Laura Kath - Are We Almost There? Los Angeles: Where to Go and What to Do with the Kids

S ay it like a nativeEl Ayeand youre already on the road (or freeway, as it were) to unlocking the mystique of one of the most fascinating places on earth. For others it is the leading metropolis of the Pacific Rim, a cutting-edge capital of culture and industry where culture happens to be a thriving industry unto itself. For just about everyone L.A. means paradise. Palm trees, beaches, and the best darned weather in the world. The vaunted laid-back mindset of Los Angelinos belies their determination to make L.A. as livable as it can possibly be. Creativity, hard work, and frequent trips to the beach help make civic aspirations come alive.

Are We Almost There? is a handy, pocket-sized resource of the top attractions for kids in Los Angeles and surrounding area. Dont forget to toss it in your bag youll find the Popout map to be invaluable as you embark across L.A. with the kids! We intentionally did not suggest itineraries in this guide. You need to decide where and when to go based on your familys different tastes and the age(s)and staminaof the kids. Parents and caregivers must use their own judgment and experience to determine whether a particular site is appropriate. Be sure to carefully select the elements that satisfy your familys unique tastes.

Here are a few general guidelines to keep in mind before you set out. First, always call ahead to double-check that what you want to see is still there; some places may change location or shut down between the time this guide goes to print and the time you want to visit. For family travel its safest to stick with chain hotels and motels and to make your reservations in advance. In a similar vein, most of the restaurants mentioned are geared toward the middle-of-the-road tastes that kids usually prefer. One last note: When admission to an attraction is by donation, you can usually gauge what the real expectation is by whether a specific dollar amount is suggested. If it is, youll be more comfortable if you plan to pay that amount; if not, theyll be grateful for whatever you give.

Dollar symbols are used throughout the guide to provide an idea of the cost for attractions, restaurants, and accommodations.

Dollar signs represent the cost per person for admission, not including tax, or the average cost of the activity. If no dollar sign is indicated, the attraction is free or donations are accepted.

For meals, the prices are per individual dinner entrees, without tax or gratuity.

Prices represent the rates for a double-occupancy room, European plan (no meals unless indicated), exclusive of hotel bed tax or service charges.

The size of the city provokes inspiration or consternation, depending on your point of view. On a clear day one gets a sense of its general proportions. The core of Los Angeles, city and county, is a vast, level basin studded with palm trees and laced with freeways. Of course, L.A. is prime beach countrythere are 81 miles of county coastline, from Malibu in the north to Long Beach in the south. Over the years, a patchwork of quite separate cities and towns in the L.A. basin was incorporated into the City of Los Angeles, creating a sprawling urban tapestry of contrasting colors and textures. Even if youre superparents, you wont be able to explore all 4,083 square miles of Los Angeles County, or even the City of Los Angeless 467 square miles. No matter, because the most interesting things to see and do are relatively concentrated in five major areas: downtown; Hollywood; Westside and Beverly Hills; the valleysSan Fernando (including Burbank), San Gabriel (including Pasadena), and coastal Los Angeles County. By East Coast standards, things are still very spread out, but that merely adds to the adventure, even for natives. Equipped with a reliable caran absolute necessitya full tank of gas, and the stamina to tackle the worlds most extensive network of freeways, you and your family are prepared for experiencing a great deal of the excitement this pocket of the world has to offer.

Start at the center. Thats as good a rule as any for those unfamiliar with the greater L.A. area. Downtown Los Angeles has been the commercial and cultural core of this sprawling city since it was merely a pueblo. Downtown gives the city a focus, and many central district attractions are perennial favorites. You will instantly recognize downtown by its cluster of skyscrapers.

For civic information and assistance in the City of Los Angeles, dial 3-1-1 inside city limits or (866) 4-LACITY in Southern California, and visit this special City Web site for kids activities: http://kids.lacity.org. You can also contact the L.A. Inc.The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau/Visitor Center (685 Figueroa St. 213-689-8822. www.discoverLosAngeles.com).

600 State Dr. (213) 744-7432. www.caamuseum.org.

This 44,000-square-foot facility includes three full-size exhibition galleries, a theater gallery, Sculpture Court, a conference center/special events room, and an archive and research library. History, culture, and art are featured in ongoing and special exhibits. Free admission.

700 State Dr., west of the 110 freeway. (213) 744-2019. www.californiasciencecenter.org.$$

Popular for its fun, innovative, and interactive exhibits, including the Air and Space Gallery with NASA capsules and a real jet fighter plane. Call for current IMAX production schedule and admission fees. Attractions include Creative World, World of Life, and Science Court, or take a ride on the high-wire bicycle. Free admission.