Attractions

Adamson House

1930s home filled with famed Malibu Potteries tile. Grounds open daily; house W–F 10:30 am–3:30 pm, Sa 11 am–3 pm. $2–$5, under 6 free. No credit cards. 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.456.8432 Map west of K7

annenberg community beach house

Public facility on Santa Monica State Beach with pool, play area, beach volleyball and tennis courts, gardens, cafe. Free tours of Marion Davies Guest House. Daily 8:30 am–8:30 pm. Pool: Su, Tu, Th 10 am–6 pm; M, W, F–Sa 10 am–8 pm. Pool pass: $4–$10, family of four (two youth, two adults) $24; admission to other facilities, free. Parking $3/hour, $8/day. 415 Pacific Coast Hwy., Santa Monica, 310.458.4904 Map L8

Aquarium of the Pacific

Focus on Pacific Ocean sea life. Pet the sharks at Shark Lagoon; Lorikeet Forest, Monsters of the Abyss 3-D. Daily 9 am– 6 pm. $12.95–$24.95, under 3 free. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, 562.590.3100 Map O16

Catalina Express

Year-round boat service to Catalina Island; daily departures from Long Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro. Reservation recommended. Call for hours. $25.50–$34.25 one way, $51–$68.50 round-trip; under 2, $2–$4. 800.995.4386. catalinaexpress.com

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Stunning contemporary cathedral opposite Music Center. M–F 6:30 am–6 pm; Sa 9 am–6 pm; Su 7 am–6pm. 555 W. Temple St., downtown, 213.680.5200 Map H17

Chinatown

Ornate architecture, dim sum, shops with Eastern wares. Art and antiques on Chung King Road. Between Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Bernard Street, Yale and Spring streets, downtown Map G17

CITY PASS

Buy one pass to experience several attractions at a discounted price. 707.256.0490, www.citypass.com

DESCANSO GARDENS

North America’s largest camellia collection (34,000 plants amid 20 acres of oaks) and much more, including lilacs, azaleas, irises. 9 am–5 pm daily. $3–$8, under 5 free. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, 818.949.4200 Map Q19

Disneyland

Mickey Mouse’s theme park. Recent additions include Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Updated Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. Fireworks, fantastic Fantasmic! continues. Call for hours. Admission (includes all rides and attractions): $68–$76, under 2 free. 1600 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565 Map I10 disneyland.disney.go.com

Disney’s California Adventure

Soarin’ Over California, A Bug’s Land, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. “4-D” video game ride Toy Story Mania!. Call for hours. Admission (includes all rides and attractions): $68–$76, under 2 free. 1600 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565 Map I10 disneyland.disney.go.com

Downtown Disney

Twenty acres of admission-free shopping, dining and nightlife adjacent to theme parks. 1510–1590 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim Map I10

Egyptian TheatRE

Restored 1922 Hollywood landmark screens classics, cult favorites, indie films. Excellent Forever Hollywood screens daily. Call for schedule. $5–$10. 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.466.3456 Map H13

El Capitan TheatrE

1926 Spanish-style movie palace screens Disney films new and old. Musical accompaniment to many shows. Call for schedule. $12–$13. VIP admission with reserved seat $25. 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.467.7674 Map H13

El Pueblo de Los Angeles

Birthplace of Los Angeles. Twenty-seven buildings include 1818 Avila Adobe, L.A.’s oldest. 130 Paseo de la Plaza, downtown, 213.628.1274 Map H17

EXPOSITION PARK ROSE GARDEN

Grassy pathways bisect 20,000 rose bushes of nearly 200 varieties. Daily 9 am–5 pm. Free. 701 State Drive, downtown, 213.763.0114 Map K15

Farmers Market

Local landmark with 120 produce stalls, restaurants and gift shops in open-air setting. M–F 9 am–9 pm; Sa 9 am–8 pm; Su 10 am–7 pm. 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.933.9211 Map I13 www.farmersmarketla.com

GAMBLE HOUSE

Landmark Arts & Crafts–style home. First come, first served; reservations for daily 2 pm tour one week in advance. Th–Su noon–3 pm. $7–$12.50, under 12 free. 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena, 626.793.3334 Map Q19

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Historic Hollywood venue with walkway of stars’ hand- and footprints in the forecourt. Call for movie schedule. 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.464.8111 Map H13

Greystone MANSION AND PARK

Gardens and park grounds open daily. Tours first Saturday of the month. 10 am–6 pm most days. Free. 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.285.6830 Map I11

Griffith Observatory

Iconic attraction overlooking Hollywood. Hourly shows at planetarium. Tu–F noon–10 pm; Sa–Su 10 am–10 pm. Free; donations accepted. 2800 E. Observatory Road, L.A., 213.473.0800 Map U23

Guinness World Record Museum

Shrine to amazing achievements. Daily 10 am–midnight. $6.95–$15.95, under 6 free. 6764 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.463.6433 Map H13

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Celebs get stars. Free. Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, 323.469.8311 Map H13

Hollywood Wax Museum

Hollywood and pop culture greats in wax. Su–Th 10 am–midnight; F–Sa 10 am–1 am. $8.95–$15.95, $5.95–$12.95 online, under 5 free. 6767 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.462.5991 Map H13

K1 SPEED

Indoor kart racing offers challenging track for speed enthusiasts. Arrangements for private parties or corporate events possible. $20. 9038 South Vermont Ave., Gardena, 310.532.2478. k1speed.com

Knott’s Berry Farm

More than 165 rides and attractions. Roller coasters include Silver Bullet, GhostRider, Montezooma’s Revenge and Sierra Sidewinder. Call for hours. $22.99–$46.99, under 3 free. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200 Map D5

Kodak Theatre

Tour the home of the Academy Awards. Daily 10:30 am–4 pm. $10–$15, under 3 free. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300 Map H13

L.A. LIVE

Burgeoning entertainment center is home to the Grammy Museum, Nokia Theatre and Club Nokia; restaurants, high-tech bowling lanes and nightspots such as the Conga Room. 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.763.5483 Map I15 www.lalive.com

L.A. Zoo AND Botanical Gardens

Wildlife in parklike setting. Daily 10 am–5 pm. $9–$14, under 2 free. Golden State (5) and Ventura (134) freeways, 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., 323.644.4200 Map T23

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDEN

Peafowl roam the grounds and roost overhead at 127-acre garden. Make your own idyllic route or take the tram tour. Su–F 9 am–5 pm (last admission 4:30 pm); Sa, call for hours. Free third Tuesday of the month. $3–$8, under 5 free. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, 626.821.3222 Map Q22

madame tussauds Hollywood

Wax museum with some 115 likenesses of celebrities in music, film, sports and more. Costumes provided for photo ops with figures. Call for hours. $18–$25, $14.40–$20 online, under 4 free. 6933 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.798.1670 Map H13 www.madametussauds.com/hollywood

The Music Center

The 90-minute Symphonian Music Center Tour includes history, architecture. Also see listing for Walt Disney Concert Hall at the Music Center. First come, first served. 10 am–2 pm most days. Free. 151 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.4399 Map H16 musiccenter.org

Ocean Front Walk

Boardwalk with street performers, souvenir vendors. Muscle Beach–adjacent. Along beach between Marine Street and Grand Boulevard, Venice Map N9

Olvera Street

Festive open-air Mexican marketplace with restaurants, shops at historic El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Alameda Street between Main and Los Angeles streets, downtown, 213.628.1274 Map H17

pacific park

Amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier with rides including a solar-powered Ferris wheel, plus midway games, food vendors, specialty shops. M–Tu noon–7 pm; F–Sa 11 am–midnight; Su 11 am–11 pm. Admission free; rides $3–$5, unlimited pass $15.95–$24.95. 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, 310.260.8744 Map L8 www.pacpark.com

Ports O’ Call Village

Fifty stores and restaurants. Harbor cruises, helicopter tours, boat tours of Port of Los Angeles. 77 Nagoya Way (off Harbor Boulevard), San Pedro Map O15

Queen Mary Ship and Seaport

Historic ocean liner—bigger than the Titanic!—permanently berthed in Long Beach Harbor. Shops, dining, art deco lounge. Daily 10 am–6 pm for self-guided and guided tours. $12.95–$24.95, under 5 free. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.435.3511 Map O16 www.queenmary.com

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum

Three hundred displays feature curiosities gathered by traveler Robert Ripley in the 1930s. Daily 10 am–midnight. $8.99–$14.99, under 5 free. 6780 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.466.6335 Map H13

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

Air Force One Pavilion houses the Flying White House. Daily 10 am–5 pm. $6–$12, under 11 free. 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, 800.410.8354 Map northwest of A1

Russian Foxtrot Submarine

Tour the Scorpion, moored next to historic Queen Mary ocean liner. Daily 10 am–6 pm. $9.95–$10.95, under 5 free. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.432.0424 Map O16

San Antonio Winery

A historical landmark since 1965, it is Los Angeles’ only working winery. Founded in 1917 by Santo Cambianica, the winery continues to be a family-owned and operated business, with Santo’s nephew Stefano Riboli his wife Maddalena, their three children Santo, Cathy and Steve and Santo’s son, Anthony now at the helm. 737 Lamar St., downtown, 323.330.8771. www.sanantoniowinery.com

San Fernando Mission

1797 mission with museum, archives and gardens. Daily 9 am–4:30 pm. $3–$4, under 7 free. 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Mission Hills, 818.361.0186 Map north of A1

San Gabriel Mission

Mission includes the oldest building (1771) in Southern California. Daily 9 am–4:30 pm. $3–$5, under 6 free. 427 S. Junipero Serra Drive, San Gabriel, 626.457.3048 Map B4

SANTA MONICA BAYSIDE DISTRICT

Drawing locals and world travelers alike, Downtown Santa Monica is a popular Southern California coastal destination, anchored by the world-famous Third Street Promenade. Known for a twice-weekly farmers’ market, fabulous dining and terrific shopping, Downtown also has lots of entertainment choices from movies to live theater to street performers. All this comes packaged in a moderate Mediterranean climate, just minutes from beaches and the Pacific Ocean. 310.393.8355. www.downtownsm.com

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area

Hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching on 150,000 acres. National Park Service Visitor Center open daily 9 am–5 pm (holidays exempt). 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, 805.370.2301 Map west of B1

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Theme park has 17 coasters; dozens of attractions; rides including world’s tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster, Tatsu. Call for hours. $34.99– $59.99, under 3 free. 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia, 661.255.4111 Map A2

TOURNAMENT HOUSE

Tours of Rose Parade headquarters in Wrigley Mansion, Italian Renaissance-style home featuring Centennial Rose Garden and Wrigley Gardens. Th 2 and 3 pm. Free. 391 S. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, 626.449.4100 Map R19

Universal CityWalk

Eye-popping dining, shopping and entertainment promenade includes boutiques such as Fossil, Guess? and Abercrombie & Fitch, novelty stores and state-of-the-art cinema and IMAX theater. iFLY Hollywood is a simulated sky-diving wind tunnel. Call for hours. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.4455 Map U20 www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Universal Studios Hollywood

World’s biggest motion picture/TV studio. Rides include Jurassic Park, The Simpsons Ride and Revenge of the Mummy—the Ride. Tram studio tour includes the new King Kong 360 3-D and film and TV sets. VIP Experience is private guided tour through prop warehouse, working movie sets, soundstages. Call for hours. $66–$74, under 3 free. VIP Experience $259. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 800.864.8377 Map U20

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Frank Gehry-designed architectural landmark at the Music Center. Tour options include 45-minute self-guided audio tour narrated by John Lithgow; guided tours at noon and 1 pm; pre-matinee guided tours. Guided tours for 15 or more by reservation. 10 am–2 pm most days. Free. 151 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.4399 Map H16

Watts Towers

Monumental folk-art sculpture in South Central Los Angeles was built by Simon Rodia alone from 1921 to 1954. The tallest tower is about 100 feet. 1727 E. 107th St., L.A., 213.485.1795 Map C3