familyfriendly

My husband and I live in Mission Viejo. Our older son, his wife and two children (ages 5 and nearly 4) live in Newhall. We love spending time together, but it’s quite a trek on the 5 Freeway. Last year, we went to the aquarium in Long Beach, which was great fun. Another day, we enjoyed a day of hiking and a picnic at Placerita Canyon Nature Center near my son’s home. We would love some suggestions about other places to visit which would maybe be a little more centrally located and fun for the whole family. Thanks
— Cathy McCoy

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

Here’s what we suggest:

Cathy, I understand your pain. Driving 80 miles can feel like an odyssey, especially in SoCal. Thankfully, there are loads of fun places where your family can meet in the middle (or close to it). I’ve rounded up some solid options. By the way, the driving times mentioned here are a rough estimate for a weekend day without traffic, but as you probably know, your actual time may vary.

Since you all enjoyed the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, how about switching it up and spending the day with a different set of animals at the Montebello Barnyard Zoo for your next outing? That would be about a 40- to 50-minute drive for both of you. Open since 1968, the zoo is home to horses, goats, sheep and donkeys that you can pet (and feed them for an extra $3). If you’re feeling adventurous, you can ride a pony or take a leisurely trip on a John Deere tractor train. “It’s a great place for young ones to learn that animals outside the home need and deserve the same kind of care that we show our pets,” Etan Rosenbloom writes in a Times guide to things to do with kids around L.A. General admission is $11, and you can sometimes find deals on Groupon as well. Afterward, head to Blvd Mrkt, a food hall in Downtown Montebello that sells a variety of food so everyone can get what they want.

Another great option is the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, which might be about an hour drive for both of you. I learned about this spot from my dear late colleague, Jeanette Marantos, who was a gardening expert in her own right. The garden, which has more than 2,500 species of plants and five miles of trails, also features a kids area, which features “a nursery rhyme theme with a large dollhouse, a charming bridge and plants matched to the stories,” Marantos writes. My editor Michelle Woo also loves this garden. “You can take a leisurely walk along the accessible loop trail or get really into the nooks and crannies of the place, discovering trees with giant roots that kids love to climb on and koi fish swimming in a shaded pond,” she says, adding that she’s excited for Thomas Dambo’s trolls exhibit that opens in March. If you get hungry, you can stop by Dottie’s at the Koi Pond, which sells food, beer, wine and specialty cocktails on Saturdays and Sundays. Carry-in food is permitted if pre-prepared.

If you’re interested in space travel, then you should definitely visit the Columbia Memorial Space Center, which is the ultimate cosmic playground. Located in Downey (known as “home of the Apollo”) — about a 40-minute drive for you and a 50-minute drive for your son’s family — the recently renovated museum features a play area, robotics lab and interactive exhibits on space exploration including a shuttle landing simulator. Admission is $5 for adults and kids, $3 for seniors ages 65 and up and free for children ages 3 and under.

Speaking of aviation, another spot that is worth checking out is the Proud Bird in El Segundo, about a 45- to 50-minute drive for both of you. Here, you can enjoy delicious bites as you watch planes take off from Los Angeles International Airport, which is just a couple of miles away. Woo calls it “the perfect spot for a multi-generation gathering.” “Our extended family once celebrated Christmas there when everyone was too tired to cook,” she adds. “You can order solid barbecue from Bludso’s, have a drink by a bonfire pit and let the kids play on the playground as planes fly by.” She also suggests the Point in El Segundo. It’s an open-air shopping and dining center that has a large lawn where the kids can play and the grownups can grab a drink from Lil’ Simmzy’s.

I hope these recommendations are useful as you plan your next family outing (and that they also save you some gas money). Whatever you end up doing together, I’m sure that your family, especially the little ones, will just be grateful to spend quality time with you. Have fun!

WHEN it comes to family holidays parents want plenty of entertainment, splash parks and great food – and you’d expect all this to come at a cost.

However, not all hotels have to break the bank, and a woman who knows how to be savvy with holidays is Jenna Carr aka ‘Travel Mum’ who is constantly finding the best deals and shares how others can do the same.

Jenna has travelled all over the world with her young family finding super cheap deals and the best locations for kids along the way.

She’s documented all her top tips on The Travel Mum – and there will be even more in her book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids‘ which will be released on February 12, 2026.

Jenna has two children ages six and one, so there are a few necessities when it comes to book hotels from splash pools, kids’ clubs and of course, being affordable.

Talking to Sun Travel, Jenna revealed some of her top hotels – some of which still have spaces this half-term.

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Jenna said: “The best all-inclusive, cheap, hotel I’ve been to was AluaSun Costa Park in Torremolinos.

“The Costa del Sol is always great for cheap hotels and this one was all-inclusive. We didn’t go during the school holidays, so it wasn’t busy either.

“It was a really easy pick because it was so close to the airport with a short transfer time, and a free shuttle that went down to the beach.

“There was a little splash park for the kids too and the food was good.”

The AluaSun Costa Park hotel sits on the Costa Del Sol, in Torremolinos.

It has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a sun terrace filled with loungers – and for kids, there’s a big splash park.

It’s within walking distance of two beaches; Playa de los Álamos and Playa de la Carihuela.

With HolidayGems you can still book a full-board five-night holiday for a family of four for £401.65pp.

Flights depart on February 17 returning on February 22, 2026.

If you don’t want all meals included, you can book a three-night stay at the AluaSun Costa Park from February 18 with loveholidays from £189pp (with breakfast included).

Hold off until Easter holidays and you can get an all-inclusive break at the AluaSun Costa Park from £305pp for a family of four.

Flights leave on March 31 from London Luton returning on April 4, 2025 – you can book this deal through On the Beach.

One of Jenna’s top all-inclusive stays was in Agadir where she paid just £600 for her family of three at the time.

She said: “Allegro Agadir was amazing, it was very cheap and cheerful and right on the beach.

“It was just the three of us at the time and we paid £600 for a five-night all-inclusive.

“That didn’t include flights though, we did it DIY.”

The hotel is a short walk from the beach where there are complimentary sunbeds for hotel guests.

There are also two outdoor pools including one for children along with a buffet restaurant and three bars.

On Booking.com a family of four can stay at the Allegra Agadir for three-nights at £601 with an all-inclusive deal (flights not included) from February 16, 2026.

This works out at just £50pppn.

If you book in advance now for October half-term a family of four can stay at the Allegra Agadir from £972 with an all-inclusive deal (flights not included) – which works out at £48pppn.

Or, a five-night all-inclusive package with loveholidays starts from £589pp with flights departing on October 26, 2026.

Another top pick when it comes to hotels for Jenna was the GF Victoria in Tenerife.

She told us: “It was fantastic and so good for families, especially the restaurant.

“There was a play area right next door with a glass wall. So when the kids start whining they’re finished and want to get up and go – you can finish your meal and let them play.

“There was a huge kids’ buffet with all the beige stuff they love. And there was a baby club along with a kids’ club.

“It was a holiday for us rather than a promotion, but I ended up promoting it anyway because it was such a great place – I had to tell everyone about it.”

Guests can enjoy the great weather in Tenerife at one of the four swimming pools, splash park and aqua park.

Inside is a baby club, mini club with a racing track, teen club with games like table football and air hockey.

There are also six bars and three restaurants across the resort all with children’s menus.

For more of the best best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week, head to thetravelmum.com

Jen Carr, family travel expert and founder of The Travel Mum, shares the best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week. https://thetravelmum.com

Jen’s new book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids’ is available launches February 12, 2026 and is available to preorder on Amazon.

For more on great family stays – check out the top-rated hotel named the best for families with colouring stations for kids and baby concierge.

And is this the best family hotel in Europe? The ‘insane’ resort has six floors of play zones, mini Land Rovers & a water park.

The Beckhams have been papped at endless glamorous locations over the years, and if you’d like to holiday like David and Victoria, here are some of the glamorous spots the family have enjoyed

Whether you’re on Team Victoria or firmly siding with Brooklyn, there’s one thing we can all agree on: the Beckhams know how to holiday in style. In summers gone by, we have been treated to a raft of enviable paparazzi pics of the Beckhams in sun-soaked locations, from yachts to private beaches.

While the vast majority of us don’t have the Beckhams’ budget, it’s still possible to visit the family’s favourite locations. Here are some of the spots where the clan has been spotted over the years and where you can stay for a hopefully feud-free holiday.

1. Saint Tropez, France

Saint Tropez has long been a glamorous celebrity haunt and the Beckhams have often been spotted on a yacht just off the coast, as well as along the Côte d’Azur. The French Riviera never goes out of style, and you can enjoy a stylish break at the Hotel Brin d’Azur. Just outside of Saint Tropez, this four-star hotel has direct access to a private beach, an outdoor pool for Instagram selfies, and rooms with terraces or balconies.

The hotel is just a short walk from the port area, where you can indulge in celeb-spotting and look out for superyachts coming into dock. Prices start from £172 per night and can be booked on Hotels.com.

2. Portofino, Italy

David and Victoria were spotted dining in Portofino last summer, and this stylish part of the Italian Riviera is loved by many celebs thanks to its Mediterranean charm. Stay just minutes from Portofino in the Mediterraneo Emotional Hotel & SPA in Santa Margherita Ligure, which offers rooms from £88 a night.

The hotel is set in a 19th-century building that has been beautifully restored and features a wellness centre with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and relaxation areas, so you can get the full celeb pampering treatment.

3. Napa Valley, California

Brooklyn revealed that one of his favourite spots to escape to is Napa Valley in the heart of California’s wine country. He first visited the area as a child, and now returns alongside his wife.

Whether you’re planning a stay with family or as a couple, the Hotel Winters is a great base to explore the region’s wineries. Surrounded by vineyards, it has large rooms, a spa, and a rooftop bar.

Guests can enjoy farm to fork dining at Carboni’s, a relaxed Italian, and the hotel is just a short walk from the historic main street of Winters, a charming small town with tasting rooms and independent shops. Book on Hotels.com from £151 per room

4. Miami, USA

Another American destination that the family enjoys is Miami, and since David Beckham owns local football club Inter Miami CF, it’s no surprise the family spends a lot of time in this colourful city. The Beckhams often visit Miami for their Christmas getaway, but it’s a great destination to explore year-round.

Book a room at Circa 39 Miami Beach to enjoy a location close to the beach and the famous Collins Avenue, where you’ll find luxury shops, nightclubs, and restaurants. The hotel has a stylish pool area with palm trees, and offers complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas for guests so you can enjoy lounging on the seafront. Rooms start from £147 per night.

5. The Bahamas, USA

Before rumours of a feud came to light, Victoria was spotted dancing and enjoying time with Brooklyn’s wife Nicola in the Bahamas in 2023. But who wouldn’t be in a good mood when visiting this island paradise?

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Many visitors head to Nassau, the capital of the islands, known for its white sand beaches and lively atmosphere. Sandyport Beach Resort is often listed among the best boutique resorts in the area, and it’s set around a marina with private beach access and lagoon-style pools. Rooms start at £280 a night with gorgeous rooms and suites set in pastel villas.

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