L.A. area acommodation suggestions

[ptrbryant]

DH has a conference in Hollywood in September and DS12 and I will be going along. During the 4 days of the conference, we'll be at the Renaissance Hotel at Hollywood and Highland. From what I understand--and please correct me if I'm wrong--the immediate area has landmarks like the Walk of Fame, Kodak Theater, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, etc. and the new Hollywood & Highland Center is good---but the surrounding area is not where I'd want to be wandering around with DS.

After the conference, we'll still have 5 days/4 nts. in the area and I'm wondering where would you suggest staying in the greater L.A. area? We were in San Diego last month and honestly aren't planning on DL on this trip (I know, I know!). I've been trying to research this myself, but it's tricky because no one wants to say anything is a "bad" neighborhood. Beverly Hills is out of our price range (unfortunately!)

Any suggestions?

TIA!!!

Karla B.

 

[heathpack]

A great option would be Santa Monica, but this is not necessarily cheaper than Bev Hills. You'd have easy access to the beach, Santa Monica pier, Venice canals & Venice beach, Malibu and semi-easy access to Bev Hills.

A second option would be Universal Studios. You'd have good access to that theme park, Griffith Park (hiking trails, the Observatory, horeback riding, picnicking, LA Zoo, Museum of the American West, and the Greek Theater), the Hollywood Bowl and it wouldn't be too bad from there to get to downtown LA (Disney Concert Hall, historic Mexican and Chinese communities). You could also get pretty easily to Koreatown if your son is open to that sort of food. An authentic Korean BBQ is a great meal. LA has the largest populations of Koreans (outside of Korea itself of course) anywhere in the world. You can also easily get to Pasdena (Huntington Gardens, Gamble House) and the San Gabriel Valley (not much to see but where many of LA's immigrants of Chinese descent have settled and a great place to eat dim sum).

For most of these options, you'd need a car by the way. Which is just how things are in LA.

I live in the hills above Hollywood and would say that you are right when you say you wouldn't want to wander around Hollywood that much on foot with your son. Not that anything bad would likely happen. But Hollywood does not have a very polished look or feel-- pretty scrappy. While in Hollywood, see a movie at one of the historic theaters (Grauman's Chinese (not to be confused with Mann's Chinese 6 which is a modern multiplex at the same locale), Disney's El Capitian or the Egyptian). Look to see if you can find a movie screening at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Join the Arclight theater (free) and see if there is a 12-year-old appropriate member's movie screening with director's screening while you are in town. If your son is into music, visit Amoeba Records just across the street from the ArcLight. Look at the AFI website for lectures/programs as well. Eat at the Griddle Cafe on Sunset near Fairfax. Or at Lucky Devils or 25 Degrees for burgers. Take a studio tour (Paramount is still in Hollywood, Warner Brothers is in the valley but is a great (expensive) tour). Try to get an invite to the Magic Castle. Take a bus tour of the star's homes (c'mon you know you want to do it). Visit the LA Farmer's market and the adjacent Grove shopping mall. While you are there eat mexican at Loteria Grill.

Have fun!

H

 

[ptrbryant]

Those are some terrific suggestions, esp. since --even at his age--DS has expressed filmmaking as a goal for at least 3 years. I'll definately check out AFI's website and the Arclight Theater.
DS and I won't have a car available during the day (during the conference days)...is the transit system fairly safe? I've lived most of my life in the northeast where everyone uses the subway, commuter trains, etc., but I know that's not always the case. When we were in Minneapolis, I didn't feel in danger, but it was clear that few commuters used the transit system (aside from the lightrail).

Thanks!

Karla B.

 

[khmbug]

Ahh no car!
Stay in Santa Monica at the Holiday Inn and hang out at the beach, or do the Third Street Promenade
I would not take public transit with my kids, very inefficient and time consuming. Better off planning days in Santa Monica, malibu, Downtown, and of course the West side and doing a cab. LA is a nightmare to get around with no car. You could stay in West LA and walk around.... its just so crazy. Trust me I was raised in Hollywood, I wouldnt even try to get around without a car unless I could bribe my sister to drive me around
LA is fun fun just spread out.
Have fun!

 

[heathpack]

Public transit in the areas of LA you are visiting is safe. Just inconvenient to use. There is a redline subway that stops at Hollywood and Highland but the only place you'd really want to go on that is to Universal Studios. I don't know much about the bus system.

Of the things I mentioned, the historic theaters are all on Hollywood Blvd within a block of where you are staying. The star home and other LA bus tours (probably some that include the Farmer's Market and Grove) also leave from in front of the Hollywood and Highland complex. You could easily walk to Lucky Devil's or 25 Degrees for (pricey) burgers. You can walk to the Arclight but probably would not want to at night which is when a screening would be. I think the AFI is similar (we went to a lecture there once but I can't remember exactly where in Hollywood it was). The Egyptian Theater is also the home of the American Cinematheque, which has film screening and lectures sometimes and you could definately walk there. Everything else I list would be a pain to do without a car unless you can figure it out using the bus system. Is a car out of the question expense-wise? You'd also need to be factoring in the cost of parking at the hotel. But if you can swing it, your trip will be all the better for it.

Oh I just thought of another thing within walking distance. There is a very hip bowling alley (yes, I did say hip) at the Hollywood and Highland complex. It's called Lucky Strike. There is also a restaurant there. That would probably be fun for you and your son during the day. Musso and Frank is an old time Hollywood restaurant that would be within walking distance.

Don't be too worried about safety in Hollywood (don't be reckless either!). You are fine walking around during the day. It's more the scrappiness, the hot sun/pavement combo, and the distances that make me say you need a car. You do need to be a little more careful in downtown LA not to stray too far from the tourist sites.

Good luck!

H

 

[tracys2cents]

The area surrounding the hotel is generally full of tourists and residents all day, quite safe. At night it's safe too, but doesn't feel safe to out-of-towners, especially if you're not used to big-city tattoos, baggy pants and crowds .

The transit system will take you to Universal Studios, or by bus to The Grove, Farmer's Market, CBS quite easily. (Check on maybe getting tickets to a show via tvtix.com.)
Warner Brothers is an easy 20 min bus ride, and downstairs from your hotel is a great tourist booth with bus schedules, information, coupons etc. The WB tour would be especially interesting for Harry Potter fans because they have a neat little museum with lots of HP stuff.

Definitely go to Griffith Observatory one night while you are in Hollywood, watch the movies "Rebel Without A Cause" and "Charlie's Angels Full Throttle" to get an idea of the Observatory beforehand for DS.

As for hotel/part 2, I've heard of a $179 grand-opening rate at Hotel Palomar Westwood which is over near UCLA in a very safe and welcoming part of town with lots of restaurants, theatres where they have premieres, etc. You can visit The Getty Center very easily from here and I would highly recommend sunset dinner there on Fri or Sat (other days the dining room is only open daytime).
Also, from Westwood you can get to Bev Hills easily in a few minutes, and over to Santa Monica and Malibu in 15 minutes or so, even on the bus.
There is also the little Hilgard House Hotel in this neighborhood, but it would be quite a step down from the Renaissance. It's an older boutique-style hotel, clean but no pool or amenities. I highly recommend the neighborhood, but it really depends on what you plan to do on your last few days, since L.A. can be a pain to get around , it is so wide and vast. I'd work on an itinerary or list of places to see/things to do first, and then try to find the most convenient place to stay that's in your budget .
(As a side note I'll just add that public transport in L.A is always improving, is often much less stressfull than driving yourself, and is usually put-down by people who haven't tried it in quite some time. )

 

[ptrbryant]

I want to thank each of you so much for all this information...I'm literally taking notes! It's been much more helpful than any search results I'd come up with.

Sadly, it looks like the $179 introductory rate at Hotel Palomar is gone...it's $325+ now. Looks like a very cool hotel, though, in a just-right area.

Karla B.

 

[heathpack]

Consider also the Petersen Automotive Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits. These are within walking distance of each other. Both would appeal to a 12 year old. These are on Wilshire near Fairfax.

H

 

[Tina]

I highly recommend the Warner Bros tour. I was $45 and we really enjoyed it.
We also did a Starline tour of celebrity homes. We paid around the corner in their office, rather than at the booth in front of the mall. We got the price down by $10 per person (3 of us) just for asking. Tip: Definitely do the tour in an open air vehicle. You'll be able to see much more.

 

[ptrbryant]

Thanks, I was thinking of the Paramount tour, but will look into Warner Bros. now as well.

Karla B.

p.s. Sorry about the typo in my thread title...I do know how to spell accommodation!