Finally booked and will have lots of Q's

[BitsnBearsMom]

Finally after *thinking* about wanting to try Disneyland for many years we have everything booked for March 2012.

We are staying in 2 studio's at Grand Cali. Villa's from a Wednesday to a Tuesday and are taking the IL's as well as our 2 sons - 12yo and almost 18yo. Using DL as our 'base' so we can see some other attractions/sights. On the Tuesday we will fly from LAX to LAS (cheaper to fly then take the rental cars!!) Only reason we are doing LAS is for MIL.... I'm sure the rest of us will find plenty to see/do in Vegas!

Other then doing 2 days @ DL we don't really want any other theme parks.... I would rather take the kids to see some of the sights - hollywood, the star walk, chinese theatre..... If this was your first time to LA what would be your must see's/do's? Hoping to fit in a studio tour somewhere too for fil.... the warner bro's one looked pretty good.... opinions?

What is the typical weather for March? We're coming from Ontario Canada so anything above 0 is warm for us!!

I'm sure I'll have many more questions in the months to come....

 

[Huff]

Hollywood itself is not the glitzy place many imagine it to be. It is in most areas rather dumpy! It is fun to walk along hollywood and vine streets to look at the stars along the sidewalks but the area itself is certainly not upscale! Look to where the stars live in Beverely Hills etc. to see the extravegance.

Warner Bros. or Paramount studios are both worthwhile for a couple hour stop each. Universal is more of an amusement park but the tram tour there through the old outdoor movie sets can't be matched by any other studio!

Have a meal at Knotts Berry Farm diner. It is outside the themepark gates. Very famous and worth the stop especially if you love chicken.

 

[carnival kid]

We have been to LA twice and the second time did the Warner Bros tour. It was great!!!! Deffinately worth it if your DS's love TV shows. You can even tell your tour guide shows you are most interested in and they can show/tell you more about those.
We loved this tour

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Oh they are big tv kids when they get a spare moment to watch in between working and their horses!!

Where will I find a listing of what shows are produced at Warner bro's studio?
I've heard that hollywood itself isn't that great but it's one of those things that the boys really want to see..... the 12yo really wants to see that sign!!

What about the santa Monica Pier? Is that worth visiting? We for sure want to take a day to drive along the coast line.... Want to hit a beach too although I'm sure it's going to be too 'cold' to swim? it would still be nice to go for a walk on the beach!

 

[drag n' fly]

If you love to shop.. LA garment district www.urbanshoppingadventures.com. Drive the coast to San Diego. You can also take the Amtrack for fun. Like a PP said chicken dinner @ Knotts. Newport Beach is close and fun to visit. Eat at In and Out. Ask for animal fries and they have great choc shakes. Just some suggestions. Enjoy! If I win the lottery I plan on retiring in California or Arizona.

 

[carnival kid]

We also did a whole day at Santa Monica / Venice Beach.

Drove and parked near the Santa Monica Pier. Explored the pier and did some rides. We then walked along the beach track all the way to venice beach. If you go on a weekend there are markets all along the track. Explored Venice and then walked back to the pier.
You can swim at heaps of places along the way.

We then walked through the shops and restaurants of Santa Monica.... it really come alive at night.

I would totally recommend it

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Santa Monica pier is lots of fun! Very California Our favorite beach is Huntington Beach. Venice Beach is crazy - lots of "interesting characters" there. Some people really like it - we choose not to go there.

Your trip sounds great! We always like to do one day at Universal Studios, eat a meal at Medieval Times - really fun show!

It is great to visit Hollywood one time, but do leave by dark - it gets very seedy at night - according to our relatives who have lived there all their lives. We loved the plaza near the Kodak theatre where the elephants are - Build a Bear is in there, and some fun shops. There is also a Disney soda fountain around there somewhere!

 

[2luvmickey]

My DH went to school in LA (UCLA - go Bruins!) and we have family in the San Diego area so we have been to the West Coast many times.

Two trips ago, we finally made a visit to the Griffith Observatory and wondered what took us so long to get there! It's FREE, and if you are there on a clear day, you can get great views of LA.

We were there in late March and it was pretty warm. But, being in the Midwest, anything over 25 degrees is warm.

Here's the link in case you are interested:

http://www.griffithobs.org/

Happy travels!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Great suggestions/idea's everyone.... thanks!

Can't wait!!

 

[fletchality]

I would absolutely go to Santa Monica promenade and the pier. Take PCH 1 North along the coast up to "county line" (where LA county meets Ventura county) and there is a fun seafood restaurant called Neptune's Net. Its been on a few TV shows. It's in the medium range for cost - not pricey but not cheap. You can order your fish and chips and walk across the street, sit on the beach and watch surfers (and dolphins). The drive is beautiful and there are a lot of nice, quaint beaches along the way. Perfect place to get out of LA but be only about 45 minutes away.