Free Museums in Venice Beach

"We could see the observatory when we did the Hollywood Sign hike and I was disappointed we didn’t make it there. Would have loved to go at night and to see the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. There is also the beautiful Griffith Park that you can explore and you won’t want to miss Travel Town!"

"Standing exquisitely in the 160 acres Exposition Park of Los Angeles, California Science Centre is a paradise for all the curious minds. With the mission to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning, the museum remains one of the most visited sites in the park attracting the groups of kids and adults. This very famous museum has found numerous references in pop culture because of its ability to provide visitors with advanced engagement with the world of science."

"Head to the coast and take a drive along the world-famous Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). With your convertible top down and your eyes trained on the ocean, it’s easy to miss the entrance to the Getty Villa entrance tucked in the mountainside. This replica of an ancient Roman country house has gardens to meander, galleries of Greek and Roman antiquities to peruse, and expansive views of the Pacific."

"We have mostly looked at the beaches in Malibu, but if you have time, you shouldn’t stop there. There’s much more to discover starting from the Getty Villa (located in the Pacific Palisades District), which resembles an ancient Roman villa displaying about 45,000 pieces of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art dating back to the period from 6500 B.C."

"When the Getty Villa was opened, it was subject to a fair bit of controversy, especially from art experts. The museum was opened in a faux Malibu villa that was designed based on the famous Villa dei Papiri ruins of Herculaneum. It was established by J Pau Getty, an oil magnate, and earned much derision when it began operation in 1974."

"This mansion in northwest central Pasadena has been called one of the 10 most architecturally significant homes in America, a 1908 masterpiece of California arts-and-crafts architecture built by Charles and Henry Greene for Procter & Gamble heir David Gamble. Incorporating 17 woods, art glass and subdued light, the entire home is a work of art, with its foundation, furniture and fixtures all united by a common design and theme inspired by its Southern California environs and Japanese and Chinese architecture."

"This house is both a National and California Historic Landmark as well as an operating museum located in Pasadena. Originally created as a winter home, this house has become an iconic example of American Arts and Crafts architectural style with and infusion of traditional Japanese aesthetics. Both the interior and exterior of the house were taken into mind to create a space focused on the use of natural materials, great attention to detail, and craftsmanship."

"California has always been a big magnet for wealthy families from all over the country. People come to enjoy its unbeatable weather, wide-open spaces, and stunning natural beauty. In the early years of the 20th century, Gamble House was designed and built by famous architects for heirs of the Proctor & Gamble fortune."

"If you have kids with you, then your next stop needs to be the Discovery Museum. The place is a playground full of incredible attractions for the little ones to explore and to interact with. Even as an adult it is a lot of fun, so I imagine for a kid it would be a mind-blowing experience. Be sure to go outside and walk through the inside of a dinosaur, and climb into the middle of the big black cube to explore a rocket."

"Housed in the historic 1911 Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House. The Long Beach Museum of Art was founded in 1950 as a municipal art center for the city of Long Beach. In addition to checking out current, upcoming, and permanent exhibitions you can also visit LBMA’s Sculpture Garden designed to allow you to experience and reconnect with art in the current era of physical distancing."

"One of the best ways to experience culture in this city is by visiting the Long Beach Museum of Art. You can see incredible and thought-provoking works at this institution. It’s one of the most enticing Long Beach attractions, and there’s always something exciting happening."

"Housed in the historic 1911 Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House. The Long Beach Museum of Art was founded in 1950 as a municipal art center for the city of Long Beach. In addition to checking out current, upcoming, and permanent exhibitions you can also visit LBMA’s Sculpture Garden designed to allow you to experience and reconnect with art in the current era of physical distancing."

"One of the best ways to experience culture in this city is by visiting the Long Beach Museum of Art. You can see incredible and thought-provoking works at this institution. It’s one of the most enticing Long Beach attractions, and there’s always something exciting happening."

"When it comes to things to do in Pasadena with kids, Kidspace Museum tops the list. The combination of educational programs and hands-on activities make it an exciting place to be. This facility has also established climbing towers and seasonal gardens to introduce kids to nature and outdoor activities."

"This is the place to visit if your family has little ones in it because really, sometimes kids need an outing that is all about them. There are a ton of hands-on exhibits for our little ones who are used to hearing, “don’t touch!. ” and plenty of outdoor activities and programs."

"Featuring more than forty exhibits and hosting a huge number of events and programs every month, Kidspace is an indoor-outdoor museum. As the name suggests, this museum is exclusively for kids. It is located next to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena."

"We can all agree that the only thing better than brunch is, well, more brunch. If you’re looking to brunch hard, Cafe Sierra does a Saturday brunch buffet (for a cool $32) from 10am-2pm. Though it’s pricey, the options are excellent, and include specialties like corned beef fritters, Chinese sweet buns, har gow, and all the breakfast specialties you’re craving."

"Inside Hilton Universal City is Cafe Sierra, a long standing buffet spot for tourists and locals alike. Head over on the weekend for their Seafood & Prime Rib Buffet . There you will find a bounty of fresh seafood, hot stations, hand carved prime rib, leg of lamb, bbq ribs and a Mandarin area with crispy Peking Duck, dim sum and Dungeness Ginger Crab."

"Organic ingredients and hyper-seasonal flavors are the name of the game at this ice cream parlor, which also serves as a coffee bar with pastries, salads and sandwiches, too. And while the quiches and croissants and lattes are a draw in and of themselves, the real reason to visit Le Cafe is the small-batch ice cream, available in cups or cones or milkshakes or macaron sandwiches and in flavors such as lemon, ginger and mint; caramelized almond and salted butter; anise; blueberry with banana; and all the classics—with a number of vegan options, too."

"Established in 2017, in California that begins this dream story of Le Cafe de la Plage Malibu. The owners of Le Cafe De La Plague, Bernard and Sophie left Provence, South of the France to let you know the best of their achievement. They are two crazy lovers of gastronomy passionated by unique flavors combinations for creation of exceptional vegan and classic ice cream."

"If you’ve got a sweet tooth, make sure to head on over to this cafe, which specializes in handcrafted gelato. Flavors range from the traditional (like chocolate) to the unique (like orange blossom). Vegan and gluten-free options are available here as well."

"A Long Beach classic, Long Beach Creamery has some of the best ice cream in all of Los Angeles County. The Creamery has very interesting and unique flavors that make you question its deliciousness but just trust them, they know what they’re doing. A favorite of ours is the Whiskey Vanilla ice cream, which will totally satisfy your sweet tooth."

"Long Beach Creamery owner Dina Amadril has not only builty a mini-ice cream empire with her two locations in Bixby Knolls and Downtown, her ice cream is simply stellar. Each shop is open during regular for take-out and delivery through Postmates and Grubhub. UPDATE: Call each shop for hours; they are now limited and vary."

"Some may say pricy but given the locally sourced ingredients and service is so good it's worth it. The flavors are unique and they collaborate with other Long Beach food places."