unique or different in L.A.
 

I am looking for different or unusual things to see or do in or around Los Angeles. I have been to the area about 20 times, so I am running out of things that are new to me and my family. Last time we were down we went to the Watts Towers and
everyone thought that was pretty remarkable.
I am staying in Culver City, looking for stuff within 20 miles of our hotel. All items suggested have to be wheelchair
accessible for my stepfather.

The Getty Villa in Malibu has re-opened, reservations required.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Venice, not far from Culver City

Have you been up to the Reagan Library?

The Autry Museum of Western Heritage is an enjoyable and easy-to-take treat.

It'd be helpful if you told us what you have already done, so we don't waste your time w/ redundant suggestions!
Olvera Street?
Will Rogers Park?
Huntington Museum?
Malibu?

The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar has antique and vintage automobiles, and musical instruments. It is a 2 hour free tour, and reservations are required. There is a dress code, and no children under 12 are allowed on the tour. 818-367-2251

Across the street is Nethercutt Museum with more interesting cars, etc. No reservations are required there. They are open Tuesday through Saturday. You can check out their website.

http://www.nethercuttcollection.com

Correction -
http://www.nethercuttcollection.org

The Griffith Observatory has just reopened after 5 years of renovations.
www.griffithobs.org

A performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. www.laphil.com

The International Printing Museum in Carson:
www.printmuseum.org/

In San Pedro, you have the LA Maritime Museum and the SS Lane Victory. Spirit Cruises also does informative cruises of L.A. Harbor.
www.lamaritimemuseum.org
www.spiritdinnercruises.com

Also in San Pedro, there is also Fort MacArthur
www.ftmac.org/
and the Marine Mammal Care Center

A drive around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, stopping at the Lloyd Wright designed Wayfarer's Chapel. www.wayfarerschapel.org
and Whale Watching at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center

Ugo at 3865 Cardiff has an really nice little wine tasting place. you can sample up to like 40 wines, you pick the ones you want and pay by the ounce, so you can try as many or as few as you want. I liked it! Amazing gelato as well.

Ehrin

This post is from January, 2007.

Very off beat and certainly not for everyone, but how about Westwood Memorial Cemetary?

http://www.hollywoodusa.co.uk/Memori...morialpark.htm

The Gamble House-Pasadena-Fabulous
The Art Museum, walking distance from the Gamble House Pasadena
The Huntington Library and Gardens-Pasadena/San Marino-fabulous gardens
The L.A.Arboretum- in Arcadia-Baldwin Ave across the street from Santa Anita race Track and the Westfield Shopping Center(That has a Cheesecake Factory Restaurant)-knock out tow birds with one stone. This is the Arboretum that has the house in the TV series Fantasy Island. Happy Travels!

There's also the museum of Pasadena History across the street from the Gamble House. The art museum is on the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado....a short walk. There's also the Asian Museum...which used to be a private residence...beautiful structure...on Los Robles between Colorado and Union...across from the California Pizza Kitchen and McCormick seafood...well...one has to eat...and the beautiful Pasadena City Hall is right there too and the Paseo Colorado, outdoor shopping plaza at the corner of Colorado and Los Robles...great shopping and food...P.F.Chang's China Bistro. Also the museum that's devoted only to California art...only one in the state, is next door to the Asian Museum. Happy Travels!

This may not be pertinent to the original poster any longer (and not sure if it would be wheelchair-friendly) but these walking tours look interesting and reasonably priced. It looks like they do require advance reservations though.
http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4

Just read the L.A.Conservancy site (that I listed above) more closely - and they do have three tours that allow walk-ins without reservations:

"We now accept walk-ins for our Art Deco and Historic Core tours every Saturday, and our Downtown's Evolving Skyline tour on the third Saturday of each month."

My husband and I just took a food walking tour. It started at Farmers Market in LA and you walked up 3rd Street. Two sisters do the tour and it was fun and informative. You get plenty to eat during the 3.5 hour tour. You can go to their website at www.meltingpottours.com for more information. Currently you can get a discount rate if you go through www.goldstar.com.