Tour movie studios and museums, and escape to an island resort.
Trip length: 3-4 days
Total distance: 76mi/122km

DAY 1
SANTA MONICA Ride the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel . Stroll and shop along Third Street Promenade , and sip shakes from Soda Jerks . INFO 310/393-7593

BRENTWOOD (4mi/6km; 11min). Sign up for a kid-friendly Art Adventure tour at the Getty Center . Get messy in the museum’s Family Room for hands-on learning for all. INFO 310/440-7300

BEVERLY HILLS (6mi/10km; 14min). Put your mettle to the pedals on bicycle tours to visit celebrity-filled neighborhoods with Bike and Hikes L.A.   INFO 310/248-1015

HOLLYWOOD (5mi/8km; 12min). Touch handprints of legends at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre , then pose with lifelike wax figures at Madame Tussauds Hollywood . Watch the magic of Cirque du Soleil’s new show IRIS . INFO 323/467-6412

DAY 2
GRIFFITH PARK (7mi/11km; 19min). Hang out with more stars at Griffith Observatory . Have a picnic with made-to-order sandwiches and pastries from the Trails Cafe . INFO 323/467-6412

UNIVERSAL CITY (10mi/15km; 23min). Be amazed by action-packed entertainment at Universal Studios Hollywood , including all-new Transformers: The Ride 3D . INFO 323/467-6412

BURBANK (5mi/9km; 16min). See moviemaking in action on a VIP Studio Tour at Warner Bros . At Mo’s Fine Food  (breakfast and lunch), keep your eyes peeled for actors on breaks from filming. INFO 323/467-6412 

DOWNTOWN L.A. (12mi/19km; 17min). Mix tunes at the Grammy Museum , then catch concerts by top performers at NOKIA Theatre/L.A. LIVE . INFO 213/689-8822

DAY 3
LONG BEACH (25mi/41km; 30min). Experience the glories of ocean travel with a tour and meal aboard permanently docked Queen Mary . INFO 562/436-3645

SANTA CATALINA ISLAND (2mi/3km; 5min). Zoom by catamaran ferry from Long Beach to this island getaway. Stroll pretty Avalon, then take a mini-sub ride or join a Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour . INFO 310/510-1520