We will be spending 5 nights in LA in April next year. To avoid changing hotels we plan on staying in Anaheim as we are going to have two days at Disney land but we also want to go to Universal Studios and do a city tour which I believe departs from Manns Chinese Theatre. What is the best way to get from Anaheim to Universal Studios and Manns Chinese Theatre? There are four of us so would a taxi be an option? Also what are the approximate travelling times. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to Union Station and then the Metro's Red Line to Universal Studio?

Rent a car.

That is a 35-mile trip from Anaheim (Orange County) to Universal City (Los Angeles County). Take the I-5 north, bear onto US-101 north, exit Universal Studios Blvd. Simple.

Mann's Chinese is only two miles closer to Anaheim, FYI. That is, 33 miles. I-5 north, bear onto US-101 north, exit Hollywood Blvd., make a left onto Hollywood and go a mile or so, you can't miss it on your right.

By car it is a long, traffic filled trip, no matter what time of day. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel but spent one day at Universal...I wish we hadn't. We didn't enjoy it much, and sitting in traffic didn't help.

Taxi is definitely not an option due to cost and I would certainly not recommend Metro Rail. I would recommend to break the trip up into 2 hotels. But, if you do not want to do that, you will need to rent a car. The 30+ mile trip from Anaheim to Universal could take you 1-2 hours epending on the day of the week and time of day you leave.

You would take Interstate 5 North to Highway 101 North. It is pretty much a straght shot but filled with lots and lots of cars. Manns Chinee is very close to Universal Studios.

Also, FYI, a city tour AND Universal Studios could be a lot to cram in on one day.