Santa Monica would probably be fine for your kids. Even given no beach time, the SM Pier is a hoot. And there's plenty of stuff to do. Still, Beverly Hills is nice and central, and if your kids are teens, there's always Melrose Avenue!
A note on the Golden State Freeway: The state has spent a load of money widening the I-5 through Anaheim and a little north, so it's less of a zoo nowadays up to the LA County line (people forget: Anaheim is in Orange County). Beyond that, it's still got some narrow stretches up into downtown LA.
A note on the Golden State Freeway: The state has spent a load of money widening the I-5 through Anaheim and a little north, so it's less of a zoo nowadays up to the LA County line (people forget: Anaheim is in Orange County). Beyond that, it's still got some narrow stretches up into downtown LA.
