trip to LA
 

I will be going to LA in 14 days. Yeah! Thanks to everyone who has posted here for all of the wonderful info. I have so many good ideas from you.
Here are a few questions;
Is Santa Monica's 3rd St Promenade worth it for someone from Chicago with access to lots of name-brand stores? Can I limit my visit to the Pier and Main Street in Venice?
For art, the Getty or Norton Simon?
What about Groundlings? Age appropriate for teens: admission allowed?

3rd Street i wouldn't bother, check out the new GROVE and the Farmer's Market at Fairfax/Beverly/3rd St instead.

Getty for the location...more of an "only in LA" experience I think. It's open til 9pm on Fri & Sat so you might be able to do the NSimon too. (Fine Dining restaurant at the Getty is great).

Some Groundlings shows are all-ages, you'd have to check.

During the day, I'd agree with ClarkG that the Grove and Farmer's Market is the better bet. But at night, I'd go with the 3rd St. Prom. You will find the usual stores at both places (Gap, etc. etc.), but 3rd St Prom has less of the well known stores, and more of the one-off kind of places, plus stalls, kiosks, and the street musicians/entertainment.

Main street, that runs from Venice to Santa Monica is more artsy and has higher end stores, but the stores are NOT chains; mostly art and clothing boutiques run by local artisans.

If you're going to the S.M. Pier (vs. the Venice Pier, which is another story), it's such a short walk to the Prom. you might as well take in both. Stop at the King's Head on S.M. Blvd. by 2nd St. for a pint and visit our transplanted Brits; most reside in and around the S.M. area.

For art, I prefer the Norton Simon over the Getty, but I'm a big impressionist fan, and I've never enjoyed Getty's collection as a whole, even when they housed it in the museum in Malibu (although there's a few works that peak my interest). The Norton Simon has a collection that knocks my socks off.

Third Street Promenade-- not worth it except for the street show at night, as surfergirl correctly points out. It's turning into a chain-store hell, frankly. Since I work a block away, I'm SO over it, it's not funny. Still, street performers can make it fun on a summer's night.

If you're anticipating a shopping jones to fulfill, Montana Ave is a more locals-only experience, more boutiques and "charming shoppes" than Gap/Pottery Barn stuff (although you will find chains there).

The Pier is hokey fun, and you can do it, Third Street and Main Street in an afternoon. You can even head down to the Venice Beach Boardwalk. I like surfergirl's idea of hitting Ye Olde King's Head-- for that matter, the Tudor House around the corner is a classic English tearoom, if you want something a bit more genteel.

Getty vs. Norton Simon, art-wise? No contest: Norton Simon. The Getty's permanent collection is at best spotty. The Simon is no Art Institute, but its Impressionist collection hits every high note; and do we need ANOTHER room full of Monet's goddamn haystack paintings?! The Getty is worth the visit for the Meier architecture, the gardens and the views.

I would agree that 3rd Street Promenade is highly overrated - yes, it's outdoors and near the beach, but it's just a mall....if you're from Chicago you'll wonder why everyone thinks it's so great. Main Street is a more interesting area. Third Street just East of La Cienega (LA's 3rd Street, not Santa Monica's), which is near the Farmer's Market also has some unique stores and is nice to walk along.

The Grove that people are referring to is nice, but again, it's just a mall with more of the same stores - just a different location. The Farmers Market, however, is unique and definitely worth a visit. Lots of good places to eat, and attracts a broad cross-section of people (i.e. great people watching!).

And add me to the list of the people that would vote for the Norton Simon! (And don't forget about LACMA, which is also a great museum - and a bit closer).

Groundlings is great -- but I'm not sure if it's appropriate for teens. Give them a call though. I assume they have all-ages shows.

Don't like 3rd Street Promenade--just a mall. The GRove is glitzier, but as Sydney pointed out, the Farmers' Market is the real jewel (right next door to the Grove). Norton is a better museum for the collection and the grounds. Dislike the Getty ( an appointment for a museum???--poor collection, too). Call the Groundlings about the show. They'll let you know if it's appropriate.