Need some directions from Hojo's..... and anything else fun to do (and cheap) ?

[funnygarcia]

We are leaving in just 8 more days!! YEAH!! After some serious discussion (and look at the budget)with DH, decided to skip the expense of the Ripley's/ Wax museums.

Looking for "free" things to do instead.

We did the ocean visit before-- we are not beach people.


Looking into going to the Farmer's Market in LA and The Grove. (Also thinking of going to Hollywood and Highland)

We need good directions from HoJo's.
How much time for travel?

Any other "freebies" places that would be fun to kick back, people watch, and enjoy any free entertainment/window shopping?
In other vists we enjoyed The Block at Orange and the Character Warehouse.
Prefer not to do the more typical mall and outlet shopping..we go to Mall of America at least twice a month
Looking for "entertainment mall" types and anything else that doesn't cost $$ (except for gas and parking).

A litle background.. we are city people - if we want nature we go camping (Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes !) . DH and I have 9 and 12 yr old boys who prefer video games to nature walks

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Figure on about an hour drive, though it may be less. Take the 5 north to the 101 north & get off on the Higland exit - turn left, and the Highland complex will be just a few blocks away.

Another thing to consider is the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica - there are a lot of shops and street entertainment there. People do like to go there, and it's a few blocks from the Santa Monica Pier.

Other things to consider: La Brea Tarpits, Ghetty Center, San Juan Capistrano Mission (nominal fee), and visit around the shops in that area - you could take the train from Anaheim & get off about a block from the mission. Museum of Natural History & Science Museum are right next to each other & have an IMAX theater right there. Redondo Beach Pier, with a bite to eat there is another way to spend an afternoon. My cousins love to go there when they come out from El Paso. You can also visit the beach cities, like Laguna Beach, or go to Newport Beach Fashion Island...

 

[funnygarcia]

Thanks! Santa Monica might be another choice.. I remember reading about it on another post on Laughingplace.

I will have to check out the other suggestions- thank you !