Ideas For Los Angeles

Mr_Warren_2

Spent 3 weeks in the USA last year. Me, the wife and 2 daughters (age 14 and 16 at the time). Arrived in LA on the Amsterdam flight and took charge of our hired "Open top" car at the Avis counter.

Drove to Hollywood where the hotel was booked (Holiday Inn Holiwood "Walk of Fame"). The hotel was basic but clean....and had a good refreshing swimming pool.

Visited Universal Studio and Warner Brothers (Universal's visit won), did the Walk of Fame, Chinese theatre (as above comment, nothing to write home about)...had a ride along Rodeo Drive and actually shopped there...Nearly got a heart attack but the chosen shop was not so bad.
Did the famous people house bit...not worth the $20 for the map. All mostly outdated and from what we saw, the Pitt's were not at home (mind you get to see some very pretty houses!).
Went to as far as we could get of the HOLLYWOOD sign, great view onto LA from just above the car park.

Had a day on the beach just before you get to Santa Monica, very clean, easy access etc. and the drive between LA and Santa monica is lovely when you cut accross the hills.

LA is my favourite city in the USA and I have done New York, Frisco, Las Vegas, Boston and Portland.

Enjoy it. Watch the sign telling you you cannot park after 4.0pm otherwise you'll get a ticket (mind, I got one and they are still looking for me....)

Enjoy the place. Plenty food places to eat, drink etc. Some great little Mexican places where the food is just devine.....Any place in your suitcase?

Mr_Warren_2

Sorry me again......If you go to Vegas, choose a mid-week trip as hotels in Vegas are much much cheaper than during the weekend. We went to Vegas on the Greyhound bus (booked and paid directly from the web). I guess the trip was 3h.

In Vegas you MUST eat one of their "Vegas brunch". Eat as much as you want (and can) with champagne for $9.99 if i recall. On that day, I took it upon me to pay for the meal.

Beanie_Girl

We went to West Coast last year, myself hubbie and our 6 year old, absolutely loved it. Hopefully going again next year.

We did LA, Anaheim and San Diego in just over 2 weeks.

LA - 2 days at Universal Studios (excellent definitely recommend), did the walk of fame, Manns Chinese theatre and the Hollywood sign.

Spent 5 days at Anaheim (Disney) about 1 hour outside of LA. Had a hopper ticket so visited both parks, absolutely great time. Visited downtown disney at night, good atmosphere, street entertainment. Can definitely recommend the ESPN sports bar for food.

Spent 5 days at San Diego, really liked this city it was so nice!!!
We went to the Zoo and Sea World enjoyed both. Beaches are fantastic,(short distance outside of SD), great for surfing. Had a really nice meal at Seaport which is on the seafront (not sure of the name of the restaurant but it was upstairs & overlooked the sea) .

Went to watch San Diego Padres baseball game fantastic atmosphere was brill. It cost us approx £27, we were high up as we arrived just as it started but the view was really good. We took the trolley (train) as it stopped just outside the stadium, great way to travel around SD.

Fashion Valley also on the trolley line was really good for shopping, Macy's, Footlocker etc

geo555

Don't forget the shopping.
Carlsbad outlets if you drive from San Diego to LA and Camarillo Premium outlets
https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=20

Look in the listing books found in the hotels for discount coupons and vouchers.

blindman

LA to Las Vegas is 4hrs (boring hours) by car.

Mapquest

debbiet

Hi
we were there last year and hada fantastic time. San Diego is one of my favourite cities and you'll have a great time there!! We did the Zoo...saw the baby Panda...really good day out, Seaworld was as fab as ever, make sure you play with the dolphins...so cool! We went to the gaslight district which has a new orleans sort of feel, ;lots of places to eat...seaport village for shopping/views. Go over to the Hotel Del Coronado...it's where Edward first met Mrs Simpson, and there's a fantastic beach.
There was a great restaurant on hotel circle called Hungry Hunters....Mmmm

We the stayed in Anaheim and did Disney, always good....Knotts, I wasn't too keen, didn't really like the rides too much and lacked character, however it was raining..... we went to Manns chinese theatre/walk of fame...we were lucky enough to be there the week before the oscars and were able to visit the exhibition of the statues which was really cool! Saw the sign.... Rodeo drive...you have to see it but don't expect too much. We went out to long beach, that was pretty nice, the QMary is there..

Oh and we went out to Laguna Beach (family there), it's gorgeous and has a stunning coastline.! highly recommend it!

Have a fabulous time...i'm sure you will!
Deb

jue

Thank you so much everyone, what a friendly, helpful bunch of people

Baz-Bee

carmenes82 wrote:

Will take 2-2 1/2 hours max from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Love Las Vegas too, but with 10 days I reckon you'll find plenty to do in LA and SD.

Car.

It's approx 270 miles LA to Vegas (depends where you start from in LA), so even at an average of 65 mph and no stops you will take at least 4 hours. Not sure what you were driving, but must have had Michael Schumacher looking over his shoulder!!! I have done the drive more than once and would say that you should allow at least 5 hours.

LA, IMO,is an over-rated place. However, i would recommend Six Flags Magic Mountain. But be warned in the summer the heat can be unbearable. Also Universal Studios is a must. I think is better than Florida as it is the original working studios site and not built predominanatly as a Theme Park. Knotts Berry Farm is also worth a visit if you like theme parks. Apart from Disneyland, it is normally possible to pick up vouchers for discounted entrance to the three attractions I mention above. Try McDonalds, Burger King and Shooping Malls for coupons and brochure giving discounts, etc. Often you can get 2 for 1 and/or $$$ discount on gate admission.

In San Diego go across the border to Mexico. It is an experience.