KarenInFla

Any suggestions for day trips from Los Angeles? Will be in town for five days and would prefer to do less touristy things. We enjoy sight seeing and fun activities but like them to include nature/outdoors. Don't mind a brief visit to interesting shops, gallery, museum here or there but want to avoid Rodeo Drive, Walk of Fame, etc. and prefer to spend more time seeing the area. Any cool out-of-the-way places to see? Thanks!

logandog

Catalina is nice, cool boat ride, go snorkeling.
Drive up to Big Bear lake, rent kayaks.
Out to Palm Springs, hike Palm Canyon or take the tram up San Jacinto.

longhorn55

Here are some fun things we enjoy doing when we visit our kids in L.A.

1. Hike to the back of the Hollywood sign:

http://www.365-la.com/2011/06/186-hi...wood-sign.html

http://hollywoodsigntrip.com/hollywood-sign-trail.shtml

2. Hike to the outdoor set of M*A*S*H in Malibu Creek State Park (other movies/TV shows have been filmed in this park--ask to see the short film in the visitor's center)

http://www.malibucreekstatepark.org/MASH.html

3. Self-tour Hollywood Forever Cemetery

http://www.hollywoodforever.com/

4. Interesting store:

The Last Bookstore (Downtown LA)

http://www.hollywoodforever.com/

5. The Getty Villa (not to be missed!)

http://www.getty.edu/visit/villa/

jamie99

Getty Villa is really nice, you need reservations for parking. You could combine it with a nice drive through Malibu stopping at Leo Carrillo (tidepools), Zuma Beach, maybe lunch at Duke's.

dwdvagamundo

La Brea tar pits interested us a lot.

maitaitom

Here are a bunch of ideas from my California Dreaming section of my Travels With MaiTaiTom website. Many of them are in L.A area. Have fun.

I have write-ups of lots of places with photos including both Gettys, The Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Griffith Observatory and lots more. Have fun.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/california-dreaming-1/

maitaitom

By the way, I haven't written about it yet, but the USS Iowa in San Pedro was well worth the effort. While down there you could visit Point Fermin Lighthouse that just celebrated its 140th year.

KarenInFla

Wow, lots of great suggestions. I can't wait to check out some of these places (don't think I can get to everything but will do my best to squeeze it all in). Thanks to all of you for taking time to give me input.

Jean

Tagging onto Tom's suggestions of the Iowa and Pt. Fermin, if you drive north from San Pedro along the coast, you reach the Terranea resort. There is public access all along the waterline on a network of trails (ask for a map at the reception desk). The casual restaurant Nelson's at the water's edge has wonderful views. We've seen lots of whales and dolphins. Sea Beans has drinks and take-away food, and there is seating on several terraces where you can hang out.

Just a bit south of Terranea is the Lloyd Wright-designed Wayfarer's Chapel (look for signs). Just a bit north of Terranea is Pt. Vincente lighthouse. Driving a little farther north, and the Santa Monica Bay comes into view, then the drive goes through a nice residential area and eventually into the beach towns of Redondo, Hermosa and Manhattan.

Tabernash2

Would you want to spend a night elsewhere, like Laguna Beach? We like that area, and Newport Beach, too. We love The Crab Cooker, for a simple and delicious meal. Laguna has nice shops and art galleries.

You could go as a day-trip, if you plan the drive accordingly. Or spend the night in Laguna.

We also like going the other direction, to Malibu and north of there.

Also, agree with Catalina and Big Bear Lake (or Lake Arrowhead). Those are fairly long drives for a day-trip, too.

KarenInFla

Thanks, Jean, for the Terranea Resort info. Sounds like something we need to check out. Tabernash2, we won't be staying over anywhere else but I'm hoping to get down to Leguna and Newport Beach. We were there many years ago and loved it - hope to see it again. Thanks for suggestions.

rosewilson

I suggest you to hire professional tour guide who would take you to best places in Los Angeles and you can enjoy your trip without spending too much.

clarkgriswold

Malibu Bluffs Park (across from Pepperdine University) looks like a ballfield but has tables for a picnic lunch and walking trails along the shore....and plenty of free parking if there is not a little-league game at the time.

Or maybe your trip has happened already, Karen?

stumpworks73

Santa Barbara is a great destination if you are inclined to go north rather than toward Laguna Beach.

suze

Visiting the historic California missions is interesting.

San Diego or Santa Barbara either one could be a "day trip".

maitaitom

"Visiting the historic California missions is interesting."

Here's 12 of them…

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/mission-possible/

KarenInFla

We're back from our trip and had a great time. We managed to get in some of your recommendations but ultimately ran out of time (whew, that traffic is a nightmare)!. But our daughter now lives there so I shared all your great tips with her so she can continue to have fun and will be ready to show us around when we return. Thanks again!

Tabernash2

Karen, have you seen the thread by maitaitom, 'places to eat like a local in LA'? There are lots of good recommendations there, that you DD might like.

Tabernash2

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...os-angeles.cfm

Here it is. Sorry, it's by cferrb.

travelandtoursofla

Lacma, La Brea Tar pits , the folk museum and the Petersen automovil museum are at walking distance from each other.....Then you can drive around Hancock Park on your way to Larchmont Village for lunch

Or you could spend the day in Pasadena. Great arquitecture with history, beautiful downtown streets and world class museums with the Huntington Library and the Norton Simon......You can't go wrong