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Cheebo (Hollywood, Click here)

Colori Kitchen (Downtown, Click here)

Coogie’s Beach Café (Malibu, Click here)

Counter (Santa Monica, Click here)

Farmers Market (Mid-City, Click here)

Mama D’s (Manhattan Beach, Click here)

San Pedro Fish Market & Restaurant (San Pedro, Click here)

Toast (Mid-City, Click here)

Uncle Bill’s Pancake House (Manhattan Beach, Click here)

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Under the Sea (Map; 310-915-1133; www.undertheseaindoorplayground.com; 12211 W Washington Blvd, Suite 120, Culver City; adult/child 9 months-14yr free/$8; Mon-Fri; ) Ocean-themed indoor playground with a bounce house, climbing structures, a baby corner and other play stations. Call for specific opening hours. Check website for locations of the six other branches in town.

Adventureplex (Map; 310-546-7708; www.adventureplex.org; 1701 Marine Av, Manhattan Beach; admission for 1 adult & 1 child per 2hr from $10; 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm Sat, 10am-6pm Sun; ) If romping around a four-story play structure straight out of Blade Runner and finding the perfect route on a rock wall won’t tire out your tots, sign them up for one of the volleyball or dancing classes.

Sand Dune Park (Map; www.citymb.info; cnr 33rd & Bell Ave; admission free; 7:30am-9pm Apr-Oct, 6am-8pm Nov-Mar; ) If you want to tire ’em out, bring your kids to this unique park hidden on a residential block near Rosecrans and Highland. Hurling themselves down these 100ft-high sand dunes will be so much fun, they’ll want to do it again, and again, and again…

Entertainment

Bob Baker Marionette Theater (Map; 213-250-9995; www.bobbakermarionettes.com; 1345 W 1st St, near Downtown; tickets $12, reservations required; 10:30am Tue-Fri, 2:30pm Sat & Sun; ) Generations of Angelenos have been enthralled by Bob’s adorable singing and dancing marionettes and stuffed animals that interact with their young audiences seated on a carpet. It’s pure magic, and after the show everyone gets to enjoy some ice cream.

Magicopolis (Map; 310-451-2241; www.magicopolis.com; 1418 4th St, Santa Monica; tickets $22-27; 8pm Fri & Sat, 2pm Sat & Sun; ) Not only aspiring Harry Potters will enjoy the comedy-laced sleight-of-hand, levitation and other illusions performed by Steve Spills and cohorts in this intimate space. Escapes from reality last about 90 minutes, and there’s even a small shop for all your wizard supplies.

Storyopolis (Map; 818-509-5600; www.storyopolis.com; 12348 Ventura Blvd, Studio City; 11am-5pm Tue-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun; ) A large and intelligent selection of children’s books, family-friendly events (including free storytelling sessions at 11:30am Tuesday to Friday) and a gallery of original children’s art make this place the best kids’ bookstore in town.

Puppet & Magic Center (Map; 310-656-0483; 1255 2nd St, Santa Monica; admission $7.50; 1pm Wed, 1pm & 3pm Sat & Sun) Steve Meltzer’s Puppetolio puppet show (suitable for ages three and up) has delighted audiences since 1998. All performances are followed by a tour ‘behind the strings’ and a visit to the puppet museum. Steve also runs puppet workshops.

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TOURS

Boat

A lovely way to experience LA on a warm day is from the deck of a boat. Hornblower Cruises ( 310-301-6000; www.hornblower.com) and Spirit Cruises ( 310-548-8080; www.spiritdinnercruises.com) both run harbor tours, dinner cruises, champagne brunch cruises and whale-watching excursions (January to March). Boats depart from Marina del Rey, San Pedro and Long Beach.

Romantics should steer towards the one-hour Gondola Getaway (Map; 562-433-9595; www.gondolagetawayinc.com; 5437 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach; per couple $75, up to 4 additional persons per person $20; 11am-11pm) cruises. Aboard your private gondola you’ll be piloted around canal-laced Naples in Long Beach by a real gondolier. Baguette, cheese, salami and an ice bucket are provided (you’ll need to bring your own libations). Make reservations two to three weeks early, especially for the weekend sunset cruises.

Bus

Esotouric ( 323-223-2767; www.esotouric.com; walking/bus