10 on 10: Los Angeles Tourist {L.A. Photographer}

My family loves to explore and we live in the perfect place to do it.  Within a 2 hour drive (in any direction) there are thousands of sites to see and things to do.  Last year, when my oldest was in preschool only 3 days a week, we had lots of time for adventures.  But, since he’s been in Kindergarten this past 9 months, we haven’t gotten out quite like we used to.  So, one Saturday when we had nothing on our agenda, we packed up some snacks and our cameras and headed out to hit some of the highlights of Los Angeles.

We started at the Museum of Natural History, which isn’t a new spot for us, but is definitely a favorite!

What I especially loved about this visit was my Kindergartener’s interest in taking pictures of all the exhibits. . .

I got the only family picture of our trip with my timer while had a snack break outside the museum.

After our snack, we walked across the street to begin the new part of our adventure with a ride on the metro!

Our destination was iconic Union Station, with its art deco design and proximity to some of the oldest parts of Los Angeles.

We had lunch at another iconic locale, Phillipe’s.  Delicious French Dip!

Then, we walked a few blocks to Chinatown where we shopped for treasures (my 4-year-old found a fan embroidered with a dragon!) and enjoyed the architecture.

A few more blocks and we had a taste of a different culture at Olvera Street.

We headed back to Union Station to catch the metro back to Exposition Park, site of the History Museum (and our car).

Once back at the park, we strolled through the Exposition Park Rose Garden. . .

. . . and wrapped up our adventurous site-seeing day by flying the kite we bought in Chinatown earlier that day!

We had an amazing day playing tourist in L.A.!

10 on 10 is a monthly installment, 10 images (or maybe a few more!) posted on the 10th of the month, with 10 (or maybe a few less!) photographer’s playing along.  So, go check out Milwaukee Photographer Melissa Schuett‘s 10 for this month!