Jackie44

Husband and I are taking our 16 yr old daughter to California in July for one week only. Thought we would fly into San Diego, possibly out of LA - no change in price. We are Canadian and cost is an issue.
My plan is:
2 days in San Diego - we want to do Old Town, Coronado Island, poss. Balboa park.
Possible accomodation:
Best Western Hacienda Old Town
Dana Inn and Marina
Bahia - not really sure this is worth the cost - we will be staying at the beach later.

2 days in Los Angeles - we want to do the Warner Bros studio tour, perhaps see a show being taped, possibly Rodeo Drive. Daughter wants to do tour of stars' homes (probably the self-drive one). Also possible Venice Beach and Santa Monica pier.
Do we stay in Hollywood, which everyone says is a little scary? I like the look of the Renaissance but it's site is saying it's fully booked. What about the Graciela in Burbank - it seems to be close to much of what we want to do.

Last 3 days in Laguna Beach - we will do one day at Disney from here. Also hoping to take in Balboa Island, Fashion Island, Newport Beach and Huntington (surfing competition will be on).

Possible accomodation:
Laguna Reef Inn
Vacation Village

We will be renting a car. I'm sure I've left something important out. Appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks!

mscarls

We stayed at the Bahia several years ago and weren't impressed. Also, it's on Mission Bay -- not the Pacific Ocean. I know nothing about the other hotels.

A good way to see San Diego is the Old Town Trolley. You can get on and off all day. It stops in the three places in which you are interested.

We've stayed at the Wyndham Bel Age in West Hollywood and would stay there again. The area was fine, and there's a Tower Records nearby for your daughter. I don't how it fits into your budget, however.

Jackie44

Thanks mscarls. I have added the Wyndham to the list of possibles- I love the idea of a 750 s.f. room! It comes in at about $270 Cdn which is around what I expect to pay to get something comfortable in LA (will have to skimp somewhere else - maybe we can eat at Denny's all week).

joesorce

I think you're kinda backtracking by going up to L.A. then back down to Laguna. Keep in mind that you should plan L.A. on a weekend as traffic for your "self tour" will be much easier to navigate. (WB Tour and TV taping would have to be a Fri or Mon however).

The Graciela is nice but there is nothing to do in the area other than WB, and it is quite a distance from the beach & Bev Hills. A 16yr old would probably like the Sunset Plaza Hotel (best western)...close to lots of trendy shops & eateries...or the Brentwood Holiday Inn which is 'round the corner from UCLA and lots of other teenagers & their hangouts. The H.I. is also near the Getty, which is a MUST SEE if you have a couple hours to spare, and is practically in the middle of your "hollywood homes tour".

savvysearch

I can't believe no one has mentioned Walt Disney Concert Hall. That's worth the trip alone.
http://www.agohq.org/2004/gfx/DisneyExter.jpg

If you are into architecture you also may want to look up The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, Gamble House,
http://www.gamblehouse.org/

Great website for tourists:
http://www.experiencela.com/index.asp

If you go to the Getty, you probably won't have time to go to MOCA or LAMCA, but just in case.

While in Orange County, instead of Fashion Island, the even more popular and world-famous shopping center of South Coast Plaza (in Costa Mesa) is a something I consider a better experience. And it's a closer location if you are coming from LA.

Do you plan on San Diego Zoo? It's one of the largest in the US. Although that's probably a full day activity which may not be possible.

Jackie44

Thanks everyone.
joesorce, you're absolutely right about the backtracking - I've been reworking and may arrive in LA first on the Friday. Hopefully we can get the studio tour in that day and the rest of our time in LA will be on the weekend. If we do that, the Renaissance is available and at the same price as the BW Sunset Strip so we'll see.
savvysearch, thanks for the tip on South Coast Plaza - it looks absolutely amazing and has all the stores my daughter would want to visit (much more than fashion island, in fact). I keep hearing about the Getty so may have to fit that in. What exactly are MOCA and LAMCA? We'll probably skip the zoo as we live near Toronto and have a pretty fabulous zoo ourselves.

Thanks again for all the help.

here_today_gone2Maui

You might want consider taking her to Melrose for shopping. Fascist Island and SC Plaza are, after all, still just malls. My daughter would take
Melrose over either in a heartbeat. You can visit Fred Segal, shop for funky vintage clothes at Aardvarks, have a great lunch on the patio at LaLa's or Caffé Luna, and you may even see a celebrity or two.

clarkgriswold

The studio tour can be a little dull in July as most of the tv shows are on vacation (summer re-runs!)

Jackie44

Thanks here_today - needless to say my daughter would love to see a celebrity.
Clark, I've been wondering about the tours. Is there any filming at all in July? Summer must be peak tourist season and everyone who visits Hollywood wants to see something about the movies so where is the best place to go? I'm going to send off for Leno tickets, but I'm not even sure that he tapes in the summer. Any advice here?

Thanks

flyfaraway

Definitely go to Seaworld!! So much fun. I aboslutely loved it b/c they had a cirque du soleil show going on there too!

here_today_gone2Maui

Some new shows and shows that have been renewed start taping in late July, but because the tradional TV season is changing, you can sometimes find shows taping out of season. There are also game shows and talk shows that tape year-round. Pilots also tape all the time. Try Audience Associates on Melrose or Audiences Unlimited. It's too early to find tickets for July for most shows and they will have schedules closer to your date. Sometimes they even have tickets for the day of. I have been stopped on the street and asked if I wanted to go to a taping that night because they are trying to fill up a studio for a show that is new or not that popular.

Good luck on the Leno tickets. You can try going down to NBC and wiating in line for day of tickets. You'll need to plan on being there early, like 5 am.

Kappy9857

My wife and I are taking our 16 year old daughter and friend in August. Someone on here recommended Summerfield Suites in West Hollywood which is just fine for us seeing as we need a separate bedroom. We are skipping Universal Studios in LA since we have been to the one in Orlando. We sent away for Jay Leno tickets too and are just hoping that we get them. We are doing Disneyland on the way to San Diego and plan Sea World 2 days later. We were there 26 years ago and my wife still remembers how good it was. Have Fun!

Jackie44

Thanks again everyone. As far as show tapings go, it's not important which show we see, just that we have the experience. I'll send off for Leno but won't hold my breath. Maui, those places you mentioned, do you mean go there in person when I arrive, or are there websites I can check?
Kappy, we plan to do Disney from wherever we stay in Orange County. I wasn't planning to do Sea World but if we stay at the Dana Inn it's within walking distance so may go after all.

I am now considering the Hyatt Newporter instead of Laguna Beach. Have read mixed reviews on TripAdvisor. Any feedback? It's on Back Bay not the ocean. Any unpleasant smells? Thanks again.

kkj

As far as TV Tapings go the tapings will start up again in late July or August. Right now, TV Pilots are being taped. Check out the Audiences Unlimited web site for more information.

As a veteran of many tapings let me give you some advice. Be prepared to wait in a long line (the more popular the show the longer wait) to get into the taping. When you request tickets for a show taping what you get is a ticket to stand in line and see if you get in. You are not promised a seat. Some shows I've waited as little as an hour and some like "Friends" I've endured several hours of a wait.

The Warner Brothers Studio tour is fabulous. You go in a small group on a golf cart around the studio. I don't know if they still do it, but if schedules permit your group may get to go on a set and watch a rehearsal. You may also see stars walking around the lot. I've done the other studio tours and this is the best one IMO.

As far as the Stars Homes Tour, don't do a drive yourself tour. Part of the fun is listening to the crazy stories of the guides. Take Stars Tours as they seem to do the best. You probably won't run into stars on the tours, but it has happened to me. So who knows.

Check out other listings on this site regarding celebrity spotting as there are lots of hints there.

Have a great trip.

clarkgriswold

Definitely get the Leno tickets, he's walking distance from WB if you're going to that tour. You could take a 1pm tour at WB and make it to NBC in time for Leno at 4.

here_today_gone2Maui

Jackie, they have both a website and actual locations. Check the wesites regularly and you can print tickets out from the site, but also, if you haven't found anything vefore you go you can check with them for "day of" tickets.

How about Jimmy Kimmel Live? You might want to try to get some of those tickets as a back-up if Jay Leno doesn't come through, and your teenage daughter will probably enjoy it more then Leno. I know I would!

Jackie44

Every time I say thank you, I get more great information. I love this site!
kkj, thanks for confirming the WB tour - it sounds great. And I'll be sure to wear my comfy shoes before I get in line. Clark and Maui, this ticket info is so helpful. I will send off for what I can, then have all the phone numbers that I need with me for back up plans.

Thank you so much!