If this is your first time in LA, you need to consider that the Disneyland/Anaheim area really isn't "close" to a lot of LA spots. It looks close on a map, but isn't when you consider traffic. It could take you 2 hours during rush hour to get from Disney to the Santa Monica Pier.
As a frequent visitor to LA, here are my tips for a first time visitor:
-If you are in Disney, and want to see nice California beaches, go directly west. Towards Huntington Beach and points south. In general, the further north you go, the more blue-collar and trashy the beaches and people generally are. The Santa Monica Pier is a bit of a tourist trap, and a bit of a shi$hole. Venice beach is a bit of the same. If you want to see the Pier, just to say you saw it, it's a point of reference for life, but it really isn't a great California beach area in my opinion.
The most beautiful beaches, IMO, are Laguna Beach down to Laguna Nigel. And if you venture to the far north, Malibu is gorgeous (but that is quite a drive from Disney).
-Stay away from south and central LA. Don't get off the freeway in those areas, unless your car breaks down. There are exceptions, but there are some pretty dangerous areas there, even during the day.
-Downtown LA (Staples Center area, where the Lakers play) and all points north and west of there are generally very nice. Pasadena thru Burbank down to Beverly Hills and West Hollywood are where the "classic" LA sights are.
-The area of the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a tourist trap area. You can get a feel for it by just driving down a few blocks of that area, but it's a den of cheap souvenir shops and not much else to see.
-Driving up into the Hollywood Hills up by Mullholand Drive gives you a great look at Burbank to the North (where the Studios are), and greater LA to the South. The houses in the hills are gorgeous. Countless celebs, producer and director types, and just people with boatloads of money, reside in the Hills. Geographically, the Hills are gorgeous. Warning: passengers in a car can get car sick from the twists and turns of the hills after 20-30 minutes.
-Rodeo Drive. Your 7 year old might be bored here. But for adults, walk the few blocks and you'll see some great cars driving up and down, and shoppers dressed to the nines in their casual-but-expensive attire. You'll hear accents from shoppers & tourists from all around the world. High-end tourism/shopping here. Parking, surprisingly, isn't expensive in the local lots. Again, another place you might catch a celeb shopping -- and more likely on a weekday morning or afternoon when they are less likely to draw attention. It is worth an hour of time to visit.
-Breakfast/Brunch (in the Downtown, or Hollywood, or Beverly Hills area):
The Griddle Cafe in the greater Hollywood area has the biggest pancakes you'll ever likely see, with a large selection of them. It's a little secret that you might occasionally catch a celebrity here, as the Directors Guild is right next door, so some might grab coffee or breakfast before or after a business meeting there. There is generally nicer parking along the houses on N Hayworth rather than parking in the crappy lot out back of the Griddle. (https://www.yelp.com/map/the-griddle-cafe-los-angeles-2)
Bottega Louie (2 locations, Downtown, or in West Hollywood). Expensive, but a real foodie's breakfast and brunch place. The attention to detail is always top notch. The West Hollywood location is another area to sit for an hour and people watch. It's one of the places that the business of Hollywood gets done over brunch. If you have a keen eye, you can spot a few big wigs or celebs, especially toward the sectioned off by glass area toward the rear. Last time there, the woman next to us uttered the word "dahhhling" in coversation -- twice. My preference is the West Hollywood spot, but if you are staying downtown, this is can't miss for breakfast/brunch. It is my favorite place to eat in LA. (https://www.bottegalouie.com)
Indianapolis, IN
Malvern East
