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Best Easter Events in Los Angeles

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(credit: newcitychurch.la)

Spring has sprung and that means your kids want some face time with the Easter bunny, plenty of sweet treats and of course, an action-packed egg hunt. And you want them to have all that and more, especially to burn off that sugar high they have from devouring their Easter candy. The perfect solution — take advantage of the wide range of egg-citing Easter activities going on around the Southland. Oh, and most events are BYOB – bring your own basket to collect your eggs! Check websites for egg hunt times.

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Saturday, April 23
10:00 a.m.

Egg-Stravaganza

McKinley Elementary School

2401 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
More Info

It's not everyday you have a sky-diving Easter Bunny and the chance to hunt for 25,000 eggs, so for this event, arrive by 10 a.m. to register and ensure your spot because this one fills up fast. There will also be face painting, balloon animals, a Transformer, a princess, snacks and all of it's free to the public and organized by Clarity Church.

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Saturday, April 23
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

The Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Los Encinos State Historic Park

Los Encinos Historic State Park

16756 Moorpark St.
(East of the intersection of Ventura and Balboa Boulevards)
Encino CA 91436-1068
(818) 784-4849
More Info

Located smack dab in the middle of Encino on Ventura Boulevard is Los Encinos State Historic Park, a hidden gem that is as serene as it is unexpected. Who knew it has a natural spring that feeds a duck pond? What makes this Annual Easter Egg Hunt a tradition among locals are the many activities led by the Los Encinos Docents Association. There will be egg hunts, games, a blacksmith, music and tours of the historic adobe and performers in period costume. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.

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(credit: lazoo.org)

April 22 - 24
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Big Bunnies Spring Fling!

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-4200
More Info

This special celebration combines a day at the zoo with close encounters of the bunny kind. Children can pet a rabbit, plant a carrot, do some themed crafting along with face painting and even take a photo with Big Bunny (for a nominal fee), plus there will be entertainment. And an added bonus for parents, after a day like that, the kids will definitely sleep like logs. This event is free with paid zoo admission.

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(credit: newcitychurch.la)

Sunday, April 24
12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Third Annual Downtown Easter Fest 2011

Grand Hope Park

S. Hope St & W. 9th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 471.2415
More Info

If you prefer an urban vibe for your Easter festivities, try this one out. Set in Grand Hope Park, which provides open space for nature and functional art in the heart of the city, the New City Church of LA hosts this annual event and will have picnic lunches, an Easter egg hunt, bounce house, face painting, arts and crafts, sack race and lots more. All this is free and offers parents a chance not only to indulge their child's Easter desires, but also to explore revitalized downtown LA.

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(credit: compasschurch.org)

Friday, April 22
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

EGGstravaganza Egg Hunt hosted by the Compass Bible Church

Laguna Hills Community Center & Sports Complex

25555 Alicia Pky, Laguna Hills, CA, 92609
Laguna Hills, CA
Phone: (949) 707-2680
More Info
If your Easter munchkin likes bounce houses, goody bags, games, big slides, tasty snacks, crafts and candy and egg hunts for all ages, then this over-the-top mega event fits the bill. And it's free. Oh, and there's even mochas and lattes, so Mommy and Daddy can enjoy some adult treats, too.

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April 2 - April 23
Weekday Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Weekend Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

2011 Easter Eggstravaganza

Irvine Park Railroad

1 Irvine Park Road (located inside Irvine Regional Park)
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-3968
More Info
This Easter celebration pumps up the volume. If you need to entertain the kids while they're on Spring Break try this one. Not only does it have an egg hunt, face painting, bunny bounce house and photos with the long-eared one himself (for $10), it also has carnival games and a train ride through the historic Irvine Regional Park. You can make a full day of it by visiting the Orange County Zoo or take a paddleboat ride or a pony ride because all of these attractions are within the park. The Easter activities require the purchase of tickets, but it's well worth it because chances are, your kids will have an egg-cellent time.

Tickets: $4.00 each
Book of 15 tickets: $45.00

(Easter Eggstravaganza events will not be open on Easter Sunday.)

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Saturday, April 23
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

5th Annual Easter Festival & Treasure Hunt

Orange County Market Place

O.C. Fair & Event Center
Costa Mesa, CA
Phone: (949) 723-6616

More Info

Your kids need their Easter fix, but you'd like a little retail therapy. This celebration will satisfy everyone — you can browse at one of the Southland's most unique swap meets while the kids hunt for candy and toys, watch puppet shows and do themed crafting. If they find the Golden Ticket, they win a prize. Get there early, the first 500 kids in line receive a free gift. And bring your camera to take photos with the Easter Bunny. All Easter activities are free and admission is free for kids 12 and under. Admission for adults is $2.00.

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(credit: cityoftemecula.org)

Saturday, April 23
Egg Hunt at 10 a.m.

Temecula's 2011 Easter Egg Hunt

Locations:

Harveston Community Park
28582 Harveston Drive

Ronald Reagan Sports Park
30875 Rancho Vista Road

Patricia H. Birdsall Sports Park
32380 Deer Hollow Way

(951) 649-6480
More Info

The city is offering three traditional and festive Easter egg hunts at area parks that are not only filled with family fun set in the countryside of Temecula, but also have special needs areas at each site. Kids can enter a prize drawing and have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. There's a coloring contest, the entry form can be downloaded at the website. And after a morning of egg hunts and bunny hops, parents can pick up a bottle of Zinfandel or Cabernet at one of the many Temecula wineries and enjoy a leisurely drive through the nearby vineyards.

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Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and April 24

The Lake Arrowhead Village Easter Egg Hunt

Located in the San Bernardino Mountains

28200 Hwy 189
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
Phone: (909) 337-2533
More Info

Enjoy springtime in the mountains while your kids hunt for Easter eggs, have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and indulge in all sorts of themed activities. After the festivities, there is plenty to do in the village. And since the first egg hunt doesn't start until 12:30 p.m., if you're not a morning person heading for the hills — er mountains — has never looked so good.

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Saturday, April 23
9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Easter Eggstravaganza

James Woody Community Center

13467 Navajo Rd.
Apple Valley, CA 92308
(760) 240-7880
More Info

If your family is the active type, then make a bee-line to this Easter celebration. Get there at 9:00 a.m. sharp for a day of relay races and a family kickball game. There is also an egg hunt, face painting, a bouncer and slide and games. Event wristbands are $5.

Ivy Brown is a Los Angeles-based writer.

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