Ramona Museum of California Native Sons of the Golden West is a FREE community museum focusing on…read moreCalifornia History. It offers visitors a uniquely personal look at early California History with many artifacts donated by members dating back to 1887. Ramona Museum is rich in history and exhibit artifacts during the early days of SoCal. They're only open every Saturday from 1 pm to 3 pm. I arrived past closing time and was lucky enough to be given a guided tour by a staff. I love it! They do have interesting exhibits and historical artifacts. I enjoyed my time in this museum. Overall, I recommend you visit.

This is a great place to see local history. We can't forget the stories of the past and all it took…read moreto help get us to where we are today. Bring your friends and family. There's so much so learn and see.

The history of the LAPD is vast and at the Los Angeles Police Museum you get a lot of it and more…read more There's quite a bit to take in on various floors, from the moment you start your adventure into this historic site and museum in Greater LA's Highland Park neighborhood. Located on York Blvd between Aldama Street and Branch Street, LAPM has a good size lot as well as street parking available. They're open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 am until 3:30 pm. Occasionally they have some additional closures, aside from Sundays through Tuesdays, including holidays and special events. Their Instagram stories and post usually note this best, but they do make updates to the website as well. LAPM was founded in the late 80s (1989) under its former name LAPHS (Los Angeles Police Historical Society) and is dedicated to housing, informing and displaying a vast collection of Los Angeles' law enforcement history and present. The building itself is a registered National Historic Landmark inside the restored 1925 Highland Park Police Station. I learned, recalled, and took in a lot of helpful information. From the Battle of North Hollywood in the late 90s (1997, which I vaguely remember as a pre-teen living in Los Angeles) to the history of the first African American police officer of the LAPD Robert William Stewart, hired in 1886. It can be a lot to take in, but also more than informative and eye opening. The layout is easy to navigate, the details, images, videos and displays are well kept and they have elevators as well as smooth floors for wheelchairs, strollers, etc. They have memberships at different tiers that include anytime admission as well as general, seniors, students (including college) and children admission pricing ranging from free (fo children 5 and under) to $10 (ages 21 to 61). Everyone working here was nothing but kind and personable and since I purchased tickets online all I had to do was show my confirmation. They have a gift shop that's pretty neat. I got a new pin to add to my vest and had the perfect company to enjoy a day at the LA Police Museum with. Note: the lower/basement level is for personal (meeting rooms) and the offices to the left near the gift shop as well as in the main front half of the entrance are for employees. If the doors are locked you can ring the bell or knock.

Arrived 1.5hr just before closing to take my "police-rescue team-Fire fighter" obsessed child to…read morethis museum. Despite the short time and on a hot day, I'd say it was a sucess, given he absolutely loved it and constantly continues to rave to the family about how much fun he had. He loved putting mommy and daddy in jail. Closing and opening the jail cells was an absolute joy and he loved saying "stop right there" like Labrador Dog followed by a bewildering "you're under arrest"!!!!!! Every time he threw me in jail and closed the cell, his little eyes glistened with savory wicked intent. After visiting the interrogation room, which I must say was my favorite due to the meticulosly landscaped mural, he hurriedly escorted us to his most precious discovery.... the police collection of vehicles, found on the back end outside of the museum. He enjoyed getting inside the helicopter and engaged in lenghty "make believe". Tried the motorcycles and engaged in constant pursuit of thieves! Rode the LAPD van and arrested/locked both mommy and daddy. Oh boy, this kid sure had fun and I enjoyed seeing his little face overjoyed without having staff constantly stating he could not get in. Thank you for having a space where kids can be kids without constant restraint. I did see some trash that I am assuming other folk might have left behind and the police cars were pretty dirty. Maybe they can be protected with car covers? We were also almost overcharged when my toddler was being taken for older kid. Despite these minor things, we enjoyed this museum and wish we had a bit more time to read the cases and history.

Little Landers Historical Society, based in Tujunga, provides all-volunteer docents for the Bolton…read moreHall Museum. Named after the Little Landers who formed farm-based colonies long before the current farm-to-table focus, the mission of the Society is to maintain Bolton Hall and to preserve the local history of the Sunland-Tujunga area. They also run the adorable gift shop in the museum featuring books on local history and gift items such as T-shirts, plates and greeting cards. Membership is $20 per year and includes a subscription to the LLHS newsletter, "The Cornerstone." What a great way to keep local history alive! The docents offer tours of Bolton Hall on Sunday and Tuesday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. They also offer monthly programs focused on local history. Admission is free to the museum and to all events. More info here: http://www.littlelandershistoricalsociety.org/index.htm

A historical San Gabriel Valley, East L.A. - US War memorial location. Millions have seen, but…read morenever been in...

The City Of El Monte Historical Society Museum" is TRULY a hidden gem that not many know about…read more It's situated just north of El Monte High school on Tyler Ave and right across the street from Arceo Park. I've been there many times and can NEVER get enough of the rich history that includes pictures, news articles, items and wonderful stories from its curator Mrs. Donna Crippen. I believe this building was once the public library up until it was transformed to a museum sometime in the 1960's. This place is wonderful to look at, be in and most importantly learn in. ?The staff really knows its facts! I believe they offer tours from Mrs. Crippen and the volunteering Docent's; who also do a marvelous job! To get the most and appreciate all its unique history, you may plan on going a couple of days to really understand why the city of El Monte is what it is. Thanks to the pioneers who came before us. What I really appreciate; and I'm sure those who have larger families or even students from local schools is the fact that it's free admission, but they kindly accept donations. So please feel free to support this awesome, generous little gem of the wonderful city that is El Monte. P.S. It's adjacent to the Jack Crippen community center.

Been a resident of Monrovia for over 15 years, and I was surprised to find out there's a local…read moremuseum dedicated to its history. Monrovia is actually one of the older cities in Los Angeles County, founded in the late 1800s and known for its charming Old Town and foothill setting. The Monrovia Historical Museum was very impressive--packed with history about the city. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and you can easily spend a good amount of time here learning about Monrovia's early days, including its development, transportation (like the old rail systems), architecture, and everyday life back then. There are a lot of interesting artifacts, photos, and exhibits that really bring the city's past to life. It gave me a whole new appreciation for a place I've lived in for so long.

Always pasted this museum and finally stopped by. Wasn't expecting it to be as big as it was. Lots…read moreto see! Awesome people to help you along and explain.

The Arlington Garden is a nice, public garden in Pasadena. Admission is free and street parking is…read moreplentiful. It's not a big garden, yet it does a great job at displaying native species, sustainable land scaping, and climate appropriate plants. I came during the hot days of summer, so there's not a lot that's in bloom. I did spot plenty of California poppies, milkweed, and yarrow. The trees, like the holly leaf cherry and eastern redbud, were beautiful on its own. I also had the rare privilege of seeing a flowering agave plant. The citrus area is a standout. They have some dwarf species and trees that were rehoused after being part of an art installation. They use the fruit to make marmalade. What's unused gets donated.

It is always a struggle to write beyond a cliche. Case in point, I want to express that the…read moreArlington Garden in Pasadena is a green oasis amidst urban noise and pace but that would say little since people consider their backyard and their local parks to be a green space of peace. And they would be right- who am I to judge the green that someone holds precious whether it be jade from feudal China or a patch of blades that are bed for the soul to rest. So I am left with one task: to express the serene beauty of this place that is also engaging in a quiet way, with almost ethereal words to truly defend and display that this, in all its glory, is a green oasis that wins by a short shot. The grounds are not huge, it is small but comes close to being medium. But what I loved is that its green branches and brown barks and twigs were immersive. I had entered a green swirl that moved all around me in stillness of movement but blurs of garden spirits. The place was like an outside museum that honors mother earth and her mantra of tender care that explains how flowers grow best. One of the most engaging experiences was their wishing tree. It was about two to four big trees with hanging wishes written by everyday folk. As I walked the steps to the trees, as I passed between them my skin could feel the words of hope hanging from branches. It was like the cards spoke in lovely whispers that reminded me that days of beauty are created when people do not forget to see that joyous petals that are in the wind and all around in the everyday. And as one note reminded us, joy is not ready made, to find it takes action. Reading the notes was a way in which I elected joy, as an act of resistance toward anger and disapointment. There was also this gazebo with a statue of a greek goddess. These are guesses of mine, I did not find some type of placards to confirm my notions. She was framed in the gazebo by a quasi-window. I entered the small gazebo and sat in the only green bench maybe big enough for two.I did not understand why she was giving me her back, I wanted to face her. But then I realized that Demeter or Gaia (maybe?) was not facing me because she was looking at her creation, like any person would when they have a garden to admire. From that seat I saw a man doing Tai-Chi and being filmed by his partner in all red. I sat and viewed him quietly and ask that whatever he was calling forth with his movements also entered my own person. From this seat, I also saw a pregnant woman taking pictures. She was wearing a white dress with a tasteful floral pops around. At times, she laughed with a wide smile, at times she held the bundle with her hands. It was seeing a place of growth, welcome a being with life about to begin. Her partner joined and they were directed into stances that made sense--- like the one where they look longingly at each other while he held her, and she held the coming boy. I could see their happiness, I could see their true connection, and I knew that the baby was being born into comfort and love. It was great reminder that sometimes life blooms with ease into joy. I also saw a lizard run and move its neck, both in a funny way. I saw a sole butterfly flutter. I saw folks sitting, relaxing, eating, all in with a calm demeanor. So I would like to think that this place is a green oasis or at least a place where rest is each to come by.

Stone Barn Nature Center is a small educational center dedicated to the wildlife and community…read more It's located within the Deukmejian Wilderness Park. I came to visit and was greeted by Jackie, a young blue eyed and beautiful woman, at the reception desk. She was informative and affable. Let me tell you about this center, the history of the stone barn dates to 1898 when the property was acquired by George Le Mesnager, a French emigrant and prominent Los Angeles vintner, from Dr. Benjamin Briggs, the founder of La Crescenta. Between 1914 and 1918, George's son Louis constructed the original stone barn and shed along with several other buildings that no longer exist. They were used for storing equipment and grapes until 1920, when Prohibition ended the winemaking industry and forced the Le Mesnagers into the water industry. As the turn of the century, this center is a place to learn about the wild animals in the Cresenta valley and LA County. It's a great place for kids and family. Overall, it's a nice center to bring kids or kids at heart.

So impressed with this little nature center that opened not too long ago! Went to Deukmejian…read moreWilderness Park for a picnic/hike party and found this little gem! Lots of cool activities for the kids, and it's got a little history of the area. Definitely a fun place to check out if you are visiting the park. Entrance is free!

Caltech Science Museum's is in room 131 of the Beckman building. It is open for Walk-Ins from 1 to…read more4 PM on the first Friday of each month from September - June or by appointment (626) 395-2704 This small museum is devoted the history of chemistry and to work of Arnold O. Beckman, a CalTech professor and the inventor of the pH scale we use today to test acidity. If you or your kid love chemistry then this is a must see!