This Victorian mansion built in 1908 in the Hollywood Hills is home to the Academy of Magical Arts, an organization dedicated to the advancement of the art of magic. From showy stage magic to subtle card tricks, this organization knows it all. The purpose of the Academy is to advance the public awareness of the art of magic as well as to preserve its history, but only members and their guests can enter this institution. For exclusive members, the castle serves as a restaurant and entertainment venue as well as an educational facility. For people who secure coveted tickets, they can expect an unbelievable show, whether it be a kid-oriented brunch show or a more grown-up evening performance.
Like most functional lighthouses, this one enjoys a beautiful location by the sea. Open to the public on the second Saturday of each month, Point Vicente Lighthouse and its little museum are quite the center of activity as tourists, sightseers and families head over for a day out. Its serene location in West Rancho Palos Verdes makes it a hit with professional photographers as well. The point marked history in 1790, when it was named by Captain George Vancouver for his friend, Friar Vicente. Standing 67 feet tall (20 meters), it is allegedly one of the brightest beacons in the area, and boasts of radio navigation and automated equipment of modern times. A mysterious "Lady of the Light"-a woman who fell off the cliffs as she waited for her lover one misty night-is said to prowl the premises on occasion.
Endeavour is a retired space shuttle housed in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion at California Science Museum. It is a retired orbiter that first flew out in May 1992 and last in May 2011, completing 25 missions while it served as a space shuttle. The exhibit starts with Endeavour Together: Parts & People, where you can observe artifacts such as its tires, burners as well as the external tank. You are then directed to the main site, where the enthralling space shuttle is displayed. The images and infographics educate you about the NASA space program and the journey through the city, as a part of its installation at the Samuel Oschin Pavilion. Though you can not enter the shuttle, you can tour the interiors through a live stream on the infotainment. Endeavour has been a crucial part of the American space programs and its presence is a surreal sight to witness.
More like its name, Ferndell is not exactly a museum, but a beautiful trail leading to the Griffith Observatory. Once home to the Tongva/Gabrielino tribe, the trail has a natural spring and various planned installations of bridges and railings. Foliage including ferns, create a bubble of clean air and a peaceful environment not away from the city. The natural stream provides the trees and plants with water as it flows through the hill accompanying the trail. Besides the flora, turtles, large koi fish, crayfish, butterflies and dragonflies add to the beauty of the trail. The trail also features waterfalls, ponds and bamboo bridges which were added during its transformation to create an atmosphere similar to that of a rainforest. The lush green plantation attracts many locals and tourists for an elevated trail rather than simply driving up to the Griffith Observatory. Locals can be spotted taking a jog or hiking up accompanied by their little ones for a fun day out. The collective display of nature and wildlife is equivalent to an interactive museum exhibit that must not be missed.