Long Beach Aquarium Calif

What are some quirky, off-beat, or educational things to do in Southern California?

I am going to visit family in Long Beach, Calif. for one week. (I live in Tennessee currently.) I am very excited as I haven't been there in years. I was only 17 at the time, so I don't remember much. So far on my list I've got of course the beach, Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, and the Aquarium of the Pacific. My cousins generally try to stay in Long Beach, but are open to drives to Los Angeles and even San Diego. I like beautiful scenery, interesting museums, and quirky finds. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Balboa Park in San Diego has a dozen museums and is a must see:

My favorite is the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. It's has the largest model railroad layouts in the world (25,000 sq. ft.)

http://www.sdmodelrailroadm.com/

The Spreckles Organ Pavilion has the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world. There are free concerts on Sundays at 2:00PM

http://www.serve.com/sosorgan/

San Diego Air & Space Museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian.

http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=14

San Diego Museum of Man's bell tower was constructed for the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition.

http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=20

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is home to Southern California’s only IMAX Dome Theater and 100+ hands-on science exhibits for all ages.

http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=13

The 1910 Balboa Park Carousel, adjacent to the San Diego Zoo, is a menagerie of animals with hand-carved European craftsmanship.

http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=32

The Botanical Building is one of the largest lath structures in the world.

http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=41

The Old Globe theater is one of the most esteemed regional theaters in the country.

http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=26

The facades of the buildings on The Prado (main street) were used in the film "Citizen Kane" as a stand in for Kane's Xanadu (Hearst Castle).

You can get a park passport which allows you entry to a dozen museums as well as the zoo.

http://www.balboapark.org/info/passport.php

BTW In LA, try to go to the Getty Center. It has one of the finest art collection in the world. The architecture on thhe campus is amazing. Best of all, it's free.

http://www.getty.edu/visit/see_do/architecture.html

Flash Freeze Mob at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA