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Paley Center for Media
Fancy watching the pilot of Bonanza or Star Trek? How about the moon landing? Or maybe the pilot of Ugly Betty? These and thousands more classic broadcasts dating back to 1918 are only a mouse click away in this sparkling radio and television museum , formerly the Museum of Television and Radio. View or listen to your selections while seated at private consoles. The museum also presents daily screenings in its auditorium, seminars and the occasional live broadcast. Pick up a schedule at the information desk.
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Palisades Park
Perhaps it's appropriate that Route 66, America's most romanticized by-way, ends at this gorgeous cliffside park perched dramatically on the edge of the continent. Just pretend you don't see all the beggars. Stretching 1½ miles north from the pier, this palm-dotted greenway is tops with joggers and people-watchers.
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Petersen Automotive Museum
With the main entrance opening onto the parking garage, cars get their due at this four-story ode to the auto. Wander past a 1903 Cadillac, a 1923 UPS truck and a 2006 Bugatti - from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds - as well as accessible displays fascinating for know-it-alls and newbies alike. Picture-taking welcome.
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Pier & Pacific Park
Here since 1909, this landmark pier is worth a quick visit - preferably during the day. Wander past an indoor carousel, an arcade, several restaurants, myriad vendors and oodles of other tourists. Near the pier's end, check out a nifty black-and-white photo exhibit of the pier's history. Pacific Park is the pay-as-you go amusement park. Pay around US$2 for seven rotations on the Pacific Wheel, the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel.
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Pier Aquarium
Peer under the pier - just below the carousel - for Heal the Bay's kid-friendly touch tanks crawling with critters and crustaceans scooped from the bay. For a fin-filled frenzy, stop by the shark tanks at Sunday for feedings of these multi-fanged beasts.
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Point Vicente Interpretive Center
Captain Ahab's no match for the binocular-toting crowd at this primo whale-watching spot. From December to May, the faithful huddle early on terraced patios to watch for migrating grays. Check the chalkboard for daily counts. If whales aren't your thing, savor towering cliffside views or pop inside for engaging displays on local history and geography.
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Redcat
The Roy and Edna Disney/Cal Arts Theater, tucked in the southwest corner of the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex, fosters new talent from around the world, presenting unique, sometimes challenging, performances in film, dance, theater, and art. Libations poured in sexy, shoeboxy REDCAT Lounge (; - Tue-Fri, - Sat & Sun, and post show).
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Roundhouse Aquarium
Kids crowd the touch tanks at this tiny pier's-end aquarium while their parents stare warily at the flickering fins in the 3500-gallon shark tank. Upstairs, smaller tanks hold an eclectic mix of local specimens including the clicking garibaldi and sarcastic fringehead - sometimes seen lurking barside at Zinc.
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Sand Dune Park
Kick off your flip-flops for an impromptu workout on these steep, 100ft sand dunes hidden on a residential block near the intersection of Rosecrans and Highland Aves. Who knows, you might just see a Laker working his quads too. Whether you run, walk or crawl, it's steeper than it looks.
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State Beach
There are endless ways to play on the 3.5-mile stretch of sand from Venice Beach to Will Rogers State Beach. If lying out isn't your thing, stop by Perry's Café for skate, bike and board rentals; you can pick up a section of the South Bay Bicycle Trail under the pier. To reserve time on a beach volley ball court (310-458-8300), call and confirm applicable fees. For cerebral pursuits, hit a first-come first-served chess table at Chess Park.
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Walk Of Fame
Marilyn Monroe? 6774 Hollywood Blvd. James Dean? 1719 Vine St. Elvis Presley? 6777 Hollywood Blvd. Nope, not last known addresses, just the exact spot for the brass star honoring these celebs on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on Hollywood Blvd bet between La Brea Ave and Vine St. There are more than 2000 stars, so check the website for precise locations.
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Walt Disney Concert Hall
Architectural tours of Frank Gehry's steel-paneled masterpiece include a self-directed audio tour, public guided tour or an urban garden tour. All are approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Times vary month to month per performance schedules; call 323-850-2000 or see web site. For general concert info check www.musiccenter.org/calendar or see the LA Philharmonic schedule at www.laphil.com.
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Warner Bros Studio Vip Tour
After a 15-minute clip-filled short of WB's movie and TV highlights - from 'Stella!' to 'How you doin'? - VIPs board a 12-person open tram for a two-hour tour around the studio's 110-acre lot where secrets of Hollywood are revealed - forced perspective, fancy facades and fake bricks - or as one guide jauntily summed up, 'It's all lies and deceit.'
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Wayfarers Chapel
Glass walls and redwood pillars comfort tired wayfarers at Lloyd Wright's stunning seaside sanctuary. Built in 1951, this hillside 'tree chapel' supports an active congregation sponsored by the all-welcoming Swedenborgian Church. Guests should wander the Colonnade for reflective ocean views. Brides should book early.
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Westwood Memorial Park
Half the challenge is finding this postage stamp-sized cemetery. Tucked behind a commercial building, celebrity-filled Westwood Memorial seems the current Hyde Lounge of the post-life set. Truman Capote, Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe - see the lipstick prints - crowd sanctuaries near the entrance while headstones for rabble rousers like Rodney 'There goes the neighborhood' Dangerfield keep 'em chuckling in back.
