Los Angeles, California

[[-c-h-a-]]

^didn't say we'll avoid the freeways completely. I said, we'll avoid it during peak hours. Since we will be jetlagged on our 1st few days, i don't expect we'll be up before 11am. And yes, the husband will read the road rules. One of my pet peeves rin when tourists drive and have nfi what the rules are and road hazard pa sila halos

[mama squeak!]

^no worries you'll be fine. My hubby never had any problems driving in LA or anywhere in the states and Europe for that matter. Basically naman pare-pareho mga road rules anywhere, of course there will be some road rules unique to a state you just have to brush up on those. Oh and definitely a gps with real-time traffic stream will help a lot. Enjoy your trip!

[[-c-h-a-]]

^thanks mama squeak! I'm not too worried - my husband's an excellent driver I've also downloaded the handbook and the rules are quite similar to ours here in Australia. But on the opposite side lol

[[-c-h-a-]]

ladies, need some input... whereabouts is a good area to stay in? I like the condos in Irvine but I worry it's too far from everything? We're going to Universal Studios, malls, outlets... what about WEHO? My aunt said *not* Downtown LA.

Disneyland naman we're checking in at a nearby hotel so hindi ko na sinama...

[TysLolakins]

 ^in case you haven't done yet, read the entry for West Hollywood on Wikipedia, from what I know of the area, it has a pretty good description of it.
yes, from there, the landmarks you listed are within easy driving distance.  granted the closest freeway you have to take is 101, just schedule your trips after the morning rush hour and before the late afternoon peak. 

[annn]

hi guys long time no talk..i moved here to us a few years ago and nabusy.

right now i live in southern california in orange county ..i dont know anyone here lol. mga pinoy dito kaunti lang. pm me so we can meet up! wala akong magawa puro work bahay lang, and theres really not a lot of places to go to. same thing , restaurant and movie.

[jazzlawyer]

my parents are in Anaheim. just had my 3 weeks vacation there during Christmas season. I miss SoCal.

Everytime I visit LA lagi kami naguuwi ng Porto's at pinapasalubong namin sa mga taga Bay Area. anyone has tried this? yum! Lagi kami naghohoard ng Cheese Roll and Guava Cheese Strudel.

[simang]

^waahh cheese rolls from Porto's!! I bought 2 dozens of that back to Pinas. Sarap!

[Missus O]

Yup,  Porto's has the best cheese rolls   their empanada is also good.  We live about 30 minutes away from Burbank, pag nagagawi hubby ko sa Burbank pasalubong ko yun for sure. But the best pastey I've tried here is Ponchik or Ponchiki from Papillon Bakery.

@jazzlawyer - if there's none in your place maybe ask your parents to buy some for you guys. They are doughnuts but they are just pure heaven in a box. I never thought that I would like these doughnuts but as in pure bliss Although mas masarap sya if its freshly made, and not a day over.

[mooncake and leaves]

ladies, need some input... whereabouts is a good area to stay in? I like the condos in Irvine but I worry it's too far from everything? We're going to Universal Studios, malls, outlets... what about WEHO? My aunt said *not* Downtown LA.

Disneyland naman we're checking in at a nearby hotel so hindi ko na sinama...

Irvine is about 15 mins from Anaheim without traffic. There's also the Irvine Spectrum, which is a nice outdoor mall. And it's close to the airport (John Wayne) so plenty of accommodations. Masaya Irvine. Mayaman kasi 😅

But yes, it's a considerable distance from everything. West Hollywood is a better fit, distance-wise. Forget Downtown if you're driving kasi super mahal ng parking.

Anaheim is good too. Lots of hotels. It's still a bit of a drive from Universal, Hollywood, etc. but it's not as far as Irvine.

[jazzlawyer]

Yup,  Porto's has the best cheese rolls   their empanada is also good.  We live about 30 minutes away from Burbank, pag nagagawi hubby ko sa Burbank pasalubong ko yun for sure. But the best pastey I've tried here is Ponchik or Ponchiki from Papillon Bakery.

Ma-try nga to next time. mahaba din ba pila like portos?

[jillai]

Hi All! We are going to LA on Feb 5-8. It's our first time to go to the US and travelling with our 8-month old boy too. Our major itinerary is Disneyland so we'll just be staying in a hotel nearby. Would like to check with those who are in LA now, what's the weather like and what clothes do you suggest we bring? I have been checking online but it's better to hear firsthand experience. Also, are there any easy tours (like 2-3 hours) we can get on from Anaheim to go around the best of LA quickly?
TIA!

[TysLolakins]

^it's not quite 'shorts' weather yet right now .
layering is the key to dressing up here. mornings and nighttime are a bit chilly like 40s - 50s fahrenheit so you'll need a medium jacket or sweater. 
can i just tell you what i'm wearing right now so you'll have an idea?  short uggs, cuffed jeans, long sleeve shirt that can be worn by itself under a slouchy cardigan, optional scarf.
midday gets a little warm, button down long sleeve shirt, jeans and loafers are good.  for walking a lot at disneyland,  wear comfortable shoes like nike free flyknit.
or you can bring your regular clothes from pinas,  just add-on a jacket or sweater and other cold-weather accessories if you are lamigin easily.
better yet, don't bring any clothes, just go shopping at the outlet as soon as you get here! 
for your baby, sweat pant sets are good then jacket and beanie and he's good to go.  get the full on disney experience by buying his whole wardrobe from the disney store, hahaha
did i just give you TMI?  anyway,  i hope you and your family enjoy your LA trip!!!

-----
re bakeries frequented by pinoys here, there's another one and i'm sure you all have heard of it, 85 degrees.  they have many branches in the san gabriel valley but the one we go to is in Pasadena (next to Bachi Burger, another popular hotspot).[/size]anyway, 85 degrees is similar to Bread Talk in what they offer.  my favorite is their brioche.  omg, it's so good i always hoard the whole tray for myself!  and it's best enjoyed with a mango flavored green tea with jelly.

[jazzlawyer]

Hi All! We are going to LA on Feb 5-8. It's our first time to go to the US and travelling with our 8-month old boy too. Our major itinerary is Disneyland so we'll just be staying in a hotel nearby. Would like to check with those who are in LA now, what's the weather like and what clothes do you suggest we bring? I have been checking online but it's better to hear firsthand experience. Also, are there any easy tours (like 2-3 hours) we can get on from Anaheim to go around the best of LA quickly?
TIA!

jeans shirt jacket sneakers will do. parang baguio na mas malamig. pwede ka din mag boots.  no need mag layering ng damit. average is around 15 degrees

[choco_loka]

＠TysLolakins
Thanks for the what-to-wear tips! I'm flying to LA on the 4th and starting to pack stuff na.
May 85 degrees sa LA? Must be a franchise? Akala ko local bakery siya dito sa Taipei kasi it's everywhere

[mama squeak!]

^meron din 85 degrees in SJC and yup it's a franchise from Taipei. Medyo hype nga especially when it first opened, haba ng pila! For me though so so lang yung mga bread and pastries. I still prefer Porto's. 

[choco_loka]

@mama squeak
Wow di ko alam international na pala sila. Dito rin cute lang mga cakes nila pero hindi ganun kasarap, affordable kasi siya. Porto's is on my 'to eat' list na Di ko kasi siya na try last time. Any other recos sis? Thank you in advance!!! 

[mama squeak!]

^If you're into sea foods you can try Boiling Crab. Meron na silang branch in LA. I love their whole shabang shrimps!

[choco_loka]

^Will take note of it Thank you!

[mooncake and leaves]

^ Ok din King's Hawaiian bakery for bread and cakes. This one is in Torrance.

Since you'll be based in Anaheim, check out Casa Oaxaca in Santa Ana. Katabi lang yan ng Anaheim. Mexican & Korean food ang LA talaga, imo.