best free field trips in los angeles

14 Best School Field Trips in Los Angeles

Your students deserve a chance to explore science, math, history and art in their communities. However, tight school budgets and transportation issues may impede these efforts. Luckily, the Los Angeles area is home to many field trip venues that are either free or low priced and full of fun and adventure for all grade levels.

Whether that’s visiting a local museum , exploring a beautiful botanical garden or going tide pooling at the beach, every student deserves a hands-on education.

14 Best Student Field Trips in Los Angeles

Here is a list of 14 Best School Field Trips in Los Angeles to supplement your students’ classroom learning and education whether they attend public or private school or homeschool.

Aquarium of the Pacific , Long Beach

Bring your students to the Aquarium of the Pacific for a fun learning experience. Come explore and discover over 12,000 animals that call the Aquarium their home.

Explore the wonders of the Pacific Ocean on a self-guided field trip . Observe penguins, sea otters, sea jellies, and so much more. Dive deeper into your learning experience by adding an education program where your class can investigate further with an Aquarium educator.

The Aquarium also hosts homeschool days and children education classes throughout the year.

The Arboretum , Arcadia

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a unique 127-acre botanical garden and historical site located in what was the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita in the city of Arcadia.

Self-guided and educator led field trips are offered at the Arboretum.

Available to grades 1st through 12th, Nature Investigations are hands-on, interactive programs led by Arboretum educators. Each Nature Investigation leads students on a journey into the garden where they will take a closer look at the incredible natural systems at work through the lens of different themes, including Habitat, Pollination, Plant Adaptation, Ethnobotany, and Biodiversity. While these themes are different, they contain overarching, crosscutting concepts that connect all five programs. Each program can accommodate approximately 20 students for up to a total of 100 students per day. 

Available to all grade levels, self-guided visits of the Arboretum present a wonderful opportunity to enhance your classroom curriculum. With their chaperone as their guide, students can explore science, history, wildlife, or simply spend a day discovering nature in a free-choice learning environment.

The Arboretum also hosts a holiday event every year called Lightscape and special exhibits from time to time.

Autry Museum of the American West , Los Angeles

The Autry features innovative exhibitions, a broad range of programs and extensive collection of art and artifacts, the Autry National Center explores the distinct stories and interactions of cultures and peoples, and their impact on the complex, evolving history of the American West.

The Autry’s mission to bring together the stories of all peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inspire our shared future continues as we bring the museum to you through virtual tours , standards-based self-paced lessons, and fun activities for students of all ages.

The Autry Museum provides hands-on educational programs to explore the history of the American West for grades 3 through 12. There are two options for field trips ; a docent guided tour or museum teacher program.

School admission fee is $2.00 per person for students, teachers, and chaperones.  Adult chaperones are required for all student programs. A minimum of one adult chaperone per every 8 students is required for your visit.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium , San Pedro

Located in San Pedro, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a trusted resource that inspires exploration, respect and conservation of Southern California marine life.

The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium offers many programs for school groups and individuals of all ages to gain better awareness of our coastal environment.

Hands-on programs include everything from hatching grunion to the ancient Japanese art of Gyotaku. Lectures by noted scientists and authors offer an in-depth look at an array of topics from extreme waves to bioluminescence and our marine biology workshops teach subjects from Ichthyology to Animal Behavior to spark an interest in science at any age.

The California Science Center, Los Angeles

The California Science Center provides an innovative model for science learning by combining exhibits with an on-site Science Center School and Amgen Center for Science Learning as well as a teacher professional development program.  The Science Center is open to the public seven days a week, 362 days per year, with free general admission to its permanent exhibit galleries.  The facility spans more than 400,000 sq. feet and includes four major exhibit areas.

Things to do on a field trip include the IMAX Theater, Space Shuttle Endeavor, Big Lab and Permanent Exhibit Galleries.

Group reservations are available for parties of 15 or more. Call (213) 744-2019 to speak with a reservation assistant. Reservations are accepted weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The California Science Center also hosts  homeschool days  and  special exhibits  throughout the year.

Discovery Cube of Los Angeles , Simi Valley

Discovery Cube Los Angeles is   an indoor wonderland of learning and imagination through interactive play and real world experiences . Their mission is to inspire and education young minds through engaging science-based programs and exhibits therefore creating a meaningful impact on the communities they serve.

Discovery Cube LA offers a variety of twelve field trips programs including:

Roots and Fruits – This new 3-hour field trip features a workshop style experience about the life cycle of a plant, parts of a plant, what a plant needs to grow and survive, plant habitats, pollinators, water conservation (grades 1 & 2), and composting (grade 3). Includes pre & post field trip activities and videos.

World of Motion – This new 3-hour field trip features a workshop style experience about gravity, friction, potential and kinetic energy, energy transfer, Newton’s Laws of Motion and engineering design. Includes pre & post field trip activities and videos.

A Perfect Fit – This guided 2-hour field trip features a special presentation about animal adaptations that allow different animals to survive and thrive in different environments.

Dodgers Stadium , Los Angeles

Since 1962, Dodger Stadium has welcomed fans from all corners of the globe and enchanted them with its breathtaking views and its storied past.  This 56,000-seat icon of American sports history has been home to some of the greatest players in the game and is home to the best fans in all of baseball.

The Dodger Stadium Tour provides fans the opportunity to see the ballpark in a very unique fashion. This behind-the-scenes tour lets fans visit some of the most restricted and non-public areas and view the Stadium from a whole new perspective. As baseball’s third-oldest stadium, Dodger Stadium remains one of the game’s most beautiful and most historic venues.  This is a walking tour of the ballpark which includes climbing stairs and ramps.

Highlights of this 90 minute tour may include:  

• A trip down to the field at Dodger Stadium
• A visit into the Dodger Dugout
• An exclusive look at the Lexus Dugout Club, their VIP restaurant and lounge located behind home plate, home to our World Series trophies, Most Valuable Player (MVP), Cy Young, Silver Slugger and Rookie of the Year awards
• A walk through the Vin Scully Press Box, where the story of Dodger baseball is covered from every angle
• And more surprises!

To set up a private tour, please visit their website .

The Getty Museum , Los Angeles

Each year the Getty welcomes more than 160,000 K-12 students to the Getty Center and Villa to experience tours, programs, and creative spaces. A trip to the Getty is a multi-media experience; therefore, learning is enhanced through sensory and tactile inputs. Conversations about art can also spark an appreciation of culture and increase students’ ability to think critically about the arts. 

The Getty Museum offers two types of free tours:  Guided  and  Self-Guided . All school visits include a one-hour guided tour with a Getty docent. Students in small groups, accompanied by chaperones, are encouraged to explore the galleries and the Central Garden on their own following their guided tour. 

Available for groups of 8 students (minimum) to 120 (maximum) in grades K–12. 

The Grammy Museum , Los Angeles

The Grammy Museum, is an interactive, educational museum devoted to the history and winners of the Grammy Awards.  The Museum strives to inspire its visitors to learn about musical genres and history through interactive touch-screens, videos, and recording booths.  The museum also features a rich collection of historical music artifacts including costumes and instruments from the Grammy Awards, hand-written lyrics, records, and audio/video recordings.

From workshops centered around the creative process (Music Production), connecting to topics covered in the classroom (Music of the Civil Rights Movement), or to their career-based programs (Backstage Pass and Careers in Music), The Grammy Museum giving students the opportunity to learn about all subjects through music.

Student museum tours are offered at a cost of $12, which allows youth of all backgrounds to have the opportunity to learn through music.

After being greeted by a Grammy Museum representative, all school groups will participate in a self-guided tour of the Museum. Groups can choose to add on a Clive Davis Theater workshop or participate in a Museum-wide scavenger hunt.

Griffith Observatory , Los Angeles

Griffith Observatory is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy, a beloved civic gathering place, and one of southern California’s most popular attractions. The Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, just above the Los Feliz neighborhood. It is 1,134 feet above sea level and is visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin. The Observatory is the best vantage point for observing the world-famous Hollywood Sign.

Griffith Observatory’s free fifth-grade in-person school program uses the Observatory’s instruments, exhibits, and programs in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater to help students explore their place in the universe. The two-and-a-half-hour program is an integrated, standards-based experience which educates, intrigues, and inspires young minds. The combination of the Observatory’s engaging staff and our unique facilities produces an opportunity unlike anything offered anywhere else.

Sessions typically take place on Thursday and Friday mornings (9:30 a.m.-Noon) from late October to early June at Griffith Observatory. Only students enrolled in fifth grade are eligible. Advanced registration is required, and space is limited.

Griffith Observatory also offers virtual field trips for teachers to stream from their classrooms.

  Jet Propulsion Laboratory , Pasadena

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory holds a unique place in the universe. They are a leader in robotic space exploration, sending rovers to Mars, probes into the farthest reaches of the solar system, and satellites to advance understanding of our home planet.

The JPL Public Services Office offers a limited number of onsite, in-person tours , free of charge, for groups and individuals on an advance reservation basis. Visitor parking is also available free of charge. All tours commonly include a multimedia presentation on JPL entitled “Journey to the Planets and Beyond,” which provides an overview of the Laboratory’s activities and accomplishments.

Guests may also visit the von Karman Visitor Center, the Space Flight Operations Facility, and the Spacecraft Assembly Facility. Please see the below descriptions for additional information. Tours are booked one month at a time, and must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance.

JPL’s free educational tours are designed for schools and educational groups of 20 people or more.  The tour is specifically geared for children in 3rd grade and up for comprehension of information.

Natural History Museums of Los Angeles , Los Angeles

Step back to the days when dinosaurs roamed the Los Angeles area. Watch as a T-Rex fossil closes in on its prey, or check out the  fossils of dinos such as a triceratops  at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. With more than  300 fossils on display , kids of all ages will have a blast exploring California life from 65 million years ago.

Explore the exhibit halls, get up-close-and-personal with specimens and artifacts, and experience the museum with your students on a field trip. Self-guided field trips to the Natural History Museum are free for California Pre-K – 12 public or private school groups.

The NHM also offers specific homeschool days throughout the year for families to visit and enjoy the museum.

The Port of Los Angeles , Los Angeles

There’s no other port like it in the world! The Port of Los Angeles is a premier international Port, the #1 container port in the nation, a leader in environmental initiatives and home to diverse recreational and educational facilities.

The Port of Los Angeles offers free one-hour educational tours to school groups (fourth grade through college) aboard  Harbor Breeze Cruises  boats to showcase the dynamics of daily world trade at America’s busiest port. To prepare students for the tour, the Port can provide various materials and information, focusing on local history, international trade, and/or environmental awareness.

The Port of Los Angeles also offers free tours to the public from time to time. Guests experience 60-minute narrated tours that include up-close views of active vessels, container terminals and the bustling Los Angeles Main Channel.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum , Simi Valley

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is the repository of presidential records from the administration of Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, and the burial place of the president and first lady, Nancy Reagan.

There are many exciting learning opportunities for you and your students at the Reagan Library. The Air Force One Discovery Center allows students to experience firsthand the responsibilities and challenges faced by leaders in our government, military, and media as they are immersed in our award-winning critical decision simulation.

As either a student or a teacher, you can join The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Presidential Learning Center and its commitment to engaging the future leaders of America and developing proactive informed, educated, and conscientious citizens and leaders.

You can also call to schedule a class tour of the exhibits or attend one of our on-site Education Workshops through the National Archives.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum offers docent-led museum tours designed to engage and inform students about Ronald Reagan’s presidency and his legacy. Self-guided museum tours are available for educators who want to immerse their students in a more customized program.

Happy Field Tripping,

Barbara EpsteinBarbara

Tuesday 7th of February 2023

When I taught in San Pedro we used to collect recycling all year to pay for an extra field trip to Pointe Vicente Interpretive Center, followed by a nature hike in the hills above. Closer to nature than other choices.

What a creative and quite educational idea.

BE ADVISED: Due to nearby events on Friday, June 7, parking and traffic around the Natural History Museum may be impacted. Parking for First Fridays is available at the Blue Visitor Parking Structure, located at 39th St and Fugueroa St in Exposition Park. Please plan your visit accordingly, and consider riding the Metro E (Expo) Line and exiting at USC/Expo station.

Please note that NHM's Call Center phones are currently down. Please contact us at [email protected] .

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Field trips.

Inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds with a field trip to the Natural History Museum!

Visit the Natural History Museum on a field trip!  Explore our exhibit halls, get up-close-and-personal with specimens and artifacts, and experience our museums with your students. Self-guided field trips to the Natural History Museum are free for California Pre K–12 public or private school groups. See below for information on how to book your visit!

Please note: Due to construction for the future NHM Commons, the South Entrance of the Museum is closed . Students and teachers will be redirected to enter at the East Gate Entrance (located off of the Rotunda across from the Rose Garden). Please see our Field Trip Parking and Bus Drop-Off map for specific directions.

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Field Trips to La Brea Tar Pits

Witness discoveries made daily at the largest active urban paleontological site in the world!

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Los Angeles Field Trip Guide

Teachtopia’s LA Field Trip Guide helps parents and teachers find the best field trips in Los Angeles.  Field trip trips are learning, memories,  and fun.   Our field trip guide includes a  variety of Museums,  Gardens, Theme Parks,  Zoos,  and Aquariums.

Our Los Angeles field trip guide is the collaboration with  LAwithKids.com .  When you are searching for field trip ideas, we assure that the Teachtopia field trip guide is the place to go.  In a major city like Los Angeles, several of the field trips have costs including  parking fees, admission fees, as well as additional charges once you are at the attraction. For LA field trips, research is essential. This field trip guide to LA is your best means of getting information of Los Angeles Field Trips

Los Angles Museums and Zoos

There are wonderful museums and zoos in the la area..

African American Museum (CAAM) 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 Cost for family field trips: Free. Parking Fee: While accessible through rail, the parking fee is 15 dollars Cost for school Field Trips: Field trips must be arranged in advance and have no fee.  What makes the California African American Museum (CAAM) a great field trip is that the exhibits changes on a regular basis. Topics have included Visual Artists, History, Political Activism, Literature, and more. website:  Chinese American Museum 425 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Cost for family field trips: free, but donations are recommended.

Cost for school field trips: free, but recommended donation of 7 to 10 dollars. This museum is in an area called El Pueblo de Los Angeles.  This Mexican themed a called Olvera Street is adjacent to the larger China Town. website:

Craft and Folk Art Museum 5814 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Cost for families: This museum is 7 to 9 dollars Monday through Saturday.  Sunday is “Pay what you can”

This museum is strategically located right down the street from the Pedersen Automotive Museum and literally across the street from both LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits.

Fowler Museum 308 Charles E Young Dr N, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Cost for Family field trips: Free with a fee for parking at UCLA Cost for School field trips: Free The Fowler Museum is located in the heart of UCLA campus, has not cost of admission, and has incredible art from around the world on display.

Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 Cost for family field trips: Free with a fee for parking at the Getty Center Cost for School Field trips: Free The Getty Center is an amazing Museum that truly has enough to provide ten field trips worth of content. From the tram ride up the hill to the large garden area the Getty Museum is incredible art and a whole lot more. website:

Getty Villa 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Cost: School Field Trips are free. Cost for Families: Parking is $20 dollars and admission is free. The Getty Villa is home to incredible art from Greece and Rome. It also has incredible landscaping and gardens. website:  www.getty.edu

Griffith Observatory 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Cost: While admission is free, there is an fee to see the observatory show.

Cost for schools: School field trip admissions are free.  The Griffith Observatory is as much about seeing true Los Angeles history as it is seeing a world class observatory and planetarium. There are field trip for student throughout the year. website:  griffithobservatory.org

Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 Cost: No cost The Hammer museum is world class art museum that is adjacent to the UCLA campus in Westwood.  It is operated by UCLA. website:  hammer.ucla.edu

Japanese American National Museum 100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Cost for Families: 7-16 dollars (2020) Cost for Field Trips: 5 students and 7 dollars adults (2020) The museum has a permanent exhibit documenting the history of Japanese internment camps in the United States. website:  www.janm.org/

Los Angeles County Museum of Art 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 This is a very large Los Angeles Art Museum with someone tor everyone. website:  www.lacma.org

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 501 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Cost for Family visits: Free Cost for School Field Trips: 10 dollars per student. Title 1 Schools are free with reservation.  If your school qualifies as a Title 1 school, then then the admission fees are waived. This field trip destination is great place to learn about Los Angeles history. This LA Museum not only has so much to see, but also has a great staff of professionals that make sure that children have a great experience when they visit this cultural center.

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Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) 250 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Main location) 152 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Second Location) There are two locations for MOCA in Los Angeles.

Museum of Latin American Art 628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802 The art inside the museum and the sculptures garden outside the museum walls make this museum a most see.  There is always more than one exhibit representing Latin American Art.

Museum of Tolerance 9786 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Cost for Families: Age 5 and up 12.00 to 16.00 (verified 2022) Cost for Schools:  Limited assistance may be provided for Title 1 Schools (verified 2022) Many major cities within our country have field trip destinations that remind us of the Holocaust as well as try to teach tolerance. In Los Angeles there is both the Museum of Tolerance and to a lesser extent some of the content at the more diverse Skirball Cultural Center which addresses many aspects of Jewish History and Life. As a parent or teacher planning a field trip to the Museum of Tolerance it is important to understand that this is a serious field trip that discusses racism and tolerance yet also provides hope for the future.

Natural History Museum 900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007

The Natural history Museum has significantly more than could be seen in one day on a field trip.  There is a nature lab, outdoor garden, gem collection, dinosaur remains and more. website:

Norton Simon Museum 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105 A large and famous collection of global art in Pasadena. The Norton Simon will offer your field trip encounters with a large European and Asian collection of art. website:

Page Museum (La Brea Tar Pits) 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Prehistoric animals in Los Angeles are the focus of this museum. It is at the location where they do excavation for remains. website:

Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 An incredible automotive museum with a very large collection of cars consistently on display. website:

Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 Jewish history and Jewish cultural museum in Los Angeles. website:

Travel Town Museum 5200 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Cost: Free This Train museum at the Gateway to Griffith Park’s entrance has many train cars and locomotives on display. There is also a train ride around the ground for a fee. website:

USS Iowa Museum 250 S Harbor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90731 If you want to go on a real battleship and learn about United States history at the same time, this is the place.   website:

Los Angeles Parks and Gardens

There are several significant gardens including botanical gardens in the los angeles area..

Descanco Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 The train ride is a highlight. Please make sure that the train is running prior to visiting. Gardens of the World 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 This garden located right by the Thousand Oaks Cultural Center.  We recommend a visiting this garden before or after a matinee performance at the cultural center. We also recommend a visit to the also free nearby Thousand Oaks Botanical garden. Griffith Park While there are garden areas within Griffith Park, Griffith Park is an extremely large park that happens to contain gardens, train rides, museums, concert venues and more. Huntington Library and Gardens 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108 While the Huntington is very famous for its extensive themed gardens there are also art galleries with significant American and European holdings, sculptures on display, and a display of historical books within the public facing section of the garden. A field trip to the Huntington might be focused on their indoor museum and not the gardens, so it is very important to plan with the Huntington the type of visit you are going to have. Los Angeles website: Los Angeles County Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007 This is an incredible garden. Make sure you visit the greenhouses as well as the small lake. website: UCLA Botanical Garden 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90095 Cost: Free A field trip to UCLA should include a stop at the Botanical Gardens.There is an array of plants as well as water features. 

Theme Parks Field Trips with Educational Programs

Going to a theme park as a field trip is a memorable experience that students will never forget..

Disneyland 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802 Disneyland Field Trip offerings range from a general group rate trip to a specialized trip that could teach skills such as leadership, science, or music.The Disneyland Youth Education has offerings for students from elementary age through their Grad Night at Disneyland. Knott’s Berry Farm 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620 Knott’s Berry Farm has an array of field trip offerings.A must see is the Independence Hall recreation directly accross the street from the main park entrance. Six Flags Magic Mountain 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355 Cost for field trips for families: Cost for field trips for school field trips:Six Flags Magic mountain field trips could be books to include topics related to Physics, Engineering, Math, Cartography, Art, Design, and Business skills. They also have group packages. Sea World, San Diego 500 Sea World Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 Seaworld has various education programs for families, schools, and groups. Seaworld also has a program that encourages teachers to visit. Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 Universal Studios has a Youth Education program that welcomes groups throughout the year. The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park has both an authentic tram tour of a movie studio as well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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Student Field Trips

The L.A. Conservancy brings Los Angeles history to life for students through our in-person and virtual field trips. Our enriching programs are filled with inspirational stories reflecting the cultural and architectural history of L.A.

Programs are led by Conservancy educators and support California’s Common Core State Standards in History and Social Studies, as well as highlight important lessons about the preservation of historic sites.

Please email us at [email protected] to learn more about Student Field Trips.

L.A. Conservancy Student Programs are now a part of LAUSD’s Black Student Achievement Plan! In 2023, the Los Angeles Conservancy joined the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) focused on improving learning opportunities and educational outcomes for Black students in Los Angeles. The Conservancy’s Student Walking Tour Program is offered as an enrichment opportunity to support student learning.

Student Field Trip Options

A Woman's Place: Union Station and Chinatown

Student walking tour or virtual tour available.

Uncover untold stories of the women who helped build Union Station and Chinatown.

Building Community: Pioneering Black Architects in L.A.

Virtual tour only.

An interactive exploration of historic places designed by pioneering Black Architects. Through the stories of Norma Merrick Sklarek, Paul R. Williams, Robert Kennard, and many others, students will understand how Black architects shaped Los Angeles and influenced communities through advocacy and design. Available as a virtual tour only.

Celebrating Griffith Park: Past and Present

A virtual trek through Griffith Park’s 125 years, including the history of Gabrielino Tongva who inhabited the land, historic buildings that remain, and the people and events that have made the park so special. Available as a virtual tour only.

Historic Downtown

A great introduction to the architecture and history of downtown Los Angeles.

Union Station

Explore America’s last great train station built at the end of the golden age of rail travel.

In-Person vs. Virtual Options & Pricing

STUDENT WALKING TOURS

• The cost is $10.00 per student. (One free chaperone per 10 students)
• Walking tours available: Historic Downtown, Union Station, and A Woman’s Place*.
• Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays. (Other days may be available upon request).
• Each session may be scheduled for up to 1.5 hours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. We kindly request walking tour bookings be made at least two weeks before your desired date.
• Recommended for up to 30 students in grades 3-12.
• Large group options and scholarships are available! Just ask.
• *The A Woman’s Place walking tour takes students on the Metro L (Gold) Line. The cost of the ride is not included. Learn more about purchasing a TAP card here.
• Request a Student Walking Tour now!

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS

• The cost is $25.00 per individual session.
• Virtual tours available: Historic Downtown, Union Station, A Woman’s Place, Building Community, and Celebrating Griffith Park.
• Offered Monday through Friday (Weekends available upon request).
• Each session may be scheduled for up to 1-hour between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. We kindly request workshop bookings be made at least two weeks before your desired date.

Other Student Programs

Adventures in Architecture

Discover L.A.’s Broadway

Educational Resources

Major funding for the Los Angeles Conservancy’s educational programs is provided by the LaFetra Foundation and the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation.

25+ Museums In Los Angeles for Virtual Field Trips

By: Author Wendy Kennar

Posted on Last updated: April 18, 2024

The museums and cultural institutions in and around Los Angeles may not all be able to welcome families or school field trips in person right now. However, many museums do have digital, family-friendly offerings and Virtual Field Trips, including webcams, virtual tours, videos, and much more. Here is our list of 25+ Museums In and Around Los Angeles with Special Digital Offerings .

25+ Museums in Los Angeles with Virtual Field Trips + Special Digital Offerings

Aquarium of the Pacific – Webcams 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is open for families to explore its outdoor exhibits. If, however, you’re not comfortable venturing out just yet, be sure to check out the Aquarium’s Webcams. It’s a way for your family to visit the exhibits virtually, and get a good look at the Aquarium’s inhabitants without worrying about someone blocking your view. You can view Penguins above water and below water, enjoy the Moon Jellies, view Shark Lagoon, view Coral Predators, and more.  

Automobile Driving Museum 610 Lairport St., El Segundo, CA 90245

If your family has visited the Automobile Driving Museum before, then you already know it’s a fun place to explore. And if you haven’t yet had the chance to visit, now’s a great time to take advantage of their virtual tour. It’ll get you excited about planning an in-person visit as soon as the museum re-opens.  

Autry Museum of the American West 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027

“Autry Online” is the Autry Museum’s way of “bringing all the stories of the American West to you.” You’ll find videos, educational resources, films, collection spotlights, and much more.  

Battleship IOWA Museum 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA 90731

Though Battleship IOWA is currently open for outdoor tours, you can also view this historic warship. Check the website to access the virtual tour, check out the artifact gallery, listen to oral history testimonies, and much more.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium 3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro, CA 90731

While the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is closed, take advantage of the many virtual activities you’ll find online. You can access arts and crafts, videos, and a variety of learn-from-home activities all centered around different themes including “Whales,” “Earth Week,” “Animals of the Sandy Beach,” and more.

California Science Center Exposition Park 700 Exposition Park Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037

The California Science Center remains closed, but that doesn’t mean science learning has to stop. On the Science Center’s website, you’ll find many resources including “Stuck at Home” science experiments using common household items, a variety of videos including interviews with astronauts, a virtual tour of space shuttle Endeavour, and more.

Cayton Children’s Museum Santa Monica Place 395 Santa Monica Pl., Santa Monica, CA 90401

During these stay-at-home times, the Cayton Children’s Museum has put together a special program called “Cayton Recess.” Families will find opportunities for “music, storytime, art making, reflection, and more.”

Children’s Museum at LaHabra 301 S. Euclid St., La Habra, CA 90631

The Children’s Museum is now sharing digital content for families. Have fun exploring the options with learning opportunities in science, engineering, art, storytelling, math, and more.  

Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Descanso Gardens is open and welcoming families to visit. However, if you’d rather, families can still explore the Gardens from the comfort of home. Watch videos that make you feel as if you’re right there, strolling through the Gardens. You’ll also find access to coloring pages as well as suggestions for ways to explore your own backyard and neighborhood.

Discovery Cube Los Angeles 11800 Foothill Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91342

The Discovery Cube may be closed, but you can enjoy Discovery Cube Connect at home! Families have access to “high quality, hands-on programs and activities to explore at home.” Content is organized by subject and grade level and is designed to bring the “best of Discovery Cube learning into the home.”  

Related: The Importance of Field Trips

The Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90049

On The Getty Center’s website, you’ll find many resources and activities available to you. You can access The Getty’s podcasts, online collection, a virtual library (with hundreds of books), and much more.

GRAMMY Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015

You’ll find lots to look at and listen to on the Grammy Museum’s website. Families can access the museum’s exhibitions, mini-lessons, conversations with recording artists, and much more.  

Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024

There is much to see and listen to on the Hammer Museum’s website. Families can watch and listen to interviews, conversations, performances, and more. Additionally, you can access the museum’s digital archives, learn about the artists, and more.  

Kidspace Children’s Museum 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103

Kidspace Children’s Museum invites families to take advantage of Kidspace-at-Home. You’ll find “Kidspace curated programming and resources” and hands-on learning experiences to keep your children curious, engaged, and learning.

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Both the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum and the Natural History Museum is ready to welcome families virtually through NHMLAC Connects Program. “Think physically distancing with dinosaurs and mammoths, and connecting with nature and community science right outside your own door.” Find things to do at home, opportunities to connect with scientists, and much more.

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007

While families may now visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum   in person, virtual visits are also a possibility. “From Our Garden to Your Home” allows you to browse The Arboretum’s e-books and online art exhibits, engage with fun at-home nature adventures, and explore The Arboretum’s beauty through a variety of videos.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s website offers families lots of resources to explore while the museum is closed. Families can watch short films, documentaries, and exhibition walkthroughs; access lectures, online courses, and teaching resources; listen to live recordings; and browse pieces from the permanent collection.  

Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust Pan Pacific Park 100 S. Grove Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust offers “Museum@Home.” Families can access the museum’s digital archive, videos of live-streamed programs, listen and watch Holocaust survivor testimonies and films, and more.

Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802

The Museum of Latin American Art invites families to its explore its online offerings,   MOLAA En Casa. View online exhibitions, enjoy a walkthrough of the Museum’s grounds, listen to specially-curated playlists, and much more.

Natural History Museum Exposition Park 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007

Both the LaBrea Tar Pits and Museum and the Natural History Museum is ready to welcome families virtually through NHMLAC Connects Program. “Think physically distancing with dinosaurs and mammoths, and connecting with nature and community science right outside your own door.” Find things to do at home, opportunities to connect with scientists, and much more.

Norton Simon Museum 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105

The Norton Simon Museum encourages families to “Museum from Home.” Among the Museum’s online resources, you’ll find art-making activities, educational resources, Meditative Moments (short mindfulness exercises), and much more.  

Pacific Asia Museum 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101

“PAM@Home” is the Pacific Asia Museum’s digital offerings program. Each day of the week has a different theme, such as Mindfulness on Wednesdays and Kids on Fridays. You’ll find a variety of events and programs available on this “free and accessible virtual museum care package specially curated by USC PAM staff to help you, our community, navigate these uncertain times and provide reprieve for us all.”

Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Petersen Automotive Museum is all set up for families to explore digitally. This family-favorite car museum offers many resources on its website. Find fun building activities, coloring pages, online programs, live-streamed vault tours, and more.  

Pretend City Children’s Museum 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618

Pretend City Children’s Museum has a special program for these digital times, called “Play@Home.” These videos allow families to “continue supporting healthy child development at home.” Videos include story times, art activities, science experiments, and more.  

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA 92886

If you haven’t yet been to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, take this chance to enjoy a virtual museum tour. Families can view the Oval Office, Nixon’s birthplace, the gardens, and more. And then make plans to visit once the museum re-opens.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum 40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley, CA 93065

While an in-person visit to the Reagan Library and Museum isn’t possible, virtual ones are! Find videos online highlighting the Museum’s collection including one video narrated by actor Gary Sinise.

Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Head over to the Skirball Cultural Center’s website to check out the offerings on their “Skirball at Home” page, “a virtual place of meeting where we can continue to stay in community while the Skirball campus remains closed.” Enjoy virtual talks, art activities, artist question and answer sessions, online classes, and more.  

Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website  WendyKennar.com  where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).

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Los Angeles Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource of Los Angeles field trips for elementary school students thru high school students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about Los Angeles’ museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more, CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below for further field trip information. For those unable to travel to these locations, check out our  Virtual Field Trips  section or  Outreach Field Trips & School Assembly Programs  section.

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Fulcrum Adventures

Fulcrum Adventures programs actively engage youth groups with hands-on opportunities to lead, solve problems, make decisions, and work as a team.

Pinstripes Topanga

Dine, Play, Celebrate! The best field trips happen at Pinstripes, an esteemed dining and entertainment destination that offers a kids-friendly Italian-American menu and a modern spin on bocce and bowling.

America's Teaching Zoo

America’s Teaching Zoo is the hand-on classroom for the Exotic Animal Training and Management students AND a community attraction in a beautiful hilltop setting.

Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park

Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park is a 8.5-acre state-of-the-art natural park surrounded by the urban landscape of Southern California. A school or youth group trip includes a tour of the facility, an art/craft activity and a self-lead scavenger hunt.

AUTRY MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN WEST

The Autry Museum of the American West mission to bring together the stories of all peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inspire our shared future.

California African American Museum

The California African American Museum’s mission is to research, collect, preserve, and interpret for public enrichment the history, art, and culture of African Americans with an emphasis on California and the western USA.

California Science Center

The California Science Center features hands-on exhibits and inquiry-based education programs. Features major exhibit areas: World of Life, Creative World, Ecosystems and Air and Space.

Cayton Children's Museum

The Cayton Children’s Museum offers 21,000 square feet of discovery-based exhibits and immersive play connecting to arts, to the world. The Museum is a place where children experience the transformational and lifelong benefits of abundant, creative and purposeful play.

Craft Contemporary

With a focus on contemporary art made from craft media and processes, Craft Contemporary presents dynamic exhibitions by established and emerging artists and designers.

Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens is a unique Southern California landscape distinguished by its specialized botanic collections, historical significance, and rare natural beauty. 

Discovery Cube Los Angeles

Discovery Cube’s campuses and education programs is an organization brimming with mind-growing activities, try-it-out experiments, and numerous other paths to pursuing scientific understanding. These engaging experiences have their basis in STEM education.

El Dorado Nature Center

El Dorado Nature Center is an oasis of natural habitat, offering visitors to explore the 105 acres that make up the Nature Center grounds provide sanctuary for animals and plant life. Offers tours for various nature themes.

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24 Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles That Are Totally Free

Experience the City of Angels on a budget with these free things to do in L.A.

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Los Angeles? For many, it's the glitz and glamour, the stars and handprints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, window shopping along Rodeo Drive, or the possibility of catching a glimpse of a celebrity in the wild. While you can totally come to L.A. for those things, there's so much more to see and do here if you know where to look. Not only that, your trip to the City of Angels doesn't have to break the bank. To help keep costs low on your next trip, start with our list of the best free things to do in Los Angeles.

Get your culture fix at LACMA.

Buyenlarge / Contributor / Getty Images

Immerse yourself in the California art scene at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which is free for Los Angeles County residents every day after 3 p.m. (with a valid I.D.) and for all visitors on the second Tuesday of each month. Kids 17 and under who live in L.A. can sign up for a free NexGenLA membership to get complimentary entry at any time for themselves and one guest. Chris Burden's Urban Light exhibition in front of the museum is free to access daily.

Channel your inner Hermione Granger at DTLA's bookish hot spots.

Christian Hundley / Travel + Leisure

Pay a visit to the magnificent art deco Central Library in Downtown L.A. — a dream destination for any book and architecture lover. Also in DTLA, don't miss The Last Bookstore to see the ever-Instagrammable labyrinth of books.

Hike with the Los Feliz crowd at Griffith Park.

Christian Hundley/Travel + Leisure

Griffith Park is the largest municipal park with urban wilderness areas in the country, and its 4,210 acres of natural, chaparral-covered terrain make a great place to hike, picnic, and play. Not only are all the hiking tracks — including the Mount Hollywood Trail — free, but visitors are also welcome to tour the iconic Griffith Observatory, which appeared in the film, "La La Land," at no charge. At the base of Griffith Park is the lovely village of Los Feliz, where you can roam the streets that feed directly into hip Silver Lake.

Check out the music scene at ongoing free concert series.

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Ears will be happy and wallets will be full thanks to the many free concerts offered during the summer. From June to September, there's Grand Performances on Saturdays in Downtown L.A., the Summer Sounds Outdoor Concert Series on Sundays in West Hollywood, and Off The 405 on Saturdays at the Getty Center, among other seasonal free-to-attend events.

Hit the beach and bike along the Strand.

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Work off all those famous L.A. street tacos with a stroll or bike ride down a portion of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (also known as the Strand), a mostly flat, well-paved 22-mile beach path running along the Pacific from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance.

Flex your yogi muscles at Runyon Canyon.

Angelenos love yoga, so join the fray by hitting up one of the many donation-based yoga classes you'll find around the city, like those at Runyon Canyon (note that there is a suggested donation of $5, but it's at your discretion). Keep the free fun going — and snap a picture in your cutest pair of yoga leggings — on a hike around Runyon after the class.

Explore the Arts District in DTLA.

Make time to wander through L.A.'s Arts District, a section of Downtown that's bordered by the Los Angeles River on one side and Little Tokyo on the other. Check out dozens of colorful murals as well as galleries showcasing cutting-edge, local work. Among the most popular are the Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, Over the Influence, and Art Share L.A., all of which offer free admission and a roster of ever-changing exhibitions.

Give back to the environment.

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You can help counteract the effects the local car culture has on the environment by volunteering and planting trees with the folks at TreePeople — no training is necessary, just check the calendar on the volunteer page to see when tree planting and park restoration days are happening. As a reward for your hard work, unwind in nature with a hike in Fryman Canyon Park , a lesser-known trail spot that's much more invigorating than being stuck on a star-seeking tour bus.

Soak up the quirky vibe in Venice.

Adrian Rudd / Travel + Leisure

Head to the oceanfront neighborhood to watch street performers on the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk, stroll past the canals, and check out public art — the Giant Binoculars on Main Street are truly a sight to behold. For great budget eats, plan your visit to coincide with First Friday on Abbot Kinney , held each month. Come hungry — it's a major foodie event where you can sample bites from some of the best food trucks in L.A.

Admire L.A.'s iconic Watts Towers.

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Crane your neck at the historic Watts Towers , a series of 17 interconnected sculptural structures built over 33 years by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia. The tallest of the towers, which are made from ceramics, bottles, tiles, shells, and other salvaged materials and scraps, reaches a height of 99.5 feet. Guided 30-minute tours of the site — now a National Historic Landmark — and the Watts Towers Arts Center are offered on Thursdays and Fridays (weather permitting). While a donation is suggested for a tour ($7 for adults, $3 for children and seniors), you can view the magnificent spires from outside the fence at no cost.

Check out the art in historic Union Station.

Though L.A. isn't exactly known for its public transit system, it does indeed have one — and each station is full of art. Union Station in particular is known for its extensive murals, impressive architecture, and digital installations. Recent works have focused on Chinatown's rich history and culture and how local artists have seen and experienced the city. Check the website to see what's on display when you're in town. If time allows, see if any Metro Art Tours are available during your trip so you can tour Union Station with a volunteer docent and learn more about the pieces you're viewing.

Learn About L.A.'s Japanese culture in Little Tokyo.

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Take in the lantern-lined streets and alleyways of Little Tokyo, which has been known for its Japanese immigrant community since 1885. Today, you'll find a vibrant neighborhood full of restaurants, galleries, and indie clothing shops. While exploring the area, head to the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center , where you can go for a stroll in the James Irvine Japanese Garden, which is free and open to the public all year long.

Tour the striking Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Capitalize on the complimentary tours that take visitors through the interior spaces and gardens at the architecturally stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry. Choose from the free 90-minute guided tour that includes all four of The Music Center's impressive theaters or a self-guided audio tour of just the Walt Disney Concert Hall, narrated by actor John Lithgow, which you can do at your own pace.

Gallery hop in Chinatown.

Take a self-guided tour of the up-and-coming galleries along Chinatown's Chung King Road — including the Charlie James Gallery, Noon Projects, and Sebastian Gladstone. If you can, time your visit with one of the monthly Chinatown First Fridays, which offer extended hours and a night market. Check the event's Instagram page for updates.

Nerd out over the Bradbury's architecture.

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One of the city's most-filmed commercial sites is also one of its oldest. The Bradbury Building is recognizable by its open cage elevators, marble stairs, and ornate iron railings, all illuminated by the ample natural light that spills in from the skylights above. The best part? It's free to poke around.

Take a free self-guided walking tour.

Amanda Blackard/Travel + Leisure

The Los Angeles Conservancy blows apart the idea that no one walks in L.A. Its website offers plenty of maps for self-guided walking tours of the city, from history tours of the city's Chinatown and Koreatown neighborhoods to a closer look at Downtown L.A.'s historic side and eclectic modern architecture in Venice. There are also several self-guided walks dedicated to popular film locations in West L.A., Hollywood, Griffith Park, Downtown L.A., and the Valley.

See the stars at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Dating from 1899, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the resting place for some of Hollywood's greatest legends, including Judy Garland, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, and Douglas Fairbanks. Punk rock fans can pay their respects to two members of the Ramones, Johnny and Dee Dee. Stroll through the grounds and admire the intricate headstones and mausoleums of these luminaries.

Sweat it out with a run up a hidden staircase.

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Angelenos love to climb the city's stairways — originally designed to connect steep-streeted communities in the 1920s — to fit in a workout. Sweat alongside the locals on one of the city's 14 hidden staircases , including the colorful Rainbow Staircase (also called the Micheltorena Stairs) in Silver Lake, Hollywood's picturesque Saroyan Stairs, and the steep and challenging Castellammare Stairs in Pacific Palisades.

Visit The Original Farmers Market.

Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

The sights and sounds of The Original Farmers Market , adjacent to The Grove shopping complex in West Hollywood, are a feast for the senses. Open since 1934, the site was a popular stop among Hollywood's elite, from Shirley Temple and Ava Gardner to Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. Today, window shoppers can find a mix of merchants selling flowers, books, and fresh local produce as well as more mainstream stores like Kiehl's and Williams Sonoma among the more than 100 shops and eateries. And while entry is free, we can't guarantee you'll be able to resist forking over some dough for a couple of treats from the famed Nonna's Empanadas .

See one of the West Coast's best impressionist collections.

With sweeping views of the city, the Getty Center is one of the most prized museums on the West Coast, boasting a world-class collection of European impressionist works, contemporary photographs, and decorative arts. Admission to the museum (which is equally known for its architecture as the art within), the stunning gardens, and the tram up to the complex are all free (though there's a charge for parking). There are more free visual delights at J. Paul Getty's stunning Pacific Palisades property, the Getty Villa Museum , which focuses on Greek and Roman art.

Travel back to the Ice Age at the La Brea Tar Pits.

In central L.A., right next to LACMA, the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are home to the only actively excavated Ice Age fossil site found in an urban location in the world. Wandering the outdoor grounds and checking out the pools of sticky asphalt is free — it also makes a perfect stop before you check out LACMA's Urban Light installation (also free).

Discover local wildlife with the Audubon Society.

Michael H Spivak / Getty Images

Indulge your inner birder — and discover local woodlands, gardens, coastal scrubs, or wetlands — on a complimentary bird walk with the L.A. Audubon Society . Guided walks take place most Saturdays and Sundays and explore beautiful areas like Topanga State Park and Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.

Catch a free exhibit at The Broad.

The Broad makes art democratic by offering complimentary general admission to Eli and Edythe Broad's personal collection of nearly 2,000 pieces of contemporary art from the 1950s to the present. Opened in 2015, the Downtown L.A. museum also hosts ticketed exhibitions from big-name artists like William Kentridge.

Celebrate the area's Mexican heritage on Olvera Street.

Get a dose of local Mexican-Angeleno culture and history at the Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument , near the site where settlers from Mexico established the city's roots. Browse artwork, jewelry, bags, hats, clothing, and other souvenirs at the Mexican Marketplace along Olvera Street, and join a free tour of the city's oldest house, Avila Adobe, which dates from 1818. There are plenty of restaurants where you can indulge in classic fare — like taquitos at Cielito Lindo — with the money you've saved.

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Onsite Field Trips

School field trip reservations for the 2023/2024 school year begin August 14.

Pre-school through 12th Grade

Field trips are available during the regular academic school year, Monday through Friday from September through June. All schools must be listed in the California Public/Private School Directory and have a reservation in order to receive the school rate.

Colleges/Universities

Field trips are available during the school session. Reservations required in order to receive the school rate. For Docent-led College Primate or Adaptations Tours, contact [email protected] Attention: Linda

Cost for Student Admission

LAUSD Students: Free Zoo admission Non-LAUSD Students: $3/student Private School Students: $3/student Head Start Students: Free Zoo admission City of L.A. Recreation & Parks: Free Zoo admission with an authorization letter. Contact the Zoo for details.

Cost for Chaperones (Includes teacher and parents)

Chaperones: One free chaperone included with every 10 students. Cost for additional chaperones: $5/person

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FAIRKIDS FIELD TRIPS

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A PROGRAM OF THE LEARNING CENTERS

Welcome to the World’s Largest Classroom! The LA County Fair invites you to discover something new around every corner.

The FairKids Field Trip Program allows students and teachers to enjoy an interactive educational experience, or what we call A Day Full of Learning Cleverly Disguised as Fun!

• Visit The Farm, The Big Red Barn, School’s Agriculture and Nutrition Fair, Fairplex Garden Railroad, Millard Sheets Art Center and the Flower & Garden Pavilion.

Download FairKids Map

FairKids Dates:

Thursday, May 9 th – 9a.m.-11a.m. (SOLD OUT)

Friday, May 10 th – 9a.m.-11a.m. (SOLD OUT)

Friday, May 17 th – 9a.m.-11a.m. (SOLD OUT)

PLAN A FIELD TRIP

• The FairKids Field Trip Program, takes place during the LA County Fair. Field trips are open to public schools, private schools and home schools, reservations are required for all field trips.
• It is recommended you check with your transportation department prior to booking your date, to ensure busing is available.
• Students will have the opportunity to participate in fun, educational activities related to California agriculture, healthy eating, animals and life on a real farm.

All FairKids Dates Are Sold Out for 2024

Fairkids curriculum.

Each year The Learning Centers works with educators to develop curriculum for the educational exhibits included in the FairKids Field Trip Program. The curriculum is designed to be easily incorporated into daily classroom lessons and includes pre-visit, on-site and post-visit activities that align with grade level standards. Utilizing this curriculum creates an enhanced educational value for teachers and students who participate in the FairKids Field Trips.

Simple and Complex Machines in Ag

Chicken from the Egg

• Teachers Answer Guide
• Teachers Guide
• Big Red Barn – Goat Barn
• Chick Sequence
• Chick Writing
• Chicken Coop and Hatchery
• Chicks Tree Map
• Steer Toward STEM

Intermediate

• Chicken or Egg Prompt
• Cow Writing
• Cows Tree Map
• Curds & Whey
• Daisy’s Education Barns
• Daisy’s Education Barns Prompt
• Drought Tolerant Landscaping
• Landscape Lesson
• Plant Reproduction Lesson Plan
• What Do Plants Need to Grow 401
• Seed Planting and Seedling Germination
• Seed Science Experiment
• Seed Dissection Worksheet
• Hydroponics & Aquaponics
• The Cahuilla Rope Making and Corn Grinding
• Rope Making
• Food Safety from Farm to Fork
• Fruits and Vegetables for Health
• Pollinators Lesson Plan
• Prolific Pollinator

RCS is proud to present the Read to Ride program. Children 5-11 are eligible to read and report on 3 books, to receive a QR code good for 2 rides in the Kidland area. This program is designed to foster a love for reading among children.

Submit your report

A . Any public, private, or home school, grades K-6.

A . May 9 th , 10 th and 17 th

A. The gates open at 9 a.m. for the field trip participants. All participants must be here before 10:45a.m. Once on the grounds, participants can stay as long as they choose. *Please note all vendors, shopping, and the carnival will be closed until the Fair opens to the general public at 11:00 a.m. Students will only have access to The Farm and Barns

A. Parking for buses and accompanying vehicles will be at Gate 9 , off of White Avenue.

A. Admission is FREE, parking is also FREE before 10:45 a.m. *Transportation to the Fair is not covered.

A. Lunch storage is available. However, you must bring and pick up your lunches from the location.

A. If you would like to become a FairKids Ambassador and help out during the LA County Fair, please visit our volunteer website at www.fairplex.com/volunteer . If you would like to donate to FairKids, please visit our website at www.tlcfairplex.org/donate . If you would like to learn more about other educational programs at The Learning Centers, please visit https://fairplex.com/tlcfairplex/

For more information, contact:

Lacy Flippin Fairtime Education [email protected] Phone: (909) 865-4267

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One Of The Most Expensive Homes In The U.S. Is Located In Los Angeles

A nine-figure megamansion is on the market making it one of the most expensive homes in the country.

This may not come as a surprise but one of the most expensive homes is found in Los Angeles — the Bel Air neighborhood to be specific.

The property known as the remarkable Casa Encantada is a 40,000-square-foot megamansion located in Los Angeles featuring 7 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms , a 60-foot pool, rose gardens, a vegetable garden, a tropical botanical garden, a tennis court — with a viewing pavilion overlooking the (of course), and a sports court as noted by Zillow. Originally constructed in 1937 by architect James E. Dolena, it was later exquisitely restored by Peter Marino, embracing an Art Deco Hollywood aesthetic.

Now, let’s get to what you really came here for — how much is this mansion?! Believe it or not, the house is up for grabs with a price tag that is 60 times more than what the average American will spend in their lifetime . (According to Nasdaq , the average American will spend 3.3 million over their life.) But we digress — the million-dollar home was put on the market in 2023 for $250 million, but is currently on the market for an asking price of $195 Million .

No wonder it’s being marketed as the most expensive home. Yet this actually isn’t the first time this megamansion has broken records or made history. According to the Wall Street Journal , Casa Encantada has twice set records as the most expensive private home ever sold in the United States. For those with a few million dollars to spare, you can explore more about this extraordinary estate on its official Zillow listing here .

📍Location: Casa Encantada, 10644 Bellagio Rd., Los Angeles , CA 90077

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Things To Do | 15 fun free things to do in Southern California…

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Things To Do

Things to do | 15 fun free things to do in southern california in june, seriously. they're fun.

Conejo Valley Pop-Up Arts Festival, Thousand Oaks (June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29) :  Enjoy 10 free arts and music events throughout the month on Fridays and Saturdays at different locations. Most start at 7 p.m. bapacthousandoaks.com/show-details/pop-up-arts-music-festival-2024

Discovery Days at Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa (Monday, June 3, 9 a.m. to noon): Fun things to do at this 3-acre demonstration farm, which is also open most days. On Discovery Days, volunteers are available for self-guided tours, kids can plant radishes, learn about baby chicks, see an oxen demonstration and view livestock. Reservations required for 10 or more people. Free parking. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa  ocfair.com/centennialfarm 

Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA), Long Beach (June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: ): The museum is free every Sunday and always has interesting exhibits. Free docent-led tours are offered at 2 p.m. Sundays. Free advance tickets are recommended and can be booked online. Parking is free. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. molaa.org/visit

Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles (June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26):  The Autry is free every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. but reservations are required and limited.. Parking is free, too. Learn about Native American and cowboy ways of life, using historical artifacts such as stagecoaches, serapes, beaded clothing, firearms, photos and more. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. theautry.org

Norton Simon Free First Fridays. Pasadena (June 7):. If you’ve never been to this marvelous art museum, you should go. It’s free monthly on the first Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. There’s a lot to see so I’d get there early. It showcases the immense collection of the late billionaire Norton Simon, including masterpieces of painting and sculpture by artists such as Picasso, Renoir, Raphael, Van Gogh and more. Free parking. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena nortonsimon.org

Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum, El Segundo (June 8): “Net Cruze Cars and Coffee.” Free admission. 9 a.m. to noon. The museum features original and custom cars from the 1930s to the 1950s. Coffee, pastries, food truck and raffle. Open to all. 610 Lairport St., El Segundo. automobiledrivingmuseum.org

KelpFest 2024 Laguna Beach (June 8): Enjoy this festival on Main Beach hosted by Laguna Ocean Foundation and partners from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Music, activities, informational booths and more to celebrate World Oceans Day Note there’s also a guided tidepool walk at 9 a.m. starting at the Rivian South Coast Theater. lagunaoceanfoundation.org

Second Saturday ArtWalk, Pomona (June 8): This monthly event in the Pomona Arts Colony brings crowds to the streets as art studios, galleries, shops and more stay open late. 6-10 p.m. 119 W. 2nd St, Pomona. downtownpomona.org/events

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles (June 11): The museum is free to all on the second Tuesday of the month, but also free for L.A. County residents every day after 3 p.m. The largest art museum complex on the West Coast, this collection includes everything from David Hockney paintings to ancient artifacts to free arts workshops. (Note that part of the museum is currently under construction.) Children 17 and under who live in L.A. County can sign up for the NexGen program, where they can get in free any day and bring one person with them. Bank of America cardholders get in free the first full weekend of every month. (Only the cardholder.) Paid parking is nearby, beware of street parking in the afternoon — you could be towed. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles lacma.org/tickets

OC Parks Sunset Cinema at Craig Regional Park, Fullerton (June 7, 14): Activities begin at 6 p.m. movies start at sunset. Bring your chair and blanket. “Wonka” (2023) screens on June 7 and “The Little Rascals” (1994) is the feature on June 14. 3300 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton ocparks.com

Movie Night at the California Citrus State Park, Riverside (June 19): “Wonka” starts at sunset (8 p.m.) Bring your blankets and chairs. 3400 Dufferin Ave., Riverside. Get free tickets on EventBrite. citrusparkweddingandevents.com/end-of-summer-movie-night

Concerts at Craig Regional Park, Fullerton (June 20, 27). Live music under the stars on Thursday evenings. All ages. Bring a blanket and chair. Food trucks available. Sponsored by OC Parks. 6-8 p.m. Sweet and Tender Hooligans play June 20; Mariachi Divas perform June 27. 3300 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton ocparks.com

OC Parks Sunset Cinema at Carbon Canyon. Brea (June 21, 28): Movies start at sunset, preceded by other activities. “Migration” (2023) in on the bill for June 21. “Men in Black” (1997) screens June 28. 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea ocparks.com

Venice SummerFest 2024 (June 22): Live music, classic cars, food trucks, art booths, yoga and more on Venice Boulevard in Mar Vista. Venice Boulevard will be closed between Centinela Avenue and Inglewood Boulevard for this free event. 12257 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. Noon to 8 p.m. thevenicefest.com

Long Beach Municipal Band concerts (June 25-28): “Music to My Ears” theme. 6:30 p.m. start time. June 25 at Whaley Park (5620 E. Atherton St.), June 26 at Los Cerritos Park (3750 Del Mar Ave.), June 27 at Recreation Park (4900 E. 7th St.) and June 28  El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Road). longbeach.gov/park/recreation-programs/programs-and-classes/municipal-band/

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L.A. County offers free beaches and museums for a day as part of reparations efforts

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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is still working to figure out how the county should make reparations to Black Angelenos discriminated against over the decades by government actions.

But the five-member board unanimously voted this week to at least provide a day of free access to beaches and museums to Black residents as the county continues to study reparations proposals.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell made the proposal at a board meeting Tuesday, calling the offer a “small token” representing the county’s continued commitment to exploring reparations.

The proposal, which allows Angelenos to attest to their eligibility rather than requiring them to submit proof, will be valid on or about the Juneteenth holiday, the supervisor said. The county approved the motion.

It came as part of a larger motion by Mitchell directing the county to consult with each department to determine what actions the county might take on reparations.

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April 24, 2024

The county will also be reviewing a state task force report on reparations to develop language for a board resolution that “acknowledges and apologizes to African Americans and their descendants on behalf of the County and the County’s role in structural racism, acts of violence, and other such harms,” according to the motion .

The county’s chief executive officer and its executive director of racial equity for the Anti Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative will have 120 days to study the state report and return with suggestions for local initiatives to advance the reparations effort.

“It is not enough for the County to acknowledge its historical wrongdoings and systemic harm perpetuated against the African American community,” Mitchell wrote in the motion. “The County must also develop a framework to provide families displaced by racist policies with ample and substantial resources to address the harmful effects of eminent domain through reparations.”

The motion also called for the county to report back within 180 days on prioritizing housing “for those whose descendants were displaced from their homes in Los Angeles” along with “a framework for financial restitution to individuals who have suffered particular injuries.”

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Best MLB stadium food: Ranking the eight top ballparks for eats in 2024

“A hot dog at the ballpark is better than steak at the Ritz.”  

  – Humphrey Bogart 

This old quote has been repeated so many times over the years that it’s become as ubiquitous as Wee Willie Keeler’s “Hit ‘em where they ain’t” and Yogi Berra’s “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” 

But Bogart’s remark conveys the undeniable truth that concessions at ballparks are pivotal to the enjoyment of a game.  

We learned this a decade ago, when USA TODAY Sports Weekly published a 30-week series that featured one Major League ballpark per issue. While each stadium’s history, architecture and gameday experience were examined, readers made it clear that they wanted to know much, much more about one aspect of each park: food. 

So we modified the format of the articles to devote significantly more space to this topic, culminating in a special pull-out section in the publication devoted to nothing but concessions.  

The readers were happy. 

It’s now time to provide an update on this all-important subject matter. And make no mistake about it, the front offices know full well the necessity of offering top-notch eats to fans.

These are our top eight MLB ballparks in concessions for 2024:

1. Oracle Park, San Francisco 

The park where you smell the garlic fries long before you see them has been considered the pinnacle for ballpark food since it opened in 2000 – even if some of it is a little unconventional. You’re probably not shocked to hear there are offerings called “roast pea protein-based hot dog with roasted red pepper chutney and arugula” or “impossible cheesesteak,” but head out to center field for two standouts.

One is Orlando’s Caribbean Grill, with its new jerk chicken chimichanga, and the other is the Crazy Crab’z. A strong case can be made that the Dungeness crab sandwich here is the single best food item at any ballpark anywhere. No wonder about 2,500 of them are served at every home game.  

2. T-Mobile Park, Seattle 

Like San Francisco, it’s worth a trip here just for the food. The Mariners have always been adventurous when it comes to concessions (remember when they introduced grasshoppers?), and the trend continues with crab pizza, açaí bowls, Chinese dumplings, tofu tots, katsu and Seattle’s own take on a Dungeness crab sandwich. 

3. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles 

For decades, the Dodgers felt confident that fans only wanted to eat Dodger Dogs. Following a massive renovation of the infrastructure in the stadium a decade ago, food-prep areas were added directly behind every concession stand. Suddenly, fans had options like Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Italian and much more.

Your grandfather who grew up attending games in Chavez Ravine would be shocked to know that sushi, chicken katsu, and carne asada are on the menu. And don’t look now, but these variations of Dodger Dogs are being offered this season:  Extreme Bacon Wrapped; Gluten-Free; Fried; Grilled; and even Plant-Based.

4. Citi Field, New York 

Because the two ballparks are so incredibly different, it’s hard to conceive that Citi Field and Yankee Stadium were designed, constructed and opened at the same time. When it comes to fun concessions, the Mets’ home beats its counterpart in the Bronx hands-down, with the incredibly popular Shake Shack on the center field plaza and a rotating line-up of local restaurants (RyRy’s jerk chicken, chicken skewers from Poprice, and Benny’s Cubanos) in the Taste of Queens carts in right field . And early reviews of the new Korean fried chicken are extremely positive. 

5. loanDepot Park, Miami 

Many fans outside South Florida aren’t fond of the color scheme and avant-garde design of the Marlins home, but we should all be able to agree that the concessions here are terrific. Look for Intentional Wok and Sliderz at the mini food court near the left-field foul pole. If you’re hunting for a bargain, there are “3o5” stand s (which means “$3 or $5”) on all three seating levels. Here the hot dogs and sodas are $3 while beer is $5. 

6. Petco Park, San Diego 

A number of big-league parks have started using the online ordering feature of MLB’s Ballpark app. Petco Park is one of them, so fans can now order from their seats. New food offerings for 2024 include Italian, Mediterranean and gelato. Don’t worry, the famous fish tacos are still on the menu! 

7. Coors Field, Denver 

Sometimes a certain concession item becomes synonymous with a ballpark. A classic pairing is Coors Field with Rocky Mountain Oysters (for the uninitiated, they are deep-fried bull testicles). There is still a stand near the left-field foul pole that sells this acquired-taste item, but nearby is one of baseball’s best burger stands, the Helton Burger Shack. Don’t miss Biker Jim’s gourmet hot dog stands on both the field level and the upper deck, and The Rooftop in right field, where millennials flock to eat and drink (and not pay much attention to baseball).  

8. Rogers Centre, Toronto 

It’s hard to imagine that when the Blue Jays debuted the modern marvel known as SkyDome in 1989, there was considerable buzz over the fact that there was a fully operational McDonald’s inside (touted as being the largest in North America!). Today, the Golden Arches are long gone, but in their place are exceptional food offerings, particularly in the rebuilt outfield “neighbourhoods.” Here you’ll find local favorites like poutine and a new hot maple and bacon hot dog, and underneath the field-level seats, there will shortly be fine dining for season-ticket holders.  

About Joe Mock: Joe has examined all 30 Major League parks, all 23 spring training parks and all 119 affiliated Minor League parks – plus plenty of indy league and college facilities. He covers sports facilities for USA TODAY publications and he’s operated  BaseballParks.com  since 1997. There he’s posted nearly 100 in-depth reviews of pro parks that have opened in the last quarter century. His ballpark expertise has landed him appearances on the Travel Channel and History Channel. You can  follow his ballpark escapades on X @baseballparks .