SoCal itinerary...help??

[TeresaBelle]

I'm hoping to take DD10 to DL this August. We would do DL Mon-Fri, arriving the Sat. before, so we'd have two days (Sat-Sun) to visit Hollywood/LA/Beaches.

Sat. arrive LAX 9:46am
Rent car, drive to Hollywood hotel
Tour Walk of Fame for a bit
Lunch 2:30pm @ American Girl then a little shopping, so say 2:30-4:30
Tour LaBrea Tar Pits
Drive into Hollywood Hills to watch sunset, see HW sign and LA lights below (where is a good place to see this?)
Head back to hotel..go for a swim, or maybe piddle around HW a little more (is this safe/appropriate on a Sat. night w/a 10 yr. old?)

Sun. breakfast @ hotel
Santa Monica Pier
Venice Beach - is there a place to change/clean up before heading to
Gladstone's in Malibu for dinner/beach/sunset watching!

I've never been to California, just recently started researching this stuff, so is this doable?

What's the best way to get to American Girl/LaBrea on Sat. Drive, bus, subway??

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Valencia Joe]

What hotel are you staying at in Hollywood.

I would strongly suggest driving to the American Girl store. It is located at The Grove... an outstanding place to visit, shop and eat. You can easily drive down Highland or La Brea and make a right at 3rd. The Grove is at 3rd and Fairfax and would be on your right. If you stay there for dinner, you can go to any of the restaurants there (I would suggest Morel's) or walk down to the Farmers Market (which is part of the development The Grove is at).

My personal opinion - I think Hollywood, especially Hollywood Boulevard around the Chinese Theater, is a safe place to walk. Just stick to that area around Hollywood & Highland and you'll be okay.

 

[TeresaBelle]

I'm looking at the Super 8 Motel - Hollywood/LA Area - 1536 N Western Ave, Hollywood, CA 90027.

Thanks so much for the info!!

 

[Valencia Joe]

I'm looking at the Super 8 Motel - Hollywood/LA Area - 1536 N Western Ave, Hollywood, CA 90027.

Thanks so much for the info!!

Hate to burst your bubble, but if possible, find another hotel. I am very familiar with that area and you really want to be further west which will be better and will have more things for you to do. I would NEVER recommend the area that you are looking at. I used to work in that area, and though it has been some years since, the area has not really changed.

 

[TeresaBelle]

Thanks again! Can you recommend something fairly cheap, but in a better area?

 

[Valencia Joe]

Thanks again! Can you recommend something fairly cheap, but in a better area?

It all depends on how much you want to spend and what area of Hollywood you want to stay. The only two good Hollywood hotels that I know of are the Renaissance at the Hollywood & Highland complex, or the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel. If I remember right, there may be a hotel/motel at the corner of Hollywood and La Brea. That is as far as you may want to go to stay in the tourist area of Hollywood.

 

[MAH4546]

Hate to burst your bubble, but if possible, find another hotel. I am very familiar with that area and you really want to be further east which will be better and will have more things for you to do. I would NEVER recommend the area that you are looking at. I used to work in that area, and though it has been some years since, the area has not really changed.

Correct.

That is an extremely seedly part of Hollywood. I would never, ever recommend somebody from out of town stay in that neighborhood!

When looking at places to stay in Hollywood, try to bind yourself the between Hollywood Blvd. to the north, Sunset Blvd. to the south, La Brea Ave. to the west and Vine Blvd. to the east. One can find a few Best Westerns, Super 8's, etc. within those boundaries.

 

[TeresaBelle]

Thanks guys!