SD, Hollywood, Etc

[goofymomof2]

How far are these places from Disneyland. I am trying to figure out if I want to book a hotel and stay the whole time close to Disney. My family want to go to the zoo, Hollywood & the beach. Could you please tell me which beachs are the best to visit.

Also my huband has the problem with going to LA. He refuses to go and I am not sure why. Can any of you give me some good points about LA. I think he is just thinking about all the things he see's on TV. Please help me convince him that it is a safe & fun place to visit.

Shannon

 

[AFMom]

Well, we went to LA at least once a year to go to D-Land and other places, and never once had a problem there. As far as Anaheim - it's as safe as any other resort area, and not actually in LA! Hollywood will be a bit different - but I still think it's pretty safe as long as you don't go down alley ways at night (hehehehe). Driving to LA areas from D-Land will be fine, not very long at all, but San Diego will be about 3 hours, so you may want to break your trip up into seperate stays at D-Land and SD. Have fun!

 

[lap3]

We just went to the LA Zoo this past weekend. They just completed the entrance and it looks very nice. It's in Griffith Park so be prepared to walk up some slight hills. The zoo isn't too far from Hollywood, maybe 30 minutes. I would guess, depending on traffic, that both are about 45 minutes-1 hour away from DL. We have miles of beaches so the distance varies. I think Manhattah, Hermosa, and Redondo have some of the best beaches. If you want to go to a beach near DL, you can always check out Huntington Beach.

LA has some bad points like traffic, smog, and crime. Traffic isn't too bad as long as you plan around the rush hours. Crime can almost be avoided if you stay away from certain areas(ie, South Central LA, or East LA). Smog, well, just hope that there's not much when you're here.

For good points, and I'm being honest with you, there's just too many to list! Excellent places to dine, many places to go sightsee, tons of shopping can be done, and there's many places to lounge around as well. I can help you with more specific places to go and dine if you want to know. Let me know more details about what you like or want to see and I'll give you some suggestions.

Have a great time!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

If you read my trip reports, about days 7-10 - you will see our wonderful Hollywood experience!!! Splurge on the Hollywood & Highland Renaissance....everyone who wants to do Hollywood should stay there at least once! Its decadent!!!

 

[LucyKate]

LA Zoo? Or does your reference to SD indicate the San Diego Zoo?

The San Diego Zoo is about a 2 hour trip from Anaheim - we stayed there for a few nights and went to the Zoo and Sea World, but it would be possible to do it there and back in a day. There are also plenty of coach tours which do this from Anaheim.

We found LA itself not threatening, and the traffic and smog not too bad, but we still found the place to be not very attractive. Hollywood and the beaches are something I suppose we all feel we have to do, but we found them disappointing and not worth the effort. Most of al we thought it a waste of a day we could have spent at DL.

Again, there are plenty of tours which pick up form hotels which do this as a day trip. Depending on traffic you could drive there in about an hour.

If I were you I'd stay in Anaheim, see the LA sights in a day trip, and either go to the SD Zoo on another day trip, or drive down there for a couple of days. We found Anaheim entirely friendly and unthreatening.