Is it illegal to videotape your neighborhood kids making noise in my apartment complex?

Video recording of common areas and public spaces is allowed as a reasonable security measure. If it also happens to record kids being excessively noisy, then that's a bonus.

Any public recording that is not an inasion of privacy as related to that expectation of privacy is not illegal. Try talking to the tenants niceley first, then complain to the landlord, and make sure you car is parked in a well lit area to avoid vandalisam. On a sise note, a wanna be rap dance group made up of teens practiced below my bedroom window. I asked them to leave and they said thier mom said to practice away from their apartment. I convinced them to cease!!

Generally, no one has an expectation of privacy in public areas. That normally includes anything outside that can be seen or heard by others. Video recording in public areas is fine. Sometimes, audio recording in public areas is prohibited, but not in the circumstances you describe.

You must be very careful when recording others when they are unaware. See CA Penal Code 630, et seq. I suggest you seek advise from an attorney.