Los Angeles - LA Tween Birthday Ideas

My 10 yr old is turning 11 when we are in LA in early April. Any good ideas for restaurants, cool activities for that age group?

I'm considering a VIP tour at U. Studios but there must be some other good options.

Can't say I know much about what's good for that age group, but Disneyland is usually a good choice for a kid's (and many adults) birthday. The tween will get a birthday pin (if you ask when you buy the ticket, at city hall, or a number of other places), and cast members (employees) will be saying Happy Birthday all day, plus usually extra desserts or other things at the restaurants.

I absolutely second meballard's advice. There's really no better place to celebrate than at Disneyland!

I'm considering Disneyland but it's pack season (spring break) and I think it will be packed.

I believe early April is towards the end of the Spring Break period, and probably wouldn't be too bad, especially during the week (Monday-Thursday). Even if reasonably crowded, it can still be a good experience.

Well, we're all forgetting one very important piece of information, will kid like Disneyland? Not all kids like Disneyland.

Well, we're all forgetting one very important piece of information, will kid like Disneyland? Not all kids like Disneyland.

Yes - but not as much as a few years ago. Would rather do something more 'local'. Aren't there fun restaurants, fun places that are not as obvious?

Ok, but eric123 you said that you're considering a "VIP" tour at Universal Studios. Certainly that is no more "local" than a trip to Disneyland. In fact, Disney, too, offers hosted tours if you're willing to part with the cash.

You also mentioned you don't want to do something "so obvious" as Disneyland. Pretty much any experience you'll get at a restaurant or whatever could be replicated in your home town of NYC. I can pretty much guarantee that there's nothing like Disneyland there.

If the munchkin is a rollercoaster & thrill-ride junkie (and tall enough*), Six-Flags Magic Mountain (http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/index.aspx) is a better option then Disneyland. (* 54"+ for a few, 48"+ for most of the rest)

Another vote for Disneyland. My niece turned 16 last November & her parents brought her out here. To make it special, we spent the night on the property--if you stay in one of the (overpriced) Disney hotels you can get into the park early (magic mornings) on some days before the crowds get there. When we checked in they gave her balloons, an autographed picture of Minnie and we all got celebrations buttons. We were upgraded to a view room and they brought us lots of treats. It wasn't as rushed as we had 2 days there & also could go back to the hotel to change clothes etc. There are lots of special b'day things you can do at Disney.

Yes - but not as much as a few years ago. Would rather do something more 'local'. Aren't there fun restaurants, fun places that are not as obvious?

Is this desire to do something more "local" your desire? or your kid's desire? :)

If kid likes Disneyland, go to Disneyland!

Is this desire to do something more "local" your desire? or your kid's desire? :)

If kid likes Disneyland, go to Disneyland!

My kid - asking about Disney made her yawn (though she used to love it). Think universal would be more her speed now.

I'm asking because maybe there are happening, cool restaurants, events, or places that are somewhat out of the ordinary and not known to the usual tourist.

E.g. I read about Pizzeria Mozza as a great place for dinner - not sure if that is correct for a tween.

My kid - asking about Disney made her yawn (though she used to love it). Think universal would be more her speed now.

11's kind of a borderline age for Disney. Some kids still love Mickey Mouse & company, others that age feel it's for "little kids" and thus uncool for them to enjoy anymore. Though even the latter would still enjoy the rides, as long as you promise not to make them pose for pictures with Goofy. ;)

If your child is more of a thrill seeker, I second the idea of Six Flags. I recall from my own childhood that my sisters and I were gung-ho about regular amusement parks at that age. The parks are adult enough to be cool and kid-friendly enough to be comfortable.

A few other ideas are LegoLand and the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

My kid - asking about Disney made her yawn (though she used to love it). Think universal would be more her speed now.

I'm asking because maybe there are happening, cool restaurants, events, or places that are somewhat out of the ordinary and not known to the usual tourist.

E.g. I read about Pizzeria Mozza as a great place for dinner - not sure if that is correct for a tween.

Yeah. I have another vote for Six Flags if your kid can ride those. It's cool because the big kids ride it, too!

Pizzeria Mozza is really good. I'm not sure if it's a tween thing, though. The wait can be long.

My kid - asking about Disney made her yawn (though she used to love it). Think universal would be more her speed now.

I'm asking because maybe there are happening, cool restaurants, events, or places that are somewhat out of the ordinary and not known to the usual tourist.

E.g. I read about Pizzeria Mozza as a great place for dinner - not sure if that is correct for a tween.

Universal is VERY touristy. It always strikes me as kind of insulting that you pay to get in, and then are surrounded mostly by restaurants and stores where you have to pay more money. The rides are just OK. If you want rides, go to Six Flags. If you want a studio experience, go to the Paramount Studio tour. Be sure to book ahead. It's a real working studio so it's hit and miss what you might see, but when it's a hit, it's awesome. No rides, though.

if the goal is to see celebrities - I don't know what she is into, but she might find it thrilling to get her nails done where her fav celeb does, something like that. Hit Rodeo Drive with a $100 bill in her pocket... take one of the tacky but fun "homes of the stars" tours...

I had one friend who put her daughter and a group of friends in a stretch limo with some takeout pizza. They drove around for an hour, then stopped at a candy store where they had a bag they could fill. They were in heaven.

By the way, Pizzeria Mozza does take reservations sometimes. I don't know what the rules are, but I've made reservations there for lunch. I used Open Table. I would take an 11 year old to Pizzeria Mozza if they are becoming more adult in their palette and want to feel grown up. There is an ice cream store in Hollywood on La Brea called Mashti Malone's that serves Iranian/Persian flavors and is rated best in LA. That combo would make a great afternoon or evening.

If she likes crazy food, you might consider Baazar - it's one of those molecular gastronomy places. Very spendy but another place you might spot some celebs.

11 is a tough age - I would go with her ideas and interests and try to amplify that experience. Is she into celebs, ocean (surfing lesson in Malibu?), crafts, history (La Brea tar pits is an "only in LA" kind of museum), horses (you can ride in Griffith Park), etc.

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks all - very helpful. Last tip I need is on where to order a cake.

BTW, if you do decide to do Disney, So Cal residents get some good rates on tickets....maybe one of us could buy them for you. I hate Universal--I think the rides are boring and everything is so touristy. If you stay at one of the Disneyland hotels (Grand Californian being the nicest) you can hang out at Downtown Disney at night---lots of kids there. California Adventure had some High School Musical show going on when we were there and they have stuff geared for tweens. Six Flaggs is like any other amusement park but Disneyland/Ca. Adventure is ONLY a So. Cal. thing. Depending on your time, I would also spend a few hours in Hollywood or maybe see if you can get tickets to a TV show she likes--the Ellen show is fun to go to. Or maybe drive up the coast to Malibu or even go to the Santa Monica pier--she might want to get in some beach time if the weather is nice. If she wants to see celebrities, go to the Ivy for lunch--on Robertson--bad, overpriced food but always papparazzi & stars. And then she can shop down the block at Kitson. Disneyland is not just for little kids--in fact most of the area high schools have their grad night there.

FYI - we returned form LA and had a great time. here's what we did in the end:

Day before birthday: Universal Studios VIP Tour. Great tour for the 10 and up set but not really recommended for smaller kids. As most attractions are theater style there is never much of a wait anyway. If you are into filmaking it is worth it. Dinner at Pizzeria Mozza (excellent).

Birthday: Lunch at the Filling Station (fun) and after that to the Grove - the girls wanted Abercombie and Fitch which funnily enough is higher on a tweens to do list than most other attractions. Mario Lopez and some American Idol celebs where doing a promo at the Grove so that was fun for them as well. Dinner at Chateau Marmont - kid friendly (funnily enough), good service, and a fun vibe (besides we were staying there). Mini cakes came from cake monkey in laurel canyon.

Day after birthday: VIP tour at Disney: Was hesitant because of the very high cost but in the end it was worth it. We arrived at 11AM and pretty much did every ride we wanted without a wait and got our money's worth.

It cost a fortune (not likely to be repeated anytime soon) but we all had a blast.