Hi All.... My family and I will be in LA for one nite (ariving at 4pm friday feb 18)..Would appreciate any opinions on the best way to see the "highlites" and experience the tinsel town feeling...Would love to include Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Blvd., and dinner at the latest hush hush restaurant to spot a few movie stars (that's my wife and kids, 11 & 13, talking)...Perhaps if anyone knows of anything special happening on the 18th we could try to get tickets or reservations now...Thanks as always, MrJ

How are you getting to L.A.? I ask, because you say you arrive at 4 p.m.. And where are you staying the night? And how long are you staying the next day? All this information will give us some idea on how to help you.

Assuming you're arriving at LAX, and assuming you'll be staying in Beverly Hills and have a car, you'll have just a few hours to walk down Rodeo Drive before all the shops close. Hollywood Blvd. shops stay open much later, so keep that in mind. If you have just one night, there's not a whole lot you can pack in.

My suggestion would be, after you get to your hotel, drop your stuff and head straight for Rodeo Drive, and just drive down the street. That will tell you whether you actually want to get out of your car and walk it.

If your kids are into Ashlee Simpson, she's playing at Universal Amphitheatre that night. It's a nice venue and not outrageously big (like Staples, etc.). If you're up to that, then I'd say drive down Rodeo, drive down Hollywood Blvd., and continue on to Highland Ave. Head north on Highland, which turns into either the Hollywood Freeway or Cahuenga, depending on what lane you're in -- it doesn't matter, because both head to Universal. Park in the valet parking up at City Walk, and have dinner at one of the places up there. Your kids will love this place. Then walk over to Universal for the show.

Hi moneygirl, is there a hotel you would recommend in this area? My son and his fiance will be attending a wedding in May in Beverly Hills. Moderately price, but nice. ***kim***

I think you meant Surfergirl, or did you? No, I'm afraid since I live here, I don't, other than the Beverly Hilton, which these days is moderately priced, comparatively speaking, and has a nice pool. It's also convenient to everything. You can see what it looks like tonight on the Golden Globes, since that's where it's being held. I drove past that today on my way to Beverly Hills for a hair appointment. All the limos were parked along Little Santa Monica by the Peninsula Hotel (which IS the best, and most expensive), and I swear it looked like they were reusing the limos, because I saw a lot of people walking around in gowns and tuxedos.

Message to Kimamom: There's a Best Western on Wilshire Boulevard about half a mile from the Wilshire/Rodeo Dr. intersection. Best Western Beverly Pavilion.

Message to Mrj: Just so you know, Rodeo Drive is three blocks long. You could stroll it in an hour. You're unlikely to see any stars. I've worked there for 30 years and have seen the town become less and less the place to be "seen." I call it "Beverly Hills, The Amusement Park." Your chances on Hollywood Blvd. are zero. I think you're more likely to see someone famous in the Melrose/Robertson area or the Safeway supermarket in Malibu (no kidding).

Kimamom, we stayed at the Beverly Hilton last April for $75/night through Priceline. If you are familiar with how to bid, you could probably get a 4* room in the Beverly Hills general area for around that price. Of course, you won't know which hotel until your bid is accepted, but you could check biddingfortravel.com to see what's been coming up lately.

MrJ, the Getty center is open until 9m on Fridays and Saturdays, so that might be nice after your Rodeo Dr. drive. Not sure what other touristy things are available at night. Hey, we had dinner at Spago, which was fun for star spying. Saw lots of "Is that so-n-so?" Naahhhh .... But confirmed (to ourselves) that Dr. Laura was there! HA! Besides the meal, the best part was we took the complimentary limo from the Beverly Hilton over to Spago and back after dinner! So maybe people were trying to figure out if we were "anybody! "

Have fun!

Thanks to both! I checked out the BW property, a room goes for $149/night and with my Entertainment Book, I could get an additional 10% off. Sounds perfect for the kids and looks like a nice place in a good location. Lucky bums, wish I could go! ***kim***

If you want to spot a celebrity, and you you're willing to spend some money, try one of these:

1) Spago on Canon Drive.
2) Dinner at the Belvedere at the Peninsula Hotel
3) Mr. Chow's on Camden Dr.

You'll definitely enjoy dinner at the first two.

Good Luck!

Innocent Bystander
UnderbellyOfBH.blogspot.com

mrj,

My husband and I were in LA this past week and I'm planning on posting a trip review today, if I can get motivated. But given that you're traveling with 11 and 13 year olds, my best advice would be to stay in Hollywood at the Hollywood Renaissance. It's a block off of Hollywood Blvd. (Kodak Theatre, Graumann's Chinese Theater and the walk of the stars are all at your feet. Also if you or your children are familiar with Jimmy Kimmel's show, he tapes at El Capitan right across the street). In the past, we've stayed in both Beverly Hills and Hollywood (on non-family trips) and if your kids are like mine, they'll love Hollywood. In fact, we're contemplating a family vacation to the area this summer with 16 and 13 year olds and Hollywood is where we'll stay. The whole area has really cleaned up its act the past few years--kind of like the transformation of Times Square. I felt very safe. So many stars live in the Hollywood Hills and 'come out to play' in the restaurants and shops (on Melrose) of Hollywood. The Renaissance is great and has a rooftop pool that your kids would enjoy. Definitely take a side trip to Rodeo Drive but with kids--go to Hollywood.

Oh, check out seeing-stars.com. It has lists of upcoming events. Let me know if you have questions--the whole time we were in LA I was mentally filing away things to do/places to eat for our family trip this summer. Have fun!!