The Getty is an excellent idea since he is so close. It's about a half mile from UCLA, not a few miles. But he cannot drive there; admission is always free but parking requires a reservation and it's booked way in advance. Take an Uber, cheap ride from UCLA and the rest is a breeze. Make sure to walk the UCLA campus, it's gorgeous.

He's staying in the Wilshire corridor in Westwood, traffic is a not bad at all there. It moves very briskly, though, so you have to be careful pulling out into it. My advice for a family friendly meal would be the Apple Pan on Pico near Westwood Blvd., my favorite burger and fries in LA by far. Good pies as well. One long u-shaped counter, unchanged since 1941. LaMonica's NY Pizza in Westwood village is the best pizza in LA, no contest. I've had it all. Go in with the family and get a whole pie or slices, either eat it there or take it back to the hotel and watch a movie. It absolutely beats Mulberry Street but MS is not bad. Have fun! :cool:

Define not bad:), I pretty much stop going out that way unless I must. Did lots of work in both Westwood, up past Sunset in Bel Air and throughout the Hollywood hills. Thank goodness, no more. Yeah, it move some but its better then driving down Wilshire.

I have eaten at DuPar's more then a few times in the past 20 years. Its just another dinner now and I really don't think its that great.

Speaking of places to eat, drive down the the Marina AKA Marina Del Ray and eat at Killer Shrimp. They use to have a very limited menu with only a few items and its always packed with a line out the door. Now, there's a lot more to choose from. Eat by the water and enjoy. Its not expensive. We just had dinner there with my kids after a UCLA volley game few months back.

Getty Villa (free, but parking is $10 or $15)
Space Shuttle (Museum of Science & Industry) (free admission)
Porsche Experience (free to walk around, Lunch=$$$)
USS Iowa and / or Queen Mary
Griffith Park Observatory (great for kids)

Swingers diner. Canter's Deli. Farmer's Market/The Grove for shopping and dining. There's a fun food court in Farmer's Market.
Melrosee Blvd for funky shops. There's a whole neighborhood of funky Asian restaurants (pho, ramen, fusion, sushi, etc) over on Sawtelle (and Pico?).

The Academy of Motion Pictures museum is across the street from the Petersen. That whole area is known as Museum Row, because you've also got La Brea Tar Pits, Page Museum of Natural History, and LACMA (LA County Museum of Art) right there. There are 2 Getty's: the Villa (in Malibu) and the Museum (just north of UCLA). UCLA/Westwood also has the Armand Hammer Museum.

I’m digging this thread and all the suggestions. My wifey & I will make our first trek ever to SoCal in late August. Got pedestrian tickets for the Air-Cooled 911 event at the Petersen on a Sunday morning, tix for the museum and cellar (basement. Lol) same day. Will do 3 nites in Santa Barbara then 3 nites in Marina del Rey. I listen to a lot of Adam Carolla podcasts, and I want to get a sense of how LA is laid out. Very excited about getting out there —- and then coming home to eastern NC!

The Marina is kinda quiet but with some nice restaurants and a few bars. You want night life, and I don't mean just bars and discos, then get over a bit north to Venice. There are many places that stay open late but be careful, some parts of Venice can be a bit shade with a bunch of homeless strung out on drugs and what not. Once you get past Venice into Santa Monica, its a bit better but still lots of homeless there too but its a happenning place with planty to do. I can do without it instead, I go south to Manhattan or Hermosa Beach. I am just comfortable there with it being a bit smaller then Santa Monica and safe. I was just there today. Dropped off kids for a summer day at the beach with their friends. You will like Santa Barbara. We have it all, so let us know what you like to do and I am sure we will recommend something.

Don't forget there are lots of smaller cities connected to LA where most of the Pelicans live. Many do not actually live in LA proper we just say LA when asked.

Petersen + vault... I know people already mentioned it (porsche expo right now too) but the VAULT is mind blowing... Everything is there from rare cisitalias all the way to F1 cars !
Planes of fames is cool and not too far (1h depoending where in LA)

Surprised to hear recommendations for the tar pits, we thought it was a rip off - kids were super disappointed, tiny museum... The observatory is a really cool view at dusk... Also if you're a fan locate Bosch's house ;-)

If not too late book a ride/drive at Porsche experience LA in carson. Worst case to the simulators with the kids and lunch, great restaurant.

There are some very good suggestions here but I would just add that some of them are expensive and a lot of the best tourist attractions in LA are free or close to it. The Getty, the Santa Monica pier and the Griffith Park Observatory are all examples.

This leaves money for restaurants, which is one of the best things about being there. If you go to the observatory, the neighborhood just south of the park entrances is called Los Feliz and it’s food heaven. One of the big streets leading into the park is Hillhurst, which has Little Dom’s and a great Italian place called La Pergoletta that is informal and easy. Both have outdoor seating as well as inside. If you are around there at lunchtime, there is a taco stand called Yuca’s that has a James Beard award. For real.

The other street leading into the park is Vermont, which has a diner with good food called Fred’s 62 and a bunch of other places. Right across from Fred’s is Tacos Tu Madre, kind of a bougie stand but it’s excellent. That area is my go to…the food never gets old.

Dennis is correct. If you like fish tacos, Best Fish Taco In Ensenada off Hillhurst about 3 -4 blocks north of Sunset blvd. I love Griffith Park and the Observatory. I still go there about once a week on my bike. Ran those damn trails during my high school x-country training. HS was less then a mile from there. If you make it out that way, there are a few must try places. Palermo Italian is an old time establishment. I have been going there since high school. Its right off Vermont and Franklin. Not expensive. With these places, except for the Mexican joints, depending on the time of day, wait maybe expected due to the amount of people in those areas. My wife went to the same HS as well, but we do not miss the crowds. parking can be tricky but there it can be had on the side streets meaning you have to walk a block or two which is not too bad.

PECLA and the 917 restaurant is a SoCal treat.
https://www.porschedriving.com/los-angeles/dining

My kids and I would always look up the restaurants Man vs Food was filmed in if we traveled to a bigger city.

LA (area) has several restaurants that they made shows about.

Orochon Ramen
Phelippe the original
El Tepeyac Cafe
Bruxie (Santa Monica)
Genkiyaki
Bourbon Street Fullerton Craft Beer and Grill

https://www.tvfoodmaps.com/restaurants_on/Man-v-Food/CA/Los%20Angeles

Hike Solstice Canyon in Malibu. Super easy but very rewarding.

https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/los-angeles-hikes/solstice-canyon-hike/

Well, Jon has been here 3 days, is on his 4th, has a trip to SD planned (that's one day) so how many days left? Most airline tickets that aren't stupid expensive make you stay over one Saturday, so my bet is he's leaving Sunday.

Better giddyup to see all that has been recommended.

San Diego is whole 'nother thread of stuff to do.

But if you make the effort to drive from LA to SD, it's nice to stop by La Jolla. Lots of shops/restaurants/cliff walk in downtown La Jolla.

Philippe is alright. Sandwiches are somewhat small now. My kids have to eat two. Good french dips but not great. They claims they invented it but who knows. If you like there's Langers near hell hole or arm pits of LA, MacArthr Park. They make awesome sandwiches


El Tepeyac is just a big burrito. Nothing to write home about. Typical Mexican food. I rather see you in a Mexican restaurant, not the typical walk in, order your food and sit. A real restaurant. The meat and everything is better quality.

Genkiyaki is a waste of time. When you are ready to come out, I can recommend some Japanese restaurants that are great and not your typical date night, uber expensive sushi places. My family likes all types of Asian foods and we eat out at least two times a week. We can't cook especially Asian dishes. Try following directions on utube only frustrates me because its not the same, not even close. If you come out this way, give me a shout. Dinner and beer on me.

go early to Griffith Observatory... especially on the weekend.

Go on a hike on Westridge ... great views... if you go all the way to Muholland there is a nike missle site you can climb onto and get 360 degree veiws. - Go early... get hot and buggy in the afternoon.

https://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com/ is great!

go early for breakfast and stay for the afternoon at the beach.

The Mart at 26th and San Vicente is kinda cool Reddi Chick Rotisserie has been there forever.

The Magic Castle is great...I think you need to know someone to get in.

Mozza on Melrose is great if you're in Hollywood.

or try a Hollywood legend restaurant where all the stars use to hang out. Musso and Franks. Never eaten there but I keep hearing good things about it due to all the hype. I will save that visit for another day when we have visitors who like move stars.

OMG, that corner, on 26 and San Vicente, we called the village was a high end bike shop we use to ride to just so we can window shop. They were snooty only because of their location and that we were pimple faced 18 year olds. It looks great now from the photos. I haven't been there for over 30 years.

Anyone suggest the USS Iowa?

Its in San Pedro

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/27/3c/67/2...r-uss-iowa.jpg

Mount Wilson Observatory

https://www.mtwilson.edu/

go see the Shuttle Endeavor

https://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/endeavour-experience/space-shuttle-endeavour

I should have taken that day off. Or the day they did the flyby right after the fleet was retired.

https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a...deavourfin.jpg

http://darkroom-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com...-SHUTTLE-1.jpg