Discussion
Heading to LA for a few days in October. Anything that people would recommend is good to see for family with a 16 and 14 year old? Already on the list is half day covering Hollywood sign, Sunset etc, plus Santa Monica and Venice beach on another day. Also NFL and/or NBA.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Most of LA has really gone downhill over the last few years especially Venice and Santa Monica.
With kids I would probably recommend a day out at Universal Studios.
If it was me I would head out of town completely and have a couple relaxing days somewhere like Palm Springs or head up the coast to Monterey or inland to Lake Tahoe.
With kids I would probably recommend a day out at Universal Studios.
If it was me I would head out of town completely and have a couple relaxing days somewhere like Palm Springs or head up the coast to Monterey or inland to Lake Tahoe.
Mate of mine lived in la for a few years so went a few times. I wouldn't be too bothered going again but the beach around santa Monica was where we were mostly.
If as above you head out of town. We went to santa barbara, went surfing up there which I would recommend. Its a nice town. Maybe have a nose around Malibu. We also did a few nights in an old cabin up in Big Bear. Lovely hikes, kayaking, I really liked it up there.
There is an observatory in la but I didn't manage to get there. Oh, there is the california space center which has a shuttle which is cool. You could also visit Mexico for the day if you're adventurous.
If as above you head out of town. We went to santa barbara, went surfing up there which I would recommend. Its a nice town. Maybe have a nose around Malibu. We also did a few nights in an old cabin up in Big Bear. Lovely hikes, kayaking, I really liked it up there.
There is an observatory in la but I didn't manage to get there. Oh, there is the california space center which has a shuttle which is cool. You could also visit Mexico for the day if you're adventurous.
Santa Barbara is nice. Was seeing a girl in North West LA so it was a reasonably easy hop.
Can't remember the names but nearby to Santa Barbara were an old western town and an old Danish town that is now a tourist hotspot but odd to see Danish style as you come off the interstate.
There's the museum in LA with the Space Shuttle. We went but too late in the afternoon and it was shutting.
I'm no fan of baseball but it was interesting to go and be part of the crowd. Lots of food stalls and booze.
I was seated amongst all the East LA gang bangers tho
Can't remember the names but nearby to Santa Barbara were an old western town and an old Danish town that is now a tourist hotspot but odd to see Danish style as you come off the interstate.
There's the museum in LA with the Space Shuttle. We went but too late in the afternoon and it was shutting.
I'm no fan of baseball but it was interesting to go and be part of the crowd. Lots of food stalls and booze.
I was seated amongst all the East LA gang bangers tho
White-Noise said:
Mate of mine lived in la for a few years so went a few times. I wouldn't be too bothered going again but the beach around santa Monica was where we were mostly.
If as above you head out of town. We went to santa barbara, went surfing up there which I would recommend. Its a nice town. Maybe have a nose around Malibu. We also did a few nights in an old cabin up in Big Bear. Lovely hikes, kayaking, I really liked it up there.
There is an observatory in la but I didn't manage to get there. Oh, there is the california space center which has a shuttle which is cool. You could also visit Mexico for the day if you're adventurous.
Thanks, I'm probably going to head south for a surf, maybe Huntington or the Wedge if it's working. But Santa Barbara sounds like a good option too. Malibu too.If as above you head out of town. We went to santa barbara, went surfing up there which I would recommend. Its a nice town. Maybe have a nose around Malibu. We also did a few nights in an old cabin up in Big Bear. Lovely hikes, kayaking, I really liked it up there.
There is an observatory in la but I didn't manage to get there. Oh, there is the california space center which has a shuttle which is cool. You could also visit Mexico for the day if you're adventurous.
croyde said:
Santa Barbara is nice. Was seeing a girl in North West LA so it was a reasonably easy hop.
Can't remember the names but nearby to Santa Barbara were an old western town and an old Danish town that is now a tourist hotspot but odd to see Danish style as you come off the interstate.
There's the museum in LA with the Space Shuttle. We went but too late in the afternoon and it was shutting.
I'm no fan of baseball but it was interesting to go and be part of the crowd. Lots of food stalls and booze.
I was seated amongst all the East LA gang bangers tho
Thanks, space shuttle would be cool. Went to baseball a few years ago, and going to stick with NBA and NFL on this trip.Can't remember the names but nearby to Santa Barbara were an old western town and an old Danish town that is now a tourist hotspot but odd to see Danish style as you come off the interstate.
There's the museum in LA with the Space Shuttle. We went but too late in the afternoon and it was shutting.
I'm no fan of baseball but it was interesting to go and be part of the crowd. Lots of food stalls and booze.
I was seated amongst all the East LA gang bangers tho
LA sights should be seen, the Chinese Theatre is literally a hour or walking about if that.
Universal is a recommendation for sure, we did around Halloween there and I'd never shat myself so much in my life on some of the stuff they put on.
Santa Monica is nice for a walk up the pier, spot to eat and shopping if into that, then that not a lot else there. I'd avoid Venice beach even in the middle of the day its a bit on edge, we got collared by rapper blokes poncing "music demo's"
Somewhere else we went was LA zoo, along with the Griffith Observatory for some views.
Universal is a recommendation for sure, we did around Halloween there and I'd never shat myself so much in my life on some of the stuff they put on.
Santa Monica is nice for a walk up the pier, spot to eat and shopping if into that, then that not a lot else there. I'd avoid Venice beach even in the middle of the day its a bit on edge, we got collared by rapper blokes poncing "music demo's"
Somewhere else we went was LA zoo, along with the Griffith Observatory for some views.
Actually something popped into my mind about the beach. Maybe you're aware of this stuff but in my experience it can be pretty rough over there! Make sure your kids know what to do if they end up in a rip tide etc. Speak to the lifeguards. My mates wife (american) made sure to make us aware of dangers.
White-Noise said:
Actually something popped into my mind about the beach. Maybe you're aware of this stuff but in my experience it can be pretty rough over there! Make sure your kids know what to do if they end up in a rip tide etc. Speak to the lifeguards. My mates wife (american) made sure to make us aware of dangers.
And with a great white ?Nurburgsingh said:
Peterson motor museum - the best thing about LA.
Do the tour of the warehouse too. They have some SPECTACULAR cars hidden down there
Indeed. The 'vault' tour (no photos) is the best thing they do.Do the tour of the warehouse too. They have some SPECTACULAR cars hidden down there
I also like the Getty museum up in the hills, if you are into works of art - they have pots of cash they have to spend each year to retain their charity status so rent in things from other cash-strapped museums around the world.
My biggest issue with LA is that everything is so far apart from anything else. There's no cluster of museums that you'd find in London or New York, for example, so you have to commute around the city visiting all the different places.
I spent a 10 days at Loews in Santa Monica and weirdly liked in - it almost has a little hippy vibe to it. There's Pacific Park on the pier which is a fun way to spend a few hours - and October is still in the whale watching season.
NBA is a fun few hours but the average Lakers ticket prices are now $450 (they start from around $100) but for the experience you'd want at seat service. If it's just to experience an American game then baseball (LA has the Dodgers) is significantly cheaper as it's played over a few days.
I'm not a massive fan of LA itself - in fairness I don't really get it. We stayed in the Sunset Tower and in it was a nice base - Sean Penn was sitting at the bar next to us on the first night which added to the LA vibe. People/car watching on Rodeo Drive is somewhat amusing though. We did a helicopter tour and it really makes you appreciate how massive LA and the surrounding areas are.
Have fun - October should be a lovely time to go.
NBA is a fun few hours but the average Lakers ticket prices are now $450 (they start from around $100) but for the experience you'd want at seat service. If it's just to experience an American game then baseball (LA has the Dodgers) is significantly cheaper as it's played over a few days.
I'm not a massive fan of LA itself - in fairness I don't really get it. We stayed in the Sunset Tower and in it was a nice base - Sean Penn was sitting at the bar next to us on the first night which added to the LA vibe. People/car watching on Rodeo Drive is somewhat amusing though. We did a helicopter tour and it really makes you appreciate how massive LA and the surrounding areas are.
Have fun - October should be a lovely time to go.
Peterson
SaMo
Quick drive into the hills
Getty (books up way in advance)
Hollywood sign for photos and quick look round the science displays (parking can be troublesome)
Hollywood blvd.
Rodeo Drive (can be a bit stabby)
Angels flight (avoid rush hour)
There are loads of little quirky places to go in DTLA but frankly I would not bother because the locals have ruined it.
All the above should be fairly safe. The main places to be wary are Rodeo drive and Hollywood.
SaMo has a reputation but stick to the boardwalk and main beach area you are ok but don't drop your guard.
SaMo
Quick drive into the hills
Getty (books up way in advance)
Hollywood sign for photos and quick look round the science displays (parking can be troublesome)
Hollywood blvd.
Rodeo Drive (can be a bit stabby)
Angels flight (avoid rush hour)
There are loads of little quirky places to go in DTLA but frankly I would not bother because the locals have ruined it.
All the above should be fairly safe. The main places to be wary are Rodeo drive and Hollywood.
SaMo has a reputation but stick to the boardwalk and main beach area you are ok but don't drop your guard.
If you are near Burbank on a friday night, there's a car meet at Bobs Bog Boy diner, Jay Leno is known to show up at it, We stayed in the tangerine motel just round the corner which is walking distance to Warner Brothers (for the studio tour) and has a good mexican restaurant beside it. Universal is a 5 minute uber away. The walk of fame is a quick Uber away.
Free parking which is rare and just off the interstate if you're going elsewhere.
Griffiths observatory is good for a look over LA, we took a wrong turn coming back down from it and ended up on a real corkscrew of a road down one of the canyons, some cool houses along it and a few dusty 911's.
Free parking which is rare and just off the interstate if you're going elsewhere.
Griffiths observatory is good for a look over LA, we took a wrong turn coming back down from it and ended up on a real corkscrew of a road down one of the canyons, some cool houses along it and a few dusty 911's.
Last time we were there 2 years ago we stayed at Hermosa beach (near Redondo beach) and it was actually really nice, good vibe, decent food etc, it's only a few miles from LAX also.
If it's your first time there and with kids, Universal is on the list, great as it will be halloween, make sure you book tickets well in advance. There's also Disneyland, and again book well in advance. You can do the whole tourist thing, but it's bit cheesey etc.
Hire a car and get yourself to Monterey or somewhere like Ojai, which is a nice place to chill also, lots of the celebs live there to get away from the Paps also.
If it's your first time there and with kids, Universal is on the list, great as it will be halloween, make sure you book tickets well in advance. There's also Disneyland, and again book well in advance. You can do the whole tourist thing, but it's bit cheesey etc.
Hire a car and get yourself to Monterey or somewhere like Ojai, which is a nice place to chill also, lots of the celebs live there to get away from the Paps also.
White-Noise said:
Actually something popped into my mind about the beach. Maybe you're aware of this stuff but in my experience it can be pretty rough over there! Make sure your kids know what to do if they end up in a rip tide etc. Speak to the lifeguards. My mates wife (american) made sure to make us aware of dangers.
I was surprised by how cold the water was. I hadn't thought about it and assumed it would be fairly warm forgetting just how large the Pacific is and dived straight in before jumping back out again rapidly 
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