Top places to see in Travis Newport Beach? The Newport Pier is a 1,032 feet (314.6 meter) long municipal pier located on McFadden Place at the center of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. Completed in 1888, it was originally called McFadden Wharf named after local landowners, James and Robert McFadden. It was used for shipping but when it was sold in 1902, the new owner began to change the area for recreational and residential purposes. The old pier was destroyed by a hurricane in 1939 and the new and current pier was built in 1940 on the same site. If you are wondering what to do in Newport Beach with kids, this is a great place to visit. Today, it is a popular place for dining, fishing, and walking. Founded in 1891, the Dory Fishing Fleet is located at the base of the pier.
Located in stunning Griffith Park – LA’s largest public green space, spanning over 4,000 acres, and a popular LA attraction in itself – the Griffith Observatory sits on the southern face of Mount Hollywood and boasts some of the best views of the city, including downtown and the Hollywood Sign. Opened in 1935, the Griffith Observatory offers free-to-use telescopes, exhibitions and a high-tech planetarium. Admission to the Observatory and its grounds is free, but there is a small charge for tickets to the planetarium shows. Far more than an open-air mall, The Grove is nothing less than an LA institution. This shopping destination is home to a plethora of stores – from Nordstrom to Anthropologie and Apple – restaurants, bars, a movie theater and even an American Girl doll café. For a snack and a moment of respite, pop into Sprinkles for a cupcake or Groundwork for a dose of caffeine. Along with shopping, The Grove is known for celebrity sightings and the iconic trolley that ferries guests from one end of the mall to the other. Adjacent to The Grove is the Original Farmer’s Market, which dates back to 1934 and is a hotspot for fresh produce and high-quality food vendors.
The Environmental Nature Center is a group of 15 California native plant environments. Founded in 1972, the 3.5 acre center features walking trails, wildlife habitats, and plant ecosystems such as desert, fresh water march, oak woodland, redwood forest, and many more. Nicknamed “The ENC,” the center is known for its strong focus on eduction. Some of the features and programs of the center include a butterfly habitat, summer nature camps, school programs, and a Nature Museum that gives children the opportunity to explore and touch things that come from nature. The center can be rented for meetings, parties, and weddings. Read more info on Travis Newport Beach.
Universal Studios Theme Park has a variety of mind-blowing rides based on movie themes, but is also a working movie studio. You can take a guided tour of the studios and explore behind the scenes of some of Universal’s most popular movie sets. The main attraction for most people is usually the rides, which range from simulators to roller coasters. Favorite movie and TV-themed rides and sets include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Walking Dead, The Simpsons, and Transformers. You can easily spend a day or two here, particularly if the park is busy and wait times are long. When you are tired of the rides, you can check out CityWalk, a three-block entertainment area, with shopping, dining, and theaters. To save time standing in long lines consider purchasing a Skip the Line: Front of Line Pass at Universal Studios Hollywood. This handy ticket gives you one-time fast entry to each of the park’s rides, attractions, and shows, as well as behind-the-scenes access to select attractions.
One of the largest municipal parks in the United States, Griffith Park offers a welcome escape from L.A. traffic. In addition to acres of hilly trails and green spaces, the park is home to a broad array of fun-filled attractions, from the Los Angeles Zoo to the outdoor Greek Theatre. It’s also the location of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Griffith Observatory. Built in 1935, the beautiful Art Deco complex boasts dozens of engaging exhibits, an out-of-this-world planetarium and multiple telescopes available for public use. A visit to the observatory at dusk offers views of stars emerging in the sky above and the twinkling lights of the city below.
Take a self-guided tour of Walt Disney Concert Hall: Though the stage and concert hall itself are usually off limits to even paid tours (due to rehearsals), the interior public spaces and garden are still quite spectacular to explore. Venice canals: Winding through quaint, little (and very expensive) houses, the canals feature arched bridges and beautiful landscaping. It’s a great place to cruise along on a bike. Start between Washington Avenue and Venice Boulevard. Read more information at Travis Newport Beach.