Point Dume is state park that consists of beachfront bluffs and is within 10 minutes of restaurants and hotels in Malibu. This 32-acre park is secluded from the public beaches and large mansions that populate Malibu. The park's beach, also referred to as Pirate's Cove, is accessible from hiking trails that begin at the parking lot on top of Point Dume's bluffs. The trail leading down to the beach is steep in certain areas, so visitors should bring proper footwear. The park also has a boardwalk area below the park's summit, which offers visitors opportunities for snapshots of the Pacific Ocean.
The Getty Museum Center is in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains in the Greater Los Angeles area; it features art exhibits from local and international artists. While the museum is free, bring cash for the parking garage, which costs $10 as of fall 2010. However, one of the most popular aspects of the Getty Museum experience is the tram-ride from the parking lot to the museum. Art exhibitions include 19th century European and American paintings and photographs, contemporary pieces and sculptures. Some of the exhibitions are on display indefinitely, while others are featured for only a few months. The Getty Museum also features landscaped garden areas and dining at the on-site restaurant or the Garden Terrace Cafe.
Old Town San Diego, a 10-minute drive north of the city's downtown area, was founded in 1968. This historic district is a representation of how San Diego appeared during the 19th century; it features the Mason Street School, which was the first schoolhouse in San Diego, the Little Adobe Chapel and the Whaley House, a Victorian-era house that was relocated into Old Town San Diego. The Whaley House is reported to be haunted. Old Town San Diego is also the starting point of the San Diego Trolley Tour, a leisurely rail transit that passes through much of San Diego. This district is home to annual art expositions and tours, including the Old Town Art Festival and guided tours that occur throughout the day, such as trolley tours and walking tours.
The Griffith Park Observatory is on Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, and tourists come to this site for its sweeping views of Hollywood and Los Angeles. On clear days, visitors can even see the Pacific Ocean from the Observatory's promontory; telescopes are provided, but require some coins to use. Parking and admission to the building's space-themed exhibits are free. You can purchase tickets for an astronomy-related show in the Observatory's Planetarium. The Observatory offers an on-site cafe for lunch and dinner meals, and the front lawn of the Observatory is frequently used for picnicking. Griffith Park Observatory is also adjacent to trails in Runyon Canyon, which is a popular hiking destination for locals in the LA area.
