#72 Wrigley Botanical Garden
The Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden is a 38 acre garden on the edge of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. It is a memorial for William Wrigley Jr., famous Chicago chewing gum tycoon. He purchased most of the island in 1919 and dreamed up a vacation spot and focused efforts on island preservation. The gardens showcase endemic plants found only on California's Channel Islands and was conceived by Wrigley's Wife Ada. The memorial was designed by Bennett, Parsons & Frost famous for Buckingham Fountain in Chicago. Though no longer buried here, the Gardens & Memorial are filled with Wrigley's Spirit.
#68 Corral Canyon
Corral Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area follows a natural creek flowing to the ocean. It is one of the last undeveloped stretches in Malibu. The Sara Wan Trail winds 2.5 miles through the canyon and has great views of the Coast and Point Dume. Wildlife includes Red-Tailed Hawks and Deer.
#66 Glendora Mountain and Ridge Road
Glendora Mountain and Ridge Roads take you into Angeles National Forest into what is now the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. This winding road gives sweeping views of mountain peaks and valleys below and is a sure escape to the bustling city below.
#61 Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach and its Pleasure Pier have been a destination since 1889. It is the 7th pier to be constructed on this beach. The Victorian Hotel Redondo opened in 1890 and was an important Coastal Resort of the West that was linked to the railways. It was up there in luxury with the likes of the Hotel Del Coronado with 3 floors and 225 rooms. Unfortunately, the hotel was demolished in 1926 and would certainly have been an icon today.
#54 Korean Bell of Friendship
The Korean Bell of Friendship in Angel's Gate Park, San Pedro was given to the city of Los Angeles from the Republic of Korea in 1976. It was presented to the United States for the country's bicentennial and honors Veterans of the Korean War. The bronze bell itself weighs 17 tons and is 7 and a half feet tall. Sweeping views of the ocean can be seen from the bell making this an essential sunset spot.
#49 Bradbury Building
The Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles is an architectural dream. On the National Register of Historic Places, this Victorian Landmark was built in 1893. It is the oldest remaining commercial building in L.A. and contains a courtyard, ornate iron decoration, marble stairs and cage elevators. Sumner Hunt and George Wyman served as architectural designers while funding for the building was put up by gold mine millionaire Lewis L. Bradbury. It has been featured in many tv shows, movies and music videos.
#43 Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is an extension to the J. Paul Getty Museum. Located on the coast in the Pacific Palisades, this art museum displays art from ancient Greece, Rome & Etruria. The collection contains more than 44,000 pieces dating from 6,500BC to 400AD. Beautiful exhibits and galleries surrounded by courtyards overlook the Pacific Ocean in this 64 acre art institution.
#37 The Arboretum
The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens. Located in Arcadia in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, this 127 acre garden is a feast of color and botanical heaven. The historical property resides on Native American land and the site of former Rancho Santa Anita. From South American gardens to the Madagascar Spiny Forest and the Tropical Orchid House, the gardens are constantly changing with the seasons making each visit one to remember.
#32 Point Vicente Lighthouse
Point Vicente Lighthouse is one of the crown jewels of Rancho Palos Verdes. On the National Register of Historic Places, this Lighthouse was built in 1926 to help guide ships as they sail the ever-changing California coast. Standing 130 feet on a cliff above the ocean, it was first operated by the United States Lighthouse Service which merged into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. The Lighthouse was manned until 1971 where it continues to function as an electronic aids-to-navigation monitoring system.
#26 Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel
The Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel is a luxurious downtown hotel that opened in 1923. At the time, it was the largest hotel west of Chicago. The architecture is a mix of Renaissance Revival, Mediterranean Revival and Beaux Arts. Its interiors are jaw dropping with hand painted murals, marble columns, chandeliers, 24 karat gold accents, wooden carvings and tapestries. The ceilings were done by famed Italian artist Giovanni Smeraldi whose work can also be seen at the Vatican and White House. Opulence at its finest can be discovered in this glorious hotel.
