Winter in the San Gabriel Valley and southeast LA is mild, and that's the secret. A cool, clear morning is perfect for a park, and a rainy afternoon is what libraries were built for. This guide sticks to things you can do any weekend of the season, no holiday tickets required, in and around West Covina and Downey.
Things to do in West Covina with kids
1. Hike the trails at Galster Wilderness Park
Galster Wilderness Park, at 1620 E. Aroma Dr., covers more than 40 acres of hillside trails with views over the valley. Winter is the best time to go, before the summer heat. The park also has a small nature center with displays and a kids' craft area, run with the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy. Its hours are limited, so call the park at (626) 919-0715 before you go.
2. Get to storytime at the West Covina Library
The LA County Library branch at 1601 W. West Covina Pkwy. runs Baby Storytime and Smarty Pants Storytime for ages 2 to 5. Storytime asks you to register ahead, so check the calendar (lacountylibrary.org).
3. Climb the fire station playground at Cortez Park
Cortez Park, at 2441 E. Cortez St., has a multi-level playground with a fire station theme, plus big lawns, shady trees and covered picnic areas. The tall platforms suit kids 5 and up best.
4. Hit the splash pad at Del Norte Park on a warm day
On a warm winter afternoon, Del Norte Park at 1500 W. Rowland Ave. has a splash pad and picnic shelters (westcovina.gov).
Things to do in Downey with kids
1. Fish and picnic at Wilderness Park
Downey's Wilderness Park, at 10999 Little Lake Rd., has two lakes where fishing is allowed, a playground for ages 2 to 12, barbecues and picnic tables. Weekend parking is free for Downey residents with ID and $5 cash per car for everyone else (downeyca.org). The walking loop links to the San Gabriel River bike trail.
2. Spend a rainy afternoon at the Downey City Library
The Downey City Library, at 11121 Brookshire Ave., has a full kids calendar. There's bilingual Hora de Cuentos storytime, Family Math for ages 2 to 5, a Pokémon Club for ages 7 to 12, Lunch Bunch cooking for ages 9 to 12, and a chess, robotics and drones club for grades K to 6. Most programs are free, and some need registration (downeylibrary.org). The library is closed on Sundays.
3. Try an after-school STEM workshop
On the first and third Tuesday of the month, the Columbia Memorial Space Center runs an after-school STEM workshop at the Downey City Library for ages 8 and up, with no registration needed.
4. Catch a family show at the Downey Theatre
The Downey Theatre, at 8435 Firestone Blvd., hosts concerts, dance and family productions through the year. Check the calendar for winter shows that work for kids (downeytheatre.org).
Where to eat with kids: Gaucho Grill West Covina and Downey
After a morning on the trails, you need a table big enough for everyone and a menu the kids will actually eat.
Gaucho Grill West Covina, at 1129 W. West Covina Pkwy., is an Argentine steakhouse with free plaza parking and a kids menu, which makes it an easy family dinner after a day at Galster or Cortez Park (West Covina). It seats more than 180 guests, has an outdoor patio, and hosts live music events. The Gaucho Room fits up to 50 for a birthday or a family get-together.
Gaucho Grill Downey, at 8830 Apollo Way #100, is a 250-seat Argentine steakhouse with an outdoor patio and the Gaucho Mercado, an on-site market for Argentine goods. (Downey). Parking is free in the shared plaza lot.
Both locations cook over a wood-fired parrilla, and the Gaucho Grill kids menu (kids menu) includes Gaucho Kids Burger, Gaucho Mac and Cheese, Skirt Steak, Chicken Milanesa and Beef Milanesa. Each comes with fries, mashed potatoes or fruit. On Sundays, both serve brunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in West Covina and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Downey.
FAQs
What are free things to do in West Covina with kids?
Galster Wilderness Park, Cortez Park and the Del Norte Park playgrounds and splash pad are public city parks. The West Covina Library also runs storytimes for little ones.
What is there to do in Downey with kids this weekend?
Wilderness Park for fishing and the playground, kids programs at the Downey City Library (closed Sundays) and family shows at the Downey Theatre.
What can kids do on a rainy day in Downey?
Head to the Downey City Library. It runs storytimes, STEM workshops and clubs, and most of them are free.
Is Gaucho Grill kid-friendly?
Yes. Gaucho Grill West Covina and Gaucho Grill Downey both list themselves as kid-friendly and offer a kids menu with burgers, mac and cheese, milanesa and skirt steak.
Does Gaucho Grill have parking for families?
Yes. Gaucho Grill West Covina and Gaucho Grill Downey both have free parking in their plaza lots.
What is the Gaucho Mercado in Downey?
The Gaucho Mercado is the Argentine market inside Gaucho Grill Downey, where you can shop authentic Argentine goods after your meal.
Heading out this weekend? Reserve a family table for after the park.
