Things to do in and around Paramount California

Things to do in and around Paramount California

The most famous attraction in the city of Paramount is the public ice rink called Iceland. This Olympic-size ice skating rink was first opened to the public in the early 1940s by a part-time inventor named Frank Zamboni. Zomboni later patented the Zamboni ice machine, which is still used in ice rinks around the world. The Iceland rink is open to the public for ice skating, both for free skating and ice skating instruction. The Zamboni Ice Skating Rink has served as a training ground for many Olympic figure skaters, so you never know if you might spot one during your visit.

If skateboarding is more of an interest to you or your fellow riders, be sure to check out the Village Skate Park in Lakewood and Somerset Avenues in Paramount. Many skateboarding enthusiasts believe the sport began in the Southern California area, so it’s no surprise that Paramount is home to a major skate park. Village opened in 2001 and the grounds, designed by Purkiss Ross, feature both transgender and street people. The 12,500-square-foot park is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk and helmets, knee and elbow pads are required.

Just twenty minutes east of Paramount in Buena Park is Knott’s Berry Farm. This 160-acre theme park features 38 rides including several roller coasters and a special section of rides for toddlers. Here you’ll also find a haunted house, water slides, and a town dedicated to characters from the Peanuts cartoon. Knott’s Berry Farm decorates the entire park and hosts special events for both Halloween and the winter holidays.

Other theme parks in the area include Disneyland, just 15 miles east in Anaheim, and Universal Studios, just 25 miles northwest in Hollywood. Universal Studios has many attractions, movie and TV studio tours, the Gibson Amphitheater, and the Citywalk, which is full of shops, great restaurants, and fun nightclubs. Disneyland attractions include Toon Town, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, and a wide variety of dining options.

Less than 10 miles directly south in Long Beach, you can visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. This world-class aquarium is situated on 5 acres and includes more than 10 different exhibits. If you plan to visit the Los Angeles Zoo, you can purchase a combined zoo and aquarium ticket to save a bit of money. Santa Catalina Island is also located off the coast of Long Beach and there are several different boat rentals that can take you to the island. Many of these offer dinner cruises and once on the island there is a resort for an overnight stay if you wish.

For those more interested in art and history, be sure to check out the Getty Center, just across from Beverly Hills. This huge museum features a vast collection of Western art dating back to the Middle Ages. The grounds also feature exquisite architecture, serene gardens, and some picturesque hillside views. While parking is $15, admission to the museum is completely free for all visitors.

Many visitors to the Southern California area only have one thing on their minds; shopping. And there’s a good reason for that, the Paramount area (which includes Long Beach, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills) boasts some of the best shopping in the country. Stonewood Center Mall, located just four miles northeast of Paramount in Downey, is a good starting point, offering anchor stores Kohl’s, JC Penny, Macy’s and Sears. The Citadel Outlets, 8 miles north in Commerce, offers discount shopping at stores like Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Corningware, Eddie Bauer and many more. Shoppers won’t want to miss shopping on Rodeo Drive, which is just a 20-minute drive northwest of Beverly Hills. Here you will find Cartier, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabana, Harry Winston, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton and many, many more.

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