MORE Things To Do in the Los Angeles Area (Page 2)
I grew up as a child in the Los Angeles area from the 1960's to 1970's and have lived in Southern CA off and on throughout the 1980's, 1990's and 2000's, as well. (I
currently (2008) live in the Santa Clarita Valley.) When I look at tourist websites for the Los Angeles area, I am constantly amazed at how many of these websites just recite
the same obvious attractions. There are many things to do in L.A. that you will not necessarily find in tourist brochures at the Chamber of Commerce. I have decided to list
some of my favorite things to do in the Los Angeles area, as a native of the area.
Vasquez Rocks - Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, The Flintstones, Bonanza, Rifleman, Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, Lassie
Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce, is a large park located in Los Angeles County, between Santa Clarita and Palmdale. It is
a great place for picnics, camping, horseback riding, etc. but the main attractions are the odd geologic formations. The Vasquez Rocks are uplifted at odd angles which is
why there is such an impressive list of sci-fi movies and TV shows that were filmed here. The rocks are named after Tibercio Vasquez, a bandit who hid out in the rocks during
the late 1800's. Like Chatsworth Park, which has unusual and interesting rock formations as well, Vasquez Rocks are a natural wonder. This area gets very hot and dry, take precautions.
Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
The Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Orange County are ridiculously affordable, renovated rental beach
houses. Situated on the beach, these houses can sleep either one in a dorm room, or you can rent a whole house out for up to 9 people to sleep. These cottages offer a beautiful
beach setting for casual vacations that are hard to beat. A great spot for a mini-vacation out of town but they book up far in advance, so plan ahead.
William S. Hart Park
The William S. Hart Park in the Santa Clarita Valley is a wonderful old West setting. The estate of silent Western movie star William S. Hart,
was left to the state as a museum. I have been going there since I was 3 years old and still love it. There is an old wooden homestead down on the lower part of the property,
along with a park for picnics, etc. Then as you walk up the path to his mansion, you pass a dog cemetary, many beautiful cactus and oak trees, and as you ascend, the scenery
becomes magnificent. You can see out over the Valley in two directions from above, and you can only imagine what a grand estate this would have been in the day! Sitting out on the
terrace with friends at dusk, looking over the Valley, must have been wonderful. The mansion up top is full of Western memorabilia and American Indian rugs, baskets, etc. There is
also a lovely little tea house in back of the mansion, as well as hiking trails that go up into the hills. There are posted warnings of rattlesnakes, cougars, etc. at the trailhead.
Old and tall palm trees also grace the area below, and a replica of an old Western town is laid out behind the Hart Park, called Heritage Junction, which includes the actual old Saugus
train station.
La Brea Tar Pits
The La Brea Tar Pits are located in Hollywood, and host an interesting museum full of fossils found in the tar around the area
but they also have current digs going on in tar pits on site. The area still has tar and oil bubbling to its surface, you can even see it bubbling up in local parking lots and school
playgrounds. There is an outside exhibit around a still bubbling tar pit and lake in front of the museum, with artifical mammoths, etc. reenacting the past events there. A trip to the
La Brea Tar Pits is an educational and interesting time for young and old alike. And admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month!
Looking for more things to do in the Los Angeles area? Click here to go on to PAGE THREE
of things to do! Or return to PAGE ONE...
Kirsten Anderberg. All rights reserved. For permission to reprint/publish, please contact Kirsten at kirstena@resist.ca.
Kirsten Anderberg. All rights reserved. For permission to reprint/publish, please contact Kirsten at kirstena@resist.ca.