The berms at Zuma are long and much less trafficked than Venice and Hermosa, which also means they aren't as smooth and slick. For a better ride, have the grownups in the group take a few trips down the slope first, to carve out a nice pathway for the little ones. Yep, it's a perfect excuse to get a turn on the new sled!

Head to the pristine Zuma Beach, one of the largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles. Located west of Point Dume – a promontory in Malibu – you’ll find a 1.8-mile-long (2.9km) beach that is perfect for surfing, swimming and diving. You may find the water to be colder than at many of the city’s beaches as off-shore winds cause colder water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun, but the area attracts big crowds all time of the year.