Need Help: Week long trip in LA/Santa Monica
 

Staying in Santa Monica for a week in July with my 14 y/o daughter and 65 y/o parents. Any suggestions on what to do while we are out there. We rented a condo in Santa Monica so we are all set with accommodations. I am trying to plan day trips.

Try this web site for starters. Then come back with specific questions and/or the kinds of interests you have.

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/l...city-guide.htm

Hmm. I just noticed that you posted a similar question on April 12 and got several answers, but they were not voluminous. So I gather you want more info. That's OK. Can you tell us where you and your parents are from? (you do not have a profile). You said your parents want to go to Disneyland. Then it's a no brainer. Take them there!

Regarding day trips, You can go up the coast, down the coast, east inland, up in the local mountains, or even out on the ocean to Catalina. What do you like? Wine Tasting? Historical sites? Theme Parks? Architecture? Art? Missions? Presidential Libraries? Scientific things? Etc.

Santa Monica has a number of exciting things going on in July! The Santa Monica Pier is a great place to start, teens can check out Pacific Park and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and adults can enjoy the ocean view and dining.

The Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau has a great website with information on other attractions and an events calendar - http://www.santamonica.com

Your daughter should enjoy just walking on Third Street Promanade and the Pier - if you want a nice meal out - we have always enjoyed BOA steak house (they have other things besides steak) and a great wine by the glass list. You can rent bikes and ride the boardwalk. An expensive but lovely breakfast @ Shutters is always a great treat.

Not sure what is playing at the Pantages while you are here but that is super fun too - and your dd might like that as well as your parents - not sure what you are into but you could go into Hollywood early and walk around and see the walk of stars etc - an hour is surely enough of that and head over the Pantages.

As far as Disneyland - do get the Park Hopper even though more expensive - at 14 your daughter should like the rides at California Adventure - we recently had friends in town and they did not take my advice on that and their 16 year old daughter was not a happy camper. See the Aladin show at California Adventure - even your 14 year old will enjoy it - it is really fun. Get there early enough to get good seats - a nice break from the heat in the middle of the day. Do not sit up way high - ruins it a bit.

You might enjoy coming down to Laguna Beach for the day as well - not sure ...