Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Newhall with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Newhall on the map
📍 Where Newhall is
Newhall sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~15 mi / 25 km). It's roughly 28 mi (45 km) from Downtown LA and 139 mi (224 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 Newhall? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Santa Clarita's Seasons magazine lists city classes, camps and aquatics; create an account in the city's new registration system before signing up.
- Library branch: Old Town Newhall Library at 24500 Main St. is a Santa Clarita Public Library branch; cards are free for California residents.
- Find your school: Newhall is mostly in the Newhall School District for K-6; check your address in its school locator before you enroll.
- High school lookup: Use the Hart district's SchoolSite Locator to find your junior high and high school by street address; new families contact that school's registrar.
- City events: Main Street in Newhall hosts the city's SENSES block parties and Light Up Main Street; the Cowboy Festival returns to Hart Park April 17-18, 2027.
- Emergency updates: The city's Santa Clarita Emergency site posts active incidents, evacuations and road closures, alongside county alert sign-ups.
- Alert LA County: Register for Alert LA County, the county's opt-in system for emergency alerts by text, email or phone call.
- Metrolink: Newhall's Metrolink station is in Old Town; on weekends up to three kids 17 and under ride free with a paying adult.
- Local bus: Santa Clarita Transit local fares are $1 by TAP and kids 5 and under ride free; the agency offers no student discount.
Things to do in Newhall
Parks & Hiking
Ed Davis Park in Towsley Canyon
An MRCA park at 24335 The Old Road, just west of I-5, with trails through oak woodland along Towsley Creek and the water-worn rock formations of Towsley Gorge. Trails here are open to walking, hiking and mountain biking, so pick a short out-and-back with younger kids. Parking at the trailhead is $7.
$7 parkingElsmere Canyon Open Space
More than 1,200 acres of protected land in the Newhall Pass, reached on foot or by bike from Remsen Street (near Sierra Hwy) through the Los Pinetos underpass, which also serves as a wildlife crossing. It was the focus of the city's 2026 SCV Hiking Challenge, built around the La Puerta historic site. Gray fox, bobcat and mule deer live here.
Free; roadside parking at the gateNewhall Park & Pool
A city park at 24923 Newhall Ave. with a neighborhood pool (24907 Newhall Ave.), a child play area, lighted ball diamond and basketball, BBQs and restrooms. Check the city's 2026 aquatics schedule for summer rec swim and lessons.
Check site for rec swim feesQuigley Canyon Open Space
About 160 city-owned acres in Newhall's Placerita Canyon horse neighborhood, with four trails totaling about 4.1 miles and 360-degree views. You will often see neighbors riding horses down the street. Parking at the end of Cleardale Ave. is limited, so carpool and don't block driveways.
FreeWildwood Canyon Open Space
A 95-acre oak-dotted open space near central Newhall, with shaded ravine trails on moderate grades up to a ridge overlooking the valley. The city rebuilt the trails here after the 2015 Calgrove Fire. It is one of the shadier hikes in the valley for kids.
FreeAnimals & Nature
Placerita Canyon Nature Center
This free foothill nature center features live-animal exhibits — birds of prey, tarantulas, snakes, and an active beehive — plus oak-shaded creek trails. It's also home to the historic "Oak of the Golden Dream," the site of California's first documented gold discovery in 1842, and hosts free Saturday family nature walks and animal presentations.
FreeWilliam S. Hart Park & Museum
This free 265-acre ranch park traces its bison herd back to 1962, when Walt Disney donated eight buffalo — their descendants still roam a 22-acre pasture here, the only place in LA County to see bison this way. Beyond the barnyard and shaded picnic lawns, silent-film star William S. Hart's 10,000-square-foot mansion, "La Loma de Los Vientos," is open to tour, filled with Western art and Native American artifacts.
Free (free parking & tours)
Museums & Learning
Old Town Newhall Library
A city-run Santa Clarita Public Library branch at 24500 Main St. with storytime four times a week. There is Baby & Toddler Storytime for ages 0-2 on Tuesdays at 9:30am, an all-ages storytime on Tuesdays at 11am, bilingual Cuenta Cuentos on Wednesdays at 9:30am, and another storytime on Thursdays at 9:30am. It is right on Main Street, so pair it with a walk through Old Town.
FreeSCVHS Polar Express Experience
A Historical Society fundraiser at the Saugus Train Station where families ring the bell in the cab of the Mogul 1629 steam engine, tour the caboose, hear 'The Polar Express' read aloud and have cocoa and cookies. A professional family photo in front of the engine is included, and each ticketed child gets a gift. It sells out, so buy tickets early.
$25 per family (up to 8) in 2025Saugus Train Station Museum (Santa Clarita History Center)
Formerly called Heritage Junction, this Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society complex inside Hart Park (24107 Newhall Ave.) centers on the 1888 Saugus Train Station, with a steam engine and caboose beside it. Train fans should come on a Saturday afternoon, when the station museum is open. It is a short walk from the Hart Park barnyard.
Free; donations welcomeArts & Culture
Old Town Newhall (Walk of Western Stars)
A walkable arts district with bronze plaques honoring 187 Western film/TV legends, galleries and restaurants — near Hart Park.
Free to stroll
Canyon Theatre Guild
A long-running community theater at 24242 Main St. in Old Town Newhall. Its current season includes family-friendly titles such as 'The Lightning Thief' and 'It's a Wonderful Life' alongside adult shows, and it offers workshops and fall programs. Check each show's rating before bringing younger kids.
Check siteThe MAIN
A city-run arts space at 24266 Main St. that hosts music, comedy, film, theater, a monthly rotating gallery and free Thursday-night programs. It also serves as the welcome center for visitors to Old Town Newhall. Check the calendar for kid-appropriate shows.
Many programs free; some ticketedMore for families in Newhall
From our researched guides: the Newhall spots for camps. Hours and prices change, so check the venue's site before you go.
Camps
All SoCal camps →Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley — Summer Camp
Affordable club summer programming with sports, STEM and mentorship across 13 SCV sites including Newhall and Canyon Country.
$ very low-cost
Venue website ↗Farmers markets in Newhall
Old Town Newhall Farmers Market
Year-round Saturday market in historic Old Town Newhall with fresh produce, prepared food, and a walkable Main Street setting.
Local restaurants in Newhall
Way Station Coffee Shop
A classic small-town diner in Old Town Newhall since 1971 — formica counter, vinyl booths, generous pancakes, and bottomless coffee that locals swear by.
Local shops in Newhall
Barn & Charm
Vintage, farmhouse, and handmade goods in Old Town Newhall's landmark Yellow Victorian building.
Soapish
Handmade soap and bath-and-body maker with a small-batch, locally crafted line in Old Town Newhall.
Seasonal & outdoors near Newhall
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Newhall.
Newhall is part of the North of LA family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More Los Angeles family guides
Newhall family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Newhall with kids?
Family favorites in and around Newhall include Placerita Canyon Nature Center, William S. Hart Park & Museum, Old Town Newhall (Walk of Western Stars) and Canyon Theatre Guild, and more. Our guide lists 14 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Newhall?
Yes — free family spots near Newhall include Placerita Canyon Nature Center, William S. Hart Park & Museum, Old Town Newhall (Walk of Western Stars) and The MAIN. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Newhall on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Newhall include Canyon Theatre Guild, The MAIN, Newhall Community Center and Old Town Newhall Library, and more. Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Newhall?
One easy plan: start outside at Placerita Canyon Nature Center while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Way Station Coffee Shop, then head indoors to Canyon Theatre Guild for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 12 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Newhall?
Local, family-friendly spots in Newhall include Way Station Coffee Shop — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Newhall guide cover?
Our Newhall family guide includes 14 things to do, 1 local eatery, 2 local shops and 1 farmers market — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Newhall
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Newhall on one map — then book on your favorite site.