Skirball Cultural Center( 310) 440-4500 Exhibitions, music, theater, comedy, film, family and literary programs, Zeidler’ s Cafe, plus Noah’ s Ark. Closed Monday. Admission: $ 7-12. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. www. skirball. org. Free admission day: Thursdays. Note: Advance tickets to Noah’ s Ark are highly recommended on weekends and during school breaks; tickets for free Thursdays are first-come, firstserved only( no advance tickets), subject to availability.
Sports Museum of Los Angeles( 888) 540-8223 Exhibits include a scale model of Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio collection, New York Baseball, History of Dodgers: from Brooklyn to today, Black Pioneers of Sports, evolution of bats and more. Closed Monday- Friday. Adults, $ 15; kids( 5-12), $ 9. 1900 S. Main St., Los Angeles. www. sportsmuseumla. com
Tankland American Military Museum( 626) 442-1776 Tanks and military vehicles on display. Closed Monday- Thursday. Admission: $ 1-5. 1918 Rosemead Blvd., South El Monte. www. tankland. com
The Paley Center for Media( 310) 786-1000 Public accessible archives of television, radio, and new media content, over 160,000 programs and advertisements spanning the history of media, including the U. S. Olympic Archive, and an LGBT media collection. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission: free, donations welcome. 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. www. paleycenter. org
Wells Fargo History Museum( 213) 253-7166 Features an original Concord Coach, a historically recreated agent’ s office, working telegraphs, Western artifacts and a 27-ounce gold nugget. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Free admission and audio guide. Metered parking. 333 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. www. wellsfargohistory. com
Zimmer Children’ s Museum( 323) 761-8984 Kids can be a star at the Mann Theater, pilot the Zimmer Plane, explore music at Rhythms of the World, make a splash at Water Ways and more. Closed Saturday. Admission: $ 7. 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 100, Los Angeles. www. zimmermuseum. org
outings
PARKS & NATURE CENTERS
Arboretums, parks and nature centers. Most parks feature paved trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields and courts, plus the unique features listed. Also see Playgrounds in this section.
Arboretums, Gardens and Wetlands The following locations offer self-guided tours, workshops, family and kids’ programs, and special events.
Bolsa Chica Wetlands Guided tours and educational programs available. Free; donations welcome. 3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. www. amigosdebolsachica. org, www. bolsachicalandtrust. org, www. bolsachica. org
Descanso Gardens( 818) 949-4290 Adults, $ 9; kids( 5-12), $ 4. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge. www. descansogardens. org
Fullerton Arboretum( 657) 278-3407 $ 5 suggested donation for entry. 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton. www. fullertonarboretum. org
Los Angeles County Arboretum( 626) 821-3222 Adults, $ 9; kids( 5-12), $ 4. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. www. arboretum. org
South Coast Botanic Garden( 310) 544-1948 Adults, $ 9; kids( 5-12), $ 4. Free admission every third Tuesday. 26300 Crenshaw, Palos Verdes Peninsula. www. southcoastbotanicgarden. org
Nature Centers Guided and self-guided tours, workshops and classes, family-friendly events and interpretive centers.
• El Dorado Nature Center( 562) 570-1745 Family and kids’ workshops, art and science classes, evening campfires, museum, gift shop and birdwatching on a 102-acre site, with more than two miles of trails, two lakes and a stream featuring California native plants. Vehicle entry fee, $ 5-8. 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach. www. longbeach. gov / naturecenter
Environmental Nature Center( 949) 645-8489 1601 E. 16th St., Newport Beach. www. encenter. org
Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center( 310) 782-3989 3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance www. torranceca. gov / parks / 1912. htm
Nix Nature Center( 949) 923-2235 Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. www. ocparks. com / parks / lagunac
Oak Canyon Nature Center( 714) 998-8380 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills www. anaheim. net / ocnc
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary( 949) 261-7963 5 Riparian View, Irvine. www. seaandsageaudubon. org
Shipley Nature Center( 714) 842-4772 Parent and Me Time, Wednesdays, 11 a. m. $ 3 per parent. Donations welcome. Closed Sundays. 17851 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach. www. shipleynature. org
Turtle Rock Nature Center( 949) 724-6738 1 Sunnyhill Drive, Irvine www. tinyurl. com / TurtleRockIrvine
Upper Newport Bay Preserve( 949) 923-2290 Toddler programs also offered. 2301 N. University Drive, Newport Beach. www. ocparks. com / parks / newport
Parks in Long Beach Metro and Los Angeles Abalone Cove Shoreline Park( 310) 377-1222
Abalone Cove and Sacred Cove beaches, tidepools, trails and scenic views. 5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes. www. tinyurl. com / abalonepark
Cerritos Community Regional Park( 562) 924-5144 Two fishing lakes, outdoor pool and gymnasium. 9800 Bloomfield Ave. www. tinyurl. com / cerritosregional
• El Dorado Regional Park East( 562) 570-1771 West( 562) 570-3225 El Dorado East includes the El Dorado Park Express Railroad( through October), a duck pond, an archery range, public library, fishing lakes, paddle boat rentals and two playgrounds. El Dorado West offers a community center, disc golf, roller hockey, tennis center, a golf course and skatepark. Parking fees may apply, $ 5-8. www. longbeach. gov / park
Grand Park LA( 213) 972-8080 Family-friendly events throughout the year, including music and dance performances, festivals, outdoor activities and holiday celebrations. 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. www. grandparkla. org
Griffith Park( 323) 644-2050 An antique carousel, golf courses, including a kids’ course with driving range, pony rides, equestrian center, bird sanctuary, the Batman bat cave in Bronson Canyon and train rides. The park is also home to the historic locomotive museum Travel Town, the Westernthemed Autry National Center, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood sign and remnants of the Old Zoo. 4730 Crystal Springs Drive. www. laparks. org / griffithpark
La Mirada Regional Park( 562) 902-5645 Frisbee golf courses, swimming pool and year-round fishing. 13707 Adelfa Ave., La Mirada. www. tinyurl. com / lamiradaregional
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area( 626) 334-1065 Lake with year-round fishing and non-motorized watercraft, plus nature center. 15501 E. Arrow Hwy., Irwindale.( 626) 334-1065. Vehicle entry fee $ 10. www. tinyurl. com / santafedam
Whittier Narrows Recreation Area( 626) 575-5526 Fishing lakes, BMX course, nature center, equestrian facility, a military museum, and archery, skeet, pistol, rifle and trap ranges. Boat, surrey and bike rentals are also available. Vehicle entry, $ 6. 823 Lexington-Gallatin Road, South El Monte. www. tinyurl. com / WhittierNarrowsLA
Parks in North Orange County Carbon Canyon Regional Park( 714) 973-3160 Horseshoe pits, lake with two fishing piers, plus a ten-acre grove of Coastal Redwoods. Parking: $ 3-5. 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea. www. ocparks. com / parks / carbon
Craig Regional Park( 714) 973-3180 Handicapped-accessible playground, horseshoe pits, stocked lakes for fishing and a lake for model sail boating( electrical only). Parking: $ 3- 5. 3300 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton. www. ocparks. com / parks / ted
Huntington Beach Central Park( 714) 536-5486 Disc-golf course, fishing, equestrian center, public
34 • fall / winter 2016 / 17 • kidsguidemagazine. com Outings: Parks & Nature Centers