Remember the days of leisurely mall crawling before you had kids? I’d spend hours walking up and down the corridors, browsing in my favorite stores, trying on clothes at a speed that didn’t resemble some sort of Olympic event. If you’ve been to a mall recently with your children in tow, you’ll understand when I say that those days are long gone. But, shopping with kids doesn’t have to be a lesson in how to manage anxiety in public! We’ve named the five best malls in the Los Angeles area to visit with your kids (complete with details on food options, play areas and stroller accessibility) to make shopping—once again!—one of your favorite activities.
flickr/Prayitno
Where: 395 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Located in picturesque Santa Monica (just blocks from the Third Street Promenade) Santa Monica Place is the perfect combination of high-end and mid-range shopping in a beautifully designed and easy-to-navigate space. Anchored by Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, you’ll find a collection of recognizable stores sprinkled with local retailers, as well as an Arc Light Cinema.
Best stores: Free People and Nordstrom for mom, and a huge Disney Store for the kids.
Best food options: There’s Cheesecake Factory on the third floor, but we suggest grabbing something from one of the to-go vendors (Pinches Tacos is outstanding!), and heading up to the rooftop dining terrace.
Play area: Santa Monica Place knocks this out of the park! Located on the third floor, next to the food court, you’ll find SAMO the Whale, a full-size humpback whale made of steel, wood, rope and “found objects.”
Stroller access: There are elevators located on each end of the mall, as well as inside both department stores. There’s also a glass elevator right in the middle of the mall.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms are located on each level, but we love the beautiful bathrooms (with family and nursing rooms!) in Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.
flickr/Prayitno
Where: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA
The Grove is one of LA’s most iconic shopping destinations. Located in the heart of LA in the Wilshire District, the Grove offers shopping, dining, entertainment and an outdoor farmers market full of local vendors. Take advantage of Southern California’s gorgeous weather and peruse the stores that line the cobblestone streets, and ride the trolley to the farmers market to do a little snacking while you’re there!
Best stores: Anthropologie for mom, and American Girl Place for kids. (The Grove is home to LA’s only American Girl Store!)
Best food options: From high-end restaurants like Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill to more family-friendly fare like Woodranch BBQ, there’s lots of options for everyone. Save room for a stop at Sprinkles Cupcakes for their world famous red velvet flavor!
Play area: While there isn’t a dedicated play area, your kids are sure to love hanging out by the Dancing Fountain, located in front of the theater. The fountain comes alive at the top of every hour, sending jets of water into the air, choreographed to music. It’s especially beautiful at night, when the water is accented by colored lights.
Stroller access: The Grove is a single level outdoor mall, so strollers are easy to use. Parking structures have elevators at each entrance for access to and from the mall.
Bathrooms: Restrooms are located just outside the parking structure, as well as inside Nordstrom and American Girl Place. Both Nordstrom and American Girl place have nursing and changing areas available.
Westfield Topanga & The Village
Westfield Topanga & The Village
Where: 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Westfield Topanga & The Village are like two amazing malls rolled into one. In Westfield Topanga, you’ve got your typical mall scene, but elevated to a new level, with three department stores (Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus), as well as the Motherland for moms, Target. Head across the street to The Village, and you’ve got an outdoor shopping paradise, complete with gym, day spa and a Costco.
Best stores: It’s really hard to beat Target and Costco for parents. Kids will love the big Lego store, and there’s even a Sanrio for the Hello Kitty-loving kids.
Best food options: Eureka! Burgers and Craft Beer (located in The Village) is a great spot for casual fare. Or try Tender Greens for something lighter. For sweets, we definitely recommend heading over to The Village, for homemade ice cream at Sloan’s, or a slice of cake from SusieCakes.
Play area: t Westfield Topanga, the play area is located just outside of Target and has lots of space to climb, large puzzles and adorable animal characters. At The Village, kids can try out the Kid Climber, a whimsical climbing structure that more resembles a work of art than a play space.
Stroller access: Elevators are located near each department store in Westfield Topanga, as well as inside each department store. At The Village, the only elevator is located in the middle of the mall, near EMC Seafood and Raw Bar (park accordingly!)
Bathrooms: If there’s another thing that Westfield malls do well, it’s the family bathroom. You’ll find two family bathrooms at each mall, as well as a family space located at Westfield Topanga, complete with TVs, toys, private nursing rooms and changing tables.
flickr/Josh McConnell
Where: 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA
Outdoor shopping doesn’t get much better than this. With its abundance of popular stores, amazing restaurants, and beautiful architecture, The Americana is a mall you don’t want to miss. Here you’ll find stores you won’t find many other places, plus lots of open space for kids to run around.
Best stores: Americana is one of the only places you’ll find a Topshop, which is one of the most popular retailers in the UK (moms, this one’s for you). Kids will love Disney Baby and Barnes and Noble, as well as the many kiosks located around the mall that sell unique toys and gadgets.
Best food options: Lemonade is a great spot to grab a light lunch with kids, or head over to Shake Shack for delicious burgers, fries, and custards.
Play area: The Americana has a playground located just outside of Barnes and Noble, where kids can let loose and get the sillies out. There’s also a beautiful dancing fountain located in the middle of the mall and a large lawn for lounging.
Stroller access: It’s a single level outdoor mall, so stroller access is a cinch. Elevators are located in the parking structure if you get a spot towards the top.
Bathrooms: There’s a restroom and family lounge located in the Grand Lobby (which you enter as you leave the parking structure, before heading into the mall). There are also restrooms and family lounges located in Nordstrom.
Jayme Kennedy
Where: 12505 N Main St, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, Victoria Gardens is the Inland Empire’s premiere shopping destination. Designed to resemble the golden days of Old California, this outdoor mall meets all the criteria for a great mall for families: popular stores, delicious restaurants and plenty of fun to be had for the kids!
Best stores: Moms will love that they can hit Lush, Lululemon and Kiehls in one place. Kids will spend hours perusing the good at Optimus Toys.
Best food options: Victoria Gardens has your typical mall food court, but also offers lots of restaurant dining options. Johnny Rockets and The Melt are our favs. But save room for dessert, because you don’t want to pass up one of the delectable milkshake creations at The Mug Shakes!
Play area: There’s a full playground located behind Jamba Juice, with plenty of seating for parents to take a load off. There’s also a expansive lawn for lounging in the middle of the mall, as well as a babbling brook water feature and a train ride for kids that choo-choos around the center of the mall (tickets can be purchased at guest services).
Stroller access: Single level outdoor mall means stroller-friendly! Elevators are located in the parking structure for access to and from the mall.
Bathrooms: There are restrooms and changing areas located outside of the main parking structure, just outside of Macy’s, and in the center of the mall (near the lawn and brook). You can also find a family room in Macy’s.
