Also, you should note that LA is huge. You can drive for 90 minutes, without traffic, and still be in the greater LA area. It should also be noted that traffic is terrible during rush hour, and throughout most of the day.

If I were you, and I could afford it, I'd try to stay near the coast. That's where a lot of the cool stuff is, and drive time from inland to the coast can be significant.

Oh yeah - Disneyland would be cool for a day too.

Forgot to mention, but if you like museums, the Getty is in a gorgeous location and has an incredible collection.

Better learn Spanish. Hostel? Ever seen that movie?

And a great place to check out downtown LA from a bird's eye view.

Or Dr. Phil.

Some good suggestions in here. If you're on a budget, my first suggestion would be to bed down away from LAX. Hotels get cheaper further inland, though the neighborhoods also get rougher. Hostels in Venice are fairly popular, though I've never stayed in one. Then there's always AirBnB and/or the Valley if you avoid crossing during rush hour. For cheap/free stuff to do you can browse Venice Boardwalk, Santa Monica Pier and Promenade, Griffith Park and Observatory, Getty Museum, Hollywood Walk of Fame, or Rodeo Drive. Plenty more to do if you wanna pay for it. I really enjoyed taking some family to Universal Theme Park a couple years ago. Plenty of nightlife all over, though Sunset and Santa Monica Blvd are probably the most popular.

Another cool site between LA and San Francisco is Hearst Castle. Very cool former estate of William Randolph Hearst.

Go to an episode of the Late Late Show with James Corden.

Seriously though, try San Francisco if you can. I never went there, but the city is beautiful (and expensive).

San Fran>LA.