Im arriving in LA on a Tues at the end of Aug. I will be heading up along the PCH for this trip. I should arrive in hotel by around 1 (Hoping to stay in Del Rey Beach) We want to do touristy stuff. We are not interested in the beach, We're from Long Island and the beach is at our fingertips and no museums. I am renting a car. Im a decent driver, we have horrible traffic o the Island. My question is would you do a hop on hop off to see the sites, or would you drive yourself. Also, How many days including arrival day do I need to see sites: Stars home tour, Chinese Theater, rodeo drive, possible Universal. Thanks

Universal is a day in itself though it's just a quick subway ride from Hollywood so you could combine it with Chinese Theatre/Walk of Fame etc which only takes a couple of hours unless you LOVE to shop for t-shirts and trinkets.

'Del Rey beach' . . . Do you mean Marina Del Rey? ( AFAIK, del Rey beach is in Florida)

Obviously I Meant Marina Del Rey

If you're not interested in the beach, why are you staying there? Maybe you could stay closer to the sites you want to see.

Since it's weekdays, with heavy, slow traffic from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm every day, as well as possible parking hassles, you'd probably prefer the Hop On Bus. However, you really only have two days itinerary there....one driving around Beverly Hills and Bel Air with a stop on Rodeo Drive....and another going to Universal and to Hollywood Boulevard ( I would add an evening stop at Griffith Observatory on that day, missing it would be a shame). So, if you can plan your two days around the traffic hours, you won't need the Hop On Bus Tour. And you can head north to Santa Barbara on Thursday night.

To add to what has already been said: The tours of the "stars' homes" are a waste of time. The homes of the biggest stars of yesteryear are quickly disappearing-- being scraped to make way for the horrible faux-Tuscan "wedding cake" atrocities that are being built by the nouveaux riches arrivistes that now infect Beverly Hills. The homes of current stars are well-hidden behind high walls, so don't count on seeing one of those loathsome Kardashian types collecting their mail or anything like that. The architecturally most notable houses in the area (say, Charles and Ray Eames' Case Study masterpiece, or the Greene & Greene Craftsman treasures up in Pasadena) are not open for tour except on special occasions. So skip the "stars' homes" tours. Besides, a good tour bus will point those out as it goes along.

100% agree with clark about Griffith Park. Please do try to squeeze in the Observatory, a true LA landmark.

Tabernash is right as well: Marina del Rey is beach-adjacent-- down Washington Blvd. from world-famous Venice Beach. Why stay there? The hotels are OK there, I suppose, but you might think about just biting the bullet and staying up in Beverly Hills. There ARE deals to be had there...!

I wanted to stay there because of the price and I know it's safe. I'm traveling with my 2 boys. My husband is not coming. Can you recommend an area closer that is safe and a reasonable price?

We always stay near Marina del Rey, but that's because we want to be walking distance to the beach. Sorry, I don't really know the other areas well enough to recommend a hotel. But there are many, and Fodorites will help.

We have stayed in Century City before, at the InterContinental and the Hyatt Regency. They are across from the Century City mall, which your boys might enjoy. Lots of places to grab a bite there, too. It's somewhat central to the things you want to see.

But I'm bad at directions, and others can chime in about that location.

If you don't mind the driving to sites, I think the Marina is okay, especially since it's August and you'll appreciate getting OUT of the heat of Hollywood and back to the ocean breezes. Just know that it's not an area where you'll be driving back and forth to nap in the room for awhile and then go back out again. ie You'll have to plan Universal/Hollywood/Griffith as a long day trip where you don't head back to your hotel until nighttime.

Best Western Royal Palace near Westwood/UCLA is a nice safe family hotel, with breakfast and free valet parking, that is a little closer to what you want to see and do

Hi there-we live in LA and I just wanted to second staying closer to your sites. Westwood near UCLA is nice as is West Hollywood. When friends with kids come visit they love to stay near the Farmers Market and the Grove since there is a lot for the kids to do there-shopping walking movies, nice outdoor eating area.

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/

The Grove is an adjacent outdoor shopping area with a little trolley, movies, fountains etc. A fair amount of celeb spotting there as well. You can just walk from end to the other and it makes a good place for getting snacks and just people wathcing.

Here is one nice hotel that is right across the street.

Farmers Daughter http://farmersdaughterhotel.com/

They have sort of tricked it out and raised prices but anywhere near that area is nice-really I just wouldn't stay further East than La Cienega or La Brea is you can-the Hollywood neighborhood past there can be sketchy in parts.

Sorry going to fast. Should read:

They have sort of tricked it out and raised prices but anywhere near that area is nice-really I just wouldn't stay further East than La Cienega or La Brea if you can avoid it-the Hollywood neighborhood past there can be sketchy in parts.

Thanks everyone. Keep it coming. Very hard to plan. After reading def want to stay closer!

Another property that shows up a lot at reasonable prices is the Ramada in West Hollywood. It is a great location-not necessairly the fanciest but it has nice restuarants and coffee shops within walking distance:

http://www.ramada.com/hotels/califor...08=&025=c&026=

And it has the added advantage of being walking distance to Millions of Milkshakes, a yummy place to celeb spot

http://millionsofmilkshakes.com/

Don't forget to add the (rather high) parking charge into budget if considering Ramada West Hollywood.

Wilshire Crest is another hotel idea, older, small hotel but in a safe neighborhood near Farmer's Market/The Grove. light breakfast included, one caveat is that parking is streetside...but the hotel gives you a parking permit and reviews mostly state that parking was no problem on the block. No pool.

I'd think the teens want a pool in August, if not seaside. Good point.

Yep good point about the cost of parking. Another property to consider might be The Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel
8018 Beverly Boulevard, Fairfax District, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Booking.com shows their parking at $5/day and the location is pretty good-central close to a major shopping center caller the Beverly Center and not too far from the Farmers Market, etc.

I know that Ramada in West Hollywood and would gently steer the OP away from it.

It's frankly a bit run-down, lacking in amenities and charm, and on one of the busiest stretchs of Santa Monica Blvd., with the attendant traffic and street noise. It's also surrounded by some pretty boisterous bars and clubs, so it might not be the greatest area for a family with teens. It's not unsafe-- just a little not so family-oriented. You can do better.

The Hotel Angeleno by the UCLA campus (and the Getty Center) used to be reasonably priced when it was a Holiday Inn. Now I'm not so sure, but it's certainly a nice place:

http://www.hotelangeleno.com/

Speaking of places near the UCLA campus, this place comes up with acceptable reviews and rates, but I must confess I'm unfamiliar with it (I taught at UCLA for 3 1/2 years but never once saw this place):

http://www.royalpalacewestwood.com/

The Westwood neighborhood used to be quite the hopping place when I was teaching there. What's the buzz on Westwood these days...?