LA for a day and a half with a 4 yr. old - what to do???
 

We are making a pit stop in LA for a little over a day before continuing down to La Jolla and are looking for any suggestions on what to do/see. I have a business meeting in Studio City so we will be staying in that general vacinity (hotel suggestions also welcome).

Any must see must dos? I know it is a short amount of time - so any ideas of something that will make a 4 year old happy with out making the parents crazy would be most welcome!

You can stay at Universal CityWalk and hang out there. Lots of restaurants etc, pretty touristy. It really depends on what you're looking to do. Do you want a tourist experience? Have you been to LA before? Or are you just looking for activities for a 4-year old, not related to tourism? Are you considering nature-type activities or something else?

Thanks for the reply. I have been to LA, but it has been years and my husband has never been. Looking for things that are unique to LA - touristy. Places that if you were limited to just a day were a must see - don't want to miss that - I can shop at home maybe not Rodeo but close - also we'll be doing plenty of nature stuff later in the week - so something fun.

I'm not an expert on what 4-year olds like, but you might look at the Griffith Park website. They have Travel Town, pony rides, a zoo, the Autrey, etc. It isn't too far from Studio City.

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/gri...activities.htm

How about Disneyland?

Disneyland

My kids love love love the Natural History Museum. They were renovating their Discovery Room (Children's area). Might want to call and make sure it's done. They have awesome animal/dinosaur exhibits. Also within walking distance is the California Science Center with wonderful hands-on kids area as well.

I took my 4 year old niece to CA w/me on a business trip one year. She and DH went to Santa Monica Pier and she absolutely loved it - she walked on the beach, chased the waves and went on the ferris wheel. She also spent a day at Disneyland and loved that!

Since you only have a little over a day, a trip to Disneyland is not really doable unless you're willing to spend an entire day on it. It's about an hour outside of LA without traffic. It's actually in Orange County in Anaheim.

If you want to do typical LA things that would be fun for a 4-yr old, I would go to the Santa Monica pier as someone suggested and also Universal Citywalk. The California Science Center in downtown is also a good idea and your kid would have a great time there, though it's not much of a cultural experience.

Thanks everyone. I think the Santa MOnica Pier might be a hit....

Is there anywhere that is a must stop at point on the drive down to La Jolla?

legoland

One more Q - what is the drive time between Santa Monica and Studio City? I am thinking of staying in SM instead of Studio City and driving up for my meeting - but I see there is a lot of road construction - my meeting is at 11 AM - how much time should I allow?

Thanks again for all the help!

I would 2nd Legoland down near Carlsbad. If you can work out the schedule that would be my 1st pick as our grandson (5 yoa) loves it and has been several times (they live in LA).

If not then probably Griffith Park.

you would be taking the worst freeway (405) from SM to Studio City, so it may take 30 mins without traffic (unlikely) to 1.5 hours. At 11am, it probably will be 45 mins or so. But I would give it at least 1 hour to be sure you're on time, or even 1 hr 15min.

I would definitely recommend staying in Santa Monica, though it will probably be more expensive. Do you have a budget? Is your company paying for it? If cost is not a big issue, I would try Loews SM, The Fairmont, the Viceroy. Doubletree is right next to the freeway, so not as nice as staying right at the beach, but it's walking distance to the pier.

Griffith Park is not on the way to La Jolla. Disneyland actually is, or anything else in Orange County.

Almost everyone seems to have understood that they are staying in LA in Studio City and were looking for recommendations for that area, not for La Jolla.

I think someone might want to come up with a new screen name. Unless it was meant as a joke.

The OP did ask for recommendations for a stop on the way to La Jolla. Legoland would be fun for a 4 yr old but you could spend all day there so not sure it's the type of place just for a stop off. If you are spending a few days in the San Diego area, I would definitely take time to go to Legoland. It's perfect for 4 year olds.

mlgb, i'll try to avoid pointing out your rudeness, but will just say that maybe next time you should try reading the entire thread before jumping in with remarks that make YOU look like an idiot.

smartcookie-Yes maybe mlgb didn't read as careful as she should have but if you were trying to avoid being rude, I don't think you managed to do that.

this is the third insulting posting he's made at me for absolutely no reason. sarcasm.

sc - ignore em. you know your sh*t...in fact i wanted to ask you about the nearest imax theater (3d) near valencia and if it's worth going to. i've been to the one near mainplace and liked it alot.

sorry, no familiar with Valencia. i would recommend checking www.yelp.com for reviews though. it's the best site in LA for reviews for such things in my opinion. very detailed and the posters are always happy to answer questions there.

You have gotten some good recommendations from others for LA area and en route to La Jolla. For La Jolla itself I would like to highly recommend the Scripps Aquarium, we went a couple of years ago on a weekday and it was only about $7 (may be more now).

Thanks for the Scripps mention - it is on our list. Legoland may or may not make the cut depending on time.

I should probably post another topic on this - but for those of you who have been helpful so far - do you have a recommendation for a hotel in Santa Monica? I would like to keep it to $250/nt if possible. Important that it be in walking distance to attractions(since I'll have the car) and a pool would be a plus.

The nice hotels in SM are Loew's, Viceroy, Fairmont. You can try and see if you can find a deal for under $250. It depends on when you're going. You didn't mention dates. DoubleTree is another options that is walking distance away, and it's next to the freeway (make sure to get a room not facing the freeway if you book there).

If you do want to stay in or near Studio City then I second Griffith Park as a fun day for you 4 year old. My son loves Travel Town museum. The zoo is there and right across the street from the zoo is the Gene Autry museum which is a great, hardly ever busy, has a fun kids area inside and lots of grass outside, a great gift shop and a fantastic casual restaurant that has food your child and you will enjoy (great quesadillas!).

In the evening you could do Universal City Walk though it can be kind of busy on the weekends.

The Getty is fun too if you decide to stay in Santa Monica. They have a lot of outside areas to play, your child will get to ride the tram, the view is bautiful and great food for all. The Getty is open late on Fridays (and Saturdays - check website to be sure).

The problem you have is being walking distance. I don't know how long you meeting is but, if it is long, Santa Monica near the beach/pier or Universal City (near the Walk) are good options walking distance to fun while you are away. Then, you could do Travel Town or The Getty after your meeting.

I've seen the Cal-Mar suites recommended on this board. It is supposed to be well-located and family-friendly.