Discover the Past in LA

In a city that is known for celebrities, one of the most popular sightseeing stops is a pool of tar. The La Brea Tar Pits is located in the heart of a 23-acre park in Los Angeles. This is the only urban palentological excavation site in the United States. In the last century, more than three million specimens have been uncovered in the tar. Among these specimens are saber-toothed cats, sloths, Mammoths, bison, and dire wolves to name a few. This kid friendly museum will have children of all ages engaged and entertained. For younger children there is a puppet show to educate and entertain.

The museum is only one of three sites at the La Brea Tar Pits that is a must see. Be sure to see the Tar Pits Lake, located right outside the main museum. This reenactment of mammoths wading in the tar, visually transforms you to the ice age. You can smell the real tar and if you watch closely you can see the tar bubble as well. This is not due to the temperature, because the tar is not hot, it is the air being released. Be sure to follow the black paw prints to Project 23. This site is an active dig site. They have flagged and marked each bone that they are excavating from the tar along with interesting facts about the tar the bones are in. Be sure now to miss the amphitheater as well. See real specimen bones preserved in their original state they were discovered in. This museum will take you about an hour to an hour and a half to tour.

Plan Ahead and Save

Include Hilton in your getaway plans and you can save up to 15% off our Best Available Rate* by booking with us in advance. Stay just minutes away from all the sights Los Angeles has to offer. Make your reservations today http://bit.ly/HUCAdvPurchase

Please make your reservation at least seven days prior to arrival.

Will You Believe It or Not?

Looking for an unusual museum to take your family to visit while in Los Angeles…then Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum is the place for you. This family friendly museum has something for everyone. O000 and awwww over the Angelina Jolie picture made entirely out of skittles. Check out the Micheal Jackson replica in the music room. Get your Marilyn Monroe fix with an amazing exhibit of her original clothing and be sure to take a picture of her iconic skirt blowing picture as you stand on the metal grate. There are many interactive activities through the museum for little hands that love to touch. Be sure to bring some change to try out the many old time games throughout the museum. This museum will take you about an hour to an hour and a half to see all the unusual items this museum has to offer.

Be Just Minutes Away 

Stay just minutes away for all the glitz, glam and unique sights Hollywood has to offer. Book our Family Fun Package and receive accommodations for two adults and two children, breakfast for four and free high-speed Internet access. So pack your bags and take advantage of this package for your spring, summer, fall, and winter vacations — or a weekend getaway. Book Today http://bit.ly/HiltonFamilyFunPackage.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s movie blockbuster Despicable Me will come to life in Hollywood with the much anticipated arrival of this 3D Ultra-HD movie motion-simulator adventure in 2014. Already open at their sister park in Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood will add a few surprises unique to the Entertainment Capital of L.A.

The ride continues the story line of the main characters together with an interactive experience. Guests will be transported into Gru’s house as they meander through his living room and encounter visual elements as seen in the film – including the moon-shrinking SR-6 shrink ray – while they zig zag through a zany adventure featuring Gru’s super-villain laboratory.  The exciting journey continues as they swerve, bounce and plunge to get through the frantically humorous Minion training mission while donning specially designed 3D Minion goggles.  Fun and frolic continue in a post-show dance party where Minion walk around characters invite guests to strut their stuff in an impromptu Minion-inspired dance party. Guests will experience the hilarious and heartwarming characters of the beloved film in a whole new way. The fully immersive experience will debut in 2014 with the lovable cast of leading characters that have captured the laughter of audiences worldwide: super-villain Gru, his adorable girls (Margo, Edith and Agnes) and the unpredictably hilarious Minions.

This will be an experience you won’t want to miss!

Don’t Stand In Line

Don’t stand in line for this exciting new attraction when you book our Front of the Line Package. Book Today!

What’s included:

• Overnight accommodations at our hotel
• Two Front of the Line tickets to Universal Studios which provide one-time priority access for each ride and attraction, as well as reserved seating at each show.
• Complimentary shuttle to Universal Studios (hours vary)
• Rates are per night

Front of Line Passes often sell out at the front gate ticket booths. This is the best way to guarantee your purchase of front of line access.

Whale Watching California

Besides some of the best year round weather, California offers a rich environment of interesting creatures and monumental land masses. Adventure to the beach and you can find Sea Slugs, Turtles and Cranes. Take a day trip further out on the ocean and new marine life appears, such as Harbor Seals and the Whales. The most common whale of the region is the Blue Whale. They travel in pairs during their migration in July – October timeframe.

Imagine being within feet of some of the most graceful, rare mammals in the world. Whale excursion gives you the chance and the opportunity to experience sites that you will never forget.  May through November brings warmer waters and the opportunity to view blue whales to 80 feet, finback whales, huge pods of dolphin that number in the thousands, seals, killer whales, sharks, and many other marine creatures. 

Newport Landing offers whale watching tours year around. December through April is the prime Grey Whale migration period. Newport Landing is ideally positioned to take advantage of the annual Grey whale migration, which brings hundreds of Grey Whales along the Laguna Beach coastline and within minutes of Newport Harbor. Newport Landing’s whale watching cruises are a great experience for families, churches, and companies with a universal appeal to all ages. Join Newport Landing on one of their open to the general public cruises or privately charter one of our boats for just your group/company.

 

Still Making Halloween Plans? Here is a Few More Ideas

For those of us still planning their entertainment this week, here is a few more great locals ideas. In Los Angeles there is a little something for everyone, no matter what you are in the mood for. For more information on local theme park Halloween events and attractions  see the post on Halloween’s Best Haunted Attractions in Southern California.

• KROQ’s Bleed It Out Blood Drive – Hosted in conjunction with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at the Universal Studios Globe Theater, near the entrance to the theme park.  (10/28)

• Griffith Park’s Haunted Hayride – Take your chances on a tractor drawn hay-filled wagon as it makes its way through the forest filled with scary surprises including the “Carnival of Souls” and “Haunted Haymaze.” (10/28 – 10/31)

• Beacon Arts’ Ghost Stories Party & Happenings – A full day of events centered around the Ghost art show. (10/29 & 10/30)

• Cinefamily Heavy Metal Halloween Party & Fundraiser – As is our yearly tradition on Hallows’ Eve, the Cinefamily’s sold its soul to rock n’ roll, and joined forces with our Dark Lord to throw the best Halloween party/Fundraiser ever — heavy metal style. (10/30)

• Halloween Long Beach – Official Comic Con Costume Party hosted at the Shore Ultra Lounge in Long Beach. Entertainment from four different DJs and performances by d Too $hort, the Lowkeys, Shiny Toy Guns, & T Mills.

• Dare to Bare III – Sexy Halloween Party and CD Release event presented by Exotifit and Maria Amor to benefit Lullalee’s Literacy for Children organization. Event includes red carpet entrance, fashion show and party after. (10/30)

• 11th Annual “Dia de Los Muertos” celebration – This year’s family-friendly celebration coincides with the Mexican Independence Bicentennial and Revolution Centennial, so arrive dressed as your favorite icon from those eras for prizes.Located at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (10/30)

• Halloween Bash with DJ Julius – Presented by Hot Spot Entertainment and located here at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City hotel. Pre-sale cover is $20 per person to party all night long. Dress to impress and win prizes for best costume. VIP bottle service also available upon request. (10/30)

• GHOULA & Million Dollar Theater – GHOULA (Ghost Hunters of Urban LA) and theater historian Nick Matonak want you to break on through to the other side. Document anything out of the ordinary & share your spooky findings. (10/30)

• Old Town Pasadena Halloween Celebration – Bring your little ghosts and goblins to a fun and safe Halloween in Old Pasadena and at One Colorado. Join in on a frightfully good time with activities throughout the area. (10/30 & 10/31)

And because we are true fans of Universal City and Universal Studios… do not forget that the Halloween Horror Nights event is still running this week through Sunday. Stop by and visit us here at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City for a little respite from the terrror. Hotel packages are still available for those that would like to make a weekend of it.