GTT
17132 Magnolia St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Phone: 714-848-1255
info@goodtimestravel.com
Caltech Seismology Laboratory, The Old Mill
& Historic Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain
With Included Lunch & Milkshake Treat
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 (1-Day Tour)
New Itinerary
Just Added
Limited Space
Tour Price
Tour Package
$119
p.p.
Activity Level
Activity Level 2
This new tour provides the unique opportunity to visit the Caltech Seismological Laboratory, the world-renowned lab portrayed by Hollywood in movies like Earthquake and San Andreas. Established in 1921 in the heart of Caltech’s historical Pasadena campus, this epicenter for seismology research serves as the focal point for earthquake information for Southern California and beyond. Our guides will explain how Caltech scientists developed the Southern California Community Seismic Network (which includes over 500 seismometers) to gather information about earthquakes and how this information is used to keep the public informed and better understand our earth’s movements. We’ll then take a leisurely walk through a small portion of CalTech's original campus, filled with a number of Spanish Mission-style buildings designed by Bertram Goodhue (who also designed L.A. Central Library and the campus at West Point) in 1917. This beautiful campus that features "shaded portals,” “sheltering walls" and various water features, is also where countless significant milestones and contributions to the sciences happened. We’ll enjoy an included lunch at Caltech’s Browne Dining Hall, where you may rub shoulders with students, scientists and engineers that are at the forefront of scientific discovery! This afternoon we’ll visit The Old Mill, an architectural landmark, fascinating link to the past and a true testament to California’s long history of earthquakes! This 209-year-old adobe that provides a peak into early California life from the Mission period until now, was built as a gristmill for Mission San Gabriel. The lower walls are five feet thick and composed of oven-baked brick and volcanic tuff, while the upper-level walls are built of layers of sun-dried adobe slabs. The whole surface of the building is covered with mortar made from lime derived from burnt seashells, while buttresses provide reinforcement against earthquakes and to counteract the vibration of the wheels turning in water. Enjoy time a leisure to explore the historic adobe building and the lush Mediterranean garden that features many of the trees and plants that would have been in the Mission San Gabriel’s garden. Later, we’ll “get our licks on Route 66” at another historic landmark – Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain. This charming establishment situated on historic “Route 66,” has been in the same location since 1915. We’ll enjoy an included milkshake and take a step back to a simpler time in the Pharmacy’s gift shop full of authentic tin toys, old fashioned candies, gag gifts, candles, jewelry and other novelty items.
To ensure a healthy and enjoyable travel experience for our guests, this tour will operate with additional health & wellness measures in place.
Visit our Departure Points page for more details on each location.
Depart* | Departure Location |
---|---|
7:30 a.m. | LHS – Laguna Hills Mall Southeast Parking Lot |
8:00 a.m. | FV – Fountain Valley at Good Times Travel |
8:30 a.m. | LBCC-O – Long Beach City College Lot "O" |
Return** | 5:30 p.m. |
*Please arrive 15 minutes prior to listed departure time
**Return time is approximate and dependent on your drop-off location and traffic
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