Yeah, I’m looking at a map now and realize how packed the area is with streets and places I’ve heard of a million times but have never actually seen. Should be interesting!
It's a freebie and will distract the kids, and they will remember them all their lives "Kids we are on the Santa Monica freeway right now, remember the (movie), (song), (TV series)
I used to recommend going to the tallest buildings in town and riding the elevators to the top, for the city experience, if someone was from a place without high rises, but I don't know if people can play downtown today.
Take the advice on beaches, don't just drive to one thinking that they are all the same, you want to miss the worst of the tourist beaches. If you drive to a remote beach, have a picnic and let the kids immerse themselves in the experience.