Travelling with teenagers in LA

Sometimes the most challenging part of a holiday can be finding something that everyone will enjoy, especially when it comes to travelling with teenagers. Thankfully, Los Angeles offers a variety of activities as distinct as the city itself. From the beach to the Valley, check out these cool places in LA for adventures that teenagers will enjoy as much as you will.

Venice Beach is not only LA’s most famous beach, it’s also the most diverse. From local artisans selling their work to street performers and food trucks, the Venice Boardwalk has it all. Rent a bike and take in the scene from the cycle track, which extends from Venice to Santa Monica, or opt for a personalized bike tour of the area from an expert guide.

Every family has at least one adrenaline junkie, and for high-octane teenager friendly activities it doesn’t get much better than iFly, an indoor sky diving experience. Housed at Universal City Walk, adjacent to the Universal Theme Park, it allows visitors to experience freefall conditions without the whole jumping out of an airplane part. With no experience necessary and virtually no age limit (you must be older than three and younger than 103), it’s fun for all who dare.

Though shopping in Los Angeles may be synonymous with Rodeo Drive, teens tend to prefer Melrose Ave, the block on which Kate Bosworth and the Kardashians get their stylish wares. For more than thirty years Fred Segal has reigned supreme on the street, but fashion power players like Chloe and Marc Jacobs have also moved in.

Tucked off Hollywood Blvd, two of entertainment’s most revered modern institutions sit right next to each other: The Cinerama Dome and Amoeba Music. Whether it’s a special screening of The Godfather or a Q&A with Hollywood’s hottest director, the Cinerama Dome, a.k.a Arclight, is movie buff paradise. For music fans, though, no trip to LA would be complete without visiting the world’s largest independent music store, Amoeba. Covering a city block, the store is not only a music haven but also a beloved live music venue, attracting the likes of the Raconteurs and Paul McCartney.

For the budding artist in the family, a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is a must. Established in 1961, the museum has quietly been building a masterful collection of modern and contemporary art for many years now. With the recent addition of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) and the on-going outdoor exhibition of artist Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass, there’s plenty to be inspired by.

Written by Lauren Garroni