Tessa Johnson  

If you are willing to travel a bit out of the main LA area, be sure to add the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden to your destinations list. This gorgeous, 127-acre garden and outdoor oasis is nestled into the low-key San Gabriel town, near the mountains. The Arboretum houses luscious plant collections from all over the world, including many rare and endangered species.

Get some good laughs at the Groundlings Theatre & School. This improvisation and sketch comedy theater has been serving up humor and entertainment for LA audiences for almost four decades. This comedy club also doubles as the Groundlings School, which hosts six-week long sessions. The competitive program claims many famous alumni, including Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph.

Bring your wild things to the Los Angeles Zoo. Located in Griffith Park, this zoo features plenty of animals and activities that the family will love. Walk around the different exhibits and attractions to see animals in replicated habitats. Have a personal animal encounter at the petting zoo or through the Animals & You Program. Watch a performance by the birds and learn about their behavior in nature.

Car aficionados won't want to skip the Petersen Automotive Museum. Founded by the creator of Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines, this extensive automotive museum is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The museum owns over 200 vehicles and displays 100 to the public. Learn about the history of the automobile, visit the interactive exhibit to learn about the way a car works, or take a tour of the facility.