Hollywood and Santa Monica Pier

[Tribe0701]

We are going to California in June and one of our stays will be in L.A. Hollywood area for 4 days. One of those days is Universal, but we would like to visit other areas. We did this in 2006 and visited Hollywood Blvd, but missed the Santa Monica Pier, Venice/Muscle Beach, etc. What else is ther to do on those 3 days? TIA

 

[Pucka1378]

You can do venice and the pier in one day.

If you are looking for a great view and good food I really like Duke's in Malibu.

La Brea Tarpits is also a great place to visit.

 

[Tribe0701]

thanks. Anyone else?

 

[tracys2cents]

Hmmm...not sure on ages of your family etc, but Los Angeles Zoo is great, the Griffith Observatory and Planetarium is a great thing to do at night time, The Getty Museum is something to see, a drive through the Hills of Beverly maybe? There is a terrific Auto Museum with celeb cars(The Petersen)...and very close to it is The Page Fossil Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits . Down near the Coliseum there is the Science Center with lots of hands-on exhibits, and the fave of my 11 year old The Museum of Natural History.
There's a neat new outdoor shopping mall called THE GROVE down near CBS and Farmer's Market....also if your kids are old enough you can get tickets to a tv show taping (tvtix.com).

 

[Tribe0701]

thanks.

 

[julieannbabe]

i was at these two locations last week.

santa monica pier is okay - a bit tacky - typical beach pier. there are a lot of homeless people in the park area just before the pier - i wasn't expecting this.
the shops - 3rd street are great. its weird a bit of a contrast between the two.

venice beach is very run down - tacky shops - but good just to say that you have been there.

hollywood blvd - is nothing great - don't go near the people dressed up as characters at Mann's Chinese theatre - if you want a picture you have to pay them. they aren't always friendly.

it is still good to visit the above locations - then at least you can say that you have been.

have fun!

 

[disneylandhunni]

I think rodeo drive i think it is very fun and... jamba juices are a MUST!

 

[perlster]

How about some culture at the Getty Center?

 

[RudemanRB]

Dinner at Gladstones either the one in Malibu on the ocean.
or the one at universal city walk.

if your going to be in Orange county I'd say the block at orange, or the irvine specturm

if your going to stay in LA,

there's olvera street in downtown LA, this is a little historic street filled with Mexican food and shopping. it's near the Union Station (where the amtrak and commuter trains stop)

http://www.olvera-street.com/html/olvera_street.html

 

[khmbug]

Try Paradise Cove in Malibu
Bring a snack cause the restaurant is sometimes crowded but the beach is amazing and fun for kids.'
Driving up PCH any beach like Topanga Canyon, Malibu, Zuma Beach are better than Santa Monica Beach.
Walk down Rodeo Drive in Bev Hills and go to the Cheesecake factory
Drive all the way down Sunset Blvd from Hollywood and you will see it all... the billboards, the people, the crazy LA scene. Eat at Carneys on Sunset, drive through Brentwood try to do the maps of the stars for a bit... Find OJ Simpsons house.... Drive as close to the Hollywood sign as possible.... LA is awesome.
LAST but NOT least, you must must visit UCLA home of the mighty Bruins and in the heart of Westwood, fun and nice bookstore.
Look on Tripadvisor, the rule of thumb is avoid traffic hour and go west young woman/man... the beaches and ohhhh yea the Third Street Promenade at night is a MUST Do very fun and lots of people.
Sorry I was raised in Hollywood, love it.... any other questions let me know