Nicole & Brandon
Things To Do
Exposition Park
Home to the Natural History Museum, the California ScienCenter, and The Coliseum, Exposition Park is a worthwhile stop if you love museums. Unfortunately, the Space Shuttle Pavilion is currently closed for renovations, but you can still take a spin inside the ScienCenter to check out its exhibit. Pro tip for the ScienCenter: They always have a rotating special exhibit that changes every few months, and feature new IMAX documentaries that are usually space or natural history themed regularly. Entry into the museum itself is completely free, but special exhibits and documentaries are not. If an exhibit or movie catches your eye, make your reservations ahead of time and pay online to streamline your day.
Hancock Park
Hancock Park is home to The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, The Petersen Automotive Museum, The La Brea Tar Pits, great restaurants, cool art installations, and the famous La Brea Bakery nearby.
Griffith Observatory
An LA icon, the observatory is not only a wonderful museum and planetarium, but also provides sweeping, panoramic views of the city from atop our famous foothills. Go during the day to go inside the observatory, but visit at night for the best visual effect. On the way up to the observatory, you’ll find hiking trails, the Greek Theatre, a bird sanctuary, and even the remains of the first Los Angeles Zoo. P.S. there’s a fantastic pie place nearby called House of Pies, located at 1869 N. Vermont Avenue. Kind of a hole in the wall with classic diner food and delicious desserts.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
One town over from N’s hometown of Pasadena, the Huntington Gardens are world class in terms of their architecture, landscape design, and specimens on display. The Huntington also has art galleries and sculptures scattered throughout the grounds, which are worth checking out. If you’ve developed an appetite after your walk, we highly recommend visiting Himalayan Café, located at 36 S. Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena. It’s a small place frequented by locals that serves some of the best North Indian food in LA county. With free 90 minute parking just steps away from the front door, what do you have to lose?
Los Angeles Zoo
The LA Zoo is an iconic institution located in sprawling Griffith Park. You can visit animals from all continents while enjoying our famous SoCal sunshine. Pro tip: get the kettle corn and thank us later.
Aquarium of the Pacific
One of the largest aquariums on the west coast and always a wonderful place to visit, you can check out the massive kelp forest, pet a stingray, feed a lorikeet, and get up close and personal with a sea lion all in one day. After you’re done visiting the fish, take a walk up to the lighthouse on the hill or drive over to see the Queen Mary moored in the nearby harbor.
In-N-Out, Los Angeles International Airport
If you are not from around here, you need to have In-N-Out. While In-N-Out has spread to a few locations in the United States, it all started right here in Southern California. There are loads of locations where you can taste their famous burgers, but N’s absolute favorite spot, unsurprisingly, is the one where you can park your car, order a burger, and watch airplanes from all over the world land on Runway 24. (This also happens to be the closest In-N-Out to the venue) Parking is a bit tricky on that narrow street because it’s usually crowded, but if you’re patient, you can parallel park. Do not wait in the drive thru line, you’ll be sitting in your car for an hour. Go inside, order to go, and take a seat on the grass in the park across the street. Pro tip for ordering like a local off the secret menu: order your burger “animal style.” This means that they will add caramelized onions and thousand island dressing. You can also order animal fries. For shakes, go for the Neapolitan.