Nearby Attractions and Life in L.A.

Need a place to spend a few fun hours before or after a visit to Children's Hospital Los Angeles? Below are some local family-friendly attractions that you and your family may consider for your next visit to our hospital. 

Links to the websites below provide more information regarding hours of operation, entry fees, parking availability and much more.

Nearby Attractions

Autry National Center / Museum of the American West   
323-667-2000    
Explore the legacy of the American West. 

ArcLight Cinemas   
323-464-4226   
Enjoy a movie at the historic Cinerama Dome or in one of the 14 new state-of-the-art cinemas.

Egyptian Theatre   
323-466-FILM   
Discover the unique story of Hollywood and the movie industry at the Egyptian Theatre with its hour-long movie “Forever Hollywood.”

Original Farmers Market and The Grove  
323-933-9211   
The Original Farmers Market is a historic landmark and has been a world-famous tourist attraction for over 60 years. Having The Grove next door makes this area the perfect place for lunch and shopping.

Griffith Park   
323-913-4688   
Enjoy family picnics, hiking trails, pony rides, Travel Town and much more.

Griffith Observatory  
213-473-0800   
Enjoy panoramic views of Los Angeles, astronomy exhibits and shows in the planetarium.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre  
(formerly Mann’s Chinese Theatre)   
323-461-3331   
See the footprints of immortalized stars and television personalities. Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Superman impersonators will greet you. Movies are shown daily. 

Hollywood & Highland and the Kodak Theatre  
323-817-0200   
Find world class retail shops and restaurants, a multiplex cinema, a dramatic central plaza overlooking the Hollywood Sign, and of course the now world-famous Kodak Theatre, home to the Academy Awards. Tour the Kodak or catch a live performance. 

Los Angeles Zoo    
323-644-6400   
Located in Griffith Park, the L.A. Zoo is home to 1,200 animals from around the world.

Paramount Studios    
323-956-4848   
Paramount is the last major working studio in Hollywood. Guests may take a two-hour behind the scenes look at daily operations for the studio. 

Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk    
1-800-UNIVERSAL   
Visit the world’s biggest movie studio and amusement park. CityWalk is a popular outdoor shopping center with attractions for children and adults alike.

Santa Monica Pier    
200 Santa Monica Pier   
Santa Monica, CA 90401   
310-458-8901   
Visit the Santa Monica Pier for the amusement park, shops, eateries and a gorgeous view of the beach and coastline.

Disneyland Resort    
1313 S. Harbor Blvd.   
Anaheim, CA 92802   
714-781-4000   
Located just 30 miles away from Children's Hospital is Disneyland Park, Disney's California Adventure and the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district.

Beverly Center    
8500 Beverly Blvd.   
Los Angeles, CA   
310-854-0070   
Located less than 7 miles from Children's Hospital is an indoor shopping mall.

Life in L.A.

Situated between snow-topped mountains and some of the world’s finest recreational beaches, Los Angeles is the vibrant hub of Southern California.

Recreation and Cultural Activities

Its relaxed lifestyle and ideal climate offer a multitude of recreational and cultural activities, ranging from surfing, sailing and deep sea diving, to snow skiing, hiking, mountain bike riding and much more. In fact, Los Angeles is one of the few major metropolitan areas where you can be tanning on the beach one moment and skiing through knee-deep powder a quick, two-hour drive later. And, whether your tastes lean toward modern art, space science or natural history, the city offers a world-class array of museums, art galleries and cultural centers, as well as an exciting roster of college and professional sports events.

Unparalleled Nightlife

After the sun goes down, L.A.’s unparalleled nightlife presents an almost endless array of cutting-edge music, dance and theatrical performances, not to mention one of the most remarkable selections of restaurants to be found in any American city.

Then, there are the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl and Greek Theater, both hosting leading names in classical, jazz and pop music under the stars, while the multi-complex Los Angeles County Music Center offers critically acclaimed plays, civic light opera, musicals and symphonic works. As the dynamic center of the nation’s entertainment industry, Los Angeles is also home to celebrated regional and small theaters, television and film productions, behind the scenes studio tours and cinema playing everything from current blockbusters to art house classics.

Where to Live

Many of our program fellows live within 15 minutes of the hospital. Popular neighborhoods include:

We also have some program fellows who live within walking distance of the beach, in locations like:

Cost of Living

Although the cost of living in Los Angeles can add up, there are lots of ways to make it affordable. We have fellows who are single, married or have young families. They live alone or with roommates, and all enjoy living in L.A.! There are lots of things to do for little to no cost.

Food

Food is plentiful and sometimes the best food is found at hole in the wall places. If you like fine dining, there is plenty of it available as well. L.A. is a diverse city where you can find good Ethiopian, Armenian, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Indian, Persian, American and many other types of foods within a 30 minute drive of the hospital. Find local restaurants and eateries here.

Outdoors

If you like the outdoors, L.A. is a great place to live. You have hiking, skiing/snowboarding, surfing, biking and many other activities available nearby. Even better, you have endless sunshine to enjoy these activities! 

See the links below for some nearby outdoor activity options: