Attractions: S-Z
SANTA MONICA PIER, at the end of Colorado Ave., Santa Monica.
More than three million people visit the Pier each year to dine,
shop, fish or play. Visit the Pacific Park amusement park, with its
nine-story Ferris wheel, or try the 70-year-old restored wooden carousel. The carousel building can be rented for children’s birthday
parties (310-395-4248). The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is located
here; see listing under Museums. Also at the Pier are the Santa
Monica Twilight Dance concerts, held in the summer.
SEA WORLD AT SAN DIEGO: 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Recorded park information: (800) 25-SHAMU www.seaworld.com
Opening and closing times vary by season. Hours are extended
during holiday periods and Rockin’ Summer Nights (May through
Labor Day). Call for hours of operation. Exciting adventures,
amazing animals, and fun shows. Come learn what your pets
already know at Pets Rule! Dolphin Discovery showcases bottlenose
dolphins and pilot whales in a splashy, high-energy show. Roll up
your sleeves and touch a starfish or a sea urchin in the California
Tide Pool, or watch 350 Antarctic penguins in the Penguin
Encounter.
A 90-minute guided walking tour is offered daily (weather
permitting) with a personal guide to take you behind the scenes.
Rides include Shipwreck Rapids, a raft-like inner tube ride, Journey
To Atlantis water coaster and Wild Arctic, a simulated jet helicopter
ride (included in park admission), Southwest Airlines Skytower and
Bayside Skyride (extra charge). Admission: $56.00 for adults, $46.00
for children ages 3 through 9, free for children 2 and younger.
Parking is $10.00 per car.
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP LAKE SHRINE, 17190 Sunset Blvd.,
Pacific Palisades
(310-454-4114)
Home to the Gandhi World Peace Memorial and the Court of
Religions, this ten-acre hillside meditation garden is known for its
beauty and peacefulness.
SIX FLAGS CALIFORNIA, 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia
(661-255-4100), off the Interstate 5.
www.sixflags.com
Known as a thrill ride haven, Six Flags Magic Mountain features
16 world-class roller coasters and over 100 rides, games and
attractions. Thrill rides include Superman, X, Goliath, The Escape,
Batman The Ride, Scream, Tatsu, and The Riddler’s Revenge.
Attractions include Wile E. Coyote Critter Canyon with a petting
zoo, Warner Bros. Kids Club, an audience participation game, and
more. The park is open at 10:00 a.m. daily; closing hours vary.
Admissions: $59.99 adults, $29.99 for children under 48 inches.
Parking is $15.00. A combo ticket for both Six Flags parks is $69.99.
SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR,a 22-acre water park, is located
next door. They offer 23 water-logging rides and 2 of the tallest
enclosed speed slides in the world. Castaway Cove is a large
water play area designed exclusively for the younger set.
Admission is $29.99/adults, $20.99/children. Parking is $15.00.
http://www.sixflags.com/parks/hurricaneharborla/
STAPLES CENTER, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles.
www.staplescenter.com
Located in downtown Los Angeles and home to the L.A. Lakers,
the L.A. Clippers, the L.A. Sparks (women’s basketball), the L.A.
Avengers (arena football), and the L.A. Kings. In addition to hosting
world-class sports and entertainment events, the Staples Center also
provides numerous services and support programs designed to
benefit the entire Los Angeles community. The Staples Center seats
20,000 for basketball and 19,000 for hockey.
TRAVELTOWN, 5200 Zoo Drive in Griffith Park - (323-662-5874)
www.cityofla.org/rap/grifmet/index.htm/
or www.scsra.org/ttown
In operation since the 1950s, Traveltown has a variety of
authentic old locomotives while the museum houses an elaborate
model train set up and a collection of historic fire engines. A small
train circles the grounds; rides are $2.00 for adults and children,
$1.50 for seniors over 60, kids 18 months and under ride for free.
Open Monday–Friday from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and weekends
from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The train rides stop one hour before the
park closes. No admission charge.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
(1-800-864-8377)
www.UniversalStudios.com
Behind-the-scenes tour of Hollywood’s biggest backlot. The
original movie sets from Steven Spielberg’s film, “War of the
Worlds,” are the latest new feature to be added to their behind-thescenes
Studio Tour. On the tram ride, you will get up-close views of
the dinosaur-destroyed research laboratory compound from “Jurassic
Park: The Lost World,” the snow-covered town of Whoville from
“Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and the Psycho house
and Bates motel from “Psycho.” Nickelodeon Blast Zone is a play
zone for kids. Ride offerings are Shrek 4-D, Revenge of the Mummy,
Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and more. Don’t miss Terminator
II:3-D, which is a virtual reality and live-action extravaganza.
Admission: $61.00 ages 8 and up, children 3–7 are $51.00; under 3
free. Open 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (Discounts available for UCLA
employees.) Parking is $20.00 per car for preferred parking and
$10.00 per car for general parking.
UNIVERSAL CITY WALK, Located right next to Universal Studios,
City Walk offers dining, entertainment, and shopping. Restaurants
included Buca Di Beppo (Southern Italian dishes), Bubba Gump
Shrimp Co. (Seafood), Hard Rock Café (wide variety of dishes
served amid Rock ’n’ Roll setting), Tony Roma’s, Wolfgang Puck
Café and B.B Kings Blues Club (Southern cuisine and live music).
Shops include Abercombie & Fitch, EB Games, The Dodgers
Clubhouse (official store of the team), Guess, Hollywood Harley
Davidson, Hot Topic, The Raider Image, Sketchers, Sparky’s,
Universal Studio Store and more. City Walk is open Sunday–
Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 11:00 a.m.–
11:00 p.m. Universal Parking fee applies.
WARNER BROTHERS STUDIOS VIP TOURS, 4200 Warner Blvd., Burbank
http://www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour/
Small group tours emphasizing the technical side of TV and
filmmaking. The 2-1/2 hour tour via cart takes you through backlot
streets, sound stages and sets. You might walk onto a set of a hit
TV program, see how sets are constructed, walk through rows of
costumes and watch a special effects demonstration. $42/person.
(No children under 8 allowed because the tour visits working
areas.) Tours available from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, with expanded hours during the summer. Parking is $5. For
detailed information call the VIP Tour Info Line at (818) 972-8687.
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