California Science Center
Interactive exhibits for budding scientists. New Ecosystems wing. Continuing 1001 Inventions: Discover the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization; Small World. Ongoing Forty Years of Space Photography; After Life; FADE: The Dark Side of Light. Daily 10 am–5 pm. Permanent exhibition gallery, free; admission for other exhibits and Imax varies. Admission to exhibit galleries free. Parking $8. 700 State Drive, Exposition Park, downtown, 323.724.3623
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): $56–$66, under 2 free. 1600 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565
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): $56–$66, under 2 free. 1600 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565
Downtown Disney
Twenty acres of admission free shopping, dining and nightlife adjacent to theme parks. 1510–1590 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim Map I10
El Capitan Theatre
1926 Spanish-style movie palace screens Disney films new and old. Musical accompaniment to many shows. Call for schedule. $9–$13. VIP admission with reserved seat $22. 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.467.7674
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
Griffith Observatory
Iconic attraction overlooking Hollywood. Hourly shows at planetarium. Tues.–Fri. noon–10 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Free; donations accepted. 2800 E. Observatory Road, L.A., 213.473.0800
Guinness World Record Museum
Shrine to amazing achievements. Daily 10 a.m.–midnight. $6.95–$15.95, under 5 free. 6764 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.463.6433
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Celebs get stars. Free. Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, 323.469.8311
Hollywood Wax Museum
Hollywood and pop culture greats in wax. Sun.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–midnight; Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–1 a.m. $8.95–$15.95. 6767 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.462.5991
iFLY Hollywood
Universal CityWalk launches L.A.'s first indoor sky-diving wind tunnel, elevating "sky-divers" up to 30 feet, suspending them at wind speeds of 125 miles per hour and affording them a panoramic view of the pedestrian promenade. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.4455.
Knott’s Berry Farm
More than 165 rides and attractions. Roller coasters include Silver Bullet, GhostRider, Montezooma’s Revenge and Sidewinder. Call for hours. $22.99–$51.99, under 3 free. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200
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
L.A. Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Wildlife in parklike setting. Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $7–$12, under 2 free. Golden State (5) and Ventura (134) freeways, 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., 323.644.4200
Long Beach 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 a.m.–6 p.m. $11.95–$23.95, under 3 free. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, 562.590.3100
Madame Tussauds Hollywood
New wax museum with some 115 likenesses of celebrities in music, film, television and more. Costumes provided for photo ops with figures. Daily 10 a.m.–8 p.m. $18–$25, under 4 free. 6933 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.798.1670
Magicopolis
Magicopolis serves up astounding magic shows in a classy venue that's one block from Santa Monica's popular Third Street Promenade. 1418 4th St., Santa Monica (310) 451-2241
Shows on weekends. Magic shop open throughout week.
Mini Golf Sherman Oak
“Castle Park” is the San Fernando Valley's premier family entertainment center. Enjoy the finest miniature golf, arcade and batting cages
4989 Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA. 91403, (818) 756-9459 www.laparks.org
Pickwick Ice Skating, Bowling & Gardens
Great for families: state of the art year-round ice arena, 24 lane bowling alley, and outdoor garden center.
1001 Riverside Dr. Burbank CA 91506 818-845-5300
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
Three hundred displays feature curiosities gathered by traveler Robert Ripley in the 1930s. Daily 10 a.m.–midnight. $8.99–$14.99, under 5 free. 6780 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.466.6335
Star Eco Station
An 18000 square-foot environmental science and wildlife rescue center in a tropical jungle setting. Through a partnership with the Through a partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, STAR ECO Station rescues and houses at-risk and endangered exotic wildlife. 10101 W Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, 310.842.8060 Hours:Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; Fri 1pm-5pm; Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm during summer months only.
Cost:Adults $8; Children $6;
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.
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. $59.99, under 2 free. 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia, 661.255.4111 VIP Tours $299
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. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.4455 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 Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, War of the Worlds and Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane. VIP Experience is private guided tour through prop warehouse, working movie sets, soundstages. Call for hours. $74, under 3 free. VIP Experience $259. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.3801 - contact concierge for tickets.
Zimmer Children's Museum
Lots of fun activities for children, must be with an adult. Check website for calendar.
Hrs: Su 12:30pm-5pm, Tue 10-5pm, We 10-5pm VIB (Very Important Babies) 9 am -10 am, Thu 10-5pm, closed Mo + Sa
Admission Prices Adults: $8.00 Children 2-17: $5.00 Children under 2: FREE
Grandparents: FREE on Tuesdays when accompanied by a grandchild
6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048-4906, Suite 100
(323) 761-8984
Giggles N' Hugs
Indoor playground for kids and adults with healthy restaurant and hourly activities (face painting, storytelling etc.) located at Westfield Shopping Mall, Century City
HRS: Mo – Thu: 10:30am – 8pm. Fri: 10:30am – 9pm. Sa: 10am – 9pm. Sun: 10am – 7pm
10250 Santa Monica Blvd., #155, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 553-4847