Where: Los Angeles
What: Hit the beach and beyond with Wendy and Brady Burch
Who: Wendy Burch is a single mom and a working mom (which also makes her a very tired mom). Most mornings, you can catch her reporting on the KTLA Morning News. In the afternoons, she is likely exploring the best kid-friendly corners of Los Angeles with her two-year-old son, Brady.
Image courtesy of Wendy Burch
Paradise Cove
Malibu, All ages
Wendy Burch: If you want to take your kid to paradise, you only need to go as far as Malibu. Think of Paradise Cove as your own private beach club (without the membership fee). You do have to pay for parking, but don’t worry, they validate. Splurge on the bright yellow beach lounge chairs (which come with large umbrellas and cute cabana boys to make sure you’re all set). Paradise Cove has its own lifeguards and great bathrooms with toilets that flush! We love splashing in the waves, climbing the rocks by the tide pools and eating a giant order of French fries. Mommy likes the fruity drink that comes in the pineapple with the little umbrella ... but if you want to drink it on the beach, you have to order the non-alcoholic version. Oh well, it’s still paradise.
Santa Monica Pier
Malibu, Ages 3+
WB: Sure, it touristy but it’s also terrific for a toddler! Pacific Pier is amusing in so many ways! The kiddie rides are cute and the lines aren’t long. The ferris wheel in fun and there’s room for the whole family. And when your toddler is tall enough, there’s the roller-coaster with a couple of ups and downs (and no big loops). Sure, you are going to spend a fortune to win a few stuffed animals that are probably worth 25 cents … but isn’t that what parenting is all about?
Hot Dog on a Stick
Venice Beach, All ages
WB: When it comes to kids, sometimes you just have to ‘stick’ to the basics. That’s why Brady Burch and I are big fans of Hot Dog on a Stick. Not much has changed since they started selling dogs and lemonade out of this small shack back in 1946. We like the girls in the bright colored hats and the whole beach vibe. Grab your food, watch some beach volleyball and listen to some guy sing through a portable speaker and you’ve got yourself a full afternoon of fun. And as a bonus, your toddler can chase pigeons and say hi to dogs (the kind on leashes, not sticks).
Annenberg Community Beach House
Santa Monica, All ages
WB: If you are looking for an amazing beach spot that has it all look no further than the Annenberg Community Beach House. The place is public but it has all the amenities of a private beach club. Parking is a breeze. The pool is perfect, the playground has you covered, meaning mom can enjoy some shade. There’s a wooden boardwalk that takes you right out to waves, a welcome relief to anyone who has lugged both a toddler and a beach bag over a long stretch of sand.
The Venice Beach Boardwalk
Venice, All ages
WB: If you think Venice Beach is too loud, too busy, and too, well … crazy, you are absolutely right. That’s why I think it’s perfect for a toddler! There’s entertainment on every corner. We like the guy who blows the big bubbles. The skateboard dudes are totally awesome. And who doesn’t love to see their name on a grain of rice? Grab a slice of cheese pizza and a soft serve ice cream cone and you’ve got yourself a gourmet meal for under 5 bucks.
The Queen Mary
Long Beach, All ages
WB: There is something cool about taking someone very young to a place that is very old. If your kid likes to climb stairs and pretend like he is ‘King of the World’ then head to the Queen Mary. There’s always an event or festival of some sort happening. I recommend the Sunday Brunch. It’s delicious for adults, and that even have a kid-friendly section with tables set low so you kid can crab that chicken nugget for himself. Check in and stay a while. We’ve stayed overnight a couple of times. The rooms are quaint and the windows are round.
Underwood Family Farms
Moorpark, All ages
WB: If you raise your kid in LA, then you know that Green Acres are not so easy to come by. So, when we want to kick up some dust, ride a cow train and pet a goat, we head to Underwood Family Farms. Picking a pumpkin there is a rite of passage around Halloween. And Easter Egg hunting in the Spring is a basketful of fun. But we don’t need a holiday to head to the farm. It’s pretty much a party any day the pigs are oinkin' and the tractors are pullin’.
Giggles N' Hugs
Topanga & Glendale, All ages
WB: Just the name of this place makes us happy. Giggles N' Hugs is located inside—wait for it—shopping malls. They have one location in the Topanga Mall and the other at the Glendale Galleria. The play area is huge, the menu is delicious (and Mommy can even order a glass of wine). But don’t think you can drop off your kid and hit the Nordstrom’s semi-annual sale. This is not that kind of place. However, Giggles & Hugs will wear your kid out, which may buy you just enough time to stroll by a store or two.
Beverlywood Swim School
Mid-City, All ages
WB: My kid likes to dive in head first. The only problem is he can’t swim … yet. After looking all around town, I found the Beverlywood Swim School. Of course, this place is no secret. It’s been on Robertson for more than 60 years and has a reputation of being one of the finest and oldest swim schools in the country. But we like this backyard feel and since Brady is signed up for lessons, he can drop by and practice any time, because there is only so much splish-splash you can do while taking a bath.
Snow Valley Mountain Resort
Running Springs, All ages
WB: Sure, it’s Southern California, but there is snow in them there hills (at least occasionally). And when the white stuff finds its way to our upper elevations, Brady and I head up to Big Bear. The best place to play is Snow Valley Resort.They have a whole area just for snow play. It comes complete with a chair lift that takes you and your toddler to the top of the hill. This takes all the dread out of hauling that damn sled.Once you make it to the top, it’s all downhill from there.
Paradise Cove
Santa Monica Pier
Hot Dog on a Stick
Annenberg Community Beach House
The Venice Beach Boardwalk
The Queen Mary
Underwood Family Farms
Giggles N' Hugs
Beverlywood Swim School
Snow Valley Mountain Resort
All images courtesy of Wendy Burch
