day trip to L.A. - which day of the week would be best ?

If we did L.A. in one day (tourist bus-trip re: Hollywood, Bel Air, Etc.)....are there certain days when traffic is much lighter than others, therefore a more comfortable visit ?

Thanks.

day trip to L.A. - which day of the week would be best ?

What time of year? Generally, the only light day would be Sunday.

day trip to L.A. - which day of the week would be best ?

It%26#39;s not really possible to ';do L.A. in one day'; any more than one could ';do London in one day';. Can you not add a second or 3rd day? I see you%26#39;re going to Las Vegas. Perhaps, you could take some time from there. (Las Vegas is very compact. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is very spread out).

We frequently do the ';Round LA Sightseeing Tour'; by car when we have visitors. NOT including Universal or Disneyland, it can be done-- on a weekend or holiday. We go to Olivera St. early, spending about an hour, including seeing the adobe, watching ladies make tortillas, sampling cactus, and buying the Mexican candy and possibly souvenirs. Taking the freeway gives a view of downtown skyscrapers. Next is Hollywood, with the Chinese Theatre, footprints, etc. Lunch at Farmer%26#39;s Market. Drive through Beverly Hills/Bel Air detouring a bit up the hill. Drive through UCLA, and, if there%26#39;s time and the right temperature, pick up sandwiches for a dinner picnic at the beach. I am tired just thinking about it, since I am usually the driver, but it works. I agree that you really need an extra day or two if possible-- we prefer to split this trip into visiting Hollywood early, followed by Universal Studios, with a second day starting at Farmers Market and continuing, spending an afternoon at the beach. If you have to do this on a weekday, you will want to avoid the major traffic from 6:30-9:30 and again about 2:30-7.

I forgot to say: this is by car, with someone driving who knows where they are going. (Also, the trip we take visits the La Brea Tar Pits just before or after Farmers Market, depending on how hungry people are.

A bus trip could do most of these in a (weekend) day, but probably not UCLA or the beach. This one www.starlinetours.com/los-angeles-tour-2A.asp looks pretty comprehensive. I have no personal experience with them, but both Greyhound and Starline have been around a long time, so they must be doing something right.

Thanks guys,

all your info. is useful.

I noticed that South West airlines do a good (flight) deal from Vegas to LA, so we%26#39;re taking advantage of that and trying to hook up with one of the bus companies which pick up at LAX.

This is early next year for my 50th birthday. (I like to try and plan way ahead !!)

I%26#39;ll also look into the tour company you suggested,

many thanks.

have researched a little more now, taking into account previous advice, we%26#39;re thinking of early-morning South West air flight Vegas to L.A. Bob Hope / Burbank, then cab to Chinese Theater to pick up a ';Starline'; bus, do the tour, look at the pavement stars, etc. grab something to eat, then it%26#39;ll be time to head back to Bob Hope, maybe 18:00, anyone think we%26#39;re stupid or does this sound reasonable ?

Thanks.

phil, that sounds like a good way to get a taste of LA (at least the Westside), which is really all you have time to do. The downside is that you will see everything from your seat on the bus and won%26#39;t get much chance to get to know the sights more intimately, but hopefully you will be back someday and can use the bus tour as your basis for more explorations. BTW, I heard that the Starline bus may extend its reach to the beach cities, which are worth exploring if you have time.

Anything is duable, but it sounds very stressfull. Why not spent a night in L.A. while you at it? Would be a shame to miss out the beach area and Santa Monica while you are in town.