Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure
Disneyland Resort is bigger and better. Meet all your favorite Disney characters including the oldest and the most famous - Mickey Mouse! Choose between either Disneyland Park or the all-new Disney's California Adventure for your day of fun and excitement. And don't miss Downtown Disney, an entertainment, shopping and dining complex right in the heart of it all. The magic is waiting for you at the Disneyland.
Downtown Disney
Come together to indulge in big-city fun in an area alive with excitement, unique shops, restaurants and entertainment! Explore Downtown Disney Marketplace, home to the largest Disney character store in the world; Downtown Disney West Side, with its top-notch restaurants, theaters, shows and amusement.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Bring the magic of the movies to life at Universal Studios Hollywood in California, a Los Angeles theme park and working Hollywood Studio all in one. Enjoy all the thrills, magic, stunts and special effects when you take part in your favorite blockbuster movies. It's all the glitz, glamour, action and entertainment of Hollywood, only at the world's largest movie studio and theme park!
Six Flags Magic Mountain
A recent scientific study reported that riding intense roller coasters can cause minor brain damage. If that's the case, then this SoCal theme park will make the synapses misfire more than just about any other park. In terms of sheer thrill rides, this place can't be matched. The DejaVu coaster is a white-knuckler that encourages a stress-relieving scream--that way, your head won't explode. X, the latest in what has become a tradition of stomach-churning coasters, features 360-degree rotating seats. And the Batman ride is not only a great thrill, but its Gotham Park waiting area is captivating. A popular teen hangout since The Thompson Twins were rocking out here in the early 1980s, MM is frequented more by locals than by tourists, so try to hit it on a weekday.
Aquarium of the Pacific
Located south of L.A, in the seaside city of Long Beach, this sparkling aquarium is far less populated than the more famous fish tank up in Monterey. Nevertheless, it's one of the Los Angeles area's best bets for a great time. Its 17 major tanks and 30 smaller tanks can be taken in an afternoon, and along the way there are some amazing specimen to be found in an ocean of more than 12,000 species. There is an iridescent jellyfish exhibit, a rare dragonfish that has to be seen to believe, and an array of toothy mammals in the Shark Lagoon, where one can get up close and personal with the feared predators. None of the fish here seem to be complaining, but then again, in modern saltwater tanks no one can hear you scream.
Kodak Theatre
Kodak Theatre is the crown jewel of the Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex located in the heart of historic Hollywood. Since opening in November 2001, the theatre has hosted a range of prestigious artists and events including the Academy Awards� Ceremonies, Celine Dion, Prince, Elvis Costello, Barry Manilow, American Ballet Theatre, Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet, AFI Life Achievement Award to Tom Hanks, ESPY Awards, American Idol finals, GREASE starring Frankie Avalon, Dixie Chicks and more.
Pacific Park
This old-school amusement park is small but its spectacular location on the Santa Monica Pier along the ocean makes it worth a visit. There's a rickety roller coaster and a slew of arcade games, and the park's perch allows it to feature what may the best view in Los Angeles--from the top of its tall Ferris Wheel riders can see up and down the beautiful Pacific Coast. Tip: For those wanting great lunch or dinner, the recently refurbished The Lobster at the top of the pier has great seafood.
Los Angeles Zoo
This is not the greatest zoo in the world by a long shot, but nice flowing grounds, far fewer crowds than at the more acclaimed San Diego Zoo, and great weather make this a perfect mid-day getaway. They also have an Animal Encounters program that encourages interaction between visiting kids and the residents of this wild kingdom.
Griffith Park
Covering more than 4000 acres, L.A.'s biggest park makes NYC's Central Park look like a median strip. The park features two golf courses, pony rides, a train museum and the stunning L.A. Griffith Observatory (which is currently closed for renovation). It's great to get lost in this green oasis in the gray land lined with freeways.
Legoland
There are plenty of kids around 5 or 6 who consider this their favorite theme park. And, for the first hour or so, anybody would be fascinated by the fact that virtually everything here is built from Legos. But once it sinks in that grown men and women spent countless hours making this world out of small plastic bricks, everything starts to seem downright creepy. There is a children's driving school that is not only fun for the kiddies, it's hilarious for adults to watch their offspring run though traffic lights and hit other cars. It's like watching an episode of World's Best Car Chases. Sequestered away in Carlsbad (a 45 minute drive from L.A.) near an Ostrich farm, this is definitely a unique experience - especially for anyone still using a sipper cup.
Hollywood Wax Museum
This unique and exciting attraction takes visitors of all ages on a personal stroll down memory lane, recapturing special moments with old friends from movies, television, music, sports and history.
Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park
America's first theme park features world-class thrill rides, live shows, attractions, shopping, dining and Camp Snoopy, home of the Peanuts Gang.
Malibu Pier
For over 100 years, The Pier has overlooks famous Surfrider Beach in Malibu, CA ? the birthplace of surf culture with plans for improvement in 2006. The Pier will have restaurants, retail space, maritime operations, sportfishing, and whale watching.
Autry National Center
The galleries explore broad themes relating to the history and diverse cultures of the American West.
California Science Center
Contemporary science center features interactive exhibits and an IMAX Theatre.
Fort MacArthur Museum
Site of one of the most complete coastal defense batteries in the U.S.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
The courtyard is famous for the hand and footprints of Hollywood celebrities dating from 1927 through the present.
Hollywood & Highland
This truly one-of-a-kind destination includes the renowned Kodak Theatre, Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, six movie screens, 12 bowling lanes, LA's finest restaurants, over 60 specialty shops, a television production studio, and two radio studios.
La Brea Tar Pits
One of the world's most famous fossil sites with over 3 million fossils where huge mammoths, fierce sabertoothed cats, and giant ground sloths became trapped and entombed in the asphalt that has been seeping out of the ground for the past 40,000 years.
Museum of Television & Radio
Collections of over 120,000 radio, television programs and advertisements.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
The Reagan Presidential Library and museum features a full scale replica of the Oval Office, a recreated White House state dinner, numerous videos and constantly changing temporary exhibits.
Warner Bros. Studio
See an intimate behind-the-scenes look at an actual working studio.
Belmont Park
San Diego's only beachfront amusement center and home of the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and Plunge. Belmont Park carries on the tradition of old-time family fun featuring The Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Vertical Plunge, Bumper Mania, Tilt-A-Whirl, Liberty Carousel, Crazy Submarine, Thunder Boats, Baja Buggies, Sea Serpent, and Pirates Cove, San Diego's largest and most adventurous indoor children's play center.
Catalina Island
18 1/2 miles long by 7 miles wide with two harbors, Catalina is covered with mountains that reach as high as 2,125 feet above sea level, wonderful green vegetation and edged with beautiful sandy beaches. The weather is pleasant year round making it a great place to visit.
Santa Monica Pier
A must-see Southern California attraction featuring an amazing amusement-park.
Queen Mary
A floating city awash in elegance, the Queen Mary, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, remains one of the most famous ships in history. The Queen Mary features 365 hotel staterooms, an elaborate Champagne Sunday Brunch, award winning restaurants, a wedding chapel and 18 Art Deco reception salons for private celebrations, and exciting tours.
Find out more about the Los Angeles attractions listed below.
