Somewhat outside the norm, you might try driving up to Rosamond. It's just over an hour north of LA. You will find two places of interest.

The Exotic Feline Breeding Compound. This nonprofit works to breed cats, everything from jaguarundi's to several different subspecies of leopards. You see cats you didn't know exist. Plus you can buy their extremely catchy bumper sticker 'Support Your Local Cathouse'.

Dryden Flight Research Center. Home of the last flying SR71's. NASA is using them for high altitude research. Dryden has been doing flight research for decades. I didn't know they were in Rosamond when i visited the cats and didn't give myself enough time. I had major regrets.