Southern California has a wealth of tourist attractions to keep individuals, couples and families busy during a visit to the state. The area has amusement parks, museums, aquariums, scenic drives, dramatic coastlines and Hollywood, as well as a temperate climate year-round. Residents and visitors from all over the United States and the world flock to the area's attractions.
Nicknamed "The Happiest Place on Earth," Disneyland Resort is located on Disneyland Drive in Anaheim and was created for family fun and entertainment. The Disneyland park first opened in 1955. It has since expanded to include the Downtown Disney shopping and nightlife district; Disney's California Adventure Park (a Disney-themed amusement/carnival park with roller coasters and a Hollywood backlot); Disney's Grand California Hotel and Spa; and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. The Disneyland Anaheim Resort attracts a multitude of tourists every year because of its diversity of entertainment, customer service and family-friendly atmosphere.
Disneyland Resort
1313 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
disneyland.com
The Orange County Zoo is located inside Irvin Park in Orange, California. Amongst 477 acres of wilderness, the park traces its roots to 1905, when red foxes were bred in Irvin Park. The zoo officially opened in 1985 and is staffed, operated and owned by Orange County. The zoo is a tourist attraction that provides educational entertainment and animal discovery for all ages, and visitors can enjoy the park for a minimal entrance fee. The zoo features animals and plants native to the southwest such as bald eagles, coyotes, mountain lions and black bears. The zoo also has a barnyard exhibit that houses domestic goats, doves and sheep.
Orange County Zoo
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869
714-973-6847
ocparks.com
Grauman's Chinese Theatre is located on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. With a height of 90 feet at its peak, and 40-foot curved walls on the exterior and a 30-foot stone dragon near the entrance, the theatre was built in 1927 for the cost of $2 million. It is officially a historic and cultural landmark of Hollywood, but still shows movies regularly and periodically is the location of Hollywood premieres. The theatre's unique design and popularity among Hollywood industry professionals make it a must-see tourist spot and photo opportunity when visiting Los Angeles.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-464-6266
manntheatres.com
The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is one of the more unusual attractions in Southern California. The cemetery, built in 1899, is located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood and is the final resting place to many influential people in Hollywood's history; it is also the site of unique events, concerts and festivals. Every year, the cemetery hosts a Dia de Los Muertos event to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and to remember the souls of loved ones. The cemetery is home to graves, mausoleums and cremation niches for many influential Hollywood people including Bugsy Siegel, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, Joan Hackett and Lilian Bond.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90038
323-469-1181
hollywoodforever.com
