Los Angeles location advice

Sounds perfect to me. Just be aware that it may not be as warm as you'd think. (I hope it is, but we had one January trip to San Diego when it was COLD.) Take a warm coat, in case.

There was a thread earlier this month about SF and LA walking tours and I added these comments to the LA part of the thread:
About 10 years ago I was an unwilling guest of downtown LA for a week when I got called for federal jury duty and lived >90 miles from the courthouse. I had to stay downtown for a week and chose a hotel in Japantown, walkable to Union Station and all of downtown. That fall, there was usually filming going on near my central walking area every day or often at night. I looked around the LA Conservancy website found a link to a great self guided walking tour. I see that they also do guided walking tours. Since that jury duty stay I’ve been back several times to walk friends and family, who were skeptical about walking around downtown, to see some iconic places on foot. A favorite supplementary map for me was the very detailed AAA Downtown LA street map.
https://www.laconservancy.org/tours-events/events-calendar/historic-downtown-walking-tour/

You might look at Pasadena as an overnight location instead of Glendale. If you want to stay in the city proper, I recommend Little Tokyo and the Miyako Hotel.

I really recommend Pasadena, both as a location to stay and as a place to visit. I could spend all day at the Huntington Gardens and Museums.

January is often spectacular and sunny in So Cal. Do people watch the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game on tv? We don't make that weather up. Honestly, it's a great time to visit! But, of course, it can be cold sometimes (could it rain, maybe, but odds are not), and definitely a coat for night, but since you are from Canada, I wouldn't dream of telling you how to pack. Because I'm always asking you forum professionals how to pack for European travel...we don't understand layers here! The beach can be dreamy in the winter; it's always cold ocean water. It's not summer, but great for strolling; beach chair picnic; smaller crowds!

Jan 17th weekend is MLK 3 day holiday weekend, so your plan to stay in Glendale that weekend is good, since you are familiar with it, and you like the location; and are going in different directions for site seeing over that weekend; Plus Monday being a holiday, perhaps less traffic to/from Pasadena; hopefully to visit Huntington Gardens? Traffic is all relative....11 miles can take 45/60 min; but your odds are better on the weekend...sometimes. Sunday morning is the only peaceful time. There's just no telling what traffic will be like until you are in it. Good choice to stay on the beach in Santa Monica on the 21st-24th Tues-Fri instead of the weekend. But, not sure about losing the car simply because of the moderately priced for LA parking fee. But, maybe you just want to gaze at the beauty from your balcony or just plan to stay only where you can walk in Santa Monica? No wanting to explore Malibu or Will Rogers State Park or Venice? How are you going to get to LAX? Uber? (That's at least one day's parking fee.) And give yourself loads and loads and loads of time to get to the airport on a Friday (yikes, yikes - the 405 nightmare!)

Have fun!!! Enjoy!!!

I wouldn't dream of telling you how to pack.

One things SoCal and Alberta have in common is that the temperature can drop in the evening (a little more drastic here). Even in the summer here I know enough to bring a jacket. It'll be ingrained in me to bring a sweater or two for the evenings.

Still trying to decide on a car for Santa Monica or not. The car is $65/day, parking is up to $75/night so Uber and the Blue bus aren't looking too bad. We don't really have a plan yet but have always loved Santa Monica. My wife just wants an ocean view. Water and beaches have never interested me much so she's in charge of these days. Depending on the weather we may even rent bikes. If it's over 50F, that means shorts weather where I come from.

Allan, shorts it will be! Also, we don't know how to function without a car in So Cal, so it just made me a little shaky thinking about you not having one! No matter what you decide, enjoy your time in LA! Oh, and Montana Ave in Santa Monica is a fun street for shops, dining, etc.

Also, it's not I like I think Glendale is just an amazing location choice; especially compared to Pasadena. But since you are planning to do much in downtown LA over the weekend and only one day in Pasadena; that's why I suggested that Glendale was fine as a more central location, since you are going lots of different directions.

Allan,
Santa Monica is a nice place, even without a car...laid back, nice for walking, good eating options. Terrific farmers market (Wed. and Sat. 8-1) and some good live theaters, plus art house movie theaters. Uber and Lyft will do if you need a ride. You aren't missing anything in Venice, and except for the Getty Villa museum, to my mind, Malibu is not worth a visit either. You could Uber or Lyft to the Getty Villa if you so decide. There may even be a bus that goes there. And I believe it is free.
Re Glendale, I would choose to stay the 17-21 in Pasadena instead. The town is lovely, also walkable,and has the fine Norton Simon Museum. In Pasadena, or nearby La Canada Flintridge or San Marino or Arcadia, you can visit the Huntington Library and Gardens, Descanso Gardens or the Los Angeles Arboretum. I would have a rental car here, for 2 days for sure. You could pick it up at LAX and bite the bullet driving to Pasadena (or Glendale) since it is a holiday. I am not familiar with hotels in Pasadena (or Glendale), living in Long Beach, but I would guess you won't have pricey parking fees in Pasadena, as you would have in Santa Monica. You could probably drop the car off in Santa Monica for your stay there.
Just my thoughts....have a wonderful stay in SoCal. (I feel like I live in Paradise with our weather, beaches and mountains and deserts.)

Agree with Pasadena, Huntington Library and add the beautiful Gamble House (gamblehouse.org) to list of possibles. From Santa Monica, take a bus, taxi or drive to the La Brea Tar Pits area. The tar pits are interesting for a moment but nearby are the LA County Museum of Art (occasional great exhibits) and the world class envy-breeding Petersen Auto Museum (petersen.org). I was raised in the "Valley" where even babies had V-8 powered strollers, so everybody needs a car in LA!

I used to spend a lot of time in Santa Monica, and there's times I miss it, but I lived in Pasadena, I've got family in Glendale and Burbank, so I still get back every now and then. It can be "cool" for CA in Jan. but really it's not bad. I would suggest staying in Pasadena vs. Glendale as old town Pas is where you want to hang out and walk around.

In Santa Monica try Bludso's for BBQ, and if you're interested in wine visit Wine Expo (they deal in a lot of smaller Champagne houses and I used to spend a lot of money there.)

The Huntington is nice, but for something locals know go to Descanso. In JAN all the camellias should be in bloom and it will be fantastic. Pick up a sandwich at La Canada Imports (trust me). Also, don't miss grabbing a pastrami lunch at "The Hat".

Thanks for the advice so far. Southern California isn't unfamiliar to us as it's always been a short, cheap flight when we've got nothing better to do. When the kids were young it automatically meant Disneyland. But Disney has finally outpriced my love now that a 1-day ticket comes in at about $240 Canadian. Now that we're kid (and job) free we're trying to explore parts that we've always thought about, but never seen. Last trip was 2019 where we drove the PCH from San Francisco over a few days, spent a couple of days in Glendale to see Le Brea Tarpits, Peterson Car Museum, and Sony Studios (have also seen Warner and Paramount Studios in the past), before finishing off in Laguna Beach for a few days. A car for LA/Glendale/Pasadena was never in question but I still may give it up for Santa Monica. We drove through the hills above Malibu one trip and it reminded us of hilly, twisty European roads. My wife and kids were carsick so we'll probably skip that.

I'd be interested in the details of the historical LA walking tour. Will be in LA for a couple days in mid-November and looking for a few options to fill our days. :)

@Racheal

https://www.laconservancy.org/tours-events/events-calendar/historic-downtown-walking-tour/

https://www.lawalkingtours.com/

We're leaning toward the first link but nothing is scheduled yet for when week be there.

Any thoughts on using the E Line from Santa Monica to Downtown LA and Dodgers Stadium?

I’m not sure of the E-line route but in the past if it’s a game day and your public transportation gets you to Union Station there are free shuttle buses that will take you to and from Dodger Stadium. We’ve used this when staying downtown to catch some games.

In LA I stay near Union Station, very convenient.

To get to Santa Monica I take the E line getting off at the "Downtown Santa Monica" station. , transferring from Union Station at Little Tokyo station to catch the E line , or you can walk it, ca 17 mins or so if the heat is tolerable.

As I am used to public transportation in LA, no problem, tracking the lines, etc. No way am I interested in driving in LA , getting stuck in that tedious traffic when it's bumper to bumper. Therefore, the rental car is no option.

Allan,
Just in case you stay near Union Station (a great Art Deco building!), you will be close to Olvera Street, the birthplace of LA, and Chinatown. Also, across the street, is Phillipe's restaurant, origin of the French Dip sandwich, and an Everyman's place to eat that has fed politicians, business titans, movie stars and us ordinary folk in a cool workingman's setting for over 100 years. (Good pickled eggs and pastrami sandwiches as well.)
Enjoy!

Judy, we were watching the latest season of Lincoln Lawyer and there was a scene at Coles which says it's the original home. Is there an LA controversy?

Just this morning we booked 4 nights in Pasadena and 3 nights in Santa Monica. We'll definitely have a car for the first 4 nights, and still undecided if we'll keep the car for Santa Monica. Olvera is on our list. We haven't been in that neighbourhood since 1989.

Allan,'
Yes, there is a longstanding rivalry, but my guess is that Phillipe's was first. Probably about 2/3 of Angelenos opt for Phillipe's over Cole's. And the atmosphere there is better anyway. From time to time one of the local tv stations, or a local newspaper, will run a feature on the rivalry. It's all in good fun, as is the rivalry between Tail O' The Pup (1946) and Pink's (1939) hot dog eateries.

(Just as an aside, our daughter will be in town for 2 1/2 days in November, and we are revisiting the Getty Center museum for an afternoon, and heading to Phillipe's for dinner afterward. When we were in our 30's, we often made an evening with other couples by having French Dips at Phillipe's, followed by a Dodger game...with Dodger dogs....and ending the night at a restaurant in Chinatown sharing a variety of plates! I don't know how we did it!)
There's lots of fun to be had in the LA area. Glad you are giving Pasadena a try. And you can probably drop the car for Santa Monica if the parking is too high. Uber and Lyft are pretty easy and reliable, plus with beach adjacent lodgings, you are in a good spot for a relaxing time. You could even check out the Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica city bus). $1.25 cash fare, or 50 cents for seniors. Google their website. Hubby and I used the Oahu buses when we were there in January for part of our transportation, and Lyft at night. Much cheaper than a car rental there!

Bonne chance!

Yes there is a controversy re: french dip sandwiches between Coles and Philippe's.

In my 30 years of living in LA I’ve preferred Philippes. Not for the french dips but for the atmosphere. Oh and I love their banana cream pie.

we booked 4 nights in Pasadena and 3 nights in Santa Monica

Where are you staying in Santa Monica? My family is looking to go to LA next summer (SM and a couple nights in Anaheim for Disneyland) and I was looking at some hotels there. We stayed in West Hollywood last time.

Like you, I will probably opt to forego a car rental due to the rental cost and hotel parking rates. That's why I'm curious about the Metro E Line.

Noxit71, we're staying here https://www.sonder.com/destinations/santa_monica/LOS-OCEA1301/c35521?sleeps=1&utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic

Allan, your Santa Monica hotel location looks great! You edfinitely won't need a car in Santa Monica.

Thanks, Allan. Sonder is on my current short list along w/ the Viceroy.

If it were me, I'd head south after Santa Monica and stay the remainder of my time in Newport Beach or its environs. Actual inland L.A. County is not my cup of tea.