So, I'm planning a holiday to the US for myself and my girlfriend. We're both 27, and this is likely to be the holiday where we get engaged (Yay!). If it's worth anything, I'm Australian, she's Japanese, and we're flying from Australia.

I've spent the past week doing the planning, as she's left it all in my (hopefully capable) hands, and I'm just seeking some further advice on how to make it work. This is our first time in the US.

I've roughly planned out the first week in Los Angeles, as outlined below (including the costs associated with it). Renting a car is out of the question (she's from Japan, and isn't comfortable with driving in big cities, and I've moved around so much between countries I don't have a full license yet (Yeah, I know...).

Below is the current plan (Day 1 = October 11):
Day 1 Getty Hill + LA Lakers (If Tickets Available)
Day 2 Santa Monica (Use Starline?)
Day 3 Move Hotels, Hollywood (Use Starline?)
Day 4 Natural History Musuem, Explore Downtown
Day 5 (Saturday 15th) Chill Out Day

The above is my rough outline. I have more details of what at each location, but didn't feel the need to list here.

We will be spending our first 3 nights at W Beverly Hills, and the following 2 nights (hence the Move Hotel part) at The Westin Bonaventure (Employee Rates FTW!).

Beyond the above outline, I'm looking to follow up with that part of the trip up with a visit to the Yosemite, as my girlfriend is quite the nature lover and is keen to explore and experience such things.

I've done research, and it looks a touch difficult to get there, but not impossible without a car. I've found plenty of tours, but they all seem to cater towards Chinese Tour groups, which I'd rather avoid (I've had plenty of experience with them, and they're none too friendly to Japanese).

If someone has good advice or suggestions regarding how to visit Yosemite, that'd be great! It's my main sticking point at the moment.

Budget wise, I have about AU$1500 (approx. US$1140) for the following 5 or so days, excluding daily money (so really just transport and accommodation).

I hope that about sums up everything! I'll come back and edit if I notice anything missing, and will be highly appreciative of any advice!

>>Day 1 Getty Hill + LA Lakers (If Tickets Available)>Yosemite . . . I've done research, and it looks a touch difficult to get there, but not impossible without a car.

I'd been looking a the LA Lakers VS Sacramento pre-season game, primarily because my girlfriend is quite keen on Basketball (though she's a San Antonio fan).
Given that the season isn't running while we're there, I figured that was the best compromise.

Regarding Yosemite, my itinerary is based around getting there. Given that I've got roughly 5 more days to plan out, that's what I was hoping to squeeze in. I'm keen to visit SF, but I don't think we could make it work in terms of time and cost.

>>I'd been looking a the LA Lakers VS Sacramento pre-season game>I'm keen to visit SF, but I don't think we could make it work in terms of time and cost.

"We will be spending our first 3 nights at W Beverly Hills..."

That hotel is not in Beverly Hills but rather in an area called Westwood Village. It's not far by taxi to the Getty Center, and you could easily take a public bus to the part of Santa Monica that you'd like to see. You could also take a public bus in the other direction to Beverly Hills. No need for Starline Tours unless that's something you specifically want to do.

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel is in the center of downtown L.A. You'd probably want to take a taxi between hotels, but it is possible to take a single bus with minimal walking at both ends of the ride. Hollywood is a quick and easy subway ride away, so again no real need for Starline.

If you decide to use buses and trains, you should read up on fares. Buses take cash but give no change, so you'd need exact fare. Train/subway stations have fare machines. Info and route planning here:

https://www.metro.net/

You should investigate whether you can even secure lodging reservations in Yosemite in your budget range for your possible dates before you get too deep in the logistics of getting there. Sometimes a tour that includes transportation and lodging can be the best option. (Not all cater to Chinese tourists, but I know what you mean about Chinese vis-à-vis Japanese.)

If you want to see the Lakers pre-season Oct 11 game, you might want to reverse your hotel schedule so that you are downtown that night.

For Yosemite you should rent a car. Your girlfriend doesn't like big city driving but it won't be that if you train up to Fresno and rent a car there. Or can't you get a driver's license between now and October?
In fact you might just train up as far as Santa Barbara and then rent a car. Weekday driving up the 101 in October is a breeze, in many spots you're the only car on the road as far as you can see. This is one of the worst stretches, headed southbound, but this is on a normal traffic day not a quiet October afternoon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKFzpE_rXVw

>>If you want to see the Lakers pre-season Oct 11 game, you might want to reverse your hotel schedule so that you are downtown that night.

Meant to add >>if you train up to Fresno and rent a car there

Bonaventure is right downtown (as already mentioned). I'd go to both Olvera Street and Chinatown from there.

Which Getty museum? (there are two).
Getty Center is difficult via public transport, Getty Villa is very difficult via public transport.

The Getty is actually pretty easy from Westwood Village. There's a bus that goes straight to the Getty entrance.

"I've found plenty of tours, but they all seem to cater towards Chinese Tour groups, which I'd rather avoid (I've had plenty of experience with them, and they're none too friendly to Japanese)."

I'd hope you know the reasons behind this. You probably should avoid the Korean tours as well as they might be even more hostile.

A fairly recent NY Times 36 hours article.

Focus on Downtown, mostly.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...s-angeles.html

For Yosemite, you could fly from LA to Merced on Boutique Air (boutiqueair.com). These are small planes and only fly three times a day but very reasonably priced ($49 non-refund, $99 refund each way). The flight takes about 1 hr 15 min. You can get a rental car at Merced and then drive to Yosemite - it's about 2 hrs from there.