Dorothy Parker once called Los Angeles "72 suburbs in search of a city," and it's true that this massive, breezy metropolis, girded by freeways and bordered by the Pacific, can feel like several small towns connected only by bumper-to-bumper traffic. But for families, there are great ways to visit L.A. that minimize time in the car—and don't involve making a beeline for Universal Studios or staying within a single zip code. Many of the city's most vivid and distinct neighborhoods are knit together by streets and wide boulevards, creating areas that lend themselves to freeway-free days of exploration. Cookie has broken down the trip into three easy-to-navigate itineraries that are brimming with activities, eating spots (from takeout taquerias to sushi joints), and lush, grassy parks where kids can ride trains, carousels, and ponies. Between the glitter and the green spaces, it's not hard to see how this city might put stars in your—and your little ones'—eyes.
Next Page: Westside
