Spend Summer in the City of Angels
by Shelley Poulton

As the kids get out of school and families across the country start gassing up their minivans for the annual family road trip, more and more will be heading toward Los Angeles, Calif.

Long known as a family destination, the City of Angels has even more to offer families in the summer.

Universal Studios Hollywood has been a major L.A. area destination for nearly three decades, but there's much more to the theme park than just the famous backlot tram tour.

The park has several large rides based on famous films, including the Jurassic Park ride, where visitors ride in log boats through a re-creation of the film's dinosaur theme park. Realistic raptors spray water at riders and scare even the most jaded passenger. The ride culminates with a terrifying 84-foot plunge down the longest, fastest and steepest water descent ever built.

For a tamer but equally realistic thrill, visitors can help pedal E.T. back to his home or ride in the space-traveling car made famous in Back to the Future.

If you want to race in a real sportscar, there's the new Speed Zone, in the L.A. suburb, City of Industry. Racers compete in Ferraris or Formula One style racing cars, spin out on a slick track or accelerate madly in a dragster.

Old-fashioned fun is available on the famous Santa Monica Pier. Jutting out past a sandy beach into the Pacific Ocean is a classic wooden pier with amusement rides for the whole family, including the nine-story Ferris wheel and roller coaster.

The California Science Center has undergone what they call a "reimagining," and the result is even more educational family fun. Interactive exhibits are divided into several areas: World of Life; Creative World; World of the Pacific; and Worlds Beyond. The Center is also home to a seven-story IMAX 3-D theater, which features a variety of educational films.

For more traditional museum fare, head to The Getty Center. The $1 billion museum has a special family room with displays, costumes, books, CD-ROMs and games to help children make connections with what they see in the art galleries. The popular and well-stocked gallery is located just a short drive from downtown L.A. But due to its immense popularity, visitors must either take the bus or call ahead (often weeks or months) for a parking reservation. Admission is free, but the parking reservation is $5.

Brand new is the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. Located on famous Hollywood Boulevard, near Mann's Chinese Theater and right on the Walk of Fame, this museum boasts all kinds of movie and television memorabilia, including an authentic Star Trek transporter and even the set from Cheers.

There's something for everyone in Los Angeles during the summer. In fact, Los Angeles has more attractions and theme parks than any other U.S. destination.