Our first trip to Los Angeles

Include a day at the Getty. You only pay for parking. Just seeing the building and the view are worth the trip. You could spend an hour or 10 hours and enjoy the visit.

Just south of you in Redondo Beach on the pier is Kincaids that's a good spot. Also a restaurant called Hennesey's that is reliable.

Spend an evening at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, 10 minutes from you. Leno performs there every Sunday night. The talent is good every night. Pay attention to their "raw" warning if you are sensitive to adult material.

Doing Lunch and walking around Balboa Island is a pleasant trip. If you are interested in a scenic hike, the trail along the Pelican Coast from Corona del Mar to Laguna Beach is a beautiful walk.

Las Brisas in Laguna is on a hilltop overlooking the coast. The outdoor patio is one of the most scenic lunches in SoCal.

You have to do InNout Burger for the best fast food burger anywhere. I recommend the double-double with grilled onions. SoCal has many, many locations; do not miss.

We were in LA two Christmases ago and did the usual touristy things like the Hollywood bus tour. My teenagers got the biggest kick out of seeing Julia Roberts' mansion (the tour guide said sometimes Julia's out there and actually waves at them), the homes of Kirk and Michael Douglas (very close to each other), the home with FOUR Ferraris parked at the front (yes, we counted), etc.

Took lots of pictures of the star's names on the Walk of Fame (try to look for Heath Ledger's and Michael Jackson's), and the kids posed with all those costumed characters in front of the Chinese Theatre. Try not to be too close to the characters - their costumes made me wonder how often those were washed???

Spent about 4 hours at the Getty Museum (nice alfresco lunch too) - we arrived at opening time and still had a lot of time after the museum to go to the beach.

Our trip's biggest hits: Christmas Day game of the Lakers v the Suns, and watching Wicked at Pantages. Do you have time to take in a game or show?

Yes, the In-N-Out Burger is a must-do!!! And so is a walk on Rodeo Drive. A couple of restaurants that has excellent food but won't break the bank (>$100pp) are Patina and Spago. Nobu if you like sushi, CUT if you're craving steaks.

There's a "secret menu" (not really so secret) for In-N-Out where you can order stuff like a burger, "Animal Style", or "The flying Dutchman", etc. Here's the link: http://www.badmouth.net/in-n-outs-secret-menu/

If you have a few hours to spare, go to The Grove for some shopping. It's next to the Farmer's Market. Some of the stores: Nordstrom, Kiehl's, Lalique, Barney's NY CO-OP, Baccarat, L'Occitane, etc. www.thegrovela.com We LOVED our meal at the French bistro right at the entrance to the market (from the shopping area).

For the culture shock, just be in downtown Hollywood for a few minutes and you'll think that purple hair, tomahawks, and multiple facial piercings are the norm.

I don't think the Queen Mary is interesting enough for an entire day. If it were me I would take a day trip to Catalina. If you want to see the Queen Mary it is next to the ferry terminal to Catalina and you could see it in an hour or so.

Excellent suggestions!

I'll just add the Santa Monica Promenade which is a fun place to have dinner and just stroll before/after your dinner.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/California/Los_Angeles-753836/Things_To_Do-Los_Angeles-Santa_Monica_3rd_Street_Promenade-BR-1.html

Next to the Grove is the Farmer's Market with some really good inexpensive food.

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/

If you want to have an exepnsive evening out, try Yamashiro's for Japanese food and a terrific view of almost all of LA. (Be sure to print out directions to get there! It's not easy to find. You have to be on Franklin and turn on Sycamore.)

http://www.yamashirorestaurant.com/

Sounds like a terrific trip in the making!

If you're planning to see Beverly Hills and you really do have a $$$ budget, eat at Spago's. I'm not advocating Beverly Hills necessarily, but if you're there...

I second the Getty Center, but the Getty Villa in Malibu is also excellent. You'll need a parking reservation (easy to get online) for the Villa. However, if you're interested more in art than ambiance, go to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art which is the largest encyclopedic museum west of Chicago.

If you don't go to Yamashiro's, try to get to the Observatory for what I think are the best views in L.A.

Rather than the Queen Mary and Catalina, I'd go to Laguna Beach on one of your weekdays and wander the galleries and shops.

Go to the West Hollywood Costume Carnaval on Halloween night. It starts at 6:00 pm, but you should plan to arrive early, especially since this year it falls on a Saturday.

http://www.westhollywoodhalloween.com/

Restaurants in downtown Manhattan Beach I recommend:

Fonz'
Cafe Pierre
Rock 'n' Fish
Old Venice
Mangiamo

I was just out there for the weekend and ate at Rock 'n Fish. It was excellent!

Well, first of all, good choice on staying in Manhattan Beach. You will LOVE it. Staying local, I'd recommend Petros greek in the Metlox center, Rock N Fish is also yummy and practically at the beach.

Santa Monica -- Kincaids in Redondo is fine but if you want oceanview seafood, I'd rather eat in Santa Monica at the Lobster. It's $$$ but food is great and view is super. It's 2 blocks from the Third Street Promenade and at the foot of the Santa Monica Pier.

Malibu -- If you take a drive up the coast, there is a great fish market on the side of PCH that serves delicious, inexpensive fish sandwiches, etc. It's called Malibu Seafood. There's also a restaurant on the sand called Paradise Cove. If you're moseying in Malibu, you may want to hit up the small shops in the Cross Creek center and the adjacent, newly renovated lumberyard shops.

OK, I gotta run but if you want more like this, I'd be happy to give you some highlights by area. I love LA.

Happy Travels!

Thanks, MelissaMorgan. I forgot Petros!

A very respectable thank You to everyone!!! I'm going to try and chart this into five days. I like all your ideas! Is that why there's soooo many people in LA,... there's so many fun things to do??? "hey,..ya know?"

Monday,... Av LAX noonish,...late lunch,... unpack, walk to the Redondo Beach Pier for sunset, shops, exercise

Tuesday,.. Maybe The Getty,... and than maybe that Malibu area.

Wednesday, A day in Laguna sounds like fun and beautiful!

Thursday?
Friday?

Saturday,...Jean---> The West Hollywood Carnival on,...is that a parade?... where's the best place to park and view? Do we need to wear a costume? Is it safe w/ people wearing all those masks??? Sounds kinda scary to me?

Evenings? Where's the best place in the "South Bay" for happy hour? Fun, good people, good atmosphere,... not toooo barzy,... good prices,..."Girls just wanna have fun"...even at 50ish!!! Here's an idea,...anybody from Milwaukee,... Minneapolis, want to join us for an M&M drink at one of these places???

Leaving Sunday,... boo hoo,...

Happy hour with a view: Beaches, Manhattan Beach www.beachesmb.com/
Redondo Beach: Bluewater Grill, Kincaid's, Samba or Tony's on the Pier.
Hermosa tends to attract a younger crowd, but they usually don't get going until 10pm, so Hennessey's Hermosa might be okay.

If you want to stay around the South Bay, on one of your empty days, you can take a drive around the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Have a coffee at a Starbucks with a great view: www.yelp.com/biz/starbucks-coffee-rancho-palos-verdes
..or at the new Terranea Resort. www.terranea.com

Watch for whales at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center and lighthouse: www.palosverdes.com/rpv/recreationparks/PointVicenteInterpretiveCenter/
Check out the Lloyd Wright designed Wayfarer's Chapel: www.wayfarerschapel.org/

There are very nice walking trails at Terranea, Point Vicente and at the Trump L.A. golf course.

You could then continue through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to downtown Long Beach, where you will find the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific.

A walk to the Redondo pier would be exercise, but I'm not a fan of that area. Kincaid's is about the only reason I'd go there. I'd probably turn around at the Hermosa pier. It's more than four miles each way from the Manhattan pier to the Redondo pier.

For me, the nicer part of Redondo is an area called Riviera Village (South Catalina Avenue, south of Avenue I), but it's 6 miles each way from the Manhattan Beach pier which I'm guessing is more of a driving than walking distance.

The WeHo Carnaval is more like a block party. Click on the link I provided earlier, and you'll find info on parking and shuttle bus transportation. Scary? Nope.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIZ3UEwn_q4&feature=fvw

letsdance,

You might check out the concert schedules at The Hollywood Bowl and The Greek. Both are wonderful outdoor venues and a real southern California experience!

I would also pass on Catalina and the Queen Mary.

On the same visit mentioned above, we also walked on the trails at Terranea and Trump. With more time it would have been fun to climb down to the beach (and back up!) What beautiful vistas, and how cool that there is such great public access.

We considered a trip to Catalina recently, but we decided against the expense.

Getting tickets can be a pain, but seeing a TV show taped can be fun. We have seen both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. Tickets are free but quite limited. Google for info.

We always enjoy drinks and tapas at Mediterraneano's at the Hermosa Pier (locals correct me if i'm wrong about the location - i'm pretty sure it's Hermosa), and i just joined the ranks of the 50's. It's loud inside, but outside is great. I also have to put in a plug for my other favorite place when visiting... it's a casual little French place, Creme de la Crepe. There's one in Hermosa and Redondo. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, it's great! Where are you staying in Manhattan? That would be closer for us when we go out there to visit our dtr.

Yes, Mediterraneano's is on Pier Avenue in Hermosa.

Creme de la Crepe is opening a third restaurant in Manhattan Beach (Highland Avenue, just north of Manhattan Beach Blvd.), but it may not be open by the time you get here.

A couple of other spots for breakfast and/or lunch:

Martha's on 22nd Street near the ocean in Hermosa.

Uncle Bill's on Highland Avenue at about 14th Street in Manhattan Beach.

Le Pain Quotidien on Metlox Plaza (next door to Shade Hotel) in Manhattan Beach.

At this point, there are no events scheduled at the Hollywood Bowl after October 25th. At the Greek Theater, Regina Spektor (pianist/vocalist) with Jupiter One (indie rock) on October 28th is the last event currently on the schedule.

Other good breakfast places:
Hermosa Beach:
Good Stuff, Hermosa Beach www.eatgoodstuff.com
Scottie's on the Strand www.scottysonthestrand.com
Manhattan and Hermosa Locations: The Beach Hut -- Hawaiian style breakfasts.

There may not be performances at the Bowl, but the Walt Disney Concert Hall is also an amazing place to attend a concert: www.laphil.com/tickets/calendar.cfm

You can check for studio audience tickets at www.tvtickets.com or www.tvtix.com. "American's Funniest Videos" tapes right there in Manhattan Beach. There is also a current trip report from someone who attended a taping of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" that you might find interesting.

Since you don't arrive until the 26th, you'll be missing the Pumpkin Race at the MB Pier. In case anyone else is interested: www.pumpkinrace.com/index.html

I agree with completely skipping Long Beach and the Queen Mary. Long Beach is one of my least favorite beach cities (in part because there really isn't any sand and the harbor has way too many massive industrial ships and oil rigs. Although there are a few restaurants that are pretty good, mostly LB has chains (PF Chang's, Chili's etc.) Also, last time I was at the Queen Mary, it was dilapidated and had no furniture (apparently, it was all sold off to pay debts).

OK, so let's see, what else? In Hermosa, there is a great little Mexican restaurant called La Playita. It's cheap, delicious and only a few steps from the Strand (and a view if you sit near the window or on the patio). It's on 14th street between Hermosa Ave and the Strand. There's also a blues/cajun club that I like in Hermosa (although I haven't been in a while so I defer to my Hermosa friends) called Cafe Bugaloo.

And while I love he South Bay beach cities, you simply can't come to LA for the first time and not see parts of the actual city. Personally, I would avoid the WeHo carnival on Halloween only because it's always packed and a complete zoo but it depends on your preference. I would try to get TV show tickets if possible (I live here and still think its fun), but I would try for something at the CBS Television studios and not one of the studios in Burbank (pretty far from Manhattan Beach). I think they tape Dancing with the Stars and Price is Right, etc. there). The CBS studios are mid-city and attached to the Grove shopping mall, which is an open air mall with a lot of charm and lovely stores (Anthropologie, Apple, Nordstrom, etc.), and the LA Farmer's Market. If you go mid-week, I would recommend breakfast near the beach and heading in to the city after the morning traffic subsides (after 10:30). Maybe lunch at the Grove (personal favorites are The Farm or Morel's French on the patio overlooking the musical water fountain if warm enough). Treat yourself to an outstanding donut at Bob's Coffee and Donuts inside the Farmer's Market. If you're interested in a seriously delicious meal, AOC restaurant and wine bar is one of my favorite restaurants in the city and only a few blocks from the Grove.

Phew, I had a LOT to say. Lol. OK, hope that helps!!

Ooh, and one last thing....if you want to go to the Getty Villa (the one on Pacific Coast Highway that houses the antiquities), you should get a reservation online before you go. It's small but gorgeous so I highly recommend (and would combine with Malibu activities if you're going to check out Malibu). Also love the Getty Museum off Sepulveda, if nothing else, to admire the grounds and the building, which still has visible fossils embedded in the walls.

Getty Center would be my choice for dinner on Saturday night, because not only is the food great, the setting is very memorable. So I'd make my Getty Center visit maybe 4 or 5pm on Saturday, staying for sunset dinner. Spectacular!
Note that staying in Manhattan Beach puts you into heavy heavy traffic during much of the day, though Sat & Sun is usually quite manageable. Stay away from 7:30 to 9:30am freeways and also from 4:30 to 8pm freeways (yes, it's THAT bad). Also watch the morning tv news traffic reports. If you're planning a day at the beach, staying close to your hotel etc, make it a weekday because your Saturday should be used for on-the-road adventures and touring while traffic is easier to handle.

letsdance2gether ,

I have not yet dined there, but the setting and views from new 5-star resort hotel, Terranea, are spectacular. They have several restaurants there.

Located on Palos Verdes peninsula ... about a 30 minute drive south of Manhattan Beach. Obviously, go in daytime or late afternoon, to take advantage of the PV views.

hotel web site: www.terranea.com
recent LA Times article: http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-terranea26-2009jul26?content=+home.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3Evherman%40gmail.com%3C%2Fp%3E&single_page=y#show

trivia: Terranea is located on the site of the old Marineland, the first aquatic theme park, AFAIK, and inspiration for the modern Sea World.

To Jean's list of Manhattan Bch restaurants, I would add "Darrens" if you want a splurge dinner. Pricey, but IMHO perhaps the best food in town, and a quieter ambience.

O! M! G!!!!! in NINE days we are leaving Milwaukee for Manhattan Beach!!! This is going to be sooooo awesome,...
As you suggested,... we'll go to the Getty Center ???Tuesday, I looked it up,.. spectacular! The 10 day weatheer is awesome,... you natives are really lucky! Thanks to you all,... I'll write more later,

YIKES! I followed Ivk's advice annnnnnd now we have tickets for " American's Home Video" on Wednesday!!! Thanks!!! 'have to get there 90 min before the 6:00 show! Here's another idea,... what do you think??? Taking the green line, and than the blue???... connect to the red line and walk around Graumans theatre and Avenue of the stars??? I heard it might be disappointing,... but, it is what L.A. is all about ,...isn't it ??? Hollywood and the stars????
Also, we like the idea, of the drive around the Penensulla,... Terranea/ Trumps,... can we just get coffee or a drink? do we hAVE TO HAVE LUNCH OR DINNER? Shoud we splurge for lunch at one of these? A walk down to the beach sounds goooood! What about the Crystal Chapel designed by F.L. Wright??? How about doing this on Friday,... and than go to Fishermans Village in San PEDRO TO WATCH the cruise ships leave the harbor??? Can we eat dinner in the Village??? Where? You 'guys' are allllll great! Thanks a bunch ))

You'll certainly see a lot of L.A. if you take the metro all the way from Manhattan Beach to Hollywood, but sadly this journey will take probably twice as long (in each direction) as just driving there. Grauman's Chinese and the Hollywood Walk of Fame (not "Avenue of the Stars" which is a street in Century City) are two of those tourist sights people love to check off their list, but for me, unless I'm already in the area, they are both missable in favor of other things...

... Like driving around Palos Verdes Peninsula. For a dense urban area, L.A. has so many undeveloped and underdeveloped areas within a few minutes' drive. Griffith Park , the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Angeles Forest, parts of the P.V. Peninsula and Catalina. OK, you need a boat for Catalina, but it's still close. I love the area around Terranea/Trumps. You could eat at one of the resorts, but be prepared for high prices. Definitely stop for a few minutes at the Wayfarer's Chapel designed by Wright. Also on the Peninsula are two lighthouses (Pt. Vicente near Terranea and Pt. Fermin about 9 miles south) and the Korean Bell of Friendship at Lookout Point Park at Pt. Fermin. I'd skip the harbor side of San Pedro (definitely Fisherman's Village) and go back north to Riviera Village in Redondo Beach instead (generally, South Catalina between Avenue I and Palos Verdes Blvd.). You'll find several moderately-priced restaurants and some interesting shopping there.

Note that the Wayfarer's Chapel was designed by Lloyd Wright, Frank Lloyd Wright's son. www.wayfarerschapel.org

You can just get coffee or a drink at either Trump or Terranea. I'm not that impressed, so far, with the restaurants at Terranea. I heard that they were improving the menu at Nelson's, the outdoor casual restaurant at Terranea. It is in a great spot, but the food and service has left something to be desired. Trump has been around longer, thus has its act together as far as the restaurants go. Both places have great walking trails for before or after coffee/lunch.

Spirit Cruises used to run a very informative and reasonably-priced harbor cruise in L.A. Harbor. I only see dinner cruises on their website, so you might want to call them to see if they still exist. www.spiritmarine.com/

Sorry, had to run out the door yesterday...

Other than a harbor cruise and maybe the fountains at LA harbor (www.sanpedro.com/media/San_Pedro_Fanfare.htm,) I wouldn't spend too much more time there. I wish I could recommend one of the restaurants in Ports of Call Village, but they are all rather tired and not very good. I recommend continuing over the Vincent Thomas Bridge (where you can see the working ports of LA and LB in action) over to Long Beach, where you have a better choice of eateries. For harbor front dining, the Yard House is a good choice. There are other options, as well, in the Shoreline Village area. www.shorelinevillage.com/

Enjoy your trip!

I would pick Riviera Village in Redondo Beach over Shoreline Village in Long Beach. Just my two cents.

If your group likes to ride bikes I would recommend the beach bike path that from Manhattan you could choose to go north to Venice and Santa Monica or south to Hermosa and Redondo. I would suggest north where you will experience the hippy vibe in Venice.

I think you would enjoy the PV peninsula on a clear day. Stop at Terranea, Pt Vicente and the Glass Church but save lunch for Trumps. For 12 -15$ you will dine in a resturant with a view to remember and then follow up with a cliff/ beach stroll. Do not go at dinner unless you are willing to spend mega bucks unless they are still running the $30 mid week special.

Remember whereever you choose to eat at night to check the time of the sunset as once it sets the oceanfront table becomes a view of darkness. A great oceanfront view resturant near Manhattan on the border with Hermosa is The Chart House but plan to arrive way before sunset to really enjoy the view.

Have a great time on our girls get away!

Hi Jean, I also prefer Riviera Village over Long Beach, (if for nothing else but the burrata at Buona Sera ) but none of those restaurants have the water view that I thought the OP would enjoy.

Also, most of the restaurants on the Peninsula (except for Admiral Risty), SP and Long Beach are south facing and don't have great sunset views. For sunsets, you are better off at the west-facing places in Redondo, Hermosa or Manhattan Beaches. Of course, on days (like today) that the 4pm wall of fog rolls in, there are no sunset views at all.

letsdance2gether, sunset will be at 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 26-31. As Barblab points out, by about 6:30-6:45 your "view" will be your own reflection in the windows of the restaurant. And as lvk points out, there could be no view at all if the fog rolls in.

If you choose Riviera Village, you can pretend you're in Italy and have your passeggiata at sunset along Esplanade which is the waterfront road, two blocks from and parallel to Catalina. The views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula from the Esplanade remind me a little of the Amalfi Coast. If it's clear, you can see all the way to Malibu.

FYI, if you don't already know, the clocks change on Sunday, Nov. 1.