Southern California Quick trip to LA help needed!

[123Dis4Me]

Hello! I am planning a quick visit to this area next month, we have two teenagers. We will be driving in from Las Vegas (flying to Las Vegas from the East Coast). We will leave LV on a Sunday morning for LA. We would like to go to the Ocean on Sunday for certain. On Monday, we will be spending the day at Disneyland, our hotel is across the street in Anaheim (staying here from Sunday until Tuesday). We will be leaving on Tuesday, with a stop in Simi Valley, and driving up the coast to San Francisco.

This is what I would like help with:

We would like to see a beach on Sunday - which is better - Santa Monica or Venice Beach?

We would like to see the Hollywood sign and probably the Hollywood Walk of Fame. How would we best do this - and would it work better on Sunday afternoon or on our way to Simi Valley on Tuesday?

I have no prior experience in this region, so any help/tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...This is what I would like help with:

We would like to see a beach on Sunday - which is better - Santa Monica or Venice Beach?

We would like to see the Hollywood sign and probably the Hollywood Walk of Fame. How would we best do this - and would it work better on Sunday afternoon or on our way to Simi Valley on Tuesday?...

I would choose Santa Monica. The pier is fun -- there are restaurants and a ferris wheel -- lots of photo opportunities. Venice Beach itself is rather dirty (just my opinion). We find that going inland a few blocks is much nicer -- shops, restaurants, etc.

As for the Hollywood sign and the Walk of Fame, both can be viewed from the Hollywood and Highland shopping complex (located on Hollywood Blvd. at Highland Ave.). There is a viewing area for the sign on the top level. The Chinese Theater (with the famous footprints) is next door. The Walk of Fame is out front. The Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards ceremony) is in the complex. Disney's El Capitan Theater and the Disney/Ghirardelli Soda Fountain are across the street. Parking is under the H&H complex, $2 for 4 hours with a validation (go to Customer Service or any shop).

Have a fun trip!

 

[123Dis4Me]

Thanks, I was leaning towards Santa Monica, that sounds great!
How long do you think it would take to do the Hollywood Blvd. area? I am still not sure where to fit it in the schedule. Thanks again.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Depending on how much time you want to take to see the Hollywood sites (e.g photos, crowds, etc.), it could take an hour or two. But it can easily be done in an hour, if things aren't super crowded. If you want to eat somewhere at H&H, add another hour.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I was showing some DISers around LA, and it took us about 45 minutes to go from Santa Monica Pier to Highland and Hollywood, which is where theluckyrabbit is talking about.

Santa Monica Pier has an "End of Route 66" sign, which is cool. You take the 10 freeway east to the 405 north, to the 101 east, get off on Highland exit.

I recommend the app "Waze" - it uses user interface to give updated traffic conditions, roadside hazards, and police sightings. It also tells you what time you'll get to your destination. If you're going to pick someone up, you can send your route to them, and they'll know what time you will get there - great app.

 

[123Dis4Me]

Thank you so much LuckyRabbit and MaryJo, this is great information and I will put it to good use!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thank you so much LuckyRabbit and MaryJo, this is great information and I will put it to good use!

There is another app that I like to use called 'Field Trip' - it will tell you about places that you are driving/walking by. It even has the Tower Hotel - the one Tower of Terror is modeled after. That bldg is really close to the Highland/Hollywood center, as is the Hollywood Bowl.

 

[123Dis4Me]

The Field Trip App sounds really cool, I will check that out, thanks.

 

[awdsmama]

Depending on how much time you want to take to see the Hollywood sites (e.g photos, crowds, etc.), it could take an hour or two. But it can easily be done in an hour, if things aren't super crowded. If you want to eat somewhere at H&H, add another hour.

Our only day to do this area unfortunately is a Saturday (Mid-March).

Could you recommend a time to be there by or be gone by in order to miss the heaviest crowds?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I don't really know of any specific time frames to avoid, but I would think that peak hours would be similar to restaurant hours. So, if you arrive early (say before noon) and eat early (if you want to eat at H&H), then you should avoid heavy crowds. The Chinese Theater courtyard gets crowded when the tour buses drop off the tour groups there. I don't know what the schedule is for the various tour groups, so play that by ear.