Action Sequence: Sure, the lines at Universal Studios Hollywood can be excruciatingly long, but it's difficult to resist a studio tour of sets such as Jaws and Psycho and close encounters with a big-mouthed shark and a fiery Fast and Furious car chase. (Don't worry — it's just special effects.) Unwind from the adrenaline with a Butterbeer and visit to the spellbinding Hogwarts castle in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, opening in April. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 800-864-8366, universalstudioshollywood.com
Path Finder: Venice, the Bohemian pocket of LA, is known not only for diverse cuisine (French, Thai, Latin American) but also for its canals. Built more than a century ago, bridges allow you to stroll the walkways lining the canals, which are a short distance from Venice Pier, past landscaped gardens and a melange of stylish homes.gotosocal.com/venice-canals-walkway
Craft Services: Nate & Al's has the buzz of being a place where the industry honchos talk about development deals over lox and bagels. Order true deli items such as potato knishes, chopped liver and thinly sliced but piled high peppery pastrami sandwiches on rye. Stay for an old-fashioned cream soda and soak up the atmosphere at this bustling 71-year-old Beverly Hills delicatessen known to draw the rich and famous. Did Larry King just walk in?414 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310-274-0101, natenal.com
Resting Places
The Cazador Yurt — Mount Washington
Glamp — the luxurious version of camping — in this Mongolian yurt that sleeps two. For $85 per night, be outdoorsy while enjoying cool amenities such as Wi-Fi, a fire pit, hammocks, French-press coffee and even access to a Wurlitzer organ. Plus, there's built-in breakfast: You can pick figs, lemons, avocados, oranges and other fruits when in season, and you're 3 miles from the trendy foodie oasis Echo Park.
High Up In a Castle
Wing Plan
Book your flight to the West Coast in April when Frontier Airlines adds a $117 flight to LA. (Baggage and assigned seating are extra.) "We offer 'The Works' upgrade, which includes all of the extras at a 60 percent discount and also comes with the ability to change your reservation or cancel with no additional fees," says Richard Oliver, a spokesman for Frontier corporate communications.
