A week in LA. Should I split my time between districts?

Question

My partner and I will be in LA in September and we are wanting to see Hollywood, Santa Monica, Disneyland, etc etc. Should we spend half of our time in Hollywood, then move down to Anaheim? I've heard that the hotels in Anaheim are fairly ordinary and there isn't much else to do apart from the theme parks?
Maybe spend half the time in Hollywood then move Downtown closer to Disney but still be somewhere exciting?
What's to see in Downtown at night?
Sorry, lots of questions all at once.
Also, how do we get around? Will we need a vehicle or can we rely on public transport and shuttles from our hostel to sights?
Thaaaaanks.

In reply to a post below: No I can't travel all the way to LA and miss Disneyland. Just can't do it!
If I book a hotel in Hollywood for the week then decide when I get there that we should move furhter south, will I have difficulties getting accommodation at this time?

In reply to a post below: No I can't travel all the way to LA and miss Disneyland. Just can't do it!
If I book a hotel in Hollywood for the week then decide when I get there that we should move further south, will I have difficulties getting accommodation at this time?

Answer 1

You can easily see Hollywood and Santa Monica on public transit, but if you want to go to Disneyland you're probably best off getting a car. There is a metro bus that goes there, but it's designed to shuttle workers, and the times it runs aren't very convenient from a tourist's point of view. It would also be possible to take Amtrak or a Metrolink train to the Anaheim Stadium station and catching an Orange County bus from there. I honestly don't know if that connection is convenient or not--but most buses in Orange County aren't very frequent.

The hotels in Anaheim are very ordinary, but so are most of the hotels in L.A. A few (especially some of the older hotels in Hollywood) do have either history or character or both.

There's not really much to see or do downtown at night. Hollywood and the areas further west on Sunset (West Hollywood and Westwood) are much more active after dark. Santa Monica would also have more nightlife than downtown L.A. Downtown does have a lot of interesting (and comparatively untouristed) attractions, but they're mostly open during the day.

If you're not afraid of using public transportation (which, in spite of what some people say, is really quite easy to do in L.A.) you won't need a car until you're ready to go to Disneyland. The red line subway goes right down Hollywood Boulevard and can also get you downtown and to the San Fernando Valley (where you could catch a bus to visit the Warner Studios--something I'd strongly suggest). If you transfer at Vermont/Wilshire to the Wilshire rapid bus, you'll get to Santa Monica quicker than you could drive there. Go to the end of the line, and you're at the beach. An all day pass for all the buses and trains in L.A. is an incredible bargain at $3. The website experiencela.com can tell you how to get almost anywhere a tourist would want to go on public transit.

When you are ready to go to Disneyland, take the red line to the blue line (at Metro Center) to the green line (at Rosa Parks). It's about an hour from Hollywood to Aviation station where you catch the "G" shuttle to LAX and rent your car. You can also rent cars at Union Station downtown, which is right on the red line subway.

While it's never dumb to have reservations, for the most part both L.A. and Anaheim are overbuilt with hotels, so finding accommodations is rarely a problem in southern California.

Answer 2

In no particular order:
1. Yes, you will need a car. Don't even try to use public transportation for this kind of trip. There aren't any shuttles that I am aware of for this sort of trip. Make sure you know where you're going. Don't rely on someone's directions or mapquest. Buy a map/maps.
2. I think dividing your time between the two locations is a good idea. You hit two of the area's highlights without wearing yourselves to a nub. Don't be surprised if Hollywood is a disappointment. It's seedy in areas, dirty and attracts all sorts of weirdos. You won't need more than a day for it.
3. Downtown at night? Don't--unless it's a large-ish attraction like the Disney Concert Hall.
4. In Orange County, there isn't a lot to do outside of the theme parks, so hit the ones you want while you're there. Don't even think about trying to do more than one a day.
5. Santa Monica has a great pier. You may also want to check out Venice while you're in the neighborhood. The quintessential LA experience.
6. September is usually pretty hot. Dress accordingly.

That's all I can think of.

Have a great trip!

Answer 3

Spend a day at Disneyland. Another day, you can drive to the town Corona del Mar and walk on the beaches and drive around the town. The same day, you can drive to Laguna Beach, which is the town south of CDM. I believe both towns are in Orange County and aren't more than an hour from Disneyland.

I'm a beach person, so I always drive to the ocean when I get to L.A. Usually, I drive to Malibu and drive up the Pacific Coast Highway.

Rent a car at the airport. The rental agencies have shuttles to the airport.
In Southern California, everybody drives.

There is nothing in downtown L.A. focus on Hollywood. Go to Farmers Market and the shopping area behind it. At your hotel, they will have brochures for other places.

You could stay at the Farmer's Daughter, which is across from Farmer's Market.

Have fun!

Answer 4

No whatever place you want to check in, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy both Orange County and LA County, you can even go to san diego.

In los angeles
Santa Monica pier
Universal Studios
Hollywood-shopping, clubs, and pricey restaurant

Orange County

Disneyland and CA adventure in Anaheim
Medieval, Knotts Berry Farm, and Soak City in Buena Park
Huntington, Newport, and Laguna Beach

San Diego

Beaches
Museums
Sea World

Answer 5

Skip Disneyland and Anaheim. It's over priced and tons of lines. I'd keep heading south another 90 minutes and spend a day or two in San Diego.

Answer 6

About Disneyland................you need one whole day..at least.
Maybe two!!! its that wonderful.

So stay two nights in Anaheim...you will need the rest!