Hi. I'm planning a driving trip from LA to Las Vegas in mid-December with the family (5 of us). After reading many guidebooks I still don't have a very good idea of what to expect of LA in winter (first time in the US). We'd like to know if snow chains are necessary (, and we are also considering driving on the 'Rim of the World' enroute to Vegas if it's not too dangerous at that time of the year.

Could anybody also recommend sights for the family at night?

We are considering rooms at Holiday Inn Walk of Fame, which is a block or so north of that famous strip of Hollywood Blvd. Is crime very serious around there? Heard parts of Hollywood have decayed into haunts for drug abusers.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

In mid-December, there will be virtually no chance of snow on the Cajon Pass. Even when there is snow, the chain req't lasts only a day or two.

Never heard of the Rim of the World.

LA sights at night ... Griffith Observatory, check Hollywood Bowl performances, Santa Monica Pier, are a start.

Hollywood Blvd has cleaned itself up fairly well. At night, some strange sorts appear, but using common sense and staying west of the Pantages you should be fine.

I believe the Rim of the World is on the road to Lake Arrowhead--you will need to bring snow chains if I am right.

Visiting Hollywood Blvd. will be perfectly safe. It is a large tourist area.

The Griffith Park Observatory is closed for renovation until 2005. The Hollywood Bowl is closed for the season. And the Rim of the World Drive is SR 18 from Lake Arrowhead to Big Bear Lake. In December, it can be nice during the day, or possibly foggy and low clouds...just depends on the weather. It's a nice road, and if you plan to stay there you may enjoy it, but I wouldn't plan to go out of my way for it on the way to Las Vegas.

The Hollywood/Highland Complex (retail and entertainment) would be safe - The Renaissance Hotel is there, Mann's Chinese Theater (Michael Jackson's star on Walk of Fame), Kodak Theater....tours, shopping...

There's the Red Line (subway) to Universal Citywalk and you might enjoy that for an evening. Or, Universal Studios - depending on their winter hours. The Red Line is safe, runs frequently..

Also, check at your hotel and they will have plenty of ideas, too.

A couple of notes. First, weather ought not be an issue anywhere; if there's snow on the Rim of the World (doubtful) just don't take that detour. On that topic, BTW, be sure that your family is ready for a 7+ hour drive to LV if you go via Big Bear. And don't put too much weight on the romantic name - it's a nice drive but road improvements have made it less spectacular (and hair-raising) than it used to be; however it can make a good contrast to the rather boring desert scenery the rest of the way. In LA, December weather can easily be in the 70s F or even 80s, and the coast is usually fog-free at that time, with offshore winds often making for the best surfing of the year. Surprisingly, it's often a great time to stay near the beach.

Regarding your LA location and activities, I guess I have to say that with all the areas in LA where you could stay with your family, I don't think I'd put the Holiday Inn on Highland too near the top. Yes, it's walkable from the stars and the Hollywood/Highland center and the Chinese theater, but otherwise it's in a very trafficky part of town not especially convenient to anywhere. The HI is next to the freeway, and Highland is a very busy street, and, while not a crime-ridden area, it's not one frankly in which I'd tote kids around extensively at night. (Don't know their ages.) Reviews from people who got this hotel (for ca. US$40) on Priceline have been pretty negative for the most part - see www.biddingfortravel.com.

What else in the LA area are you planning to see? If your list includes Beverly Hills and/or Disney and/or beaches and/or Universal City etc. as well as Hollywood, there might be better-located (and better value) places for your hols. Let us know.

One last thought - if you're movie buffs, LA in December can be close to paradise. In addition to the holiday season films that all come out around Dec. 1 - 25, many of the studios rush out films they want to be considered for the Oscars, and put them in LA-area cinemas so that Academy members can vote before the new year re-sets the calendar. It's a great time to see films that won't come to your area for months, and to see Hollywood personas actually going to the movies. Who knew? (Great way for families to spend evening hours in LA in winter.)

Listening to the news I remembered this thread from September...

The ROTW Highway and much of the countryside around Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, and Big Bear is right in the middle of the firestorms devastating SoCal as I write this.

My family owned a cabin (sold to friends years ago) in Big Bear that was built in the 20s. It now sounds threatened. What a heartbreak for so many. God Bless.