Looking to take my kiddo to LA. Need suggestions
- hotels in LA/santa Monica/san Diego
- fun things to do with a teen (activities/restaurants etc)
TIA!!!!!

Venice Beach, bikes along boardwalk to Santa Monica, Hollywood "star" tour, Disneyland!

Disneyland LEGO land sea world in San Diego universal studios Hollywood you have the zoo and the safari good luck in your trip

If they’re interested in rides, Universal, Six Flags or Knotts
Check ahead and do a search for local events as some things are free, others require a ticket.

Universal studios...Disneyland...medieval show and dinner in Anhiem..san diego zoo ...san diego safari park...san diego seaworld...lo jova Beach... Balboa Beach Newport pier... it was near anhiem we really enjoyed it they have nice restaurant and really yummy ice-cream place ...also a little ferry boat I think it was like $1 or $2 ferris wheel and if you cross the street there is another beach with lots of waves was nice walking along it.

Depends what your teen is into. I'm from LA and some of my favourite places include Olvera Street (oldest street in Los Angeles, dating back to Spanish/Mexican times) and Griffith Park, which has an observatory, but what I love are the trails and that it is in an older part of LA with views. Rebel Without a Cause (James Dean) was filmed there. When I was in high school, Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood had vintage stores where I was able to set an alternative style on my meagre budget and out-cool the rich kids with their shopping-mall new gear. La Brea tar pits is also pretty fun. It's an ice-age excavation site - essentially there was a big natural tar pit that a bunch of ancient animals fell into and got preserved. There is still a lake pit (gated off, of course) and fossils and a museum. If your kid is into art, The Getty and the Getty Villa (different museums, both free but you have to reserve tickets ahead) are amazing. Topanga Canyon is a winding canyon road heading to Malibu. There are all sorts of wealthy bohemian hippy houses and some decent restaurants roadside, all surrounded by the Santa Monica mountains. Oh, and while you are in California, take advantage of a good Jewish deli - we sure as heck lack any here in Vancouver. Damn I miss good Jewish deli food! There you go: lots more to Los Angeles than Disneyland.

We did San Diego just before Christmas before and after a cruise.
Airport is close to port and sight seeing; many hotels have free shuttles
We did one day in port including old ships, some that go out on day cruises. We did a harbour tour out of Maritime Museum. Also has USS Midway aircraft carrier used in Top Gun. We had dinner at Miguel’s on the harbour - free chips and salsa & big portions
We did two days hop on hop off
Lots of areas-Little Italy, Old Town, Coronado Island, Balboa Park
There is the San Diego zoo & Lego Land plus other places other suggested
The temperatures was 18oC