planning a trip over Easter with my 17 yr old as a high school graduation present. want to spend 8 nights between LA and SF. How many days in each? What to do?
I am presently booked in Fairmont in SF, and Beverly Wilshire in LA. Is there a need to also book into Loews Santa Monica and then split our LA stay between 2 hotels. We will not have a car? Please help

Maybe your mind is made up, but unlike SF where a car is totally unnecessary, a car is absolutely MANDATORY in Los Angeles. I can't imagine staying there four days without one. And no, I personally wouldn't cut down the stat in LA or Beverly Hills to move out to Santa Monica.

How are you getting from city to city by the way? Flying?

Patrick- I plan on flying between cities, but if I need a car in LA, then I will rent one. Just don't feel really confortable with a car, without my husband.
What do I need a car for? What could I do in that time? We will not be going to disney, or any of the theme parks? I assumed that I could just take tours with her? Any help is welcomed.

Los Angeles is not really a walking city. If you are uncomfortable driving then, between cabs and public transportation, you should should find much to see from the Beverly Wilshire.

Tour Beverly Hills, take Public transportation straight down Wilshire to Santa Monica. Cab to the Getty.

What are your interests?

If you don't want to rent a car in LA then it is probably better for you to change hotels and stay part of the time in Beverly Hills and part of the time in Santa Monica. There is plenty to see and do in walking or cab distance to these to areas. You definitely don't need a car in SF and don't want one if you are staying at hte Fairmont where it is probably upwards of $25 per day to park. The Fairmont is also a very centrally located hotel right on the cable car line and with easy access to Muni. SF is a small enough city that it is never very expensive to take a cab somewhere either. You might want to look into getting a Citypass for SF (I think they also have them for LA), that gives you access to all the public transportation and admission to many of the museums and sights. I think you can find their website if you do a google search.

My daughter wants to shop- no disney, no amusement parks- maybe some sun by the pool if it is warm enough, We can rent a car for a day or 2 if I NEED to.
Do I need to switch hotels in LA for 4 nights? What else to do with a 17 yr old New Yorker?