Eastside

The adjoining villages of Silver Lake and Los Feliz make up one of the hipper, more offbeat areas of L.A. Originally home to the first silent-movie studios, Silver Lake is now a mecca for interesting, unusual finds—often with an artistic bent—and offers plenty of cafés and restaurants for refueling after a long day of bargain hunting. Los Feliz's shopping streets are lined with funky eateries and boutiques, while architecture enthusiasts will enjoy the grand Spanish-style homes (as well as two houses by Frank Lloyd Wright) in its residential streets. For kids, the neighborhood gem is Griffith Park , 4,000 enchanting acres of picnic spots, wooded areas, fields, and trails, as well as the Griffith Observatory (on a clear day, you can see most parts of the city from here) and L.A.'s oldest merry-go-round.

Eat

Eat in or picnic out on the muffins, tramezzini sandwiches, and organic salads from this Moroccan café-cum-boutique, which sells embroidered slippers and tunics for kids and adults.
3900 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, (323) 664-7000

This hot spot has no sign outside: Get a pho soup, mild, with extra noodles for kids.
2841 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, (213) 413-0888

Delicious tacos are sold from this James Beard award-winning stand, a neighborhood favorite set in the parking lot of a liquor store.
2056 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz, (323) 662-1214

Shop

Extraordinary toys, diaper bags, and animal paintings made by local artists.
1618½ Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake, (323) 662-3437

Books and tea sets for kids; cool furniture for adults.
1626 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake, (323) 660-4315; closed Mondays

Browse the retro toys; indulge in locally made ice cream.
2912 Rowena Ave., Silver Lake, (323) 663-9900

Do

Go to Crystal Springs Road for the train, pony rides, and a 1926 carousel. The Travel Town Museum on Zoo Drive is fun for any kid who loves vehicles; the best picnicking is at the Ferndell entrance.
4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, (323) 913-4688

The hands-on Children's Wing shows kids what the Old West was really like.
4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, (323) 667-2000; closed Mondays

Next Page: Beverly Hills and Hollywood

Beverly Hills and Hollywood

These two neighborhoods, arguably the most posh in L.A., are known for their toy shops, valet parking, and groomed parks. The strip of stores on West Third Street in Beverly Hills has one of the most high-quality and well-edited collections of merchandise anywhere in the city, including children's and adults' clothes, hand-pressed stationery, and design-oriented toys. Hollywood's perennially cool Melrose Avenue has experienced a style uptick, thanks to Marc Jacobs, Sally Hershberger's salon, and the iconic Fred Segal, which offers some of the best people-watching in the city (and a lovely café). Along the way, there are plenty of green spaces, kid-accessible museums, and even a trolley car to keep little shoppers happy.

Eat

Pick up sandwiches and a bucket of cotton candy.
8350 W. Third St., Beverly Hills, (323) 655-2285

Kids get pins to roll out pizza dough at this family-owned Italian restaurant.
8897 Beverly Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 859-4903

A casual Japanese eatery with a funky kids' menu.
8474 W. Third St., Suite 108, Beverly Hills, (323) 782-0181

Shop

Probably the most "L.A." store in L.A., this assortment of boutiques features kid and grown-up fashions, plus cult lines from local designers that you won't find anywhere else.
8100 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, (323) 651-4129

Rody rocking horses, Marimekko change purses, and superchic journals.
8405 W. Third St., Beverly Hills, (323) 655-1051

An epic selection of cookbooks, with an extensive children's section.
8373 W. Third St., Beverly Hills, (323) 655-3141; closed Sundays

A smart, sweet assortment of clothes and toys for kids and their furry counterparts.
8363 W. Third St., Beverly Hills, (323) 653-3995

Beautifully made children's knits, smocks, and kimonos.
8213 W. Third St., Beverly Hills, (323) 653-3250; closed Sundays

The new Hollywood outpost of this popular Studio City store sells organic cotton shirts, leggings, and swishy dresses for kids, many of them made with fabrics from all over the world.
The West Hollywood location has closed, but the Studio City location is still open. 12053 Ventura Pl., Studio City, (818) 766-9177

Do

This small, well-contained park has two large play structures and running streams.
12601 Mulholland Dr., Beverly Hills, (818) 753-4600

It's among the oldest in the nation. Stop for a treat at Bennet's Ice Cream, a family-owned soda fountain at Stall 548. The Grove outdoor mall, next door, has an old-fashioned trolley car kids will love.
6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles, (323) 933-9211

This museum, known for its diverse art collection (the largest in the western U.S.), has a hands-on kids section. Down the street are the La Brea tar pits, a prehistoric site where kids can ogle life-size replicas of mammoths and more.
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 857-6000