Travis Newport Beach attractions and local celebrities? The Balboa Peninsula is a neighborhood in Newport Beach named after the famous Spanish explorer, Vasco Nunez de Balboa. Sometimes referred to as “the Peninsula” or as “Balboa,” it is a residential neighborhood with many attractions and events. The three mile stretch of land is bordered on one side by the harbor and on the other side by sandy beaches and the Pacific Ocean.
Clifton’s Republic is a magical place to eat, drink and explore. Once a multi-café franchise – founded in 1931 by Clifford Clinton – this specific Clifton’s, in Downtown Los Angeles, is the last one standing. It shut down in 2011 for restoration and has been reopening in phases since 2015. Clifton’s stands five stories tall and includes a cafeteria, the Pacific Seas tiki bar, and a Redwoods-themed bar that features taxidermy tableaus and an artificial tree that rises through multiple floors. The Marketplace cafeteria serves American comfort food and desserts, and the Monarch drinks lounge and Gothic Bar offer craft cocktails and beer. The Pacific Seas specializes in Polynesian food and tiki drinks.
Located on University Drive in Newport Beach, the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center serves as a visitor center to the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Nature Preserve. Opened in 2000, the large 10,000 square foot education facility focuses on estuary history and interactive displays. Visitors are introduced to the estuary at the center so they have a better understanding of what they are seeing as they take guided walking tours or water tours. Built into a bluff on the north side of the bay, the center features a butterfly garden, children’s activity rooms, a movie theater, and much more. There are live amphibian and reptile displays in the classrooms. See extra info at Travis Newport Beach.
The California Science Center, open to the public free of charge, is home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour, as well as three other major exhibits. Endeavour, the main attraction, is currently on display at the Samuel Oschin Pavilion, while the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is being built. You can see the space shuttle, as well as artifacts from the space mission, and learn all about it and the people involved in the program. The other three exhibits at the Science Center cover topics related to the living world, technology, and ecosystems. The Ecosystems exhibit features an 188,000-gallon kelp tank, as well as live plants, animals, and fish. All three of these exhibits have a Discovery Room, with interactive displays designed for children up to age seven.
One of the largest municipal parks in the United States, Griffith Park offers a welcome escape from L.A. traffic. In addition to acres of hilly trails and green spaces, the park is home to a broad array of fun-filled attractions, from the Los Angeles Zoo to the outdoor Greek Theatre. It’s also the location of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Griffith Observatory. Built in 1935, the beautiful Art Deco complex boasts dozens of engaging exhibits, an out-of-this-world planetarium and multiple telescopes available for public use. A visit to the observatory at dusk offers views of stars emerging in the sky above and the twinkling lights of the city below.
Korean Bell of Friendship: This is one of our most beautiful LA tourist attractions. Intricate relief patterns represent spirits and goddesses of liberty, victory and peace, while architectural details impart the colorful nature of Korean culture. Best visited on a clear, sunny day for a picnic and a stroll, the area features pristine views complemented by the yachts and charter boats of the harbor below. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels: One of L.A.’s most innovative buildings and the largest Catholic cathedral in the country, it inspires visitors with its inviting grounds and museum, perfect for introspection. Read even more information on Travis Newport Beach.