Ruth

At the end of March my 17 year old dtr and I will travel to San Diego. I thought we would take one day to drive up to LA. What suggestions do you have for sights that would appeal to a girl this age as well as what route we should take? TIA.

elena

What does your dauhter enjoy doing? I have some ideas but it's hard to say without knowing already what you like to do.

D.B.

It can make a difference in traffic if you go on a weekend or weekday. An easy route (non-traffic related) is to take I5 then I405 to the Sunset Blvd. off-ramp. If you go west on Sunset you will be at PCH and Will Rogers state beach (just north of Santa Monica). If you go east you will pass Bel Air, the University, and go into Hollywood. I suggest you go west first, then go back east (or you could take PCH to Malibu). If the weather is nice you can go shopping on Rodeo Drive, or hang out at Sunset and Vine and look at the stars on the pavement, or drive around and get lost (try looking for the Hollywood sign). I think you will be entertained just driving around for the first time, provided the traffic doesn't drive you nuts. Don't buy a map to the movie stars homes (unless you just want a memento of sorts).

Ruth

Elena and DB, thanks for your suggestions. To answer your question, my dtr enjoys music and dancing, and would like to see movie-related or TV-related sites. DB, I appreciate your traffic tips! Our drive up there will be on a Saturday, if that makes a difference to the route you suggested. Anything I should know about parking in the areas you suggested?

xxx

I can't think of any under-age nightclubs that a mother and daughter are going to be comfortable at, so I think you should stick with the other interests. You might want to contact some of the studios and see if they by any chance are having weekend filming - very doubtful though.

Maybe a walk along Rodeo Drive, followed by lunch over at Farmer's Market on Fairfax.

If you want to go someplace that might be a little shocking, but a lot of fun - go check out Venice Beach. It's safe on a Saturday morning, but just be cautious where you park your rental car.

D.B.

Saturday is probably good, but the 405 near LAX can be crowded anytime. The trip from SD will probably be a few hours, so there and back will cover much of the day (unless you want to go very early and return late, a long weary day). Enjoying a cruise of LA is very mood dependent, and affected by weather. If you have a nice day, then you will feel the effects of sun, fun, and being free to roam. You could also venture off Sunset and drive back among the hills. It's funny, there must be a dozen "Beverly" streets, drives, etc., many of the "streets" have similar names (hence getting lost). In regard to parking, be prepared to feed the meters.

I plan on doing a similar "Hollywood" cruise with my immediate family, because they've never been there either. A half-day juant while in the area during late June, just to give them a look around (we'll be actual Sunday drivers in LA -- going slow, and loving it!).

As an anecdote, one day I was driving the surface streets in Century City when I noticed a police watch up ahead. I quickly checked my speed, but as I proceeded down the road I saw more and more police -- motorcycles, cars, all types -- they were spread out everywhere. I began wondering what the heck was going on, bank robbery maybe? As I rounded a corner I came up behind a huge camera/dolly on a big truck, and realized they were setting up a scene for a movie (or TV show) -- still had to be careful though, couldn't tell the real cops from the fake.

Anyways, have fun!

Ruth

xxx, thanks for the advice. I don't anticipate she will get into any clubs, nor do I want her to. But that's her interest, so I figured it was worth mentioning ... you never know what you might come across. I have heard about Venice, and actually have friends of friends who moved there recently. By shocking, do you mean more shocking than Greenwich Village? That would pretty much be our standard.

DB, thanks for your additional advice. I appreciate it. I have decided to fly out of LA the next day rather than return to San Diego just to go to the airport. The fare is the same, at least right now and according to Continental's web site.

Funny about your anecdote -- we live in a town that happens to be very popular with filmmakers and TV commercial companies, so I have encountered that long line of trailers you describe quite a bit right here at home!

xxx

There's often filming going on in downtown LA on weekends. Often near the Bonaventure Hotel. Though once there, there isn't much else going on in the area on weekends.

T

I don't find Greenwich Village to be at all shocking, but maybe that's because I'm from Southern California and used to going to places like Venice. I think it would be an appropriate place for a mother and daughter to visit, if you're open minded. I don't know if you'd be up for it, but there's plenty of rollerblade rental places along the boardwalk. Also plenty of good sidewalk cafes for an outdoor lunch. Just plan on waiting in line for a table. And as a previous poster mentioned, watch where you park your vehicle.

Sam

Book yourself a hotel room in Santa Monica. It's close to Venice Beach (might be able to take a bus over there for a few hours). It's also close to LAX for catching your plane the next day. And I think you'd both enjoy roaming around the Santa Monica Promenade that evening when you get back from your day of sightseeing.

Ruth

I don't either, T -- that comment was meant to be tongue in cheek. However, I still haven't gotten a clear picture from anyone what exactly goes on in Venice that would be so shocking.

Thanks again for the additional advice. I will check out hotels in Santa Monica -- any ones in particular you recommend?

Christina

I used to live in Ocean Park which borders Venice beach, and spent a lot of time there (Venice in general, not just the beach) and took visiting relatives there, and I don't know what is supposed to be shocking there, nothing as far as I'm concerned, no one I took was ever shocked (and my relatives aren't from big cities). I really don't know what they are referring to, it's just a congested boardwalk area full of tourists, panhandlers, sidewalk vendors, people on blades, etc.; there is one area with bodybuilders doing their thing and people's dress style is probably more "avant garde" than a midwestern town. Santa Monica would be a good place to stay as it's nearby but hotels are very expensive, so it really depends on your budget what to recommend in that regard.

CA Native

As maligned as it is at times, LA does have a critical mass of population sufficient to support world-class performing arts. Might I suggest you check schedules at some of the venues like the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, Hollywood Bowl, etc to see if there are music and/or dance events that would interest her. I agree with Santa Monica as a good spot to overnight. I also find Venice interesting, not shocking really, but filled with the spirit of...individuality. It's all in your perspective, I suppose. Here is one link and you can find more by searching 'los angeles performing arts' in your browser.

Have fun, mom.

CA Native

oops.

http://www.oversight.com/

kam

It's been 6 years since we moved from L.A. but we used to take teenage visitors to Melrose Street to go shopping. Anyone have a current idea about that? It would be close to most of the things you want to see. The word for Venice Beach to me is wacky, hardly shocking. However, we once ran into an English couple we know who happened to be walking on the boardwalk and they were almost panicked by Venice Beach. I guess it's in your perception. One really pretty beach town you'll go past on the way up from SD is Laguna Beach. Another place to consider is Newport Beach. Have a fun time.

Ruth

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions. I am looking into each and every one -- and CA native, thanks for pointing out that I overlooked the thought of a concert!

I think we will definitely stay in Santa Monica, perhaps at the hostel there. If anyone has an opinion on that lodging or others, I'd love to hear it!

xxxxxx

The Hollywood Bowl won't have any performances this early in the year. But there are plenty of other venues that might be having a performance while you're here.

I think Melrose might be a good choice for you. Venice is a perfect place for you and your daughter to have lunch and check out the local scene. Definitely not shocking.

You might want to check digitalcity.com for local listings of activities in both San Diego and LA.

Ruth

You know, we'll be there the weekend of the Oscars, I believe. Does anything special go on related to that that we might be able to see? (film festivals or anything of that nature)

xxx

The Oscars are a big deal in LA, but only if you're one of the "stars". As a tourist, your only option to be involved in the Oscars is to wait outside and watch the stars go down the red carpet. But you'd have to plan on arriving a few days early to sleep out and grab a seat. Otherwise, the Academy Awards will just cause traffic jams in town and fill up all of the top restaurants.

xxx

Info from another posting that might be of interest:

In Jan. we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Marina Del Ray. Had a suite for $79. Room was new and clean. Nice place at a cheap price. Free parking and great Continental breakfast. Could walk to Venice Beach (two blocks). Highly recommend it!