I timed my departure from San Deigo to be a little later to not hit LA rush hour. Got to Darren and Tiffany's around 11:30. Thanks to being able to stalk my position Darren was outside minutes before my arrival. Made it easy to find the building and where to park. Delivered the care package from Lesley with photos and drawing from the kids. Got some good advice on what to see and where I should go.
First stop was the Getty Villa Museum up the coast from the santa monica pier. Closed, not open to public tuesday/wednesday. It was supposed to be greco-roman musuem, which is the kinda stuff I like. Headed back to stop at the pier and walk along the beach. Santa monica pier reminded me of the brighton pier in england, except with sun and sand.
Next I went to the la brea tar pits and museum. Saw the giant sloth and mammoth skeletons. The also have a whole wall of wolf skulls, that along with coyotes were one of the most common finds. They have a cool "fish bowl" area which is a bunch of windows in an arc looking into the paleontology lab. The desks are all up against the windows, and the paleontologist have little white boards facing you where they have written on what they are currently working on. Most were cleaning smaller bones of a recent mammoth find they've called "zed". I would find it hard to work with people constantly watching what you are doing. Like having someone standing over your shoulder all day long, guess that is why it was labeled the fish bowl. You can also look down on open excavation pit with work still in progress outside. I could see it being on "dirty jobs" , though I am not sure Mike Rowe has the finesse for carefully cataloging bones by sector.
After that I went up the hill to Griffith Observatory, which was really good. The exhibits are really good and interactive. Its pretty up on the geek scale so I expected it to be quiet. Not the case, it was actually really busy. Also got a great view of the hollywood sign, which you can also see from Darren's place. Drove around Beverly Hills and had a nice ride along mulholland dr. Saw larger mansions then I have ever seen before. Huge. Also rode down hollywood blvd, saw some stars in the side walk etc. Then went to dinner, followed by a drive by tour of the sunset strip.