Will be travelling to Los Angeles, CA the end of this month to stay for 1 week. Any suggestions as "must see" places..comments and/or suggestions will be most appreciated.
Thanks.

There have been several recent posts on this topic. Do a search and you'll find plenty of suggestions.

The Getty Museum, Hollywood walk of fame, Mann Chinese Theater, Farmer's Market, Santa Monica Pier.

If you get a chance try to get to Catalina Island, spent a few days there. We had a wonderful time. I't so beautiful. You can just sit and admire the scenery or take some side trips. Well worth it.

Hi Sheila,

I have extensive files on L.A.(live in Hollywood), feel free to email me directly. There are many things to do in Los Angeles, but since it's so spread out it's helpful to have a planned out itinerary.
Welcome so So. Cal.

A lot depends on whether you have a car. If you do, I'd suggest these must-see:

1) Getty Museum - beautiful architecture, great view of LA (if the weather is clear)

1) Sunset Strip bars and clubs - for hedonism and wild debaucherie. Drink in the city lights at the Standard bar or Sky bar then ride the bull at Saddle Ranch Chophouse.

3) Huntington Library and Museum (Pasadena) - gorgeous grounds, wonderful paintings, and ancient texts. Amazing that this is in LA.

4) Venice Beach - for people watching

5) Hollywood Blvd - the walk of fame, Chinese and Egyptian theaters, plus the new Hollywood/Highland complex. Witness the "revitalization" of Hollywood Blvd.

6) Rodeo Drive - just to take that picture by the Beverly Hills sign to show your relatives

7) Disneyland and/or Universal Studios - the requisite amusement park stops

There's more, lemme think a bit... if you tell us what types of things you're interested in (ie, shopping, star gazing, outdoor activites, etc) we could come up with better suggestions.

I live in the Los Angeles area and recently I've been thinking about the top-ten things to do in LA. I often have to figure out what to do for relatives that come from out of state or from another country.

Fodor's has a Best 3-Day Itenerary and you can use this as a guide. I have not searched the board for other replies, but these are my recommendations.

1. Hollywood Scene
- Hollywood Walk of Fame at the Mann Chinese Theatre
- Catch a movie at El Capitan Theatre (owned by Disney)
- Eat lunch on Melrose Ave
- Universal Studios Theme Park and you can see how movies are made
- Eat dinner at Universal City Walk adjacent to Universal Studios Theme Park
- You can even cath the Lion King live-performance at the Pantages Theatre -- fully renovated theatre and great show

2. Beach and Getty
- Getty Center has an awsome view of LA. Also, great artwork. If you are not too much into art, they have a 1-hour tour pamphlet that quickly gets you through some of the most important works of art they have there. There's a Church across the Getty that lets you park for the same price as the Getty (no reservations required at the Church, but prices can change at any time)
- After a nice morning at the Getty, you can spend the afternoon at the beach. Santa Monica Pier and the nearby 3rd Street Promenade have a lot to offer in terms of shops, restaurants, street performers, etc. If you want something more relaxing, head over to Manhattan Beach. I prefer MB in the morning for a great breakfast, a stroll near the pier, and just enjoying the view.

3. Disneyland. If it's your first time in LA, you must go. I prefer to go on Tuesday or Wednesday because the crowds are much smaller than on the weekend. I used to have an annual pass, but not anymore. Get there about 1 hour earlier than they open. This gives you enough time to park, buy the ticket, and get in. The parking lots open about an hour early. Run to your favorite attraction and get a couple of turns before the rest of the crowd comes in. If you stay at a Disneyland hotel, then inquire about the early entrace pass offered through your hotel. You can get in an hour earlier and get on more rides in this hour than you could ever do all day on Sunday!

4. Chinatown, Olvera Street, Downtown on Broadway
- Eat DIM SUM at Empress Pavillion. One of the best DIM SUM places in So. Cal.
- Stroll through the adjacent Chinatown shopping center (this is what you see in the movies once in a while). You can buy cheap trinkets here.
- Drive or walk over to Olvera Street. This is little Mexico at it's best. Lots of shops and restaurants. You wouldn't even know you were in the USA!
- Drive through Broadway street towards the downtown area. On a Sunday afternoon, this place looks like a large city in Latin America. I would say a large city in Mexico. This is different than Olvera Street (the touristy place). Broadway is real. You can also see many old theatres converted to shops, churches, etc. These are famous theatres from the 20's and 30's like the Million Dollar Theatre. It's weird going through here.

5. Exposition Park
- Los Angeles Coliseum: 1932 and 1984 Olympics
- Rose Garden
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Museum of History
- IMAX Theatre
- University of Southern California
- LA Sports Arena

Darn. There's a lot to do. Just go to your local library and read different books. Too many things to do in LA!!!!!

Goto:

1) Beverly Hills / Rodeo drive
2) Santa Monica
3) Redondo Beach / Manhattan Beach
4) Venice Beach (just for the experience)
5) Hollywood BLVD!
6) Olvera Street for true Mexican culture
7) The La Brea Tar pitts
etc etc etc...

Sheila:

You might consider renting a car and driving up the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara. Though that city is a lot like Santa Monica, the view of the ocean and the hills along the PCH is breathtaking!!