Good ‘ol Dad—between the make-your-stomach-hurt Dad jokes to taking us all over town to taste the best hot dogs LA has to offer, it’s time to show them how much we appreciate all that they do. And while Dad loves home made gifts as much as any of us, for some out-of-the-house fun, here are 27 epic ways to spend Father’s Day in and around LA.

If Dad's a Thrill-Seeker

Does Dad prefer zip-lining to Zoom? Parasailing to PTA meetings? Then take him to one of these thrill-seeking spots for the big day. 

  • Hang-Gliding in Marina Del Rey: Windsports offers hang-gliding lessons off the dunes at Dockweiler Beach; Mini lessons are $99 (4 flights from the top of the dunes) while a full beach lesson (7 flights from the top) are $160. Or, if he's up for an even bigger thrill, he can strap himself into a glider and soar from the top of Kagel Mountain in the Angeles National Forest side by side with a professional instructor (prices start at $249). Of course you'll need to add the Go-Pro footage for $40 otherwise how else can he relive this experience? 
  • Skydiving off the Coast: Want to cross off more boxes on your thrill-seeking bucket list? Skydive Coastal California will let you jump out of an airplane just off the coast of SoCal. Tandem jumps are $229 on weekdays, $299 on weekends.
  • Indoor Skydiving: If Dad's not up for real-life heights—but still wants the thrill of flying—iFly Hollywood has a vertical wind-tunnel waiting for him. Jump into a tunnel of air with an instructor and feel the thrill of skydiving without being 10,000 feet in the air. Prices start at $75.
  • Parasailing over the Ocean: Want to include the littles in the thrill? Dad can strap into a seat side-by-side with the kids while parasailing off the Marina Del Rey harbor. Rates start at $105 per person. 
  • Zip-Lining as a Family: Has Dad always wanted to try zip-lining? Now's his chance! Zip with views of the ocean in Catalina ($139 per person during the spring and summer). If you want to make a whole weekend of it, here's our awesome guide to spending the weekend in Catalina.

If Dad's into Cars

father's day gifts
Rodeo Drive

On your marks...get set...drive! For dads who love to put the pedal to the metal on the road, there's a special driving experience that will fit your budget.

  • The Rodeo Drive Car Show is one of the best car shows in the world, and it happens to take place in Beverly Hills every Father’s Day Weekend. The rally will begin around 9:30 a.m. and showcase fifty of the world’s finest, fastest and most unique automobiles before joining many more vehicles displayed on Rodeo Drive. The best viewing area for the rally will be along Beverly Drive between Sunset Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard. Event details.

  • Sunday Scoot: These cars may look cartoonish, but with its open-air design and motorcycle-like drive, they're sure to thrill every dad (and delight every kid). Choose from the one-hour "Adventure Ride" tour or the longer, 2-3 hour "Discover LA" tour that includes motoring through Griffith Park—there's even a stop at the merry-go-round! All tours are done in groups and come with a guide. Kids must be over 7 to ride. Cost: $65 per person for the "Adventure Ride" tour. $140 for the "Discover LA" tour.

  • Go-Karting: If Dad wants to take it to the track against Mom—or the kids, if they're at least 48"—there's a go-kart track for that! K1 Speed—which has nearby locations in Torrance, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clara, Burbank and Anaheim, offers a fun and fairly inexpensive way to get all those car-racing needs met. Prices start at $28 per person.

  • Porsche Lovers: If Dad has a preference for Porsches, the Porsche Experience Center in Carson offers drivers a variety of on-road, off-road and virtual experiences on its 1.3-mile track or its indoor Porsche driving simulators. Even better? The whole family can tag along, as the center has an adjacent cafe where kids can nosh on snacks or lunch while Dad gets his driving fix. Prices start at $450. 

If Dad's into Baseball

dereksemmler via flickr

For some dads, a perfect day is a day (or two) at the ballfields. This year, on Father's Day weekend, the Dodger's are playing against the Cleveland Guardians—so take your pick of games from Fri. night with fireworks, Sat.'s game with a Sandy Koufax Replica Statue giveaway or Sun.'s bucket hat giveaway and "Kids Run the Bases" highlight that happens after the game. PS: Don't forget to get the Dodger Dog—one of LA's best hot dogs in the city.

Date: Jun. 17-19, times vary
Cost: $28 & Up

1000 Vin Scully Ave.
Los Angeles
Online: mlb.com/dodgers

If Dad Needs a Vacation

Want to get out of the house for the weekend—or maybe just the night? Book one of these local vacation rentals and get a taste of vacation without leaving LA! Or, pack up the car and drive a few hours to one of these hidden gems, cool treehouses, or epic farm stays throughout the state. 

Of course you don't have to do an overnight to relish in those #vacationvibes—book a day pass at one of our favorite hotel pools in LA and watch the stress melt away. 

If Dad's into Camping

camping near LA
La Quinta Resort & Club

Whether your family camps every weekend or is ready to bust out the tent for the very first time, we have some amazing spots we’re willing to bet you haven’t visited. Treat dad to a back to nature weekend. Don’t forget the s’more makings! Check out our list of campsites (some of which don’t take reservations, so don’t worry if this is a last minute excursion).

If Dad's not into roughing it per se but still like getting into nature, La Quinta Resort’s  Camp’d Out Joshua Tree Experience offers the ultimate glamping near LA experience. This 3-night package combines the luxurious stay of the first and last night at La Quinta Resort & Club with a night in a Camp’d Out tent in Joshua Tree—complete with plush resort bedding, culinary complements, S’mores, a fire bit, overnight butler service, coffee the next morning and round trip transportation to and from the campsite. 

READ: Why You Should Stay at La Quinta Resorts the Next Time You Go to the Desert

If Dad's a Trailblazer

If Dad likes nothing more than getting back to nature and hitting the trails, but a getaway isn’t in the cards, there are still several ways you can get a hike in. Kick off the weekend with a hike to a waterfall, or take the tiniest tots on the trails at these stroller-friendly hikes. Want something even more off the beaten path? Explore local caves at one of these awesome cave hikes.    

If Dad would rather bike than hike those trails, give him a pass to explore over 60 miles of cross-country trails at Big Bear Mountain Resort or check out the 16 bike trails at Skypark at Santa's Village in nearby Lake Arrowhead. Want to stay local? Here are our favorite bike paths in LA for families.

If Dad Loves the Ocean

City Experiences

Does Dad dream of the wind in his hair on the open water? Whether he wants to ride the waves or scan the horizon, sea faring fathers will want to check out one of these fun waterborne experiences:

  • Rent a Boat or Jet Ski: Depending on whether he wants his water sports to be serene or speedy, Marine Del Rey Boat Rentals has it all: The company rents power boats, paddle boards, jet skis, sail boats and kayaks by the hour. Rates start at $140 an hour for their 5-person Boston Whaler, $130 an hour for jet skis, $60 for sailboats, $23 for paddle boards, and $19 for single-person kayaks. Book online at marinadelreyboatrentals.com
  • Cruise around the Marina: This Father's Day, book the 2-hour Father's Day Premier Brunch Cruise on the Marina del Rey Harbor. The entire family will enjoy a chef-inspired buffet with a selection of wine, beer and classic cocktails. Soak in the picturesque backdrop of Marina del Rey’s skyline from the outdoor decks or inside (there's no bad view on the boat). Book online at cityexperiences.com
  • Go on a Whale-Watching Cruise: There are several whale-watching outfits leaving out of LA-area harbors, including larger tour operators like Harbor Breeze Cruises and LA Waterfront, which offer two-story boats for $45 a person (if you book online you'll save some money!). Or, if you want a more intimate experience, companies such as East Meets West Excursions and Newport Coastal Adventures out of Newport Beach offers private trips if you're willing to pay for the privacy; these tours start about $389 for a small boat experience (up to 6 people).
  • Learn to Surf: For Dads looking to learn a new exciting skill with their kids, book a private surfing lesson in Santa Monica, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Zuma or Venice. Want to upgrade his surfing experience? Treat him to the SoCal Surf Experience package at The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Nigel. Surfers of all ages and skill levels can surf Southern California’s world-famous coast during a two-hour surf lesson near Laguna Beach. The package includes luxury overnight accommodations as well as all surf equipment (wetsuit, surfboard, leash, and wax) plus one, two-hour surf lesson for two people, per night.
  • BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific: Treat your Dad to a memorable Father’s Day at the Aquarium. The celebration includes admission, a delicious meal and crafts for the kids. Space is limited so reserve your spot today. Bonus? All day Aquarium admission is included. Event details.

If Dad Loves Beer or Ice Cream

For some dads, there's nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer day. And now that restaurants are back open, the beer gardens are ready and waiting for all those brew-lovers to come back with their broods. So sit down and have a cold one at one of these local family-friendly breweries

From the westside to the Valley—take him for the best ice cream scoop in LA that he hasn't had before. May we recommend Somi Somi's Ah-boong? It's a fish-shaped waffle cone filled with your choice of filling and soft serve and is delightful. 

 

—Melissa Heckscher & Andie Huber

RELATED STORIES:
6 Swimming Spot That Are Wet, Wild & All Natural
Best Beaches For Your Beach Babe
The Best Family Tents for Your Next Camping Adventure

 

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