Family Weekend in LA - Itinerary Help

smaihlee

I will be with my husband and 14-year old son in Los Angeles next weekend as the start of a 10-day whirlwind journey (visiting the Grand Canyon and Vegas).

Arriving in LA Friday mid-morning, heading out Sunday mid-morning. We are staying at a hotel in Woodland Hills. We will be in my husband's car so no worries about rental car mileage or anything.

I have already identified everything we want to do while we're there--I just need help finalizing the schedule. Would love input from anyone who lives in the area or has visited enough to provide feedback. FYI, we are being fairly budget-minded as it's a part of a much longer adventure my husband and son are currently doing without me.

This is the loose itinerary I have put together that includes all the activities. I've chosen Friday for the Farmers market b/c I read that it's a zoo on the weekends. Also, want to do the studio tour (hopefully) when there's action going on and do Chinese Theater area before the craziness of the night sets in.


Friday
Farmers Market - walk around then have lunch
La Brea Tarpits
Chinese Theater area (I know it's under reno; we just want to see but not necessarily star-watch)
Warner Bros Studio Tour - early afternoon

Saturday
Getty Center
Venice Beach
Disney Concert Hall
Griffith Observatory
Hike/Horseback up trail to Hollywood sign (optional)

If you think I'm trying to cram too much in or am not including something "don't miss", let me know! Also, if anyone can suggest another/better site where I can post this, by all means say so.

Thanks!

77tes

Wow! That sounds like a LOT! The Farmers Market and Tar Pits are doable -but I'm not sure you'd be able to fit it both Hollywood /Chinese Theater and the Studio tour. Unless you're total science nerds, I'd skip the tar pits (but I've always thought they were pretty boring) .

You're second day sounds totally crazy the Getty Center will take several hours and so will the drive to Venice (ok that's an exaggeration, but you will hit traffic) then you will hit more traffic back to the Disney Hall. I'd say choose a few of the places you are most interested in.

Hope you enjoy my town but don't try to fit all that in

77tes

What you don't want to miss depends on your interests. Most people seem to want to do the beach and Hollywood, but if you into science do the tar pits and the observatory. If you are into the arts - then do the Getty and Disney Concert Hall.

labeachgirl

Friday is doable, although I think you're looking at late afternoon for WB

Saturday, I'd skip Disney Hall. That's a lot of driving for just a 5 minute look/see. I think the Getty/Venice for the morning/lunch and Griffith Park/Hollywood Sign for late afternoon is doable and you'll enjoy more

ETA: Btw, while you're at the La Brea Tarpits, walk over to the Levitating Mass exhibit at LACMA. It's a stupid rock that people spent $10 millions to move from the desert and people take pics like they do at the leaning tower of Pisa. Not that I'm bitter at how wasteful it is. lol

smaihlee

Thanks for the wonderful feedback--this is EXACTLY what I was looking for!

The weekend in LA as part of the trip was my idea. My goal is to work in a variety of things to see, do, and eat. I have only been to LA once, when I was 15, and my time was very sheltered--not to mention it was almost 30 years ago so I have little memory of the visit.

My husband's only request was to go to La Brea, so I feel like I need to accommodate that. I think we'll take your suggestions and skip the Disney Concert hall. I do have all of these spots mapped out and that was the one that kinda stuck out like a sore thumb.

One more question. Would Venice Beach be a good place to find a yummy lunch spot on Saturday?

labeachgirl

"Would Venice Beach be a good place to find a yummy lunch spot on Saturday? "

Definitely, there's some good options, it just depends on what you want to eat/experience

Sidewalk Cafe - I like this one because it's along the Strand (where you can see the ocean, people watch, shop for souveniers, see the entertainers/hustlers do their thing), there's a lot of seating, it's open air, they have a big menu, the food is decent (diner-ish). Also, if you go straight out toward the ocean from there and to the right, there's a skate park, which your teen might get a kick out of.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sidewalk-cafe-venice

Gjelina - it's in the more hipster area of Abbot Kinney near Venice, nicer restaurants and shops, and my Venice friends rave about the food.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gjelina-venice-2

JusticeGirl25

Allow enough time to get to where you want to go when your in LA. Traffic is downright awful! If you have a GPS and it tells you it will take you 15 minutes to your destination, it's at least double your time.

labeachgirl

Allow enough time to get to where you want to go when your in LA. Traffic is downright awful! If you have a GPS and it tells you it will take you 15 minutes to your destination, it's at least double your time.

THIS. When I was driving around LA to meet clients, my best rule to be on time was Google Maps estimated time + 1/2 hour. I either got there a little early or just squeaked in.