Los Angeles

ANAHEIM, BUENA PARK, SANTA ANA:
Disneyland. Walt Disney, with the help of Mickey, Donald, and a host of others including people, created this reality from fantasy. Dedicated professionals from the art, entertainment, and management fields maintain it as a first-rate attraction. Disney’s California Adventure theme park, located next door, pays homage to the “golden state.”
Edison International Field. 2,000 State College Blvd. It seats 70,000 for baseball (Anaheim Angels) or football. Also a popular venue for outdoor attractions.
Buena Park Chamber of Commerce. Knott’s Berry Farm. The Boardwalk, Ghost Town, and Fiesta Village themes, Wild Water Wilderness and Camp Snoopy, big-name entertainment and a replica of Independence Hall make this one of California’s major attractions. Soak City USA, Knott’s adventure water park, occupies an adjoining property. A block from Knott’s, the Movieland Wax Museum has wax reproductions of movie stars so good you feel like they are there and you are there in settings that range from a polar ice cap to steaming jungle and parched desert. Across the street, savor the delights of feasting and jousting at Medieval Times.
Santa Ana. Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St. Visiting exhibitions are showcased plus changing exhibits from the permanent collection of paintings and Indian relics. An interpretive center for children, Kidseum is located next door. The Santa Ana Zoo, 1st St. & I-5, houses primates, other mammals, birds, reptiles, and a petting zoo for younger visitors. Science is fun for both children and adults at the Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St.
Fullerton. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., provides exhibitions, theatre and creative workshops. For local history visit the Fullerton Museum Center at Pomona & Wilshire. Nearby, the Children’s Museum at La Habra, 301 S. Euclid St., provides the opportunity to learn in a creative, hands-on environment. Also within the region is La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., a source of live entertainment. Los Alamitos Race Course, 4961 E. Katella Ave., has quarter-horse and harness racing.
BEVERLY HILLS, CENTURY CITY, WEST HOLLYWOOD:
Beverly Hills is home to some of the world’s wealthiest people. Interior designers, art and antique dealers, health spas and hairstylists abound. The exclusive shops along Rodeo Drive include the biggest names in the fashion world. Several major corporations are headquartered here and in nearby Century City. You don’t have to be many of the items in the area’s specialty shops. The nearby Beverly Center, a major shopping mall, has a theater complex offering a wide choice of movies. For a change of pace, enjoy a stroll through Greystone Park or Virginia Robinson Gardens.
The Beverly Hilton, Regent Beverly Wilshire and Beverly Hills hotels provide excellent service and accommodation.
Century City is a city of offices, condos and a major regional shopping area, built on the former backlot of nearby 20th Century Fox Studios. Westfield Shoppingtown Century City and Westside Pavilion, in West LA, are exciting shopping destinations.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., is an experiential museum devoted to human rights. Interactive exhibits document the history of the Holocaust and explore prejudice and racism in the United States.
West Hollywood Convention and Visitors Bureau.
West Hollywood. The Pacific Design Center and shops along Melrose Ave. from San Vincente Blvd. to La Brea Blvd. house designers, decorators and art dealers of national reputation. Sunset Strip is famous for its nightlife and custom-designed billboards. The boards are directed at entertainment industry executives who pass through the city each day.
BURBANK, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, GLENDALE:
Burbank/North Hollywood, NBC Studios Tour, Alameda Ave. at Olive Ave., features a behind-the-scenes look at a working TV Studio. During the tour you learn how a show progresses from the original concept to your television set. Home of the Tonight Show and other shows which are taped before an audience. Warner Bros. Studios, 4000 Warner Blvd. is the headquarters for Warner Bros. Pictures. Working tours provide an insider’s look at production and can be arranged by advance reservation.
The Universal Studios Tour, 3900 Lankershim Blvd., provides a look at a major film studio. Exciting special effects, live-action shows and a tram tour will fill most of a day.
The Universal Amphitheater is host to big-name concerts.
Glendale. Nearby are: Descanso Gardens, Brand Library and Art Center and Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES & VICINITY:
Downtown Los Angeles is a mixture of the best of the old and the most innovative of the new. Within the last thirty years it has emerged as one of the most vigorous urban areas in America. From atop the dazzling skyscrapers of Downtown all the critical growth points of this Little Spanish town of once-upon-a-time can be seen clustered nearby: the Plaza where the city was founded; the busy streets that sprang up during the exponential expansions from 1880 to 1940; and the lofty building that began in the 1960s and continues today.
The Music Center is the cultural crown of Southern California, reigning over orchestral music, vocal performance, opera, theater and dance. The complex tops Bunker Hill like a contemporary Acropolis, one which has dominated civic cultural life since it was inaugurated in 1964. Three stately buildings are linked by the multi-level walkway of the center: the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is home to the Los Angeles Opera, dance programming, numerous guest appearances and events; the Mark Taper Forum offers contemporary and revitalized plays presented by the Center Theatre Group; the Ahmanson Theatre is an elegantly attired variety hall, suitable for Broadway-style, classic or innovative theater.
An exciting addition to the music center is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home base for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Master Chorale. The complex also includes the CalArts Theater (REDCAT) and a children’s amphitheater.
The Los Angeles Theatre Center is a showcase for the rich array of talent that this entertaining city produces in abundance. The multi-cultural professional theater presents new plays and reinterprets classics in a varied playbill divided among four stages. Dance and musical performances are also presented.
The historical roots of the second largest city in the country are preserved in El Pueblo Historic Monument. The Avila Adobe, the oldest existing house in Los Angeles, has returned to show how life was lived in the early days. The History of Water Museum shows why Los Angeles without water is a cornflake without milk. Olvera Street reflects the past in a quaint market lane edged with artisans and vendors. Fine Mexican handicrafts and open-air foodstalls abound.
The traditional and the contemporary have been merged with a deft touch in Little Tokyo, the pride of which is the Japanese American National Museum. The Japanese Village Plaza recalls old Japan with a wooden fireman’s lookout, stone paths and blue tile roofs. Also of note are the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and the Japan America Theatre.
The thematic heart of Chinatown is located in the spacious lanes between Hill St. and Broadway. A multitude of shops offers every Oriental item imaginable, from the magnificent to the curious. The newer shops in the Mandarin Plaza and Chinatown Plaza are equally fascinating in their variety. Restaurants are everywhere here and you can’t go wrong, whichever you choose.
MOCA – The Museum of Contemporary Art, a first-rate museum of post-World War II art, is a Downtown dream realized by an innovative collaboration between art supporters, community agencies and the developers of California Plaza. 42,000 square feet of exhibition space provide an elegant setting for works by artists of international reputation.
Lost Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, is an artist-run alternative space, concentrating on experimental and vanguard work.
Grand Central Market is a pulsating, indoor bazaar with vibrantly colorful food displays. Ethnic foodstalls rescue you when the sight of all this bounty leaves you famished.
The LA Convention Center exhibits the biggest, best and newest to over 2 million visitors each year. This magnificent steel and glass facility houses two exhibition halls, a concourse of meeting rooms, lobbies, parking areas and restaurants.
LA’s premier sports and entertainment complex, the Staples Center hosts Lakers’, Clippers’ and Sparks’ basketball, Kings’ hockey and Avengers’ arena football. The streamlined building, while imposing, strives to be welcoming both inside and out.
Exposition Park. The Natural History Museum, the best-kept secret in town, has dinosaurs, gems and minerals, and exhibits designed to increase our understanding of ourselves. The California African American Museum presents exhibitions that celebrate black contributions to the arts, sciences, religion and education. With over 100 interactive exhibits and a move screen 7 stories high, the California Science Center and IMAX Theater make science fun and personal. Next door, the Air and Space Gallery invites budding pilots and astronauts to view overhead exhibits and share hands-on activities.
Also in the area are: USC (Univeristy of Southern California), respected for its educational programs and famous for its Trojan athletic teams; the LA Memorial Coliseum where over 100,000 can watch USC Trojans’ football; the 17,000-seat Sports Arena, host to ice shows and USC Trojans’ basketball; and the nearby Shrine Auditorium, site of conventions, concerts and The Grammy Awards.
Near Downtown. Lincoln Park, 3540 N. Mission Rd., is an important Hispanic Center for recreational and cultural activities. Dodger Stadium seats 50,000-plus spectators for Dodger baseball.
GRIFFITH PARK:
Griffith Park, over 4,000 acres, has hiking trails, high elevations, horse stables and trails, five golf courses, tennis courts and much more. The Griffith Observatory will reopen in 2005 following an extensive renovation. The Los Angeles Zoo, access near I-5 & Ventura Fwy. junction has, on 77 acres, over 2,000 animals of 500 species groups by continent of origin. Across from the zoo is the Autry Museum of Western Heritage where the realities and myths of the Old West are explored in a variety of exciting ways. The famous Greek Theater, 2700 N. Vermond Ave., seats 4,500 for outdoor concerts.
HOLLYWOOD:
Hollywood attractions include: the Hollywood Bowl and Museum, 2301 N. Highland Ave., the famous amphitheater seating 17,000 and summer home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Hollywood & Highland, a vast entertainment and retail complex which features the Kodak Theatre, site of the Academy Awards ceremonies; Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., restored to art deco splendor, 2,600 seats, hosts musical and special events; Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., still attracting big-name performances; Hollywood and Vine intersection where today you might wait a long time before recognizing a star; James A. Doolittle Theatre, on Vine St., a 1,000-seat live theater; Hollywood Palace, 1735 N. Vine St., a handsomely restored, multi-media entertainment center; Walk of Fame – stars embedded in the sidewalk along Vine St., Hollywood Blvd., La Brea Blvd. and Highland Ave. in recognition of stars; Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd., where stars have left their hand and foot prints in the concrete forecourt; Hollyhock House (reopening 2005) at Barnsdall Art park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., a Frank Lloyd Wright design; the Hollywood Heritage Museum, 2100 N. Highland Ave., the actual building in which Hollywood’s first movie was made; and tapings at Paramount Pictures, 860 N. Gower St.
HUNTINGTON BEACH:
Huntington Beach, one of California’s fabulous beaches (8.5 miles long), is popular with surfers. The International Surfing Museum, 411 Olive Ave., documents this favorite pastime. Birdlife abounds in the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach have homes with yachts anchored in the back, all in a fantasyland setting.
LA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, INGLEWOOD:
Westchester is home for the Los Angeles International Airport, LAX. Several major hotels, close to the airport, serve the many tourists and business people who arrive each day. LAX handles about 40 million passengers per year. In the airport area and on some of the approach routes, tune to AM530 for airport information, 7am to 11pm.
In Inglewood, The Forum hosts concerts and special events; and Hollywood Park has the best in thoroughbred horse racing.
LAGUNA BEACH, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO:
Throughout the summer, Laguna Beach hosts the Laguna Arts Festival, part of which is the world famous “Pageant of the Masters” at Irvine Bowl Park. Pageant settings including “live people” depict world famous paintings so realistically that you will feel you are actually viewing the original paintings. A must to see, but order your tickets well in advance. Other cultural treats include the Laguna Moulton Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., a showcase for live theater from September to May, and the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr., which features a diverse range of exhibits.
Dana Point, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, is a haven of resorts, yachts, docksideshops and whale-watching. For educational stimulation, visit the Ocean Institute, located at the west end of the harbor, and immerse yourself in the Ocean Education Center.
The historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, celebrates the “Return of the Swallows” each year on March 19th (St. Joseph’s Day). Festivities include traditional dancing and crafts. The local Historical Society, which developed the O’Neill Museum, conducts walking tours of the early adobes.
LONG BEACH:
It you haven’t visited Long Beach recently, stroll through Shoreline Village, take a free trolley to Pine Ave, and enjoy the shops, art galleries, restaurants and nightclubs. A long walkway with several T-shaped piers borders the 1,800-slip Shoreline Marina. Across the bay, the Queen Mary provides both an entertaining tour and excellent accommodations.
Explore the diverse ecosystems of the Pacific Rim at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to education, preservation and the study of marine environments. Wave-like architecture houses over 10,000 ocean animals including giant spider crabs and octopuses, sharks and otters.
The Long Beach Convention & Performing Arts Center is home to the Symphony Orchestra, Grand Opera, Civic Light Opera and the Long Beach Ballet. It hosts a great variety of concerts and events.
The Long Beach Grand Prix runs the streets of downtown each Spring. In August, the 2-week long Sea Festival includes the Long Beach to California to Catalina International Waterski Race, catamaran championship regattas and a sand sculpture contest.
The Alamitos Bay area has many attractions: the charming community of Naples, where you can reach your home by either boat or car; Seaport Village; the Long Beach Marina; Marine Stadium where rowing and water skiing events are held; Marina Drive, with restaurants and a major hotel; the annual Naples boat parade held each year at Christmas and gondola rides through the canals. A little history? Turn off Atherton St. on Palo Verde Ave. Drive through the gates to Rancho Los Alamitos (1806). Or visit Rancho Los Cerritos (1844), off Long Beach Blvd. on Virginia Rd.
The El Dorado Park and Nature Center will provide an interesting change of pace. And don’t miss the Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd. Take the boat or fly to historic Santa California Island, 22 miles offshore.
Long Beach has a successful port, major airport, six medical centers, a university and several major companies. Of course any description must mention that the interesting offshore islands disguise and sound-proof hundreds of oil wells.
MARINA DEL REY:
With over 6,000 boats in the water, many belonging to the rich and famous, seven yacht clubs, several good restaurants, cocktail lounges, fitness clubs and expensive condominiums and hotels, Marina Del Rey lives up to its reputation as a place for high rollers. However it is also a resort for families and singles from Los Angeles and out-of-town.
Attractions include: power boat and sailboat rentals; private charters; marina tours; coastal cruises and whale watching expeditions in season; sportfishing; and Fisherman’s Village, with its specialty shops, restaurants, fast food and picturesque New England fishing village setting.
NEWPORT BEACH, IRVINE, COSTA MESA:
Newport Beach, a well-planned city that is complete resort for both resident and visitor. Attractions include: Newport Center, where corporate offices surround Fashion Island shopping center; Orange County Museum of Art on San Clemente Drive near Newport Center; Newport Bay, a large lagoon with an aquatic park that rents paddleboats and has picnic facilities; Newport Pier, overlooking beach shops and rental cottages lining a concrete walkway; historic Balboa Pavilion, part of a charming area and headquarters for seasonal whale-watching expeditions, cruises to Santa Catalina Island and excursions of fabulous Newport Harbor; Balboa Pier; Lido Marina Village; the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 1714 W. Balboa Blvd. In nearby Corona del Mar, visit the Sherman Library and Gardens, 2647 E. Pacific Coast Highway.
Irvine, with major new buildings, planning communities and an established but growing industrial base, Irvine is one of the bright spots in Orange County’s future. Of particular note are the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, where big-name entertainers perform to 10,000-plus audiences as mountains form the backdrop to the stage; the Irvine Spectrum Center, for shopping, dining and entertainment; and Wild Rivers, a fun-filled waterpark.
Costa Mesa. Its buildings suddenly and dramatically appear as you approach on the San Diego Freeway. Exit at Bristol St. to look at this impressive blend of architectural, commercial and cultural interests. Turn right on Town Center Drive to find the South Coast Repertory theater and the magnificent Orange County Performing Arts Center. The shopping is excellent at South Coast Plaza, which also houses a branch of the Orange County Museum of Art. Costa Mesa restaurants are as enjoyable as they look.
The John Wayne Airport is literally surrounded by Newport Beach, Irvine and Costa Mesa. It is a very important airport for the Orange County area’s commuters. The Orange County Fair & Exposition Center is on Fair Drive off Newport Blvd.
ONTARIO, POMONA & VICINITY:
Ontario represents a compatible blend of old and new. Historic wine regions provide an interesting contrast with the latest in shops and restaurants. Of great convenience is the Ontario International Airport, a full-service “crossroads” linking major cities with mountain, desert and ocean resorts, commercial centers and countless tourist activities in Southern California. The following attractions are on or near Euclid Ave: the Graber Olive House, 315 east 4th St. and the Museum of History and Art, 225 South Euclid Ave.
South of Ontario, Chino is the heart of vast, mixed-use agricultural lands. Some interesting diversions in the region include the Maclin Market, 7407 Riverside Dr., a huge open-air bargain bazaar; Planes of Fame Air Museum at Chino Airport, an exciting collection of famous aircraft, many in flying condition; and the Yorba Slaughter Adobe Museum, 17127 Pomona Rincon Rd.
There are numerous colleges and universities in the Pomona area, including Cal State Polytechnic University, Mt. San Antonio College, the University of La Verne and the Claremont Colleges. Pomona is also the center for the Los Angeles County Fair, located at the Fairplex grounds. The fair continues to expand each year in numbers of visitors, exhibitions space and accommodations.
Also of interest in the vicinity are the Raging Waters waterpark in San Dimas; the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at Cal State Polytech.; Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont; the Workman and Temple Homestead Museum in neighboring Industry; and the California Speedway, a popular destination for motorsports enthusiasts, in Fontana.
PASADENA:
Gracious living, culture and a respect for history area s evident in Pasadena and its environs as science, engineering and progress.
The Pasadena Conference Center and Civic Auditorium, east off Arroyo Pkwy. at Green St. just south of Colorado Blvd., has modern conference and exhibition buildings, plus an ice rink. A major shopping mall, the Paseo Colorado is across the street.
Caltech is at the root of Pasadena’s science and engineering expertise. It has produced over one dozen Nobel laureates and once had Albert Einstein on staff. Caltech operates the Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) for NASA.
The Huntington. The Library is home to visiting scholars, several million manuscripts and over 600,000 books. Visitors see a Gutenberg Bible, the earliest editions of Shakespeare’s plays, works by Chaucer, Benjamin Franklin and Thoreau, plus changing exhibits. Art Collections include Gainsborough’s Blue Boy as part of the most comprehensive and distinguished collection of British 18th and 19th Century art outside of London, England. The Botanical Gardens, 13 in all, display some of the finest collections of plants in the world, the latest being a 12-acre Chinese Garden.
The Norton Simon Museum of Art. The famous artists represented here are too numerous to list, let alone their works. A sampling includes: Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, El Greco, Goya, Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso plus sculptors Degas, Rodin, and Moore. A Self-Portrait by Rembrandt is one of the masterpieces on view.
The annual New Year’s Day “Tournament of Roses Parade” is seen in person by 1 ½ million spectators and on television by 125 million viewers. The Rose Bowl Game matches the winners of the Big Ten and Pac Ten to the delight of 106,000 people at the Rose Bowl and 65 million more watching television.
Other attractions include: Pasadena Playhouse, built in 1925, restored and presenting live theater on its 700-seat main stage, 39 South El Molino Ave. just south of Colorado Ave.; the Gamble House for a tour of a magnificent California bungalow; Pacific Asia Museum, 46 North Los Robles Ave., Kidspace, a hands-on children’s museum, 390 South El Molino Ave.; the Pasadena Museum of History, 470 West Walnut St.; South Lake Avenue, between California Blvd. and Colorado Ave., to buy that special present; and of course, historic Old Pasadena – 20 blocks of shops, galleries, cafes and cinemas just west of the Arroyo Pkwy., south of Walnut St.
Nearby attractions are: the Lummis Home, 1897, built to last 1,000 years, and the Southwest Museum, 1913, housing Native American artifacts, both projects of a remarkable man; Heritage Square Museum, Victorian homes moved from their original locations; Mission San Gabriel, founded in 1771, 537 West Mission Dr. at Serra Dr., San Gabriel; The Old Mill (El Molino Viejo), 1816, 1120 Old Mill Rd., off Huntington Dr., San Marino, a grist mill until 1833; and the Arboretum of LA County, divided by sections into continents, each planted with its native vegetation. The settings created are used by film studios which can shoot on location in Africa, Australia, etc., without ever leaving LA. Across the road is Santa Anita Park where horses have raced since 1934.
REDONDO, HERMOSA, MANHATTAN BEACHES:
All three cities have piers and great beaches. Hermosa has the Strand, a two-mile long concrete boardwalk for rollerblading, bicycling, jogging, skate-boarding and even walking.
Manhattan and Hermosa each have a pier whereas Redondo has several piers and a breakwater forming King Harbor, a resort that includes: a variety of marinas, good jazz, restaurants and cocktail lounges; Redondo Sport Fishing offering harbor and ocean cruises, season whale-watching expeditions and an armada of boats including a large fishing barge; Redondo Sport Fishing Pier, which charges admission but gives plenty of friendly information, rents equipment and sells bait; and Fisherman’s Wharf, part of The Pier, souvenir shops and restaurants.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY:
Its open appearance conceals the fact that well over one million people live in the San Fernando Valley. Wide streets arranged in a grid pattern make travel within “The Valley” easy. A desert climate keeps outdoor activity to a minimum on hot summer days but makes evenings great for parties and relaxation in swimming pools and hot tubs.
Ventura Blvd. passes through several Valley communities. Points of interest along it include: the Sherman Oaks Galleria complex; Los Encinos State Historic Park, 16756 Moorpark St., just off Balboa Blvd., where you can gain appreciation for what life was once like in this area; the Encino Oak Tree on Louise Ave. at Ventura Blvd., with an eight-foot diameter trunk and a 150 foot spread.
Other points of interest include: commercial developments in the expanding Warner Center area; Leonis Adobe Museum and Plummer House, 23537 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas, the interesting home of a much-feared man in the late 1800s; Mission San Fernando, 15101 San Fernando Mission Blvd., San Fernando; and the Stoney Point Outcroppings site of an ancient Native American village and, more recently, a setting for movies.
Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, Magic Mountain Parkway off I-5, Valencia. It’s an understatement to say that these theme parks have rides and slides that will excite, challenge and even scare the most seasoned of amusement park enthusiasts. There are also adventures for the less daring: rides for tots, an animal farm, dolphin show, man-made lakes, restaurants and several entertaining shows.
SAN PEDRO, PALOS VERDES:
San Pedro has: Ports O’Call Village, eighty specialty shops and restaurants in a New England fishing village setting on the Main Channel; the Port of Los Angeles, a story in itself; the LA Maritime Museum, featuring a photographic history of the harbor, ship models and Navy memorabilia, all housed n the former ferry terminal used until the Vincent Thomas Bridge opened; Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, providing an opportunity to learn about the ocean that lies at Southern California’s doorstep; and the Catalina Terminal, departure point for an adventure to Santa Catalina Island.
Palos Verdes Peninsula is a residential area with spectacular views. Attractions include: Wayfarers’ Chapel, designed in glass by Frank Lloyd Wright, where services are surrounded with the beauty of nature; South Coast Botanic Garden, with trees and shrubs from every continent except Antarctica; and Point Vincente Interpretive Center, an excellent vantage point for whale-watching.
In Lomita, the Lomita Railroad Museum displays railroadiana and features a restored steam locomotive and caboose; in Wilmington, the Banning Residence Museum, 401 East M St., is a fine example of Greek Revival style architecture, and Drum Barracks a few blocks away is the only major Civil War landmark in California. The Dominguez Rancho Adobe, 18127 South Alameda in Compton was built around 1827. You can learn the fascinating history of Rancho San Pedro, a 1784 Spanish land grant since divided into nearly a dozen cities.
SANTA CATALINA ISLAND:
Santa Catalina Island is accessible from the mainland by sea or air. Sea departure points are Catalina Terminals at San Pedro and Long Beach and the Balboa Pavilion at Newport Beach. By air, land planes, sea planes and/or helicopters depart from Long Beach Airport, Long Beach Harbor and San Pedro Terminal.
A treasure trove of flora and fauna, 86% of the island is owned by the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy. Enjoy scuba diving, sailing, fishing, glass-bottomed boat tours, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and bicycling (in Avalon). While visiting Catalina, stop by the Wrigley Botanical Garden at the head of Avalon canyon; and the Catalina Island Museum, housed n the distinctive casino building on Avalon Bay.
SANTA MONICA, VENICE, MALIBU:
Santa Monica serves many interests. It has resort facilities and corporate activity including major head city offices. It is also a retirement community for the affluent and a popular area for singles and young couples.
Attractions include: the Santa Monica Pier, lots of fun; shops and restaurants along Main St. at the 2500 numbered area; Santa Monica Place shopping mall; Palisades Park overlooking the beach and pier; San Vicente Blvd., a great place to run; California Heritage Museum, 2612 Main St.; Santa Monica Museum of Art, 2437 Main St.; and Third Street Promenade, very popular with locals and tourists for its unique blend of street entertainers, restaurants, shops, cinemas, clubs and public art.
Nearby attractions include: Will Rogers State Historic Park, 14253 Sunset Blvd., where you can review the humorist’s memorabilia in his former residence; and The Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway. Still undergoing a major renovation, this branch of the J. Paul Getty Museum re-creates an ancient Roman country house complete with gardens and will be devoted to ancient art and antiquities.
Venice. There is little to show for Abbot Kinney’s attempt to fashion this community after Venice, Italy. Today it is best known for its weekend crowd along Ocean Front Walk of the beach. You can bring a skateboard, rent bicycles or rollerblades and join the crowd. Body builders, rollerblade dancers and other street entertainers, sidewalk merchants and the mosaic of humanity make this an entertaining experience.
Malibu has been a retreat since 19th-Century bandits hid in the surrounding hills. Today the rich and famous escape from the city to exclusive beach houses and mountain homes. For some local history, visit the Malibu Lagoon Museum, 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy.
SCENIC MOUNTAIN AREAS:
Angeles National Forest Hiking Trails. The trails are rated on a scale from easy to strenuous and vary considerably in length and elevation gain. The US Forest Service Information Center, 701 North Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia, provides information on over 20 hiking trails, on road and trail conditions, on what’s open/closed and on regulations. If you plan to enter a wilderness area be sure to obtain a free Wilderness Permit.
A drive along the Angeles Crest Hwy. or to the top of Mt. Wilson provides impressive scenery; however, those who hike the trails discover and experience the magic of nature. You may see big-horn sheep, catch trout in clear, snow-fed streams or enjoy the solitude of a trail camp. From Mt. Williamson you can see the infamous San Andreas fault. Sugar pines with cones as long as 18 inches grow on Mt. Waterman while gnarled 2,000-year old limber pines are near the top of Mt. Baden-Powell (el. 9,399 ft.). On a clear day Mt. San Antonio (Old Baldy) offers spectacular views of most of Southern California from its 10,064-foot peak.
Santa Monica Mountains. The higher elevations provide spectacular views of the rugged terrain and ocean. Many films have been produced in the area and some of the scenery might seem familiar. Contact the National Park Service Visitors Center at 30401 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills.
Important. Bring water and be certain to recognize and not touch poison oak leaves.
WESTWOOD:
Join fellow movie watchers in the heart of Westwood, several blocks along and a block either side of Westwood Blvd. north of Wilshire Blvd. The area has shops, restaurants, over one dozen first-run theaters and 500-seat Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., for live theater.
UCLA is famous for its educational programs, medical center, cultural activities, Bruins’ football and basketball teams and, for oasis lovers, the Mathias Botanical Garden. The students add vitality to the area.
Along San Vicente Blvd. in nearby Brentwood there are restaurants, gourmet coffee houses and specialty shops. Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr., features the J. Paul Getty Museum, research, conservation and educational facilities. The museum collections include furnishings from the homes of French nobility and royalty for the period from Louis XIV to Napoleon, Greek and Roman antiquities, and paintings from all major schools of Western art from the late 13th to the early 20th centuries.
WILSHIRE BOULEVARD:
Wilshire Boulevard passes through Santa Monica, Westwood, and Beverly Hills in its 16 miles from the ocean to downtown. The corridor from Fairfax Ave. to the Harbor Fwy. includes: the LA County Museum of Art, which houses a large and distinguished permanent collection plus visiting exhibitions. The Pavilion for Japanese Art is an exciting addition to the complex; La Brea Tarpits, several pools and a lake of tar from which over ½ million Ice Age fossils have been supplied to museums around the world; the Page Museum, at La Brea Tarpits, exhibiting skeletons of mammoths, mastodons, lions, tigers, dire wolves and other creatures that once roamed the LA area; the Craft and Folk Art Museum; and the Peterson Automotive Museum.
Farmer’s Market, on W. Third near Fairfax Ave. since 1934, is the largest open-air market in Los Angeles. An abundance of fresh produce, meats, a myriad of eating places and gift shops, make it a highlight in anyone’s day. Dedicated shoppers may also board a trolley to The Grove, a popular, open-air, retail complex nearby.
CBS Television City, Beverly Blvd. at Fairfax Ave., where major network shows are often taped before an audience; Wilshire Ebell Theater, 4401 W. 8th St., a 1,300-seat center for concerts and speakers; Otis College of Art and Design, 2401 Wilshire, an art school with a gallery featuring special exhibitions; MacArthur Park, with paddleboats on a small lake but best avoided at night; and the Grier-Musser Museum, just east of MacArthur Park at 403 South Bonnie Brae St., a colorful, turn-of-the-century home filled to the brim with nostalgic “collections”.