There are literally hundreds of things to do here in LA. Here is my list of ��must sees��. Visit as many as you have time for.:Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors can��t be wrong. #1 Destination. 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 has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater. The El Capitan theater, right across the street, is 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. After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach. Newport/Huntington: Since you re in Anaheim, the closest beaches would be Newport and Huntington. Both are excellent. Just take I-5 south to the 55 south, and follow Newport Blvd south to PCH. Turn right at PCH, and you can go to Huntington. Newport is right there.In Anaheim, the restaurants in Downtown Disney District are very good. There s also a Claim Jumper nearby in Buena Park or one in Brea. Email me or IM me if you need any more infoSunset Boulevard 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, 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.Getty Museum - The Getty s architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art, architecture, or view better, 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.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.Tito��s Taco��s: Voted best tacos in LA, even though it��s in Culver City.The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, GREAT steak and eggs.Places to Stay:In Anaheim, I recommend the Howard Johnson (HoJo) Anaheim, and the Candy Cane Inn. Places to Shop:Third Street Promenade, Santa MonicaThe Grove, Los AngelesAmericana @ Brand, GlendaleBeverly Center, Los AngelesCitadel Outlets, CommerceBrea Mall, BreaThe Block at Orange, OrangeSouth Coast Plaza, Costa MesaFashion Island, Newport BeachSantee Alley, Los AngelesDeals come and go at the malls right now. The best places to get deals are at Santee Alley or the Citadel Outlets.Tours: http://www.starlinetours.com/anaheim-tou��
Anaheim is really pretty small. Besides Disneyland, Downtown Disney, and the new Anaheim CityWalk there is not a lot to do. You are most likely going to want a car to talk you places in Orange County = Huntington Beach, Balboa Island, Long Beach, etc.Driving in LA is really not bad compared to other cities - much easier to get around then say Washington DC or Atlanta. Your hotel will have the best options for tours, if you decide you want to take it. If you end up getting a car, be sure to check out the Los Angeles Water Power Lights display in Griffiths Park. It s Cheesy. It s totally LA at Christmas time :-)I m mostly a vegetarian too. At DownTown Disney there are many options, in the quick service places. They aren t inexperience but they are good.In Costa Mesa, near South Coast Plaza shopping mall, there is a eco-mall called The Camp. It s not very big but it s a neat place. There is a vegetarian restaurant there called, Native Foods. All the non-Veggies I ve taken there have enjoyed it!! Across the street, is another little shopping area called The Lab. There is a veggie-centric restaurant there also.Have Fun!!