So, you’ve ticked Disneyland off your list and ridden the Pirates of the Caribbean one too many times at Universal Studios. Don’t despair, there’s still plenty to entertain you and the young ones in La La Land.
BIKE-SEE VENICE BEACH
Every Californian kooky character gravitates towards this eccentric seaside location. Hire a bike and traverse the Boardwalk that is the place to marvel at peacocking bodybuilders, impressive rollerblading stunts and gravity-defying skateboarders young and old. The Santa Monica Pier, with its solar-powered Ferris wheel, a carousel and aquarium, is just a pedal away.
CRUISE THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
Close to 2500 names from the world of entertainment have been immortalised along 3.5 miles of sidewalk, in pink terrazzo with gold lettering no less. The famous foot and hand prints are by Mann’s Chinese Theatre – your kids won’t believe when they realise their shoe is probably twice the size of a petite Marilyn Monroe. The Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, is nearby and there are plenty of superheroes ready to entertain with selfies (cash tips required) when seeking out your kid’s favourite celeb crush gets tiring.
GAZE AT THE OTHER ‘STARS’ AT GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY
The giant Zeiss refracting telescope is a galactic-enough experience to wow the budding astronomer of any age. It’s also big and bold enough to blitz the LA smog for stellar outerspace viewing. But the star attraction is the hugely popular Hall of the Sky and Hall of the Eye. These free displays offer some interesting insight as they explore our connection with stars and planets. The building itself – an icon which has appeared in a number of Hollywood flicks - is equally as impressive and offers a bird’s eye view of Los Angeles from Griffith Park.
GET FED AT IN ‘N OUT BURGER
Hit up In-N-Out Burger as soon as you blitz through LAX customs (wishful thinking!) and jump in the hire car. You’ll find a restaurant not more than a few minutes’ drive from the arrivals gate where you can refuel your sleep-deprived self and the family like a true foodie traveller. The menu is famous for its hamburgers, cheeseburgers and double cheeseburgers, fries and shakes – all made from fresh ingredients.
PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM DRIVE-BY
Founded in 1994, the Petersen Automotive Museum is located on Museum Row in the Miracle Mile district of L.A. It recently underwent a USD$125-million renovation to reveal a striking new exterior that wraps the museum with ribbons of stainless steel – said to embody the motion of the automobile. At night, the colour and steel forms are LED lit for a dazzling visual. The museum offers state-of-the-art technology with displays of historically significant vehicles along with new exhibits featuring characters (and here’s where the kids come in!) from Disney/Pixar’s Cars, Xbox Forza racing simulators, and (for the adult rev heads) BMW Art Cars, the new $400,000 Ford GT, a motorsports gallery, and virtual tours for the iPhone or iPad.
GET YOUR SKATES ON
Skateland, originally opened in 1958, is one of LA’s last remaining roller rinks. It’s well-maintained and kept its cool factor into the 21st century thanks to a DJ on hand to spin the latest hits. There’s also flashy lighting, huge video screens capturing all the embarrassing falls, a lazer maze and a games room that’ll prove to the younger generation that good times really can last for decades. There’s also free Wi-Fi to keep you occupied in case you bust a move and an ankle but the kids want to keep on rollin’.
FAMILY DAYS AT LACMA
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art represents L.A’s uniquely diverse population and is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection that includes nearly 130,000 objects. But it’s not just a place for art buffs. There are installations that little ones will marvel at, including Chris Burden’s Metropolis II which has been likened to and Erector set, Jesus Rafael Soto’s Penetrable in Neon Lime that is a hanging garden of rubber tubing, and Richard Serra’s Band that’s the perfect expanse of metal for kids to play hide-and-go-seek amongst. The Modern Art galleries on the 2nd floor of the Ahmanson Building are spacious and fun for families. And when it’s time to regroup, head for the outdoor, and licensed, patio where grownups to take a breather.
DISCOVERY CUBE
The science centre for kids (big and small) is an ideal learning environment for the budding scientist and experimenting offspring. There are plenty of hands-on activities for all ages, including take-home tips on how to earthquake proof your home or make it more energy efficient. After a trip through the Discovery Market (a great way for the littlies to learn the importance of healthy shopping while burning up some energy), sit back in the 4d theatre for some short film educating entertainment.
LA BREA TAR PITS
Watch the processes of paleontology unfold right before your eyes at the La Brea Tar Pits. Home to the world’s most famous Ice Age fossil excavation site — where they uncovered saber-toothed cats, dire wolves and mammoths — featuring 10,000 to 40,000-year-old asphalt deposits. Outside of the museum, visitors can marvel at the Pleistocene Garden in Hancock Park where eye-bulging life-size replicas of extinct mammals depict the life that once flourished and roamed in the Los Angeles Basin.
GRAND CENTRAL MARKET (GCM)
Grand Central Market has been celebrating the cuisines and cultures of Los Angeles since 1917. The downtown landmark’s mission is to gather the city’s many communities around a shared table and to nurture the next generation of local food entrepreneurs. Showcasing the best of California’s produce, chefs and entrepreneurs, the 30,000-square-foot arcade encompasses a food emporium and retail marketplace that you can wander and feast in without breaking the meal budget. Our tip is the egg sandwich at the famous Eggslut.
ESCAPE ROUTE
LOS ANGELES
HOW TO GET THERE
QANTAS flies direct several times per day from Australian capital cities to Los Angeles
WHERE TO STAY
The Redbury Hollywood
Each spacious guest suite offers a home-like atmosphere including a European-style kitchen, dining room, washing machine and private balcony as well as design elements drawn from a variety of old-world cultures. theredbury.com/hollywood
MORE INFO:discoverlosangeles.com
