Expert: Steve Summers - 7/15/2009

Question
 My mother and sister in law are staying for 2 weeks, and my husband and I are taking most of this time off to be with them.
 We are tired of going to the same places every time a relative comes to visit. It feels like a waste of money... I know for sure that we have to go to Disney, which I'm looking forward to. We r thinking maybe staying for 2 days there and do something at the beach (?) which one (?)...

 And we r thinking of going to Vegas, so I was wondering if you have been to the Grand Canyon and u would recommend with a 2-year-old in the Summer...
 Maybe another idea that we had was to travel by train to Santa Barbara, but I know even know where to look into that... My son is crazy about choo-choos, so he migh enjoy it... Please advices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer
Hi Ana,

I wish I knew where you've been taking your relatives, so I could leave those out. But here's my list of top places to visit in the LA area. Visit as many as you have time for.:

Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors can’t be wrong. #1 Destination. Right now, the $99 summer fun pass is the best deal in town. You get 3 days at Disneyland and California Adventure for $8 more than a one-day park hopper ticket. It's supposed to be for SoCal residents only, but if you aren't a SoCal resident, just buy the tickets at Vons, Ralphs, or Albertsons. They don't check ID, and they don't ask for ID at the turnstiles either.
Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. #2 Destination.
Even if you don’t visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Tour, Downtown Disney District and Universal City Walk are very fun places to visit for shopping and eating. And they’re free to visit.

Hollywood: Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Chinese Theatre and more. You can see a lot for free. The Hollywood & Highland complex is AMAZING. It has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards). I also like the El Capitan theater, right across the street, where Disney shows their movies. And the Hollywood Bowl is a GREAT place to listen to concerts outdoors.

Olvera Street/Union Station: Olvera Street is the birthplace of LA, and it emphasizes our Mexican heritage. In addition to the Avila Adobe (oldest building in LA), you can eat at some pretty good Mexican Restaurants, do a little shopping, and taste a churro. If you don’t want to go to Tijuana, this is as close as it gets without going there. Union Station has great architecture from a bygone age. Also, you are 2 blocks from Phillippe’s (see below).

Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.

Venice Beach: Los Angeles kitsch and over-the-top culture at its best. Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste.

Santa Monica: Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. (The Sting and "Three's Company" come immediately to mind). After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach. Third Street Promenade - Downtown Santa Monica's shopping promenade is often the scene of movie star-sightings. Just north of Santa Monica Pier.

Sunset Boulevard: Perhaps one of the world's most famous streets, it began as a route between the stars' posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the "Sunset Strip" on its way.

Farmers Market and The Grove - A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, The Grove and Farmers Market coexist. Enjoy a movie or shopping, and then take the trolley to the Farmers Market for lunch or dinner. It is right next to CBS, so walk across the lot to see if they are taping "The Price is Right". You might even get in.

Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Travel Town Rail Museum is GREAT for your 2YO. You can tell him that he's going to see some OLD choo-choos, and he can climb on them and in them.

Side note: That reminds me of the "sound game" I used to play with my youngest, when she was a toddler. It went something like this: What sound does a duck make? (Quack quack)
What sound does a cow makee? (Moo moo)
What sound does a train make? (Toot toot or choo choo)
What sound does a monorail make? (RONK ROOOOONK!-deep loud voice) It has a deep, distinctive sound that she loved to hear me imitate)

Getty Museum - The Getty's architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art or architecture better (or maybe you'll just enjoy the view), the Getty is sure to please. Free.

Attend a TV taping - You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, tvtix.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It's very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the Tonight show. Check the NBC web site for all the details there. No kids allowed, but very interesting for adults.

Places to eat:
In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.
Pink’s Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.
Tommy’s Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.
Canter’s Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.
Phillippe’s: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street. Watch the mustard, it’s hot.
The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, GREAT steak and eggs.

Favorite Beach:
Normally I just tell people to go to Huntington or Bolsa Chica, but Sunset Magazine just announced that Laguna Beach was voted Best in the west.

Places to Shop:
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
The Grove, Los Angeles
Americana @ Brand, Glendale
Beverly Center, Los Angeles
Citadel Outlets, Commerce
Brea Mall, Brea
The Block at Orange, Orange
South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa
Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Santee Alley, Los Angeles

A train trip to Santa Barbara is easily accomplished. Just go to Amtrak.com. To be honest, the view isn't very great until you get past the Chatsworth Station. Once you get to Chatsworth, wake him up so that he can experience going through the Santa Suzanna Tunnel. Then there is farm land, and then the ocean. Should be a great trip.

In Santa Barbara, go south on State Street to Cabrillo and turn left. On the inland side of the street is a VERY fun playground (about two blocks).

Have fun!

Steve