An awesome place : Travis Newport Beach and local real estate? The Orange County Museum of Art focuses on the art of California from the early 20th century to the present and is one of the top Newport Beach attractions. The collection contains more than 3,000 objects including paintings, photography, and sculptures. The museum also features new art media including digital, installation, and video art. The Orange County Museum of Art is one of the best things to do in Newport Beach, California for art lovers. Exhibitions of contemporary art are regularly mounted at the museum and it hosts many events including lectures and activities for children. The museum is well-known for its education outreach programs including a film series called Cinema Orange, Free Second Sundays, School Tours for children, Studio Sundays, Third Thursdays lectures, and more. Things to do in Orange County.
The J Paul Getty Museum, commonly referred to as the Getty, is an art museum spread across two campuses: the Getty Center and Getty Villa. The Getty Center, opened in 1997, is breathtaking in many ways. Architect Richard Meier is behind its modern design, and its position on a hill in the Santa Monica Mountains offers incredible views. Thoughtful exhibits, spectacular gardens and a restaurant and café stand to keep guests entertained for hours. The Getty Villa can be found towards the easterly end of the Malibu coast and is dedicated to the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria. Admission to both the Getty Villa and Getty Center is free, but parking is $15. Set within Downtown Los Angeles, Chinatown is full of superb dining destinations, art galleries and unique shops. The neon-drenched Chinatown Central Plaza is a popular spot for photos, while nearby General Lee’s boasts the most innovative cocktails in the neighborhood. Head to Yang Chow restaurant for classic Chinese dishes, or savor fried chicken at Howlin’ Ray’s at Far East Plaza. Other highlights include the diverse art galleries of Chung King Road – Coagula Curatorial and The Good Luck Gallery are two of the best – and a bronze statue of film star Bruce Lee.
Located on University Drive in Newport Beach, the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center serves as a visitor center to the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Nature Preserve. Opened in 2000, the large 10,000 square foot education facility focuses on estuary history and interactive displays. Visitors are introduced to the estuary at the center so they have a better understanding of what they are seeing as they take guided walking tours or water tours. Built into a bluff on the north side of the bay, the center features a butterfly garden, children’s activity rooms, a movie theater, and much more. There are live amphibian and reptile displays in the classrooms. Discover additional info at Travis Newport Beach.
A suburb of Los Angeles, Hollywood is a destination in itself, with its own unique history and iconic sites. The attractions in Hollywood are closely associated with the film industry and the glamour of the silver screen. The hillside Hollywood sign, Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame, and the Chinese Theatre can easily fill a day or two of sightseeing. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a celebrity or two. On a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Center, designed by Richard Meier, is a huge complex measuring 0.75 square miles and set on 110 acres. The uniquely designed building and the beautiful grounds provide the perfect setting for this impressive museum. Collections include European paintings, drawings, sculpture, and decorative arts, as well as 19th- and 20th-century photography. The Getty Center is one of two locations of the J. Paul Getty Museum, created by the late oil magnate, J. Paul Getty.
Originally erected to advertise real estate in the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood sign has come to represent the glamour and excitement of the movie industry. Virtually every visitor to Los Angeles wants to snap a picture of the iconic Hollywood sign, but getting a close-up shot isn’t easy. Nowadays, the 45-foot (14-meter) high letters perched on Mount Lee are blocked off by barriers and protected by a security system. While the sign is visible from all over Tinseltown, the best places to park and take pictures are at the Griffith Observatory, Lake Hollywood Park and the Hollywood and Highland Center shopping mall.
Universal Studios is an incredibly fun amusement park themed around how movies are made, making it a favorite amid L.A. tourist attractions. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an attraction which debuted in 2016, immerses visitors in the beloved world that J.K Rowling created. The thrilling tram tour is the park’s signature ride, and the park’s many other experiences immerse you into famous movies and TV shows. Just outside the park is the admission-free CityWalk, a neon-lit pedestrian enclave of shops, restaurants, live entertainment, movie theaters, and nightlife. For more than 100 years, the Santa Monica Pier has been one of the most iconic Los Angeles landmarks. Its 90-foot-tall Ferris wheel lights up at night, while below it bustles an arcade, a roller coaster, a carousel, and several seafood stands and restaurants. If you’re not a fan of the thrill rides, you can walk along the pier for its impressive views over the Pacific. Within easy walking distance is lively Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian street full of restaurants, street entertainers, movie theaters, and inviting stores. Find more info at Travis Newport Beach.