Ultimate Guide: 11 Fun Activities for Father’s Day in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a thriving city in southern California that’s suitable for visits year-round, and there are countless ways to show dad your affection in the City of Angels. From vintage car displays on Rodeo Drive to thrilling baseball games featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers, there’s an abundance of enjoyable activities in California this June. There’s something for fathers of every taste and budget.

Gawk at Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance

The Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau

Address: 810 Bart Earle Wy Unit C, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274, USA

Get directions

Phone: +1 310-378-7838

If your dad is a car enthusiast, taking him to the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance in Beverly Hills for Father’s Day is a splendid choice. During this event, the legendary shopping area will be transformed to showcase over 100 specialty vehicles.

Each year features a unique theme, encompassing luxury cars, classic models, racing vehicles, and various motorcycle types. The event typically occurs in mid-June (Father’s Day weekend) along the 200, 300, and 400 blocks of Rodeo Drive. The 25th anniversary celebration in 2018 featured a block filled exclusively with silver cars.

Have Cowboy Fun at the Autry Museum

The Autry Museum of the American West
Kayte Deioma

Address: Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462, USA

Get directions

Phone: +1 323-667-2000

The Autry Museum offers visitors a chance for cowboy-themed fun on Saturday and Sunday of Father’s Day weekend, featuring gold panning and guided tours. On Sunday, the Western Music Association Showcase brings together cowboy musicians and poets sharing tales and songs of the American West.

The museum is open year-round and is dedicated to upholding the history and culture of the American West, showcasing artifacts that shaped California and the wider United States.

Ride the Fillmore & Western Father’s Day Barbecue Train

fillmore and westerns father's day
Fillmore & Western

Address: 351 Santa Clara St, Fillmore, CA 93015-2013, USA

Get directions

Phone: +1 805-524-0330

For a special adventure this Father’s Day, consider a vintage train ride through Heritage Valley paired with a barbecue onboard the Fillmore & Western Railway.

Your journey commences in Fillmore, just an hour north of popular areas like Hollywood and Santa Monica, with advanced reservations required for this unique experience. Two train runs are available on Father’s Day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., with specific departure times and dining arrangements assigned at reservation.

Get Out of an Escape Room With Dad

Escape Room L.A.
Benjamin Jet/Race/LA

For dads who enjoy solving puzzles and cinematic thrills, escape rooms present an exciting opportunity to create lasting memories. Los Angeles offers a variety of immersive escape experiences, ranging from the eerie haunted settings at The Basement to the imaginative challenges at Maze Rooms, with 11 unique escape rooms throughout Los Angeles Valley.

The Amazing Escape Room in Northridge features five non-scary rooms for smaller groups, while Escape Room LA delivers a fun yet challenging atmosphere without the horror elements.

Take a Road Trip

Street scene of Solvang, California, USA
Jeff Hunter/Getty Images

If your dad prefers to escape the hustle of Los Angeles, consider planning a scenic road trip. Options abound, including a visit to Catalina Island, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Big Bear Lake, or a round of golf in Palm Springs.

Whether you opt for the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway or embark on an eight-hour trip to Lake Tahoe, stunning vistas and charming stops await you. Rent a car or use your own; your dad will appreciate a laid-back drive with the wind in his hair away from the city chaos.

Visit Walt Disney’s Barn Museum

Los Angeles Live Steamers at Griffith Park
Kayte Deioma

Address: 5202 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1472, USA

Get directions

Phone: +1 818-934-0173

Coinciding with Father’s Day, Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn at Griffith Park opens its doors to the public, featuring a gathering of miniature steam train enthusiasts. This barn, once Walt Disney’s creative haven for his miniature railroad, has been turned into a museum, staffed monthly by volunteers, including Disney alumni.

Regardless of whether your dad is particularly interested in Disney, he will surely appreciate the imaginative exhibits and the intricate mechanics of the displayed model trains.

Sail on a Tall Ship

Tall Ship Irving Johnson
Port of San Diego/Flickr

Address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629-2723, USA

Get directions

Phone: +1 949-496-2274

If your dad has a sense of adventure and a touch of the pirate spirit, consider a tall ship excursion along the coasts of Southern California. The Ocean Institute in Dana Point hosts its annual Father’s Day Adventure at Sea aboard the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point the Saturday before the holiday. Kick off your day with breakfast at the institute’s historic wharf followed by joining the crew on a two-and-a-half-hour nautical expedition, complete with sail handling.

Get Arty at Pasadena Chalk Festival

Pasadena Chalk Festival
Scrubhiker (USCdyer)/Flickr

For dads with an artistic inclination, consider either exploring one of Los Angeles’ various art museums or savoring the vibrant atmosphere of the Pasadena Chalk Festival, where artists transform sidewalks into magnificent canvases.

While prior registration is needed for participants with a fee for first-timers, the festival is free to attend, and it will be held on both Saturday and Sunday of Father’s Day weekend.

Bet on a Day at the Races at Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita Park
Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire/Getty Images

Address: 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007-3439, USA

Get directions

Phone: +1 626-574-7223

Providing excitement like few other sports, horse racing at Santa Anita Park on Father’s Day is sure to thrill any dad. Experience an array of brunch options, including whiskey tastings and trackside barbecue packages tailored for families.

Play Trivia at a Bar

Barney's Beanery
Wikimedia Commons

If your dad excels in trivia and obscure facts, gather a team of fellow fathers and take on other trivia enthusiasts at several Southern California bars on Father’s Day. Teams of up to six can compete for prizes at popular locations like Busby’s West and Barney’s Beanery in Santa Monica.

Take Dad to a Ballgame

Los Angeles Dodgers-New York Mets NLDS
Harry How / Getty Images Sport

Each year, the Los Angeles Dodgers commemorate Father’s Day with a special home game event known as the Father’s Day Catch on the Field, inviting dads and their children to play catch on the field before the scheduled game against a rival team.

This unique event occurs at Dodger Stadium, located just north of Chinatown, nestled between Echo Park and Montecito Heights in Elysian Park. While tickets are necessary for the game, discounts are typically available for this holiday occasion.


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