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LA advice
Posted on 6/1/23 at 7:19 am
Posted on 6/1/23 at 7:19 am
I have some airline credits about to expire for me and my son. I asked him where he wanted to go and he said LA. I think he just wants to soak up some Cali culture or something. It has been a while since I have been there so I am looking for what to to do, where to stay. Traveling with my 17 year old son.
So any advice on
What areas are best to stay in?
Rent a car, or Uber?
What are some places besides Disney to go do?
Food recs
So any advice on
What areas are best to stay in?
Rent a car, or Uber?
What are some places besides Disney to go do?
Food recs
4
Posted on 6/1/23 at 9:23 am to ob1pimpbobi
The only time I went we took the kids a few years ago and was mainly a Disneyland trip so we stayed at a house in Anaheim. We took one of those open top van tours around the city which the kids loved. It went to all the tourist spots, celebrity homes, Hollywood sign, etc. Also took them down to Santa Monica pier which was nice. Tried Venice Beach but it was a complete shithole
Posted on 6/1/23 at 9:37 am to JonTheTigerFan
The wife and I visited for the first time back in Feb for a few days. Stayed in Marina Del Rey. Do Uber. To go 15 miles will take an hour.
Did the same thing which is a good way to see alot of LA. And yes, Venice Beach is shite. We enjoyed it but have no desire to go back.
quote:
We took one of those open top van tours around the city which the kids loved. It went to all the tourist spots, celebrity homes, Hollywood sign, etc. Also took them down to Santa Monica pier which was nice. Tried Venice Beach but it was a complete shithole
Did the same thing which is a good way to see alot of LA. And yes, Venice Beach is shite. We enjoyed it but have no desire to go back.
Posted on 6/1/23 at 9:48 am to ob1pimpbobi
I would stay primarily on the Westside for a first time (or first time in a while) trip.
The Westwood area by UCLA is very good to visit and I’m sure your son will also like the Venice Boardwalk (famous, very touristy) and the Santa Monica Promenade (less touristy).
All of those are easily traveled to from Westwood and you won’t really need to use the interstate if you don’t want to.
Century City itself isn’t all that appealing but there’s a reason why so many companies rent space in buildings there since it is convenient to almost everything on the Westside.
Beverley Hills/Rodeo Drive is also not far from there
Hollywood and Highland (ultra touristy) and Malibu will be longer drives for sure but are famous and I suspect would interest a teenager.
I suspect those are the main draws.
Magic Mountain is a great theme park about an hour north but will have really long lines in the summer. I think a teen would prefer that to Disneyland.
Los Feliz/Echo Park won’t interest a 17 year old much but maybe in a decade.
The Sunset Strip and West Hollywood May interest a 17 year old lol but unless your kid is an A-list celebrity, he will be carded and rejected. And I suspect you may not exactly want to go there with your kid anyway.
He’s too big of a name to go there now, but more than a decade ago, I did see James Harden at the Body Shop
if you’re old enough to know any Motley Crue songs, you’ll know.
The Westwood area by UCLA is very good to visit and I’m sure your son will also like the Venice Boardwalk (famous, very touristy) and the Santa Monica Promenade (less touristy).
All of those are easily traveled to from Westwood and you won’t really need to use the interstate if you don’t want to.
Century City itself isn’t all that appealing but there’s a reason why so many companies rent space in buildings there since it is convenient to almost everything on the Westside.
Beverley Hills/Rodeo Drive is also not far from there
Hollywood and Highland (ultra touristy) and Malibu will be longer drives for sure but are famous and I suspect would interest a teenager.
I suspect those are the main draws.
Magic Mountain is a great theme park about an hour north but will have really long lines in the summer. I think a teen would prefer that to Disneyland.
Los Feliz/Echo Park won’t interest a 17 year old much but maybe in a decade.
The Sunset Strip and West Hollywood May interest a 17 year old lol but unless your kid is an A-list celebrity, he will be carded and rejected. And I suspect you may not exactly want to go there with your kid anyway.
He’s too big of a name to go there now, but more than a decade ago, I did see James Harden at the Body Shop
if you’re old enough to know any Motley Crue songs, you’ll know. This post was edited on 6/1/23 at 9:55 am
Posted on 6/1/23 at 9:54 am to Keys Open Doors
Of all the places I named, I would say the only place that is downright trashy in places is Venice. Lots of other stuff is upscale touristy like Rodeo and Beverly Hills
Westwood is just plain nice imo. If your kid ever gets an internship in LA, he should definitely apply for summer housing there over USC.
For slightly more cultural activities, there is the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Griffith Observatory where you can hike, get a view of the Hollywood sign, etc. Both Getty museums have impressive art if either of you like that sort of thing
Westwood is just plain nice imo. If your kid ever gets an internship in LA, he should definitely apply for summer housing there over USC.
For slightly more cultural activities, there is the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Griffith Observatory where you can hike, get a view of the Hollywood sign, etc. Both Getty museums have impressive art if either of you like that sort of thing
Posted on 6/1/23 at 10:45 am to ob1pimpbobi
My advice is to stay in the South Bay area - Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, or Redondo Beach. I prefer Manhattan and Hermosa.
You can walk or rent bikes for the beach path from Manhattan all the way down to Redondo.
Uber is a better way to go unless you want to travel to nearby PV Peninsula to explore, Downtown LA, or to other touristy places around greater LA mentioned by other posters. Parking and traffic are major hassles.
You can walk or rent bikes for the beach path from Manhattan all the way down to Redondo.
Uber is a better way to go unless you want to travel to nearby PV Peninsula to explore, Downtown LA, or to other touristy places around greater LA mentioned by other posters. Parking and traffic are major hassles.
Posted on 6/1/23 at 11:03 am to Keys Open Doors
quote:
Of all the places I named, I would say the only place that is downright trashy in places is Venice.
This is the truth. And it gets trashier every year. It’s like a more trashy Bourbon street with no (legal) drinking outside and many many many more homeless. The beach is nice and big right there though.
Posted on 6/1/23 at 11:19 am to ob1pimpbobi
Are y’all set on LA? I enjoyed my time in the LA area, but it’s not like you see on TV. Everything is really spread out.
If you are just looking to be in CA I would suggest San Diego. The weather is always awesome and there is a good bit to do as well.
If you do go to LA, there are some good suggestions above. I also like the LaBrea Tar pits and right near there is the Automotive museum - tons of cool cars if that’s your thing.
For food I love eating at Chi Spacca on Melrose and go every time I’m in LA. The bone marrow pie they have is awesome and their tomahawk pork chop is phenomenal. I also really like Rustic Canyon but that’s in Santa Monica.
If you are just looking to be in CA I would suggest San Diego. The weather is always awesome and there is a good bit to do as well.
If you do go to LA, there are some good suggestions above. I also like the LaBrea Tar pits and right near there is the Automotive museum - tons of cool cars if that’s your thing.
For food I love eating at Chi Spacca on Melrose and go every time I’m in LA. The bone marrow pie they have is awesome and their tomahawk pork chop is phenomenal. I also really like Rustic Canyon but that’s in Santa Monica.
Posted on 6/1/23 at 11:26 am to Keys Open Doors
quote:
For slightly more cultural activities, there is the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Griffith Observatory where you can hike, get a view of the Hollywood sign, etc. Both Getty museums have impressive art if either of you like that sort of thing
I'll second the Getty and Griffith Observatory.
I'll throw it out there that the Pasadena area is beautiful. It's probably been 10 years since I've been there, but my brother lived there for a while and I visited a few times.
You can go watch races at Santa Anita Park, see the Rose Bowl and surrounding areas, hike in the San Gabriel mountains just north that has great views of the city. He may be looking more for Hollywood glitz, but it's a great part of the city.
A drive down Highway 1 through Malibu is pretty impressive too.
Posted on 6/1/23 at 9:16 pm to TigersMaul Bammers
Is it safe staying in Santa Monica? Going in July and have one night stay in Santa Monica for the pier. Kids 6-11. Next day we stay in Anaheim for couple days. Disneyland.
Coming from San Simeon
Coming from San Simeon
Posted on 6/1/23 at 9:19 pm to Lsutmorg
Safety shouldn’t be a problem there at all.
Posted on 6/1/23 at 9:27 pm to Lsutmorg
You can enjoy their Pier and the Promenade.
Be ready to see a lot of homeless people at the pier but from my experience, they aren’t aggressive as there are lots of people who give them money and being homeless in Santa Monica is much cushier than most places. They seem to realize that as well.
Be ready to see a lot of homeless people at the pier but from my experience, they aren’t aggressive as there are lots of people who give them money and being homeless in Santa Monica is much cushier than most places. They seem to realize that as well.
This post was edited on 6/1/23 at 9:28 pm
Posted on 6/1/23 at 9:51 pm to Lsutmorg
quote:
Is it safe staying in Santa Monica?
Its safe. I lived on Pacific by the park for almost 2 years and there was never any problems (other than parking/towing issues). On top of that, any places you would visit in Santa Monica are going to be safe with tons of people.
Posted on 6/1/23 at 11:46 pm to Lsutmorg
It's safe to stay in Santa Monica. As others have said, you will just see more homeless there than at other LA Beach cities.
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