Built in Art Deco style, this observatory was constructed in the early 1930s and is a highlight among the landmarks in Southern California. See incredible light shows at the Oschin Planetarium, which puts to use the latest technology. Outside the observatory, you'll find sweeping views of the nearby area that are breathtaking during the day as well as at night. Exhibits and planetarium shows will fascinate visitors. Some visitors might recognize the observatory as the site where the climax of Rebel Without a Cause was filmed. On clear nights take advantage of the free public telescopes to see the stars up close.
Spread across 100,000 square feet (9290 square meters) of exhibition space, Peterson Automotive Museum is one of the world's largest automobile museums. From Porsche to Batman's iconic Batmobile, the museum has it all for ardent car fans. It also hosts year-round special exhibitions. Of special interest to families is the Children's Discovery Center, which offers hands-on interactive exhibits. Apart from cars, you will also find an impressive collection of motorcycles and trucks, which can be explored on an immersive guided tour of the museum.
This lavish pantheon of fame and glamor captured in wax is one of Hollywood’s crown jewels. Hailing from London, Madame Tussauds brings to Hollywood its world-class interactive viewing entertainment, great for all ages. Located on Hollywood Boulevard, just next to TCL Chinese Theatre, the museum is hard to miss due to its open-air façade with a few wax figures casually spilling out on the sidewalk. Come in and stroll the vast grounds populated with the rich and famous (as well as the infamous) and the beautiful and formidable. Whether it is shaking hands with President Obama or wrapping your arm around Mae West, you will be exhilarated by the lifelike, vivid portrayals and infinite photo ops.
This museum run by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is an important landmark in Little Tokyo. It is one of the three MOCA museums in the city. The spacious establishment has a gallery where exhibitions of renowned artists are hosted and a reading room stocking books. Opened in 1963, it offers more than 40, 000 square feet of exhibition space.
This spacious park is known for its sprawling lake tucked away in the San Fernando Valley. Jog or walk along the lakeside as you watch the graceful swans and ducks glide through the water or enjoy a leisurely picnic beneath the Japanese Cherry Blossom trees. A children's playground will keep the little ones entertained while dogs run around on the grassy area. Barbecues, picnic tables and shady areas make this park a family-friendly locale.
Located on the flood control basin of the Hansen Dam, Hansen Dam Recreation Area is an extensive recreational park. It features two artificial lakes - one for fishing and the other for swimming. The fishing lake also allows paddling and rowing. Both of these water bodies are manned by life guards. Picnic spots, equestrian, hiking and walking trails, a skate park, playground and restrooms are added amenities of this place.
Little Tokyo is the Japanese version of Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles. Covering 67 acres of land and a mere four blocks, the area may not be as famed as its Chinese counterpart, yet it manages to retain a fair share of tourists and locals who come here to shop, eat and even look for a place to live. Having survived quite a few hard times, the area is now abuzz with businesses, restaurants, shops and hotels. Quaint, 19th century homes add ambiance to the place. Exploration is best done by foot. Note that credit cards and open hours will vary by business, so call ahead before you visit.
Step into Blackout Haunted House and play out some of your darkest nightmares. Voted as one of the scariest attractions in the state, this house is certain to have you running for your life, as you dodge past several scary entities. Your worst fears are personified, with strategically placed props, characters, traps and pop-ups that work to scare the life out of you. Its labyrinth style, ghastly-clad actors, animatronics and eerie rooms are designed to cause a stir among audiences create a make-believe scare scene.
This museum run by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is an important landmark in Little Tokyo. It is one of the three MOCA museums in the city. The spacious establishment has a gallery where exhibitions of renowned artists are hosted and a reading room stocking books. Opened in 1963, it offers more than 40, 000 square feet of exhibition space.
Biddy Mason Memorial Park, as the name suggests is a quaint memorial park dedicated to the popular black right activist, philanthropist and nurse, Biddy Mason, who lived in Los Angeles during the early 19th Century. This memorial park comprises panels, placards and posters describing life-events of Biddy Mason in detail. Biddy Mason Memorial Park was built as an effort to educate today's generation about greatness and life works of Biddy Mason.
The James Irvine Japanese Garden, also known as Seiryu-en or Garden of The Clear Stream is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city. It is a mix of Eastern and Western landscaping styles and is located in a sub-ground level of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center. The garden was made possible by volunteer Japanese-American gardeners, landscape contractors and nurserymen. In 1981, it won the National Landscape Award presented by First Lady Nancy Reagan at the White House. The park is closed to the public when rented for special occasions. Stop by for a relaxing stroll and enjoy the beautiful landscaping and plants.
The Old Plaza Firehouse is a castellated brick building built in 1884 as a firehouse for the Los Angeles area. Nowadays, it is a museum showcasing firefighting equipment and interesting photos of different fire stations of the 19th century around the country. It is an interesting site if you are in the downtown area and want to do something different. Admission is free and guided tours are provided.