Quick visit to LA

[Dreaming of Main St]

We (family of 4, kids ages 10 and 12) are going to be staying at LAX after a late night flight and driving the next day to Fresno. We're planning to spend a few hours in LA before heading north. I'm thinking we'll drive past a couple landmarks, have lunch and maybe go to Griffith Park for a bit. If anyone has suggestions for a driving route to take through LA, I'd love to hear it. I'd also appreciate hearing about any roads to avoid. Suggestions for must-sees and a lunch place would be great too

 

[GoBears 1980]

It depends mightily on which days this is happening.

In general, from LAX, I would not head anywhere near Griffith Park. That takes you into the heart of LA traffic.

If this is a weekday, I'd take surface streets (Highway 1) to Santa Monica, see the pier area and then get going north on the 405, then 5, and 99 to Fresno.

 

[Dreaming of Main St]

Thanks GoBears! It will be a weekday . I know there will be crazy traffic, but we've been to Santa Monica before. We've traveled from LA to Fresno many times and have hit many spots along the coast. We've never been into downtown LA so we're willing to brave the traffic this time just for the experience.

 

[sheetz]

Drive down Wilshire and swing by the La Brea Tar Pits , LA County Museum of Art (for the famous lamp post display out front), and the Petersen Automotive Museum (under construction) with it's new wacky, space-age facade. You won't have time to go into any of them but you might be able to stop for quick photo out front.

Then drive up a few blocks up Fairfax to the Original Farmers Market for lunch and a walk thru the Grove shopping center next door.

After that you can drive down Hollywood Blvd past the Chinese Theatre/Walk of Fame. Don't bother stopping but instead head straight to the Griffith Observatory for the best views of LA. Parking is limited so you might have to park along the road on the way up and walk the rest of the way. The observatory is free, however, and should take an hour to visit.

 

[Dreaming of Main St]

Sounds like a great plan sheetz! Thanks! Any favorite food picks at the Farmers Market?

 

[sheetz]

Sounds like a great plan sheetz! Thanks! Any favorite food picks at the Farmers Market?

There are so many good places! I like the Brazilian place called Pampas Grill, and Littlejohn's English Toffee for (what else?) their english toffee.

 

[GoBears 1980]

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/merchant

Ulysses for Greek, Bryan's for BBQ, Marcel's for French, LA Korea and pizza from Patsy's.

 

[Dreaming of Main St]

Yum! Sounds like a lot of delicious options. While we're talking food...any suggestions for breakfast near LAX? Someone suggested Pann's to me...thoughts? I'm traveling with pre-teen boys so food is always a priority