OT: Going to LA, OC, & San Diego

[simonkodousek]

My dad and I are taking a trip out to Southern California for spring break to look at a few colleges (Loyola Marymount, Chapman, University of San Diego) but I've never been there and I have some questions for the folks on this board who either live or have been to the area.

We'll be staying in one hotel for the entire trip, so spending more than a day in LA or San Diego isn't really an option as this particular hotel is in OC, about 10 minutes away from Disneyland. What are some must sees in LA? We'll definitely be spending a day there so we'll have some time. I was thinking of walking around Hollywood just to see some of the "classic" places, but I've heard many mixed reviews of the area. What about Universal Studios? Do you think it would be worth going for the early afternoon and evening, or should we just spend the money on something else?

We already know we'll be spending some time at Disneyland, so the OC portion of our trip is pretty much planned. What are some good places to eat in or around the parks (walking distance) and are just overall relaxing? Is there anything in OC we should really try to hit other then Disney? Laguna, Newport, etc.?

Finally, if you had an afternoon in San Diego, what is the one thing you would do? I've heard good things about the wild animal park on the podcast, but I would imagine spending more than a few hours there. Any cool shops, relaxing beaches, etc. that we should see?

Thanks for any help you can offer,
Simon

 

[Disney Anna]

When in SD vista the Hotel Del Coronado. Absolutely beautiful. It will meet all your fantasies of a southern California beach. And as a Disney fan you will get a kick out of seeing the basis for the Grand Floridian.

Btw, I graduated from USD School of Law in 1990. They now have awesome places to eat right on campus.

 

[msteddom]

The Wild Animal Park is actually about 45 minutes north east of San Diego, so it would be difficult to do if you are touring USD, which is pretty close to the center of the city. I highly recommend eating lunch in Old Town San Diego, which is about 10 minutes away. Then do a bit of sightseeing as well. Make sure you like Mexican food though!


Melissa

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

There are a ton of things to do. Loyola is by Malibu and Santa Monica, so there are tons of great shopping and dining places there - the Pier is fun and in walking distance from the 3rd Street Promenade and the new Santa Monica Place shopping plaza - that's where I did the blog on the interview with the Disney Stores President and the new Disney Store celebrity opening. Venice Beach is not far from there, if you want a quirky afternoon.

Of course, the beaches and cafes in Malibu are reknown. You could also head over to Beverly Hills and hit Rodeo Drive.


In the city - do the Museum District - LA County Museum of Art, the Petersen, Tar Pits, etc, Melrose Avenue shopping, The Grove and LA Farmer's Market for shopping and dining. Hollywood and Highland for shopping, dining, the Walk of Fame, the El Capitan theater, Jimmy Kimmel Live (if you can get tickets to the taping) You can also try to get Jay Leno tickets, too.

Universal and Citywalk are very different here than in FL. Due to the fact that it is a real studio, it's got some interesting facets. They don't have quite as many attractions though.

You could also consider paying to do a tour of Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank. They do a 2-hour tour in the studio while things are filming. They may be taping pilots and summer replacement shows then.

If you want more ideas, send me a note.

 

[simonkodousek]

Awesome ideas! Thank you so much for your suggestions! My dad would like to take a backlot tour of a working studio, but our visit at Loyola is scheduled for 1PM, and I'm guessing we won't get out of there until 3-4PM. Where's a good place in LA to spend the night at where dining, shopping, and people watching are all within walking distance?

 

[msteddom]

I'm thinking Santa Monica is the place for you! Great shopping, dining and people watching! My only hesitation is that I think hotels there are outrageously expensive.

Melissa

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Awesome ideas! Thank you so much for your suggestions! My dad would like to take a backlot tour of a working studio, but our visit at Loyola is scheduled for 1PM, and I'm guessing we won't get out of there until 3-4PM. Where's a good place in LA to spend the night at where dining, shopping, and people watching are all within walking distance?

Do you guys own DVC? You can actually do an exchange of points for Shutters at the Beach - right off Ocean Blvd in Santa Monica.

If not, Santa Monica' hotels are cheaper the farther away from the beach you get.

One place that would be fairly good compromise is the hotel complex in Century City. This is on the edge of the 20th Century Fox Studios off Olympic Blvd and right next to the Century City Plaza - a great shopping and dining mall. We used to go their all the time when we lived on the West Side. There are several hotels by UCLA and the Westwood district - fun shopping and dining that caters to the University crowd.

Lots of choices. West Hollywood has several hotels - just on the East side of Beverly Hills. Nightlife there is fun and the dining can't be beat. You would love it - not sure about Dad.

 

[simonkodousek]

I guess I worded my last post wrong... I meant "spend the night at" like "hang out at." Our hotel is booked already (one of the 30 Hiltons in OC.) I did some more research on Santa Monica Pier, and it looks great! I'd really like to see Hollywood though too, do you think we could do both in one afternoon or would it be too much?

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Simon - I think that is definitely do-able. They are about 30-45 minutes apart, an hour in traffic because it's all side streets. You can take Wilshire straight down to Hollywood from Santa Monica.