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What’s Open in Los Angeles for Families this Week

Updated July 16th, 2021

Los Angeles County is fully re-opened, but masks may be required indoors. Check with each place you want to enter. Many of our favorite spots have re-opened and we’ll keep you updated as things change.

We are constantly scanning for news of openings, and new family activities to try, so check back often.

Looking for Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids this Weekend — click over to see the list: we update it weekly with virtual events and fun ideas!

peacock with tail opened text what's open this week in LA Things to do with kids

What’s Open in Los Angeles for Family Fun – updated July 16, 2021

The Walt Disney Concert Hall has re-opened to the public and is offering FREE self-guided audio tours.

The Cayton Museum will re-open on August 4th. And they will have a new “Pay What You Wish” admission policy.

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour re-opens June 26th, and they’re launching a new, expanded set tour as well – and will now welcome families with kids as young as 5.

The Skirball Cultural Center is launching Noah’s Outdoor Explorers so you can enjoy the Skirball’s outdoor pathways and green spaces beginning June 13th, Tuesdays – Sundays. Timed entry, see website for details.

The Southern California Children’s Museum will re-open for General Admission Open Play on June 15th.

The Echo Park Swan Boats are back! Now you can try this iconic activity day or night!

The Getty Villa is open again. And the Getty Museum re-opens May 25th.

Knott’s Soak City re-opens on May 29th. Read about all the Water Parks in SoCal here.

The Big Bear Historical Museum will re-open on May 29th.

The Reagan Library and Museum will re-open May 26th.

The Natural History Museum is now open, and and so is the La Brea Tar Pits and the Page Museum.

The Discovery Cube Museums in Los Angeles and Orange County will re-open on May 28th.

The GRAMMY Museum will re-open to the public on May 21st.

The USC Pacific Asia Museum will re-open on May 29th.

Dreamscape VR – the immersive experience – has reopened at Century City Mall.

Sender One is open for climbers!

The Wende Museum is open.

Beach Eats To Go – Food trucks every Thursday evening in the Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach parking lot starting May 13th.

38 LA Public Libraries will re-open on May 3rd.

We’re so excited to share that the Kidspace Children’s Museum has re-opened! Yay!!!

SkyZone is now open in Cerritos, Torrance and Van Nuys. Check the link to find out more info.

Castle Park is open for Mini-Golf – and RIDES!

The Southern California Railway Museum is open for outdoor exhibits and events.

Regal Cinemas have opened 10 locations in SoCal for your movie viewing pleasure!

Pacific Park amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier has re-opened their rides, including the world-famous ferris wheel. Advanced ticket purchase required.

Universal Studios Hollywood has re-opened.

The Japanese American National Museum is re-opening April 16th.

Six Flags Magic Mountain is open for roller coaster rides and fun.

The Hammer Museum is re-opening April 17th.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is open – indoors and outdoors, as of March 16th. Advance reservations are required. 

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will open on April 30th! Tickets may be purchased online, using their new advance reservation system.

The California African American Museum (CAAM) will re-open March 27th. Free tickets are available with advance reservations.

The Annenberg PetSpace will re-open March 31st for small, socially-distanced groups to enjoy a specialized hour-long “PetSpace Experience.” Reservations required.

The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is now open.

Feel like a sail across the bay? The Catalina Island Museum is open.

The Petersen Automotive Museum will re-open March 25th – tickets on sale now.

The Autry Museum of the American West will re-open March 30th.

The Cayton Children’s Museum is hosting Cayton Creators Outdoor Play.

Legoland will officially re-open on April 15th.

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are both open.

Griffith Park Pony Rides and Petting Zoo are open! Have fun!

LACMA has announced they will re-open on April 1st.

Seaworld San Diego is now open.

Under The Sea Indoor Playground is open.

The Children’s Museum of La Habra has started Play Pass as part of their Outdoor Museum.

The Natural History Museum Butterfly Pavilion will reopen to the public on Thursday, March 18, with previews for members beginning Thursday, March 11 – and that’s the date the Nature Gardens will re-open as well. The Butterfly Pavilion will be open four days a week to start, Thursday to Sunday from 9:40 a.m. to 5 p.m. Timed tickets and advance parking reservations will be released at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 8th.

Click over to see our list of Drive-thru Experiences in Los Angeles

Knott’s Berry Farm will also be opening in March for the Taste of Boysenberry Festival, when they will be offering 80 different foods infused with the delicious fruit to ticketed guests.

The Los Angeles Zoo has re-opened! Timed tickets are available to purchase in advance. Check out the website to see all the updates.

Go Kart World is open for fun on the track!

The Catalina Island Museum has re-opened their outdoor galleries and their new sales gallery, too.

Golf n Stuff Ventura is open for Mini-Golf play, and their Norwalk locations is said to re-open soon.

The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are open.

Island Packers is open for whale watching and trips to the Channel Islands National Park.

The Automobile Driving Museum is open for special events, like the Hot Wheels Garage happening on February 6th.

While the indoors remains closed, the La Brea Tar Pits exterior grounds are open, as are the grounds around LACMA.

Olvera Street is open for shopping and dining – and traveling back in history to Los Angeles’ birthplace.

All these great Botanic Gardens are open – try to visit all of them!

Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain are open, having spent over $1Million on COVID safety precautions.

Read more about all the great places to play in the Snow near Los Angeles.

The dancing fountains at The Grove are a treat for kids and grown-ups.

Underwood Family Farms is open for U-pick and farm stand shopping.

The Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar is open and they are hoping to still hold their holiday lights event this year so keep your fingers crossed!

Kids ride FREE on Metrolink on weekends!

LA City Parks are open, including playgrounds, with mask wearing required.

The Beaches are open! Enjoy the sand and surf!

Some LA County Trails are open for hiking. Please check the website for more information.

Some LA County Libraries are open for curbside pick-up. (LA City Libraries remain closed, but have begun offering the Library To Go with curbside pickup now, too!)

The Wildlife Learning Center is open for private tours.

Universal CityWalk is open for shopping and dining.

Looking for which Summer Camps are planning to open? Stay tuned to our Summer Camp Guide for updates.

By now you all know that beach bike paths have re-opened, along with some beach parking lots, and indoor malls are open for shopping.

In other fun re-opening news: Tennis and Pickleball Courts are now open, along with Archery Ranges, Model Airplane areas, and Equestrian Centers.

As of this week, some retail shopping is allowed, and some faith-based organizations will hold services.

Drive-in Movies are now open and we have a great list.

The most fun news may be that Car Parades are approved again, too!

Our Favorite Family-Friendly Beaches (LA County Beaches opened May 13th)

Los Angeles County Trails open May 9th

LA County and LA City Golf Courses Open May 9th

Our Fave Family-Friendly Hikes in Los Angeles

Best Bike Trails for Kids in LA

Scroll down for more parks and botanic gardens that remain open.

Please be aware that you may need to consider taking a drive to get to some of these places, and you’ll need to be prepared that gas stations and rest stops may not be open. You may need to plan ahead by assuring that you have a full tank before you leave, and that you have a plan in case anyone in your family needs to use the restroom while you’re out, as they may not always be available.

what's open this week in Los Angeles and Southern California

What’s Open in Los Angeles and SoCal this weekend

Underwood Family Farms – Moorpark Location
3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA 93021

Pick-your-own fruit and vegetables while social distancing. Underwood Family Farms will be opening the fields at their Moorpark location for pick your own fruits and vegetables starting Friday, May 1 from 9am – 6pm daily.  With plenty of fresh air and wide-open space, it will allow for visitors to select and harvest their own essential produce directly from the fields while maintaining social distance. Admission to harvest your own produce is $5.00 per person.  Children UNDER 2 are Free. Tractor-drawn wagon rides to the fields are included with admission.

Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

What was once a private ranch and garden has been made into a stunning public botanic garden, located in La Cañada. Descanso Gardens is known for their outstanding collection of Camellias, as well as an enormous Rose garden and collection. But what may be the biggest hit with families is their 1/8th scale Enchanted Railroad Train, which many LA families have ridden over the years. Admission will require advance purchase of times tickets online, so please check with their website for details, including whether the train is currently running.

LA County Arboretum
301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007

The Los Angeles County Arboretum is open, with the purchase or reservation of timed tickets via their website. Tickets are limited to assure safe distancing, so you may have to wait for an entry time, but if you want to go, you’ll be sure to see peacocks and beautiful native plants. All visitors are asked to wear masks, and be aware that there are only restrooms available at the entrance, and that all indoor spaces are currently closed.

South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

This beautiful garden setting is open for timed tickets, and is very popular, so may be sold out when you check their website. Social distancing rules apply, and guests are asked to wear face masks.

READ MORE: The Best Botanic Gardens in SoCal

The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
on the campus of UCLA

This best-kept secret on UCLA’s campus, is free and open to the public, with social distancing measures in place. They ask guests to wear masks, and to be aware that the bathrooms are closed.

Mt Baldy Ski Resort
8401 Mt. Baldy Road, Mt. Baldy, CA 91759 (in the Angeles National Forest)

Mt. Baldy is open, using a timed entry system in order to keep social distancing. There is plenty of snowpack on the Northern and Western exposures, they say, despite the Spring temperatures. So if you’re looking for snow, skiing, or tubing, check their website for ticket information.

Arlington Garden in Pasadena
275 Arlington Drive, Pasadena, CA 91105

This beautiful garden remains open most days with social distancing measures in place. Currently closed on Tuesdays, this garden was created on the site of the CalTrans 710 staging area, and when the project stalled, it was turned into a garden showcasing native plants.

City of San Bernardino Parks and Trails

The City of San Bernardino seems to have looser rules than the City of Los Angeles regarding their parks and trails, so it seems that bike and horse trails are open, but please check with their website for updates. They do mention possibly not having access to restrooms, as well as giving guidance on social distancing.

Riverside County Parks

Riverside County has open many parks and trails for public use, while asking for social distancing and safe measures from those who visit. Biking, hiking, and fishing are some of the activities allowed. Some activities require fees, so check their website for information. 

Ventura County Parks

Ventura County Parks and Trails are open for public use, with social distancing measures. Walking, Hiking and Biking are permitted. Please check their website for updates.

LA Memorial Park in the Mid-wilshire neighborhood (photo by Yvonne Condes)

Los Angeles City Parks

Parks remain closed for many activities, including Rec centers and playgrounds, but they are open for walking and running, and presumably having a game of catch or frisbee, or having a picnic with your family. According to the Parks Department website,

Parks still remain open for walking or running; however, when visiting a park for exercise or respite, you MUST adhere to the City’s Safer at Home social distancing directives and must not participate in recreational group sports or activities that are incompatible with the City’s social distancing mandates.

This important note is also included on the City Rec and Parks website: 

“Restrooms accessible to the outdoors will remain open during regular operating hours.”

LA County Parks

In a move similar to the City, LA County parks are closed for most activities, with the exception of walking, or playing or relaxing together as a family. The County has included all trailheads and County Beaches as part of the closures for the time being. And they note that there is limited restroom availability from 7am – 5:30pm.

Orange County Parks

Orange County has made closures similar to the City and County of LA: most activities are prohibited.

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Disclaimer: MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.

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