By Aurelio Locsin
Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles
America's capital of fun,
Los Angeles, boasts activities on land, water and in the air for travelers seeking out urban excitement and natural relaxation. A typical day can cost hundreds of dollars for a family at a theme park or next to nothing for a couple bringing their own picnic to the
beach. Note that the prices listed are current as of June 2009.
Long Beach Aquarium
Long Beach Aquarium
Check out more than 12,500 of L.A.'s underwater inhabitants in 19 major habitats, such as Shark Lagoon and the Tropical Pacific Gallery. The latter features the elusive weedy sea dragon; the aquarium was the first one in the world to breed its babies successfully. Visitors can also enjoy the antics of the California seals and sea lions, which are revealed through an underwater viewing tunnel. Admission is $24 for adults, though online ordering reduces that price.
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 590-3100
http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/
Waterfront Red Car Line
Waterfront Red Car Line
Before the dominance of the car, Los Angeles once boasted an extensive public transportation system with the Pacific Electric trolleys. You can ride the red wooden replicas of these 1909 rail cars on a 1 1/2-mile tourist line that connects the San Pedro cruise center with an outdoor mall, while passing by the Maritime Museum and Fisherman's Landing. A costumed conductor often adds colorful historical commentary. The rides run Fridays through Sundays and costs $1 for an all-day ticket.
(310) 732-3473
www.sanpedro.com/spcom/redcar.htm
Venice Boardwalk
Venice Beach personality
People-watching at the world-renown Oceanfront Walk offers your best introduction to Southern California's quirky personalities. Aspiring singers, bare-chested bodybuilders, voluptuous masseuses and international tourists all vie for your attention and sometimes your money. Go on the weekends when it's most crowded. Start from the corner of North Venice Boulevard and continue to Santa Monica Pier, two miles away.
Venice Beach
N. Venice Blvd and Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
www.venicebeach.com
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Wooden Japanese statue at LACMA
LACMA's more than 150,000 holdings span thousands of years of art history from all continents. The expected collections of European paintings and sculptures share galleries with the more unique exhibits: Meso-American statues, Japanese scrolls and African masks, to name a few. Special talks, music and movies are frequent, so call to see what's included in your ticket. General admission is $12 and the museum is closed on Wednesdays.
LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org
Los Angeles County Arboretum
Sweet Gum Tree at the L.A. County Arboretum
Take a break from urban chaos in this 127-acre oasis of flowers, trees, lakes and waterfalls depicting landscapes from five continents. Among the historical structures, you'll recognize the white Queen Anne House used on TV's "Fantasy Island." At least 232 species of birds call the grounds home including egrets and peacocks. Admission is $7 for adults with a helpful tram running $3 more.
Los Angeles County Arboretum
301 North Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 821-3222
www.arboretum.org
About the Author:
Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.
Photo Credits:
Wikimedia commons under GNU Free Documentation License, Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike.
