Moored in San Pedro, the Battleship USS Iowa Museum lets you wander through one of the most magnificent and surprisingly personal pieces of U.S. naval history. Known as the “Battleship of Presidents,” the Iowa once carried FDR across the Atlantic and later served through WWII, Korea, and the Cold War. As you move through the ship’s narrow corridors and out onto the decks, you get a real sense of what life was like for the crew: giant gun turrets towering overhead, cramped bunks stacked in rows, and glimpses of the command centers that once buzzed with activity. Veteran volunteers are often on hand to share stories or point out easy-to-miss details.

Even though the museum displays antique furniture, mechanical musical instruments, and even an early 20th-century locomotive, most visitors come here to see the impressive collection of retro automobiles, all dating from 1898 to 1997.

Stretching along Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a tribute to entertainment legends, with over 2,700 brass stars embedded in the sidewalks honoring actors, musicians, directors, and more. And a few steps away, the TCL Chinese Theatre is impossible to miss, with its dramatic, pagoda-style facade. The real magic, though, is in the forecourt, where generations of stars, from Marilyn Monroe to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, have left their handprints and signatures in cement. Since its first movie premiere in 1927, the theater has been at the center of Hollywood’s biggest moments, and even today, it’s one of the best places to catch a film in true Hollywood style.

A grand 18th century manor house, home to the Queen's cousin, provides a day out for the whole family. There, you can admire an outstanding art collection, walk in the spectacular gardens or go for a relaxing boat ride on the lake.