Hi, I loved this forum for travel information so I thought I'd post a few questions for my 1st trip to Los Angeles with my husband and twin sister and brother-in-law for our 50th birthday celebration.
Here are the questions in no important order:

1) what type of car is best to rent? - we'll be staying for 5 nights - in Santa Barbara. My brother-in-law is 6'3" and large sized. Can we get a way with a SUV or is parking it going to be tough.

2) what do you think of Valentino's as a special place for dinner celebration? have you got a better idea?
or The Lobster?
or Republic?

3) We're thinking of booking a reservation at the Ivy for lunch one day, then on to the vip tour at universal, so where do you suggest going for dinner in that area that's not too pricey or filling?

4) We're planning to do the LA Soiree - private tour one night - is it worth it?

5) A day drive up through Malibu - how are these restaurants?
Moon Shadows
Neptune's Nest
Is there a restaurant in The Getty Villa? Or surrounding area that you suggest?

6) Is there a nice place to eat at Pepperdine Univ?

7) Is the LA marathon during the week of March 5-10th? Will is affect doing into that area for sightseeing? How long is the interuption during the week?

8) Is the Santa Barbara International Film Festival during the week of march 5-10th? I can't seem to get any information on the marathon or the festival on the commerce and visitors sites. If the festival is that weekend - what should we do, not plan to drive up to Santa Barbara? Will it be too hard to get a reservation in a good restaurant there?

9) What golf courses do you suggest for the men to go to while us ladies do West 3rd street and Melrose, and shop till we drop!

Let me thank you in advance for any help you give me on this site.

A couple of answers off the top of my head:

1. A mid- to large-sized SUV will probably be best, although with gas prices where they are.... Don't worry about parking. When in doubt, valet!

2. Way too many possibilities. LA is full of awesome restaurants that would never get a Michelin star (the city's way too casual), but offer an incredible dining experience. What kind of cuisines would be acceptable? How much do you really want to spend? For $250 a person (before drinks), Urusawa offers an omokase you won't forget-- but you gotta like sushi. Valentino's is fine (a bit old-school in atmosphere), but I prefer Capo or Giorgio Baldi if you want to go Italian. The Lobster is fine for views and lobster, a bit "meh!" for everything else. Republic stinks. Providence is a superb restaurant in Hollywood that would be my choice.

3. Since I'm a local and don't hang around Universal City after a Universal Studios visit, I'm going to pass on that one. You might find something OK at Citiwalk. Or venture into Hollywood and have a lovely meal at Opus (next door to the Wiltern Theatre).

4. Never heard of it.

5. Moonshadows and Neptune's Nest-- the grub's good. Moonshadows is "fancier", Neptune's Nest is more beachy. There's a café at the Villa, which would be fine for lunch.

6. No idea.

7. The Marathon is March 4. Things should be back to normal by the next day. See:

www.lamarathon.com

8. Er, the SBIFF is going on right now and ends February 4. See:

http://www.sbiff.org/

9. Golf.... Check with your hotel's concierge for tee times they might be able to arrange at nearby courses (they live for stuff like that). There's a famous public course not far from where you'll be:

www.rpgc.org

They could play there (sorry, I hate golf, can't help much beyond that).

Thanks so much for the quick and helpful reply.

It's almost impossible to get onto Rancho Park Golf Course, a public course. But have your concierge give it a try, as there are not a lot of public courses nearby. The two courses at Griffith Park are also part of LA Municipal Golf, generally you have better luck getting on Harding. However I'm not sure you can even get a reservation without a City resident card.

I understand there is no problem getting on Donald Trumps course in Rancho Palos Verdes: Might have something to do with the rates.

http://www.trumpgolf.com/trumplosang...l/frameset.asp

I am far from an LA expert (RJW is the best) but i will comment on your #3 with regards to our experience last summer. Made two separate trips to LA (not as part of our long road trips) LOVED the Ivy, walked right in at lunchtime, but we WERE with a friend who was obviously a local so that likely made a difference...

But i don't think you'll want to rush from The Ivy to universal! Enjoy the ambience and vibe then explore the area of some chic and funky shoppes. Kitson is nearby, a fave with teens, if you need something to take home

For one trip last summer we stayed at the Hilton Universal and had a couple late dinners at citiwalk simply because it was right next door. One place was Daily Grille (an LA chain i think?) and the other was a brew pub - the name escapes me - with some great appetizers. Definitely not for a special occasion but perfectly fine after long busy days around LA.

Also re malibu ~ while not known for gourmet cuisine, we really enjoyed dinner at the Paradise Cove, Beach Cafe. Very unique, with a mix of tourists and locals. Have read of many celebs dining there, also. You can eat right on the beach, where we saw a table wiped out by a huge wave !!! or dine inside ~ ask and wait for a window seat.

Thank you for the tips, I agree not to go off for a tour after the IVY.

Here's an idea of my itinerary - still in planning stages - got to figure out driving times to all these places.

Tues: arrive around noon - rent a car!
chill in Lowes Hotel,Santa Monica and check out area along with Venice
(shop Abbott Kinney)
grab a late lunch or snack somewhere
(Maybe drinks at 1 Pico in Shutters) and we'll pick a restaurant for dinner probably in Santa Monica. Don't mind the $200 or so pp costs but wouldn't want every meal to cost that!

Wed: go for breakfast out, maybe the Pantry or at the Farmer's Market -
see the Grauman's and see Kodak
- start a Warner Brother's tour - 2 hours long.
Maybe the Ivy before the tour?
Plan a great dinner near there.
I've got a few leads on great meals, husband's friend also recommended:
Capo and Giorgio Baldi - and I'll look up Providence, as well as KOI and Michaels.

Thursday: Drive down to Laguna!
start out early,
eat breakfast in Venice at Sidewalk Cafe
then take a drive to Seal Beach, Newport Beach and into Laguna -
plan a dinner in Laguna and make reservations for Birthday Celebration dinner at the hotel Montage or Laguna Niguel or in the St. Regis if that's possible (would like it to be special!). Someone suggested appetizers and drinks at The Loft. (will have to bring change of clothes then - b/c of beach/car drive attire)

Friday: drive up north through malibu stopping at Getty Villa with lunch at either The Net, The Beach Cafe, Duke's, Moon Shadows, or Granita. or just do a light bite at Marmelades and eat a great lunch at Nobu in malibu. Not sure how much time to allow for driving back to Santa Monica on a friday afternoon???

Back to Lowes to get ready for night out! We would be picked up at 7:30pm at Lowes for the LA Soiree Private Tour which includes private car and tour as well as going to the Polo Lounge or house of blues - inc. dinner, admission to venue and ride back. Seems like a fun thing to do on a Friday.

Saturday: a day of shopping for the girls and maybe golf at Trumps or somewhere else for the boys. Dinner and then Bar/nightlife/dancing - ideas: Aqua
Spider Club
Mojo
Chocolat
Sky
Argyle Hotel Bar
Viper Room
Windows in TransAmerica Bldg.
- which would you suggest?

Sunday - chill at Hotel, flight leave LAX at 4pm (already can't wait to go back to LA!)

A quick note on your choice of hotel and location: The Loew's is a short block-and-a-half walk from Capo, on the same side of Ocean Ave. (I drive by both every day). Could work for your first-night dinner (but it will be pricey). For the second night, if you want to stay in the LA/West Hollywood/Hollywood area, Providence would work (that's a fairly long drive to your hotel-- see below).

mlgb is a great source for LA, and hopefully she can come back with itinerary suggestions and tune-ups now that you've thrown out a preliminary schedule. I would Google "Los Angeles Municipal Golf" and check out availability of tee times at the Griffith Park courses; the concierge at the Loew's should be able to help you out.

NOTE: Distances can be deceiving. From the Loew's to the LA Farmer's Market is almost 11 miles crosstown. The day trip to Orange County (Laguna/Dana Point) involves a 60+-mile drive down, then a 60+-mile drive back. Watch out for Rush Hour (which is getting longer and worse almost daily).

Points to ponder.

Just a few more suggestions:

Unless there is something else you want to see in Downtown L.A., (Walt Disney Concert Hall, Olvera Street, etc.) I would not suggest driving into downtown on a weekday morning just to have breakfast at the Pantry. If that is your "Hollywood day", then I would suggest the alternative of breakfast at the Urth Caffee on Melrose in West Hollywood.

You might also want to switch around your Friday and Saturday itineraries, as tee times are generally cheaper and easier to get on weekdays than on weekends. Trump, for instance, charges $300 on weekends, and "only" $195 on weekdays.

You might also want to check the L.A. County golf courses:
http://parks.co.la.ca.us/golfcourses.html. Though not very attractive, Victoria and Alondra generally have good availability. Los Verdes is a beautiful public course along the same stretch of coastline as Trump (for a lot less $$), but it is notoriously difficult to get a tee time there, also.

I'm also not a big fan of Marmalade Cafe, though I haven't tried the Malibu location.

Have a great time!

If you are reduced to LA County Courses, rather than Alondra or Victoria, I would recommend going a little farther and trying Lakewood (a County course). In the same vicinity is Skylinks, a Long Beach municipal which is the easiest for a walk on. Another one to try is Debell in Burbank.
You might want to use the following websites to search for tee times: www.click4teetimes.com or www.savesomegreen.com

I HATE the Pantry! Horrible greasy food. I agree, don't go downtown just for breakfast on a weekday.

All good advice so far. Agree about switching Fri/Sat itinerary. Also agree about horrendous traffic...It's just getting worse and worse.

Tues - I would suggest drinks at Casa del Mar instead of Shutters. Michael's or Giorgio's are great choices for your first night dinner. Make reservations well in advance if you decide on Giorgio's. (Capo is fabulous but truly outrageous, even by NY standards.)

Wed - I would not drive to Hollywood or Burbank until after rush hour. Instead do WB tour in the late morning, then quick drive through Hollywood, then late lunch at the Ivy. Then you can go to Melrose or BH on your way back to SM.

Thurs - Don't even think about driving to Laguna until after 10 a.m.! You can walk or bike to Venice.

Fri or Sat - If you're considering a funky place like Neptune's Net on your Malibu day, try Reel Inn instead. Closer to the Getty, better food. Stop at the Malibu Country Mart even if you don't go to Marmalade.

We're not golf people or nightlife people, so can't help you there. But golf friends like the Rio Rancho course - see if your concierge can get you in. Have been to Akwa for private functions and it's a cool place. Might attract a much younger crowd for dancing though.

Sun - "Local" neighborhood breakfast places: Jinky's - near 3rd st. promenade; Cora's - next to the Loews; Urth Cafe - Main Street

Also, you've missed a few "must-sees":
The Getty Museum (Brentwood) and Walt Disney Concert Hall (downtown). Not sure that you need a full day in Laguna...You could work one of those in that day.

Rio Rancho golf course? That's not ringing a bell. Either Rancho Park or Rio Hondo in Downey, which is even a bit more out of your way than Long Beach. Although it's a nice shortish and fairly easy course.

oops - i meant rancho park.

wow, thank you so much for all of your input. I am making adjustments to the itinerary per your suggestons. This is a great forum,, if any of you are coming to NY and need some information, I would be pleased to help in any way I can. Just email me at [email protected].

thanks for all the help so far in planning our trip to LA. I have just a few more questions.

We're planning a 60 mile drive to Laguna Beach (from Santa Monica) for Wednesday 3/7.

Is there anything special to stop to see in Long Beach, naples, Seal Beach, Huntinton, and Newport on our way to Laguna?

Has anyone been to the Laguna Canyon Winery? Would you recommend it?

We'd like to eat Lunch somewhere nice in Laguna. Restaurant recommendations in that area? or should we try to eat at one of the hotels, the Loft in the Montage or the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel?

Should we take the drive further South to Dana Point and eat somewhere there - perhaps at the St. Regis hotel?

What is the best time to get on the road for the return trip back to Santa Monica?

Haven't been to Laguna in a while so can't help you with most of these questions. Friends love the Montage, but they've raved about the hotel, haven't heard about the restaurant. I would try www.chowhound.com. To avoid traffic you'll have to wait until after 7 pm to return to SM.

I agree skip the Pantry. And as much as I enjoy brunch at Farmer's Market, I'll make the suggestion, since you will still be in Santa Monica Weds. morning then heading for Laguna, that you drive a short distance south from the hotel to the Ocean Park Omelette Parlor on Main Street. Great breakfasts, cozy, hip atmosphere. Same block as Chinois, but on the West side of the street.

Hi, again
Here's the list of restaurants we're thinking about: Please help us narrow them down to 4 only. Pick 1 for a 50th birthday dinner - so we'd like it to be fun and special! Cuisine: steak, american, californian, continental, italian (no sushi or Asian)but love fish too.
Giorgio Baldi - a must!
Michaels
AGO (would this be good for the BD dinner?)
Via Venetto
Ocean & Vine
Capo
Cut
310 Loung & Bistro
Sona?
The Ivy for lunch
Regent Beverly for afternoon break
Polo Lounge or House of Blues is on our private tour night.

the scoop from all my reading is the following:
Valentino's though rated #1 romantic restaurant - is old and stuffy

the dining room in the Bel Air - while beautiful is too quiet.

the menu at A.O.C. is not for us.
Go to Aqua for drinks
Windows for drinks
Republic has mixed reviews
The Prime Grill is kosha - and I love butter.
We've got great steak houses here in NY and especially on Long Island - so I'd prefer not to go to a steak house.

Try posing this Q on www.chowhound.com, LA board. You'll get some interesting opinions.

I would choose the Ivy, Michael's and Giorgio's - all quintessential LA experiences; that seems to be what you're looking for.

To confuse things, for your bdy how about Taverna Tony's in Malibu (Greek, fun, ask for table away from music) or Campanile on La Brea (iconic special occasion place) or Joe's in Venice (famous tasting menu).

Michael's would also work for your bday.

Valentino's is not stuffy, just more formal, classic and less cutting edge than some of the others...and not in a picturesque location. Ago is very New York. Bel Air - lovely, very elegant, try it for your 60th.

We celebrated a special birthday this year at Michael's in Santa Monica with friends. We reserved a table outside in the patio. The dining experience met our every need.

Hello to all who replied to my questions regarding LA.

We just got back - and we all loved it - what a great 50th birthday memory. Every tip you gave was very helpful. There was not a section of LA and surrounding area that we missed.

Thank you all!!!!!