We are going on a family trip later this month and will have two days in Los Angeles. Our children who are 18 and 23 will be with us and I would like to do things that we can all enjoy. We will be staying in Burbank. We’ve visited the Disney Parks in both Florida and California so we will probably avoid that. What studio tours would you recommend or avoid? Also, how about other things? Coming from the east coast, the warm weather will be enough of a treat but I’d like to see some things while we are there.
The Warner Brothers Studio tour is one of the best ones. What kinds of things does your family enjoy? There are many museums to see if you like that. I also think Griffith Observatory is fun. A walk around Santa Monica or Venice Beach is also good. We have done some good walking tours in downtown LA through the LA Conservancy.
Santa Monica Pier (and the beach) and Venice Boardwalk are pretty iconic locations, you’ll recognize them from a ton of shows when you see them. Might be a bit of a drive though. If you’re up for it, you can probably get in some ocean kayaking while you’re down there.
Filming at studios will probably be on hiatus if you’re there in mid to late December, so half the fun of a studio tour (seeing actors) will be missing. It’s fun to see the sets though.
What do you like to do usually? Food, museums, hiking, theater, shopping, etc etc etc?
Agree about the Huntington. Skip the paintings, go into the library (incredible) after the gardens. Enjoy the Orbit Pavilion soundscape installation currently on display. If you want paintings, go to the Norton Museum, also in Pasadena. Depending on the date, you could go see the Rose Parade floats being decorated.
It’s always a challenge when the four of us do anything because the interests are so different. Son would love libraries and museums daughter would hate that. It’s probably safe to stick with the outdoor tourist trap activities - movie studios, walk of fame type things.
If you enjoy art, the billion dollar Getty Center is not to be missed.
The California Science Center near USC has the space shuttle Endeavor, and is next to the Natural History Museum of LA County.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is not far in Simi Valley.
Walk down Rodeo Drive is essential, shopping at The Grove is where you’re most likely to see stars.
Pantages Theater
Frankly Hollywood and the walk of fame there is pretty seedy. A walk down Rodeo Drive is nicer. It’s usually decorated with lots of sparkle for the holidays.
Looks like I cross posted with Leafy. I’d second the Getty. Great views.
And there’s a great bike path for miles along the beach. You can rent bikes at various places and ride all the way from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach. It takes you past Venice Beach, the Marina and further south.
How about allowing each kid to pick one thing they really want to do?
Griffith has great view of Hollywood sign, iconic site of “Rebel Without A Cause”, and museum. Parking is hideous; consider taking Uber/Lyft. Getty Center (not the villa) has great view of LA; get there early to avoid long lines to enter parking during Xmas to New Years period. Walk from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach–better yet, rent bikes and enjoy the weather and LA vibe.
Highly unlikely you’ll see celebrities, especially walking around super-crowded shopping centers during the holiday season. Don’t budget time for that–do something real instead. Don’t be taken in by the “star tours”–you’ll get incorrect/made-up info and will see a bunch of high fences or hedges. Walk of Fame is somewhat seedy but still fun; consider going in the evening since it’s “open” all the time.
Getty, beaches…if you are in a car take Sunset to Temescal Canyon (fully paved). As you descend toward the ocean you will see the coastline. Gorgeous. There are two Getty museums…one overlooking the ocean, the other is on Sepulveda. Free, but you must reserve a parking place. Warner Bros. is the best…you don’t get the shows of Universal. Montana Avenue, Melrose are fashion forward.
Weather can be iffy. We can have heat waves or rain.
When we went to the Rose Parade a few years ago, we did a horseback ride in Griffith Park. Turned out no one else was in our group so we had a private ride. Lots of fun and good views. We went to a place called Circle K Riding Stables.
Yea, don’t be convinced it will be warm as your typical summer at home. I was just in LA last week; in the evenings it got down into the upper 40s. If you will be spending any time outdoors in the evening, bring either a heavy jacket or light coat. It will be warmish during the day, but remember daylight hours are very few right now, and it cools down quickly once the sun goes down.
I took D shopping while I was there, and of all things, she wanted a new coat. I asked her if she’d really get use out of one, and she said absolutely yes, especially when she walks the dogs in the morning and late in the evening.
I think the views from Griffith observatory are wonderful, and there are endless miles of hiking trails for all abilities. Sunsets up there are worth it, too, if it’s not cloudy. But yes, Uber or Lyft it.
When we have gone to Griffith we just park with others along the road and walk up. It has never been more than a 10-15 minute walk for us even on busy weekend days.
I agree about the walk up, but if you’re not familiar (it’s your first time), it might be easier to take a car service. I know the first time we went, we had no idea we had to park so far down the hill, so by the time we made it to the top and had to turn around because there were no spots, then drove back down, turned around and found parking, we barely made the sunset. I suppose the parking is more of an issue at sunset than during regular daylight hours. Next time we go, we will know how to ‘do’ it properly!
I took my son to the LA area for last minute college tours for 4 days preceding Thanksgiving. There was another recent thread that I took suggestions from, but I cannot find it. Yes, to Huntington Library but
would skip the Santa Monica Pier unless you want a good burger - S loved the burgers at Pier Burger. We spent more time at the playground on the beach below the pier goofing around on the equipment and ropes. Pier was amusement rides and touristy shops selling souvenirs.
One of things that topped S’s list from the trip was probably the Farmers Market and we ended up going twice. The name kind of throws you off because there is not a lot of healthy food being served. But he loved the variety of vendors/restaurants and the brisket. They serve every kind of food imaginable – Phil’s does a pretty good cheese steak. The market is adjacent to a large outdoor shopping area that was already decorated for Christmas and is worth a stroll through. S also discovered a restaurant in that shopping area called The Whisper – they serve filet mignon skewers which he still talks about. As you can tell my S loves food!
S insisted we visit the Petersen’s Automotive Museum. I was reluctant but acquiesced and was pleasantly surprised. It was really interesting and we ended up booking the hour and a half tour of their “vault”-- saw some really interesting and historic cars. I would never have thought to visit this museum but I enjoyed every moment. The building itself is pretty fantastic:
Someone in the other thread had recommend lunch in Malibu overlooking the beach. That was a highlight as it was a spectacular day. We randomly chose Carbon Beach Club and were seated on the balcony at a table directly overlooking the ocean - it was really lovely. There was a couple next to us who overheard our conversation and insisted that they show us a really spectacular view. So after lunch we followed them a few miles up the Pacific Coast Highway to the very top of Pepperdine University’s campus and yes the view was spectacular. S got some great pics.
Other than than that I would also recommend the UCLA/Westwood area to spend some time. The campus is beautiful and that area of LA seemed more polished to me than others we drove through. The car show was at the convention center and we did that one evening – but in general I would avoid that area unless there is something at the convention center your really want to see.
Edited to add: If you are looking for a special dinner we did a hotel called Shutters. Would not book their restaurant but instead would book a table on the balcony off the main lobby. Those tables overlook the beach and we had a lovely dinner there.
Weisman was an amazing collector and all of the contemporary artwork in his home is spectacular. It is in the Holmby Hills section of LA, and you have to make an appointment to visit. You can’t walk around on your own–you have to go on a tour with a docent. Even with these restrictions the collection is worth seeing. It is stunning and Weisman had a great eye (plus his first wife was the sister of Norton Simon; his second wife was an art conservator). Weisman also made a ton of money (he was one of the first Toyota distributors in LA, among other things).
He collected the work of every big name in modern art: Jackson Pollack, Frank Stella, Ellsworth Kelly, Andy Warhol, Lichtenstein, etc. The art is all through the house; Weisman also built an addition to handle large installations. What I thought was really interesting was how the art is displayed through the house. He’s got art work in the master bath! Weisman lived in the house and thought it was great for people to see the artwork outside of a gallery setting. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I learned about the collection from the concierge at the hotel where we were staying–he told that he thought it was one of the best kept secrets in LA.
