Best trip add on?

[MarBee]

Hello! I’ve never been to DL or the West Coast, so I’m super clueless. Would anyone mind critiquing my super tentative June plans for a DL trip?
We were planning on flying into Burbank on Tuesday and taking a ride share or car service to the hotel. The hotel is walkable to the parks, so we don’t need a car. We were going to do 3 days of parks (Wednesday-Thursday-Friday).

I then wanted to go to the beach one day as I’ve never seen the Pacific Ocean. I was going to rent a car that day to get there. We are flying out of LAX the following evening (Sunday), so we would drive to and return to LAX.

So I have many questions…
Is it better for me to go to beach Saturday and return to our Anaheim hotel, then drive to LA on Sunday?
Or is it better to check out Saturday, then go to the beach and check in a hotel near LAX?
Where is the best place to rent a car near our hotel near the park entrance?
Would I have time to check out anything touristy in the LA area on Sunday? Our flight departs at 9:00 pm.
With the limited time, what would be the best thing to check out in LA? We will have a 10 and 12 year old with us.
Am I able to do the parks in just 2 days without feeling super rushed? We are getting park hoppers and genie plus if that makes a difference.

Again, I’m super super new to this, so any input is welcome and appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[Kit Jackson]

I think three days of parks makes more sense if you don't want to be rushed and see/do as much as you can within Disneyland and California Adventure. Make this a Disneyland only trip if you only have three days. In the future plan/save for another West Coast trip where you can focus on the beach/touristy things in LA.

 

[smartlabelprint]

You’ll need a minimum of 3 park days.

 

[MarBee]

I think three days of parks makes more sense if you don't want to be rushed and see/do as much as you can within Disneyland and California Adventure. Make this a Disneyland only trip if you only have three days. In the future plan/save for another West Coast trip where you can focus on the beach/touristy things in LA.

Thank you! We actually have 6 total days (Tuesday-Sunday) but wanted to dedicate 3 to the parks because that’s what I read seemed to be the “magic” number for them. Just trying to figure out what to do with our other three days. I’m hoping to at least dip a toe in the Pacific.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I’d get a hotel by LAX if you have an early morning flight. Since you don’t, I’d try to figure out your plans before deciding where to stay after Disney. If you just want a beach day I’d put it in the middle of some of your Disney days. I’d return the rental car where you get it and Uber to the airport. It’s a PITA to return a rental car to LAX.

Are you into museums?what you want to do in CA beside beach day?

I always book my rental cars from
Costco travel.com. I haven’t found one rental car place especially superior. We’ve used a variety in the area with no memorable experiences.

 

[Gypsybear]

Yes, 3 park days is good...it might be an option worth exploring to get Park Hoppers, just in case.

Our last trip in October/November, we split the trip. We did 5 park days, and 3 days of "other stuff" in the area. We did the Santa Monica Pier/Route 66 trip. We visited Griffith Observatory. We have yet (after 3 trips) to make it inside, as it's always closed/booked for something or other, so don't plan too hard on that one. We spent an hour on the Griffith trip (not including travel). We also did the Stars Walk of Fame (we got Betty White's star, and Walt Disney's 2 stars, and many more. We spent 1.5 hours total on that side trip. We also visited a few must dos. We're big Lego Fans, so we made sure to visit the LA area store, as well as the one at Disney. One of our best side trips was to the La Brea Tar Pits. Very cool visit. The only thing I'll caution about are allergies and the fumes. My eyes burned for 2 days after the visit. They would not stop watering. But then again, I have horrible allergies. Still loved the visit. We spent 2 hours there.

All in all, it's definitely do-able, if you create a viable plan of attack. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[Kit Jackson]

Thank you! We actually have 6 total days (Tuesday-Sunday) but wanted to dedicate 3 to the parks because that’s what I read seemed to be the “magic” number for them. Just trying to figure out what to do with our other three days. I’m hoping to at least dip a toe in the Pacific.

That is very important information and an incredibly helpful clarification. If you have three non-Disney days then you absolutely have time for touristy LA things and a beach day.

LA/Surrounding Area:
Griffith Park/Observatory-There are some easy hiking trails that give you an amazing view of LA and the Hollywood sign. The Observatory is fun if you are into science/astronomy. (There are also many movies/TV series that have filmed there.)
I personally thought the Hollywood Walk of Fame was meh but loved the forecourt of the TCL Theatre (that's where there's the handprints/footprints/paw prints of celebrities)
If anyone is interested in Greek/Roman history and culture, the Getty Villa is fantastic (This is different from the Getty Museum).
I love the Warner Brothers Studio Tour because it gives you insight into a real working movie studio. (The last time I did Universal's Tour it felt more like a theme park ride, but it may have changed since then).
I haven't been yet, but I have heard the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is supposed to be amazing.
The Paley Center for Media sometimes has cool special exhibits.
(I'm really into classic movies and museums, so this list may not be to your taste)

 

[lvdis]

I don't know if you'd be interested in a guided tour, but my friend and I did one a few years ago with the Anaheim Tour Company that we really enjoyed. They pick you up and return you to your Disneyland area hotel. We wanted to do the one that included the Warner Bros Studio tour, but that wasn't available on the day we had planned so we did one that went to the Chinese Theater, saw the walk of fame and Hollywood sign, stopped at a Farmer's Market type place for lunch, Rodeo Drive and stopped at a couple of beaches. They take you around in an 8 - 12 passenger van. We had a small group and it was a lot of fun without the stress of driving ourselves around.