LOS ANGELES
 

I have only 2.5 days in Los Angeles for our family of four...wife, hubby, 15 y.o. daughter and 11 y.o. daughter. We are staying at The Beverly Hilton. What are your most favorite totally things to do? It's OK if it's totally touristy!!! After all, that is what we are!!! Please do not include anything Disneyland as we have 2.5 days there too...I'm only looking for LA things. Thanks in advance!!!

Excuse the two "totally" words...the first one should be omitted to read "What are your most favorite things to do"?

Tour the Getty Museum, and maybe also drive out Sunset - thru the UCLA campus and on out to the original/Getty Villa at the beach - and from there - drive up the coast to Malibu.

Walk around Hollywood, check out downtown, drive thru the SC campus, drive Rodeo Drive, and of course, try many of the good dining options available in LA.

Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Place and 3rd Street Promenade, The Grove and the Farmer's Market, The Getty Center.

An evening at the Hollywood Bowl or Greek Theater (if here during the performance season).

The Observatory for great views.

The flea market at the Rose Bowl (if here on the right day).

Ride bicycles on the bike path that runs between northern San Monica and Redondo Beach.

Hike in the Santa Monica mountains.

You can't "drive through" the SC campus, but I agree with a stroll around. Its size is much more manageable than UCLA.

Visiting the Getty Villa in Malibu requires a parking reservation.

You can drive into the SC Campus - and from there, yes stroll around. Be sure to see the Rose Gardens next to the Colesium. If you want incredibly good tacos - check out La Quiza http://lataquizausc.com/ - in the corner of the small L shaped shopping center - at SW corner of 30th and Figureora. They marinate their carne/meat for 36 hours, and you can get 3 Carne Asada tacos for something like $5. Many SC students go there.

And to be fair to the bruins :) - there are a number of hip dining places around the UCLA campus - including Asian, Indian, Burgers of course, and the like.

BTW - be sure to watch R Dub's Taco Review on this page, and you will also get a little driving tour of downtown LA and a glimpse of the SC campus. http://lataquizausc.com/

Lots of good ideas above.

Your kids would love getting a Sprinkles cupcake at their vending machine. It is fun to watch the arm go get your boxed cupcake and deliver it. $4/each, baked fresh. It's just off Rodeo Drive, I think, at Santa Monica Blvd. It opened recently and is a huge hit. I have had red velvet cupcakes from it about three times. Yummy.

http://laist.com/2012/03/06/24-hour_...rts_servin.php

Observatory is a must, you can watch "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Charlies Angels 3" to prepare for you trip there. Go at sunset, nice views and you can photograph the Hollywood sign. Closed Mon & Tues.

From the Hilton you can easily drive into the Bev Hills and Bel Air neighborhoods. The Greystone Mansion is a fun place for some photos, google the address.

Check for any tv show tapings at tvtix.com, though there aren't many tapings in summer.

www.discoverlosangeles.com

www.seeing-stars.com