Will Rogers State Park, Los Angeles, California

I like taking my kids to historic sites where we can learn about the area, bring along a picnic and explore something new to us. The Will Rogers State Park has beautiful grounds anchored by the 31-room ranch house, a stable, corrals, riding ring, roping arena, polo field, golf course and hiking trails. You can take a self-guided tour but docent-led tours are the best way to learn about the history of Will Rogers, Hollywood's most popular actor in the 1930s. The ranch was built for his family so they could enjoy a rural environment and ride horses. He died in a plane crash in 1935. After his wife died 10 years later, the property became a state park. Hiking trails and horseback riding are available to the public.

Will Rogers State Park is a true treasure in LA, and is unfortunately under constant threat of closure due to budget cuts. Perfect for kids, you can watch/play soccer, watch polo matches, visit the stables, take horse riding lessons and hike to the base of the Santa Monica Mountains to a spectacular overlook of LA and Santa Monica. Finish with a picnic on Will's former two-hole, par three golf course.