Knott's Berry Farm, home to the Peanuts characters, has been a long-time favorite for families visiting the Orange County area. You'll find culturally-themed areas including Fiesta Village, Indian Trails and Independence Hall, where visitors get a look at the influence of these cultures on California life. There are also themed rides such as the Xcelerator and Montezooma's Revenge. Other areas such as The Boardwalk feature rides like Supreme Scream which, measuring in at an astounding 312 feet (95.098 meters), is the tallest structure in the county. Overall, if you're looking for something to please the kids (and maybe give yourself a rest), Knott's is a truly excellent choice. Operational hours vary from day to day, please check website for more details.
Spanning 58 acres (23 hectares), the Oak Canyon Nature Center is a beautiful oasis of nature in the city. The sanctuary, flanked by three canyons is home to a diverse array of animal and bird species. Well-marked hiking trails offer a great opportunity to discover the park's many wonders. Stop by at the John J. Collier Interpretive Center to learn more about the natural features and history of the place.
Disney's magic kingdom, Disneyland Park in Anaheim is the original theme park. A labor of love designed by Walt Disney himself, it is the only one of the franchises to have been built directly under his utmost care. Since its grand opening in 1955, this theme park has become renowned as a place where dreams come true, where ogres, dragons, and wizards roam, and where dazzling visions of the future get realized. Due to substantial growth and development throughout the years, this whimsical wonderland now includes eight playfully themed lands like Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown. Here, fairytale princesses and Mickey Mouse greet visitors of every age and welcome them into a world of thrilling experiences where magical lands come to life and where imagination knows no bounds.
Noble Ale Works is a microbrewery located right next to Angels Stadium. The tasting room is bedecked with Anaheim Angels paraphernalia, from banners to signed jerseys. At the tasting room, you can sample 12 beers on tap, most of them being their special seasonal beers, however, the regular year-round beers are available too. Beers on tap rotate often, so multiple trips can result in different experiences every time. With a commitment to quality and a laid-back vibe, Noble Ale Works is a must-visit destination for those looking to explore the local craft beer scene in Anaheim.
If you have long dreamed of piloting an airplane or a fighter jet, then a trip to Flightdeck Air Combat Center will be a dream come true. Offering simulations in F-16 fighter jets and Boeing 737-700s, visitors get to feel the rush of participating in air combat missions and aerial maneuvers. The center provides a hands-on, immersive experience where participants can engage in air combat missions, test their skills, and feel the adrenaline rush of aerial maneuvers. The friendly staff is well-equipped to prepare you for your first flight and answer any questions you may have before the simulation begins.
This beautiful park is more than a mile long and rests on 175 lush acres of land. With more than 400 picnic tables, this park is ideal for a family outing. There are four lakes with connecting streams for fishing and sailing model boats. There are plenty of pedestrian and biking trails for the more active visitors. For children, there are many sets of play equipment like slides and jungle gyms. This place opens daily at 7 am.
With more than ten tours, Guideline Tours is perhaps the largest in the area. Specific destinations include downtown, Malibu, Santa Monica, the Getty Center, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Queen Mary Seaport and more. Its most unique tour is Nightlife L.A. which visits Griffith Observatory, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Century City, and Melrose Avenue. Tour prices sometimes include admission to major theme parks and other attractions. Internet discounts are available. Tour times vary, so call for specific times and to make reservations, which are required.
The Robinson Memorial is fittingly located a few blocks from where the legendary athlete and trailblazer was born. After facing constant scrutiny by the community for being part of the only black family living in the area, Jackie Robinson went on to become a star athlete at Pasadena City College and UCLA. He eventually became the first African American in major league baseball and the rest, as they say is history. The memorial depicts the visages of both Jackie and his older brother Mack, who also contributed to the civil rights movement.
Considered by the Greene brothers as their best architectural achievement, the Robert R. Blacker House is a grand bungalow which was built in 1907 for 100,000 USD. In adjusted figures, that sum is even more impressive, especially since the owner of the house provided the lumber from his own company. In the 1980s, a Texan purchased the house and sold off a number of the furniture and other interior accoutrements designed by the Greene brothers, causing a scandal among Pasadena's preservationists. Although the home is a private residence, no tour of historic L.A. structures would be complete without catching at least a glimpse of it.
Downey History Center is an educational center that provides a wealth of historical information, preservation, education and research. Whether you are just curious about Downey's history or are a serious scholar, you will find everything you need. Resources include Downey newspapers dating from 1888, photographs dating from 1870, books and periodicals about Downey, Los Angeles County, California and more. There is also a lot of information on Downey's namesake, Governor John Gately Downey. Call ahead for varying days.
This museum presents wax figures of African American personalities. It also showcases the eras through authentic clothing, uniforms and artifacts. The museum has figures of Malcolm X, Muhammed Ali, Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Louis Armstrong and George Washington. It also presents cultural artifacts from the African world as well as black memorabilia from recent times.
Located on South Lake Avenue, The Commons can be better described as a meeting point for locals on the east of the Playhouse District. The charming venue offers a good range of unique services, stores and eateries like the Green Street Restaurant and more that are lined along its shady courtyard. It's a spot where you can combine work with a fine dining experience. Besides, the California Institute of Technology and the famous Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens lie a short distance away.