Table of Contents: The Aquaruim of the Pacific, The Huntington, The Getty, LACMA, Griffith Observatory, LA Zoo, The Arboretum, MOCA, The Natural History Museum, South Coast Botanic Garden, Fullerton Arboretum

The Aquarium of the Pacific is the fourth largest aquarium in the nation. It displays over 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits that represent the diversity of the Pacific Ocean. Each year more than 1.5 million people visit the Aquarium. Beyond its world-class animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. Through these programs and a variety of multimedia experiences, the Aquarium provides opportunities to delve deeper into the ocean and learn more about our planet. The Aquarium of the Pacific has redefined the modern aquarium. It is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and a place where important topics facing our planet and our ocean are explored by scientists, policy-makers and stakeholders in the search for sustainable solutions.

 

The Aquarium of the Pacific was the first among museums, zoos, and aquariums in the nation to register its greenhouse gases and is a leader in green practices, including its LEED platinum Watershed classroom and its commitment to grow without increasing its carbon footprint. In 2009 the Aquarium was awarded the Super Nova Star Award by the Alliance to Save Energy for being the nation’s most energy-efficient business with revenues under $50 million. It was proud to partner with the Pacific Life Foundation to launch Seafood for the Future in 2009.

 

Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

 

 

With 100,000 objects dating from ancient times to the present, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States. A museum of international stature as well as a vital part of Southern California, LACMA shares its vast collections through exhibitions, public programs, and research facilities that attract nearly a million visitors annually.

 

LACMA’s seven-building complex is located on twenty acres in the heart of Los Angeles, halfway between the ocean and downtown. The campus is undergoing a ten-year expansion and renovation known as the Transformation and designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. The first phase of the project opened in early 2008, introducing an open-air pavilion called the BP Grand Entrance as well as the Broad Contemporary Art Museum at LACMA, featuring 60,000 square feet of exhibition space on three floors. BCAM's inaugural installation includes expansive spaces devoted to the art of Richard Serra, Barbara Kruger, John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, Chris Burden, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and many more.

 

LACMA’s collections encompass the geographic world and virtually the entire history of art. Among the museum’s special strengths are its holdings of Asian art, housed in part in the Bruce Goff-designed Pavilion for Japanese Art; Latin American art, ranging from pre-Columbian masterpieces to works by leading modern and contemporary artists including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and José Clemente Orozco; and Islamic art, of which LACMA hosts one of the most significant collections in the world.

In April 2006, Michael Govan became CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of LACMA. Formerly president and director of Dia Art Foundation and deputy director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Mr. Govan is the seventh director in LACMA’s forty-six-year history.

 

Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles California 90036

Phone: (323) 857-6000

 

Hours: Monday 12 noon–8 pm

Tuesday 12 noon–8 pm

Wednesday CLOSED

Thursday 12 noon–8 pm

Friday 12 noon–9 pm

Saturday 11 am–8 pm

Sunday 11 am–8 pm

 

Prices: Adults: $12

Seniors (62+ with ID): $8

Students (18+ with school ID): $8

Children (17 and under): Free

 

 

 

Griffith Observatory's unique architecture and setting, compelling programmatic offerings, and cinematic exposure have made it one of the most famous and visited landmarks in southern California. Tens of millions have come to walk the inside of the building, view the live planetarium shows, or simply gaze out towards the coast and the heavens. This cultural and scientific icon owes its existence to the dream of one man, Griffith Jenkins Griffith, and to the dedicated scientists and public servants who worked to fulfill his vision of making astronomy and observation accessible to all.

 

Address: 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027 

Phone: (213)473-0800 

 

Hours: Weekdays (Tuesday-Friday);Open Noon - 10:00 p.m.

Weekends (Saturday-Sunday); Open 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Mondays; Closed

 

Prices:

Adults and Children (13 and up); $7

Children (5-12) $3

Seniors (60+) $5

Not recommended for children under 5.

Children 4 and under will only be admitted for the first show of the day and must sit on a parent's lap.

 

 

 

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens opened on November 28, 1966. The Zoo is home to more than 1,100 mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles representing more than 250 different species of which 29 are endangered. In addition, the Zoo’s botanical collection comprises several planted gardens and over 800 different plant species with over 7,400 individual plants. The Zoo receives over 1.5 million visitors per year and is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles. The daily management of the Zoo is overseen by Zoo Director John R. Lewis. The Zoo is credited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Size: 133 acres

 

General Information:

Address: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA. 90027

Phone: (323) 644-4200

 

Hours: Regular hours are 10am to 5pm. The Zoo is open every day of the year except December 25. Please note that the Zoo starts putting animals in for the night at 4pm. Ticket sales cease one hour prior to closing time.

 

Prices: Adults (ages 13 - up) $13

Seniors (age 62 and up) $10

Children (ages 2 to 12) $8

Children (under 2)-Free

Parking-Free

 

 

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

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Occupying the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita, The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a unique 127 acre botanical garden and historical site jointly operated by the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and located in the city of Arcadia. Home to plant collections from all over the world, including many rare and endangered species, The Arboretum also houses outdoor historical landmarks representative of the major phases of California history.

 

Our mission is to cultivate our natural, horticultural and historic resources for learning, enjoyment and inspiration. We strive to reflect Southern California's distinct climate, community and opennes to new ideas. The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a rich historical site that includes Native American, Rancho Period, and late 19th century treasures. In addition to concerts and tours, we offer activities and events that cater to every audience.

 

Address: 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA, 91007

Phone: (626) 821-3222

 

Hours:

Main Grounds

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., grounds close at 5:00 p.m. The Arboretum opens at 8:00 am for members.

 

8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m p.m. T- F, Every other Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Peacock Cafe

The Peacock Cafe, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tue. to Sun.

The Cafe is closed on Mondays

(626)446-2248

The Peacock Cafe is also available for catering.

 

Gift Shop

9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (626) 447- 8751

 

Prices:

Adults  $8.00

Students and Seniors  $6.00

Children Ages 5-12  $3.00

Children under 5 free

Members free

 

 

 

Founded in 1979, MOCA is the only museum in Los Angeles devoted exclusively to contemporary art. It is committed to the collection, presentation, and interpretation of work produced since 1940 in all media, and to preserving that work for future generations. In a remarkably short time, MOCA has developed one of the nation's most renowned permanent collections. Now numbering over 5,000 works and steadily growing, this invaluable cultural resource provides extensive opportunities for education and enjoyment to thousands of national and international visitors. Today the museum is housed in three unique facilities: MOCA Grand Avenue, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, and MOCA Pacific Design Center.

 

Designed by Arata Isozaki, MOCA Grand Avenue is host to elegant underground galleries, a café, the flagship location of the MOCA Store, and staff offices.

 

Hours: MON 11am–5pm

TUES, WED CLOSED

THURS 11am–8pm

FRI 11am–5pm

SAT, SUN 11am–6pm

 

Admission: General Admission: $10

Students with I.D.: $5

Seniors (65+): $5

Children under 12: Free

Jurors with I.D.: Free

 

152 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90013

 

A former police car warehouse in Little Tokyo renovated by the noted California architect Frank O. Gehry, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (formerly The Temporary Contemporary) opened in 1983. This location offers 40,000 square feet of exhibition space and a branch of the MOCA Store.

 

Hours: MON 11am–5pm

TUES, WED CLOSED

THURS 11am–8pm

FRI 11am–5pm

SAT, SUN 11am–6pm

 

Admission: General Admission: $10

Students with I.D.: $5

Seniors (65+): $5

Children under 12: Free

Jurors with I.D.: Free

 

8687 MELROSE AVENUE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069

 

Located in the heart of West Hollywood, MOCA Pacific Design Center features rotating exhibitions of architecture and design and specialty shopping at the MOCA Store.

 

Hours: MON CLOSED

TUES–FRI 11am–5pm

SAT, SUN 11am–6pm

 

Admission to MOCA Pacific Design Center is FREE

 

 

 

Los Angeles County

The Jewel of the Peninsula", is located on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula, located 10 miles south of the Los Angeles Airport in California. Conveniently located to many South Bay communities, this 87-acre Botanic Garden has more than 2,500 different species of plants from as far away as Australia, the Mediterranean, and southern Africa. The Garden is situated in Sunset's Zone 23, one of the most favored growing areas in the world. About 100 trees and shrubs are rare mature specimens, infrequently seen elsewhere. The wide variety of plant life provides food and shelter to an abundant wildlife and bird population, and over 200 species of birds are sighted annually. Popular features include a small lake, Mediterranean Garden, AARS Rose Garden, Water-Wise Garden, Garden for the Senses, Cactus Garden, Children's Garden, Fuchsia Garden, Dahlia Garden, Herb Garden, and Japanese Garden. There is an attractive Wedding Lawn and two Gazebos, Events Meadow, and Frances Young Auditorium available for events. There is a picnic area located outside of the Garden gates. Free abundant parking available.

 

 

Address: 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula, California 90274