Planning a trip to LA, need advice!!!! (rental, plane, itinerary)
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So I am planning a trip to America and one of the places I'm wanting to visit is LA.
It won't be a long trip, I'm only planning on being in LA for 4 maybe 5 days so time is limited,
I have a very broad range of things I want to see/do in loads of different parts of LA so I need to figure out the best area to stay
I probably will hire a rental car.. if that's the best option??
So far I want to see:
-Hollywood - so Universal Studios, Sunset blvd, walk of fame etc. etc. and some of the bars and nightlife there too.
-Disneyland
- Newport Beach
-The getty musuem so possibly spend a day in Santa Monica exploring beaches etc
- Any other activities like other theme parks, or museums, or aquariums that people can recommend
So I am planning a trip to America and one of the places I'm wanting to visit is LA.
It won't be a long trip, I'm only planning on being in LA for 4 maybe 5 days so time is limited,
I have a very broad range of things I want to see/do in loads of different parts of LA so I need to figure out the best area to stay
I probably will hire a rental car.. if that's the best option??
I see no way to do your list without one. I am not sure where you are from but compared to pretty much everywhere, Europe especially, the public transport system here is a joke.
So far I want to see:
-Hollywood - so Universal Studios, Sunset blvd, walk of fame etc. etc. and some of the bars and nightlife there too.
Hollywood and Universal Studios are only together in the most technical of terms as they are sort of close. I would, if I were you, go to Hollywood and Highland. It is a sho[[ing center, but it is also where they hold the Academy Awards and a number of premieres (the Chinese theatre is next door) but I am advising this as while it is touristy, it is somewhat away from the seedier sections of Hollywood...of which there are many.
I would also avoid the bars and nightlife in the hollywood area.
Sunset, take La Cienega up and turn left on Sunset...you will catch the entire "strip" that way.
-Disneyland
- Newport Beach
Both of these in Orange County and Disneyland will take the whole day.
As for Newport...not quite sure why that is the beach you want to visit. Surfrider (Malibu) and Santa Monica are both prettier beaches, IMO
-The getty musuem so possibly spend a day in Santa Monica exploring beaches etc
The Getty VILLA is in the Santa Monica area. The Getty is off of Sepulveda heading into the valley off of the Sepulveda pass on the 405. NOT close.
- Any other activities like other theme parks, or museums, or aquariums that people can recommend
No disrespect intended, but you seem to have an itinerary that bounces you to one side of the city and then the other on a daily basis....so as far as where you want to stay, there isn't anywhere that is central to this agenda...
So I am planning a trip to America and one of the places I'm wanting to visit is LA.
It won't be a long trip, I'm only planning on being in LA for 4 maybe 5 days so time is limited,
I have a very broad range of things I want to see/do in loads of different parts of LA so I need to figure out the best area to stay
I think you need someone LOCAL to act as guide.
Either join a tour group or find someone close to your own age for a 1 on 1.
They may even have a spare room to let for a few nights too.
Peterson Car Museum if you like cars at all.
Griffith Observatory is a must!
I don't live in LA but I am there 1-2 times every year. Cool city with a ton of things to see. Oh and make sure to have some IN N OUT burger. It's just a fast food chain but its only in the Western U.S. and its so much better than your typical fast food place.
I agree. The list of things is disjointed and the things that are mentioned together are not even really together. Yes, it is called Universal Studios Hollywood, it is in Los Angeles.
Not sure why you'd wanna drive all the way down to Newport Beach. It is a very nice area but not really touristy and not much going on. Much more to do and see L.A in Santa Monica/Malibu. Drive up PCH from Santa Monica to Malibu, it's a nice drive. IF you decide to go down to Orange County, I suggest skipping Newport and going to Laguna Beach. It is beautiful, there is lots going on and the beaches are awesome.
If you like walking along the beach then visit Venice.
If you are interested in museums then go to the Museum Mile and visit the L.A. County Museum as well as well as the La Brea Tar Pits.
Also you might want to post this on the L.A. forum for more suggestions from locals in the area.
Saw something on the plane claiming you could get to many places by public transit. Not sure I believe it. Look at the places you want to visit on the map AND make sure you pay attention to the distance marker. Expect to drive, a lot. Expect to sit in traffic, a lot.
You definitely need a rental car. This area is not a public transport city. Sure there are some buses, but LA is not known for it's great public transport. That's why traffic there is horrible.
The weather is beautiful. I agree that you should drive on the PCH.
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