Los Angeles in December

Hiking in LA.
https://www.google.com/search?q=hiking+trails+in+la+near+the+beach&client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=ALiCzsYbpEgmDqHELKurQxqFvSBxtwXZ4A%3A1652582086334&ei=xmaAYqmDFKiKggez8ZGIDA&oq=&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYADIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzIHCCMQ6gIQJzoHCCMQsAMQJzoHCAAQRxCwA0oECEEYAFAAWABgsHdoA3ABeACAAQCIAQCSAQCYAQCgAQGwAQ_IAQnAAQE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

Griffith Park is not near the beach but a nice place to hike.
Areas of LA have issues just like most major cities. So do some research about neighborhoods.
I suggest that you stay in Santa Monica where you will have close access to the 10, 101, 110 and the 5 freeways. Traffic is a nightmare during rush hours and heavy all day. If you are not used to 8-12 lane stop and go traffic or traffic moving at or over the speed limit, go somewhere else.

I like your choice of museums.

The Santa Monica Getty Villa [the older one] may not need a whole day, but you can easily spend the whole day at the newer Westwood Getty Center, by the route 405.
The Westwood Getty Center is as fascinating inside as out. It is free [but charges for parking]. Check for the daily [also free] tours, especially the garden tour and the architecture tour. It also has fabulous views of the LA area.

I'd also recommend the Broad Museum of modern art, which had some Warhols the last time I was there.

See what's on the schedule at the Hollywood Bowl- the outdoor acoustics are amazing.

What, you're skipping the Rose Bowl Parade? :)

May want to consider flying into Burbank- it's a very small airport, easy to navigate.

Have a great time!

Have lived in the Land of La for 30 years. Can count on my hands how many times I’ve been to DTLA
( downtown Los Angeles). Other than the Bradbury Bldg, restored movie palaces, Disney Concert Hall, adjacent Chinatown and enjoying a French Dip sandwich at Philippe’s why do you want to go there?

Never heard of the printing museum. Ah, I’ve Googled it. Located in Carson which is an LA suburb which, in reality is closer to the city of Long Beach than DTLA. Carson is also known as stinky city from the methane gas emanating from the refineries.

FYI downtown LA is home to the largest homeless population in the state.

All the museums you’ve mentioned are fine. Might face parking issues trying to see the Norton Simon Museum. Might not. Bleachers will be set up on Colorado Blvd.

A Rather well known Parade will occur on January 1, 2023. The Rose Parade. Scaffolding/bleachers go up 2 weeks in advance.

Personally I’d change your dates to experience the parade in person. I’d either buy a grandstand seat ticket to watch the parade or watch in your hotel room and later in the day head drive to Sierra Madre to see the floats lined up along Sierra Madre and Washington blvds. OR contact AAA of California and say you want to volunteer to work on their float on the dates between Christmas and Jan 1.

I did it for years and it is absolutely true NO paint is used on those floats. You’ll discover that Brussel sprouts cut in half make perfect dragon scales or black anise seeds are ideal for creatures eyes.

Pretty sure Parade tix go on sale soon if not already on sale. Will be high demand as Covid caused the parade’s cancellation in 2021.

I live in Hollywood, see the sign daily. I remain bemused by the lure. I am also saddened when I see tourists meandering on the walk of of fame along Hollywood Blvd . Their shock and realization that Hollywood is a pit. Tacky stores, homeless, and no matter how much money has been allotted over the years nothing improves.

I also hike in Griffith Park every week day morning. The trail from the Observatory parking lot to the Tom LaBonge Panorama is a nice jaunt. Pleasant views of DTLA.

If you must come to LA. Stay on the West side, Santa Monica. Enjoy Christmas day on the Bike Path.

Lastly visit Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, thats what people think they’ll find on Hollywood Blvd.

Oh and you will need to take a shuttle to get a cab at Hell on Earth a.k.a LAX.

EDIT: might want to check the news this morning
(Sunday, May 15) regarding a man being shot and killed outside DTLA’s Grand Central Market.

I like a lot of your museum selections and timing. As a librarian you may want to visit the downtown public library. I know I loved seeing it on one of my downtown trips along with the other buildings Claudia mentions.

I’ll heartily second an in person viewing of the Rose Parade. We drove down very early in the morning, when we lived in Santa Barbara, to park near Lake Bvd and walk to the parade route. The people who’d slept overnight on the route were just waking up and there was plenty of room for us to stand behind a family with short kids. It’s unbelievable in person.

Our DIL just did a Southern California college trip with her daughter and stayed in a great VRBO within walking distance of UCLA, restaurants and Whole Foods. It was a 15 minute drive to the pier and beach in Santa Monica, in good traffic which is a mantra and dream in LA. It was a very quick drive to the La Brea Tarpits, LACMA, LA Farmers Market, Rodeo Dr and the 2 Gettys.

Have a good time planning your winter getaway.

I've lived in and around L.A. 25 years. Bought my first house in Pasadena. There's no way I'd consider going into that city the week between Christmas & New Years. You cannot imagine the chaos the Rose Parade and football game entail. You can't get to the Norton Simon unless you want to walk 2-3 miles due to the parade set up. (I normally left town and went to Mammoth or Tahoe that week.)

You should also realize that it's cold in L.A. in December. Not Detroit cold, but definitely not beach weather. Unless a rare Santa Ana comes in most folks on the parade route will be in parkas.

You will be traveling two of the craziest days of the year. It's going to suck.

The Natural History Museum is fantastic. The neighborhood around it sucks. It's a cesspool.

Going to the Printing Museum will allow you to partake of some of the worst traffic in the nation. Seriously. And if you have never driven in L.A. this is not where you want to learn.

There are no hiking trails on Southern California beaches.

The Tar Pits. the Art Museum, and even the Petersen (cars), are all in a fairly decent area and close together. Grab a dog at Pinks.

If you do come stay around Santa Monica/Westwood. That way you can do the beach, the Getty, etc fairly easy. Plan to pay $50/day to park if you get a rental car. maybe more, depending on where you go. Plan on a lot more if you use a cab (haha, not in L.A.) or ride service.

"Regarding no hikes in Southern CA along the beaches."

There are great hikes in Torrey Pines State Park in San Diego, above the beach, with views! Just come on further south.

Safe travels!

Former resident here....

1) If you really want to go to the museums in Pasadena that week--good luck--go as early in the week as possible. If you are not into parades, massive crowds, ridiculous traffic, stay away from Pasadena that week.

2) I have never heard of the Printing museum and also looked it up. It's not in a great area.

3) No reason to go to the Grand Central Market unless you are really into markets. There is really nothing you mention that takes place downtown. Anyway, there are so many Whole Food Markets around you won't have trouble finding the food you want.

4) Nothing in your itinerary regarding film or television?

You need to also decide where you want to stay. The Westside/Santa Monica makes good sense because of logistics but it is expensive and almost all hotels charge extra for parking. And Christmas week will be busy. All over.

I'd like to reiterate what others have said. Los Angeles is like one big parking lot. Traffic is miserable. Give yourself extra time to get everywhere. Traffic is one of the reasons I left.

I lived in Los Angeles 20+ years and visited my parents over Christmas every year after moving to VA. December is a great time to go, weather is unbeatable relative to other parts of the country and traffic is actually lighter at that time of the year. LAX is a huge airport and can be a zoo but most likely flying into somewhere smaller like Burbank (BUR) will cost a lot more, taking the rental car cost into account - but not necessarily (you'll have to look, I was able to fly in there a few times and it was great). If you have to fly back from LAX and can swing staying in Santa Monica area for your last night, your trip to the airport will be largely stress free and quick. Here's a simple clean, "Mom and Pop" motel with free parking and in a fantastic location, walkable or bikeable to everything nearby (Sea Shore Motel: https://www.seashoremotel.com). If you can swing 8 days instead of 7 for your trip, then more is better. It's a long flight and there is lots to do. There's a reason why there are multiple guidebooks dedicated to Southern California in every bookstore; even if you live there most of your life, you'll still miss a lot.

There are beautiful hiking trails in places like Topanga State Park near Malibu, which have very rewarding ocean views. Here's a good website for hiking at various levels of experience: https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/hiking-in-los-angeles-las-best-trails. Every beach has easy, flat walking and biking trails as well, but no elevation and grand views like the ones in the mountains. Do check out the trails around Griffith Park Observatory and The Getty Museum (the main one, no the one in Malibu).
I would "x" out seeing the Hollywood sign or Rodeo Drive and enjoy the natural beauty of California instead of the commercialism.

I think the Grand Central Market in downtown is worth checking out (although largely prepared foods), but you can skip it in favor of the Original Farmers Market on Fairfax & 3rd (https://farmersmarketla.com), which is not far from the Tar Pitts Museum (20 minute walk). Santa Monica and just about every community has a nice farmer's market which seems to be more tailored to your preference of not eating pre-packaged and restaurant food. Frankly though, every grocery store in the area is really good with respect to fresh fruit, veggies, etc. and is (usually) cheaper than any farmer's market.

Give yourself almost all day for the Huntington Library and Gardens. It's gorgeous, and worth taking your time in - that includes seeing the art work in the museum/ library. I don't know if you can fit that and the Norton Simon Museum in a single day without cramming too much in, especially if the Norton Simon closes at 5:30 pm. Check if any museums have free admission on a particular day (The Broad in downtown is always free, for example) or are open in the evenings to maximize your time.

Anything related to the Rose Parade, like volunteering to decorate a float, is a truly unique experience but it's only worthwhile if it appeals to you and you can somehow get a spot (either to volunteer or to view).

Phil Rosenthnal of "I'll have what Phil's having" seems to like quite a few places downtown in LA. Langer's Deli for one though he also liked the Grand Central Market. That episode might be available for streaming.

https://www.philrosenthalworld.com/cities/los-angeles

Thanks for your input.

You are right about skipping Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I don't wear high fashion. I don't shop or gawk at merchandise in stores when traveling.

In Spain I only bought one T-shirt. I jogged in it today. I am going to either buy no souvenirs or at most one T-shirt.

I feel like I would be as happy if I skip the Rose Parade. Even if it is the most elaborate, spectacular public New Years day event in the country. The parade in 2023 will be on Monday, January 2nd. I guess in theory if I cared enough I could request January 2 and 3 off of work and try reserving a hotel close to the parade route.

It looks like some major parks in Los Angeles County are closed now because of flooding or fires. My guess is, I can or should pick which major park to go to on Christmas day, at the last minute.

Is it likely that a good park will be open on Christmas, when most places will be closed??

I want to see the ocean just to see it. I don't want to go in the ocean.

It seems like a shame to skip seeing the Hollywood sign. Even if I can't rationally explain why I should bother seeing it.

If Grand Central Market is mostly prepared food, maybe i am better off skipping it. I am going to see if I can worry as little as possible about which foods are good or bad for you. My plan is to buy a combination of fruit and whatever else can be eaten without preparation that has as little as possible or no salt, sugar or other sweeteners, or oils added. I don't have any allergies. The problem is psychological. I didn't eat even one restaurant meal in Spain.

Why would I need to "take a shuttle to get a cab at Hell on Earth a.k.a LAX" if I reserve a rental car?

Here's a little hint. If you sit on the right side of your plane and are near a window, you might get a good view of the Hollywood sign while on final approach. Of course, the weather must be good and clear. That happens a few times a year.

Here is a way to see the Hollywood sign and hike.

https://griffithobservatory.org/explore/hollywood-sign/

If you do go to Pasadena, and if Arts and Crafts style appeals to you, do visit the Gamble House, done by Greene & Greene.

Santa Monica is a great area to stay. Since you mention markets, mark December 28 for the weekly Wednesday Farmers Market in Santa Monica. Get there at opening and compete with some of LA’s best chefs for the best fresh local produce.

And given that you aren’t interested in real restaurants, if you are staying on the Westside, there’s always Trader Joe’s. And regional grocers like Bristol Farms and Vicente Foods with top quality fresh produce (pricey but good).

Yes you will need a car, but if you stay in Santa Monica and are going to the DTLA museums, take the Metro Expo Line train from Santa Monica. Put the Citymapper App on your phone and go.

Speaking of Museums, LA County Museum (LACMA) is doing more and more with AR art, and adding these works to their collection. They are doing AR events in some parks now, hopefully they will have something special for the holidays (book in advance).

Does the Norton Simon museum seem worth trying to see or should I just acquiesce to skipping it? If I drive to the Norton Simon museum, is there a good chance of finding a parking spot within reasonable walking distance or would I just have to turn around and drive back to my hotel without seeing it?

If I drive to the Norton Simon museum, is there a good chance of
finding a parking spot within reasonable walking distance

Yes, of course. I can't imagine anyone who had to just nix the museum because they couldn't find parking. I would try to get there when the museum first opens, if possible. I remember parking down the street once and not recall it being a major deal. However, keep in mind any conflicts with the Rose Parade.

You’ll take a shuttle to get to rental cars.
https://www.flylax.com/-/media/flylax/amenities-at-lax/vip-files/ct_rental_cars.ashx

Other museums to consider: the Motion Picture Academy Museum. Its adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits.

Thanks for your input.

My interest in movies is too low to justify the Motion Picture Academy Museum. At least that is what I am thinking unless somebody persuades me that the Motion Picture Academy Museum is just so wonderful that nobody should skip it. I don't watch more than 2 movies a year on average, only if I am with relatives and if that's what they really want to do.

As I stated earlier, you will not be able to get close to the Norton Simon with a car. the week between Christmas and New Years. The City of Pasadena allows camping in the streets and on the sidewalks along the Rose Parade route. It's wall to wall people and all the streets are closed to parking. The Museum sits in a corner between two freeways and is bordered by the Arroyo and Old Town. There's no parking under the freeway, Old Town becomes impassible, and the street parking is filled with stadium seats. Colorado BLVD (normally a 4 lane street) moves at about 5 MPH.

Google "The 133rd Rose Parade presented by Honda" - They set up right across from the Norton Simon so you can see what it looks like. That's not a one day crowd; and the media didn't just set up the night before.

I am thinking I will skip the Norton Simon museum and see other museum(s) or another park, something with good walking paths and/or a beach and/or a pier or a park where the ocean or a waterfall is visible. It looks like all the museums require advance timed tickets, although I guess I don't have to buy them until 2 months in advance. Here is just another rough guess at an itinerary:

Flights from Detroit to Los Angeles International Airport, LAX. Pick up rental car. If time, Dockweiler Beach. Find a good grocery store. 1st night
Sunday, 25th: Hike to somewhere the Hollywood sign is easily visible (Griffith Park or nearby reservoir); possibly start at Griffith observatory. 2nd night
Monday, 26th: Norton Simon Museum (open 12-5) or possibly University of California at Los Angeles Hammer Museum, if time UCLA Grunwald Center (drawings) and/or Fowler Museum (anthropology/ artifacts from exotic tribes). 3rd night
Tuesday, 27th: Huntington museum and gardens. 4th night
Wednesday, 28th: Getty center (10-5:30). 5th night
Thursday, 29th: Getty Villa (10-5). 6th night
Friday, 30th: La Brea tar pits museum? (9:30-5), Los Angeles county museum of Art (11-8pm) 7th night
Saturday, 31st: Natural History museum of Los Angeles (9:30-5). 8th night
Sunday, New Year’s day: Flights back to Detroit.

I lived in LA for a decade up to 1996 (so obviously I'm not completely up to date), but as my main reason for being there was to undertake graduate studies at UCLA, I fully approve of your interest in seeing the campus. Definitely give priority to the campus museums you mentioned. In addition, these may not be worth going out of your way for, but just so you know:
[1] At least as of my time there, there was a nice sculpture garden towards the NE part of campus, with an original Rodan.
[2] Along the north edge of campus, there is a prominent arc in Sunset Boulevard which presumably was the "Deadman's Curve" in the famous Jan and Dean song (early 1960s). This may not be of interest to anyone but fans of '60s pop music, or Jan and Dean.
[3] You indicated that you don't have much interest in movies (neither do I), but for what it's worth, scenes from several modern movies have been filmed at UCLA. These include the 1996 remake of "The Nutty Professor," some scenes of which were shot in my "home" building, Moore hall -- and I remember what a big nuisance it was! (I found out why movies are so expensive to make: on a typical filming day, the campus would be invaded by huge trailer trucks, along with large surly film crews who acted as if they owned the place, who would shoot a few minutes of film, and otherwise sit around all day seemingly doing nothing except sneer at the students and professors trying to go about their usual business.)

A few other general things:
[4] It seems not to have been mentioned above, so I'll put in a word for the old Spanish San Fernando Mission. Note that it's at the northern edge of the valley of the same name, and at certain times of the day could be a long and difficult drive from the "basin" (as the central or main part of LA is often called).
[5] There's also the old San Gabriel Mission in east LA -- it's not terribly far from the Huntington Museum and Garden (one of my favorite places in LA), but you'll still need a map or a reliable GPS.
[6] You really can't miss the Hollywood sign -- it's visible from many points in west LA.
[7] Finally, what everyone says above about the terrible traffic was certainly true during my residence there. I actually rather liked LA, but doing rough mental calculations of the percentage of my life that I was devoting to the time and frustration or driving around, I concluded that the rational thing to do was to move out at my first good opportunity. (So bad was the traffic that when I was living there, a couple of companies were selling noisy little toy bazookas -- too small to be mistaken for real ones -- that you could aim and "fire" at other drivers, just to relieve your frustrations!)