Brian Steele

Latest posts by Brian

The Best Swimming Lakes near Los Angeles You Need to Discover

Submitted by Brian Steele on Fri, 04/21/2023 - 12:30pm

Go swimming at Malibu Creek State Park. Photo by Meghan Rose

Los Angeles kids grow up swimming at some of the country's most iconic beaches, not to mention an array of flat-out awesome public swimming pools. But wait—there's more! Did you know that there are some wonderful swimming lakes near Los Angeles? And if you're willing to drive a little farther, lake options get even more plentiful. Whether you want to take a dip in a secluded swimming hole or join the masses at a lavish lake resort, here are some of the best spots to take a swim out in nature.

For more places to go swimming in Los Angeles, check out our Guide To Pools and Splash Pads in Los Angeles. Or keep it natural at one of these Surf-Free Beaches Where Toddlers Can Swim!

30 Best Free Things To Do February 2023 with LA Kids

Submitted by Brian Steele on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 11:18am

Spread the love with Big Sunday. Photo courtesy of Big Sunday

There are so many fun and free activities to do in Los Angeles with kids, it was impossible to limit our favorite free events in February. Sorry not sorry, but the list is a little longer than usual this month!

February is so full of eclectic holidays, it isn't hard to find festive, fun, free activities for the whole family. With Black History Month, President’s Day, Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, and Mardi Gras celebrations, LA is hopping this month. Plus we've got an International Festival of Chocolate in Santa Ana, a Tu B'Shevat Festival in West LA, Dodger FanFest at Dodger Stadium, and a brand new Lego store is opening in Century City with a cool master builder event and special deals. Read on for the scoop on where to go for your dose(s) of free family fun.

Plus, we are always adding free events to our Los Angeles event calendar as they pop up, and we keep all our roundups of free outings for families in our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids.

Free Activities for Kids in January 2023: 22 Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids

Submitted by Brian Steele on Fri, 01/06/2023 - 7:00am

Explore what lives under the sea on a tide pool walk. Photo courtesy of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

There are so many fun and free activities to do in Los Angeles with kids, which is reason #52996 why we love living here.

The holidays are over, but just because the decorations are getting packed up doesn't mean the fun has to stop. We know your wallet might be a little empty after the spending spree that is December. The good news is, there are plenty of fabulous free events and things to do in Los Angeles this January, as everything from a whole bunch of storytimes to MLK celebrations to the Oshogatsu Family Festival are all 100% FREE. So grab your winter coat and give your credit cards a rest while everyone enjoys these free family-friendly activities.

Ultimate List of Free Holiday, Hanukkah, and Christmas Events in Los Angeles for Kids

Submitted by Brian Steele on Sun, 12/04/2022 - 10:06am

Boats light up the seas and the sky at the annual boat parade. Photo courtesy of the Newport Beach Boat Parade

Happily, there are loads of free holiday events and Christmas events in Los Angeles for when you've blown your budget on Barbie's Little Dream House and a home Skee Ball game, but still need fun, festive things to do with the family!

Christmas in Los Angeles is dazzling, magical, and frankly a little overwhelming. There are more light displays, Christmas parades, tree lightings, immersive experiences, holiday walk-throughs, and Santas to visit than any reasonable family can handle. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle, though. Before you go tapping your Apple Pay for every Christmas experience in the county, check out our list of totally FREE holiday fun. Between boat parades, tree lightings, and Santa Claus visits, there are plenty of Christmas activities to get Nutcracking with—and that's before we even start with the menorahs and kinaras for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Save your cash for the stocking stuffers by filling your festive days and evenings with these free, fun holiday outings. If you need even more ideas for holiday events, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Los Angeles Families.

Free in November: Veterans Day Parades, Fireworks, and More Free Things To Do in Los Angeles With Kids

Submitted by Brian Steele on Fri, 11/04/2022 - 12:27pm

Learn the history of Bob Baker's marionettes at this free exhibit at Forest Lawn. Photo courtesy of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater

The pumpkins are slowly rolling away from the patch, only to be replaced with Christmas trees. It's the most wonderful time of the year, but it can easily become the most expensive time of the year, too. Due to that shocking Thanksgiving turkey price tag (thanks, inflation), that upcoming black Friday haul, and the new hoodies the kids need for this chilly-for-LA weather, it may not be the month to splurge on extravagant outings. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make sweet family memories in November without swiping the credit card. This month has so much in store with Dia de los Muertos festivals, Veterans Day parades, and plenty of holiday tree lighting ceremonies—like this Christmas tree lighting in Beverly Hills that has Santa, songs, and fireworks—to kick off the holiday festivities.

Free in September: Moon Festival, KidFest, and More Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids

Submitted by Brian Steele on Fri, 09/02/2022 - 11:10am

It's time for the Annual Chinatown Moon Festival! Photo courtesy of dola.com

Just because school is in session doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of fun (and free) things to do in Los Angeles with kids this month. Save your money for those Halloween costumes, bags of Halloween candy, and a giant inflatable skeleton for your yard, because we have all sorts of ways to enjoy the city in September without dipping into your rainy day fund. Celebrate the harvest moon at a local festival, watch the Malibu 2XU triathlon, dance around at a free outdoor kids club, check out a museum you've never been to on a free admission day, or catch an outdoor movie or concert before the weather turns cold. With our guide, it's easy to make this a free and easy September to remember.

Family Memberships That Are Still Worth Having in 2021 for Your LA Kids

Submitted by Brian Steele on Thu, 01/14/2021 - 8:49am

Fresh air and gorgeous selfie backgrounds abound at Descanso Gardens. Photo by Meghan Rose

When kids love a place, they want to return again and again… and again. Annual memberships let families visit a place as often as kids want, without spending a bundle. But in 2021, when the year is starting with so many favorite museums and play places closed, are memberships worth it? Absolutely!

There are gardens that are currently open daily, zoos that plan to open soon, and spots with members-only offerings today and always— and all of these places need our continued support to open up again, post-pandemic. Here are a few of the most affordable, game-changing, and enjoyable places in LA, where we still recommend getting family memberships.

7 Best Train Ride Day Trips To Take from Los Angeles

Submitted by Brian Steele on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 10:37pm

Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner heads down the coast. Photo courtesy of Amtrak

One of the best parts about living in Los Angeles is getting out of Los Angeles. With an unending supply of beaches, mountains, deserts, and historic highways just a short distance away from the city, there’s always an excuse for a day trip. But what are the options if you’re looking to leave cars out of the equation and travel by train to your favorite SoCal destination? Here are a few of the best spots Angelenos can get to easily by rail and still be home by bedtime.