Breakfast at the Farm of Beverly Hills L.A. LIVE
Start the day off by grabbing breakfast at one of the new restaurants at L.A. LIVE, Downtown LA’s multi-billion dollar entertainment complex. The Farm is actually an LA institution, and its new location dishes out the same iconic favorites: Raisin Hazelnut French Toast, Banana Macademia Nut Pancakes and Eggs Benedict.
The Grammy Museum
After breakfast, take your group to the nearby Grammy Museum. Opened in 2008, the entire building is a tribute to all sorts of musical genres from jazz to heavy metal. Students can explore musical timelines and experience the museum’s interactive exhibits — and even learn how to mix a song with the “In the Studio” exhibit.
Breakfast at Akasha
Start on the Westside with breakfast at Culver City’s acclaimed Akasha. Its bakery features artisan baked bread, organic coffee and a load of tasty muffins, scones, bagels and cinnamon rolls. Don’t miss favorites like the Meyer Lemon Scones and Triple Ginger Cookies.
Sony Pictures Tour
Take your group to visit the studio where the classic Wizard of Oz was filmed. Since then, many other movies and TV shows have been produced here, and students will be able to check out sets for the “Wheel of Fortune,” “Jeopardy” and soundstages for upcoming movies. Sony Pictures Tour sets up exclusive group tours that provide insider knowledge about sets, actors and actresses, studio history and tons of movie trivia.
Lunch at UCLA or at Pink’s Famous Chili Dogs
Give your students a taste of real campus life and head to UCLA for lunch at one of the campus’ four restaurants — all of them all-you-can-eat with lots of variety. Or if you want to give them something more iconic, stop by Pink’s Famous Chili Dogs, an LA culinary institution since 1938. Who knows, they might even spot one of many celebrities that come to get a taste of this chili legend.
UCLA Conference Services
Hook up with UCLA Conference Services, which facilitates programs for youth groups to explore the UCLA campus or Westwood Village. Both the Fowler Museum and the Hammer Museum are part of UCLA — two great educational destinations for your student group. For more art, stop by the renowned Franklin D. Sculpture Gardens, which features works from masters like Rodin and Noguchi.
Dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on the Pier
Few places are more fun for youth groups than Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., located right on the Santa Monica Pier at Building 9. The upbeat atmosphere is evident from its bayou theme and paraphernalia from the movie Forrest Gump scattered over the walls, and there’s an exciting gift shop for students to get their LA souvenirs.
Pacific Park
Nothing finishes up the day better than an evening of ocean-front action right on the water. What has now become one of LA’s most photographed attractions, Pacific Park is located on the Santa Monica Pier. Its iconic Pacific Wheel is the only solar-powered Ferris Wheel in the world and one of the most popular rides. Other amusements include high-tech bumper cars, as well as classic carnival games like “Skeeball” and “Wack-a-Mole.”
