Hey Ping--I lived in LA for three years and just moved. My advice, definitely drive part of US 1 aka the PCH--it's the highway that runs along the coast of California. It's completely amazing.

In LA, the Getty museum is pretty awesome if you're in the mood for a little wholesome educational time. If not, some good bars in LA=Boardner's (famous old-school Hollywood place), the Short Stop ($1 PBRs until 8 PM), the HMS Bounty (also old school LA), the Gold Room (scary Mexican bar with a mariachi band and free tequila shots w/ every beer), the Cat and Fiddle (British garden pub), and the Standard (overpriced stupid Sunset Strip place, but lots of hot girls).

I would also suggest bowling at 39 Shatto Lanes, getting a burger at Pie and Burger in Pasadena, watching a movie at the Arclight in Hollywood (the best theater in the world), eating a fancy dinner at Blair's, getting rotisserie chicken at Zankou chicken in Little Armenia, going to Malibu and fucking around, and avoiding the west side of LA entirely.

Have fun!