Things to do in Imperial County

Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area

2026 Americas 50 - Night Attractions

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. This white-domed building, completed in 1935, is a classic spot in Los Angeles for watching sunsets and night views. The observation deck offers an expansive view, overlooking the Los Angeles Basin, the downtown skyline in the distance, and the Pacific coastline, while facing the nearby "Hollywood" sign. At dusk, the sun sinks toward the coastline, and as night falls, the city lights gradually fill the entire basin, creating a particularly magnificent scene. Films such as "Transformers" and "La La Land" have been shot here. The museum is packed with highlights: the Foucault pendulum hanging in the central hall swings continuously, periodically knocking down wooden pegs on its surrounding rail, visually demonstrating Earth's rotation. The dome is encircled by astronomical-themed murals painted by artist Hugo Ballin. The lower exhibition hall features a model of the solar system's planets suspended from the ceiling, while a massive photo wall spanning tens of meters displays millions of galaxies, accompanied by a statue of Einstein pointing toward it. In the central dome theater, visitors can recline in their seats and follow the live guide to explore the stars and the cosmos. During daytime visits, travelers can observe real-time solar images through the solar telescope in the exhibition hall. On clear nights, the rooftop Zeiss refracting telescope is open to the public for stargazing, and millions of travelers have gazed at the stars through it since its construction. To catch both sunset and night views in one trip, it's recommended to head up the mountain early, allowing ample time for exhibitions and waiting for nightfall. Weekends and holidays draw large crowds, often causing traffic congestion on the mountain road.

Cloud Museum

Glamis swingset

Eager Park

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County opened in 1913 and is a large natural history museum in the western United States, with a collection of approx. 35 million items spanning 4.5 billion years of history, encompassing everything and featuring astonishing exhibits and collections that leave people in awe. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County's exhibits include anthropology, botany, entomology, vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, vertebrate paleontology, malacology, ichthyology, herpetology, echinodermology, ornithology, mineralogy, and paleontological dinosaurs, among others, opening visitors' eyes wide. The museum's larger feature is that it takes animal specimens as the main body, restoring them to the animals' ecological environments and bringing visitors into different historical periods and ecological environments. The lifelike animal specimens, together with lighting and theatrical visual presentation techniques, are quite stunning. A major focus of the museum is the dinosaur exhibition hall, which contains more than 300 fossils, 20 dinosaur skeleton specimens, and various interactive exhibits; what excites visitors is that the museum also displays a Triceratops skeleton.

Pumpkin Patch Rocks

Alyce Gereaux Park

Glamis Flats

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego • Enjoy a variety of unique animal experiences • Enjoy attractions of various thrill levels • Explore the exciting world of marine animals △ Marine life shows: Famous for its captivating marine life shows, visitors can witness wonderful performances by dolphins and sea lions here. These programs provide entertainment and education about marine animals and their behavior. △Animal exhibits: The park features various animal exhibits that allow visitors to get up close to a wide variety of marine life. From penguins and sharks to sea turtles and rays, these exhibits offer immersive experiences and opportunities to learn about different species. △Thrilling rides: In addition to marine life attractions, thrilling rides are also available for adrenaline enthusiasts. From roller coasters to water slides, these rides bring excitement and fun to visitors of all ages.