Family Things To Do in Santa Monica, California

This beach is two miles long, has a picnic area, shops and pier. Visitor activities include volleyball, bas... More on Parks.ca.gov

I love the carousel and it's a lot cheaper than doing... More on Trekaroo

Atop this bluff sits Palisades Park, a shady 26-acre jewel that runs for 14 city blocks from Colorado Aven... More on Foghorn: California Beaches

Magnificent Palisades Park sits high above the beach itself. Running along Ocean Avenue at the top of Santa... More on Santamonica.com

Pacific Park on the historic Santa Monica Pier is admission-free. The oceanfront, two-acre park has 12 thri... More on DiscoverLosAngeles.com

After that it's just too much of a rip-off and my kids would rather play the prize games anyway. More on insiderpages.com

The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (SMPA) is a marine science aquarium located beach-level, just below the Caro... More on Healthebay.org

The film about Inky the Whale is a great one for kids , and there are always plenty of craft stations, too. More on GoCityKids

It's on the beach! This incredible park is one for all ages. Whether you're an aspiring gymnast or a small child, there's something for you here. They have equipment designed specifically for those who are at least 16... More on KaBoom.org

Just under ten acres, the newly renovated Virginia Park has two different playgrounds, for younger and older kids, and a delightful water patio in summer.Four buildings within the park house a Comm... More on GoCityKids

Virginia Avenue Park also has a 2.9-acre open lawn area with a meandering path, picnic tables, barbeques, two full size basketball courts, two playgrounds and free Wi-Fi internet access. More on KidsPlayParks

In Short :This Santa Monica mainstay is like "Wild Kingdom" for kids, with tots running up and down the wel... More on CitySearch

Puzzle Zoo has everything for kids and adults alike from plush animals and games to Barbies and Beanies. More on insiderpages.com

about Free Thinking: Santa Monica: There is plenty to do around Santa Monica without wreaking havoc on the weekly budget. One of the first places to check for free fun is always the Santa Monica Pier . Admittedly, a latte costs more ... More on GoCityKids

Venice Beach has been featured in numerous movies, so I wanted to check it out for myself. This beach is a bit edgier than most, but ... More on igougo

El Matador, La Piedra, and El Pescador State Beaches are three small oceanfront parks on the Malibu bluffs which comprise the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. The three pocket beaches are within a one-mile stretch, bounded by ... More on Trails