Off to L.A. - things to do...?

[csnarpy]

So I'm taking my wife and son (1yr old) on a cruise but when we get back we're spending 3 days in LA. So I'm looking for "young" family ideas while were there. We already have a rental SUV, so getting to places shouldn't be a problem. We havn't picked a hotel yet so i really don't think we're area limited - still deciding if to stay in LA or on Venice beach or maybe stay in San Diego or maybe even a little north like Santa Barbara.

We have thought of Disneyland (of course), Seaworld and the San Diego Zoo. But was wondering what else was out there.

(Also, we have been to Seaworld and Disneyworld in Florida)

At any rate, any help/suggestions that anyone can give.

[flip]

I've heard there is this place called South Central. You should check it out and let me know how that goes.

[Traditional_Ale]

Don't forget the unforgettable dining in Compton!

[Yeah_Baby]

Score an 8th from the Lesbians at West and Venice.

[flip]

Sorry, I hope my smart ass comment didn't set the tone for this thread.

If I had actually been to LA I'd give you some advice but I haven't.

You could always go to Venice Beach and have a blacks vs whites basketball game for control of the courts forever a la American History X.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Don't forget the unforgettable dining in Compton!

I stayed in Compton one night, without knowing it. I walked around to see what the neighborhood was like.

Let's just say, I won't be doing that again.

[Traditional_Ale]

^ Holy crap! You gotta have a story! Tell!

[csnarpy]

gawd, i should have never asked. Thanks for all uselessness....

and i blame it all on flip

[Traditional_Ale]

^ Awww, come on. Its all in good fun!

[Yeah_Baby]

I've only ever done Universal Studies as far as LA goes. So despite random references to Jack's Mannequin songs I'm useless.

[La Flames Fan]

You must go to In N' Out and get your burger "Animal Style".

[troutman]

Hermosa Beach

Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Pasadena

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

So I'm taking my wife and son (1yr old) on a cruise but when we get back we're spending 3 days in LA. So I'm looking for "young" family ideas while were there. We already have a rental SUV, so getting to places shouldn't be a problem. We havn't picked a hotel yet so i really don't think we're area limited - still deciding if to stay in LA or on Venice beach or maybe stay in San Diego or maybe even a little north like Santa Barbara.

We have thought of Disneyland (of course), Seaworld and the San Diego Zoo. But was wondering what else was out there.

(Also, we have been to Seaworld and Disneyworld in Florida)

At any rate, any help/suggestions that anyone can give.

3 days to do Disneyland, Seaworld and SD Zoo is really, really pushing it. It would mean that you'd want to stay in Anaheim and drive a few hours to SD, which is really not that fun to do. If you think traffic here is bad, what you will see in LA is far, far, far, far worse.

If you want to stay in Santa Barbara then don't fly into LAX. The drive to SB and back is brutal - it's a four hour crawl in each direction.

A one year old in Disneyland is really not that beneficial. I would just do adult stuff, stay near LAX and do stuff around there (Getty Museum, Universal Studios, Venice Beach, shopping, eat like a pig).

I could spend the rest of my life in the Getty.

[Nufy]

You can do Universal Studios in a Day....

Awesome views from that park as well.

[Table 5]

If you are ever around Laguna Beach (on the Pacific Coast Highway) you absolutely have to stop at Taco Loco (http://orangecounty.citysearch.com/p...taco_loco.html). Bar none the best fish/seafood tacos I've had in my life. Actually, while in California, have as much Mexican food as you possibly can....its so much better than anything you get anywhere that's not Mexico.

[csnarpy]

Originally Posted by Shazam

3 days to do Disneyland, Seaworld and SD Zoo is really, really pushing it. It would mean that you'd want to stay in Anaheim and drive a few hours to SD, which is really not that fun to do. If you think traffic here is bad, what you will see in LA is far, far, far, far worse.

If you want to stay in Santa Barbara then don't fly into LAX. The drive to SB and back is brutal - it's a four hour crawl in each direction.

A one year old in Disneyland is really not that beneficial. I would just do adult stuff, stay near LAX and do stuff around there (Getty Museum, Universal Studios, Venice Beach, shopping, eat like a pig).

I could spend the rest of my life in the Getty.

That's great advise. I guess I should clarify, we weren't thinking of doing all those things in the three days, those were just some of the thought we had.... I guess i should have put "or" instead of "and"

again, thanks!

[Shazam]

Stay near LAX then... Do the Getty Museum. I insist. It's free. And it's awesome. There's nothing in Calgary like it.

Universal Studios is also good, but again a one year old will really hamper you.

[Table 5]

Maybe I was lucky, but I actually didn't have a bad time driving from San Diego to LA, and back. Definitely didn't take 4 hours....although I think it really depends on the time of day.

If you have the time, I would actually drive out to Palm Springs and specifically, Joshua Tree National Park. Its' way better than Disneyland. It's about a 2 hour drive east from L.A.

[Shazam]

Santa Barbara to LA is four hours, due to the massive number of people that live there and work in LA. Bunch of crazies.

[troutman]

Drive up Mulholland Drive, and see where Jack and Warren live.