I am planning a trip with my 11 year old daughter to LA in November. Does anyone have any suggestions on weather to rent a car or not? We will be staying in a hotel near LAX airport and are planning on seeing Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Universal Studios, La Brea Tar Pits, the Farmers Market, and possibly Venice. I have found several tour companies that offer tours but I am not sure if having a rental car would be more convienent. Also, I have found that parking can be expensive. Any suggestions on getting around in LA?

Shana,
I answered this at your other posting, look there. But now knowing that you will be staying Near LAX, those hotels to have a daily charge for parking, even for guests, but a car rental is so convenient there, even if you have to put up with the traffic & parking.

I cant imagine a trip to LA without a car.

If a tour will show you everything you want to see, the way you want to see it, then you might be okay without a car. Otherwise I think it's pretty necessary. Public transporation in LA is pretty weak, and these areas are far enough apart that taxis are impractical. (Besides, you almost never just see a taxi on the street-- you have to call them as needed.)

WJI's point about parking costs is valid, but probably worth tolerating for the freedom. Plan on additional parking expenses at the places you intend to visit.

I'm biased-- in this area, it's all about the freedom that your own vehicle provides. I'm with Susan-- it's hard to imagine trying to get around without one! One last thought-- you may find out about other things you want to do once you arrive. This way you're free to add it in.

a car is extremely desireable for the flexibility & indpendence.

BTW, the airport area is yucky & icky.

have you considered alternate nearby towns to stay? e.g. marina del rey, manhattan beach, hermosa beach, santa monica, etc ?

Please change your hotel.
There is simply NO reason to stay close to LAX unless you have a very early morning flight out or a very late arrival. Plus, all the things you list to do aren't even close to LAX.
Also, you will go crazy with the constant aircraft noise.
If you and your daughter like the ocean, stay in one of the cities suggested above.
Rent a car at LAX and get out of the immediate area. Stay at a motel where the parking is FREE.

The only way to get around that HellHole of LA is with a car. And drive aggressively cause God knows, everyone else will. You'll love the freeways (especially the Harbor and the Pasadena).

Speaking of Pasadena, that's a very nice place to stay, IF you decide on the car. It's not right next to any of your sights, but it's fairly central, and charming in its own right.

Shana...

Definitely get a car.

You say near the airport...how near? Manhattan Beach is a 15 minute drive on Hwy 1 from the airport and a much nicer upscale area than the airport with lots of good restaurants and shopping. It's an area not typically visited by tourists. On the down side...it's not convenient to the areas you mentioned, but family friendly.

If you and your daughter like art museums...right next door to the La Brea Tar Pits is the LA County Museum of Art and every friday night they play music out in the quad.

e-mail me at the above address if you have other questions.

Thanks everyone for the great advise. I will rent a car. I am also thinking of possibly changing hotels. We have meetings at a hotel near the airport on two af the days that we will be in town that is the only thing keeping me near the airport. Thanks again.

Shana,
Have stayed a few times at airport hotels (on or near Aiport Blvd.) Has not been a problem for us. Hotels (atleast the rooms we were in) have good sound proofing. Airport noise not a problem. The area is easy to get around in as far as getting to the freeway &/or Lincoln Blvd. Convenient to the car rental places & getting the car back & then to the airport. For us, it was also convenient to the places we wanted to go. Sortof a mid-way point to Orange county & Santa Monica/ Venice/ Malibu. Also got good prices at airport hotels, & we only use the hotels to sleep at. Usually out of the room by 8am or 9am & not back until 10pm or midnight. Did not use the pools or restaurants at the hotel, only the room to sleep in & had no noise problems at all. & if you do have problems you could ask for a room facing a different direction.Sometimes it is neat to watch the planes takeoff & land also.