Escape From LA

School's out for summer, and it's time for a family adventure!

Photo by Silas Lundquist on Unsplash

Summertime is all about exploring, and if your family is anything like ours that travel urge is hitting hard. One of the best things about LA is getting out of it, but if you’ve been here for a while you’ve already been to all of the most popular spots. So, for once, forget the Palm Springs/Joshua Tree/Ojai convo, as fabulous as all those spots are, and let’s talk about getting weird, exploring California’s hidden gems with your Backseat Babies in tow.

The Shorties (1-2 hours away):

Wheeler Gorge

Just north of the ever-popular Ojai circuit is a true hidden gem: the creek-crossing hike at Wheeler Gorge. With multiple swimming holes along the way it’s much quieter than Ojai proper, and close enough that you can still snag that rez at Rory’s Place and grab a spot by the pool at The Blue Iguana Inn if you don’t feel like camping creekside.

Pipes Canyon Wilderness

You’ve done all the Joshua Tree hikes but the desert is calling your name. Time to explore the rocky formations of Pipes Canyon Wilderness. Tucked away behind Pappy and Harriet’s, it offers incredible scrambling opportunities for little aspiring rock climbers. Pack a picnic and take some time to wander the empty streets of Pioneer Town while you’re there.

Mount Pinos

An under sung mountain town, Mount Pinos was considered by the Chumash to be Liyikshup, the center of the world, a point where all things were in balance. It’s a beautiful place to explore, with easy trails, a fun outdoor swimming pool in the summer, and tons of kid friendly food options in nearby Pine Mountain Club.

The Weekenders (2-3 hours away)

Gaviota State Park

I love a good hot springs hike, and water truly is the secret to getting kids to trek long distances with minimal complaining. The Gaviota Hot Springs are definitely more on the map now thanks to Tiktok, but the hike is pure magic, with a tunnel through the hillside that leads to a lovely swimming beach and two hot springs pools with a little waterfall.

The Carrizo Plain National Monument

The Bureau of Land Management describes this national monument as one of California’s best kept secrets, and with good reason. It’s massive, and packed with diverse plant and wildlife species including spectacular pronghorn antelope. The perfect beyond-the-zoo level up for your little animal lovers, with some pretty cool wildflowers in the spring to boot.

Cayucos
Cambria and Morro Bay get all the love, but sleepy Cayucos is a true hidden gem for traveling with kids, the kind of place where you can let them wander the beach and explore their independence in a small town setting. Nearby Estero Bluffs State Park has some lovely tide pools, and Cayucos Beach is reliably quiet with some good shade from the pier.

The Road Trippers (3-5 hours away)

San Simeon
Hearst Castle is cool, but real California road trip heads know San Simeon is all about one thing: the elephant seal beach.The accessible, stroller friendly walkway takes you to just beyond the sandy beach where seals big and small lounge, splash sand around, and make hilarious honking noises.

Lucia / Big Sur

Truly nothing beats Big Sur for spectacular only-in-California scenery, and the southern end is a great spot to visit with kids. Removed from the traffic of the Bixby Bridge/Nepenthe corridor, it has a great little creek and waterfall hike, and is right by the historic Lucia Inn with cliffside views. The perfect introduction for more ambitious camping trips to come.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

It’s cute! It’s historic! It has a storybook vibe that lends itself to flights of fancy, and the Carmel Valley Ranch Inn where they’ve partnered with Nuna to offer rentable strollers, highchairs, playyards, car seats, and even carriers, so you don’t have to pack your own. Plus, there’s a menu of house-made baby food and treats for little ones. Incredible, why doesn’t everyone do this?

What’s Happening This Weekend

Staying in LA this weekend? We’ve got you covered:

Friday, 7/3/26

Shakespeare in the Park just kicked off for the season, and what better way to start the weekend off right? Kids probably won’t be so wildly into Coriolanus unless you’ve got some real ambitious young thespians on your hands, but they can run around the old zoo shrieking madly and share your picnic. A good time for all.

Or get creative with a Playeground experience from Play.co. Designed to get participants off their phones, the event will feature water color stations, air dry clay, collaging, a songwriting music, and tacos from @cacao8aguacate.

Saturday, 7/4/26

Hey babe, it’s the fourth of July! Honestly my favorite way to celebrate is finding a friend in a neighborhood that likes fireworks and hiding out in the living room when things get overwhelming, but if your little ones are more into loud noises than mine are there are a ton of fun events happening, including:

• A gigantic block party and drone show in Grand Park

• The Hollywood Bowl is hosting a fireworks spectacular with music from The Beach Boys (and John Stamos)

• Santa Monica is hosting their annual (very stroller friendly!) fireworks free parade

• Marina del Rey is back with their annual fireworks over the ocean, which kick off a bit late (nine pm! Party animals) but can be viewed from the very kid friendly Mother’s Beach

• Warner Park in Woodland Hills is hosting a fireworks extravaganza with music from Dr. Wu, a Steely Dan cover band. Calling all Dads getting into your Steely Dan era (or is that just in our house?)

I’m sure there are a million more options, so grab those junior ear plugs and hit the road.

Sunday 7/5/26

Whew, you made it through the fourth! Time for self care Sunday.

Perhaps that means a picnic with friends in the park from Big Gay Sunday.

Or heading to Japan House to create your own manga character.

Or even skating away the Sunday scaries with an all-ages skate at Moonlight Rollerway

However you choose to spend your day, I hope you’re able to relax, recharge, and prepare for another wonderful week in LA!