We are travelling to australia from the east coast in august with our teenage (13 & 15) daughters. we arrive in LA at 9 pm and leave the next evening at 10 pm. We are thinking about staying close to the airport overnight, and then doing something for the day. We have recently been to Disney and Universal in Fla. and are looking for some alternative. any help would be appreciated. thanks

Warner Brothers Studios does a nice tour that the kids would probably enjoy. The Getty Museum is by far the most incredible place in LA but I'm not sure if you or your teens are museum types but it is outstanding.

You only have 2 hours. Why not skip the big attractions and just relax at the beach? Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Venice, and Santa Monica (beach and pier) are all just a few miles from LAX. Marina del Rey and its hotels and restaurants are even closer.
The Getty has some nice art, but it's a hassle to get to and you might wear yourself out. My L.A. friends call the Getty a "Prison for Art."

Hi, Cathy,
Yes, stay near the airport or near Marina del Rey or Manhattan/Hermosa, all easily reached from LAX.
I'd rent a car on arrival, and the next morning have breakfast in Manhattan or Hermosa near the beach, followed by a walk on the Strand, the beachfront pedestrian street, or over the sand for a splash. This allows enough time to pass for the freeways to recover from the morning rush hours (and hours). Then I'd suggest piling into the car and heading for Beverly Hills, about a half hour drive from LAX. Prowl the shops on Rodeo Dr. etc. until the early afternoon. Then drive out Santa Monica or Wilshire (or Sunset) Blvds. to Santa Monica, more walks out on the pier or the beach. Then on surface streets along the coast back to LAX for car drop and check-in. The transpacific flight is grueling and you will benefit from all the exercise and fresh air in terms of reduced flight and jet lag fatigue.

I think John's got the right idea. His advice is good. Some good outdoor activity will be the best "advance tonic" for a very, very, very long plane ride.
Of course, you could go with the other recent poster to The Price Is Right! (Only kidding!)

Why even BOTHER renting a car and getting involved in all that mess for such a short period of time?!? Simply make a reservation at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina-del-Rey and enjoy your day in that area! It's a relatively short drive from the airport!

Cathy - like the others I'd recommend getting a little away from the airport area proper - Rendondo Beach is very nice, there is a good Best Western right across from the marina and it's a pretty area too (Best Western Sunrise). It's about 8 miles south of LAX and easy to get to without even going on the freeway. For your day in LA I'd go up to Beverly Hills and let your daughters window shop on Rodeo Drive - have lunch someplace up there as well. You know you need to arrange late checkout with your hotel (some are more agreeable to that than others -- in some instances you may have to pay for 2 nights if you want to check out after 2:00 in the afternoon. If you need to check out early this can cut into your sightseeing time. Frankly, with that long long plane trip ahead of me I'd opt for paying extra, keeping the room till evening and being sure everyone had time for a shower, etc. before starting out. To me starting a long trip clean and comfortable makes it a lot more bearable. I would not try for a super strenuous day tho, Beverly Hills or the beach area would be my choices. The Getty is great, you do need car reservations ahead of time if you are going tho ($5 charge for parking).

Hi -

A couple dinner suggestions for the evening before your flight.

If you like garlic, you might want to try the Stinking Rose Restaurant on La Cienega (not sure on the spelling of that street). It's near the Beverly Center. They are famous for garlic everything!

If you like Italian, Prizzi's Piazza in Hollywood is great. The fresh, homemade breadsticks are excellent. Great pasta and fresh, homemade sauce on the pizza. This place is on Franklin Ave. near Gower. We live a little over an hour from L.A. but make trips into town to have dinner here once in a while. You can sit out in front of the restaurant and watch the people and traffic go by. Very European! I wish more places had a cafe-feel like this.

Have a great time.