ATTRACTIONS

Aquarium of the Pacific:  100 Aquarium Way, Long B each (562/590-3100) www.aquariumofpacific.org   The aquarium takes visitors on a journey through the Paciafic Ocean where they discover more than 12,500 animals representing nearly 500 different species as they explore three main exhibit galleries: the local waters of Southern California and Baja, the cold waters of the Northern Pacific and the warm clear waters of the Tropical Pacific.  They experience the sights, sounds and the textures of the world's largest body of water with Discovery Labs and living interactive exhibits.  One of the newest exhaibits are those dazzling and dangerous creatures with fangs, stingers and spines.

Autry National Center: includes the Museum of the American West at 4700 Zoo Dr., Griffith Park, Los Angeles (323/667-2000). $54 million museum is one of the most comprehensive repositories of western history in the world and includes historic firearms, tools, conveyances, equipment, clothing, toys and furnishings of both famous and lesser known people of the western landscape. Included are Frederic Remington and Charles Russell pieces. Open Tuesday - Sunday.

Beverly Hills Art and Architecture Trolley Tour and Sights & scenes Trolley Tour: Trolley Stop, Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way (310/285-2438). The docent led art and architectural tour travels to prime art and architectural locations such as Beverly Hills City Hall and Creative Artists Agency, making brief stops at locations including the Gagosian Gallery and Pace Wildenstein Gallery, ending at the Museum of Television and Radio. Sights and Scenes is a docent-led tour of Beverly Hills’s main attractions. Call for schedule.

Broad Contemporary Art Museum - BCAM:  Los Angeles Country Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles, (323/857-6000)  The newest addition to the Los Angeles art scene, designed by Renzo Piano, this three story, 72,000 square foot gallery building is dedicated to art from 1945 to the present.  The Broad Art Foundation works closely with LACMA to arrange rotating loans to BCAM from the Broad collections and exhibitions also feature loans from other institutions and collections as well as from LACMA's own contemporary collection.

Descanso Gardens: 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada (626/952-4400). A floral wonderland blooming all year. Alternating seasons of ornamental plants. Haven for more than 150 species of birds.

Doheny Mansion Public Tours:  10 Chester Place, downtown Los Angeles, just north of USC www.msmcalums.la.edu The mysterious 1898 mansion of Edward Doheny is now open for public tours.  Doheny drilled the city's first oil well, becasme one of Amerca's richest men through petroleum deals and later got ensnared in the Teapot Dome, one of  America's largest political scandals. 

Fowler Museum: UCLA Campus,  301 Charles E. Young Drive North, Westwood (310/825-4361) www.fowler.ucla.edu  The only museum in Los Angeles exclusively dedicated to exploring non-Western arts and cultures, past and present. Exhibitions and programs cover a wide range of global artistic expression, from historic traditions to contemporary works by artists from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Native and Latin America, and at their respective diasporas. Free.

The Getty Center:  1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles (310/440-7300) www.getty.edu .   The Getty Center, unites the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Getty's institutes and grant program on one site.  Situated on a bluff in the foothills  of the Santa Monica Mountains off the 405 freeway, the 110-acre campus features the J. Paul Getty Museum, extraordinary gardens and distinctive buildings which house the Getty Research Institute for the History of Art and the Humanities, the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Education Institute for the Arts, the Getty Information Institute and the Getty Grant Program.   Admission is free, but advance parking reservations are required, with a parking fee of $5.

Getty Villa: Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu  (310/440-7300)   www.getty.edu  Recently reopened, the Getty Villa 's setting, collections, and programs are woven together to create an integrated educational and cultural institution to introduce the public to the arts and cultures of antiquity, foster the study of the classical world and its relation to later cultures, expose a wide audience to great works of art, engage in conservation of antiquities and train young conservators to care for artifacts and sites around the world, and pursue scholarly research in related areas.  Admission is free but parking is $7.   Reservations are necessary.

Hollywood Bowl Museum: 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood (213/ 850-2058). A celebration of the historical and cultural importance of the Hollywood Bowl, with exhibits highlighting performers, conductors, the sixty-three year history of the Bowl and its outdoor setting as well as the history of the performing arts in Los Angeles.

The Huntington: 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino (626/405-2273). A cultural and educational center including art collections, library and botanical gardens. The library offers a rich collection of rare books and manuscripts in the fields of British and American history and literature. The galleries contain  comprehensive collections of British and French art of the 18th and 19th centuries, American art and Renaissance paintings.  Two of the most famous holdings are Blue Boy and Pinkie.  The gardens cover 130 acres of beautiful and unusual flora. The most recent addition to the ever expanding complex is the Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden which encourages intellectural and physical engagement in magical, thought-provoking surroundings.  A perfect place for hands-on exploration.   Opening in 2006, a new 12-acre Chinese Garden willl be one of the largest outside of China.

Kidspace Children's Museum: 480 North Arroyo Ave., Pasadena  (626/449-9144)  www.kidspacemuseum.org The mission of Kidspace is to enrich the lives of children.  The Museum offers interactive exhibits, programs and indoor and outdoor learning environments that promote imagination, exploration and discovery.   The museum also includes more than two acres of gardens, waterways and outdoor learning environments.    Twenty two exhibits include the Raindrop Climber, The Dig, Trike Tracks, Harvest Corner and Nature Exchange.  Special events include Rosebud Parade, Winter Wonderland, and Pumpkin Festival.    The museum is a whimsical, wonderful place geared towards younger children.

L.A. Sports & Entertainment District: In development, this massive new addition to downtown adjacent to the Los Angeles Convention Center, LASWD aims to promote a 24 hour LA experience.  The development, encompassing 4-million square feet, includes a          1, 200 room convention headquarters hotel, a 7,000 seat state of the art live theater, an outdoor plaza, restaurants, shops, housing, office space and an extension of the Convention Center. 

Los Angeles Conservancy Walking Tours: www.laconservancy.org/tours   Discover the architectural gems of historic Los Angeles with Saturday morning walks (generally lasting for 2 1/2 hours).  Tours include:  Angelino Heights, Art Deco, Broadway Theatres, City Hall, Downtown's Evolving Skyline, Highland Park, The Historic Core, Little Tokyo, San Pedro, Historic Spring Street:  Wall Street of the West, Union Station and USC. Not all tours are offered every Saturday. There is also a tour of the historic Biltmore Hotel on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 2 p.m.  Advance reservations are generally required.  Tours cost $10.

Los Angeles Music Center: 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles (213/972-7483). Los Angeles's newest landmakr, the extraordinary Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry is set just across the street from the elegant complex of three theaters crowning the mall of the Civic Center.  Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, seating 3,190, Mark Taper Forum, seating 742, and the Ahmanson Theatre, seating 2,071. All theaters are open year-round, featuring a variety of productions from avant-garde drama to light opera, symphonies to ballet. Free tours of Music Center facilities are available.

Los Angeles Zoo: Griffith Park at Junction of Golden State and Ventura Fwys., Los Angeles (213/666-4650). 113 acres of landscaped hilly terrain. The zoo is divided into five continental areas which provide a natural setting for more than 2,000 mammals, birds and reptiles. Adventure Island offers an educational and entertainment experience. New Pachyderm Forest for the Zoo's elephants, hippos and other animals is scheduled to open late 2006.

Paley Center for Media: 465 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills (310/786-1000). Salyuting the world of radio and television with thousands of programs available on the premesis for visitors to review.  Changing exhibitions, series, gallery exhibits and seminars from comedy and rock’n roll to news and public affairs.

Museum of Tolerance: Simon Wiesenthal Plaza, 9786 W. Pico Bl., Los Angeles (310/553-8403). The Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Beit Hashoah Museum of Tolerance is a unique 165,000 sq. foot experiential, interactive museum focusing on personal prejudice, group intolerance, the struggle for civil rights in America, 20th century genocides, culminating with a major exhibition on the Holocaust. Archives, multimedia learning center designed for individualized research on World War II, the Holocaust and anti-Semitism, a floor for temporary exhibits on the museum’s theme’s, a 324-seat theater, 150-seat auditorium, outdoor Memorial Plaza, museum shops and cafe. Docent-led tours. Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Saturdays and holidays. Advance reservations only available at museum ticket counter. Call for special programming schedules and closings. Handicapped accessible. Validated underground parking. Gift shops and cafeteria on premises.

Old Town Pasadena: Covering 10 streets and over 20 alleys bordered by Arroyo Parkway on the east, Pasadena Ave., on the west, Union Street on the north and Green Street on the south. A 10-block renovated retail area located in downtown Pasadena, dates back to the 1890’s. Clothing stores run from elegant to grunge, boutiques from antique to modern, and choices of cuisine in over 75 restaurants vary from Italian, Chinese, French, Mexican, Yucatan, Malaysian, American and German.

Paramount Studios Tour: 860 N. Gower St., Hollywood (213/956-1777) for general information & 213/956-4552 for group information). Paramount Studios, the only major classic studio still located in Hollywood, stands rich in history and tradition while continuing to set the standard for global entertainment. The walking tour of Paramount is a guided, two hour, historical and informational look behind-the-scenes of a major motion picture and television facility in it’s day-to-day operations. No two tours are exactly alike due to spontaneous nature of production activity. Visitors should not be surprised if they suddenly encounter one of their favorite celebrities. After all, it is their workplace! Monday-Friday, every hour on the hour from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $15 per person.

San Antonio Winery:  737 Lamar St., Los Angeles (323/223-1401)  www.sanantoniowinery.com .  The historic San Antonio Winery offers guided tours and dining at the Maddalena restaurant.  Open daily from 10am-5pm.   The winery is located five blocks west of the I-5 freeway.

Southwest Museum of the American Indian:  Part of the Autry National Center, 234 Museum Dr., Mt. Washington, Los Angeles (323/221-2164).    This museum explores American Indian histories and cultures encompassing a span of more than 2,000 years and representing Native American cultures from Alaska to South America. 

Skirball Cultural Center:  2701 N. Sepulveda Bl., West Los Angeles (310/440-4500) www.skirball.org  This institution is dedicated to exploring the connections between Jewish heritage and the vitality of American democratic ideals.  It has many outreach programs and welcomes people of all religions and ethnicities.  Included in its programs are museum exhibitions, musical events, education and the newly opened Noah's Ark.  This 8,000 square foot gallery takes young visitors and their families on an ark voyage from a stormy world to dry land.    Hundreds of imaginative life-sized animals made totally of recycled items fill the space for children to touch, climb on and explore.  The message that goes with the exhibit is that we can all get along despite our differences.

Tournament House and Wrigley Gardens: 391 S. Orange Grove Bl., (562/449-4100) Built shortly after the turn of the century, the mansion, situated on a 4.5 acre estate, was once owned by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. Guided tours are given Thursdays, February through August. This serves as the present home of the Tournament of Roses.

Universal Studios Hollywood: Hollywood Freeway at Lankershim or Cahuenga, Universal City (818/508-9600). A behind-the-scenes look at the world’s busiest motion picture and television studio. Includes an excursion through Universal’s famed 420-acre front and back lots, highlighted by The Return of the Mummy -- the Ride, Universal's first roller coaster featuring the latest technology and Fast & Furious: Extreme Close-Up where tram riders are thrust into close-up range of the underground world of street racing;   Jurassic Park - The Ride, WaterWorld -- A Live Sea War Spectacular, Back To The Future -- The Ride,  Earthquake — The Big One, the world’s first man-made monster 8.3 quake, an encounter with the 6 1/2 ton, 30-foot King Kong, plus Jaws, Parting of the Red Sea, the Collapsing Bridge, Flash Flood, as well as sets from hundreds of classic movie and television shows. Backdraft, the stunning re-creation of the greatest special effects from the Ron Howard blockbuster motion picture, puts guests directly into the heat of the film’s spectacular final warehouse conflagration. The Beetlejuice Graveyard Review features macabre musical misfits like Frankenstein, Dracula and Phantom of the Opera pounding out the rock n’ roll hits. Streets of the World are the first accessible-to-the-public motion picture sets in the world. Guests participate in The Magic of Alfred Hitchcock. The Harry and the Henderson’s Special Effects Show, and The Back to the Future Special Effects Stage. Live special effects shows include the Animal Actors Stage and the Wild, Wild West Stunt Show. Totally Nickelodeon is an interactive attraction designed to appeal to the entire family -- bringing “The Number One Network For Kids” to life in its own 1200-seat theatrical playground. When filming, motion picture and TV production companies are visible throughout Universal Studios Hollywood. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour: 4000 Warner Bl., Burbank (818/954-1744). An entertaining two-hour tour of a working movie and TV studio where there is no script and nothing is staged. Visitors observe actual filming whenever possible.

Will Rogers State Historic Park:  1501 Will Rogers State Park Road, Pacific Palisades (off Sunset Bl.)  (310/454-8212) www.parks.ca.gov    In 1944, the widow of Will Rogers deeded the 186-acre ranch, which was formerly their home, to the State of California for public use and enjoyment.  This beautiful park includes many hiking trails, wide open grassy lawns, picnic areas, polo field and the newly reopened and refurbished   historic Will Rogers home where tours are offered.  Call in advance for schedule.

ORANGE COUNTY

Bowers Museum of Cultural Art: 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana (909/567-3642). The largest museum in Orange County, and the only institution in the region with the mission to preserve, display and interpret the fine arts of indigenous peoples of the Americas, the Pacific Rim and Africa. The permanent collections feature exhibits like Africa: Beyond the Nile and Arts of Oceania which focus on the cultures of ancient Mexico and Central and South America.

Crystal Cathedral: 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove (714/971-4000). Designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the Crystal Cathedral was built to inspire and reach out to the surrounding community and world as an instrument of the positive message which Dr. Robert Schuller proclaims weekly through his international ministry. A Visitor’s Center assists visitors with a guided tour of facilities.

Discovery Science Center: 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana (714/542--CUBE)  www.discoverycube.org  Experience science Southern California style through the 120 hands on exhibits.  The center's themed areas include Quake Zone, Techno Arts, Discovery Stadium, Perception, Dynamic Earth,  Air & Space and Kids Station (an area for children 5 years and under.). 

Disneyland: Ball Rd. at Santa Ana Freeway, Anaheim (714/781-4000). World-famous Disney park features themed areas including: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Bear Country, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, and Fantasyland.

Disney's California Adventure:  Harbor Bl. between Ball and Katella, Anaheim   (714/781-4000).  A magical hourney up, over and across the landscape of the Golden State includes California Screaming', Grizzly River Run, Mulholland Madness, Paradise Pier, and the 2,000 seat Hyperion Theater.  Rides, shows, restaurants, all with a California theme.

Knott’s Berry Farm: 8039 Beach Bl., Buena Park (714/220-5200). Popular Old West theme park with more than 165 rides, attractions, shows, shops, and a variety of restaurants.

Movieland Wax Museum: 7711 Beach Bl., Buena Park (714/522-1154).More than 275 wax likenesses of motion picture and television stars in more than 160 authentic settings.

Orange County Museum of Art: 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach (714/759-1122). Offering a fascinating view into the world of modern art, with a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs focusing on post-World War II California. Changing exhibits feature emerging and established California artists as well as international works. The museum defines current trends in art and places modern art in a historical context.

Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace: 18001 Yorba Linda Bl., Yorba Linda (714/993-3393). Explore and discover historical events and experience a journey through exciting periods presented via film, interactive video displays, exhibits, photos, memorabilia and recreations of Richard Nixon’s public and private life.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Legoland:   One Legoland Dr., Carlsbad,  (760/918-5346)   www.legoland.com    This fun for all ages family attraction includes more than 50 super rides, shows and attractions including Fun Town Fire Academy, Coastersaurus, Lego Technic Test Track, Junior Driving School, Explore Village, Waterplay area and Funtown, Knight's Kingdom, Block of Fame (a 3 dimentional art gallery for tots), Sky Patrol, Model Shop and Build & Test Room in the Imagination Zone.  Age-appropriate amusements for the entire family.  Legoland's newest attraction, Pirate Shores marks the largest expansion since the park opened in 1999 with four all new water based attractions including Splash Battle, Treasure Falls, Swabbies Deck and Soak-N-Sail.  The Shipwrecked theme contines at the park with special pirate themed entertainment and food offerings througout the summer.  This family friendly park is fun for all ages from toddlers to the young at heart.

San Diego Zoo: Balboa Park (619/234-3153). One of the world’s greatest zoos. More than 3,000 animals, representing 500 specials live in and around the more than 128 acres of the zoo. Many of the wild animals live in surroundings which has been made to resemble their native habitats.

Sea World: 1720 South Shores Rd., San Diego (619/226-3929). Feed a 400-pound dolphin, watch a baby whale or get drenched by world-famous Shamu, the killer whale. From polar bears to penguins, Sea World guests experience animals from around the world. The biggest attraction at Sea World is Wild Arctic, an experience that takes guests to the top of the world Sea World, the world’s largest oceanarium, covers an area of more than 130 acres.

Wild Animal Park: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido (619/234-6541.More than 2,400 animals roam this 1,800-acre spread which resembles Asian and African habitats. Many animals roam free while visitors view them from monorails and walkways.

VENTURA COUNTY

Camarillo Ranch Tours: 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo (805/389-8182).  After more than one hundred years as a a private residence, the former home of Adolph Camarillo, founder of the city of Camarillo, has opened for public tours. An imposing 17 room mansion, the home was well suited for a man who would serve as a Ventura Counter Supervisor, manage a 10,000 acre ranch, found a city, develop a breed of horses and one day be known as the "Last Spanish Don."  Docent conducted tours of the Queen Anne style Victorian will be offered three days a week on Wednesdays and Sundays from noon to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. 

Channel Island Harbor: Halfway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Nine marinas offer a diverse selection of amenities from traditional small boat marinas and commercial fishing docks to luxury slips. Enjoy fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and surfing. The harbor is host to a variety of restaurants. Just offshore the pristine Channel Islands offer the finest cruising in southern California.

Gardens of the World:  2001 Thousand Oaks Bl., Thousand Oaks,  (805/557-1135) www.gardensoftheworld.info .  This lovely private 4.5 acre park features five different gardens from around the world representing England, France, Italy, Japan and the unique Mission Courtyard with traditional California landscaping.  Picnic tables and shaded benches are available.

Murphy Automotive Museum:  2230 Statham Bl., Oxnard (805/487-4333)  www.murphyautomuseum.com.   In its new Oxnard home, this museum features an eclectic collection of 50 automobiles featuring an array of classic, milestone and special interest vehicles including a large collection of Packards from 1927-1958.  Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rail Odyssey 2003: Central Park between Central and Santa Clara Avenues, Fillmore  (800/773-8724)  www.fwry.com.  Fillmore & Western Railway feA variety of outings including weekend scenic excursions, special holiday train rides, murder mystery dinner train, and other themed outings. 

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY