Gina Ragland

Latest posts by Gina

NEW Babylist Flagship Showroom Opens in Beverly Hills

Submitted by Gina Ragland on Fri, 08/25/2023 - 9:38am

Place a car seat in a life-size vehicle at the Babylist Store.

Oh, baby! The new Babylist Flagship Showroom in Beverly Hills is more than just a quick trip to grab last-minute items from your ever-growing list before baby arrives. The showroom is an immersive experience to share with spouses, future grandparents, cool aunts, and friends.

Just like bringing a bridal party along to say yes to the wedding dress, the Babylist showroom is an interactive outing. It aims for expectant parents to personally see, feel, and test out items for their soon-to-arrive cherub as they build their baby registry (on Babylist, of course). Read on to learn what to expect, what you can play with, and if you should bring your kids with you to the Babylist showroom...

For more baby preparation, see the best pregnancy and parenting classes in Los Angeles, and plan out all the essential things to do with Los Angeles babies before they turn one. There's even more baby planning resources in our Los Angeles Baby Guide for Parents.

Santa Barbara Zoo: Top Things To Do with Kids for a Great Visit

Submitted by Gina Ragland on Mon, 07/24/2023 - 8:45am

Feeding a giraffe is not your every day zoo experience.

The Santa Barbara Zoo will entertain kids of all ages with captivating attractions and unforgettable animal encounters. It’s also a picturesque outing not far from the waterfront. It’s so close to the waterfront that you can see the sandy shore and ocean when visiting the giraffes.

My family and I recently went to this beloved “zoo with a view” for the first time, and we found it spectacular. It’s considered a smaller zoo, yet brims with extraordinary animal sightings. I loved that I didn’t have to walk miles between exhibits. They were close to one another, making it simple and pleasant to stroll around with a small child. Keep reading below for the not-to-miss sights and tips for the Santa Barbara Zoo.

While in Santa Barbara, explore the best things to do in Santa Barbara with kids. If more zoos are in your future, discover the secrets of the LA Zoo, and our guide to Zoos and Gardens for Los Angeles Kids.

NEW AutoCamp Zion is Glamping Glory in Canyon Country

Submitted by Gina Ragland on Sat, 06/24/2023 - 2:15am

AutoCamp Zion is a family-friendly glamping experience in the Utah desert. Photo courtesy of Gina Ragland

Autocamp Zion is a brand-new glamping resort next to Utah's Virgin River that just opened for the 2023 season, and is an attractive option for a place to stay when visiting Zion National Park. My husband and I recently took our one-year-old son to Zion, and we had the pleasure of staying at Autocamp Zion and seeing all that it has to offer.

This resourceful glamping site has all the luxuries you never thought you needed while still being in the thick of a serene outdoor landscape. Keep reading below to find out more about our experience.

For more glamping options, check out the best glamping near Los Angeles, including AutoCamp Joshua Tree, and plan your next national park adventure with our U.S. National Parks Family Travel Guide.

Best Botanical Gardens for Los Angeles Kids, Plus Cool Hidden Oases

Submitted by Gina Ragland on Fri, 04/07/2023 - 11:30am

Step into the magical children's garden at The Huntington. Photo courtesy of the Huntington Botanical Gardens

Botanical gardens in Los Angeles and beyond might be the answer for when you want to take the kids on an outdoor adventure but don't feel like carrying toddlers up a mountain and toting a surplus of supplies.

Lush, plentiful, and open year-round in Southern California, botanical gardens are perfect for casual nature strolls with little ones in tow, whether in a stroller or sprinting toward children's gardens and koi ponds. Kids won't even realize they're on an educational outing as they become itty-bitty botanists for a day. From beloved botanical gardens to lesser-known free hidden gems, we've dug into the roots of the best botanical gardens in Los Angeles.

Enjoy more blooms on wildflower hikes, stretch your limbs on stroller-friendly hikes, and explore more fauna and flora in our Zoos & Gardens for Los Angeles Kids Guide.

LEGO, American Girl, and CAMP Stores Make Westfield Century City Best LA Mall for Kids

Submitted by Gina Ragland on Sun, 02/12/2023 - 12:00pm

Kids can go to sports' camp for an afternoon in the mall. Photo courtesy of Nike Kids Camp

The Westfield Century City mall in Los Angeles is hands down the best mall in LA for kids. And it is only getting better this year, as the new LEGO Store opened in late January, and the new Flagship American Girl store is opening there this summer.

This attractive outdoor shopping mall and celebrity hot spot (we’re looking at you, J-Lo, and J-Law) make it feel like you arrived at a luxury vacation spot in the middle of the city. From swanky family lounges to interactive stores, special holiday events, a movie theater, and even an escape room, it’s easy to spend several hours discovering all the family-friendly pockets. We’re here to help guide you through the hidden spots, like the pirate ship in the play space, amid the cacti feng shui.

Shop beyond the mall at the best baby stores and black-owned businesses, and browse our restaurant guide for Los Angeles and Orange County families for other favorite spots to dine with kids (besides Eataly and other favorite noshes at the Westfield Century City mall!).

19 Best Baby Stores in Los Angeles: Hip Baby Boutiques for Your LA Kid

Submitted by Gina Ragland on Sun, 01/22/2023 - 5:15am

Outfit the baby in California cool apparel. Photo courtesy of La La Ling

Baby stores in Los Angeles are full of anything you need or want for an infant, from hip to adorable and practical to eye-popping. If you're expecting a baby or on the hunt for that unique LA item for a gift, shopping for the arrival of a new cherub is overwhelming and exciting. There's an array of enticingly adorable baby stores here, from clothes you'd wear yourself at La La Ling in Los Feliz to eco-friendly Earth Baby picks in Santa Clarita. It will prove hard to stick to a baby registry when you enter through the front doors of these incredible baby stores in Los Angeles.

Between pregnancy cravings and late-night baby research, bookmark these pregnancy and parenting classes. When you're itching for some fresh air after the baby arrives, stroller-friendly hikes will help you get outdoors. We've got plenty more baby things in our Los Angeles baby guide for parents.