Hi,

I think you are really over reaching as to what you may accomplish, especially on day 1. By the time you get out of the airport and to your hotel it will most likely be 2 or 3. if you plan on freshening up and then heading back to the beaches (you are entering rush hour then) you most likely will get to Santa Monica in time to enjoy dinner. Which isn't a bad thing, but it won't be hanging out in the sun.

You might consider a stroll along Santa Monica pier and then having dinner at the the 3rd Street Promenade. You can park in the structure on 2nd Street and walk to both. 3rd Street is a several block long walking area that is full of restaurants and many entertainers, shops, etc. It is much higher end than Venice though.

Day 2 - After Universal, park at Hollywood and Highland and walk around Hollywood Blvd. a little. Graumann's Chinese is right next door. There isn't much glitz and glamour in that area of town, so you probably won't need to stay very long.

Adding Rodeo drive into that is quite agressive IMHO. Beverly Hills is not easily accesible by freeway and, despite the fact that Beverly Hills and Hollywood are only a few miles apart, the drive can be up to half an hour in rush hour (figure 3:45 - 7:00 pm). Personally I would skip Hollywood, but then again, I live here.

Really, given your planned itinerary, almost anywhere in L.A. would be better to stay than downtown. For what you want to do you are way out of the way. I would try to stay somewhere on the west side (Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Century City, West L.A. or the beaches). Or even, dare I say it, an airport hotel. Even staying at Universal would be better for you. There are many high priced hotels around, but some very good deal can be had too, especially as you won't be here in high season.

In any event, I hope you have a great time.