What to do? - One day in Los Angeles

Blue264

Personally, I'd spend the morning at Venice Beach (sunday morning is when the place comes alive) and Santa Monica Beach, then treat yourself lunch at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel http://www.hollywoodroosevelt.com/index.php?page=hrh for a bit of real Hollywood history as it was the venue of the first Oscar ceremony and all the greats stayed there back in the day. Ten of them are even reputed to haunt the hotel.
From there, just cross the road to the Chinese Theatre and the Walk Of Fame.

Then drive up Sunset Boulevard and head for Universal Studios. As has been said above, there's plenty to do there without paying to enter the park. I'd grab a beer in the Hard Rock and watch the sunset from the entrance. There's usually a live band playing there anyway and the view is stunning.
I took a great piece of video there of a Led Zepp covers band playing to the backdrop of the sunset over L.A. In such a hectic city, it was quite a spellbinding and relaxing end to the day.

As you can probably tell, I actually did this itinery one day and loved it.

jackieblack

steveo3002 wrote: »

disney is always busy..get there early and you should be okay , the roads may be a little nicer because its a holiday

Any idea how long the drive might take from Hollywood/Highland?
We'll have had two heavy days of driving before we arrive in LA (from the Grand Canyon).

Have been to Disneyworld in Florida a couple of times.... part of me wants to get the Disney 'fix' as we're so close( ), but as we only have one day.... we don't want to leave LA feeling we haven't done anything different to what we've done before in Florida.

Lots of ideas,thanks everyone:T , but nothing really grabbing me yet...

photome

jackieblack wrote: »

Any idea how long the drive might take from Hollywood/Highland?
We'll have had two heavy days of driving before we arrive in LA (from the Grand Canyon).

Have been to Disneyworld in Florida a couple of times.... part of me wants to get the Disney 'fix' as we're so close( ), but as we only have one day.... we don't want to leave LA feeling we haven't done anything different to what we've done before in Florida.

Lots of ideas,thanks everyone:T , but nothing really grabbing me yet...

If you want a theme park there is knotts berry farm, my boy (13) loves it there, he/we dont do disney.

Its got some great rides, doesnt compare with sixflags but it is cheaper and easier to get around.

If you fancy horse racing there is Santa Anita, very cheap and a fantastic setting.They are racing on the 12th. You can get a private box for about $12

Angels baseball team are playing at home (anaheim) on the 12th, if you can get tickets (on sale next week I think)

Having said all that if you only have the day it may be best just to take in some sights as others have suggested

boombap

If it were me then I would take an organised tour. I used to strongly dislike the idea of them as I am fiercely independent and the thought of being crammed in with other camera wielding tourists horrified me.

However, in recent years on various trips I was persueded to do a few tours and I now think that they are excellent and usually great value too. I think that you learn a lot of interesting facts and trivia from the tour guides which you wouldn't otherwise if you were doing the tour by yourself.

When I was last in LA we did one such tour and it took in all of the various tourist sites which one feels obliged to see whilst there - a drive round the Hollywood hills gawping at stars' houses, Sunset Boulevard & Rodeo Drive, Walk of Fame, Venice Beach and stacks more. It was fantastic and I would throughly recommend it

S.

jackieblack

squee wrote: »

If it were me then I would take an organised tour. I used to strongly dislike the idea of them as I am fiercely independent and the thought of being crammed in with other camera wielding tourists horrified me.

However, in recent years on various trips I was persueded to do a few tours and I now think that they are excellent and usually great value too. I think that you learn a lot of interesting facts and trivia from the tour guides which you wouldn't otherwise if you were doing the tour by yourself.

When I was last in LA we did one such tour and it took in all of the various tourist sites which one feels obliged to see whilst there - a drive round the Hollywood hills gawping at stars' houses, Sunset Boulevard & Rodeo Drive, Walk of Fame, Venice Beach and stacks more. It was fantastic and I would throughly recommend it

S.

Have thought about a tour, have looked at a couple but they weren't operating on Easter Sunday. Any recommendations for a particular company?

jackieblack

Anyone used this?

http://www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-1H1.asp

inspector_monkfish

jackieblack wrote: »

We are staying in LA for two nights as part of a two week trip in April:j .
It works out that our one whole day there will be Easter Sunday!

What would anyone who has been to LA suggest as the best way to spend our one day?
Originally, when we booked, we planned to go to Universal Studios, but the bits we wanted to see burned down in the fire last year! so probably (for us) not worth the expense.

The hotel we are staying in is in the Hollywood and Highland complex, so we can do the stars in the pavement etc stuff easily either the afternoon we arrive or the morning we leave.

Thinking about spending the day either having a general explore of all the other touristy bits, Rodeo Drive, La Brea, Santa Monica, etc - but as it will be Easter Sunday, which I know is a public holiday, will lots of places be closed?

Possibly considering Disneyland - is it a bit far from where we are staying? also, is it a bit of a shame to spend our only whole day there and not to see some of the rest of LA?

Any other suggestions?
Thanks

go see LA Galaxy (minus Beckham) !!

jackieblack

inspector_monkfish wrote: »

go see LA Galaxy (minus Beckham) !!

they're not playing the day we're there.... but thanks for the suggestion!;)

duchy

Even though we had a car we did the Homes of the stars open top tour from outside the Chinese theatre.
Saw lots enroute and still had time to sleep in and some mouching/eating/shopping time