Operating partially as a prop store, Jadis is the brainchild of Parke Meeke, boasting of an extraordinary collection of scientific objects. These aren't products you find regularly, and include antiques and creative designs that are either made or collected by Meeke. Some of the objects in this store include switchboards, giant coils and life-size models of many scientific robots and machines. The products sold at this store have been used as props for many popular movies as well. The extensive collection of Meeke can hardly be matched in design and creativity, and a visit to this museum is a must for all sci-fi fans.
Fragile yet ethereal, glass has unique qualities that distinguishes it from any other material, and Fire Glass Studio lets you express your creative side through it. Their art classes are apt for patrons of any age. A variety of colorful glass items are at your disposal here, you are asked to put the pieces together to create your own master piece. The finished product is fired on site. There is a plethora of creations on display and some of these make exquisite souvenirs or gifts. From candle holders, vases, center pieces to wall hangings, plates and more, you can learn to create them all at the Fire Glass Studio.
These wildly popular tour operators offer some of the best Segway tours in the city, including full day highlight tours with knowledgeable and fun guides. Roll your Segway into the lust green spaces at Beverly Hills, and study the lives of the rich and the famous from your humble ride, or soak up some sun at the Santa Monica & Venice Beach Segway Tour. There is also a Downtown Los Angeles tour and the Pacific Segway Tour that lets you admire Californian coastlines, all up to the Pacific Palisades.
Golden Valley Ranch Open Space is a verdant expanse of land located on the Placerita Canyon east of Santa Clarita. Sprawling over more than 900 acres (364.2 hectares), the park is cloaked in blankets of oak woodlands, which make up a highlighting feature of the Santa Clarita Valley. Meandering trails define the landscape of the open space, allowing visitors to explore the lush green terrain and take in the beautiful views of the rolling hills surrounding the park. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, head over to the ranch when in town and hike up the trail to embrace the Great Outdoors of California.
While many big cities claim to be the center of the universe, the presence of this world-renowned space laboratory may help to bolster Pasadena's claim on the title. This 177-acre site, owned and operated by NASA, has been used as the nerve center for just about every significant space exploration mission over the past 25 years. Whenever a mission goes up, Jet Propulsion Laboratory comes alive with activity and excitement, as we saw during the successful 1998 Mars Pathfinder mission. If you want to see JPL reserve a spot on a guided tour or visit during one of their numerous special events for space enthusiasts.
Endowed by industrialist, financier and philanthropist Norton Simon (1907-1993), the Norton Simon Museum that bears his name is an extraordinary window into art and antiquities. This museum houses the single largest collection of art assembled by one man. Here you will find art spanning seven centuries and exhibited both in the galleries and in the charming gardens. Simon collected 2,000 years worth of Hindu art, as well as works from Tibet, Nepal and Cambodia. In addition, there are works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Botticelli, Renoir, Van Gogh and many more. The bookstore has an outstanding collection of art books. See their website for further details.