Pacific Park Queen Mary Rodeo Drive Sea World Hurricane Harbor South Coast Plaza Staples Center

Pacific Park. This old-school amusement park is small but its spectacular location on the Santa Monica Pier along the ocean makes it worth a visit. There's a rickety roller coaster and a slew of arcade games, and the park's perch allows it to feature the best view in Los Angeles - from the top of its tall Ferris wheel riders can see up and down the beautiful Pacific Coast. For those seeking lunch or dinner, The Lobster at the top of the pier serves delicious seafood. For more information, call (310) 260-8744.

Pomona Fairplex. Pomona Fairplex is home to the annual L.A. County Fair - the largest fair in North America - and 300 annual events, trade shows, meetings, expositions, conventions, inter-track wagering, sporting and agricultural events. The Fairplex’s 487 acres include modern indoor exhibit space in eight spacious exhibit halls; Fairplex Park, a horse racing facility with a grandstand and 5/8-mile racetrack; the luxurious 247-suite Sheraton Suites Fairplex Hotel; the Barretts Equine Limited, a world-class equine auction complex; a recreational vehicle park; a state-of-the art child development center; scenic parks, plazas and picnic areas; a historic train exhibit; 12 acres of carnival grounds; and paved parking for 40,000 vehicles. Since 1922, the L.A. County Fair has showcased entertainment, education, exhibits, horticulture, arts, agriculture, horse racing, science, technology and special attractions. Visit www.fairplex.com.

Prado Regional Park. Prado Regional Park offers a rural getaway on more than 2,000 acres in the Chino Valley Basin. Here you can enjoy fishing, horseback riding, camping, picnics, golf and shooting, and there’s even a dog training facility. For more information, call (909) 597-4260.  [Top]

Queen Mary. An elegant floating city, the Queen Mary (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) is one of the most famous ships in history. The Queen Mary features 365 hotel staterooms, award-winning restaurants, an elaborate Champagne Sunday Brunch, a wedding chapel and 16 art deco reception salons for private celebrations and tours. Queen Mary offers 80,000 square feet of space in 14 remarkable salons, each decorated with warm wood paneling, original paintings and larger-than-life murals, brass and nickel-silver fixtures, and etched leaded glass accents. Located on the water in Long Beach, the historic ocean liner offers a unique atmosphere for unforgettable events. Their tri-level Exhibit Hall includes an additional 45,000 square feet of versatile function space. Renowned paranormal researcher Peter James presents an exciting dinner and Ghost Tour to paranormal hot spots. For more information, visit www.queenmary.com.

Raging Waters. Raging Waters, California's largest waterpark - ranked #3 by the Travel Channel in its Top 10 ranking of US Water Parks - features 50 beautifully landscaped acres, 36 slides and attractions, and a sand beach. Experience Dragon's Den, a breathtaking two-person bowl slide that offers maximum thrills and cutting-edge design and technology. Twist down the 10-story High Extreme, float down the ¼-mile Amazon River or relax in the huge Wave Pool. Kids never tire of Kids' Kingdom and Splash Island. Whether mild or wild, you’ll have a raging good time at Raging Waters San Dimas. For more information, visit www.ragingwaters.com.  [Top]

Rodeo Drive/The Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle holds more wealth and fine stores than most small countries. At its center is the renowned Rodeo Drive, the street on which Julia Roberts had her shopping spree in "Pretty Woman." It is the street that sports designer stores such as Tiiffany's, Cartier, Chanel, Bally, Gucci and other well-heeled notables. On nearby Wilshire Blvd., there is the Regent Beverly Wilshire (seen in "Beverly Hills Cop"), Niketown, Barneys, and the "Winona" Saks Fifth Avenue.

Rose Bowl Stadium. Constructed in 1921 to host the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, the Rose Bowl is a model stadium, famous for its sight line-enhancing elliptical shape and large seating capacity - now at 92,542. The Rose Bowl’s first football game was played in 1922, with the University of California Bears battling the USC Trojans. Known for the New Year's Day football game, the Rose Bowl has hosted five NFL Super Bowl Games, the 1994 Men's World Cup, and the 1999 Women's World Cup, and is home to UCLA football, Major League Soccer (LA Galaxy), Fourth of July celebrations, concerts and the world's largest flea market (R.G. Canning). Check out 100 different varieties of rose bushes situated between the stadium and the fence. For information and tickets, visit www.rosebowlstadium.com.  [Top]

Sea World. Go below the surface, above the waves and beyond your expectations at SeaWorld San Diego. Meet animals up close, see wondrous creatures, and challenge yourself and others to games of skill and physical feats. From captivating panoramic views of SeaWorld and the surrounding area, to thrilling, splashing adventures, SeaWorld rides offer excitement and wonder. From a spine-tingling 4-D movie to an electrifying performance on water and highflying dolphins to the biggest star of all, Shamu, SeaWorld's spectacular shows will amaze. The Behind-The-Scenes Tour is an unforgettable experience to discover the real SeaWorld. For more information, visit www.seaworld.com.

Scandia Amusement Park. The undisputed leader in safe, family fun offers 25 rides and attractions including go-carts, bumper boats, two miniature golf courses, batting cages and a newly refurbished arcade. Scandia Amusement Park features the Scandia Screamer - the Inland Empire’s tallest roller coaster. Scandia also provides excellent banquet and picnic facilities. Daily: 10 a.m. - midnight weekdays, closing at 1 a.m. weekends. Call (909) 390-3091.  [Top]

Six Flags Magic Mountain/Hurricane Harbor. This Southern California theme park features exciting thrill rides, world-class entertainment, shows, concerts, family adventure and the largest collection of extreme coasters on the planet. The DejaVu coaster encourages a stress-relieving scream, and X, the latest in stomach-churning coasters, features 360-degree rotating seats. Sweet 16 is Southern California's first floorless coaster. A ride on Scream simulates racing through the air in a flying chair, and the Batman ride is a thrill. For information, visit www.sixflags.com.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Hurricane harbor is a family water park with aquatic rides and slides for those hot summer days. Enjoy Taboo Tower's three thrilling body speed slides, three twisting and turning open tube slides at Arrowhead Splashdown, Tiki Falls' two dark slides and one translucent tube slide, Castaway Cove, an exclusive children's water play kingdom, Shipwreck Shores, which offers water activities for the entire family, the Forgotten Sea wave pool, and The River Cruise on the Lazy River.  [Top]

South Coast Plaza. South Coast Plaza is an exclusive shopping center resort, one of the largest revenue generating shopping centers in the country. Located in beautiful Costa Mesa, South Coast Plaza features 322 stores - major department stores, such as Macy’s and Nordstrom, and well-known designer stores and boutiques - restaurants and year-round events and exhibits. New additions include Ralph Lauren, New Balance and Barneys New York. South Coast Plaza also offers a multitude of unique dining options. For more information, visit www.south-coast-plaza.com.

Speed Zone. SpeedZone, a park built around speed and competition, incorporates real racing action, indoor interactive entertainment and great food to create a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. SpeedZone is a racing theme park featuring the closest thing to professional car racing ever offered to the public with four racetracks, 36 holes of miniature golf, a high-tech game room, full service bar and the SpeedZone Café. Situated on 12 acres in Los Angeles, the park offers guests a chance to get behind the wheel of four types of cars, including custom-built, ¾-scale grand prix cars and 18-foot, 300-horsepower dragsters racing on tracks designed by racing experts. For more information, visit www.speedzone.com.  [Top]

Staples Center. The Staples Center is downtown Los Angeles’ spectacular, big-league sports and entertainment arena. Staples Center is home to the hockey Kings, the basketball Lakers and Clippers, the Sparks and the Avengers professional sports teams. Staples hosts entertainment shows, concerts and events, including the Democratic National Convention in August 2000. The Staples Center features an array of top musical concerts, pre-season events, competitions and athletic events. Enjoy great entertainment and food - from hot dogs to lobster - at the Staples Center Arena Club. For more information, visit www.staplescenter.com.

Sunset Blvd./Sunset Plaza. Tourists and celebrities populate this stretch of Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles that is dotted with outdoor cafes and chi-chi boutiques, such as Madison, Anna Sui, and O, which features Ann Cherico's stunning accessories. Grab a seat at one of the many European cafés of the Chinese fast food Chin Chin and let your eyes focus on all the beautiful people. At the hip Standard hotel, you can get low-cost, cutting-¬edge salon services.

Universal Studios/City Walk. The magic of the movies comes to life at Universal Studios Hollywood, a Los Angeles theme park and working Hollywood Studio all in one. Universal Studios Hollywood, the world’s #1 motion picture and television studio attraction, offers guests a “backlot” look at the film and TV industry, the authenticity of a working movie studio, the rich heritage of movies past and all the stars and excitement of today’s Hollywood. Enjoy thrills, magic, stunts and special effects when you take part in your favorite blockbuster movies. It's all the glitz, glamour, action and entertainment of Hollywood. For more information, visit www.universalstudios.com.  [Top]