My wife and two boys (ages 13 and 15) will be visiting a friend just south of LA for 5 days in April and are struggling with an itineraly. We will have a car. One day will be for golf (for the guys). But everything else seems so spread out, and I keep hearing abouout the horrible traffic and long disctances.

For the ages of the kids, what are the must-sees? Any suggestions are welcomed. (I checked and the Angels are out of town that week).

What city are you staying in - need it to judge travel times and distances.

There are the obvious choices in Orange County such as Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm (better rides your boys would enjoy).

Raging Waters in San Dimas.

Then there are the obvious beaches Newport, Laguna in OC.

Interested in any concerts/shows at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim (near the ballpark)?

Hollywood/Beverly Hills?

The Getty Museum is quite nice. You can incorporate a nice drive along the coast (on Pacific Coast Highway) near Malibu. Very scenic.

If you have a car, many things will be doable even with traffic.

The Museum of Natural History in L.A. is great and also in Long Beach the Aquarium of the Pacific. Go to Disney/Knotts or The San Diego Wild Animal Park on weekdays when the crowds will be thinner, and venture up to L.A/Hollywood on Sat and Sun if possible, the traffic will be a lot easier to navigate.
Nothing wrong with a long slow drive through a big city like Los Angeles, there is something new to see on every block. Make a loop one day up into the city and back down via the coastal route and the boys will enjoy it even if you don't have a particular destination in mind.

thanks! lots to research. for some reason thought Disney would be 'too young' for the boys.

we're staying in Laguna Niguel.

My teenage son enjoyed seeing The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which featured Jimmy Fallon and a band "Jimmie Eat World" (weird name, but my son knew of them). I think you'd have time to get tickets in hand before April, if you look into it now, and if you are interested in driving there. I think you have to get tickets by mail, but check the website and see. There are lots of shows for which you can get free tickets, but they go fast, and many have a minimum age of 18, like Jimmy Kimmel.
If you're near Newport Beach, go to the Crab Cooker for great grilled fish. Tell your boys it's even referred to often in the "O.C." show. Then walk around Balboa Island and look at the gorgeous and expensive homes.
Have fun.

Our nephews are the same age as your boys and they love to go to Disneyland and to Knotts Berry farm when they are here I always think they will tire of it but they don't. They come out about 3 times a year and go each time. I also know tons of kids out here who go there often. Kids are different tho so perhaps yours won't like it - you know them best. Have a great trip whatever you do.

"thought Disney would be 'too young' for the boys."

Huh? They are only 13 and 15. In fact many, MANY adults go to Disneyland w/o any kids in tow.

If you are into theme parks at all, Disneyland/CA Adventure/Downtown Disney are great for families since you can all separate and do your own things.

We went last May with a 19,13, and9 year old. We all love Disneyworld and Disneyland was fun for all of us! California Adventure was fun ,too. We did 1 day in each. We rented a car and I did fine driving. Just have good directions and allow plenty of time. Try to avoid rush hours. We bought the VIP pass and did 1 day at Universal Studios. It was great. ...front of all the lines, behind the scenes places others don't get to see,etc. We drove into the Hollywood area and did the tourist thing. We enjoyed LaBrea Tarpits. Your boys might like that. My son enjoyed it more than the girls. We also took a day and drove down the beaches,stopping anywhere we liked. There are a variety of shows with free tickets if they are on while you are there, that would be fun. Your kids are old enough for more than mine were. There are more things to do in the area than you will have time for, but have fun!