My 25 year old daughter is meeting friends in LA on an upcoming weekend. Due to flight arrangements, she will be alone in the LA area staying iin LAX area) on the Saturday of that weekend. Any suggestions out there for a reasonable day trip for a 25 year old to do on her own? She will have access to a car,so a short drive would not be a problem.

Depends on what she wants to do. Santa Monica is not far. Good shops, beach, restaurants. Venice beach is just next door to Santa Monica-a bit funkier. The Getty Museum is not far from Santa Monica if that interests her. Malibu is also doable.

Can you give us more of an idea what your daughter's interests are, or what she and her friends plan to do once they meet up?

It's hard to make suggestions not knowing whether she'd rather shop, see Hollywood, do the beaches or museums.

Since you mention a "short drive", my first suggestion would be for her to make the short drive to the Manhattan or Hermosa Beach area, rent a bike or rollerblades and ride the Strand as far as she wants to go, stopping for lunch if she sees someplace interesting. Hermosa Beach is a great place for 25-year-olds to hang out.

However, if she would rather be on Rodeo Drive .....

Give us more info, and we'll gladly give you more suggestions.

She is relatively quiet - like to shop and quaint food places. She is a dancer - likes artsy stuff. Crowds don't necessarily thrill her - so Venice Bech is probably not up her alley. The Getty is a good suggestion - thanks for your help. BTW - it is this Satuday - the 7th of August so there is still time for suggestions.

There is a dance studio in Santa Monica right in the shopping area. The director also teaches at UCLA. Don't know if it's open for adults on Sat. but if she wanted to take a class she could check
http://www.santamonicadancestudio.com/

The Getty is wonderful for art, architecture and views.

Another interesting option would be downtown. She could check out the Museum of Contemporary Art (www.moca-la.org), then stroll up the street for a tour of the new Disney Concert Hall and Music Center Complex (www.musiccenter.org).

Santa Monica, definitely. Third Street Promenade for shopping, people watching, and lunch. Get there early, parking is a bear on Saturdays.

The Getty is a very easy drive from LAX, but she will probably enjoy it so much that she'll drag her friends there on the following day...so that would be two trips to the Getty. There is a cafe for lunch and even a dining room ($$$ but worth it) open for dinner on Sat, and the museums don't close until 9 on Sat, so she should easily be able to fit in a visit.

The Westwood area/UCLA is right around the corner and will be buzzing with window-shoppers and dining options. Just 5 min away is Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for more upscale shopping/browsing and two blocks over is restaurant row.

Hi Paula,

I also recommend the Santa Monica area and Third Street Promenade. One of my favorite places in LA.

BTW, I don't know if your daughter would be interested, but I'll also be in LA this Saturday, the 7th, and staying in the LAX area. If she wants to meet up and hang out with another 25 yr old, let me know.

I don't have any plans yet for my trip and would like to meet some new people while I'm out there.

-Peter

I will let her know about your post and see what she says!! =)
These suggestions are great -the Disney Music Theater and the Dance Studio. I had heard about Third Street but have a much better feel for what it is now - thanks so much for all your help!!