Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Koreatown with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Koreatown on the map
📍 Where Koreatown is
Koreatown sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~10 mi / 16 km). It's roughly 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.
🏡 New to Koreatown? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Koreatown is part of LA City, so classes, day camps and pools are booked through LA Recreation and Parks.
- Rec center: Shatto Recreation Center at 3191 W. 4th St. is open weekdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturdays, closed Sundays and holidays.
- Library card: Koreatown is served by the Los Angeles Public Library; LA City residents can get an e-card online instantly.
- Library branch: Pio Pico-Koreatown Branch Library at 694 S. Oxford Ave. holds a weekly baby and toddler storytime with stories and songs.
- Find your school: Koreatown'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.
- Metro subway: Koreatown sits on the Metro B and D Line subways, with stations along Wilshire and Vermont for quick trips downtown.
Things to do in Koreatown
Koreatown Pavilion Garden (Da Wool Jung)
A traditional Korean pavilion at Olympic Blvd and Irolo St, built by craftsmen from Korea without nails or screws. It was dedicated in 2006 for the centennial of Korean immigration to the U.S. It makes a short, free stop for kids to see the painted dancheong woodwork and talk about Korean heritage, and it pairs well with lunch nearby. The garden is small, so plan about 15 minutes.
Free
Shatto 39 Lanes
An old-school 39-lane bowling center on W. 4th St with billiards, an arcade and free parking, open every day including holidays. Afternoons are the family window, when lanes are cheapest and the crowd is quieter. Later at night it turns into an adult bar scene. Lanes are rented by the hour, so a group of five pays the same as a pair.
Lanes from about $30/hour before 6pm (more evenings and some days); shoes $5; max 5 per lane
Pio Pico–Koreatown Branch Library (LAPL)
This LAPL branch on S. Oxford Ave holds a Wednesday 10:30am storytime for babies and toddlers, with stories and songs, in its community room. The library lot is closed while the Pio Pico Library Park and parking structure are built, so plan on street parking. The new park will include a playground; check the branch page for its opening date.
Free
Seoul International Park (Ardmore Recreation Center)
Koreatown's main park, on San Marino St, with a children's play area, a walking path, a lighted multipurpose field, outdoor fitness equipment and an indoor gym. The rec center runs a Halloween carnival, a winter holiday celebration and a spring egg hunt. It also offers kids' classes, Girls Play LA leagues, teen club and camps. The park hosts the LA Korean Festival each fall.
Free to visit; after-school $25 registration + $75/monthShatto Recreation Center
A green block on W. 4th St with a children's play area, a jogging path, lighted tennis courts, a lighted baseball diamond, and indoor and outdoor basketball. Its 2026–27 Tiny Tot preschool for potty-trained 2.5–5-year-olds runs Mon–Thu 10am–1pm. It also offers PlayLA classes, after-school care and youth soccer and volleyball. The center is closed on several posted holidays, so check its page before going.
Free to visit; Tiny Tot program $40 registration + $50/week
Koreatown Plaza
An indoor Korean mall at Western and San Marino, open since 1988, with an H Mart grocery, Korean beauty and gift shops, and a food court of noodles, katsu, dumplings and street snacks. It's a good rainy- or hot-day stop for families, and kids can pick a different counter each visit. Parking is free for 3 hours with a validation from any store.
Free entry; 3 hours free parking with validationSul & Beans (Koreatown)
The Koreatown shop of a bingsoo (Korean shaved snow) café that makes its toppings from scratch, with flavors from red bean to earl grey. It's on the second floor at 621 S. Western Ave (Ste 208-A). One bowl is big enough to share among two or three kids, which makes it an easy after-dinner treat.
$–$$ per bingsoo; shareableLocal restaurants in Koreatown
Genwa
Sit-down Korean BBQ with a ring of roughly 18 banchan and smokeless grills for quality marinated and unmarinated cuts. Roomy booths make it more family-manageable than party-style spots.
Sun Nong Dan
Galbi jjim braised short rib and seolleongtang bone-broth soup; the torched-cheese short rib is the signature. Comfort-food soups are very kid-friendly and it stays open late.
Park's BBQ
Widely considered the gold standard for Korean BBQ in LA, with premium marbled beef.
Surawon
House-made tofu, including a black-soybean version, in bubbling soondubu jjigae. Individual stone-pot soups are great for kids.
Seasonal & outdoors near Koreatown
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Koreatown.
More Los Angeles family guides
Koreatown family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Koreatown with kids?
Family favorites in and around Koreatown include Koreatown Pavilion Garden (Da Wool Jung), Shatto 39 Lanes, Pio Pico–Koreatown Branch Library (LAPL) and Seoul International Park (Ardmore Recreation Center), and more. Our guide lists 7 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Koreatown?
Yes — free family spots near Koreatown include Koreatown Pavilion Garden (Da Wool Jung), Pio Pico–Koreatown Branch Library (LAPL), Seoul International Park (Ardmore Recreation Center) and Shatto Recreation Center. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Koreatown on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Koreatown include Shatto 39 Lanes, Pio Pico–Koreatown Branch Library (LAPL), Koreatown Plaza and Sul & Beans (Koreatown). Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Koreatown?
One easy plan: start outside at Koreatown Pavilion Garden (Da Wool Jung) while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Genwa, then head indoors to Shatto 39 Lanes for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 5 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Koreatown?
Local, family-friendly spots in Koreatown include Genwa, Sun Nong Dan, Park's BBQ and Surawon — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Koreatown guide cover?
Our Koreatown family guide includes 7 things to do and 4 local eats — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Koreatown
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Koreatown on one map — then book on your favorite site.