California calls
Discover the best of Los Angeles with kids in tow. By Karla Courtney.
Best breakfasts
Millie’s Cafe (milliescafela.com) in Silver Lake has been serving all-day breakfast since 1926. It has every egg, pancake and waffle variety you could ever ask for, plus vegan and gluten-free options. Santa Monica’s Huckleberry Bakery & Café (huckleberrycafe.com) is another all-day brekkie stalwart – go straight for Dad’s pancakes with maple syrup, organic butter and (optional) chocolate chips.
Best lunch or dinner
Mohawk Bend (mohawk.la) offers craft beer, a chilled-out vibe and a selection of small plates, salads and sandwiches that hero local ingredients, with many vegan dishes. Children can choose pizza, grilled chicken or battered fish plus a good selection of sides. The Proud Bird (theproudbird.com), near LAX, is a fun self-service food hall with a replica P-40 Flying Tiger aircraft suspended from the ceiling.
Best amusement parks
Disneyland (disneyland.disney. go.com) and Universal Studios (universalstudioshollywood.com) top everyone’s list but Six Flags Magic Mountain (sixflags.com) is also great for teens and anyone who loves roller-coasters. Two hours from Los Angeles, Legoland California (legoland.com) has excellent rides for younger kids, a fantastic water park and Lego models to please fans of all ages.
Best shopping
Open-air shopping centre The Grove (thegrovela.com) is a hit with kids thanks to the free rides across the grounds in a rebuilt early-20th-century trolley. Stores include Nordstrom, Pottery Barn Kids and Barneys New York, plus there’s an American Girl café. If you’re after a more hip, handmade vibe, go to Yolk (shopyolk.com) in Silver Lake for a thoughtful range of toys, books and clothes.
Best hotel
Loews Santa Monica Beach (hotel. qantas.com.au/loewssantamonica) has an ocean-front pool and offers extensive programs for teens as well as younger children, including small welcome gifts, special menu items and games, toys and DVDs to borrow. Under-18s stay free and there are guestrooms to suit every family’s needs.
For the full story, visit qantas.com/ travelinsider.