hey simply if your coming to cali and its the l.a. parts.....
you well need to rent a car #1 of course.
i would say its best you stay at the hotels that are down the street from l.a.x. (on century blvd.) it will put you in the center of everything.
Beaches
Venice Beach: One of the most famous places to visit when in town (venice walkway, b-ball courts, Muscle beach,so many things)
Santa Monica: also very popular place to see. you have 3rd st. promenade(shopping), santa monica pair/board walk, in that area you also have Undefeated,American Apparel.
Manhattan Beach
Marina Del Rey
Shopping
most of the good shopping areas are in the greater L.A.
Melrose (tons of stores for girls) (west of fairfax lots of stores down that way bape, crooks, kidrobot, fred sigeal, miss sixty, DC, paul frank, aiddias,etc.)
Fairfax (flightclub, diamond, the hundreds, hall of fame, supreme, huf)
La Brea (union, stussy, undefeated, some other stores too)
Beverly Center
Century City Mall (Good Place to shop and eat)
The Grove (Good Place to shop and eat)
Night Life (not really sure what your into)
Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood Area
Hermosa Beach Area
Santa Monica Area
Food
Fat Burgers
In-N-Out
Tommy's
Pinks
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles
California Pizza Kitchen
Pink Taco
Tito's Taco
The Standard Hotel (sunset & downtown l.a.)
Ketchup
Sunset Plaza
Geisha House
Grand Lux Cafe
Wokcano
P F Changs
Blowfish Sushi To Die For
Berry's deli
for more info or details feel free to hit me up