L.A. trip itinerary--advice needed

[anneofgreengables]

Hi,

LA trip, 7 days, two elementary girls, DH and I. Input welcome. No Disney--we do that yearly. No San Diego--been there, done that. No Venice Beach--come from SF area, have same kind of people.

Activities grouped according to one itinerary day, in no particular order:

--Hollywood, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, Egyptian Theater, El Capitan, Disney Soda Shoppe
--Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Boulevard, NBC Studios Tour
--American Girl (theater and meal), The Grove, Farmers Market
--La Brea Tar Pits, Olvera Street
--Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Getty Center
--Malibu beach, Leo Carillo tide pools
--Universal Studios, Universal City Walk

Do the groupings look doable in a day/in same general area? In what order should I put these days?

Thank you!

 

[scooter15]

Question: where are you staying? Downtown, Hollywood, by the Beach???

--Hollywood, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, Egyptian Theater, El Capitan, Disney Soda Shoppe

This should be ok for a day but you might find yourself trying to find something else later that night unless you are seeing a movie at El Capitan. You could walk around Hollywood/Highland. The Renaissance Hotel is locate there as well. In addition, if you are going during the summer, have you thought about the Hollywood Bowl. Its just up Highland and depending on who is performing, sometimes they have the place opened up on Friday where you can listen to the orchestra practice. I've heard some kids enjoy it.

--Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Boulevard, NBC Studios Tour

This would be ok. I'd do the tour first and end the day going to BH/Rodeo. Sunset Blvd- there's not much to see.

--American Girl (theater and meal), The Grove, Farmers Market

Nice place but not enough to do for an entire day.

--La Brea Tar Pits, Olvera Street

These two are far from each other in my opinion unless you plan on just eating dinner at Olvera Street. I used to work across the street from Olvera Street and to tell you the truth, there's nothing there. An hour is probably good unless you have dinner at the restaurant.

--Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, Getty Center

I've never been to the Getty Center but you can probably spend a lot of time there depending what you are interested in. Third Street Promenade/Santa Monica Pier are always fun.

--Malibu beach, Leo Carillo tide pools

Sounds like a nice slow relaxing day.

--Universal Studios, Universal City Walk

Definitely going to need an entire day.

 

[anneofgreengables]

Thank you for replying, scooter! I will look into Hollywood Bowl, and I guess you recommend doing it during the Hollywood/Walk of Fame day. Don't know anything about Renaissance Hotel--is that a tourist spot?

Where is La Brea Tar Pits or Olvera Street closest to? Which day should I include each in?

As far as American Girl, I saved a whole day for it because we will watch the musical play there and eat brunch. Do you recommend we include the tar pits, or would that be too much for one day?

Sunset Boulevard--we were just going to cruise down it. Is the NBC Studios near BH/Rodeo Drive?

Haven't decided where to stay yet. They say Hollywood is too seedy for a family. So I'm thinking either Santa Monica, near the Grove or Beverly Hills (an affordable place there, that is).

 

[scooter15]

Don't know anything about Renaissance Hotel--is that a tourist spot?

The Renaissance Hotel is the hotel next to Hollywood/Highland and Kodak Theater. Its where they have some of the Oscar parties. Its quite modern in decor. We stayed there once and it was nice to be able to walk to El Capitan, Chinese Theater, etc.

Where is La Brea Tar Pits or Olvera Street closest to? Which day should I include each in?

La Brea Tar Pits are near The Grove. Olvera Street is next to Union Station in Downtown LA and Chinatown.

As far as American Girl, I saved a whole day for it because we will watch the musical play there and eat brunch. Do you recommend we include the tar pits, or would that be too much for one day?

No, don't do them the same day.

Sunset Boulevard--we were just going to cruise down it. Is the NBC Studios near BH/Rodeo Drive?

NBC Studios is actually in Burbank which is off the 134 and I believe you can take a short drive to Griffith Park from there. Oh!!!! Talking about Griffith Park have you thought about visiting the Observatory. It opened up late last year after being closed due to a major renovation. Check it out and see if its something your family would like to do. I plan on taking my kids hopefully in the next month or two but I'm limited to doing the first planetarium show because they are young.

Haven't decided where to stay yet. They say Hollywood is too seedy for a family. So I'm thinking either Santa Monica, near the Grove or Beverly Hills (an affordable place there, that is).

Hollywood/Highland Renaissance is a good place to stay. As I said earlier, we stayed there and my kids really loved it. We got a room that overlooked Highland and the studio where Ryan Seacreast had his short lived daytime show...lol. But anyway, there's not that many hotels to choose from but I can tell you that Hollywood has cleaned up. I can recommend some hotels but I guess I need to know your price range. It does get quite pricey in LA, especially in the areas you are looking at.

 

[anneofgreengables]

The Renaissance Hotel is the hotel next to Hollywood/Highland and Kodak Theater. Its where they have some of the Oscar parties. Its quite modern in decor. We stayed there once and it was nice to be able to walk to El Capitan, Chinese Theater, etc.

La Brea Tar Pits are near The Grove. Olvera Street is next to Union Station in Downtown LA and Chinatown.

No, don't do them the same day.

NBC Studios is actually in Burbank which is off the 134 and I believe you can take a short drive to Griffith Park from there. Oh!!!! Talking about Griffith Park have you thought about visiting the Observatory. It opened up late last year after being closed due to a major renovation. Check it out and see if its something your family would like to do. I plan on taking my kids hopefully in the next month or two but I'm limited to doing the first planetarium show because they are young.

Hollywood/Highland Renaissance is a good place to stay. As I said earlier, we stayed there and my kids really loved it. We got a room that overlooked Highland and the studio where Ryan Seacreast had his short lived daytime show...lol. But anyway, there's not that many hotels to choose from but I can tell you that Hollywood has cleaned up. I can recommend some hotels but I guess I need to know your price range. It does get quite pricey in LA, especially in the areas you are looking at.

Thanks for the tips. I'll look into Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Bowl. I've heard about them. Oh, and I forgot, I need to find a good vantage point for the Hollywood sign. Any ideas?

I'll check out the Renaissance Hotel, too. As far as the hotel is concerned, we'd like to get something lower than $200 a night--the lower the better. I understand I can't get anything in L.A. close to $100 a night without it being in a bad area, too far from attractions, or just plain dumpy! So basically the best, lowest price I can find for a clean, decent hotel that's near attractions and in a safe area.

 

[scooter15]

There are a couple of hotels in Downtown LA that arent' too bad but they might be pricey especially if you are going midweek. We had our wedding reception at The Biltmore in Downtown and the place is absolutely beautiful. As far as the Renaissance Hollywood, you might be able to get it for no more than $200 because right now the club rooms are running $300 per night. Century City has some hotels and so does Universal City. You might want to look into that. I actually grew up in Pasadena so if you thought about staying there, I'd be more than happy to suggest many places but they are a drive from Santa Monica, Westwood and Malibu.

If you find a hotel and want to know if its in a decent area, just ask me and I'll be more than happy to offer my opinion.

 

[anneofgreengables]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll check into them. Is Century City or Universal City too far from the attractions (other than Universal Studios)? Pasadena might be too far--I'd have to check a map. I was thinking of the Farmer's Daughter across from the Grove. It's supposed to be a motel that's been refurbished in country chic decor and it runs less than $200. Hope it's a good place to stay. Location seems good.