In today’s blog, Wendy Mueller, our 2014 Patricia Perkins Service Award Winner and a Southern California resident, offers some tips and recommendations of things to see and do while you are in the Los Angeles area for the 21st Annual OCD Conference this weekend. We also have a list of area attractions and special discounts for conference attendees on our website here.
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Los Angeles has nearly endless entertainment destinations for whatever you might be looking for, from amusement parks to art museums to botanical gardens to movie studio tours to beaches, boardwalks, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
View the actual Space Shuttle Endeavor at the California Science Center. Stroll or skate along the famous Venice Beach boardwalk. Walk along the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Explore California history at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Or visit Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth. The following is a list of some of the fun and interesting things to do in the Los Angeles and Orange County area.
LOS ANGELES:
*In the downtown area:
Grand Performances free events start in June:
http://www.grandperformances.org/calendar/2014-season-overview/
Grand Park is fun to visit, whether there’s an event happening or not:
http://grandparkla.org/
http://grandparkla.org/calendar/
The entire rooftop of the Walt Disney Concert Hall is a multi-level park, with trees, an amphitheater, a giant mosaic fountain, great views, and a close-up perspective on the construction of our downtown music landmark:
http://www.disneyhall.org/visit/Getting-Here-and-Around/Driving-Directions/
There’s the MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art):
http://moca.org/
LA Live, an entertainment complex of restaurants, theaters, etc., adjacent to Staples Center:
http://www.lalive.com/
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*Mid-city:
The La Brea Tar Pits:
http://www.tarpits.org/
Los Angeles County Museum of Art:
http://www.lacma.org/
Hollywood Star Walk of Fame:
http://www.walkoffame.com/
Hollywood/Highland complex:
http://hollywoodandhighland.com/
The famous 3rd Street Farmers Market (and the Grove, outdoor mall) — at 3rd and Fairfax:
http://www.farmersmarketla.com/
The Magic Castle:
http://magiccastle.com/visiting/index.cfm
California Science Center, home of the Space Shuttle Endeavor:
http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/
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*On the west side:
All kinds of rides and games and places to eat at the Santa Monica Pier:
http://santamonicapier.org/
The famous Venice Beach boardwalk:
http://venicebeach.com/
The Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is a popular pedestrian activity:
http://www.downtownsm.com/
Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills is actually a city park — fun to visit the grounds. Many movies were shot there:
http://www.beverlyhills.org/exploring/greystoneparkmansion/?NFR=1
Will Rogers State Historic Park:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=25104
Temescal Canyon is a fun hike, not too difficult, with waterfalls:
http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=58
http://www.yelp.com/biz/temescal-canyon-gateway-park-pacific-palisades
The Getty Museum:
http://www.getty.edu/
*On the east side:
Echo Park Lake has pedal boats, cafe, walkways and places to sit all around, many ducks and plant life:
http://www.echoparklake.org/english/index.htm
Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park are fun to explore — be sure to check out The Trails cafe in the park:
http://www.griffithobservatory.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-trails-los-angeles
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens:
http://lazoo.org/
Golden Road is one of L.A.’s bigger breweries/restaurants (with a fun outdoor space, including giant Connect 4, giant Jenga, and other games):
http://www.goldenroad.la/
Explore Downtown L.A.’s fashion district — people watching, plus deals to be had:
http://fashiondistrict.org/
*On the north side:
Universal City Walk
http://www.citywalkhollywood.com/
Universal Studios amusement park:
http://www.universalstudios.com/
Warner Brothers Studio tour:
http://vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com/
Huntington gardens, library, art, San Marino, CA:
http://www.huntington.org/
*South:
Redondo Beach:
http://www.redondo.org/default.asp
Long Beach:
http://www.visitlongbeach.com/attractions/
*Public Transportation
Depending on where you are staying during your visit, you may want to try using the Metro light rail system to get around. Trains now reach as far west as Culver City, via the Expo Line:
http://www.metro.net/riding/fares/
http://www.metro.net/projects/exposition/
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Orange County (south of Los Angeles County):
Orange County is home to a number of amusement parks, including Disneyland! These destinations are best reached via car.
North Orange County:
Disneyland and California Adventure Amusement Parks, Anaheim, CA:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/
Downtown Disney entertainment complex:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney-district/
Knotts Berry Farm amusement park, Buena Park, CA:
https://www.knotts.com/
Medieval Times Dinner Theatre, Buena Park, CA:
http://www.medievaltimes.com/buenapark.aspx
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum:
http://www.nixonlibrary.gov/
Central Orange County:
Huntington Beach – expansive beaches, surfing, shops, restaurants, famous pier:
http://www.huntingtonbeachevents.com/
Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana, CA:
http://www.discoverycube.org/
South Orange County:
Mission San Juan Capistrano:
http://www.missionsjc.com/
Laguna Beach, scenic views, art galleries, beaches, quaint shops:
http://www.lagunabeach.com/
Newport Beach/Balboa Peninsula:
http://www.visitnewportbeach.com/vacations/balboa-peninsula/
South Coast Plaza shopping mall, a shopper’s paradise:
http://www.southcoastplaza.com/
Have fun exploring Los Angeles and Orange County! – Wendy
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