. . . . and has become a pretty scuzzy area

I can't tell you how useful AND interesting all of this reading is. We will be there in the second half of April, two nights pre-cruise and one night after. I have not decided whether to rent a car yet, but haven't thought so far ahead regarding where I'd drop the car off. Important decision, right? If our little itinerary is doable without a car, I think we'd both prefer uber/lyft to renting a car, as long as the expense is reasonably similar.

Geez. So don't go to Walk of the Stars. It was just one idea in a list of old-timey LA highlights I mentioned.

I would not recommend HWoF. If a tourist brought it up, saying they have wanted to visit there all their lives, esp. if they want to visit certain stars, then they should go. But if the tourist saw it on a list of LA attractions and that it could be a spot to spend some time, then I would point to other attractions on the list.

Then I might suggest that the tourist google "Top 10 list of most disappointing tourist attractions". Could make it "...in the world" or ... in LA". On a reddit thread of same topic Cairo was the clear winner (loser) while WoF got (dis)honorable mention.

Santa Monica makes the news, so I know about it and know there are better options. Jean's comments about SM and Venice were no surprise. But it might be just the thing for someone.

Seemed that something like this, part or all of it, interested you:


You can check on car/Uber costs. An inexpensiver way would be Metro to Long Beach and then Uber. Your cruise company (Princess?) should give some LAX - pier transport options.

Where is your cruise ship departing from? if Long Beach, Orange County areas would be good if San Pedro - more LA Manhattan Beach. I'll check back in, I have lived here all my life and have lots of suggestions! Going to Mexico, I have suggestions there too!
Tracey

I appreciate all these replies. Tracey, we are departing from San Pedro. Right now it looks like out plans are to spend the two nights in Hermosa Beach then travel to San Pedro the morning of the cruise. And I think our day and a half there will be as simple as walking, bike riding, and eating, maybe enjoying the beach too. But Sophia, I'll check out Getty Center - might not fit into the days before, but we'll have a partial day available on the return of the cruise. The cruise only has 3 stops - Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan. Any suggestions for things to do on those days would be appreciated, Tracey. Wunrfl, thanks I will check out Metro, we are usually up for public transportation to save money. Haven't looked at the video yet but definitely will!

smetz1, good plan. You don't mention whether you've decided to rent a car or not. If you just want to keep it simple and explore Hermosa, Manhattan and perhaps the very walkable Riviera Village in Redondo Beach, you can get around entirely by Beach Cities Transit bus line 109. There is service from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm in a loop between the LAX bus Center and Riviera Village with several stops in Manhattan and Hermosa. Service isn't terribly frequent (I think 2x an hour), but it's cheap! $1.00 per ride ($0.50 for ages 62+), cash only unless you happen to have a TAP card.

https://redondo.org/departments/comm...s/line_109.php

You can search service in real time:

https://www.redondo.org/departments/...ion_system.php

"I would never recommend a visit to Hollywood Walk of Fame."

I 100% agree with that. I would also say Venice Beach is a complete waste of time, too.
If you stay in Santa Monica, take your car up the coast a few minutes (or just Uber) to Pacific Palisades and visit the Getty Villa (free, but you need to get reservations online, and there is a parking charge of $25). Link below.
https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/the...fic-palisades/
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...705f8a5cd.jpeg