Photo of Los Angeles sunrise by The Aerial Photographer

Activities Near LAX Click Here

Adventures by Bus - (Experience LA) - Maps and sightseeing information along various public transportation routes in Los Angeles. Experience LA is a public service provided by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and their partners.

Alpine Village - Shopping, Dining, Home of the Oktoberfest in Torrance.

Amusement Park Links Click Here

Beverly Hills - In the Visitors section: Cultural Events, Activities and Tours. Also, links to Municipal Gallery, Beverly Hills Symphony, seasonal events, Farmers' Market, Trolley Tours, more.

Bunker Hill / Historic Core Angels Walk - Experience the dreams in the L.A. that exists today, in an L.A. that thrived almost a century ago and in an L.A. that existed only in imagination. You'll see a Victorian's view of what a futuristic building would look like in the year 2000 and its splendors will take your breath away [Downtown LA].

Catalina Island - Shopping, Water Recreation, Boat Tours, Hiking.

Chinatown - see Old Chinatown Plaza, below.

Churches and Missions - Religious buildings which are also popular tourist destinations [city wide].

Descanso Gardens - a 160-acre public garden located twenty minutes from downtown Los Angeles in La Canada/Flintridge [northern San Fernando Valley].

Disneyland - see Amusement Parks Links above.

Dodger Stadium Tours - The Championship Tour gives fans an opportunity to view Dodger Stadium in a way only the players do. This behind-the-scenes tour lets fans visit restricted areas and view the ballpark from a whole new perspective. Located in Chavez Ravine, Dodger Stadium is one of baseball's most historic stadiums. (Available only through September 27)

Downtown Disney - Shopping, Theatres, Restaurants, Entertainment. No admission required; free parking; open 8AM to 2AM.

Farmers Market (photo by PDPhoto.org)

Farmers Market (Original) - see Original Farmers Market below.

Farmers Markets in or near Los Angeles - There are dozens of Farmers Market venues in the LA area, including the Original Farmers Market (see below). Follow the link to find a comprehensive list of local farmers markets.

Free Activities - Free and low-cost activities in and around Los Angeles.

Ghost Towns - Information on ghost towns in the U.S., listed by state. Includes biographies, pictures, and other details [state wide].

Goodyear Blimp - The Spirit of America is stationed at Goodyear's airfield in Redondo Beach. Rides on the Goodyear blimps are available at the invitation of the company only. Most of the riders are Goodyear customers, winners of local charity auctions, local dignitaries, or members of the press [various areas of LA].

Golf Courses - A map of the LA County Parks golf system, offering affordable green fees, discount programs for seniors and students and a junior golf program. [city wide].

Griffith Observatory - A major Los Angeles landmark since 1935. It is visited by nearly two million people each year end ranks seventh on the list of major tourist attractions of Southern California. It sits on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood where it commands a stunning view of the Los Angeles basin below. Thousands of people enjoy the view from its balconies, especially at night [near Hollywood].

Griffith Park - includes Griffith Park, Autry Museum, Greek Theatre, Griffith Observatory, LA Equestrian Center, LA Zoo, Travel Town, LA Live Steamers, Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, Griffith Park, Southern Railroad, Pony Ride, Bike Rentals, Banquet and Group Picnic reservations, Calendar of events [near Hollywood].

Hollywood - Hollywood still attracts millions of visitors each year who travel there to pay homage to their favorite stars and perhaps even catch a glimpse of a few famous personalities. Sometimes they're lucky! Hollywood Links Click Here

Knott's Berry Farm - see Amusement Parks Links above.

La Brea Tar Pits - Many of the permanent exhibits are designed with children in mind: children are invited to test their strength against the pull of asphalt, and touch a massive leg bone of an extinct giant ground sloth. Through windows at the Fossil Preparation Laboratory, visitors can watch bones being cleaned and repaired. Outside the museum, the 23-acre of Hancock Park features observation pits and life replicas of some of the extinct mammals. The park is landscaped to include plants that were present during the last Ice Age. Every summer (July-August) visitors can watch the annual excavation of fossils.

Laserium - Limited shows are available in Van Nuys. Due to open in Long Beach, summer 2007.

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden - Good for days when you're hoping for a slow pace, this large and attractive arboretum boasts beautiful plants and trees but your children will probably remember the ducks and peacocks that make their home here. (Don't let them chase the peacocks; they can get nasty.) Strollers are highly visible here as parents push their toddlers and pre-schoolers down wide paths and through acres of greenery. There's also a lake, a cafe, and a few historic houses. (If you're old enough to remember the 1970s-80s television show Fantasy Island, you'll recognize one of the structures - the Queen Anne mansion - from the opening scenes of the show.) It's best to visit the arboretum and gardens in the cooler weather or in the early morning as there is little shade.

Los Angeles Zoo - Hours, history, management, location, prices, and general Zoo information. (Related: see the Outside of LA links for the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park links.)

Malls and Shopping Centers - Malls, Shopping Centers, Open-Air Markets.

Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden - Located on the beautiful campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), this garden maintains one of the most important living botanical collections in the United States, with plant specimens from all over the world. Our seven-acre garden is frost-free and therefore can exhibit many different species of tropical and subtropical plants. Approximately 5000 species in 225 families are growing here outdoors.

Movieland Wax Museum - Buena Park - now Closed. This website provides a nice overview of the former museum.

Mulholland Drive - Scenic views of Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley. Driving directions.

Museums - Art and cultural museums in Los Angeles and Southern California

Nature Centers - Nature centers, parks and natural areas.

Old Chinatown Plaza - One of the oldest plazas dating back to June of 1938. Beautiful Chinese arches beckon the visitor to step into a traditional Chinese environment. On the long list of items favored by visitors and residents alike, the following are probably the leading choices; craft items of porcelain, wood and jade, paintings, art, art supplies, herbs, teas, pastries, books, and restaurants. The Chinatown Farmers' Market takes place every Thursday from 3PM to 7PM.

Olvera Street - Contains 27 historic buildings, a traditional Mexican style plaza area, where you can wander around, shop for souvenirs and handcrafted Mexican wares typical of old Mexico. This website has Olvera Street History, Events, featured merchants, Latinos in Hollywood, how to get there.

Original Farmers Market - The original Los Angeles Farmers Market - International cuisine, wide range of gifts from around the world, regularly scheduled special events for the family and outdoor flavor, not to mention the freshest and finest meats, poultry, seafood, produce and flowers in all of Los Angeles. Directory of shops, news and events, history of the Farmers Market, facts, etc. Adjacent to the Grove shopping district. [between Hollywood and West LA]

Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles - Schedules, Online ticket sales. Formerly known as The Music Center, Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, which opened in 1964, reaches more than four million people each year and is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Center Theatre Group (the Mark Taper and the Ahmanson Theatre), the Los Angeles Opera and the Los Angeles Master Chorale as well as special events. The downtown Los Angeles complex includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum, the newly renovated Ahmanson Theatre and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Ports O' Call Village - This authentic New England-style seaside village encompasses 15 acres of shops, restaurants and attractions. A meandering promenade of cobblestone streets connects the specialty shops. The shops feature items and gifts from around the world. Enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants overlooking the harbor. Don't hesitate to wave to passengers on the cruise liners, passing so close that they dwarf the village.

Queen Mary - Daily tours. The Queen Mary features an on-board hotel, an elaborate Champagne Sunday Brunch, a variety of restaurants, a wedding chapel and 16 Art Deco reception salons for private celebrations.

Rancho Los Alamitos - The 7.5 acres are comprised of six agricultural buildings (including a working blacksmith shop), four acres of award-winning gardens, and a sprawling adobe ranch house (built c.1800). The barns area is home to a number of farm animals such as draft horses, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens - Located on 86 acres in Claremont, just south of the San Gabriel foothills, the Garden is home to 70,000 native Californian plants, representing 2,000 native species, hybrids and cultivars. Each season the Garden showcases the incredible wealth and diversity of our state's treasure of native plants.

Red Line Tours - Red Line Tours is LA's only daily operating walking tour company. They offer "edutainment" sightseeing tours of Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles that take you inside the famous landmarks and let you discover the hidden treasures of America's second largest city. In addition, Red Line Tours creates customized single-day and multi-day programs for schools all over the United States and the world.

Redondo Beach Int'l Boardwalk - The Boardwalk has restaurants and bars, curio shops, and more.

Rose Parade - see Tournament of Roses Parade, below.

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica - Enjoy ocean views, dining on the Pier, carnival games and rides at Pacific Park. Browse shops and watch street performers at the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place.

Shoreline Village - Long Beach - Dining, Shopping and Attractions.

Shopping Malls - See Malls and Shopping Centers above.

Third Street Promenade - An exciting open-air pedestrian street pulsates with an international mix of people enjoying an eclectic blend of restaurants, unique retail shops, movie theatres and nightclubs. The best in dining, shopping, entertainment and a non-stop kaleidoscope of street performers combine to make Downtown Santa Monica and the Third Street Promenade a favorite destination for visitors and residents alike.

Tournament of Roses Parade - The Rose Parade will held on Tuesday, January 1, 2008. Over one million spectators will attend, traveling to Pasadena from the Los Angeles area, across the United States and all over the world.

TV Studios and Show Tickets - Find out how to attend TV talk shows and game shows. Movie studio tours and attractions.

Universal Citywalk - Outdoor mall lined with shops and restaurants, plus easy access to Universal Studios theme park or Universal Amphitheatre.

Universal Studios - see Amusement Parks Links above.

Venice Beach Boardwalk - Shopping, Arts, Artists, Performers and other fun things to do, within walking distance of the beach.

Whale Watching - Newport Landing provides multiple whale watching tours, departing daily from Newport Beach between December 26th and April 30th, which coincides with the prime Grey Whale migration period. Newport Landing is centrally located in Orange County, minutes from Los Angeles. Newport Landing is ideally positioned to take advantage of the annual Grey whale migration, which brings hundreds of Grey Whales along the Laguna Beach coastline and within minutes of Newport Harbor. Along with viewing Grey Whales you can expect to see dolphins, sea lions, and marine birds. Killer whales, sharks, and many other marine creatures may also be observed.

Wilshire Boulevard - The boulevard spans 15.8 miles from Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. to Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Take a journey down one of LA's most fascinating streets. An interactive map allows you to select points of interest along Wilshire Blvd so you can read details and view photos. Also includes MTA bus stop info. Related: Experience LA's bus tour of Wilshire Blvd.