Glendale The Americana at Brand: Family-Friendly Fun + Food & Shopping

Whether you’re looking for a few hours of leisure or a full-day outing, this spot has you covered—perfect for families, especially those with little ones! Key Info at a Glance Time Needed: A few hours or a full day (plenty to see and do!) Cost: Free entry (you only pay for food, shopping, or activities like the movies) What to Expect Here This place is a mix of outdoor charm and indoor convenience—ideal for a family with a toddler: Outdoor Spaces: There’s a lovely fountain plaza where kids can watch the water (my 2-year-old was obsessed!) and grassy areas to sit and rest. Grab a coffee or snack from one of the many outdoor cafes to refuel—no need to rush 🌿. Indoor Shopping & More: Inside, you’ll find big-name stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s for adult shopping, plus a Target (total lifesaver for road trips!) and a movie theater. The indoor areas are great if the weather’s too hot or cold—you can keep exploring without worrying about the elements. Our Road Trip Notes (We Stayed Here During Our San Diego Road Trip) Glendale’s whole neighborhood feels clean and tidy—we didn’t see any homeless people, which was a huge relief for a family trip. Our hotel was within walking distance to The Americana at Brand, which made life so much easier with a 2-year-old. Short walks = happy kid (and happy parents!) 😌. 🏨 Hampton Inn and Suites Los Angeles (Our Hotel) Pros: They include breakfast (one less thing to plan!), the rooms are super spacious, and they had a crib ready for our little one before we even arrived—such a thoughtful touch! Cons: The facilities are a bit old. But honestly, the big rooms and free breakfast more than made up for it—small flaws that didn’t ruin our stay. 🍱 Food Spots We Tried Gam Tu Bop: They sell all kinds of rice balls. The food wasn’t amazing, but our toddler loved it—and that’s all that matters! Note: They don’t have dine-in, so we took our order to Porto’s Bakery and Cafe. By the time we ate, the rice balls were cold, which took away from the flavor 😕. Porto’s Bakery and Cafe: A great spot to sit and eat (even if our takeout was cold!). Their pastries and coffee are popular—we’ll definitely try their fresh food next time. Target: Not a “food spot,” but a road trip MVP! We stocked up on milk, baby food pouches, and water for adults. Best of all? It’s a free “playground” for toddlers—our kid had a blast playing with the toys and exploring the furniture section. Total win for keeping them occupied 🎈. #LosAngeles #glendale #GlendaleFood #LA #roadtrip