roses4me2

My husband and I both 50ys arrive in LAX 9.00am Tues and fly to Australia Wed 11:30pm LAX. WE would like to see a couple of must see sights in LA after our trip to New York City. Will see enough of museums in NYC, not that interested in tar pits but might be up to a theme park. Thought about doing Universal Studios. Any ideas about where we should stay overnight and what we could see?

FrankS

Griffith Park and Getty Musuem come immediately to mind. We also did the Warner Bros Studio tour, it was fun

happytrailstoyou

Wherever you stay, you will be driving. We like the area Beverly Hills and surroundings.

If you've never been to LA before, I suggest your visit include Hollywood (Grauman's Chinese Theater, etc.), Rodeo Drive (snazzy shops and restaurants), Venice (colorful beach scene), Santa Monica (for the pier and Third Street Promenade), the Getty Center (as much for the view and atmosphere as the art), and Warner Brothers Studio, which is not a theme park like Universal Studios.

HTTY

MichelleY

If you have never been to Disneyland, then go there. Or, as happytrails suggested, Hollywood etc.

mlgb

If you want to see Disneyland then it may work better to stay near the airport, especially if you do not want to rent a car. You will not be able to store luggage at the airport, so staying nearby gives you a spot for luggage storage and a freshen up before your flight home. If you can drive that gives you more flexibility on timing and itinerary (since you can keep your luggage in your car). If you stay near the airport you can make use of the vans and Flyaway busses that depart from the airport. eg there is Flyaway service to Westwood Village and to Union Station downtown, where you can pickup the "Red Line" rail system to Hollywood and to Universal Studios. Start at the Hollywood end and work your way back toward the airport. Allow about 4 hours to turn in your car (or retrieve your luggage) and check in at LAX.

suze

Disneyland would be great, if you've never been.

Universal Studios is another good option. Combinted with other downtown LA highlights like: Olvera Street, Chinatown, the Hollywood sign, the Walk of the Stars, Griffith Park, Melrose Ave, and the Grove/Farmer's Market.

chocaholic

I went to LA for 2 days. I only went to Universal Studio and Getty Museum. That is all the time I had for 2 full days.

Universal Studios was ok, I am not sure its worth the $75. I just like the studio tour with the king kong ride. Oh I also liked Shrek. I've been to disney when I visited LA. I enjoyed that. I think I preferred Universal Orlando more! I'm dying to go to Harry Potter in Orlando. Ok enuf about me...

I didn't know about Warner Brothers before, but I am not sure if I would have liked it.

Getty Centre was really nice. I didn't see any art. I just enjoyed the scenery there for 2 hrs before heading to the Villa.

You have to go to Porto's Bakery, not far from Universal Studios. 10 mins. drive. I just googled mapped it.
Portos Bakery
3614 w magnolia blvd
Burbank, CA 91505

I'm still thinking about their savory potatos balls with beef inside, and plantain empenadas....I wish I was going back just to eat!!! Go have lunch and snacks there.... let me know what you tried!!! There were so much things I wanted to eat there, but I went there after lunch!!! I want to go back just to have some snacks there.

chocaholic

Oh wait.

I think Happytrailstoyou have some good suggestions.

"Hollywood (Grauman's Chinese Theater, etc.), Rodeo Drive (snazzy shops and restaurants), Venice (colorful beach scene), Santa Monica (for the pier and Third Street Promenade)."

roses4me2

We want to do the Universal Studios (Studio) tour. So is the VIP pass really worth it or would a front of the line ticket get us on the regular tour without hassles? Does the studio tour include any rides along the way or do you have to go back to do them after and how long does the tour take?