It was great except I would rather go when it's not spring break, too crowded. Overall it was good.read more

I love the observatory! I come here almost every day to…read morerelax and enjoy the views! It's an educational exercise;)

We went last Sunday and I can't believe it's taken us this long to go here! My 4 year old and…read morealmost 3 year old loved this place. We managed to go on the last day of butterfly season and my kids really loved all the butterfly touches. We even purchased our own caterpillars to take home with us :) Parking wasn't too bad and the weather was great on this day, but it was pretty busy. We mostly stayed outdoors and there were plenty of things for the kids to do. Definitely bring a change of clothes though because there is some water play. We'll be back :)

You HAVE to check their event calendar RIGHT before going because they are closed random days…read more.. i've driven over there multiple times only to find that they're closed so what I decided to do was put their event calendar in mine and marked the days that they would be closed and the days that they have toddler Tuesday... Well, it turns out they change their calendar and don't put out any announcement about it and so what I marked down is now incorrect . It's really frustrating. I wish they would send out an update when they decide to change their calendar or maybe just not put out the calendar so far in advance if they're going to change it.. All that being said, this place is great. We come here all the time. I started taking my baby when she was eight months old and I found out about their baby room, which is an amazing developmentally appropriate spot for babies to grow. They have carpet which is essential for babies learning to crawl. If you have a 0-12 month old DO not skip out on this! It's the absolute best part of KS IMO. Now that my child is almost 2. She loves the whole place... Her favorite is the stream... Make sure you bring an extra set of clothes and a towel because your kids will get wet! It's great that they change up their theme so often and that they bring in new items to play with all the time... We particularly love the clay table for the spring and I love the sensory bins on toddler Tuesday. Toddler Tuesday is absolutely wonderful. People always ask how it's different.- well, they set up the art room for toddlers so instead of having crafts where you may have to use scissors don't have something similar like painting ice... They also have sensory bins set up for them as well as some fun activities like sidewalk chalk. There are less older kids there which makes the toddlers have more freedom to roam about.

Tickets for the planetarium shows cannot be purchased online or in advance. They must be purchased…read moreabout 30-45 mins before each show starts. Usually the lines are long if you try to purchase the tickets near the front entrance. But there are a few kiosks and other box offices available inside the observatory. Kiosks are the easiest way to purchase the tickets and avoid the frustratingly long lines. It is advised to go inside the planetarium at least 20 mins before the show starts. For some shows, the entrance to the planetarium is from the West terrace. On a cold night, it can get very chilly and the lines and wait times could be long. So, make sure to wear warm clothing. Coming to the planetarium shows, I viewed the 'Signs of life' and 'Centered in the universe'. Both of them are well made, perfectly timed and very informative. I enjoyed them thoroughly.

first of all, the ticket line was way too long, I had o wait under the sun forever just to buy them…read moreand honestly that already killed my vibe. On top of that, parking was $10 per hour -- I mean, come on, that's crazy. I was already a little in a bad mood, so maybe that didn't help, but still they should really fix how they do the ticket distribution. It felt super disorganized. Now, the good part, the dome is beautiful, the projections look amazing, and the whole vibe inside is actually pretty cool. But I just couldn't fully enjoy it with all the stress before the show.

Calling all #Disney fans this is a hidden gem in #griffithpark #LA…read more Parking - 5/5 free lot Cost - free +$4 trainride Time spent - 30 min to 1.5 hrs depending on how into Disney history or mini trains you are. Plan ahead - only open 3rd Sunday of the month. I loved being in the Barn and imagining the energy and inspiration that led to the magical Disney parks today.

If you want to earn your Mickey Mouse ears as a die-hard fan, then this place needs to be on your…read morelist of must-see Disney locations. Because this barn, or as Walt called it, "my happy place" is where all those magical ideas first got their start. When you go inside, you'll see many ideas built on happiness and some neat-o Disney history, too. A mini train ride around the property is also filled with little surprises to put a smile on your face. THE BACK STORY: Carolwood Barn served as Walt Disney's workshop where he spent many hours building miniatures and 1/8th scale model trains. It's been said that the barn itself is where Walt's original "imagineering" ideation sparked the inspo to create Disneyland Park. Originally, the barn was located in Holmby Hills and named after the street where he lived, which was Carolwood Drive. Later in 1999 after his passing, his daughter bequeathed Walt's hand-laid tracks to the Los Angeles Live Steamers (LALS), who maintained a rail museum in LA's Griffith Park. Fun fact: Walt was one of the founding & charter members of this locomotive enthusiast group (LALS) that formed back in 1956. So I guess the train story comes full circle. Carolwood Barn is open on the third Sunday of each month (11am-3am). Note: subject to change without notice. Admission is FREE, parking is FREE, and LALS members serve as volunteer hosts, and take you on train rides. So be nice to them, they're out there donating their time for free. Now if you're a train enthusiast, you can be a member too. Membership Perks: Help lay track, maintain signals, transport passengers, and operate live steam, diesel, or electric train engines from 1″ scale (1:32) to 1.5″ scale. It's a $100 annual fee and even kiddos can get a $20 Junior Membership. See, you can easily join the OG Walt Disney Club (Mickey ears are optional).

We did the private tour of the observatory, and let me tell you it was so worth it. I booked the…read moreprivate tour as an anniversary gift for my husband, he's a physicist and I knew this would be right up his alley. The tour guide was so friendly and knowledgeable about the observatory. The tour takes you through several parts of the observatory with experts at each stopping point. As someone who isn't into physics, I can honestly say I actually had a blast. There's also a small cafe that serves sandwiches and soups that was also really good. The observatory and cafe are open only during part of the year, so definitely check out their site for the hours.

This is a must visit for all Angelenos and tourists and anyone interested in matters earthly and…read moreuniversal. We did the 2+ hour docent tour, worth every penny. Everyone here is a volunteer (docents, scientists, and all) so they rely on donations and purchases of merch and all the really special events they plan. You need to get a $5 daily pass to park in the lot since it's a national forest. Easy to get at the Cosmic Cafe upon arrival. Sign up online for their newsletter so you can be in the know of some very cool happenings at the observatory.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent,…read moreand it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle.

Just go, that's my advice to you…read more I came here for an astronomy lab and it looked wholly unimpressive from the outside. Once inside, however, I realized how wrong I was. There are free shows on Wednesday evenings put on by UCLA free to the public and students. I highly recommend going at least once, it's an unreal experience and strangely peaceful. The facts they give out are also interesting and they alternate themes every week. It's the best view of the stars you'll get and it's located conveniently on campus.

What a wonderful show! Pauline was fantastic! That was truly a neat experience. The seats were…read morevery comfortable and the show was very informative. I can't say enough great things. I'm so thankful this is open to the public. Parking at Lot 8 made it very easy and it was just increased to $12 for general parking. Pro tip: use the option to get just enough time for the show for around $6, instead.

We came to this location for the Mickey Mouse Exhibition. It was much farther than we had…read moreanticipated, and the location is much smaller than the one in Santa Ana. They also have similar activities like the other location, some different, but overall, great for kids! They offer many interactive activities for kids. (Bring your wipes and hand sanitizers!) They have plenty of parking, a small library, and a park right next to the location. Before even entering the Cube itself, kids will be distracted by the carousel just by the main entrance. There is a small food court, a gift shop, and 2 floors of exhibitions. They have plenty of restrooms around the area, which was nice for changing diapers or for toddlers needing a restroom break. There are plenty of staff and volunteers around the exhibits who can guide you or answer any questions. All the staff we encountered during our visit were friendly. They also have an outdoor area for picnics.

Playful and educational environment The Mickey Mouse…read moreclubhouse exhibit was very much enjoyed by kids and they have an unlimited carousel rides for $6 non members which is pretty cool We noticed the dinosaur fossil display near the exit and would love to see more interactive or hands on dinosaur exhibits designed specifically for toddlers in the future Bring your own hand sanitizers and wipes because given the interactive nature of museums I noticed that many hand sanitizer stations throughout the building were empty. Ensuring these would be consistently refilled would be a great improvement especially in a children's environment

A hidden gem for all us science geeks! I attended the FREE Open House on Sunday, October 13 which…read morewas held between 2-5pm. I believe it's an annual event. This is a great opportunity if you haven't been here before and/or you have kids who are interested in science, especially telescopes. Kids of all ages enjoyed: A planetary photo op Carmela Ice Cream (free mini scoops) Free iced lemonade, water and iced tea Astronomy Passport activities Infrared Camera exhibit Spectroscopy Progress of the Giant Magellan Telescope Solar telescopes to look through Pocket Solar System (make & take) Ask a Scientist station Reggae and Calypso music Various talks & presentations Self guided tour of the facility My favorite part was the Hale Library - EINSTEIN WAS HERE! Yes, he stood right here alongside Hubble and other science luminaries of his generation. I also enjoyed walking the hallways and looking at the decorated office doors of the (many female) scientists and PhD's. I'd certainly come again if given the opportunity! Yelp Challenge 2019: 86/100

Came for another education on the findings with JWST. So much of the universe and we are just…read morestarting to see a portion of it. Looking forward to more in the next few weeks

This is such a great collection of early cars. Walking down the aisles looking at the innovation,…read morecraftsmanship and creativity makes you wonder what happened to our automobiles today. They have recently started charging $5 entry fee to help offset costs; a perfectly reasonable fee.

One of the greatest car collections in the world and the tour is bucket list item I have been lucky…read moreenough to do for my 3rd time now. The music room is a nice bonus I like to surprise friends with. Afterwards we stayed local for an amazing meal at La Bella Pizza Trattoria. A great day in San Fernando valley that one friend said was one of his greatest experiences.