Los Angeles Official Visitor Guide 2008 - (Page 18) See & Do Rated G: Family Adventures in LA hunt for art treasures and more. Start your trip at the Getty’s Family Room where kids can participate in hands-on activities and pick up some Art Detective Cards to make exploring the gardens and galleries an interactive event. The Noah’s Ark exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center is another great hands-on experience for kids. Also perfect for families interested in learning and having fun, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is located less than an hour from Downtown Los Angeles in the mountains near Simi Valley. As the ultimate destination for budding history buffs, the museum has exhibits such as the McGovern Gallery of Presidents, the Citizen Governor Gallery and a full-size replica of the Oval Office that will make the history of our 40th President of the United States come alive. Visitors can also tour the actual Air Force One used by President Reagan and six other U.S. presidents to see what it’s like to travel the world aboard the “Flying White House.” After you’re done exploring the museum, have lunch in the cafe and then pick up some presidential souvenirs in the gift shop. Every parent knows that traveling with kids is a beautiful challenge. They can be lovable, but they can also be picky. Fear not. If there’s one place that can live up to their expectations and needs, it’s LA. If you find yourself saying any of the following quotes — or you happen to have a child in one of these age groups — check out the suggested sightseeing options and head out in search of instant contentment. “I want them to have an educational experience — preferably without realizing it.” Go directly to La Brea Tar Pits. Regardless of age, they’ll be captivated by saber-tooth cats, mastodons and dire wolves frozen in time — in the middle of Los Angeles no less. Or you can give them an education on the cosmos with a visit to the recently refurbished Griffith Observatory. Ready for some real stealth education? Head to the Getty Center where kids can discover a world of art, make a mask, create a sculpture, “My 6-year-old has never seen the ocean.” For their first experience of the sand and surf, Malibu Lagoon State Beach can’t be beat. This wispy strand of golden sand is located where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific. The nearby wetlands are full of life, and gray whales can sometimes be seen off the coast. Santa Monica Beach is also a great choice, where kids can make sand castles in the morning and enjoy the pleasures of Santa Monica Pier and Pacific “From the casual outdoor lifestyle to the sunshine and ocean, being in LA is simply wonderful.” Jane Seymour 18
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