The galleries explore broad themes relating to the history and diverse cultures of the American West.

As you plan for your adult group to visit the Los Angeles area, you should stop by and check out the magnificent Malibu Pier which is a Southern California icon. The area was formerly known as the Riviera of America. There are a variety of restaurants that serve delectable seaside dishes. Group members can also participate in entertaining activities as part of the experience. Visitors of all ages are sure to enjoy having fun in the sun and eating quality cuisine. There are a variety of activities offered at the pier. Your adult group can enjoy the breathtaking views of the coast on a Coastal Harbor Boat Tour. If you like to fish, you can go deep sea fishing or Sport Fishing. Visitors can also enjoy Whale Watching or spend some time on the beach riding the waves. The Malibu Pier Whale Watching Company offers ocean adventures to groups of all sizes. Whale migration takes place from December until the end of March. During the experience, Group members will have the opportunity to see interesting wildlife such as grey whales, dolphins, California sea lions, cormorants, California brown pelicans, and other marine wildlife. The tours are led by California State Park Rangers. Your adult group may want to take a Coastal Boat Tour during the visit. You will climb aboard the Malibu Surfrider and leave from Malibu Pier. The tour is 90 minutes long. During the excursion, guests will view sights such as Surfrider Beach, the Historic Adamson House, Malibu State Lagoon Beach, and the Exclusive Malibu Colony. The group will enjoy the fresh air and magnificent view of the ocean during the tour.

Credit: Travis Conklin

Sprawled over the site of a sunny Buena Park berry farm once owned by founder Walter Knott and his family, this 160 acre entertainment destination with a patently Wild-Western flavor is now one of America’s most popular theme parks! What began in the 20′s as a roadside farmstand plying travelers to the area with wonderful wares-homemade jams, preserves and boysenberry pies-soon grew to include a down-home fried chicken and biscuit dinner served in a small tea house. As the Knotts flexed a healthy entrepreneurial spirit and expanded their horizons, new shops and attractions sprang up all over the property-a classic replica ghost town among them. By 1968 the family began charging eager comers admission to “Knott’s Berry Farm”-and America’s first family theme park was born! Open year-round and featuring scores of attractions including vibrantly colorful live entertainment like The Calico Saloon Show at Ghost Town, good time bluegrass with Crazy Kirk and the Hillbillies at the Birdcage Theater,  flamboyant Native American Dancers on Indian Trails, and Fool’s Gold Stunt Show at Wagon Camp, and a total of 40 mild-to-wild rides- ten roller coasters among them-a visit to Knott’s Berry Farm promises and delivers a great time for all ages and inclinations-even John Wayne, who took the inaugural seat on the Timber Mountain Log Ride’s opening day in 1969! (To this day it remains one of the most elaborate log flume attractions in the Country!) Hop aboard the Silver Bullet, brave The Ghostrider, grab your seat on The Sierra Sidewinder, scare yourselves silly on Supreme Scream or try your luck on the Timberline Twister! History buffs in your group-there are always a few-will want to travel back in time to witness the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Knott’s own Independence Hall, an indistingishable replica of the iconic historic landmark, right down to its perfectly-cracked, full-sized Liberty Bell, or watch a skilled Ghost Town wood artist painstakingly restoring the park’s unbelievable hand-carved model display of the 21 Historic California Missions. Your travel group is sure to delight in the dozens of exciting Camp, Marketplace, Village and Boardwalk dining and shopping opportunities –a veritable piñata of pleasurable possibility- in this “First American Theme Park!” An afternoon’s prospecting and playing  is sure to work up a hearty appetite; grab a killer burger at the largest Johnny Rocket’s in North America, enjoy hot, fresh pizza and ice cold beer at Hollywood Hits or dig into Mrs. Knott’s homestyle fried chicken and biscuit dinner-be sure to save room for a slab of that famous home-baked boysenberry pie!

Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

Established on illustrious Hollywood Boulevard, in the shadow of the iconic Hollywood sign and along the legendary Walk of Fame, this longest-running wax museum in the United States debuted on busy Hollywood Boulevard February 6, 1965 in a historic building that once housed the fabled Embassy Club, host to ultra-exclusive, star-studded gatherings of Old Hollywood’s top 300 celebrities and industry executives.  Launched with entrepreneur Spoony Singh’s vision of bringing doting fans closer to their big-screen idols, the Hollywood Wax Museum, the only wax menagerie in the country to feature VIPS exclusively, has been treating star-struck travelers to dazzling Tinseltown to an extraordinary meet and mingle with their favorite heros and heroines  for the past 45 years. A visit to this renowned Hollywood attraction gets you face time with venerated icons of the silver screen, contemporary A-listers and all your television favorites–so painstakingly, glamorously and faithfully recreated you’d almost swear they were living, breathing movie stars! When you’ve gawked, posed  and snapped ‘til you can pose no more, step outside the museum for a little “real people of Hollywood” espial, then grab a legendary burger and frosty shake at neighborhood favorite Mel’s Diner or duck into Musso and Frank’s–the oldest eatery in Hollywood-for tried-and-true American/Continental fare and a classic cocktail or two! Your quintessential *Heart of Hollywood* experience is now complete!

During your group tour to Los Angeles, you should consider stopping by Griffith Park. They offer several outdoor activities. Visitors can also enjoy a few attractions as part of the experience. During your visit, the team can participate in entertaining outdoor activities. You and your group mates can do things such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, swimming, golf, and tennis. If your group decides to take a hike, one of the most rewarding trails is the one that goes from the Observatory Parking Lot to the summit of Mount Hollywood. Mount Hollywood is known to be the tallest peak in the park. Visitors will enjoy breathtaking views of the entire Los Angeles Basin. The park also contains marked trails, fire and patrol roads for those who enjoy horseback riding. Group members can walk, trot, or canter the horses. Griffith Park has other entertaining attractions for guests to enjoy. You will find places such as the Autry National Center, the Greek Theater, Griffith Park Southern Railroad, the Griffith Observatory, and the Los Angeles Zoo. The Autry National Center is a museum which is dedicated to the exploration and sharing of the stories, experiences, and perceptions of the diverse peoples of the American West. The museum has various exhibits and presents public programs in areas such as film, theater, lectures, and other special events. When group members visit the Griffith Park Observatory, you will have the opportunity to observe interesting exhibits, look through telescopes, watch live shows, and enjoy fantastic views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

Ever rocked out with a Rock Hyrax or chilled with a Crested Oropendula? Surely, now, you’ve encountered a Lowland Anoa in your travels! Behold the formidable Fossa; what does he eat, and where does he hail from? The almost-eternally sunny climate of the Big Orange affords the 133 acre Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens the opportunity to grow much of the shelter and browse (“salad,” in guest-speak!) that the contented, healthy and well-fed zoo inhabitants enjoy and thrive on; the “plant rescue center” salvages and rehabilitates  rare and endangered kidnapped species confiscated from lawless individuals engaged in their illegal import. A fun fact that will appeal to the young at heart: the Los Angeles Zoo’s enchanting “Conservation Carousel” is the third best in the nation- where else can you sit astride a hand carved and painted armadillo or perch upon a komodo dragon and twirl to your heart’s content to retro-cool Cali tunes in the heart of “wild domain?” Lovers of lizards and friends of frogs will want to step inside *The Lair* and meet some of the world’s rarest, most brilliantly colorful reptiles and amphibians showcased in painstakingly-recreated “natural” environments; dare you enter Betty’s Bite and Squeeze Room? Trek the lush Red Ape Rain Forest; encounter the enchanting Elephants of Asia; visit dozens of endangered-to-critically endangered residents, each precious species on the brink of survival, now perfectly content to call the Zoo home! The philanthropists among you may wish to consider the mutual benefits of adopting a zoo resident-proceeds aid the ongoing participation in global conservation efforts; naming an animal allows you to contribute to the “animal acquisition fund” which promotes vital wildlife preservation and breeding projects here and around the world! Located at the junction of the I-5 (Golden Gate) and the 134 freeways, this magnificent menagerie is directly across from The Autry Museum of Western Heritage and is open Sun-Mon, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Psssst: don’t forget to say hello to the hissing Madegascar cockroach!

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > Los Angeles Tours

While your adult group is in Los Angeles, you should consider spending a day at Pacific Park. Group members can ride fun rides, play games, enjoy quality cuisine and beverages, and shop for a gift or souvenir. Visitors of all ages will have a fantastic time at this popular attraction. There are several fun rides for the team to enjoy. You and your group mates will find rides such as the Pacific Wheel, Inkie’s Pirate Ship, Sea Planes, Inkie’s Air Lift, Pacific Plunge, the West Coaster, and the Sea Dragon. The West Coaster is the “only West Coast, oceanfront, steel roller coaster located on a pier over the Pacific Coastline.” During the ride, visitors will see spectacular views of Santa Monica Bay and the Pacific Ocean. You will be sprayed by the ocean as you escalate to a height of 55 feet. The Pacific Plunge ride is a 9-story, breathtaking tower ride where group members will be taken 150 feet high. During the ride, your group can take in the view of the Pacific Ocean. If you and your group mates enjoy playing games, Pacific Park has several for you to play. There are games such as Top Glow, Whack-A-Mole, Tub Toss, Coastline Cat Rack, Riptide Ring Toss, and Roller Derby. The Coastline Cat Rack game is fun for visitors of all ages. Players will be given three chances to knock down props off of the cats paws. If group members knock down two cats, you will get a small prize However; if you knock down all three, guests will get a large prize. When visitors play the Rip Tide Ring Toss, you will try to land one of the plastic rings on one of 187 bottles to receive a jumbo prize.

While you are visiting Los Angeles, your adult group should check out the Dolby Theatre. Its name was changed in 2012. The venue is the permanent home of the famous Academy Awards. They offer guided tours as part of the experience. Visitors of all ages will enjoy visiting this popular destination. The group members will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Dolby Theatre. Visitors will see an Oscar Statuette; visit the Dolby Lounge and other exclusive celebrity hotspots, and view images from previous Academy Awards Ceremonies. The theatre also hosts well-known events which include the Daytime Emmy Awards, the ESPY Awards, the BET Awards, the American Idol Finals, and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The theatre is a live entertainment venue where top performers take the stage. The Ballet Theater performs at the location as well as touring Broadway Productions. There have been concerts that were performed by famous music artists such as Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, Prince, Barry Manilow, and Stevie Wonder. The adult group can purchase snacks and beverages in the lobby area of the venue. You will find items such as soft drinks, popcorn, candy, sandwiches, and cheese and crackers. Wolfgang Puck Catering provides the food and beverages at the location. There are men’s and women’s restrooms on every lobby level of the theater.

Happy wanderers on sunny Southern California holiday won’t want to miss this fantastic celebration of glorious Pacific Ocean wonders tucked neatly under ever-popular historic landmark and attraction Santa Monica Pier-a fabulous, conservation-minded, world-class aquarium featuring 19 habitats and 32 focus exhibits, representing nearly 500 marine species. Home to nearly 11,000 sea animals, this wonderful institution offers visitors a first-rate peek into their lives beneath the deep blue. The entertaining June Keys Penguin Habitat treats visitors to the antics of over a dozen animated Magellanic Penguins above and below the water, and features a crawl-in space allowing you to “be” part of the exhibit. Journey through the northernmost region of the Pacific Ocean into frigid habitats in and around the Bering Sea or embark on a 16-exhibit tropical escape into the warm waters off the coast of Palau that gets you up close and personal with seahorses and  weedy sea dragons, sea turtles, energetic black tipped sharks, colorful clownfish, sturdy, slow-cruising groupers and a host of beautiful, venomous creatures. Wander amongst the chattering winged rainbows of Lorikeet Forest; enjoy the immersive experience of the Ocean Science Center featuring NOAA’s fascinating “Science on a Sphere” presentations and explore the magical, sound-based world of “Whales, Voices in the Sea.” Expansive outdoor exhibit, “Shark Lagoon” features large-shark touch pools, interactive displays, an amphitheater, cool Shark Shack gift store, and the Bamboo Bistro café; meet and greet more than 150 sharks-some you can touch, and some you can’t. “Boat Adventures” get intrepid types onto the open water year-round for a variety of outstanding narrated tours and cruises.

 

When your adult group travels to Los Angeles, you should stop by Six Flags Magic Mountain. The team can experience exhilarating rides, dine, shop, and enjoy live entertainment. The park also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. Visitors of all ages are sure to have a great time at the park. There are various thrill rides for your group to enjoy. You will find rides such as Batman, Canyon Blaster, Dive Devil, Full Throttle, Goliath, Jet Stream, and Revolution. The ride known as Goliath, is an exhilarating roller coaster where guests will endure high-speed moves which includes a 255 foot drop at 85 MPH. The Full Throttle ride offers visitors a thrilling experience. During the ride, you will loop to 160 feet, shoot through tunnels, and finally explode from three launches. During your visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain, your group should check out the souvenirs and other items available for you to purchase. Group members can explore the Extreme Zone, Flags, Full Throttle, Hero Haven, and Glass Crafts. The Full Throttle store has gifts and apparel. At the Glass Crafts store, you will find hand-blown glass figurines. During your visit to the park, the group may want to grab a bite at one of the restaurants. Visitors can enjoy baked goods at Suzette’s Bakery, get a snack from the Snack N’Shack, or indulge in Chinese food at Panda Express. If you and your group mates are looking for a variety of food choices, the Waterfront restaurant has plenty to offer. You can have pizza, pie, cheeseburgers, and salads at the location.