2 days LA - staying in Santa Monica

Question

Advice please

October ‘25 we have 2 night and 2 days in LA (extendable to 3)

Will be staying in Santa Monica

Likely to leave car in hotel car park and uber it around

Looking for suggestions for girl age 12 and boy age 14.

Not sure I have the energy for somewhere like universal ! But kids are keen.

They seem keen on Hollywood celebrity house tour, Rodeo Dr, and the Funko pop store. Chinese theatre ? Dolby theatre tour ?

I’ve been to LA a couple of times but without kids.

Keen to avoid ages in traffic and just tick of the main attractions on their “list” in a sensible order that is as little travel between as pos - incorporating a few places nearby if any suggestions ?

Also seeing as there for such a short time keen to just stick to the nicer areas and not venture too far or anywhere sketchy (my husband seems to be a magnet to sketchy ! And usually likes to go off the beaten track)

Thanks SO much

Answer

With just 2 days in Los Angeles and staying in Santa Monica, it’s best to focus on nearby areas and plan your sightseeing efficiently to avoid long drives and heavy traffic. Since your kids are 12 and 14, you can mix iconic Hollywood sights with fun, interactive experiences that don’t require full theme parks like Universal Studios.

Here’s a suggested approach for your 2-day itinerary:

Day 1 – Santa Monica and Venice: Start locally to minimize travel. Enjoy the Santa Monica Pier, beach boardwalk, and maybe rent bikes to explore the beachfront path down to Venice Beach. Venice has its famous canals and Muscle Beach area for photo ops. Grab lunch at one of the pier or beachside cafés.
Day 2 – Hollywood and Beverly Hills: Focus on Hollywood Boulevard and nearby areas. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, see the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre. The Funko Pop! store is nearby, and you can include a quick Rodeo Drive stroll for the classic Beverly Hills experience. Consider a guided celebrity home tour (many operate from Hollywood or Beverly Hills) – this saves parking stress and keeps you in the safe, popular areas.

Additional tips and nearby options:

Uber or Lyft is a great choice since traffic and parking can be challenging, especially in Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
Griffith Observatory is a fun detour with panoramic views of LA and the Hollywood Sign – only a 20-30 min drive from Hollywood Boulevard. No long hikes are required; just enjoy the viewpoint and exhibits.
Consider a casual stroll along Sunset Boulevard or Melrose Avenue for shopping, murals, and iconic LA vibes.
Keep activities within 30-40 minutes of each other to avoid exhausting travel – Santa Monica to Hollywood is roughly 30-45 minutes by car depending on traffic, so start early.
If you add a 3rd day, consider the La Brea Tar Pits and the adjacent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which is kid-friendly and near Beverly Hills.

Since you prefer to avoid sketchy areas, stick to main tourist corridors and well-known neighborhoods: Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Griffith Park. Avoid wandering side streets in Hollywood or downtown LA late in the day. With this approach, you’ll hit the highlights your kids want without feeling rushed or stressed.

2 days LA - staying in Santa Monica

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