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tips for Los Angeles?
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Hi all,
We're off to America soon. We've been before but never with kids and we've never flown into LA or driven in LA. We are doing a 4 day stop in LA on the way to Vegas/Grand Canyon- we've been to those before, but never LA. We're staying in Anaheim and taking our daughters to Disney. We quite fancy a trip to 'Hollywood' to see the famous sign and walk of fame etc...is it really a nightmare driving in LA? Is it really unsafe, hard to park etc? We've got to drive from LAX to Anaheim when we arrive (lunchtime) so I hope we don't get too stressed by LA traffic/jams! What else would you recommend, especially with children? (ours are 10 and 7)
Thanks
Mel
We're off to America soon. We've been before but never with kids and we've never flown into LA or driven in LA. We are doing a 4 day stop in LA on the way to Vegas/Grand Canyon- we've been to those before, but never LA. We're staying in Anaheim and taking our daughters to Disney. We quite fancy a trip to 'Hollywood' to see the famous sign and walk of fame etc...is it really a nightmare driving in LA? Is it really unsafe, hard to park etc? We've got to drive from LAX to Anaheim when we arrive (lunchtime) so I hope we don't get too stressed by LA traffic/jams! What else would you recommend, especially with children? (ours are 10 and 7)
Thanks
Mel
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No seriously? I didn't realise!
their road systems are very organised and the roads are wide, don't worry
just stop and give way when you see a stop sign
Sounds like the trip we took last year although we were only in LA for two days.
We stayed at the Hotel Anaheim and I must confess that the car journey from the airport (after a long flight) was a bit of a nightmare. First bit of advice is, check that your SatNav actually works before you set off. Second, invest in maps as backup.
Although we had a hired car we copped out of driving in LA and booked some tours instead. Took the pressure off the driver and we didn't have to worry about parking. The driving was easy in some respects - low speed limit - but we did find it hard to get used to local rules.
Sorry, I've read that back and it sounds a bit alarming. It wasn't really - just took a bit of adjustment.
Have a great holiday!
Its quite difficult to find a good view of the Hollywood sign from the ground... so I'm not really sure where your best view would be!
Have a look at Manns Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, its also where the stars are.
Universal Studios was great fun and doesn't just have rides, they have special effects theatres and stage shows too. Lots of great comedy characters walking around.
I saw on a travel programme the triangle between South Santa Monica Boulevard, North Beverley Drive and Wiltshire Boulveard is the best place to go starspotting - its where all the dentists, plastic surgeons etc are!!
I think the place to avoid is South Central. We went to downtown LA and it just seemed to be a lot of offices and skyscrapers, although I did go 10 years ago and I believe they have been trying to make something of it!
Am I right in thinking you can turn right at a junction when there is a red light as long as nothing is coming?
Might be wrong... don't try this at home without researching!!
It's certainly not fun. It's not too bad around lunchtime, but 5 o'clock traffic is stop&go irritating.
It's legal in some states, LA being one of them, but only if there's no sign telling you otherwise... I believe you have to come to a complete STOP before turning also.....
My best advice about LA... go to Venice Beach, go to the theme parks, then get in a car and drive to Santa Monica, it's much nicer
Ohhh I forgot, find the dirt track that leads onto the road / path where you can walk as far as you can get to the Hollywood sign before getting arrested and or shot !
Nice !
http://www.btinternet.com/~Djeasty/la1.jpg
Exciting, as you can see from my overjoyed face.
http://www.btinternet.com/~Djeasty/la2.jpg
Views not bad either...
http://www.btinternet.com/~Djeasty/la3.jpg
Just don't go too far
http://www.btinternet.com/~Djeasty/la4.jpg
noooo, i meant this stop sign not traffic lights!
it means 'give way'
Yes. Right on red is OK as long as the intersection is clear... and the light is a red ball, not a red arrow.
Example of an intersection where you aren't allowed to turn right on red:
http://www.valleymetro.org/images/uploads/lightrail_images/no-right-turn-on-red.jpg
Thank you for clarification
Oh and P.S. The Universal Studios backlot tour is fascinating if you like films.
Agreed
Shame you are having to spend 4 days in LA, San Fran far superior as is Lake Tahoe in the winter months.
We went to San Fran on our honeymoon in 1998. Have never visited LA before and really wanted to take girls to Disney- have always wanted to see the Hollywood sign, walk of fame, Santa Monica etc..
the airport borders a place called Inglewood and it's rough as a bears arse,
i was there about 10 years ago, there was groups of young lads hanging around and obviousley out to rob somebody.
as other posters suggested, go to San Francisco, really beautiful place, the Alcatraz tour is fantastic,
and if you like shopping for clothes etc, theres shopping outlets all over the place with all the major names and are really cheap,
hope you enjoy yourself.