Please help me plan my LA trip :)

Question

Hello,

I am in the process of planning a trip to LA and I'm struggling, mainly due to how everything is so spread out and the fact we will have no car (not ideal in LA, I know, but it is what it is). I would have ideally preferred to stay in the West Hollywood or Beverly Grove area, but realistically I am thinking it might be better to stay in downtown, close to the 7th Street/Metro Center Station as this has access to all the subway lines. Nothing is booked yet. We will be arriving on a domestic flight, I think LAX and Burbank are both possible. But we must leave from LAX. We are a couple in our 40s, both very experienced travellers, fit and active. We are from the UK but will be arriving from elsewhere in the USA, so jetlag won't be a factor. We like to travel at a fairly fast pace and fit lots in, but don't want it just to be a tick box exercise either.

I have come up with the two possible options below but would welcome any feedback or other suggestions if anyone has any. We are on a budget, so would prefer to use public transport where possible. The odd Uber/Lyft is okay, but would prefer not to use them excessively or for long journeys if we don't have to. I think I have been looking at this for so long I just need some fresh local eyes to have a look and let me know if I'm on the right track. Do either of these sound good or is there a better option? Thanks in advance for any input.

Option 1 - Base in downtown.

Day 1

- Arrive early to mid afternoon. Take subway to union street and Uber to hotel.

- Check in, take subway to Hollywood area to tick off the walk of fame etc. We won't spend too long in this area.

- Take shuttle to Griffith observatory for sunset and visit observatory afterwards.

Day 2

- Spend the morning exploring downtown LA and have lunch at Grand Central Market

- If we feel there is time, visit The Grove and/or Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. If time is short, we will cut this step.

- Go to Rodeo Drive for window shopping/people watching

- Explore West Hollywood area/eat before watching a comedy show on Sunset Strip

Day 3 (Unsure if this is enough to fill a whole day or about right?)

- Take subway to Santa Monica

- Explore SM (3rd Street promenade, pier, muscle beach)

- Walk or bike to Venice beach

- Explore Venice beach (Abbott Kinney St, canals, skate park).

Day 4 - Take airport bus again back from Union Station to LAX.

Option 2 - Base in West Hollywood or Beverly Grove

Day 1 - As above, but getting to the hotel from the airport seems much more inconvenient/expensive than if we stayed in downtown.

Day 2

- As above, but would have to make our way to the downtown area first and then work our way back, however may have time to fit in more, due to moving Rodeo Dr and The Grove to day 3 (See below).

Day 3

- Visit Rodeo drive area - don't envisage staying too long here, probably an hour max.

- Visit Santa Monica/Venice Beach as above

- Evening visit to the Grove, which is open until 9/10pm

Day 4 - Travel to LAX - more inconvenient/expensive than doing this from downtown area.

Downtown area - pros - more convenient to/from LAX, subway direct to Santa Monica and Hollywood. Cons - less to do in the evening, not as clean/safe.

West Hollywood - pros - safer, closer to The Grove and museum so more chance of fitting these in and freeing up time to explore sights in downtown area. Closer to nightlife. Cons - less convenient for the airport. No subway access.

Answer

For your LA trip without a car, your main considerations should be convenience for public transport, minimizing long Uber/Lyft rides, and balancing sightseeing with a comfortable pace. Both options you outlined have merits, so let’s break them down and optimize for a practical itinerary.

Option 1 – Base in Downtown LA:

Pros:

Direct, convenient bus or shuttle access from LAX, saving time and cost on airport transfers.
Excellent subway connections to Hollywood and Santa Monica, reducing reliance on rideshares.
Central location for daytime sightseeing, especially downtown highlights like Grand Central Market, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Arts District.

Cons:

Downtown is less lively in the evenings compared to West Hollywood; nightlife is more limited.
Some areas are less clean or safe, particularly at night, so evening activities may be better planned in more vibrant neighborhoods.

Suggested adjustments to Option 1:

Day 1: After checking in, consider walking or taking the Metro to Hollywood, but you might save Griffith Observatory for a morning visit the next day if sunset timing is challenging.
Day 2: Focus on downtown in the morning, then take Metro or rideshare to The Grove and the Academy Museum. Ending the day with a comedy show on Sunset Strip works well with an Uber from downtown.
Day 3: Santa Monica and Venice Beach are very accessible via the Metro Expo Line to Santa Monica station. Consider renting bikes to make the Venice to Santa Monica coastline more fun and manageable for your children.

Option 2 – Base in West Hollywood or Beverly Grove:

Pros:

Safer, more walkable neighborhood with plenty of dining and nightlife options in the evenings.
Closer to The Grove, Beverly Center, and Academy Museum, saving time and reducing the need for long rideshares.
Evenings are livelier; easier to explore West Hollywood nightlife or casual strolls on Sunset Boulevard.

Cons:

Less convenient from LAX or Burbank airports; rideshare or shuttle needed, which can add time and cost.
No direct subway access, meaning trips to downtown or Santa Monica will require longer Uber/Lyft or bus rides.

Suggested adjustments to Option 2:

Day 1: After airport arrival, shuttle or Uber to hotel. Evening visit to Griffith Observatory may require a longer rideshare, so consider visiting it the next morning instead.
Day 2: Morning visit to downtown LA is possible but will involve Uber or Lyft; you may prioritize local attractions nearby like The Grove, Beverly Center, and Sunset Strip instead, keeping downtown optional.
Day 3: Santa Monica and Venice Beach can be accessed via rideshare or Metro; ensure you plan enough time as the journey will be longer than from downtown.

Overall recommendation:

Given your constraints (no car, preference for public transport, and efficiency), staying in Downtown LA is likely the better choice. It allows faster airport access and straightforward Metro rides to Hollywood and Santa Monica. You can still enjoy evenings in West Hollywood with a short Uber. To maximize your experience:

Prioritize Metro-accessible locations for daytime sightseeing.
Reserve Uber/Lyft for evening entertainment or Griffith Observatory visits.
Consider a slightly flexible itinerary, e.g., moving some stops around depending on opening hours and energy levels of your children.

This approach balances convenience, public transport use, and the ability to fit multiple highlights into your short LA visit without feeling rushed or overly reliant on rideshares.

Please help me plan my LA trip :)

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