My 72-year old mom will be in Los Angeles for 6 days with some friends. What should they see?

Beach Cities Helicopter Tour

Los Angeles, California

Soar over beautiful coastal Los Angeles with breathtaking aerial views of some world famous beaches and landmarks. This helicopter tour focuses on the "South Bay" or "Peninsula" of LA, a hidden gem and definitely a destination few tourists get to enjoy.

Group or Private Surf Lessons

Santa Monica, California

Have you ever wanted to rip up the surf, catch a wave like the best, experience the unique world inside the famed pipeline, and of course, impress the masses on the beach? This surf lesson in beautiful Santa Monica will teach you the skills required for a lifetime of surfing. Learn to surf this summer!

Catalina Ferry from Long Beach

Catalina, California

Conveniently located in downtown Long Beach, the Catalina Express is ready to take you to Avalon or Two Harbors in ultimate comfort and style. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the motion of the ocean on your way to Catalina Island from Long Beach.

I just had a 78yo aunt come and these are the things she wanted to see

Disneyland - it is the "Happiest Place on Earth" = she didn't want to do this. I think everyone should do this. It's not like any other amusement park you have been to. It's not like Orlando

The Getty

The Farmers Market

Performance of the Los Angeles Philharmonic or at least a tour of the Disney Concert Hall

Malibu Beach

Santa Barbara, it's not that far from them

The Los Angeles County Arboreteum or Huntington Library or Descanso Gardens

Santa Monica Farmers Market

They have to see Graumens Chinese Thether and Hollywood Blvd (go on a weekday evening, it won't be crowded) = they also didn't want to do this. It's another one of those things you "have" to see. whiny & whiny until we were there. Super glad they went. Park at Hollywood & Highland. Won't' take but a 1/2 hour or so but it's a must see

Philippe's restuarant = may be super crowded when they are there becasue it's been the travel network and food tv a bunch lately.

There are plenty more great museums based on their individual interests

Top Ten that i recommend

1.Universal Studios

2.Hollywood

3.Santa Monica Pier

4.Disney Land

5.Venice Beach

6.Pacific Palisades

7.Beverly Hills

8.Downtown Los Angeles (not crowded once in central Downtown)

9.PCH-Pacific Coast Highway

10. Griffith Observatory

There are literally hundreds of things to do here in LA. Here is my list of “must sees”. Visit as many as you have time for:

Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors can’t be wrong. #1 Destination.

Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. #2 Destination.

Even if you don’t visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Tour, Downtown Disney District and Universal City Walk are very fun places to visit for shopping and eating. And they’re free to visit. If you’re adventurous, try the indoor skydiving (www.iflyhollywood.com). It’s a blast!

Hollywood: Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Chinese Theatre and more. The Hollywood & Highland complex has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater. The El Capitan theater, right across the street, is where Disney shows their movies. And the Hollywood Bowl is a GREAT place to listen to concerts outdoors. Take a tour with Starline Tours, many of which start right on Hollywood Blvd.

Other theme parks include Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain, which are both more geared towards the fast-ride teen crowd.

Olvera Street/Union Station: Olvera Street is the birthplace of LA, and it emphasizes our Mexican heritage. In addition to the Avila Adobe (oldest building in LA), you can eat at some pretty good Mexican Restaurants, do a little shopping, and taste a churro. If you don’t want to go to Tijuana, this is as close as it gets without going there

Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.

Venice Beach: Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste.

Santa Monica: Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach.

Sunset Boulevard began as a route between the stars' posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the "Sunset Strip" on its way.

Farmers Market and The Grove - A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, It is right next to CBS, so walk across the lot to see if they are taping "The Price is Right".

Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.

Getty Museum - The Getty's architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art, architecture, or view better, the Getty is sure to please. Free.

Attend a TV taping - You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, tvtix.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It's very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the Tonight show.

Places to eat:

In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.

Pink’s Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.

Tommy’s Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.

Canter’s Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.

Phillippe’s: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street.

Tito’s Taco’s: Voted best tacos in LA, even though it’s in Culver City. King Taco is a good alternate if you can deal with East LA.

The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, GREAT steak and eggs.

Medieval Times and/or Pirate’s Dinner Adventure: Dinner and an adventure show, both are on Beach Blvd in Buena Park, you get to eat with your hands.

Places to Shop:

Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica

The Grove, Los Angeles

Americana @ Brand, Glendale

Beverly Center, Los Angeles

Citadel Outlets, Commerce

Brea Mall, Brea

The Block at Orange, Orange

South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa

Fashion Island, Newport Beach

Santee Alley, Los Angeles

Hollywood, Malibu, La Brea tar pits, hills north of LA, drive up the coast. Perhaps a boat to Santa Catalina.

la's boring go to San Francisco instead