I’m trying to find stuff to do with my 70 y.o. dad who’s coming to visit for the first time in years. We already have Getty, Ronald Reagan Library, Griffith Park Observatory planned. I’d love to take him sailing, but maybe not with the iffy weather lately.
I know nothing about Catalina Island. Could it be an option for this time of year?
Any other sightseeing possibilities I’m grossly overlooking?
From my recollection Catalina kinda shuts down in the off season, but you could combine a whale watching trip with a stop on the island.
Check it out here: http://www.newportwhales.com/
If you can, add Huntington Library in Pasadena to your list. Great outdoor space with a variety of gardens.
Specifically around Los Angeles? The Getty is an amazing venue housing an underwhelming collection, but definitely worth the price of admission.* Griffith Park and the Observatory are a good bet.
How about the La Brea Tarpits and the Page Museum there? That’s a unique feature to Los Angeles. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is in the same area. I also recommend visiting the San Fernando Mission, or even San Juan Capistrano if you don’t mind a longer drive. Window shopping on Rodeo Drive, cruising the Venice Boardwalk, going to see the Hollywood sign. There are a bunch of options.
If you have some extra time in Griffith Park, I highly recommend The Autry Museum of the American West.
Petersen Auto Museum is a fun trip:
For Catalina - you can do it same day easily. It can be a nice ride over and back, and you often get dolphins dancing in the wake of the ferry boat. I have left from Long Beach and San Pedro as I recall. Make sure you check out the Casino Ballroom - grand architecture and stories there. You can do the little boat trip to see the fish (bring cash to pay for food pellets).
Scuba diving off of the Channel islands is awesome this time of year. The Venice beach “boardwalk” is a colorful site on most weekends, especially if the weather is warm. I also recommend the aquarium in Long Beach.