Field trips in Los Angeles Archives - Page 2 of 39

The Best Places To See Wildflowers in Los Angeles

Posted on February 21, 2019 | Filed Under: Family Outings in Ventura, Field trips in Los Angeles | 34 Comments

Spring is my favorite time of year to go on a hike with my family and explore the various areas in and around Los Angeles where you can view wildflowers. Now through May is prime time for flower fans like myself. In preparation for the season, I’ve created a list of over 20+ places in Los Angeles where you can see wildflowers. From Antelope Valley all the way down to the coastal shores of Malibu, you can see several species of wildflowers including the California Poppy, Giant Coreopsis and Hummingbird Sage. Just remember to enjoy them and please don’t pick them!

Happy Field Tripping!

Jilleen

Where To See Wildflowers in Los Angeles

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, North Los Angeles County

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May, with a variety of wildflowers including California Poppies, creating a mosaic of color that changes daily. The peak viewing period is usually late March or early April.

Private group tours for 10 or more may be reserved for weekdays (M-F). Tours must be reserved a minimum of 2 weeks in advance by emailing Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov. Tours are free for not-for-profit organizations and clubs, and school groups. For-profit groups and tour companies will be charged $5 per person in advance, in addition to the parking fees which are paid on arrival.

Check out this list of over 20+ places in and around Los Angeles where you can see wildflowers. From the Antelope Valley all the way down to the coastal shores of Malibu, you can view several species of wildflowers including the California Poppy, Giant Coreopsis and Hummingbird Sage.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve / credit: Saintrain (talk)

Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park, Lancaster

The 566-acre Ripley Desert Woodland is located a few miles west of the Poppy Reserve on Lancaster Road at 210th Street West. The park protects and preserves an impressive stand of native Joshuas and junipers which once grew in great abundance throughout the valley. In early spring months, creamy white blossoms begin to grow on the ends of the branches of the Joshua. The blooms last for several months, growing larger and larger as the weeks go by. Set in a bed of wildflowers, the Joshua becomes a site of stately beauty.

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Reserve Free Tickets For Long Beach Touch A Truck

Posted on February 6, 2019 | Filed Under: Field trips in Los Angeles | 1 Comment

Attend the 5th annual Long Beach Touch-A-Truck interactive event in Belmont Shore on Sunday, March 24 from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm! More than 120 large vehicles will be on display for kids of all ages to climb aboard and explore such vehicles as firetrucks, police vehicles, buses, semi-trucks, tractors, military vehicles and more.

Long Beach Touch-A-Truck is hosted by Justin Rudd, his nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT), and Councilwoman Suzie Price. It is CAT’s largest event with about 6,000 kids of all ages who get to sit in the drivers’ seats!

Vehicles To See At Long Beach Touch A Truck

Previous vehicle appearances have included:

Long Beach Fire Dept. antique fire trucks
Long Beach Fire Dept. fire engine
Long Beach Gas & Oil’s 10-wheel dump truck
Long Beach Gas & Oil’s backhoe/trailer
Long Beach Gas & Oil’s crew truck
Shimmick Construction big rig and flatbed trailer w/ equipment
Waste Management recycling/garbage truck
Desert racing monster truck
Robby Gordon’s Stadium racing truck
Golf cart
Long Beach Police Dept. off-road vehicle
Long Beach Police Dept. commercial enforcement truck
Long Beach Police Dept. police motorcycles (two)
Long Beach Police Dept. K-9 Tahoe
Long Beach Transit’s 60’ articulated coach
Big Red Bus: 30’ English Double-decker
40’ Ojai Valley School bus
EDCO trash truck
Port of Long Beach’s mobile crane
City of Long Beach Marine Bureau’s front wheel loader
City of Long Beach Marine Bureau’s bulldozer
City of Long Beach Marine Bureau’s John Deere tractor
City of Long Beach Marine Bureau’s dump truck
SUV for Safety Belt Safety City of Long Beach Marine Bureau’s trash truck
City of Long Beach Marine Bureau’s beach cleaning machine
Green Trucking big rig
Long Beach Lifeguards captain’s truck or dive rig
American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle
Long Beach Marathon 17′ sprinter van
Med Coast Ambulance ambulance
Med Coast Ambulance support truck
St. Nick’s aerial boom lift
Ferrari 430 Spider
Long Beach Yellow Cab
U-Haul moving truck
Six-wheel Army transport truck
West Coast Sand & Gravel dump truck
1953 Chevy 3100 5-window pickup
Fast Glass truck
Long Beach Animal Care Services truck
Long Beach Public Works street sweeper
Long Beach Public Works automated trash truck
Long Beach Water Dept. backhoe
Long Beach Water Dept. dump truck
Long Beach Water Dept. asphalt roller
Long Beach Water Dept. crane
Long Beach Water Dept. asphalt milling machine
Long Beach Water Dept. Sewer Operations Fats, Oils & Grease inspection truck
1971 Jeep Corp. M35A2 decommissioned Military Communications vehicle
Harley-Davidson motorcycle

How To Get Tickets To Long Beach Touch A Truck

In order to attend the Long Beach Touch-A-Trunk, you must reserve a free ticket online. Reservations will be available online two weeks before the event. Onsite registration is not available. Every person needs to pre-register, regardless of age. Each participant who signs an online liability waiver will receive a wristband at the check-in gate on the day of the event.

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Best Lunar New Year Celebrations in Southern California

Posted on January 20, 2019 | Filed Under: Field trips in Los Angeles, Field Trips in Orange County, Field Trips in Riverside, Field Trips in San Bernardino, Field Trips in San Diego | Leave a Comment

Celebrated for thousands of years in various countries around the world influenced by Chinese civilization, the Lunar New Year remains one of the world’s most celebrated holidays. 2019 marks the Year of the Pig, an animal wih a beautiful personality and are blessed with good fortune in life.

The celebration of Chinese New Year is a festive, colorful, loud, and incredibly fun holiday to enjoy, even if you aren’t Chinese. So, check out this list of the Best Lunar New Year Celebrations in Southern California and mark the special occasion by attending one with your family.

Best Lunar New Year Celebrations in Los Angeles

Lunar New Year Festival, Monterey Park (Jan. 26-27)

The city of Monterey Park will ring in the the Year of the Pig with this annual 2-day festival. Over the course of five blocks of downtown L.A. streets, festivalgoers will enjoy everything from Asian cuisine, carnival rides, art, lion dances and much more. Admission is free.

Best Lunar Year Celebrations in Los Angeles

credit: Universal Studios

Lunar New Year at Universal Studios Hollywood, Hollywood (Feb. 2-17)

Celebrate the year of the pig during Lunar New Year February 2 – 17. Join Po and Tigress from Kung Fu Panda in Po’s Village and savor Asian dishes at Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop. Meet Illumination’s Minions in traditional Chinese attire and Mandarin-speaking Megatron from TRANSFORMERS™, and new this year, Hello Kitty joins us for the celebration. Plus, enjoy fun activities, live entertainment and more.

Chinese New Year Celebration at Mount of Olive Lutheran Preschool, Rancho Palos Verdes (Feb. 2)

Ni Hao Chinese invites you to celebrate the 2019 Lunar New Year with a wide variety of activities including traditional Chinese desserts, Chinese food, games and prizes. They also have a pastry chef on hand to make dragon whiskers candy. RSVP and get a free entry into the raffle.

Chinese New Year Gala 2019 at Almansor Court, Alhambra (Feb. 10)

Enjoy a holiday buffet banquet, VIP Speaker, cultural activity booths, spectacular performances, raffle prizes and more! The 2019 Gala will support California Wildfires Relief. Ticketed event.

Best Chinese New Year Celebrations in Southern California

credit: Citadel Outlets

Chinese New Year Celebration at Citadel Outlets, Los Angeles (Feb. 3)

Citadel Outlets is thrilled to welcome good fortune and joy in the Year of the Pig with vibrant, family-friendly celebrations for both the local community and Los Angeles-bound traveler. Live dancers and artists from the Los Angeles Chinese Cultural Center will perform a variety of Chinese dragon dances, folk dances, traditional songs, drum ceremonies tai-chai displays and more.

For four weeks this January & February, shoppers will have the chance to enjoy festive red and gold lanterns, twinkling lights and an authentic 17-ft Chinese pagoda decorating Center Court.

Chinese New Year: Shanghai Nights at the Queen Mary, Long Beach (Feb. 5)

Chinese New Year: Shanghai Nights will honor the Year of the Pig with traditional Chinese culture, cuisine, and entertainment featuring Wushu Shaolin lion and dragon dancing, Wushu Warriors Shaolin acrobatics, a guzheng ensemble, and much more. Located on board the Queen Mary in the famous Queen’s Salon, this limited seating event will be a feast of the senses surrounded by stunning decor. A buffet-style dinner featuring classic Chinese cuisine will begin at 6 pm, followed by live entertainment.

Tickets to Chinese New Year: Shanghai Nights aboard the Queen Mary are currently on-sale starting at $99.99 general admission adult and $49.99 for children ages 4 to 11. All tickets include dinner and entertainment.

Golden Dragon Parade & Chinese New Year Festival at Chinatown Central Plaza, Los Angeles (Feb. 9)

For over a hundred years, people have gathered in the streets of Los Angeles’ Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year and enjoy the Golden Dragon Parade, a tradition for the past 120 years. The parade includes beautiful floats, marching bands, government officials, various dignitaries, entertainers, local business leaders and cultural groups.

The free outdoor festival that runs throughout the day includes live dancing and music entertainment, cultural artisan classes, vendors, and local food trucks.

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Where To Go Whale Watching in California

Posted on January 15, 2019 | Filed Under: Field trips in Los Angeles, Field Trips in Orange County, Field Trips in San Diego, Field Trips in Santa Barbara, Field Trips In Ventura | 7 Comments

This post may contain an affiliate link.

Did you see the video last spring of the birth of a False Killer Whale that a group of tourists got to experience while whale watching off the coast of Dana Point? The whales were swimming alongside the catamaran, when suddenly a little calf was pushed up by his or her mother to the surface to take its first breath. The false killer whale is the third-largest member of the oceanic dolphin family and lives in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world.

In addition to the 40 or so False Killer Whales that they saw, they also got to see 27 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, a Minke Whale, over 2,000 Common Dolphins, a dozen Bottlenose, and a handful of Pacific White-sided Dolphins.

Best Time To Go Whale Watching California

Southern California is a wonderful place to see whales at their finest. During whale watching season in Southern California, which takes place along the coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego, you’ll find plenty of ways to see the migration.

The season itself runs from mid-December through April with migrating Gray Whales being the most common species. Every winter, more than 20,000 Pacific Gray Whales travel 10,000 miles round-trip from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja California. To see females with their calves, it’s best to go late in the season as they take their babies back up north with them.

The best way to see whales migrating in Southern California is to go on a whale watching tour. Most whale watch trips are fairly short and some companies even guarantee that you can go again for free if you don’t see any whales the first time.

Whale Watching Los Angeles

Anytime you want to go whale watching in Los Angeles your chances of spotting whales are very high. From January through May you can actively spot California Gray Whales in the Greater Los Angeles Area. On the way down to Mexico, the majority of pregnant females end up giving birth just above Los Angeles and swim down along the coast with their small babies in tow.

The Blue Whale season starts in early summer. June through September you can see one of the world’s largest animals, weighing up to 400,000 lbs, feeding on krill and swimming right off the LA coast.

You can take a highly rated whale watching boat tour for one, two or four people in Los Angeles with either LA Waterfront Cruises, 22nd Street Landing Sportfishing or San Monica Cruise Tour & Travel Center.

Whale Watching Long Beach

When you go whale watching in Long Beach, you never know what you might see! You could catch a glimpse of the majestic Pacific Gray Whale during its annual migration from Alaska or you just might see the incredible Humpback Whale flip breach the surface. No matter the time of day or season, creatures of the sea are never far from view, from orcas to fin whales, minke whales to dolphins, and so much more.

Harbor Breeze’s Whale Watching Cruise is your best chance to channel your inner Jacques Cousteau and create some lifelong memories. And since one of the country’s best aquariums is right next door, you’re in good hands on this seafaring adventure. An educator from the Aquarium of the Pacific will guide you as you marvel at gray or blue whales (depending on the season), plus others majestic creatures, like the distinctive humpback, killer whales and several kinds of dolphins.

Marina Del Rey Whale Watching

The waters around Marina del Rey teem with seasonal gamefish. Beneath the ocean’s surface, halibut, sand bass, and barracuda swim from Rocky Point to the Big Kelp Reef. Sea lions, dolphins, sea birds, and several whale species also make their home in the water. This diversity of wildlife prompted the owners of Marina Del Rey Sportfishing to start their whale and eco tour, during which sightseers can admire the ocean’s majestic creatures and the teams of Aquamen who groom them.

Marine Del Rey Whale Watching offers a 3-3.5 hour on water adventure that departs at 10 am on weekdays, and at 10 am and 1:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. From a 65-foot-long sightseeing boat, passengers might spot gray whales, blue whales, fin whales, and other species. Other wildlife may make appearances, including dolphins, sea turtles, and seals.

Whale Watching Newport Beach

Newport Beach offers some of the best whale watching California has to offer. With one the largest marine protected parks just outside of Newport Bay, whales and dolphin of all types can be viewed as soon as you leave the bay. It is not uncommon to see giant blue whales and finback whales just outside the bay during the summer and fall months. Multiple gray whales are often seen in this same area during the winter and spring months while on their annual migration.

Some of the top rated whale watching companies in Newport Beach include:

Whale Watching Dana Point

Dana Point is located about halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles. Along with hosting such events as the Festival of the Whales, Dana Point also is home to the Ocean Institute a non-profit research educational center teaching kids about marine life and marine mammals. As you would expect, whale watching in Dana Point is a very popular activity amongst locals and visitors alike. Dana Wharf Whale Watching offers a great captain narrated two-hour tour through the Pacific in search of gray whales, dolphins, and sea lions.

Whale Watching San Diego

If you want to get up close and personal with Pacific Grey Whales migrating along the San Diego coastline, a whale watching tour around San Diego harbor is your best bet. You can book a tour through any number of whale watching companies. Most depart from Point Loma, San Diego Bay or Oceanside. Besides seeing some beautiful whales, you will often spot sea lions, dolphins and other types of marine life.

Whale Watching Santa Barbara

Whales splash around Santa Barbara entertaining onlookers eight months out of the year. Tour companies offer gray whale watching trips from late December through mid-April from Ventura and Oxnard while Blue and Humpback whale watching trips are available from mid-June through mid-September.

Humpback and endangered Blue whales feed on swarms of unsuspecting krill around Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Feeding whales tend to be near the western end of the northern Channel Islands and the journey there is often filled with playful visits from dolphins, seals, and California sea lions, and occasional visits from Orca whale pods.

Blue whale watching trips take visitors on a journey past Painted Cave, one of the largest sea caves in the world on the west end of Santa Cruz Island. Weather and sea conditions permitting, you might have the opportunity to see the cave up close. Gray whale watching is a half-day adventure that takes about 4 hours. Since Gray whale watching occurs in the winter, visitors are encouraged to dress warm.

Channel Islands Whale Watching out of Oxnard specializes in Eco-Tourism and Wildlife Adventures. Their tours take place in the pristine waters surrounding Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary. During a whale watching tour, the company offers wildlife interpretation with informative narration of this unique region, often referred to as the Galapagos of the Northern Hemisphere.

Happy Field Tripping!

Jilleen

More Things To Do with Kids in Southern California

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Vist a Wolf Sanctuary in Southern California

Best Places for a Tea Party in Southern California

60+ Places To Explore With Kids in Orange County

8 Airport Tours For Kids in Southern California

How To Get Free Broad Museum Tickets in LA

Posted on January 7, 2019 | Filed Under: Field trips in Los Angeles | 4 Comments

Earlier in 2018, my family and I traveled to LA to visit a few attractions, including The Broad on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. Founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, The Broad Museum is home to more than 2,000 works of art, which is among the most prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art worldwide.

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, the three-story museum features 50,000 square feet of column-free gallery exhibition space divided between two floors.

How To Get Broad Museum Tickets in LA

The Broad offers free admission to the general public. Advance admission tickets are often fully booked, but an onsite standby line is available at the museum every day except Mondays, when the museum is closed. The expected wait time is between 2-3 hours if you decide to wait in the standby line.

The Broad Art Collection

Right from the start, you will notice a few unusual pieces of art in the lobby. Like this gigantic stack of plates by Robert Therrien made out of ceramic epoxy on fiberglass.

After exploring the lobby, my family took the escalator to the third floor and worked our way down. We observed numerous pieces of life size art on every level like Jeff Koons’ Tulips, Jim Beam — J.B. Turner Train, Michael Jackson and Bubbles and Balloon Dog (Blue).

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