One of the most charming parts of Universal Studios is their Universal CityWalk, a free area that offers dining, shopping, and more attractions to visitors. Take a little time after lunch to stroll the CityWalk and soak up the atmosphere. You’ll love how festive and invigorating everything feels, and it’s fun to window shop, too.

The Queen Mary is among the most famous ships in popular history; from its stint as a party boat in the 30s to its WWII service, this storied vessel is truly legendary. Take a tour of the now-haunted ship and learn all about its fascinating exploits. Built in the 1930s and transitioned from luxury liner to Allied troop ship, she earned the nickname “Grey Ghost” because of her newly camouflaged exterior. It was first reported to be haunted once it was permanently docked in California, and remains a spooky experience today.

Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific for an educational and informative experience. Learn all about the inhabitants of the world’s largest ocean at this Long Beach destination. With more than 11,000 different creatures across several diverse exhibits and habitats, the Aquarium of the Pacific has tons to offer the marine enthusiast.

Located at the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is a great classic amusement park that will delight visitors of all ages. Enjoy traditional rides, slides, and arcade games as you spend an entertaining morning at this pier-side park. As a special bonus, they’ve got the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world! This park has been making families happy since 1916.

Explore the beautiful waters of the Pacific as you sail past stunning views of the city skyline. Whale watching cruise is narrated by charming professionals and encompasses a wide variety of points of interest and landmarks. The harbor tour features the working industrial and naval climate of the Los Angeles Harbor, including bridges, a lighthouse, working boats, and much more.

Start off your day with a visit to the iconic Madame Tussauds Hollywood, the one-of-a-kind wax museum that has been dazzling visitors for ages. This is your best chance to “meet” your celebrity crush and snap a few photos with that musician or actor you’ve been dying to see. With multiple exhibits across several floors, this attraction has something to offer everyone from classic cinephiles to lovers of reality T.V

This tour will take you to several hotspots throughout the city, from the famous stars on the Walk of Fame to a hotel allegedly haunted by Marilyn Monroe to the famous Egyptian Theater.

With four floors of paraphernalia, you’ll be able to spend hours just wandering through these exhibits. Some of the highlighted objects you’ll be able to see on your visit include a few of Marilyn Monroe’s gowns, Rocky’s boxing gloves, Indiana Jones’ whip, and more!

Knott's Berry Farm theme park attraction is the very first theme park in California, but it definitely holds up today as an exciting modern destination. Enjoy dozens of fun rides, slides, and other enjoyable attractions. Some of the highlighted attractions include their breathtaking roller coasters, children’s rides, family rides, and water rides.

Take the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the home of Hollywood’s most famous award ceremony – the Academy Awards®. A tour of the Dolby Theatre®, where the ceremonies are held each year, will take you to all of the important locations within the theater itself, from the center stage to the gorgeous spiral staircase. You’ll also see the beautiful architecture of this classic building, tour a gallery containing images of some of the most iconic Academy Award® winners, into the intimate audience chamber, and more.

Take a quick drive southeast to the Anaheim Gardenwalk area, a fun and charming shopping space with plenty of dining options.

After taking some time to explore Hollywood’s finest in their most static forms, take a Behind-the-Scenes Hollywood Tour to get a real feel for the industry and its history. This tour will take you to several hotspots throughout the city, from the famous stars on the Walk of Fame to a hotel allegedly haunted by Marilyn Monroe to the famous Egyptian Theater. Listen to your tour guide explain the story behind each of these significant landmarks as you walk throughout the entire Hollywood neighborhood.

Pay a visit to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Griffith Park to get a real feel for the California wilderness. Home to more than 1,000 creatures from around the world, the L.A. Zoo is a fascinating and educational place to explore.

The Huntington Library is like a super attraction – it’s actually four magnificent things all rolled into one. It’s part library (home to such textual artifacts as the Gutenberg Bible and some Shakespeare folios), part botanical garden, part art museum, and part research facility. Depending on which time of year you visit, you’ll be able to view a wide variety of lush, gorgeous plant life in their temperate gardens. Rotating special art exhibits and permanent collections in the art galleries provide a new experience each time you visit, and the library always has something fascinating to see.

With several daily departures available year round, you’ll be able to enjoy this adventure any time you visit. A few of the majestic species you may see on your adventure include the California Gray Whale, Giant Blue Whales, Orcas, Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, and other sea creatures including dolphins, seals, sharks, and more. The whale watch cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Departure from LA Airport.