydan Market · West Adams
● Delicious Pizza · West Adams
● Johnny’s Pastrami · West Adams
● Cafe Dulce at The Row · DTLA
★ BABYLETTO ★
SECTION THREE
Where We Love to Play
● Kidspace Children’s Museum · Pasadena
● Cayton Children’s Museum · Santa Monica
● Natural History Museum of LA County · Exposition Park
“My son is currently obsessed with animals and dinosaurs, so it’s perfect. ROARRR!” — Katrina Bello Debela
● California Science Center · Exposition Park
“Fun space for kids to explore.” — Esther Yi
● Japanese American National Museum · Little Tokyo
● Sloomoo
“Fun activity to do on a weekend with kids that love slime!” — Esther Yi
● The Gentle Barn · Santa Clarita
● Wild Child · Culver City
● Zooga Kids · Culver City
● Play 2 Progress — sensory classes · Beverly Hills · Friday mornings
“I love the outdoor sensory class that Play 2 Progress offers on Friday mornings! We just started that.” — Tracy Fong
● Rose Bowl Aquatic Center · Pasadena
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“An incredible space for kids and a true hidden — and underutilized — gem.” — Katrina Bello Debela, on Exposition Park Library (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Branch, LAPL) |
● Exposition Park Library — Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Branch (LAPL) · Exposition Park
What did we miss?
Drop your LA gems in the comments below. We update this guide as our community grows.
Save this list for next time you're in LA!
In the City With Kids — LA Edition · A Babyletto guide by parents, for parents · 2026