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Sample Lists - Top 10 Guide to Los Angeles
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The Top 10 Art and Natural History Museums
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| 1. J. Paul Getty |
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu.
Tel: 310/458-2004. Closed Mondays. |
| A beautiful new building compliments the eclectic collection. Established and endowed by the wealthy oil baron J. Paul Getty, it has a spending (buying) budget of $60 million a year. With that budget it collects some of the most famous and beautiful artwork in the world.,Famous pieces include The Victorious Athlete, Van Gogh's Irises, Titian's Venus and Adonis, Andrea Mantegna's Adoration of the Magi, and the Kouros. Call and get a parking reservation at least a week in advance (often much earlier, especially in peak seasons); drive-ins are not permitted. |
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| 2. LA County Museum of Art |
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Tel: 213/857-6111 or 213/857-6000 (recording). Closed Monday-Tuesday, admission is free. |
| The Japanese Pavilion is the highlight, including one of the best collections of Japanese Edo paintings in the world. Other notables include John Singer Sargent's Portrait of Mrs. Edward L. Davis and her son, Livingston Davis (1890). |
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| 3. Rancho La Brea Tar Pits/George C. Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries |
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Hancock Park, LA.
Tel: 213/857-6311. Closed Mondays. 2nd Tuesday of the month admission is free. |
| Witness pits of hot tar that have been bubbling for over 40,000 years, filled with thousands of animals of all sizes that went in for a drink and got stuck. The best dinosaurs are displayed in the museum. The pits are free but open only on weekends. |
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| 4. Museum of Contemporary Art |
250 S. Grand Ave. and 152 N. Central Ave.
Tel: 213/621-2766. Closed Mondays. |
| Modern art from 1940 to now; it's composed of 2 buildings in same neighborhood but not close enough to walk. |
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| 5. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County |
900 Exposition Blvd.
Tel: 213/744-3466. Closed Mondays. 1st Tuesday of month admission is free. |
| Includes the world's rarest shark, a walk-through vault of rare gems, and an Insect Zoo. |
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| 6. The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art |
2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana.
Tel: 714/567-3600. Closed Mondays. |
| A museum of California history. The Kidseum is the only hands-on culture-art kids museum in the US. |
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| 7. Laguna Art Museum |
307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach.
Tel: 714/494-8971. Closed Mondays. |
| Orange County's first and oldest cultural institution has been displaying American and especially Californian art for over 80 years. |
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| 8. Craft & Folk Art Museum |
5800 Wilshire Blvd. (at Curson Ave.)
Tel: 213/937-5544 or 213/243-0469. Closed Mondays. |
| A 1965 a little restaurant/gallery called the Egg and the Eye started a small arts and crafts exhibitions along with food. The restaurant is gone but museum has kept growing and now includes folk objects from around the world. |
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| 9. Newport Harbor Art Museum |
850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach.
Tel: 949/759-1122 |
| Displaying Californian art for 35 years. |
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| 10. UCLA/Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center |
10899 Wilshire Blvd. (in Westwood Village).
Tel: 310/443-7000. |
| In 1990, this museum was created by the former Chairman/CEO of Occidental Petroleum and the art follows his tastes: traditional Western (especially 19th century). |
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The Top 10 Theme Parks
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| 1. Disneyland |
Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim.
Tel: 714/781-4560. |
| The Mecca for the American family is still the "happiest place on earth" for kids of all ages. |
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| 2. Universal Studios Hollywood |
Universal City Plaza, Universal City.
Tel: 818/622-3801. |
| Rides and shows that let you, as their slogan goes, "Ride the movies." Especially popular with European and other foreign tourists. |
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| 3. Knott's Berry Farm |
8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park.
Tel: 714/220-5200. |
| Good food and fun mixed with a little history. Be sure to dine at the Knott's Chicken Dinner Family Restaurant where it all started. |
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| 4. Six Flags Magic Mountain |
Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia.
Tel: 818/367-5965 or 818/992-0884. |
| Enough rollercoasters to satisfy the most avid thrill-seeker. |
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| 5. Hurricane Harbor |
Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia.
Tel: 805/255-4111 or 805/255-4100. |
| Hurricane Harbor is the water park adjacent to Magic Mountain-a perfect way to cool off from the hot inland sun. Joint passes to the water park and theme park are available. |
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| 6. Raging Waters |
Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas.
Tel: 909/592-6453. |
| The largest water park in the area, you won't be able to do everything in just one day! |
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| 7. Legoland |
1000 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad.
Tel: 760/918-5346. |
| The newest theme park in town features over 30 million Legos creating rides and amazing miniatures-a manageable park that's great for kids. |
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| 8.Wild Rivers |
8770 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine.
Tel: 714/768-WILD |
| Orange County's favorite water park-big enough for variety, small enough for manageability. |
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| 9.The Fun Zone (Balboa) |
400 E. Bay Street, Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach.
Tel: 714/ 673-0408. |
| An old-fashioned amusement area, the Fun Zone won't occupy you all day but you could spend an afternoon strolling the boardwalk, riding the Ferris Wheel and bumper cars, and browsing the souvenir shops. |
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| 10.Los Angeles Zoo |
5333 Zoo Drive, LA.
Tel: 323/644-6400 or 323/644-6000. |
| Animals galore will keep you entertained for hours. Not as big as its more famous cousin in San Diego, but still impressive. |
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The Top 10 Attractions at Disneyland for Small Children
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| 1. Toon Town |
| Toon Town |
| Meet Mickey and Minnie and check out their houses, explore the wacky shops around town, and be sure to take a ride on Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin-it's the Teacups meet Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. |
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| 2. Tom Sawyers Island |
| Frontierland |
| Get back to nature with a raft trip over to Tom Sawyer's Island. Kids will love to explore the caves and traverse the suspension bridges. Parents will welcome the chance to sit in the shade. |
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| 3. Peter Pan |
| Fantasyland |
| Five attractions surrounding King Arthur's Carousel let guests experience classic Disney tales along with their favorite characters. Peter Pan is by far the best-all ages will enjoy flying high in the sky in a Pirate Ship. Some very small children may be frightened by being off the ground. |
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| 4. Alice in Wonderland |
| Fantasyland |
| Climb into a multi-colored caterpillar and follow Alice down the Rabbit Hole and on all her exciting adventures in Wonderland. |
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| 5. Dumbo |
| Fantasyland |
| Every child's favorite turns out to be very simple-elephants that fly around a central post, moving up and down as the pilot adjusts the lever. |
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| 6. Small World |
| Fantasyland |
| No visit to Disneyland would be complete without a ride on this classic. The line may look long, but it moves very quickly. You will, however, have the song in your head for the rest of the day! |
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| 7. King Arthur's Carousel |
| Fantasyland |
| This 100-year-old Carousel features an array of beautiful horses-no two alike. Disney tunes play as your horse gallops along. |
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| 8. Autopia |
| Fantasyland and Tomorrowland |
| This ride is so popular that they had to build two! Both offer your child a chance to get behind the wheel and take over the freeway (adults are welcome too). Kids under 7 years and 52 inches can't drive by themselves and passengers must be at least 1 year old. |
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| 9. Jungle Cruise |
| Adventureland |
| Brave the wilds of Africa in a calm safari boat piloted by a wisecracking adventurer. Kids will love the animals on the banks and the corny jokes. |
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| 10. Storybook Land Canal Boats |
| Fantasyland |
| An often-missed attraction, Storybook Land is a tranquil boat ride through banks filled with miniature plants and houses from all your favorite Disney movies. Really quite amazing. |
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The Top 10 Restaurants to Spot Celebrities
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| Unfortunately, most of the best places to see stars also have astronomical price tags. If you can't afford dinner, go for a cocktail. |
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| 1. Matsuhisa (expensive) |
129 N. La Cienega Blvd. (north of Wilshire Blvd.), Beverly Hills.
Tel: 310/659-9639. Japanese/Peruvian. |
| Known for creative combinations, excellent fish, and a tiny and always crowded dining room. |
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| 2. The Ivy (expensive) |
133 N. Robertson Blvd. (between 3rd St. and Beverly Blvd.), West Hollywood.
Tel: 310/274-8303. American. |
| Snobby and popular in the industry-opportunities for stargazing. Flowers everywhere and great food. |
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| 3. Maple Drive (expensive) |
345 N. Maple Dr. (at Alden Dr.), Beverly Hills.
Tel: 310/274-9800. American. |
| Owned by the same people as 72 Market Street in Venice: Liza Minelli, Dudley Moore, and Tony Bill. Popular as a discreet place for big stars to escape attention and known for great American classics and hot jazz. |
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| 4. Morton's (expensive) |
8764 Melrose Ave. (east of Santa Monica Blvd.), West Hollywood.
Tel: 310/276-5205. Californian. |
| The Monday night spot for stars; owned by Peter Morton, father of the Hard Rock Café. |
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| 5. Drai's (expensive) |
730 La Cienega Blvd. (between Melrose Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd.), West Hollywood.
Tel: 310/358-8585. Classic French. |
| All the attitude and exclusivity you'd want in a French restaurant. A trendy place to be, especially on Monday nights. |
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| 6. Eclipse |
8800 Melrose Ave. (at Robertson Blvd.), West Hollywood.
Tel: 310/724-5959. California. |
| Backed by Steven Seagal and Whoopi Goldberg, a great place to star gaze (especially Monday and Tuesdays)-but make reservations a month in advance. Plus great food. |
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| 7. Le Dome Restaurant (expensive) |
8720 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood.
Tel: 310/659-6919. French. |
| Great food and service-huge circular bar popular with stars as a place to meet mates. |
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| 8. Chasen's (expensive) |
246 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills.
Tel: 310/858-1200. American/Continental. |
| A new owner has completely revamped this institution-now it's a '40s-style supper club which is drawing celebs in again. |
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| 9. Benvenuto (moderate) |
8512 Santa Monica Blvd. (at N. La Cienega Blvd.), West Hollywood.
Tel: 310/659-8635. Italian. |
| It used to be a recording studio for Jim Morrison and The Doors; now it serves great Italian food and is a popular late-night spot for celebs (A favorite of Madonna). |
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| 10. Madeo (expensive) |
8897 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood.
Tel: 310/859-4903. Italian. |
| Authentic Italian food and a tucked-away, below-street-level spot make it popular with celebs. |
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The Top 10 Things to Do with Kids
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| 1. Disneyland |
| If you have kids, you probably don't have much of a choice-go enjoy yourself in the land of Mickey; there really is nothing else quite like it. |
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| 2. Beach |
| Spend some time outdoors; pick a beach and be sure to remember the sand toys and sunscreen. |
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| 3. Olvera Street |
At the heart of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Park, 125 Paseo de la Plaza.
Tel: 213/628-1274. Closed Sundays. |
| On the oldest street in LA, you can taste authentic Mexican food, buy a piñata, listen to a Mariachi band, and browse the colorful shops and booths. Enough color and excitement to keep kids interested. |
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| 4. Hollywood |
| Visit the Hollywood hotspots-all ages enjoy ogling for stars! (And check out Universal Studios for a fun theme park version). |
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| 5. Griffith Park |
Vermont Ave., North of Los Feliz Blvd., LA.
Tel: 213/665-5188. |
| Find some grass among the concrete. LA's huge public park includes an Observatory and Planetarium, the Greek Theater for top pop-music concerts, a bird sanctuary and Travel Town-a free outdoor museum with antique trains. Not to mention pony rides, a carousel, and lots of athletic and picnic areas. |
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| 6. Theme Parks |
| Besides Disneyland, there are a plethora of quality theme parks in the LA area-check out Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, or the new Legoland. And don't forget the water parks to keep 'em cool in the California heat. |
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| 7. Racehorses |
Santa Anita Race Track
Tel: 818/574-7223. |
| If you're an early riser, you can watch the thoroughbreds practice (for free) from 7:30-9:30 am. Free tram rides with guides will take you around the park on weekends. |
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| 8. LA Times |
202 W. First St., across from City Hall.
Tel: 800/528-4637 or 213/237-5757. |
| Get a tour of how the nation's biggest newspaper gets put together-daily and free. |
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| 9. Theater |
| Many area theaters have special kids' programs and there are children's theater (by-kids, for-kids) all over. Or broaden their horizons with some classical music or opera. |
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| 10. LA Children's Museum |
310 North Main St., at Temple St., Downtown.
Tel: 213/687-8801 or 213/687-8800 (recorded info). Closed Mondays; Saturdays and Sundays open by reservation only. |
| Lots of interactive fun for kids-record a song, make a TV show, learn about recycling and more. Also check out the Kidspace Museum (818/449-9143), Bowers Kidseum, and the La Brea Tar Pits. |
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