Reasonable itinerary?

Question

We have rental car, currently booked at Home2 in Woodland Hills, but open to change, budget for hotel would like to stay under $250. Could do $300. 2 adults 2 teenagers. Also any recommendations for the surf lessons, I was just going to pick one off Airbnb….any location better? Venice vs Santa Monica or further north? I think the PCH sounds amazing, I don’t have that in the plan though…not sure how scenic it would be now. We could switch hotels 1/2 way through if it makes sense.

California

Arrive 9:00am, pick up rental car - hike to inspiration point, Santa Monica beach, surf lesson, pier

Lunch:

Dinner:

Sweet rose creamery

Millet Crepe

Johnny and Vinny

Night and market

Gjusta

Day 2

Runyon cannon, silver lake, Griffith park, Hollywood sign hike, la brea tar pits,

Dinner:

Rebublique

Burgers never say die

Parks BBQ

Black rabbit rose

Day 3

Universal Studios or Knott’s Berry Farms - thoughts on each?

Day 4

The broad

Venice beach

Whale cruise

Return to airport, flight departs 10:10pm

Answer

Your 4-day Los Angeles itinerary is ambitious but doable with a rental car, though some adjustments might make it more comfortable and enjoyable, especially with two teenagers. Woodland Hills is a reasonable base if you want to save on hotel costs, but it is quite far from many central attractions. Splitting your stay could reduce driving times and allow more flexibility.

Hotel suggestions within your budget ($250–300/night) closer to Santa Monica or Venice for at least part of the trip could be:

Shore Hotel (Santa Monica) – close to beach and pier, modern amenities.
Hotel Erwin (Venice) – walkable to Venice Beach and Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Hotel Carmel (Santa Monica) – more budget-friendly and central to sightseeing.
Airbnb or vacation rentals in Venice/Santa Monica – might offer more space and kitchen facilities for teens.

Day 1 seems fine, but consider:

Arriving at 9am and hiking to Inspiration Point may be tight depending on traffic; allow extra time for car pickup and LA traffic.
Santa Monica Beach, surf lesson, and pier are all in the same area, so you won’t need to drive much. Venice Beach could be combined depending on timing.
Surf lesson locations: Santa Monica is slightly more family-friendly and less crowded than Venice; both are fine, but north along Malibu beaches offers more scenic PCH views if you want to make it a half-day trip.

Food planning:

Sweet Rose Creamery and Millet Crepe are walkable near Santa Monica, so plan around lunch or snack times.
Johnny and Vinny, Gjusta, and other options are spread out, so consider traffic when choosing dinner locations.

Day 2 – Sightseeing and hikes:

Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park are manageable in one morning or early afternoon.
Silver Lake and Hollywood Sign hike could be combined with Griffith Observatory for views.
La Brea Tar Pits and nearby museums are closer to mid-city; check traffic times and parking availability.
For dinners, Rebublique and Parks BBQ are on opposite sides of the city; plan accordingly.

Day 3 – Theme parks:

Universal Studios – more movie-themed, easier for teens interested in Hollywood attractions; a full day is needed.
Knott’s Berry Farm – roller coasters and classic rides; smaller than Universal, may be less expensive.
Choice depends on teens’ preference for thrill rides versus studio/movie experience. Universal is more iconic for LA first-timers.

Day 4 – Museums and beach:

The Broad – allow 1–2 hours; reservations recommended.
Venice Beach – can combine with morning stroll or quick shopping.
Whale watching cruise – plan departure to fit your 10:10pm flight; harbor is near Long Beach or Newport Beach, requires extra drive time from Venice.

Additional tips:

Consider splitting your hotel stay: 2 nights near Woodland Hills for initial inland attractions, 2 nights near Santa Monica/Venice for beach and coastal activities.
Traffic in LA is heavy; use apps like Waze for real-time navigation and to avoid delays.
Parking can be challenging near popular beaches and tourist spots; budget extra time and money.
Start early each day to maximize sightseeing, especially with teenagers who may tire quickly.

Overall, your plan is reasonable but adjusting hotel locations, combining activities geographically, and factoring traffic will make it more enjoyable and less rushed.