Hi A Girlfriend and I are going to Los angeles in JUne any help would be grateful any suggestions where to stay what to do, do we need to rent a car???what is santa Monica like???? thank you thank you for all your help........joan

How long are you going for, and what are your interests? Beach, shopping, museums, clubs, movie tours? Early June or warmer late June?

Definitely you need to rent a car in Los Angeles. Santa Monica is where I was going to suggest as a nice area to stay. Just hop on the freeway to get around from there.

Don't forget nature hikes and bike rides...! Lots to do in the 4,800 square miles of the greater LA area, including Orange County. And you will absolutely require a car to get around easily.

I work in Santa Monica. It's very nice, representative of what "LA" is to outsiders, very well-set-up for tourists, etc. Good restaurants, shopping, etc. You can also easily get to Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood and other touristy points of interest without getting on our infamous freeways.

Check out Best Westerns near the beaches, they're pretty good. Besides Santa Monica, some other areas to check out are Beverly Blvd. Melrose and 3rd Street for good shopping and food.

Good eats: Pinks, Versalles, the Griddle, Azami for sushi and don't miss Susina Bakery for dessert.

I like the classic tourist attractions like Olvera Street, Chinatown, the sidewalk with the movie star stars, also the Venice boardwalk and Santa Monica pier.

Beaches: Santa Monica is the easiest to access. It has a boardwalk and 3rd street promenade has all the typical shops. It's also "the home of the homeless." Malibu/Zuma beach is north up the coast. It's more beautiful as far as the beach goes, but a much longer drive. South beaches -- Manhattan beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, etc. are cute little beach towns and nice beaches.

Shopping: Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive for very upscale, great shops on Robertson, The Grove is a really nice outdoor shopping area in W. Hollywood, Melrose St. for grungier, Montana St. in Santa Monica for very cool and unique upscale shops

Sites: Hollywood walk of stars, Chinese theater

Food: Great, but not cheap, lunch in Santa Monica right on the pier is The Lobster, Farmer's Market in W. Hollywood near the Grove is a big market full of all kinds of cheap eats, In and Out for famous burgers, Baja Fresh for cheap healthy fast food Mexican,

Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! very very helpful!!!!!joan