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Question

Family of 4 coming to LA with 2 older teens at the end of July.

Parents have been to LA before but it’s been a while. We will have about 3.5 days (4 nights - we arrive in the evening) in the LA area before heading north on the coast for two days and then south to San Diego for 4 days.

Currently have hotel booked in West Hollywood. We will have a car.

This is sort of a first draft itinerary so feedback is appreciated.

Day 1:

Original Farmers Market

The Grove

Melrose Trading Post

One teen won’t want to do the Grove and Trading Post so maybe the Academy Museum while we are at those sites

Then La Brea Tar Pits

Would also like to do LACMA but it’s clearly too much

Day 2:

WB tour

Hollywood Lake Park for Hollywood sign

Griffith Observatory

Need to somehow fit in the obligatory visit to Hollywood and the stars and Chinese theater - today?

Day 3:

Downtown LA - Smorgasbord, Grand Central Market, the Broad, Olvera Street

Later drive over to ucla to look around

Day 4 - checking out of hotel so we would have bags in the trunk… not something I’ve been too concerned about in other US cities but sounds like it’s an issue (?)

What I’d like to do is head briefly to Santa Monica and then up PCH to Malibu making some stops along the way.

We end up in Ventura that evening to go to the Channel Islands the next day.

I’ve probably got too much on the agenda so let me know what I should cut - or add - I didn’t get BH into the itinerary or Rodeo Drive

We like a mix of activities - one teen likes nature, history and food and the other will be more interested in the entertainment industry, shopping and beach locations - so trying to keep everyone happy with a variety.

Answer

Your itinerary is ambitious, but it’s workable with some adjustments to reduce stress and maximize enjoyment for both teens. Here’s a detailed breakdown and suggestions:

Day 1 – West Hollywood / Miracle Mile area:

Your plan to visit the Original Farmers Market and The Grove is convenient since they are adjacent, but if one teen isn’t interested in shopping, consider splitting up briefly. Melrose Trading Post is only on Sundays, so make sure your arrival day is a Sunday; otherwise, skip it. The La Brea Tar Pits are right next to LACMA, so you can visit both if you only do highlights of LACMA (e.g., one or two main galleries) rather than the full museum.

Option for teen who isn’t interested in The Grove / Trading Post: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which is also on Wilshire Blvd.
If short on time, prioritize La Brea Tar Pits for the history and science aspect, especially for the teen interested in nature/history.
Consider saving full LACMA visit for another trip unless the family enjoys museums intensely.

Day 2 – Hollywood & Griffith Park area:

Warner Bros. Tour is a must for entertainment-focused teen. Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and Hollywood Blvd highlights can fit in before or after the studio tour, but traffic can be heavy. Griffith Observatory is best later in the afternoon or near sunset for views of the city and the Hollywood Sign.

Option A: WB Tour in the morning → Hollywood Blvd (Walk of Fame / Chinese Theatre) → Griffith Observatory late afternoon.
Option B: If traffic or time is tight, skip Hollywood Blvd, as the Observatory also offers views of the Hollywood Sign, satisfying the “Hollywood experience” in a scenic way.
Hollywood Lake Park (likely meant Lake Hollywood Park) is a good short stop for photos of the sign.

Day 3 – Downtown LA / UCLA:

Downtown LA has a lot of concentrated attractions. Grand Central Market, The Broad, and Olvera Street are all walkable, which is efficient. Smorgasbord-style food exploration is perfect for teens. Later driving to UCLA is fine for a brief campus stroll.

Consider skipping any museum inside Downtown LA that requires long visits, to keep the day relaxed.
If your teens like art and history, The Broad is free but requires timed tickets; plan ahead.

Day 4 – Santa Monica / Malibu / Ventura:

Checking out and storing bags in the car is generally safe in LA, but avoid leaving valuables visible. Santa Monica pier and beach is an easy stop before heading north. Malibu along PCH is scenic; you can pick 1–2 beaches or viewpoints to avoid rushing.

Top Malibu stops: Zuma Beach, El Matador State Beach, Malibu Pier.
Rodeo Drive or Beverly Hills: If you want to include shopping, you could do this in the morning of Day 1 (before The Grove) or fit in a quick drive-through on Day 2 on the way to Griffith Observatory.
Ventura in the evening works well for the next day’s Channel Islands trip.

General recommendations:

Traffic is heavy in LA, especially around Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica – plan buffer time.
It’s ambitious to fit everything, so prioritize one “teen-focused” and one “parent-focused” activity per day to keep it enjoyable.
Some museums or attractions require timed entry (The Broad, Academy Museum, WB Tour) – reserve tickets in advance.
Consider grouping activities geographically to reduce drive time. For example, Day 1 and Day 2 are close in location, but Downtown LA is a separate area that can be tightly scheduled.
For nature versus entertainment balance, the La Brea Tar Pits, Griffith Observatory, and Malibu stops provide scenic/nature experiences, while WB Tour, Hollywood Blvd, and The Grove cover entertainment and shopping.

In summary, your draft is solid, but trimming and prioritizing is key. Day 1 could focus on either shopping or museums, Day 2 balances Hollywood and observatory views, Day 3 stays Downtown LA, and Day 4 is flexible for beach and PCH exploration. Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills can be squeezed in as quick photo stops if desired.

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