I'm an LA regular and practically live there. Have been spending lots of time there over the past 10 years there.
Hotels - My general rule of thumb is that if you are in LA, there is no one single hotel that is close to everything. And that is because everything in LA is very spread out. There's lots to choose from, so pick an area you would like to be in.
More importantly, pick a hotel that fits your budget and meets your needs. I typically discourage RS members to stay away from the LAX hotels mainly because they are pretty run down and the turnover is high (it's an airport hotel afterall) and also because there isn't much around the hotel. If you're spending a few days at Disneyland, pick a hotel that's in the area. I spent two days at Disney recently and fuck, I wished the hotel was next door so I could just go to sleep after a day of walking and waiting in line. I'm getting old, so....yeah.
Car - You need a car no matter where you go in LA. Renting is your best option unless you are staying in one place only (i.e. Downtown LA.) Having the flexibility to go where you want to go in LA is priceless. Shop around for the best prices possible. Some people swear by Uber, but factor in your potential costs - it may cost more than a rental.
If renting, I typically go with National or Enterprise. Some other RS members like to spruce things up and go with another rental company that has a fleet of Audi A4s available (it's in this thread somewhere.)
Must Eats - I can't really comment on this one because food is a very personal thing. One person may like the fries at In & Out Burger while most people absolutely hate them with a vengeance. I have had only pleasant experiences at Jar, owned and operated by Suzanne Tracht and she works the kitchen most nights. It's not mind blowing, but the food and service, for me, have been consistently excellent.
Try going to - See my post above on this page (and previous threads.) Check out the Griffith Observatory in the evening (I don't remember if they began charging for parking so check before you go.) Lots of things to do and see in LA.
I just spent a week there and just got back last night.
