LA/Disney/Sequoia/Death Valley/Grand Canyon/Las Vegas

Question

Planning a 2 week trip mid September from the UK.

We want a couple of days in LA then a day/night in Anaheim for Disney. Then setting off on the trip above.

I’ve read lots of useful info on this forum and will e booking one of the hotels suggested within walking distance of the park.

I’d like some advice on transport for the first few days. Was thinking a car hire from LAX was our best option but can anyone offer better suggestions please? 4 adults, 2 in early twenties who want to do Hollywood/Venice Beach kind of stuff. Presume we don’t really want/need a car for that? Then what’s the best way to get to Anaheim and can we easily rent a car there instead? I hadn’t appreciated how spread out the LA area is but it seems a bit of a waste to hire a car and we then don’t use it for the first 4/5 days!

Thanks for any advice.

Answer

For your two-week September trip, planning transport wisely for the first few days in LA and Anaheim can save you both time and money. LA is very spread out, and driving in heavy traffic can be stressful, so careful consideration is key.

Option 1: Rent a car from LAX immediately

This gives you flexibility to explore further afield and handle airport transfers easily.
However, for the first few days in LA—especially areas like Hollywood, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica—you may not need a car at all. Parking can be expensive and scarce, and traffic is heavy.
If you plan to drive, consider reserving parking in advance at hotels or attractions, or use rideshare for short trips to avoid the hassle.

Option 2: Delay car rental until Anaheim

Take a shuttle, rideshare, or public transport from LAX to your LA hotel. Shuttle services like FlyAway Bus can take you from LAX to downtown or Hollywood, which is cheaper than Uber for a group of 4.
For exploring LA during the first 2–3 days, rely on rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or public transit. This is convenient for areas like Hollywood, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and downtown.
Once you’re ready to head to Anaheim for Disney, rent a car either at LAX before departure or at a local Anaheim rental location. Many major companies have outlets near Disneyland hotels.

Practical tips:

LA traffic is worst in the mornings (7–10am) and evenings (4–7pm). Plan your drives outside these windows if you have a car.
Walking distance hotels near Disneyland are convenient, and Disney provides shuttles to parking if needed. You don’t need a car for the park itself.
If you choose to rent in Anaheim instead of LAX, you’ll avoid driving in heavy LA traffic initially, and can start your road trip westward efficiently after your Disney visit.

Overall, for 4 adults with some wanting to explore Hollywood/Beach areas, the most relaxed approach is to use rideshare or shuttle services in LA, then rent a car in Anaheim to continue your multi-destination road trip. This minimizes stress in the city while giving full flexibility for your longer journey.