How far is Santa Monica Pier from DLH?

[ballarinamom]

We were thinking of taking a town car from DLH to Santa Monica pier for lunch and then on to tour Hollywood. It would be a Saturday in November so traffic should be ok. I'm thinking we could save some money by taking a cab from the DLH to Santa Monica and having the car pick us up after lunch and then tour Bev Hills et al. It could save us about 2 hours in town car fees ($60 per hour plus tip)Any comments?

PS DH will not consider renting a car as he figures he is on vacation and he wants to actually see the sights and not just the road

 

[Monkey Monkey]

According to Yahoo maps, it's about 40 miles from Anaheim to Santa Monica.

 

[Corpsebride]

I live in West Los Angeles which is right next to Santa Monica.I can tell you, the only time there is good traffic is in the middle of the night or on Xmas or Thanksgiving day when no one is in Los Angeles. lol
There is always traffic. I think you should rent a car. Dont take a taxi. you will get ripped off. And renting a town car, you will pay a lot. Plus, the Pier is kinda far from Hollywood. If you rent a car, you can get pretty much everywhere you want to go and youll save lots of dough.
On the map travel time from hollywood to Santa monica to DLH you would think wont take long, but there is just lots and lots of traffic here. My best advice to you is to yahoo map EVERYWHERE you want to go. It will give you a good idea of where you are at. If you have any questions as far as areas that are safe or cool places to go, just ask. I have lived in L.A.for almost 20 years .I lived in Hollywood for 14 years. I love Los Angeles and Hollywood. There are wonderful places to go. But definatly , think about renting a car. It will be your best bet.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I agree with the rental. And in that rental, seriously consider a gps unit for another ~$11/day. When I travel to LA on business, that thing is a lifesaver. I was just out there last week and actually stopped off at Santa Monica Pier since I had an office visit in Northridge. I left there at about 2pm to head back to Cypress in Orange County and it took me a good 1.5 hours and traffic hadn't even gotten "bad" yet.

 

[ballarinamom]

Renting is definately out of the question. DH has budgeted $500 for the day for a car. I know- it's alot. But he feels this is his vacation too and does not want to drive. He feels it's worth it to kick back and relax while someone else does the work. I saw on Yahoo maps the distances, but what are realistic times to get from DLH to Santa Monica Peir. Then from Santa Monica pier to Hollywood?

 

[Hound 109]

If you get an early start on Saturday, it could work out great. 3 times I've driven from Malibu to DLR on early Sat. & Sundays (6:20 - 8amish) & have seen little traffic in any direction. If you get an early start you could get to the Pier in less than an hour. A few thoughts:

- After the Pier, if you're hungry there's Patrick's Roadhouse 2-3 miles up the PCH for neat ecletic breakfasts.
- If you have the vehicle for the day (not by the mile) & you're at the SM pier....then head up the PCH to Malibu. Stopping at:

- Perhaps the Santa Monica Beach (near Sunset Blvd)...great white beaches.
- Malibu Lagoon & Surfrider Beach.
- The Malibu Vons (if you need a provision) & you might see a star. I've seen 3-4 there including George C. Scott squeezing several cantaloupes .
- The Malibu Seafood for amazing fish sandwiches on sour dough. (gotta ask for the sour dough) sit outside & watch the surf.
- Zuma Beach for a great kid friendly beach (with bathrooms & showers).

The above would take 2-3 hours but might be fun.

- Then head up Sunset Blvd (or San Vicente) towards Hollywood / LA.

Unlike the others I LOVE the idea of a driver...you can "enjoy the views" while the driver worries about SoCal traffic.

Hopefully some locals can give you a good itinerary of things to see. If i'm reading your post correctly, you have hired the car for the day. Does this mean you can say "take me to Malibu. then OJs house. then Scwabbs Deli. then the Kodak theatre. then Phillipe's Roast Beef....etc. etc.

Sounds cool. Hey locals....if you had a limo for a day from the SM Pier to Hollywood & back to DLR....where should they go??

Have fun.

 

[john398]

how are the sunsets from santa monica?

 

[ballarinamom]

Thanks Hound. Yes we have the car to do with as we please. Which is why we chose to do this. It's on our schedule.
DH has to do the following-
Mann's Theater, Rodeo Drive, Photo by the Beverly Hills sign, Walk of Fame, a view of the Hollywood sign,

And of course Santa Monica Pier.

PS- we're from San Antonio, Thanks for the HOSPITALITY!!! Hook 'em!

 

[farmfresh]

If you have time - hire a bike and ride down the beach for a while (say 30mins) If your five year old doesn't bike, put her in a trailer. You can cruise past muscle beach etc this way.

To reach the pier will take time depending o traffic, but it is quite easy to find. Hollywood is a way off, but again, it's pretty much a straight shot across town form SM