Learn about Southern California history
- Rancho los Alamitos A historic home and ranch with fabulous docents to explain about the ranchero period of California history. Recent renovation makes this site even more fun and informative.
- Rancho los Cerritos Another rancho in Long Beach, this one offers amazing insights into every day life. Ask to visit the gardens and play old-fashioned children's games!
- Point Fermin Lighthouse The hours are tricky, but the lighthouse is fascinating, with a fun kids' dress-up area. Plus, there's a great playground nearby.
- El Pueblo de los Angeles Learn about the foundation of L.A. and early life here. Ignore the touristy marketplace (unless you like touristy stuff!) and focus instead on the Avila Adobe, the Chinese American Museum, the old firehouse, and the newly restored America Tropical mural. Take public transit to avoid nasty Downtown parking fees. The closest Metro stop is Union Station, almost directly across the street.
- Autry Museum of Western Heritage--free second Tuesday of the month!
- Heritage Square in Pasedena--Only open noon-5 Friday-Sunday and most holiday Mondays, but totally worth the visit, especially for a special event.
- Stagecoach Inn Museum (Open Wednesday-Friday for fieldtrippers. It’s open to the wider public on weekends.)
- The Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in Industry
- Fort Tejon near Lebec in the Grapevine--A real army fort dating from over 150 years ago, with adobe buildings and living history exhibits. If you go off-season--when the grounds are open, but not the buildings or indoors exhibits--you'll see a lot of wildlife (we saw a huge herd of deer!). See the website and check hours for when the rangers are there.
- The Banning Museum in Wilmington is a renovated mansion with a Victorian Era collection.
- Antelope Valley Indian Museum is chock full of the history of local American Indians.
- The Diego Sepulveda Adobe in Costa Mesa holds tours. Best paired with another activity. Hours are very limited.
- Los Encinos State Historic Park includes both the Garnier Building and the Del La Ossa Adobe. Also best paired with another outing.
- Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo hosts tours of its buildings.