Living in Los Angeles gives you endless opportunities to play tourist in your own city and one of our favorite places to do that is Santa Monica. For the day I have loaded up my new backpack that I have been lusting after for a while – the Fawn Design x Cara Loren collaboration backpack. Shop their collection HERE. It’s the perfect size for a day out with the kids not to mention it’s GORGEOUS – perfect since not a fan of the frumpy diaper bags. The matte charcoal gray is such a fun color and the attached pour keychain adds some flare. This bag is anything but boring and I get compliments on it every time I leave the house.

Feeling the salty ocean air fill the car as we wind down the canyon is my favorite part of the journey. Our first stop is Ye Olde King’s Head Pub for fish and chips and pints of London Pride. I absolutely love pubs – the tartan carpets, British paintings and roaring fireplaces feel so homey that I could stay for hours. We always make sure to pop into the shoppe next door for some English goodies like Branston Pickle (amazing on a baguette with a chunk of cheddar cheese), Galaxy chocolates, Skips, Heinz Baked Beans and Tomato Soups, and fresh fruit tarts and veggie curry pies for later.

After lunch, we walk along the gorgeous Ocean Ave. to the bustling Santa Monica Pier. Vivienne always wants to go straight on the carousel, the same one I would ride on when I was their age and is still just a magical as ever. Vivi could go on it for hours and always cries when we take her off (usually after her fifth time round). Henry on the other hand makes a beeline for the arcade for some skee-ball. We ended our adventure looking out at the glittering Santa Monica Bay from the top of the Ferris Wheel (which happens to be the world’s first solar powered one).

I would love to hear ideas for another family friendly day out in Los Angeles! Please comment below some tips or spots you love that we can try out for our next adventure!

Shop my backpack HERE.