california science center meets endeavor… a gluten-free LA day trip

California Science Center met my expectations… “Our mission ~ We aspire to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences.”

Endeavor to see Endeavor!  It’s an awesome site to witness the size of this aircraft so close, especially after being one of the spectators who drove down to Venice Beach September 21, 2013 to see, hear, and feel Space Shuttle Endeavor being flown over my head on it’s way to Exposition Park.  Simply stunning.

Best friends on the lookout for Endeavor’s flyover at Venice Beach, CA.

Endeavor Shuttle hitches a ride on top of a plane, Sept. 21, 2013, en route to California Science Center

The fun of Venice Beach THAT day was to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and sharing it with fellow, prideful Californians was pretty darn cool.  Capturing the above shot of two best friends w/ binoculars on their ‘lunch breaks’ made me smile.  It reminded me of my junior high/high school best friend and me ~ me about a head taller than she ~ and the experiences we shared.  And yes, I email’d the ladies their photo after the fly-overs, paying the smiles forward.

This young girl picks up a pickup out front of California Science Center!

Back to Exposition Park – I finally made it to California Science Center last month on a Sunday afternoon.  $10 parking, free entrance, and a $2 price to see Endeavor – so worth it!  Depending on who you’re there with – kids or sans kids – my friend and I (sans kids) toured the facility in approx. three hours, feeling we experienced a bit of everything.  It’s not unreasonable to plan an entire day there to really take your time, turn every dial, play every game, watch all three IMAX shows and lunch at a newly constructed g-free pizza place, cafe or coffee shop… wait, THOSE AREN’T OPEN YET!  Yet. Which explains why The Rose Garden Cafe menu/information was so hard to find on the internet.  Back to that in a few.

Endeavor’s ‘holding spot’ until it’s new wing is built to allow spectators to view it vertically and peek inside.

Endeavor’s thrusts are huge! The tiles are so close you can almost touch them…

There is no shortage of information on California Science Center and it’s 3-floor collection of artifacts, exhibits, habitats and innovations on the internet.  Instead of a floor-by-floor recap, here’s my 90-second photo story adventure, sharing a glimpse of what you’ll experience when YOU visit:

Make sure you’re looking up, down, all around.  In addition to Endeavors’ greatness, you’ll explore a living kelp forest, polar ice wall, digital imaging, hurricane-force winds ($2), motion-based simulator ($4.50), ecology cliff climb ($3.50), high-wire bicycle ($2), ecosystem touch tank, plenty of creative games to keep the young, and old, laughing and inquisitive…  such a teaching tool enjoyed by every age range, race and gender.  And yes, lots of kids!

Kids gaze into the Kelp Forest searching for all the living creatures in this ecosystem.

The LA Zone is located in Ecosystems 2nd floor, and houses a wall of beautiful photography, Los Angeles floor maps, and this Paper Person hovering above. “The sculpture is 48 feet in length and made from all the paper trash generated by visitors to the CSC during Earth Day 2009. It’s size is based on the amount of trash.” (Artist Kim Abeles)

When you get hungry, “dining” is located on the 1st floor.  At present, your choices are either McDonald’s or Grab ‘N Go.  I do not have expertise re: McDonald’s g-free dining, however the Grab ‘N Go did offer many gluten-free options to keep your stomach from growling.  They offer a variety of salads, fruits, rice chips, protein bars, nuts, juices, yogurts, and other g-free snacks.

Plenty of gluten-free snacks, juices, salads, fruits, nuts, etc. to keep up your stamina.

If you’re looking for an actual meal, I suggest taking a short walk outside along the beautiful Rose Gardens to either the Natural History Museum, which contains a Trimana Cafe, or walk across the street to Figueroa St. for some Chipotle, Which Wich or Quizno’s (after all, what g-free adventure person doesn’t travel with some toasted, g-free bread in their backpack or purse for ‘just in case’ ;o)), Chick-Fil-A, Coffee Bean or Starbucks.

I spoke with Grab ‘N Go‘s manager who was very excited about upcoming dining plans for the 1st floor.  They are replacing McDonald’s with a Trimana Create-Your-Own-Pizza bistro, and plan on offering gluten-free dough and ingredients!  Opa!

A Trimana ‘create to order’ pizza place will replace McDonald’s.

On the opposite side a full Trimana Cafe, Pete’s Cafe and a newspaper stand will be built.  He assured me many gluten-free hot meal items will be available, and as for the completion date, all anyone would say is ‘later this year’.  I’m looking forward to another visit for it’s dining grand opening!

Future home of Trimana Cafe, Pete’s Cafe and a newspaper stand.

So, don a comfortable pair of sneakers, grab a few treats for your pockets/purse, and open your mind to an afternoon of exploration and innovation.  Next visit I plan to make time to see an IMAX movie or two, however this visit kept me on information-overload and I was just as happy to save something for next time, ‘later this year’.

Share how YOUR adventure was!