Very Very confused where to stay in LA. Myself, hubby, kids 16 and 12. we have a rental car and want to see typically touristy sites. Have 5 days. Thanks

Look into Santa Monica, Westwood or Beverly Hills areas.

I am tempted to also throw in Pasadena, as it has a very nice and walkable center of town, but it is a bit away from the obvious tourist sites that are slightly focused on the Western parts of the L.A. metro area(Getty Museum, Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Beach, Hollywood sign, Rodeo Drive, Bel Air mansions, Mulholland Drive to name only a few).

But then there are a few things worthy of taking a look at in Pasadena and its surroundings, too, such as the Norton Simon Museum, Descanso Gardens, the Huntington Library and the Arboretum.

Between the areas mentioned, I would make things a bit dependent on your budget.

will spent up to $350 per night

Not sure of your dates...but with a budget like that, try to get the Way Out West Package or an AAAspecial at W Hotel Westwood.

Otherwise, look at HotelAngeleno.com and sunsetplazahotel.com for Beverly Hills/ West Hollywood areas....or in Santa Monica maybe the Doubletree Suites?

This question is asked over and over and over. Have you searched back and read the previous posts?

book a Warner Brothers studio tour for all of you.
visit the Getty museum for the adults.

visit the Peterson Automotive museum for the kids.

The one thing I will warn you on is this: don't make a laundry list of places to go and things to see or you will spend MOST of your time in a car.
My advice is to whittle it down to 2 attractions a day - one long one like a studio, and one short one like rodeo drive OR the walk of fame.

It will take you about an hour to go 20 miles in LA, so figure that in. Trust me.