Help with aviation museums or shows please

Does anyone know of any in or around the following areas:
Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Flagstaff, San Diego, Sedona or Fresno.
I will be visiting these towns/cities over the next 3 weeks and would appreciate any info. I would like to see one of those - you want some action? - converted C130 gunships. Here in the UK we only get issued with 1 bullet per plane and most are blanks so nobody knows who did it so the pilots can all go home feeling cosy and politically correct.

Dave

There are a fair number of us from San Diego; and a few from L.A. San Fran has a good group as well.

What are your goals as to things to shoot?

Ideas:
Airplanes:
You have MCAS Miramar and NAS North Island for helos and navy planes. Some heavy lifters fly out of Miramar (14000 foot runway if I remember correctly)
Helos/Fighters/Hovercr​aft at Camp Pendleton
Nellis AFB is next to Las Vegas (Home of the Thunderbirds and some large bombers)

The San Diego Zoo is supposed to be one of the best in the world; and I agree.
San Diego Wild Animal Park is HUGE and is a good place to shoot animals in a more natural setting; there are 5 different 'regions' measured in Acres that hold species from the same region. You can go on Photo Safaris on trucks inside the emclosures.

Sea World in San Diego is a good opportunity as well.

Outside San Diego; you have the mountains as well as the Anza Borrego desert. You can hit Ocean/Mtns/Desert in one day for maximum diversity. Or do it the other way (Desert for sunrise over the East, Hike in the Cuyamaca Mtns, Sunset over the Pacific)

LA has a lot I'm sure; but usually I'm trying to get the hell through it as FAST as possible (Usually ~ 20 mph though)

Monterey/Santa Barbara are nice; as is the drive on Hwy 1 along the coast if you have time (speed limit ~ 55 so you will not be hauling ass like you will on the 5)

San Fran is a Photog's paradise. Everyone hopes for fog free pix of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge; if you're there long enough; you might get one. If you have time; there are the Marin headlands and surrounding areas north of SF. Worth it if you have time.

If you're planning on going to AZ for Sedona and Flagstaff; the Grand Canyon is so close it's a shame to NOT go there at least for a little while.

The only thng I know about Fresno is that it smells funny; and is essentially next door to Yellowstone (Search for Duder's photos for more awe inspiring photos that I could ever dream of taking)

If you have any specific questions; feel free to ask!

Or if you have specific topics I didn't hit in this long ass rambling post.
(remember; out here; football means catching the rugby shaped ball with your hands. I played soccer

One hour north of Fresno at Atwater is the Castle Air Museum.
In Las Vegas is Nellis Air Force Base. They used to have a contingent of A-10 Warthogs, ugly as sin, but good to have on our side.

Thank you very much both. This is the first print I am making from this forum. Fantastic.
Dave

Yes thanks, I have a question.
Can I take photos of aircraft (those not at airshows) without any problems from authorities? Should I apply for permission first?
We will be staying at Holiday Inn Seaworld in S Diego so Seaworld sounds good.
I would like to get some close-ups (mechanisms) if possible, put my new macro to good use.
Dave