Disneyland, Anaheim. The world famous Magic Kingdom, home of Mickey Mouse, is a premier theme park designed for children.

(714) 781-4565.

 

Knott's Theme Park, Buena Park. Old West theme park with over 150 rides and attractions.

(714) 220-5200.

 

Six Flags Magic Mountain, on I-5, Santa Clarita. Large, nicely landscaped amusement park with some of the largest and fastest roller coasters in the world. There are rides for children of all ages.
(805) 255-4123.

Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Huge urban park, Los Angeles Zoo.
(323) 913-4688

Getty Center, off of Hwy 405, Los Angeles. The art collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum is housed in this hilltop complex with its own dedicated tram.
(310) 440-7300.

Los Angles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles.  
(323)857-6000

Olvera Street, Downtown Los Angeles. Mexican marketplace.

La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles.  Ice-age fossil pit and museum.
(323)934-7243.

Crystal Cove State Beach, 4 miles northwest of Laguna Beach. Hiking trails connect beachfront to wooded hills.
(714) 644-3044.

Doheny State Beach, 4 miles south of Laguna Beach. Popular, calm beach protected by a jetty.
(714) 496-6171.

Hermosa City Beach, Hermosa Beach. Two mile beach with a long pier and a bike trail.

Huntington City and State Beaches. A Mecca for surfers. Visit the International Surf Museum.

Newport Beach. Lively, popular beach area with two piers.
(714) 644-3044 Newport Beach Marine Department.

San Clemente City and State Beaches. Spanish-style town has two fine beaches. (714) 496-6171.

Seal Beach. Charming, small town with popular surfing beach.

Malibu Creek State Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Beach and hiking access. Great for wildflower and bird sightings in the spring.

Santa Monica Museum of Flying, Santa Monica. Dedicated to the history of aviation, the displays include more than 40 vintage aircraft.
(805) 392-8822.

Ventura County Maritime Museum, Oxnard. Changing exhibits on the history of sailing.
(805) 984-6260. Close Mon. & Tues.

Avalon. Charming mile-square town of Spanish-inspired architecture on Catalina Island.
(310) 510-1520 Catalina Island Visitors Bureau.

Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach.
(562) 590-3100

Ports O' Call Village, Los Angeles Harbor. Colorful shopping and dining complex. (310) 831-0287.

Queen Mary, Long Beach. One of the largest luxury passenger liners ever built; retired Art Deco ship was launched in 1934. Guided tours. (562) 435-3511.

Balboa Island. Community offers a pleasant walk past fine homes along Newport Bay. Ferry connects the island to Balboa.
(714) 729-4400.

Laguna Beach. Architecturally eclectic coastal artist colony.
(714) 497-9229, (800) 877-1115 Visitor Information Center.

Naples Island. Riviera-like villas and delightful shops make this island enclave district of Long Beach enchanting.

Point Mugu State Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Coastal park with variety of outdoor sports: hiking, swimming, biking, and fishing. (818) 880-0350.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, along Hwy 1 between Santa Monica and Point Mugu. Numerous state beaches and parks; scenic spots for hiking, whalewatching and outdoor recreation opportunities.
(818) 597-9192 ext 201.

San Bernardino National Forest. More than 650,000 acres northeast of the Los Angeles Basin. Includes the Cucamonga, San Gorgonio, San Jacinto and Santa Rosa wilderness areas. Has Joshua trees and off highway vehicle areas.
(909) 383-5588.

San Gabriel Wilderness, off Hwy 2, northeast of La Cañada Flintridge. 36,000 rugged acres of pine, spruce, willow and alder.
(626) 790-1151 Arroyo Seco Ranger District.

Will Rogers State Historic Park, Pacific Palisades. Former ranch home of humorist called "Cowboy Philosopher." Good hiking trails, especially Inspiration Point Trail.
(310) 454-8212.

Mission Inn, Riverside. In Spanish-style downtown, this impressive castle-like structure includes many features copied from European architecture and California Missions. Tour reservation preferred.
(909) 788-9556.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens, 1500 N. College Ave, Claremont. California native plants displayed in 86 acres. (909) 625-8767.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda. Official library with replica of Lincoln Sitting Room.
(714) 993-3393.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley. Exhibits include items from Reagan's life and a full-size reproduction of the Oval Office.
(805) 522-8444, (800) 410-8354.

The Pond, Anaheim. Sports arena; home of the NHL Mighty Ducks.

Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim. Home of baseball's California Angels.

Albinger Archaeological Museum, Ventura. Historic site and museum chronicling area's native Californians, Spanish-Mexican and Chinese immigrants.
(805) 648-5823.

Asistencia de San Bernardino, 26930 Barton Rd., Redlands. Built as a branch of Mission San Gabriel. Restored in 1930s as a WPA project.
(909) 793-5402.

Mission San Fernando Rey de España, 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Mission Hills. Monastery is largest mission building in California. Church, destroyed in 1971 earthquake, has been rebuilt.
(818) 361-0186.

Mission San Juan Capistrano, corner of Ortega Hwy and Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Famous for its returning swallows (March 19) and wonderful garden setting.
(714) 248-2048.