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 113 mi (182 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.
🏡 New to Highland Park? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Highland Park is part of LA City, so classes, day camps and pools are booked through LA Recreation and Parks.
- Summer pool: Highland Park Pool at 6150 Piedmont Ave. is a seasonal city summer pool offering swim lessons, lifeguard programs and swim team.
- Library card: Highland Park is served by the Los Angeles Public Library; LA City residents can get an e-card online instantly.
- Library branch: Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library at 6145 N. Figueroa St. is open seven days, with K-12 homework help and STAR volunteer reading.
- Find your school: Highland Park's public schools are LAUSD; enter your address in the Resident School Identifier to see assigned schools.
- Alerts: Sign up for NotifyLA, the City of LA's emergency alert system, by phone, text or email for your address.
- Student bus passes: LAUSD and other participating students ride Metro free with a GoPass picked up at school; 2026-27 passes work through September 2027.
- Local insider: Highland Park Station on the Metro A Line light rail connects the neighborhood to Pasadena and downtown LA's Union Station.
Things to do in Highland Park
Parks & Hiking
Arroyo Seco Bikeway
A raised, car-free bike path that runs down the bed of the Arroyo Seco channel from Arroyo Seco Park in South Pasadena to Avenue 52. That makes it a flat, traffic-free ride for kids on bikes and scooters along Highland Park's edge. LA County Public Works is designing an extension toward the LA River. The channel can be closed during and after rain.
FreeErnest E. Debs Regional Park
A big hilly city park between Highland Park, Montecito Heights and El Sereno, with hiking trails, a small pond, picnic areas and barbecue pits. Its main entrance is on Monterey Rd. Trails are exposed and climb steadily, so bring water and go in the cool morning. Reserve a picnic area at least 30 days ahead for a birthday.
Free; picnic and bounce-house permits through the Metro Picnic OfficeGarvanza Park & Skate Plaza
A neighborhood park on Meridian St in the historic Garvanza area at the northeast end of Highland Park. It has a children's play area, an unlighted baseball diamond and a city skate plaza. It's quieter than the main rec center and a good place for new skaters to practice. Helmets are recommended.
FreeHighland Park Pool
An outdoor city pool beside the Highland Park Rec Center, open in summer only. Admission is $1 for kids, and the city runs swim lessons, a swim team and water polo clinics here. Bring cash because cards aren't accepted. Check the city's summer brochure for lesson sign-up dates, which usually open in late spring.
Kids 3–17 $1; adults $4; under 3 free; summer youth pass $10; cash onlyHighland Park Recreation Center
The neighborhood's main rec center on Piedmont Ave, with a children's play area, indoor and outdoor basketball, a baseball diamond and a computer lab. It runs summer day camp for ages 6–12, with free lunch and snacks and pool time next door. Winter and spring camps serve ages 5–13, and kids' gymnastics, dance and martial arts classes run year-round.
Free to visit; camps and classes have feesSycamore Grove Park
A historic, shady park along N. Figueroa St with a children's play area, picnic tables, barbecue pits and lighted tennis courts, beside the Arroyo Seco. Ramona Hall community center is next door, and the city has a $1.1M master plan for future upgrades to both. It's an easy place to start a ride on the Arroyo Seco bike path.
FreeYork Boulevard Park
A small city pocket park right on the York Blvd shopping strip at 4948 York. It's a handy place to let kids sit and snack between the street's bakeries, record shops and cafes. It isn't a destination by itself, but it's useful as a free breather spot mid-stroll.
Free
Museums & Learning
Arroyo Seco Regional Library (LAPL)
Highland Park's LAPL regional branch on N. Figueroa St is one of the few nearby branches open on Sundays. It holds Baby & Toddler Storytime twice a week, on Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30am, and a Read With a STAR reading-buddy session on Wednesday afternoons. Its parking lot is behind the library on Piedmont Ave, next to the rec center.
FreeLummis Home and Gardens (El Alisal)
The hand-built stone-and-wood home of LA booster Charles Lummis, at Avenue 43 by the Arroyo Seco on the Highland Park–Montecito Heights edge. The city's Recreation and Parks department runs the house and gardens as a historic site and museum, open Friday to Sunday. Older kids tend to like the castle-like rock walls, and a visit takes under an hour. Pair it with Sycamore Grove Park just up Figueroa.
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Local 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
What are the best things to do in Highland Park with kids?
Family favorites in and around Highland Park include Audubon Center at Debs Park, Highland Park Holiday Parade, Arroyo Seco Regional Library (LAPL) and Lummis Home and Gardens (El Alisal), and more. Our guide lists 11 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Highland Park?
Yes — free family spots near Highland Park include Audubon Center at Debs Park, Highland Park Holiday Parade, Arroyo Seco Regional Library (LAPL) and Arroyo Seco Bikeway. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
How can families spend a day in Highland Park?
One easy plan: start outside at Audubon Center at Debs Park while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at El Arco Iris, then head indoors to Arroyo Seco Regional Library (LAPL) for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 9 more ideas to swap in.
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 11 things to do, 4 local eats and 4 local shops — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Highland Park
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Highland Park on one map — then book on your favorite site.