Farm-to-Table Brunch: Taste the freshest ingredients from the surrounding land and sea at Cast & Plow, the sustainable-minded, locavore restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. The menu is light and fresh, with healthful options like the harvest salad and red quinoa bowl spiked with veggies and Marcona almonds. 

View a Picasso: Spend an afternoon wandering the exhibits at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, better known as LACMA. The largest art museum in the western U.S. boasts a collection of nearly 130,000 works from around the globe, including a permanent collection of 20 pieces from Picasso and paintings and watercolors from Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee. Rotating exhibitions have included retrospectives of influential L.A. artist Carlos Almaraz and futuristic virtual reality installations from Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

America's Coolest Block: For retail therapy, shop Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a mile-long stretch of fashionably cool boutiques, including 1970s-inspired Cali lifestyle brand Aviator Nation, highly curated women’s wear store Heist, and Huset, a homewares shop devoted to Scandinavian living.

Sunset Sail: The next best thing to chartering your own yacht is a sunset sail with Hornblower Cruises. The two-hour harbor cruise is timed to sunset and includes live music, drinks, and local-sourced bites.

Reservation to Score: Often described as the quintessential neighborhood restaurant, Gjelina’s rustic-chic dining room and the vegetable-centric menu have won over the hearts and stomachs of L.A. foodies. Getting a reservation at this Venice hotspot is akin to hitting the lottery, proof that the squash blossom burrata pizza and roasted baby carrots dressed with tahini really are that good. If you can’t get a table, chef-owner Travis Lett also has a sister spot, Gjusta, around the block, with equally delicious salads and mains like steamed Santa Barbara mussels in fennel-tomato broth. 

Workout Like A Local: Arguably one of America’s fitness cities, morning workouts are routine in Los Angeles County. Rise early and jog or bike the Marvin Braude Coastal Trail. Or for a truly local experience, get a stand-up paddle board from the rental truck at the southwest end of the Jamaica Bay Inn parking lot. Yogis can make the ocean their mat as they flow through warrior poses on a stand-up paddle board. YOGAqua holds group and private classes on the calm cove at Mother’s Beach. 

Cult Toast: Make the pilgrimage to the edges of L.A.’s hip Silver Lake neighborhood to try the much-hyped toast at beloved restaurant Sqirl. Owner Jessica Koslow may be single-handedly responsible for America’s avocado toast obsession. A thick slab of brioche served with homemade, seasonal preserves in flavors such as Moro blood orange is a must, but the market-driven menu also features global-influenced dishes, like a long-cooked chicken and rice porridge, and creative drinks such as vegan horchata.

Boardwalk Stroll: Take in the carnival-like atmosphere of the Venice Beach Boardwalk. This 2-plus-mile stretch of street vendors, shops, and restaurants is the second-most-visited destination in Southern California. Ogle the bodybuilders pumping iron at legendary Muscle Beach, then head to the famed skate plaza and marvel at fearless skateboarders who seem to defy gravity with their tricks.

Catch A Show: If you want some nightlife close to home base, check the lineup of events at Fisherman’s Village, which often hosts free weekend concerts. Hardcore music fans should try to enjoy a show at one of L.A.’s legendary outdoor music venues. In summer, the historic Hollywood Bowl is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. The Greek, in Griffith Park, dates back to the 1880s, and its stage has graced stars including Bruce Springsteen and Sir Elton John.

Morning

Hit the Beach: Sun and sand are staples of California culture. Drive 3 miles north of Marina del Rey and spend the morning splashing around the sea at Santa Monica Beach. The pier is home to a 1920s carousel as well as a roller coaster and solar-powered Ferris wheel, fun for all ages. 

Midday

Burgers & Beer: Chef Sang Yoon has earned a loyal following with his laid-back, locavore gastropub, Father’s Office. The Santa Monica outpost is praised for having the best burger in town, with excellent fries to boot. Older family members will appreciate the 36 taps of craft brews.

Afternoon

Marine Conservation: Kids can help feed sea stars, dip their hands into touch tanks filled with sea cucumbers and hermit crabs, and ogle large predators (sharks) and tiny creatures (seahorses) at Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. The aquarium is part of Santa Monica’s Heal the Bay program, an initiative that educates visitors to be protectors of our oceans.

Evening

Beach Sunset and Local Eats:  Head down to Burton W. Chace Park, a 10-acre green space jutting into the channel of Marina del Rey, in time for sunset then dine on organic, locally grown ingredients at Cast & Plow in The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. The menu lists local farmers so you can trace back the ingredients featured in your popcorn shrimp tacos and shitake-ginger chicken over fried brown rice.

Morning

Lights, Camera, Action: Go behind the scenes of a real working movie studio.

Midday

Take Five (Or a Few More): After a busy morning, retreat back to The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey for an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing. The hotel’s heated pool is Los Angeles’ only waterfront pool, nestled along one of the world’s largest recreational marinas.

Evening

Dinner Alfresco: Keep the relaxing vibes going well into the evening with dinner from Wave Poolside Bar + Grill. As the sun sets and the temperature drops, cozy up with your family next to one of the outdoor fire pits.

Morning

Surf's Up: You may not walk your toes to the nose, but you will pop up on a wave after a lesson with the patient instructors at Santa Monica Surf School.

Midday

Bike Adventure: Rent bikes from Perry’s on the Venice Beach Boardwalk (they carry tandems and attachable trailers for tots) and explore the 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail, locally known as the Strand. The flat, beachside path winds past Santa Monica, inland to Marina del Rey, and ends in Torrance Beach.

We All Scream for Ice Cream: Order a scoop or a custom sundae from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on Rose Avenue. Artisanal, small-batch flavors include Brambleberry Crisp and addictive Salty Caramel. 

Afternoon

Hunting for Fun: At The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, kids can take part in a fun scavenger hunt throughout the hotel — and be rewarded with a special gift at the end.

Take a Break: While the kids are away, the parents can retreat to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Marina del Rey. Opt for the efficient Ultimate Bliss Body Ritual, which encompasses a full spa day retreat in one service.

Evening

Farm-to-Table Fare: Taste the freshest ingredients from the surrounding land and sea at Cast & Plow, the sustainable-minded, locavore restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. The menu is light and fresh, with healthful options like the harvest salad and red quinoa bowl spiked with veggies and Marcona almonds. For something heartier, kids and parents alike will love the Cali Burger — prime beef topped with smoked cheddar and onion marmalade.

Morning

Sweet Treat: Head to Abbot Kinney Boulevard’s Blue Star Donuts for gourmet flavors like maple bacon topped with bacon bits and lemon poppy seed. Purists can stick to the glazed buttermilk, which may not look as exotic but tastes every bit as delicious.  

Afternoon

Local Lunch: Superba Food + Bread in Venice is a funky, laid-back lunch spot with a creative, super-fresh menu. You can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches. The brioche grilled cheese is a hit with both kids and adults, and even picky eaters will like the veggie starters, including Brussels sprouts with a soft egg and melted onion and crispy fried cauliflower with squash blossom aioli. 

Evening

Canal Cruise: Feel as if you’re in Italy as you explore the Venice Canal Historic District on a 32-foot Italian gondola, complete with pillows, music and a gondolier. The picturesque area is linked by a series of canals lined with arced bridges modeled after Venice, Italy. 

Morning

All-Day Breakfast: Go ahead and sleep in. The Cow’s End Café in Venice Beach serves breakfast all day long, serving dishes to suit appetites of all sizes. The health-conscious should try the fruit-loaded acai bowls. If you’re going to indulge, try the breakfast sliders: egg and corn beef topped with sharp cheddar and mayo sandwiched between soft pretzel buns.

Afternoon

Bird's-Eye View: For the best views of Venice Beach and Marina del Rey, take to the sky. Marina del Rey Parasailing offers flights of 500 or 800 feet, depending on your thrill level, and can accommodate two or three people at a time. Flights leave from Fisherman’s Village.

Evening

Take Me Out to a Ball Game: Los Angeles is home to two famous stadiums.