Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Highland Park with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Highland Park on the map
📍 Where Highland Park is
Highland Park sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~11 mi / 18 km). It's roughly 5 mi (8 km) from Downtown LA and 114 mi (183 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 Highland Park
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Highland Park.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Historic puppet theater delighting young kids with live marionette shows.
~$18-20/person
Highland Park Bowl
LA's oldest bowling alley, beautifully restored, fun for older kids and families.
~$7-9/game
Heritage Square Museum
Open-air museum of restored Victorian houses with costumed guides and living-history days.
~$12 adult / free under 6
Lower Arroyo Archery Range
A volunteer club runs free Saturday-morning beginner archery lessons in the Lower Arroyo with all equipment supplied. Under-18s must have a parent with them.
First lesson free, small donation after
Eagle Rock Recreation Center
Neighborhood park with playgrounds and sports courts below the namesake Eagle Rock formation.
Free
Arlington Garden
Pasadena's only free public garden — three acres of drought-tolerant Mediterranean planting, an olive allée and pollinator habitat. Open every day, no ticket, no gate.
FreeLocal restaurants in Highland Park
El Arco Iris
A four-generation, family-owned Highland Park Mexican restaurant pouring classic plates and margaritas — a true neighborhood institution full of regulars.
La Fuente
A tiny, time-warp Highland Park taqueria that's kept its late-'70s charm — cheap, fast, and a longtime local favorite for a quick family bite.
Fluffy McCloud's
Organic-dairy, low-stabilizer scoops including Italian pistachio and a grandmother's-recipe vanilla. A great kid stop on the York Blvd stroll.
Scoops
LA artisanal original (since 2005) with rotating experimental flavors like Almond Horchata and Banana Malt Burnt Sugar. Fun for adventurous kids.
Local shops in Highland Park
Galco's Soda Pop Stop
Old-world grocery turned soda mecca, stocking hundreds of hard-to-find and international sodas plus old-school candy bars. A blast with kids.
Permanent Records
Anchor of the Highland Park and Eagle Rock music scene, with new and used vinyl heavy on indie, punk, post-punk, and classic rock.
Gimme Gimme Records
Small York Boulevard shop known for a strong, well-curated selection of new and used records.
Shop Merci Milo
Handmade toys and accessories from local artisans and traditional toymakers.
Seasonal & outdoors near Highland Park
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Highland Park.
More Los Angeles family guides
Highland Park family FAQ
Where can families eat in Highland Park?
Local, family-friendly spots in Highland Park include El Arco Iris, La Fuente, Fluffy McCloud's and Scoops — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Highland Park guide cover?
Our Highland Park family guide includes 4 local eats and 4 local shops — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.