Charles Music

If you are willing to travel a bit out of the main LA area, be sure to add the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden to your destinations list. This gorgeous, 127-acre garden and outdoor oasis is nestled into the low-key San Gabriel town, near the mountains. The Arboretum houses luscious plant collections from all over the world, including many rare and endangered species.

Since opening in 2001, Dolby Theatre has served as a venue for televised theater performances. When not hosting the annual Academy Awards Ceremonies or American Idol, the theater presents a variety of public cultural events and entertainment. Concerts, shows and performances by national artists are common, including Cirque du Soleil.

Located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory is a national leader in public astronomy. Visit or even rent the observatory for an extensive display of space and science research, as well as the planetarium show and a chance to look through telescopes at the beautiful LA night sky. This attraction is one of the most famous observatories in the country.