El
Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Monument
125 Paseo De La Plaza, Ste 400
Los Angeles CA 90012
213-680-2525
Home of world-famous Olvera Street and site of Los Angeles'
birthplace, this colorful Mexican marketplace, which opened
in 1930, features 27 historic buildings surrounding the
old Plaza.
California
Museum of Science and Industry
700 State Dr
Los Angeles CA 90037
213-744-7400
Contemporary science and technology museum features exhibits
on aerospace, science, earthquakes, mathematics, energy,
health and economics. IMAX Theater.
HOLLYWOOD
Sign
With letters 50 ft tall, Hollywood's trademark sign can
be spotted from miles away and is recognized around the
world. The sign, which originally spelled out "Hollywoodland,"
was erected in the Hollywood Hills in 1923 to promote
a real-estate development.
California
Science Center
700 State Dr., Exposition Park
213-744-7400
Exhibits focus around the science that we encounter in
our to everyday life. Tess, the animatronic star of "BodyWorks,"
demonstrates how the body's organs work together to maintain
balance. The Imax Theater, with 3-D capabilities and a
seven-story movie screen, shows science-related films.
Capitol
Records Tower
1750 N. Vine St
On its south wall, L.A. artist Richard Wyatt's mural Hollywood
Jazz, 1945-1972, immortalizes musical greats Duke Ellington,
Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. The
blinking light at the top of the tower spells out "Hollywood"
in Morse code.
Central
Library
630 W. 5th St
213-228-7000
Major fires in the 1980s closed the library for six years.
The original building, designed by Bertram Goodhue, was
completely restored to its 1926 condition. The library
also features a 1-1/2-acre outdoor garden.
Farmers
Market
6333 W. 3rd St
323-933-9211
In July 1934, two entrepreneurs developed a European-style
open-air market where farmers could sell their produce
to local housewives. The idea was an instant success,
the market has more than 110 stalls and more than 20 restaurants,
many with alfresco dining under umbrellas.
Hollywood
Walk of Fame
All along this mile-long stretch of Hollywood Boulevard
sidewalk, the names of more than 2,000 entertainment legends
are embossed in brass, each at the center of a pink star
embedded in dark-gray terrazzo.
Huntington
Gardens
1151
Oxford Rd
626-405-2100
The awesome 150-acre Huntington Gardens include a 12-acre
Desert Garden. The Japanese Garden features traditional
Japanese plants, stone ornaments, and a Japanese house.
Kidspace
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103
626-449-9144
This children's museum is housed in the gymnasium of an
elementary school. There are plenty activities for the
children to get involved with. Kids can direct a television
or radio station; dress up in the real uniforms of a firefighter,
astronaut, or football player; or play in tunnels for
exploring insect life.
Los
Angeles Children's Museum
310 N. Main St
213-687-8800
Hands-on exhibits allow kids to record a song, make a
TV show, learn about recycling, create arts and crafts,
build a city out of pillows, and practice being a firefighter.
Grauman's
Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd
323-464-8111
You will have to attend a theatre production in order
to view the interior trappings of the former "Grauman's
Chinese," a fantasy of Chinese pagodas and temples,
but the courtyard is open for browsing.
Museum
of Contemporary Art at California Plaza
250 S. Grand Ave
213-626-6222
The permanent collection of MOCA is split between Geffen
Contemporary and the galleries at this site, a red sandstone
building designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki.
Museum
of Tolerance
9786 W. Pico Blvd
310-553-8403
Using state-of-the-art interactive technology, this museum
challenges visitors to confront bigotry and racism. One
of the most affecting sections covers the Holocaust, with
actual film footage of deportation scenes and simulated
sets of concentration camps.
Natural
History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd
213-763-3466
The more than 3.5 million specimens at this superb museum
in Exposition Park include a rich collection of prehistoric
fossils; extensive bird, insect, and marine-life displays;
an elaborate taxidermy exhibit; pre-Columbian artifacts;
and crafts from the South Pacific.
Olvera
Street
622 N. Main St. Sepulveda House
213-628-1274
Lively, one-block Olvera Street tantalizes with tile walkways,
piñatas, mariachis, and authentic Mexican food.
Restored as an open-air Mexican market in 1930, the street
is the symbol of the city's beginnings when the original
settlers built earthen and willow huts near the river.
Vendors sell puppets, tooled leather goods, sandals, serapes,
and other items from little stalls that line the center
of the narrow street.
Pacific
Park
380 Santa Monica Pier
310-260-8747
The 12 rides at Santa Monica Pier's 2-acre amusement facility
include a roller coaster, a giant Ferris wheel, a flying
submarine, and the Rock and Roll, a spinning experience
with a light show and rousing music.
Santa
Monica Pier
Colorado Ave. and the ocean
310-458-8900
Eateries, souvenir shops, a psychic adviser, arcades,
and the Pacific Park amusement facilities are all part
of this truncated pier at the foot of Colorado Boulevard
below Palisades Park.
Universal
Studios
100 Universal City Place
818-508-9600
Visiting the theme park is a sensational introduction
to the principles of special effects. Seated aboard a
comfortable tram you can experience the parting of the
Red Sea, meet a 30-ft-tall version of King Kong, be attacked
by the ravenous killer shark, and endure a confrontation
by aliens armed with death rays. With a “Front of
the Line Pass”, visitors can get priority seating
with no wait in line and go behind the scenes after the
show to meet the stars (animal or human) and learn about
special effects, etc. The pass is well worth the small
additional cost |
