terry

we ar staying with two teen (late teens 17, 18) in west hollywood over christmas - any ideas of things they might like to do? particularly things they can do on their own so they don't feel they have to be with us the whole trip.

mmm

Gee, what a fun Christmas.

Mom

Gee MMM - are you being sarcastic or supportive? Maybe Terry and her teens actually enjoy speniding time together. I think it sounds like a nice vacation - be sure to take them to Venice Beach.

another mom

a second on Venice Beach... my 18 yr old spent thanksgiving week with another 18 yr old (males) that goes to pepperdine. they spent a lot of the time at Venice Beach - they loved it!

xxx

FYI - West Hollywood has a very large gay crowd/population. Look elsewhere for teen activities.
Citiwalk and 3rd Street Promenade are fun nighttime things for teens. Lots of activity and other teens.
Be ready for warm weather - it's often around 80 degrees that time of year!

x

make sure they know that it is a mostly gay district. don't want them saying anyting inappropriate.

terry

thanks for all the warnings about the gay population in west hollywood - the teens have both been involved in theater and one has lived in ny - i think the gay population will not be an issue one way or the other - just looking for some things for them to do. thanks for the suggestions - keep those ideas coming.

Renee

You might consider getting tickets for something for them. Theater? Music (would have to be a big venue that allows under 21)? I think most comedy is out since under age but might try The Groundlings Theater for one night. Take a look at latimes.com in the calender section and laweekly.com for ideas. Also consider tickets for some sporting events. Have fun!

terry

ttt

Barbara

Shop at Virgin Megastore on Sunset Blvd. & Crescent Heights where there are also the Laemmle movie theaters which show more independent films. Otherwise, there are movie theaters at the Beverly Center & Beverly Connection, right across the street from each other, at Beverly Blvd. & La Cienega Blvd. What do these teens like to do? Head to the beach in Santa Monica? go to Universal Studios? take Highland Ave north & you're there.

Renee

Lakers, Clippers, Kings are playing in town. Universal Studios will give them a day on their own and not too far from Hollywood. The Coronet Theatre is showing the play "The Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes."

What are their interests?

terry

Are the piers at Santa Monica and/or Venice open with things to do in the evenings? For instance, if we decided to have dinner in Santa Monica, could we drop the teens off to "hang out" at the pier for a few hours - is there stuff for them to do?

Russ

Terry,

In a nutshell, Santa Monica Pier YES, Venice Pier NO. Santa Monica Pier has an old-time amusement area with a ferris wheel, roller coaster, and old-time arcade games and is policed... A nice place.

Venice is a fantastic artsy-funky area by day, a place to be avoided by non-locals at night. It is not a "bad" area like it used to be, but there is residual gang activity and safety can vary from street block to street block.

Russ

Terry,

Additionally, I would suggest that the best place to drop your teens off to hang out at night would be the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. It's VERY safe, and very cool for teens. A combination touristy area as well as a very popular hangout for LA youth. Lots of California-ish stuff to see and do, and no need for parents to worry. Drop them off at, say, one end of the promenade... perhaps the very visible and easy to locate Santa Monica Mall at the end of the Promenade and tell them to meet you back there at a designated time. I gurantee your kids will love it.

terry

one last question - is the santa monica pier open in the evenings? any idea how late things go on?

go see a SHOW

-
Terry may already been out there, but if not too late then look into what's playing in town. Los Angeles has good theatre, both large & small. It's not all clustered one neighborhood as in New York; I've seen excellent productions in both the major venues (Mark Taper Forum, Pantages, Ahmanson, Kodak) or on several of the smaller stages (sorry, can't recall names). In a town where show biz is still one of the major industries, there's alot of talent floating around the southland.
http://www.centertheatregroup.com/

holly

What about the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Hollywood & Highlands area?

http://www.seeing-stars.com/Immortalized/WalkOfFame.shtml

manners

Terry, don't mention it, you are welcome.

jill

Westwood, the neighborhood around U.C.L.A, has several good dining spots and plenty to see and do for the teens while you dine. They can even take a stroll around the U.C.L.A. campus in the late afternoon, visit the bookstore, eat in the fast-food cafeteria etc.