Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Culver City with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Culver City on the map
📍 Where Culver City is
Culver City sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~6 mi / 9 km). It's roughly 9 mi (14 km) from Downtown LA and 115 mi (185 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Family attractions near Culver City
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Culver City.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Sprawling hilltop park with lakes, picnic areas, easy trails, and panoramic views of the LA basin.
Free (~$6 parking weekends)
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Active Ice Age fossil site with mammoths, saber-tooth cats, and bubbling tar pits.
~$18 adult / $7 child
Centinela Adobe
Step back to 1834 inside this restored adobe ranch house, furnished with period pieces and run by volunteer docents who clearly love the place. The grounds include the old Freeman land office that helped found Inglewood — a real surprise just off the 405. It's only open Sunday afternoons, so plan around that narrow window and call ahead to confirm a docent is on hand.
Free (donations welcome)
The Grove & Original Farmers Market
Open-air shopping plaza with a trolley, fountain shows, and a classic food market.
Free (trolley rides)
Rogers Park
A tidy west-side neighborhood park with a playground, picnic tables, basketball, a skate park, and fitness equipment, plus an indoor rec center with a gym and library. Quieter and more local than the big Vincent Park, which makes it an easy stop for a quick afternoon with younger kids. Restrooms are on site.
Free
Marina del Rey / Mother's Beach
Calm, lifeguarded harbor beach ideal for young kids, with kayak, paddleboard, and pedal-boat rentals.
Free; paid parking; rentals varyFarmers markets in Culver City
Culver City Farmers Market
Lively afternoon market on downtown Main Street with organic produce, hot food, and live music; an easy after-school stop.
Festivals & annual events in Culver City
What Culver City is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Fiesta La Ballona
Culver City's city-run summer festival at Veterans Memorial Park with a carnival, live entertainment stages, food vendors and kids' activities. 2026 marks its 75th year.
Local restaurants in Culver City
Versailles
Famous Cuban garlic chicken in generous, shareable portions — a beloved LA family crowd-pleaser.
Pasta Sisters
Family-run counter serving handmade pasta from Nonna Giovanna's recipes.
Maxine's
Vintage cabin-like corner cafe that kept the old cooks, recipes, and prices.
Tito's Tacos
Beloved 1959 walk-up taco stand with shaded outdoor tables and famous hard-shell beef tacos kids devour.
Maple Block Meat Co.
Casual wood-smoked Texas-style barbecue with a relaxed family vibe and a kids menu.
Local shops in Culver City
Aldea Home & Baby
Curated modern nursery essentials, sustainable home goods, and toys on Main Street.
Lundeen's
Curated gift shop and bookstore (2008) with cards, candles, baby items, and free gift wrap.
Village Well Books & Coffee
Independent bookstore-cafe and community hub with strong fiction and kids' sections.
Arcana: Books on the Arts
Specialist bookshop devoted to art, photography, and design titles.
Lundeen's
Women-owned neighborhood staple with cards, housewares, candles, toys, baby items, and unique art.
Village Well Books & Coffee
Independent bookstore and cafe that functions as a community hub with regular events.
Rolling Greens
Large indoor and outdoor plant destination with pots and home goods.
Seasonal & outdoors near Culver City
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Culver City.
More Los Angeles family guides
Culver City family FAQ
Where can families eat in Culver City?
Local, family-friendly spots in Culver City include Versailles, Pasta Sisters, Maxine's and Tito's Tacos, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Culver City guide cover?
Our Culver City family guide includes 5 local eats, 7 local shops and 1 farmers market — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.