What is a must to do in greater LA?
 

We're going to Newport Beach but want to spend 2 full days in LA. We want to make the most out of our visit. Where should we stay and what shall we do? We don't want to do things like Disneyland or Marine World or Universal Studios. Any suggestions?

Nothing much in greater LA except office buildings and such. You could go on the Hollywood tour to see the houses of the stars or take a stroll down Rodeo drive to look at the stores where the rich and famous shop. You can go to Graumins (sp?) Chinese Theater to see the movie star hand prints in the concrete, and there is a lot of performing arts stuff always going on in L.A. But, I can tell you that for my money if you are going in the summer, I would try to get down to the Laguna Beach Arts Festival and get tickets for the Pageant of the Masters. It is an incredible show in an open-air amphitheater and is something not to be missed. If I were you, I would spend my two LA days at Laguna Beach.

Getty Center or Getty Villa. I prefer the Villa.
What is your budget per night and will you have a rental car?

"Nothing much in greater LA except office buildings and such".

LOL

www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/culture
www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/activities

I agree there is not much to see unless you are enthralled with the land of the four-fingered rat.

Actually the Getty Museum is extremely well done and a most pleasant place to visit. La Brea tar pits are interesting and the LA Framer's Market has a great variety of food. And for me the best Chinese food in the US is in Flushing, Queens and Monterey Park.

I spent a week with my daughter in L.A. recently and we found a ton of stuff to do that had nothing to do with amusement parks. Here are just some of the highlights:

Getty Villa
LA County Museum of Art and La Brea Tar Pits (next to each other)
Griffith Observatory (great place to photograph Hollywood sign, too)
LA Conservancy Architectural Walking Tour
Malibu Creek State Park (hike to MASH set + more)
Tea at the Chado Tea Room in the Hollywood and Highland Mall (which is next to Graumann's Theatre and along the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Beverly Hills Walking Chocolate Tour

Thank you all so much!

We will have a rental car and we don't want to spend over $200 a night for a hotel, if that is possible in LA.
Longhorn55, I love your list! We wanted to see the tar pits!

A night at The Hollywood Bowl if your trip is in summertime.

Where you stay will be determined by what you eventually list as your plans/itinerary.

Warner Brothers Studio and the Autry National Center are interesting and easy-to-take places to visit. Also, Nate n' Al Deli in Rodeo Drive. Have the white fish.

HTtY

Glad I mentioned it.

People who say nothing to do, just have not been there. Getty Museum, Gene Autry Museum which houses displays on All Western Motion Picture and Television Cowboys plus western memorabilia, and a fantastic Western Art Collection owned by Gene. There is a Holocaust Museum with wonderful displays and documentaries. Do not miss the Huntington Botanical Gardens over in Pasadena just a short freeway 20 minute trip. Also a Short freeway hop to Long Beach where you can tour the Queen Mary Ship.
I was there a week and plenty to do- loved it

I agree that people who say there's nothing to do in L.A. haven't spent much time here.

Sights not mentioned yet:

Grammy Museum (downtown L.A.)
Japanese American National Museum (downtown L.A.)
Disney Hall docent tour (downtown L.A.)
Space shuttle Endeavor (Exposition Park)
Natural History Museum, recently renovated (Exposition Park)
Gamble House (Pasadena)
Petersen Automotive Museum (near LACMA)
Another vote for the L.A. Conservancy Architectural Tour

Where your hotel should be depends on what you plan to see/do.

BTW, you won't see any rich and famous people shopping on Rodeo Drive. Just tourists walking around.

Another vote for the Huntington Library and Gardens. Don't miss the Rose Garden Tea Room.

http://www.huntington.org/WebAssets/...nt.aspx?id=310

The Getty #1 - and probably the Huntington #2 - but some love the LA MOCA. And for fun - drive around Hollywood - and have a snack/burger at Mel'- West Hollywood - on Sunset - and look at the great posters on the wall - of directors (George Lucas in a USC jacket?) star wars, etc. see: www.mels-drivein.com, or close.

Mel's was the "theme" drive in diner - used in the movie - American Graffiti. Google it too.

oops www.melsdrivein.com, I hope. :)

fiddely foo. See if this works: http://www.melsdrive-in.com/

What are your interests?

Paramount Studios also offers tours if you want to see a working studio.

This is pretty far out but might be worth the trek if you're interested in architecture/furniture http://www.malooffoundation.org/

I could spend all day at the Huntington Gardens and Library. Spectacular place. We also liked the Getty Villa, but not quite as much as the Huntington.

For fun, take the Angel's Flight funicular downtown, and then visit the Central Market.

Did anyone mention the Norton Simon Museum, also in Pasadena?

Angel's Flight ("the shortest railway in the world") is currently not running. :-(

Thanks everyone!