So I am flying out that way July 7-14, 2010 with my 14 y/o daughter and my parents (both in their 60's). We rented a house in Santa Monica so I am all set with accommodations. I am more so looking for recommendations for day trips. I have visited LA/Santa Monica twice so far so I have a few ideas such as Venice, Griffith Ob., Walk of Fame, Madam T's Wax Museum. Does anyone have any other ideas/tips/suggestions on what I can do with the family. I am also interested in a Studio tour but wasn't sure which one would be the best. Warner Bros., Paramount, etc...?? Would it be possible to take a day trip to San Diego or should you stay overnight for that? One more thing...is the Grand Canyon too far to drive from LA??
I would appreciate any help. Thanks so much!!

Here's what you can do in LA.
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/l...city-guide.htm

Check all the pages. I'll try to get back with some specific recommendations.

In answer to the points you mentioned:
The Warner Bros. studio tour is generally considered the best of the "pure" tours. Universal Studios is a combination tour of the Universal back lot and a theme park. It's great fun.

If you go to San Diego, it would be best to plan for an overnight stay.

The Grand Canyon is 500 miles from Santa Monica. It would be a long day's drive, and getting there and back could soak up a good 3 days of your 7. So I would say yes, it's too far to drive.

If you go to downtown Los Angeles, take a ride on "the shortest railway in the world." The Angels Flight funicular has recently reopened. 25 cents for 63 seconds of fun!!

http://www.westworld.com/~elson/lara...elsflight.html

http://highlandpark.wordpress.com/20...here-03-19-10/

Near the bottom of Angels Flight is the Grand Central Market, great for an inexpensive lunch or just a look around.

http://www.grandcentralsquare.com/

Near the top of Angels Flight is California Plaza where free performing arts programs are presented during the summer (including 3 nights and 1 afternoon that you'll be in L.A.). Seating opens two hours before the performance (and fills fast), but you can bring a picnic lunch or dinner (see Grand Central Market, above). Unless there's a blazing heat wave going on, bring sweaters/jackets because our evenings (even in summer) can be cool.

http://grandperformances.org/index.c.../about.welcome

Thank you so much for your responses. Please let me know if you think of anything else worth mentioning. I have to admit I had no idea the Grand Canyon was that far from LA. As much as my parents would love to see it, we only have the 7 days. Do you have any opinions on the Paramount Studios tour or the Sony studio tour? From everything I have read it seems as if the Warner Bros. may be the best one?? One more question...how far is it to Disneyland from Santa Monica?

Santa Monica to Anaheim is 1-2 hours depending on the time you leave, the day of the week and the route you take. If you start out going south on the 405 (instead of east on the 10), you'll be going generally against the traffic.

I'm sorry I can't help you with the studio tours. Warner Bros. would be the farthest away. Sony would be the easiest to get to, and downtown Culver City a few blocks away from Sony has lots of restaurant options and a nice, casual ambiance.