rhtt

Suggest you invest in the Fodors for LA - a perfect solution to all your needs. Used one last week, and it has everything you need.

clarkgriswold

We're staying at the Best Western Sunset Plaza, honey, so stop asking people for other ideas.
www.sunsetplazahotel.com

We're definitely going to see the Greystone Mansion, and we're going to the LA ZOO this trip as well, whether Rusty wants to go or NOT!

angeleno

hmm, i think it would be about 30-40 minutes from Olvera Street to the tar pits. you'd take the 110 South from Olvera Street, exit on Wilshire, and drive straight ahead until you get to Museum Row. you'd have to cross downtown to get there.

Clark_W_Griswold

Hey Angeleno, thanks. Do you know how close they to El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Monument, the oldest part of LA, located downtown?

Hey clarkgriswold, great name. Does your wife call you Sparky, too?

Thanks all, for helping my ellen plan our latest adventure. Appreciate it! Keep those ideas coming!

ellen_griswold

Another question, please...

Movie Star Homes.....are any of the tours worthwhile, or do you just see lots of gated driveways? Daughter audrey is interested, hoping to see where britney etc. live Are these tours just a waste of money?

Thanks again for your GREAT help, everyone!

rjw_lgb_ca

Olvera St. is part of the whole El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, so it's 0.0 miles away.

As far as the stars' homes, the very best viewing is on Roxbury-- some of the famous homeowners whose houses still stand are Desi Arnaz & Lucille Ball (heavily renovated), Rosemary Clooney, Jack Benny, Agnes Moorhead, Diane Keaton, and Peter Falk (I think). Jimmy Stewart's has been demolished to make way for one of those awful faux-Tuscan villas that end up looking like a wedding cake. It can be kinda fun to do the stars' homes tour-- although most newer stars' homes will indeed be behind gates.

ellen_griswold

Thanks, rjw_lgb_ca - i thought they might be connected

RE the movie star tours: any recommendation of companies to use? I'd like to see the homes you mentioned, but not sure about the teens.... Are the maps of star homes worthwhile, or are they too, just a waste of money?

We will be in our covered wagon (van so we could look for some of audrey's faves.

As ever, thank you!

rjw_lgb_ca

As far as the tours: No clue. I've always been on self-directed tours with friends interested in the architecture (especially homes by Paul Williams, the first renowned African-American architect in the world and co-designer of the futuristic Theme Building at LAX).

Fellow Fodorites, I'm topping this for lovely Ellen_Griswold-- can you help her out?

ellen_griswold

Awwwwww gee, rjw_lgb_ca, thanks once again! ;-)

So...any other ideas, anybody?

KinLA

1) Evening at the Hollywood Bowl (especially 4th of July Fireworks) or catch The Producers at the Pantages in Hollywood.

2) Lakers playoff game @ Staples Center (Downtown LA)

3) Santa Ynez Valley - Wine Tasting (North of Santa Barbara and on the way to Hearst Castle). Solvang, a replica of a danish town is also nearby.

4) Plan ahead and get tix for the Tonight Show or a Sitcom taping http://www.tvtickets.com/default.htm .

5) Skydiving in Perris

Diana805

I don't think I saw any mention of Pasadena: great restaurants of all sorts from elegant and/or ethnic to American, fun shopping, excellent museums: Norton Simon, Pacific Asia.
I would do a google search for something like "Southern California free concerts 2003" and you'll get lots of fun stuff to attend i.e, Grand Performances at the downtown (and beautiful) California Plaza of world music, Twilight Dance Thursday nights free on the Santa Monica Pier and much, much more. If you've done as much as you evidently have you might try some "micro" neighborhoods, where you can get to try local coffee houses etc., such as Hillhurst Ave.in LA. Have fun!

joesorce

www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/2800/starmaps.html

jd

I brought my 2 teenagers on a tour of Hollywood a couple of years ago that they enjoyed. The companies name was euro-pacific tours(it was the company recommended by the hotel we were staying at-Loews in Santa Monica). This tour went to:
>Marina Del Ray
>Venice Beach
>Manns Chinease Theatre
>Walk of fame
>Farmers Market where we had lunch
>some high hill location to view Hollywood sign
>tour of moviestars homes-got to see Leo Dicappria, Nick Nolte homes pretty well. Most are hard to see as they are behind large walls and trees, but kids liked it.
We're leaving this Friday for LA, San Diego, palm Springs. i think we'll do the tar pitts this time. i'll let you know how it is. Also going to Catalina.

Miranda

Huntington Library and Gardens, which is an art museum, rare book exhibit, and and incredible garden all in one. I usually focus on the fabulous garden.

Descanso Gardens in La Canada. Lovely rustic garden with paths to explore.

Old Town Pasadena. Fun shops, restaurants, lots of people walking around.

Santa Barbara. An absolute gem of a small city. Beautiful, with lots to do.

Bill_I

If you are interested on some beach things, like tide pools to be exact & you are down on Venice Beach. If you go by the rocky outcrop at low tide, you can usually see different types of sealife in the tide pools there -- fish, crabs, urchins, sea cucmbers, etc. But watch out, the waves can crash over the rocks at a good rate, & you can get really wet.

Gardyloo

Couple more -

The Gamble House in Pasadena - one of America's great architectural masterpieces (Arts & Crafts period) - used for various movies including Back to the Future.

Balboa Island and Peninsula (Orange Co.) Where you'd like to live if you could afford it.

Belmont Shores and Naples in S. Long Beach - where you might be able to live if you win a modest lottery.

Museum of Television - on Beverly Drive across from Nate 'n Al's. Stargazing possible in both places, one live, one on tape.

Griffith Park Zoo and Observatory - the Observatory also used in various movies including (most famously) Rebel Without a Cause. Nearby is the...

Autry Museum of Western Heritage - don't miss it.

For retail therapy, South Coast Plaza in Orange County (Costa Mesa technically.) Grand Mall seizure time.

The Watts Towers in Watts (duh.) Interesting structures, great story.

Manhattan Beach Strand and Pier. Pure SoCal.

I'll think of more.

ellen_griswold

Wow, thank you EVERYONE for your GREAT replies! We may have to spend several more days in SoCal

Gardyloo: I ALWAYS need retail therapy The question IS: can i afford it? Oh wait, thats why God made plastic!

Thanks again and PLEASE keep 'em coming!