Family Values Don’t Get Any Better Than This

Spring break may be a welcome break from the school grind for countless students, but there’s only so much rest and relaxation a kid can tolerate before boredom sets in, only so many episodes of “Saved by the Bell” one can watch. So if there’s no Caribbean cruise on the horizon, no trailblazing to the slopes of Aspen, don’t fear. There are dozens of fun things to do in our own backyard. Here are 50 that won’t cost a dime.

1. Climb the rails at Travel Town, on the north side of Griffith Park. The low-key park opened in 1952, a vision of Charlie Atkins as a haven for old steam engines and railroad cars, 5200 Zoo Drive (near Forest Lawn exit off Ventura Freeway), Los Angeles, (213) 662-9678, open daily at 10 a.m.

2. Look into the La Brea Tar Pits, Wilshire Boulevard and Curson Avenue in Los Angeles. The tar that seeps from these pits was used by Native Americans and early settlers to seal boats and roofs. In 1906, geologists discovered the pits had entrapped 200 varieties of mammals, plants, reptiles and insects from the Pleistocene era and preserved them in fossils available for viewing (for a charge) at the nearby George C. Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries, (213) 936-2230.

3. Learn about California in the Gold Rush days and ride an old-fashioned stagecoach at the Wells Fargo History Museum, 333 S. Grand St., Los Angeles, open weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., (213) 253-7166.

4. Touch the sea stars, cucumbers and urchins in a “tide pool touch tank” Tuesday through Friday at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., and weekends at 11:30 a.m., 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen White Drive (off 36th Street), San Pedro, (310) 548-7562.

5. See original art by children’s book illustrators Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Every Picture Tells a Story, 7525 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 932-6070.

6. Visit the California Afro-American Museum and learn about African American achievements in the arts, Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, (213) 744-7432.

7. Learn about the history of firefighting at the 1884 Old Plaza Firehouse, Paseo de la Plaza, El Pueblo, Los Angeles, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., (213) 625-3741. Don’t miss the collection of old fire helmets.

8. Tour the offices of the Los Angeles Times or the Olympic Plant by reservation, weekdays, 145 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, (213) 237-5757.

9. See one of the exhibits or selections from the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art, free Thursdays, 5-8 p.m., 250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 626-6222.

10. Have fun with hands-on exhibits and stories from around the globe at the Kidspace Museum, 390 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, last Monday of each month, 5-8 p.m., free, (818) 449-9144.

11. “Brave Little Girls,” an exhibition of children’s books and original illustrations about girls and young women of courage, accomplishment and imagination, through March 31 in the Lodwrick M. Cook Rotunda, 2nd Floor, Main Building, Los Angeles Public Library Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., (213) 228-7000, Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Wednesday noon-8 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.

12. Selections from the “International Child Art Collection Junior Arts Center Barnsdall Art Park” will be on view through April 6 in the Children’s Gallery, 2nd Floor, Main Building, Los Angeles Public Library Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., (213) 228-7000, see hours above.

13. Tour exhibits on topics as varied as volcanoes to insects to Hollywood at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, 900 Exposition Blvd. at Vermont, admission free first Tuesday of every month, (213) 744-3466.

14. Pretend you’re an astronaut in the Gemini 11 space capsule, on view at the California Museum of Science and Industry, 700 State Drive, Los Angeles, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., (213) 744-7400.

15. Listen to the hubbub on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange, 233 S. Beaudry Ave., free viewing weekdays 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., (213) 977-4500.

16. Explore the Japanese Pavilion at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., free on the second Wednesday of every month, (213) 857-6000.

17. Get your feet wet in the tide pools at the Orange County Marine Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, (714) 496-2274. Touch tanks, offering hands-on exposure to marine life, are open most Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and the brig Pilgrim, moored alongside OCMI, throws an open house most Sundays from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (donation requested).

18. Learn about the Holocaust at the Martyrs Memorial Museum of the Holocaust, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday 1-3 p.m., closed Saturday. (213) 852-1234 Ext. 3202.

19. View beads and textiles from around the world, craft your own necklaces and groove to African music and dance performances at the Art of Adorning Festival April 5-6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600. Festival is free; gallery admission, good for Kidseum and Bowers, is $2-$6, free for under age 5.

20. Hike the trails in Griffith Park up to Mount Hollywood, where you can see the ocean on one side of you and the mountains on the other. Set out near the Observatory, 2800 Observatory Road, Los Angeles.

21. Find out how an earthquake is measured at the Griffith Park Observatory Hall of Science, 2800 Observatory Road, Los Angeles, (213) 664-1191, Tuesday-Friday 2-10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays noon-10 p.m.

22. Get back to nature at the Oak Canyon Nature Center, 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills, (714) 998-8380. The 58-acre wilderness park and hands-on museum has spring wildflowers, hiking trails and, most Saturdays at 10 a.m., free naturalist-led family programs. This Saturday’s topic: birds of prey. Or at the Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, (714) 773-3404. A docent-led nature walk for families taking in the highlights of this 26-acre botanical garden is offered April 5 at 10 a.m., or you can pick up a map for a self-guided tour. For a schedule of ranger-led nature walks, offered most weekends at the county’s regional parks, call the O.C. Department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks hotline at (714) 834-2400.

23. Experience what life was like in the old rancho days at the renovated 1844 Monterey-style adobe Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road (off San Antonio Drive), Long Beach, Wednesday through Sunday 1-5 p.m., weekend tours. (310) 424-9423.

24. Feast your eyes on works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and other modern artists of the 20th century at the Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd. (between Temple and Junipero avenues), Fridays 5-8 p.m., (310) 439-2119.

25. Hear about the first flights on the “Flight Line Tour” of Edwards Air Force Base, Rosamond Boulevard (off Highway 14 in Antelope Valley), Fridays at 10 a.m., (805) 277-3517. Stay for lunch and then see where the space shuttle lands and tour NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards where you can also see a B-52 and an F-15, weekdays at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., call for reservations, (805) 258-3446.

26. See how photography works at the California Museum of Photography, 3824 Main St., Riverside, free Wednesdays, (909) 784-9686.

27. Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Third-Ever Storyopolis Kids’ Poetry Cafe, April 5 at 12:30 p.m. Find a poem in a book, on a cereal box, even on a record album, and step up to the microphone and whisper, read or shout your own rhyme or somebody else’s. Storyopolis, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Plaza A, Los Angeles, (310) 358-2500.

28. Learn about Roman times in “Talks on Roman Villa Life,” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekends, and tour the antiquity-filled museum while you’re at it, J. Paul Getty Museum, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, parking reservations required, (310) 458-2003.

29. Wear your pajamas and snuggle up with Pajamarama story time Monday evenings at 7 at Barnes & Noble, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 897-6201. For other storytelling events in Orange County, call the South Coast Storytellers Guild at (714) 496-1960, or check with your local library.

30. Lend a hand to artist Liza Lou and help her complete her life-size beadwork project, “Back Yard,” Saturdays from noon-5 p.m. through April 12 at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica, (310) 399-0433, all ages welcome.

31. Activities and games for children are part of Marine Mammal Care Center’s 3rd Annual Celebration of the “Day of the Seal,” April 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Center for Marine Studies, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro, (310) 548-5677.

32. Listen as the Pasadena Symphony presents a musical circus, “Rock Around the Clock,” April 5 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, (818) 793-7172.

33. Aspiring young jazz musicians should bring their instruments and attend the jazz mentorship program, which presents bassist Nedra Wheeler, 2-4 p.m. March 29 at the Gallery Theatre in Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 485-0709.

34. Decorate Easter eggs and listen to stories at the Glendale Public Library Children’s Room, March 29, 2-3 p.m., 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale, (818) 548-2035.

35. Join Cardinal Roger M. Mahony for the traditional Blessing of the Animals, March 29, noon-5 p.m. on Olvera Street, downtown. Entertainment, folk dancing, mariachi groups and special exhibits sponsored by the Los Angeles Zoo, (213) 625-5045 or (213) 485-9777.

36. Children’s film series, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday: “The Tailor of Gloucester” and “The Velveteen Rabbit,” both films narrated by Meryl Streep. April 5: “Paul Bunyon” and “Finn McCoul,” both films narrated by Jonathan Winters. At the Gallery Theatre in Barnsdall Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 485-4581.

37. Teens will enjoy “The Velvet Years 1965-1967: Warhol’s Factory, Photographs by Stephen Shore” at the University Art Museum, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., California State University, Long Beach. An insider at the Factory, Shore photographed Warhol, as well as the Velvet Underground, Nico, Edie Sedgwick and other Factory notables. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Thursday noon-8 p.m. Gallery closed Monday-March 31, (310) 985-5761.

38. The Watts Towers Music Series concludes Sunday with a concert by the Steed Woodwind Quartet, 2:30-3:30 p.m., 1727 E. 107th St., Los Angeles, (213) 847-4646.

39. Smell the flowers at the Wildflower and Waterfall Welcome Day, Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at La Jolla Valley in Point Mugu State Park, one-quarter mile east of Mugu Rock en route to Oxnard, featuring several short family hikes over a 2-mile round-trip moderately difficult trail to view a waterfall, and enjoy the wildflowers, face-painting and children’s activities, (310) 457-8142.

40. Meet Spot the Dog April 5 at 11 a.m. with “paw print” autographing at Mrs. Nelson’s Toy and Book Shop, 1030 Bonita Ave., La Verne, (909) 599-4558.

41. Imagination Company will present the Hans Christian Andersen classic “The Emperor’s Nightingale” at the Glendale Public Library, 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale, Saturday 2-3 p.m., (818) 548-2035.

42. Los Angeles Philharmonic performs three neighborhood concerts, Saturday at 7 p.m., Compton Community College, 1111 E. Artesia Blvd., Compton, (310) 637-2660; Sunday at 6 p.m. at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd., (213) 731-7285; Tuesday, 8 p.m., Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, (805) 723-5950.

43. Get back to nature at Treepeople, 12601 Mulholland Drive, Sherman Oaks, (818) 758-4620. Besides the scenic hiking trails overlooking the Valley, kids can learn all sorts of fun stuff about the environment by participating in the recycling and tree planting programs. Saturday: TreePeople staff lead a tree tour of Coldwater Canyon State Park, 10 a.m.-noon. Reservations required, (818) 753-4361.

44. Check out the Hale-Bopp comet with telescopes for public viewing provided by the Orange Coast College’s astronomy department April 4 from 6-9 p.m., adjacent to OCC’s Adams Avenue parking lot (between Fairview Road and Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa), (714) 432-5725.

45. The play’s the thing at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 957-2602, Ext. 265. Orange County’s Tony Award-winning professional resident theater hosts backstage tours on Wednesday and April 2 at 10 a.m., led by staff member Sylvia Berry. Open to guests ages 10 and up, by reservation only.

46. Meet Becky the buffalo, Waylon the Clydesdale and a barnyard full of new baby animals at Centennial Farm, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 708-1619, a replica of a working farm at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center.

47. See dance educator and solo dance artist Trisha Hanada-Rogers present a performance with excerpts of her recent choreography inspired by the Internet’s World Wide Web, April 6, 3 p.m., Brand Library Art Center, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale, (818) 548-2051.

48. Watch the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim practice at Ducks on Ice, when the team isn’t on the road. Most practices are on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. The next scheduled session is at 11 a.m. on April 3, but call to verify (practice schedules are subject to change), 300 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, (714) 535-7465, Ext. 3600.

49. We Tell Stories presents interactive tales by Aesop, Carl Sandburg, Edgar Allan Poe, Lewis Carroll, James Thurber, Mark Twain and others. For ages 5 to 12. Saturdays, 11 a.m. Ends March 29. Let Them Eat Books, Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City, (213) 256-2336.

50. See a marionette show at Cottontail Canyon Day, Arroyo Verde Park, Bay Road and Foothill Road, Ventura, Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free egg hunts for kids 2-8 ears from 11 a.m.-noon. Also, camel rides, clowns, a petting zoo, food, nature walks, free games, arts and crafts, (805) 658-4726.

Corinne Flocken, Irene Garcia and Rodney Bosch contributed to this story.

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(Valley edition) More Free Stuff in the Valley Gordon Howard Museum: 1015 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Learn about the history of Burbank with exhibits of Disney Studio, Lockheed, Warner Bros. and NBC Studios. Information: (818) 841-6333.

Laurel Canyon Park: 8260 Mulholland Drive, Studio City. Bring the whole family to this flat, grassy park in the midst of chaparral hillsides. Dogs are allowed to run around without a leash. There’s a shaded area and a great playground for kids to have fun while watching the hundreds of dogs that frequent the facility daily. Information: (818) 756-8891.

Van Nuys Airport: 16461 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. Tours of the airfield are offered Monday through Friday from 9:30-11 a.m. Information: (818) 785-8838.

Bookstar: 21440 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills. Tales for tots meets throughout the month for stories and sharing. An Easter egg hunt will be held beginning at 7 p.m. March 28. Information: (818) 702-9515.

Western Bagel: 7814 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys. Informative tours of one of the most popular bagel factories in the Southland. (818) 786-5847.

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(Ventura County edition) More Free Stuff in Ventura County

Spring Arts & Crafts Fair: Camarillo Community Center. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 19. Food, clowns, entertainment, face painting and more. (805) 482-1996.

Eggstravaganza: Conejo Creek Park, Thousand Oaks. Noon-3 p.m. Saturday. Live children’s entertainment, pony rides, game booths, carnival rides, egg hunts for all ages. Egg hunts run from noon-2 p.m. (805) 381-2793.

Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt: Arroyo Vista Recreation Center, Moorpark. March 29. 10 a.m. Egg hunts plus pony rides, petting zoo and more. Free admission with one can donation for the food pantry. (805) 531-9100.

In the Valley

Gordon Howard Museum: 1015 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Learn about the history of Burbank with exhibits of Disney Studio, Lockheed, Warner Bros. and NBC Studios. Information: (818) 841-6333.

Van Nuys Airport: 16461 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. Tours of the airfield are offered Monday through Friday from 9:30-11 a.m. Information: (818) 785-8838.

Bookstar: 21440 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills. Tales for tots throughout the month. An egg hunt will begin at 7 p.m. March 28. (818) 702-9515.