?'s about AGPLA

[only1genevieve]

Does anyhone have any recommendations as to where to stay while visiting?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Specific hotels ... Nope, sorry. I can recommend areas to start looking and that depends on how much you want to spend. I hear the Beverly Hilton is nice [img]biggrin.gif[/img] . Seriously, though, there aren't many hotels in the immediate area. I've noticed in LA county, the places to stay cluster in certain cities. When searching, I'd look in Ventura and Burbank. I'd say that would be a fifteen or twenty minute drive from the Grove. If you want closer, you will have to look in the city of Beverly Hills, which can be pricier, or east Santa Monica.

If you are visiting Disneyland while you're in the area, I recommend picking a hotel in Annaheim. The options there are SO much better, and it's closer to touristy fun things to do like

What other attractions are there nearby? I am not familiar with the area at all but wondered where else we could go while we were in the area.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Santa Monica 3rd St Promenade. You just follow the 10 west and exit fourth street. Follow the signs. Parking is cheap. The Third St Promenade is a closed off shopping street with lots of great stores and performers in the evening. From there you can walk to the Pier, which has a ferris wheel and roller coaster, or visit the beach.

Hermosa Beach is a really good beach, though it'll be about a half hour or forty minutes from the Grove itself. Worth the drive.

The Ghetty museum is gorgeous and has some great exhibits. Your only cost is parking. I highly recommend visiting.

LACMA is also good. It's very close to The Grove, and is free after 5 or 6 PM.

Papa Christo's on Pico and Normandy is a great little Greek restaurant.

Fashion Alley (aka Santee Alley) is a fun, back-street, gray-market shopping experience. They sell a lot designer knock-offs and that sort of thing there. Buy a baby turtle for $5 (actually, don't, you'll regret it later).

[thepidget]

Originally posted by only1genevieve:
When searching, I'd look in Ventura and Burbank. I'd say that would be a fifteen or twenty minute drive from the Grove. If you want closer, you will have to look in the city of Beverly Hills, which can be pricier, or east Santa Monica.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I live close to Burbank and it actually takes me about half an hour to drive to the Grove. You should watch out for traffic on the freeway and the streets. Try not to do the freeway during rush hour; and during weekends, street-driving to the Grove can be a little bit slow. This is just from my own experience.

Also, I really want to try Papa Christo's...mmm...maybe someday! I've been meaning to go there but I never knew where it was located.

Just one more word of advice to anyone visiting the LA area these days--dress very lightly. It has gotten so hot lately!! [img]graemlins/sun.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/sun.gif[/img] [img]frown.gif[/img]

Have fun!

[MollyGirl]

HI, I would im ladydi43 and ask her which hotel she stayed at. She and her daughter visited the AGLAP last month. I think they liked the hotel they stayed at. It was within walking distance of the grove. The hotel also gave taxi vouches.

Hope that helps.

[img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img]

[littlele]

OK, so I was able to call AGPLA to find out about the package and they told me that it is of no savings, just put together for convenience.

I was under the impression that Disney was quite a ways away. Anyone know about how long of a drive to either Disney or Universal? The market/beach idea sounds really fun too-thanks! [img]graemlins/sun.gif[/img]

I am hoping to make it down there at the end of August and maybe by then it will be less crowded and the heat wave will not be driving everyone (at least me!)crazy. Has it been as bad as Oregon (100+)?

[stebbarry]

FYI, we were down in the area in May. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and traveled to AGPLA on a weekday. It took about 2 1/4 hours during morning rush hour to get to AGPLA and it took about 1 1/2 to get back to the hotel at about 3:00 in the afternoon. I was thinking that if I ever do this again I may look into train options to see if anything was available from the Disney area as the long ride was not too much fun! - Meg B.

[littlele]

Can anyone help me with these ?'s

I saw the package online 'Spend a day...'. Is it a discount if you buy it this way or not?

Anyone know how far in advance you would need to make reservations for either the cafe or theater?

Does anyhone have any recommendations as to where to stay while visiting?

What other attractions are there nearby? I am not familiar with the area at all but wondered where else we could go while we were in the area.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

[littlele]

Thanks for all of the great info so far!

I think we will try to stay closer to the Torrance area. Is that close to any of the above mentioned beaches? It looks like google maps will be my best friend for those couple of days...

[tallpkb]

We just got back from AGPLA last week. We stayed at the Orlando Hotel. There were four families (moms and daughters) and every single one of us had a problem with the rooms! Dispite the great breakfasts and the free taxi vouchers, we would not stay here again. They would not give us any credit for their mistakes. Next time, without a doubt, we will stay at The Farmer's Daughter. It is directly (and I mean, DIRECTLY) across the street from the Grove. It is not fancy, and they don't have the doll beds, but the convenience of being across the street is more than worth it! Parking at the Grove is expensive!

Regarding the "Day at AGP" package, we used this. It was great having everything taken care of. When they send you your vouchers, you also get a copy of the Revue, so your girls can listen to it before you go. You also get a souvenier doll shirt from AGPLA. It gets the excitement going before you leave!

Hope this helps!

[littlele]

tallpkb-That's great info about the package that I didn't even think of. You're right, that would start the excitement for my daughter.

Thanks also for the tip on the Orlando. I hadn't heard of the Farmer's Daughter, so I will check it out.

[J9S]

I haven't stayed at any of the hotels around there, but have looked at many of the nearby hotel webpages out of curiosity. The Farmer's Daughter actually looked very cute and comfy to me.

I remember thinking if I ever had an excuse to actually STAY out there, that that is where I would choose.

Good luck with your plans!