Lovely Los Angeles

My family (wife and two young children) decided to take a trip out to LA to enjoy the sun and learn more about the city of stardom and fortune tucked into California's coast. We didn't know exactly what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by a mix of fun (Universal Studios), culture (LACMA), and relaxation (lounging on the beach with lemonades). Universal Studios was by far our favorite destination on this trip--a paradise away from LA's exciting but sometimes overwhelming hustle-and-bustle.

Quick Tips:

I would recommend spending 2 or 3 days at Universal Studios (we stayed at the Sheraton, a 10-minute walk away). As always, flights are cheapest during the week, so if you can arrange your travels to leave and return midweek, this is best.

Best Way To Get Around:

You will need a car when you leave the theme park, so make sure to arrange for this--we found a great deal through AVIS. Driving can be a nightmare in LA, so it's best to travel midday or late at night.

These were very nice accommodations: clean, large, and beautiful rooms. The hotel provided ample towels and toiletries, and the staff was very helpful and friendly. The hotel's greatest attribute was its location, a pleasant 10 minutes away from Universal theme park, which is why my family decided to stay there.

I just went to Universal Studios Hollywood with my family and had the most amazing time. We began our day at CityWalk, where we had a delicious lunch and enjoyed great people-watching. When we got into the park, we went straight to the Mummy, which had been one of our original reasons for going (we had prepped by buying the DVDs). My kids and husband went nuts when they saw the scenery, and we all screamed our heads off when the ride really got going. The Mummy gives a whole new meaning to the word fast. There is no greater thrill than being shot through the dark at what feels like the speed of light. After the Mummy, my kids cooled off in the Nickelodeon Blast Zone. Obviously, it was not for us adults, but it was great watching them have fun in the water.

As I mentioned before, Jurassic Park was also a total thrill. The movie is one of my favorites, so it was great to be in what felt like the actual set. The dinosaurs are remarkably real. And it’s the perfect blend of relaxation and absolute terror—a surprise 84-foot drop. We bought a fantastic photo of us on the ride--the look on my husband's screaming face is priceless. The shows are also fantastic; our family favorite was "Water World," which was nonstop, action-packed fun. I took a lot of pictures of this attraction because the set was so well-done (included in my LA journal).

Real stars play the "Water World" characters—and they are clearly experienced, because they do stunts you only see in movies. And, as my sons will attest, it’s 100% better live. Just wait for the airplane… but I won’t spoil it.

I can’t really imagine a better day for the family. Everyone had the time of their lives.

My husband and I really liked LACMA. It has a very impressive permanent collection (from American greats, Mary Cassatt, Alfred Stieglitz, and Richard Diebenkorn, to Europe's finest, like Henry Matisse and Rene Magritte). We also enjoyed the Images of Fashion exhibit, with rare fashion engravings from the Louis XIV era.

Our kids loved the tar pits, which are eerie but fun.